Chapter 35: Senior Brother Zhao and I are Destined!

Two lifetimes ago, starting from Lu Yang's current point in time, a war of extermination against the righteous sects would be launched by the Saint Sect in approximately twenty years.

The righteous sect destined for destruction was named the "Shenwu Sect."

In that lifetime, Zhao Xuhe eventually managed to cultivate to the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement and, along with Fairy Feixia, became managers for the Saint Sect in the external marketplaces.

That marketplace was located at Skeleton Mountain, adjacent to the Shenwu Sect.

Before the war, the Saint Sect used the marketplace as cover to transport a massive amount of resources. It was said that it was during this time that the two of them discovered the Foundation Establishment treasures.

Afterward, as the war broke out, the two of them rose to prominence, earning significant merits. They then exchanged more merits within the Saint Sect for another Foundation Establishment treasure and requested an alchemist to merge the two into a single "Foundation Establishment Pill," which finally gave them the chance to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Although they ultimately failed, the opportunity had been real.

"I practiced the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art just like Zhao Xuhe. If he could attempt Foundation Establishment, perhaps I have a chance too. Regardless, it is worth a try!"

Three days passed.

While Lu Yang was sitting in meditation within his cave dwelling, a Face-Owlet suddenly flew to his entrance. Its beak opened and closed, releasing a crisp and pleasant voice

"Junior Brother Lu, please come to my cave dwelling for a meeting."

It was Fairy Feixia.

Lu Yang's eyes flickered at the sight. He immediately rose upon a streak of sword light and flew toward Fairy Feixia's cave dwelling, where he was subsequently led to a mountain-and-water tea pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her slender hands moved gracefully, pouring spiritual water and using true fire to stimulate the leaves. The process was a sight to behold. As Lu Yang arrived, he was greeted by a delicate tea fragrance that refreshed the mind and even invigorated his spiritual sense.

"Please, sit, Junior Brother."

Fairy Feixia finally raised her eyes to look at him. Once Lu Yang was seated, she got straight to the point: "I have come to find you because the response from the Association has arrived."

"Oh?" Lu Yang feigned an excited expression. "Has my Divine Ability arrived?"

"Indeed." Fairy Feixia smiled slightly. "Second Senior Brother has delivered the list of Divine Abilities. You may now choose any one of them to practice."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Lu Yang cupped his hands and took the jade slip containing the list. He was immediately blinded by the dense rows of Divine Abilities. Upon careful inspection, he cursed inwardly.

Most of these Divine Abilities were ones he had seen in the Library of Heaven-Mending Peak, but those were merely "castrated" versions. Their power was far inferior to the complete versions on this list. Though they appeared the same, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth, revealing just how strictly the Saint Sect controlled its resources.

It was simply outrageous.

If he hadn't joined the Three Rivers Association and signed a contract of servitude, and if he didn't have the backing of a true disciple, he likely would never have laid eyes on these complete Divine Abilities in his entire life.

A moment later, Lu Yang's eyes suddenly lit up.

He had spotted familiar words on the list: the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light—or more accurately, the complete version of it!

*The Lunar Corpse-Dissolution Transformation Method!*

*"The Lunar body-refining form surpasses the Nine-Turn Pill; its appearance is dignified and solemn, its complexion like spiritual clouds; ascending to the Taiji Throne, one receives the scriptures to become a True Person."*

This was a Great Divine Ability!

The Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light was merely its first step. Once fully mastered, one would transcend the Five Elements, become difficult to wound with blades, and even earn the title of a "Corpse-Dissolution Immortal."

"This is the one!"

Lu Yang made his decision instantly. He copied a version of the *Lunar Corpse-Dissolution Transformation Method* before looking at Fairy Feixia and solemnly cupping his hands.

"Now that this matter is settled, does Senior Sister have any other important instructions?"

"To be honest with you, Junior Brother," Fairy Feixia said with a light laugh, "I plan to apply for an external transfer soon to oversee the Skeleton Mountain marketplace. I am currently lacking a few reliable assistants..."

It was happening just as expected!

Lu Yang was not surprised by Fairy Feixia's invitation. After all, the Three Rivers Association used the "carrot and stick" method; since they had given him a benefit, they were bound to expect work in return.

