Chapter 45: Lucky Star

A few days later, in a quiet room within the Blood Clothing Pavilion.

Fairy Feixia had long since drifted away, while Lyu Yang sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, beginning to study the talisman arts inheritance he had gained from his previous session of "discussing the Dao" with her.

As for matters of romance, Lyu Yang had never cared for them.

He knew very well that there was no such thing as true love in the Saint Sect; it was nothing more than an exchange of interests.

The gratitude for saving his life was only one aspect; on the other hand, because he presided over the market and even a Great Perfection cultivator of the Qi Refinement stage could do nothing about him, Fairy Feixia needed his help.

Another reason was that the exchange of Dao through demonic arts was much faster.

After all, the Saint Sect possessed cultivation methods like the *Yin-Yang Great Joy Chant*, which could directly plunder cultivation and knowledge, making it far more convenient than verbal communication.

However, if Fairy Feixia intended to use these past few days of interaction to demand any favors from him, it would be absolutely impossible.

After all, he had also taught her array formations during this time.

The debt was settled; it was perfectly fair!

"Talisman arts, huh..."

As one of the hundred arts of cultivation, talisman arts were quite popular. After several days of in-depth exchange, Lyu Yang had gained a deeper understanding of them.

In his view, so-called talisman arts were actually a type of temporary, miniature array. Although their power was far inferior to true arrays, their advantage lay in their portability; they did not require ley lines or spiritual energy support, nor were they restricted by geography. They could be activated as long as the user injected their magic power.

Lyu Yang focused his mind and looked at the panel of the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].

[Golden Light Talisman (Entry-level), Five Thunder Talisman (Entry-level), Sword Qi Talisman (Entry-level), Wind-Return Fire-Reversal Talisman (Entry-level)]

Fairy Feixia had passed on a total of four types of talismans to him. Among them, the Golden Light, Five Thunder, and Sword Qi talismans were relatively common, rated only at the ninth grade.

Only the last one, the Wind-Return Fire-Reversal Talisman, was a seventh-grade grand talisman.

This talisman could imprint and preserve a cultivator's state during a specific period, allowing them to overlay it onto themselves when needed to return to their peak state for a short duration.

For example, if you had just survived a fierce battle, covered in wounds with barely any magic power left, using this talisman would immediately restore you to a pristine, peak state. Although the subsequent backlash would make your injuries three times worse, it was sufficient for emergencies at critical moments.

It was thanks to this talisman that Fairy Feixia had been able to escape all the way back to the market.

The fact that she was willing to proactively teach such a life-saving talisman showed that while she may have harbored other intentions during their exchange, she was still somewhat sincere.

Of course, the effects of the Wind-Return Fire-Reversal Talisman could not be stacked.

Furthermore, because of its outstanding efficacy, its cooldown period was longer; after one use, three months had to pass before it could be used again.

"Heaven is round and Earth is square, by the nine chapters of command, as I write, all spirits shall be subdued."

Several talisman papers floated in the air. Lyu Yang held a hand seal with one hand while using the other to circulate magic power to write on the paper. Occasionally, his magic power would fluctuate out of control, destroying a talisman.

However, Lyu Yang would quickly draw in new talisman papers to replace them.

After a long time, Lyu Yang finally finished his work. Before him lay four glowing talismans, each with distinct colors and inscriptions.

"Success."

Lyu Yang first put away the most precious Wind-Return Fire-Reversal Talisman, then took the remaining three in his hand. As he examined them closely, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Unlike the Wind-Return Fire-Reversal Talisman, these Golden Light, Five Thunder, and Sword Qi talismans are quite conventional. They don't actually require extremely profound talisman skills. As long as the materials are prepared and they are refined frequently, they can be mass-produced. The only problem is how to find enough people to draw them for me for free..."

Fortunately, Lyu Yang never worried about this.

Coincidentally, the banner spirits within the Myriad Spirit Banner had nothing to do all day. He could pass down the art of talisman drawing to them to give them some work to pass the time.

Doing so might even save him a sum of money.

After all, if he hired disciples from the Saint Sect to draw talismans, he would have to pay them wages.

But banner spirits... he was joking. It was already a blessing that he was willing to give them work. If they wanted wages, he wouldn't hesitate to lay them off!

Walking out of the quiet room, Yun Miaoqing, who was guarding the door, brought Lyu Yang unexpected news.

"Zhao Xuhe?"

