Chapter 2: Following Heaven is Easy, Defying Heaven is Hard

To cultivate, or not to cultivate—that is a distressing question.

However, Lu Yang soon stopped agonizing over it.

Because he had no right to refuse. In broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of heaven and earth, Yu Suzhen had simply laid hands on him!

Unfortunately, Lu Yang's body was already depleted of essence and terminally ill; he was long past the point of having the strength to resist.

"What a waste."

Seeing this, Yu Suzhen cursed irritably, "You clearly have such a handsome face, yet you have hardly any essence left."

As her voice fell, Lu Yang's face instantly turned pale.

Immediately following, he discovered that what little essence he had left flowed entirely into Yu Suzhen's body, leaving his already frail frame even more withered and desiccated.

"Great Joy of Yin and Yang."

As the cultivation technique distributed during the assignment flashed through his mind, a realization dawned on Lu Yang: perhaps the so-called trial of the Hehuan Hall was actually a way for registered disciples to compete against one another using the *Great Joy of Yin and Yang*, much like raising venomous insects. Only those who survived to the end could be promoted to official disciples.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister Yu."

At the same time, several surrounding registered disciples walked over with flattering expressions. "Having plundered the essence of this last person, Senior Sister should be able to reach the Qi Refining stage now."

"Once you refine Qi, you are no longer a mere mortal!"

"We beg Senior Sister to look after us in the future. We are willing to follow you anywhere..."

Watching this scene, Lu Yang suddenly laughed.

"Heh..."

The sudden laughter of a drained, useless husk of a man immediately drew everyone's attention. Yu Suzhen shot Lu Yang a glance and said indifferently, "Why is Junior Brother laughing?"

"I am laughing for your sake, Senior Sister," Lu Yang said sincerely. "I was originally worried about your health, but it seems I was merely worrying needlessly."

"Worried about my health?" Yu Suzhen was stunned.

"Indeed." At this point, Lu Yang sighed with emotion. "Before entering the sect, I suffered from a chronic illness. Senior Sister was just a bit too eager when you laid hands on me, so I didn't have time to mention it. But since you are about to refine Qi, I imagine a mere minor illness won't be a problem for you, right?"

Yu Suzhen: "..."

【An infuriated Yu Suzhen beat you to death.】

【Remaining pages in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 99】

【Restarting a new life. You may choose one reward from your previous life

1. Treasure. 2. Cultivation. 3. Lifespan. 4. Forfeit all rewards to randomly awaken a talent based on your previous experiences.】

"Those whose names are called, step forward."

Lu Yang opened his eyes and looked at the black-robed Taoist on the stage. He realized he had returned to the square where names were being called for assignment, just as he had first entered the Primordial Saint Sect.

The experience just now had been undeniably real—the taste of that enchantress was still vivid in his mind—yet now he was starting over from the beginning. The past felt like a dream. This massive contrast left Lu Yang dazed for a long while before he regained his senses. Amidst his emotions, he felt a secret joy; his Book of a Hundred Lifetimes was indeed a miraculous treasure!

Steadying his mind, Lu Yang looked down at the options in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes.

He skipped the first three options. After all, he had been killed by Yu Suzhen's essence plunder before he even began formal cultivation; the only choice he actually had was the fourth.

【Calculating your previous life experiences...】

【After plundering your essence, Yu Suzhen broke through to the Qi Refining stage. However, due to your chronic illness, the true Qi could not be purged. She remained bedridden for several months and eventually died of her illness.】

【Since ancient times, it is easy to follow Heaven, but difficult to defy it.】

【Martial arts are no match for divine abilities; the gap between mortals and cultivators is greater than the difference between heaven and earth.】

【Yet, you entered the fray with your own body, skillfully using unorthodox methods to slay a cultivator with a mortal frame. This can be called 'winning by half a move against Heaven'—such is the height of defying destiny!】

【You have awakened the White Talent: Unorthodox Prodigy.】

【Unorthodox Prodigy: You possess extremely high comprehension of unorthodox cultivation methods. No cultivator of the same realm can plunder you.】

Immediately after, the light and text on the panel changed again.

【Name: Lu Yang】 【Age: 18】 【Cultivation: None】 【Talent: Unorthodox Prodigy (White)】 【Cultivation Method: Great Joy of Yin and Yang (Entry Level)】 【Divine Abilities: None】 【Treasures: None】 【Book of a Hundred Lifetimes Pages: 99】

Lu Yang exhaled deeply, feeling a surge of blood and qi rush toward his dantian. Instantly, his strength returned, and he felt vigorous and spirited; his originally frail body began to recover step by step.

"This illness... it doesn't seem to be cured, it's just that I can endure it longer."

Lu Yang carefully sensed his condition.

Aside from the physical recovery brought by his talent, Lu Yang also gained significant insights into the *Great Joy of Yin and Yang* technique distributed by the Hehuan Hall.

After all, practical experience was far more important than pure theory, especially with the added bonus of his talent.

From then on, nothing in the progression changed.

Because of his naturally handsome face, Lu Yang was still assigned to the Hehuan Hall, and he still encountered Yu Suzhen at the entrance, where she took an immediate interest in him.

But this time, Lu Yang did not resist.

In the next second, Lu Yang felt his essence, spirit, and vitality merge with that single strand of Qi. Finally, with a sudden tremor, it was as if an invisible gate had swung open.

A sudden moment of enlightenment struck Lu Yang: "I've broken through!"

The union of spirit and Qi is called "Qi Refining"!

As an established registered disciple of the Hehuan Hall, Yu Suzhen had been only one step away from Qi Refining.

In his previous life, she had sucked him dry to complete that final step and successfully refined Qi. In this life, she was the one backlashed by him, and her entire accumulation benefited him instead.

From this day forward, he was a first-layer Qi Refining cultivator!

A single breakthrough meant promotion to an official disciple, a status that could be described as ascending to heaven in a single step. It seemed simple, yet for countless years, it had blocked countless registered disciples.

"How delightful. Senior Sister Yu, I don't think I will ever forget you in my lifetime."

Lu Yang stood up and looked at the lifeless body of Yu Suzhen on the ground, unable to help but sigh with emotion.

(End of Chapter)