"If Senior Sister does not mind, I am willing to accompany you."

Lu Yang nodded without hesitation.

Since this concerned his chance at Foundation Establishment, even if Fairy Feixia hadn't invited him, Lu Yang had planned to take a mission from the Merit Hall to head to the Skeleton Mountain marketplace anyway.

Seeing Lu Yang's decisiveness, the satisfaction in Fairy Feixia's eyes deepened. "Junior Brother is indeed as I thought—a person of steadfast Dao heart. If we ordinary disciples allow ourselves to fall into decadence, it is impossible to make a name for ourselves within the Saint Sect. Only by venturing out to seek opportunities can one find a glimmer of hope."

"Only by burning one's bridges and disregarding life and death can one hope for Foundation Establishment!"

After their conversation, Lu Yang noticed that the way Fairy Feixia looked at him had become much more cordial, as if she now viewed him as a kindred spirit.

She wasn't wrong about disregarding life and death.

However, it wasn't because of "burning bridges," but because I have the *Book of a Hundred Lifetimes*. I'm not afraid of failure at all. If I die, I die; at worst, I'll just restart!

Ten days later, aboard the flying vessel bound for Skeleton Mountain.

Lu Yang arrived via light and landed steadily on the deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he low-profilely blended into the crowd below.

On this trip to Skeleton Mountain, he did not intend to stand out.

Rather than being the center of attention, he preferred to fade into the masses—the kind of person who could quietly retreat into the background with just a slight frown.

Soon, many cultivators had gathered on the vessel.

In addition to Fairy Feixia, there were two other cultivators at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. He even recognized one of them: Lu Yuanchun, a disciple under the Master of Heaven-Mending Peak.

"Hmph, I'll strip him of his list sooner or later."

A cold glint flashed in Lu Yang's eyes before vanishing. He scanned the surroundings again. Since Lu Yuanchun was here, would Zhao Xuhe be here as well?

Perhaps the Foundation Establishment opportunity of this lifetime would fall into his hands after all!

Sure enough, after a sweep of the area, Lu Yang spotted Zhao Xuhe sitting in a remote corner of the vessel, silently sipping spiritual wine.

However, the current Zhao Xuhe was several times more decadent than in previous lifetimes. Lu Yang wasn't surprised. In this life, Zhao Xuhe had failed to find him, his destined opportunities had vanished into thin air, he had gone bankrupt trying to craft a substitute Yin Puppet, and his mistress, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him. He had lost both his wealth and his woman.

The fact that he hadn't jumped off Heaven-Mending Peak yet was something Lu Yang already admired.

"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that you, Senior Brother Zhao?"

Lu Yang stepped forward proactively, feigning a look of pleasant surprise. "I didn't expect to run into you here, Senior Brother. It must be fate!"

"Huh? You are..."

Zhao Xuhe froze for a long moment before his cultivator's memory allowed him to recognize Lu Yang. He was momentarily dumbfounded. "...Junior Brother Lu? You've reached the middle stage of Qi Refinement?"

Zhao Xuhe was indeed fallen and could not see through Lu Yang's Qi-Concealing Art, so he had no way of knowing his true realm. Even so, the middle stage of Qi Refinement was enough to shock him; after all, ten years ago, Lu Yang was nothing more than an insignificant character in his eyes.

At this thought, Zhao Xuhe felt even more bitter.

"Heh, are you here to mock me too? Get lost!"

"Why would you say that, Senior Brother?" Lu Yang looked puzzled, then quickly added, "I have always remembered your past kindness. How could I ever harbor thoughts of mockery?"

Kindness? What kindness?

Zhao Xuhe blinked again, then remembered that he had indeed helped Lu Yang secure a loan back then. Was that considered kindness? Was there really such a fool?

Just as Zhao Xuhe was about to open his mouth to mock him...

"I see your cultivation seems to be stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refinement. If you don't mind, Senior Brother, I have a spiritual pill here that can boost one's cultivation."

"That... wouldn't be appropriate, would it?"

Zhao Xuhe blankly accepted the pill Lu Yang forced upon him. For some reason, looking at Lu Yang again, he actually felt a strange sense of familiarity!

It was as if the two of them had known each other in a past life.

Could it be that we really are destined to meet?

Happy New Year!

(End of Chapter)