Lyu Yang raised an eyebrow, wondering why Senior Brother Zhao would suddenly come looking for him, given that he had been full of suspicion during their last conversation.

Seeing Lyu Yang frown, Yun Miaoqing said softly, "If Brother Dao does not wish to see him, shall I drive him away?"

"...No need." Lyu Yang smiled slightly. "I'll see him."

Soon, Zhao Xuhe was led into the reception room of the Blood Clothing Pavilion. Lyu Yang observed him secretly; finding nothing unusual, he finally stepped inside.

"Senior Brother Zhao! I missed you so much!"

Lyu Yang laughed heartily. As soon as he entered, he embraced Zhao Xuhe, saying excitedly, "To tell you the truth, I fought that true disciple from the Divine Martial Sect too fiercely a while ago. Although I killed him, I was heavily injured and took a long time to recover. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Senior Brother."

"No, no..."

Zhao Xuhe gave an awkward but polite smile, though his heart was gnashing with hatred. He had clearly seen Fairy Feixia walking out of the Blood Clothing Pavilion!

However, his Dao heart was firm, and he quickly shook off his negative emotions.

"Junior Brother Lyu, I have come this time to ask a favor."

Zhao Xuhe got straight to the point, his voice heavy. "Do you know of the Wugu Secret Realm? News regarding this realm has been the talk of the town lately..."

"Of course I know," Lyu Yang nodded.

Seizing the momentum, Zhao Xuhe said, "To be honest, I actually have some clues regarding the Wugu Secret Realm. They might be related to opportunities for Foundation Establishment!"

"Oh."

Lyu Yang's flat reaction momentarily stunned Zhao Xuhe.

This wasn't right.

In his estimation, a Foundation Establishment opportunity was such a massive event; shouldn't Lyu Yang be asking for specific details in a frantic rush upon hearing it?

Little did he know that Lyu Yang's mindset was extremely stable.

One must realize that when Lyu Yang first learned of the Wugu Secret Realm, it was only after he had converted Ouyang Haoze into a banner spirit that he dug it up; it was an absolute, well-kept secret.

But now?

The entire Skeleton Mountain was buzzing about the Wugu Secret Realm. Everyone was discussing it, as if finding the secret realm meant any mortal could successfully establish their foundation.

*When the neighborhood aunties start discussing the stock market, that's when you should exit the market.*

If a secret is known by everyone, is it still a secret?

This was a trap to harvest "leeks"!

Lyu Yang saw through it clearly. The more the Wugu Secret Realm was hyped up as being full of opportunities, the more determined he became never to step a single foot out of the market.

Thinking of this, Lyu Yang immediately shook his head. "Sorry, Senior Brother, I am not interested in secret realms."

"This..." Zhao Xuhe's mouth hung open, and he hurriedly tried to persuade him. "Junior Brother, cultivation is not easy. A person only lives once; how can you shrink back at a critical moment?"

"The ancient Wugu Path was a great demonic sect. Although they were eventually wiped out by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, a dead insect still has its legs; they must have left behind some good things. Perhaps there are treasures for Foundation Establishment. Are you truly unmoved? You must know that an opportunity is sought once in a lifetime; if you miss it, it's gone forever!"

*An opportunity sought once in a lifetime... that's you.*

*I'm different. If it doesn't work this life, I'll just try in the next one.*

Lyu Yang grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, he shook his head firmly. "My mind is made up. As they say, what is meant to be will be, and what is not meant to be should not be forced."

Zhao Xuhe stood there, speechless.

There was no helping it. Since Lyu Yang refused to budge even after all that, he had no choice but to curse the "damn old turtle" in his heart.

"...In that case, forget it."

"However, I have another deal I wish to discuss with you."

Zhao Xuhe clenched his teeth and turned to his second plan, saying with a look of heartache, "I possess a secret technique that can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment."

"I wish to use it as collateral to borrow thirty thousand contribution points from you."

"...A Foundation Establishment secret technique?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lyu Yang's eyes lit up. He suddenly found Zhao Xuhe very easy on the eyes; this man was truly his lucky star.

Trading the Death-Substitute Yin Puppet, the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art, the Skeleton Mountain Market...

And now, another Foundation Establishment secret technique!

Looking back at all the opportunities he had relied on so far, which one didn't have the dear Senior Brother Zhao behind it? To have reached where he was today, Zhao's contribution was truly immense!