Chapter 46: Stealing the Heavenly Secrets

“This method is called 'Stealing the Heavenly Opportunity.'”

Having received Lu Yang's consent, Zhao Xuhe produced a jade slip, infused it with his consciousness, and handed it to Lu Yang. It was the brief introduction to the effects of the Foundation Establishment secret technique he had mentioned.

As Lu Yang's spiritual sense swept through it, a look of astonishment immediately crossed his face.

At a glance, Lu Yang could tell that this "Stealing the Heavenly Opportunity" technique was created by a high-level expert of the Saint Sect, as every line bore the unique style characteristic of the sect.

The so-called "Stealing the Heavenly Opportunity," as the name implied, involved first scouting for a cultivator of the opposite sex whose age, talent, and cultivation level were roughly equal to one's own. One would then become their Dao companion and, through continuous cultivation, gradually plant one's own Qi into the other's body, replacing their original Qi seed.

Once successful, the other person would no longer be cultivating their own Qi seed, but that of the practitioner.

At that point, no matter what fortuitous opportunities the partner encountered or what breakthroughs they achieved, everything would ultimately be stolen by the practitioner. The partner would spend their entire life of cultivation merely acting as a surrogate to prepare the harvest for another.

Insidious, ruthless, treating human talent as mere resources... truly classic.

Thinking of this, Lu Yang glanced at Zhao Xuhe again, suddenly recalling that in his previous life, he had heard that Zhao Xuhe had apparently become a Dao companion to Fairy Feixia.

'So that's how it was. No wonder they both perished after the failed attempt at Foundation Establishment.'

'Looking back now, I suspect Zhao Xuhe killed Fairy Feixia first, and only then died from the failed breakthrough. In the end, all his scheming came to nothing...'

While Lu Yang grumbled inwardly, he also felt a secret sense of dread.

From his perspective, the preparations made by the Zhao Xuhe of his previous life were absolutely impeccable; he had utilized almost every available resource.

In that life, after Zhao Xuhe became a Dao companion to Fairy Feixia, they rose sharply using Skeleton Mountain. Not only did they break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement, but they also obtained two Foundation Establishment treasures. If one considered this "Stealing the Heavenly Opportunity" technique, Fairy Feixia's portion was effectively already in Zhao Xuhe's pocket.

All things considered, Zhao Xuhe had prepared three different methods to break through to Foundation Establishment!

And yet, the result?

He still failed.

"Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment, the Great Dao Immortal Foundation... without Foundation Establishment, one is ultimately just a mediocre mortal. No wonder only Foundation Establishment cultivators can be called True Persons."

"Foundation Establishment is as difficult as ascending to the heavens..."

After Lu Yang finished his lament, he looked back at the jade slip in his hand.

"What do you think, Junior Brother?"

Zhao Xuhe looked on expectantly: "Using this as collateral, I ask you to lend me thirty thousand contribution points. The term is three months; I will definitely repay the debt in three months."

"If I fail to repay it in full, the secret technique will be given to you as debt settlement."

"But even if I do repay it, I will still give the secret technique to you, Junior Brother, as a token of gratitude for your timely assistance in helping me through this crisis!"

Zhao Xuhe spoke with great magnanimity, but Lu Yang sneered inwardly upon hearing it.

'It sounds as if as long as I am willing to lend the money, this "Stealing the Heavenly Opportunity" technique becomes mine, and I can't lose either way... but in reality, that is not the case at all!'

The key was not the secret technique, nor was it the loan.

The key was the three-month deadline.

Because as long as he lent the money, if Zhao Xuhe encountered any crisis within those three months, Lu Yang would be forced to intervene; otherwise, the money would never be recovered.

Therefore, this wasn't a loan of money, but a loan of a person!

Zhao Xuhe clearly intended to use this Foundation Establishment secret technique to tie him down, forcing him to pay the price for his future adventures and the karma he would inevitably attract!

In short, it was a sugar-coated bullet.

And since it concerned Foundation Establishment, Lu Yang could not refuse.

"But what if I want the technique, yet I don't want the responsibility..."

Lu Yang looked at the jade slip, pondering if there was a way to eat the sugar but throw the bullet back—for instance, by sending Zhao Xuhe to become sworn brothers with Liu Xin...

