Zhao Xuhe's words plunged Lü Yang into an ice-cold abyss.
He hadn't even been to Panlong Island in this life—and the cultivation method he'd memorized over two lifetimes had simply… vanished?
Because of so-called cause and effect?
Because he had cultivated the Nine Transformations Dragon Technique first, intercepting the karma between it and Zhao Xuhe… Panlong Island had disappeared along with it?
Cultivation methods have their own karma. Opportunities are predestined.
So this was Zhao Xuhe's ordained opportunity—one he couldn't steal or cultivate. Otherwise, someone would deduce the karma and come hunting.
Realizing this, Lü Yang felt a furious, bitter laugh rise in his throat.
The world truly despises me!
True experts could calculate opportunities in advance, securing benefits for their disciples. They could even trace the cause of any accident and correct any deviation in karma.
Under such conditions, how could ordinary people ever rise?
They could only bow their heads and serve, like beasts of burden!
For instance, right now: on the surface, it was only Zhao Xuhe. But in truth, the one truly making the move was likely Zhao Xuhe's so-called "Master" behind him!
Lü Yang was certain—it was a Foundation Establishment expert!
Lifting his head, Lü Yang recalled Hongyun Daoist from his past life, as if he could see a pair of eyes gazing down from the vast sky above.
Why force me like this?
At that thought, rage and malice flooded him. He looked at Zhao Xuhe, a mocking smile touching his lips.
Almost simultaneously, someone stepped forward beside Zhao Xuhe.
"Junior Brother, be careful!"
Whoosh!
A sword light flashed.
Zhao Xuhe's vision blurred. When it cleared, his anger was instantly extinguished by a chill.
The one who had stepped forward was a fellow disciple who had entered the sect under their "Master" three years before him. He had cultivated the Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Great Joy Ode to the peak of mid-stage Qi Refining, his true qi refined to the limit of the fifth rank—far stronger than Zhao Xuhe.
But now, that senior brother was gone.
Flesh, bone, and blood—all devoured by a crimson divine light. In the blink of an eye, only an empty human skin remained, slowly floating to the ground.
A wisp of spiritual light then flew out from the skin.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for freeing me."
Within the light, a faint figure appeared. It showed no anger at being slain by Lü Yang's sword—only relief.
It turned to Zhao Xuhe.
"Junior Brother, before coming, Master said my foundation was shallow, my merits insufficient. He said it would be difficult for me to achieve Qi Refining Perfection in this lifetime, let alone Foundation Establishment."
"I begged Master for guidance. That is why he ordered me to come with you—to save your life at a critical moment. You have accumulated merit over three lifetimes; you should have a thirty percent chance of Foundation Establishment in the future. Now that I have saved your life, the karma is set. If you establish your foundation in the future… help my reincarnated self cultivate and attain the Dao."
Having spoken, the spiritual light soared upward and vanished.
Below, Lü Yang's eyes turned even colder.
Using me to set karma for your disciple? Forcing him to reincarnate? So sure I can't cause trouble—squeezing every last bit of value from me?
His gaze shifted. He saw several other disciples of the Holy Sect step forward beside Zhao Xuhe—all at the peak of mid-stage Qi Refining, sixth level.
Zhao Xuhe finally reacted, his face flushing with excitement.
"Senior Brothers! If you help me capture this thief and reclaim my opportunity today, I swear this: if I achieve Foundation Establishment in the future, I will repay you with all my strength—help you reincarnate and attain perfect Qi Refining!"
The disciples nodded.
"Rest assured, Junior Brother."
"Opportunities belong to the destined. This thief stole your chance without cause—a crime unforgivable. With our Master above, we will certainly help you capture him!"
Lü Yang laughed loudly. "No matter how you phrase it—it's still taking by force!"
"Stubborn to the end."
The leading Holy Sect disciple shook his head with a sneer. "I am Lu Yuanchun. Since you refuse to surrender… do not blame me for being ruthless."
He formed a hand seal. His aura surged—seventh level of Qi Refining, late stage.
A golden mirror materialized above, hanging in the sky as if replacing the sun. In an instant, thousands of golden rays poured down—sharper than swords, denser than rain—engulfing Lü Yang.
Lü Yang frowned. His figure vanished.
A sword light rose, splitting into thousands of strands. It darted left and right but could not escape the golden rain—forced to meet it head-on.
"Master foresaw this thief's swordsmanship. Did you think he wouldn't bestow a counter?"
Lu Yuanchun smiled smugly, then looked at Zhao Xuhe. "Junior Brother Zhao, I have trapped him. His sword escape is sealed."
"Activate the treasure seal, Junior Brother. Seize his flying sword—and this ends!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Zhao Xuhe cupped his hands, then without delay, produced a golden treasure seal and offered it to the air. It flew toward Lü Yang's sword light.
That thing again.
Lü Yang's eyes flickered. He recognized it—the Yuan Magnetic Golden Seal Zhao Xuhe had used in his second life, a magic tool that suppressed flying swords.
Having learned from past lives, Lü Yang wouldn't let it touch his sword. With a thought, the Blood Sun Sword Pill moved independently, evading the seal. Then the sword light transformed into a sky-full of Blood-Transformation Divine Light, sweeping toward Zhao Xuhe.
Zhao Xuhe paled, retreating hastily. "Senior Brother!"
"Do not panic. It's a desperate struggle."
Lu Yuanchun remained calm. "Fellow disciples—now."
As he spoke, several more Holy Sect disciples stepped forward. They wore strange smiles—and committed suicide before the divine light could even fall.
Streaks of blood bloomed from their corpses.
These blood streaks formed chains, temporarily binding Lü Yang's Blood-Transformation Divine Light. His spiritual sense grew sluggish.
Zhao Xuhe and Lu Yuanchun had prepared thoroughly.
Especially Lu Yuanchun—privately instructed by his Master, knowing many details about Lü Yang, and thus devising counters.
His strategy was clear: first, limit Lü Yang's speed; second, suppress his sword pill; third, unite to restrain the divine light. No matter how capable Lü Yang was, he would be like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"Your tricks are exhausted. The outcome is decided!"
Lu Yuanchun sneered, confident of victory. He shook the Golden Light Mirror—the thousands of golden rays followed, intent on refining Lü Yang to death.
Lü Yang could only sigh.
This is the advantage of having backing.
With his current strength, even facing multiple opponents, Lu Yuanchun and Zhao Xuhe were no match. But their preparations were too thorough.
Every move struck his weakness.
And all of this—because Zhao Xuhe's mysterious "Master" had deduced cause and effect, calculated fate, and arranged this targeted trap.
Normally, at this point, he would indeed be powerless.
Fortunately… I have a cheat.
The Blood Sun Sword Pill was brought from his past life by the [Book of a Hundred Lifes]. Unbound by cause and effect—naturally immune to any calculation.
Even if Zhao Xuhe's Master could foresee his swordsmanship and Blood-Transformation Divine Light… he could never have foreseen the true nature of the Blood Sun Sword Pill.
The next instant, Lü Yang stirred his mind and channeled his true energy anew.
Clang!
The Blood Sun Sword Pill let out a long cry. The array patterns on the sword pill suddenly erupted—sealing heaven and earth, locking the universe—instantly enveloping everyone present!
In the blink of an eye, Lü Yang had activated the great array he had researched and refined over twenty years in his past life!
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