However, Lu Yang quickly dismissed the idea. Just as he had taken Ouyang Haoze as a banner spirit but failed to obtain the martial arts techniques of the Divine Martial Sect, the cultivation world was full of methods to prevent the leakage of techniques and divine abilities. Since Zhao Xuhe dared to come to him, he must have prepared for this.

The success rate was too low.

Lu Yang fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "...Fine."

"I can agree to your loan, Senior Brother, but I have one condition. If you cannot accept this condition, I would rather forgo the secret technique."

Zhao Xuhe was overjoyed: "Please, speak, Junior Brother!"

"The condition is simple," Lu Yang said softly. "You must hand over the original version of the secret technique to me. Otherwise, what if you regret it later and refuse to give it to me?"

"Of course, you can place a restriction on the original text—for example, it could self-destruct immediately if opened without authorization, and the restriction can be lifted after three months. With your magic power, the restriction could last at least eighty years. This way, I can rest easy, and you can rest easy as well. What do you think, Senior Brother?"

Zhao Xuhe thought about it; it seemed to have no flaws.

The only issue was that his magic power was limited, and the restriction would automatically dissolve after eighty years due to exhaustion of power—but by then, it would be too late.

One must realize that the lifespan of a Qi Refinement cultivator is around one hundred and fifty years.

Once one passes a hundred, their essence, qi, and spirit weaken, leaving virtually no hope of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Lu Yang was already over twenty this year. In eighty years, he would certainly be over a hundred, halfway to the grave. Even if he obtained the Foundation Establishment secret technique then, it would be useless.

After all, when most of his life is gone, what is left to build a foundation with?

The next life?

The more Zhao Xuhe thought about it, the more he felt that Lu Yang's proposal was a perfect solution—it achieved the transaction while avoiding mutual suspicion. It was truly a win-win!

"Your request is only reasonable. Let it be so!"

Zhao Xuhe nodded decisively. He produced another jade slip, condensed his magic power to carve a restriction upon it, and then handed it to Lu Yang.

Seeing this, Lu Yang naturally accepted it with a smile.

For a time, both host and guest were delighted.

'From now on, Zhao Xuhe is useless to me.'

'If he can make it back alive, fine. If he truly causes trouble, I won't intervene. At worst, I'll just wait eighty years to see the technique.'

'Either way, I don't lose...'

After seeing Zhao Xuhe off, Lu Yang hummed a little tune and happily began arranging the market. After all, this market was currently his foundation for survival.

Furthermore, the Hundred Skeleton True Grand Array within the market was a Grade 7 array, whereas his Blood-Washing Heavenly River Sword Array Diagram was only Grade 9, relying entirely on the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light for its power. Therefore, if he could master the Hundred Skeleton True Grand Array, the insights gained through association would greatly aid his own array mastery.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, another month had gone by. Lu Yang was startled from his meditation, suddenly feeling a fragrant breeze. He then saw a graceful, beautiful figure walking into the Blood Clothing Pavilion.

"Senior Sister..."

Lu Yang broke into a smile and said, "One does not visit without reason. Has Senior Sister gained some new insights into arrays and wishes to exchange ideas with me?"

"How many times have I told you? Just call me Feixia."

Fairy Feixia gave Lu Yang an annoyed glare, habitually sat in his lap, and then said softly, "Someone from the Saint Sect has arrived."

"Weren't they already here?"

Lu Yang said indifferently, "I said it last time: I only want to cultivate in peace and have no intention of seeking trouble. I have no interest in that Wugui Secret Realm."

"The person who came this time is different."

As soon as Fairy Feixia said this, Lu Yang's eyes narrowed. "...Who is it?"

"It is the Second Senior Brother."

Fairy Feixia's expression turned serious. "The Second Senior Brother of the Sanhe Society, a True Inheritance disciple at the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement. He personally sent me to deliver the message this time."

Lu Yang's expression gradually darkened upon hearing this.

Because if he remembered correctly, the founder of the Sanhe Society—this large internal faction of the Saint Sect—seemed to be a Foundation Establishment True Person, wasn't he?