Twenty years from now, in Lü Yang's previous life, the Holy Sect would wage a war of annihilation against the righteous sects. The target: the Divine Martial Sect.
In that life, Zhao Xuhe eventually reached Qi Refining Perfection and, together with Fairy Feixia, managed the Holy Sect's outer market near Skull Mountain—right on the border of the Divine Martial Sect's territory.
Before the war, the Holy Sect used that market to secretly stockpile supplies. Rumor had it that was where the two of them found their Foundation Establishment treasure.
When war broke out, they distinguished themselves, earned enough merit to exchange for a second Foundation Establishment treasure from the sect, then had an alchemist fuse both into a single Foundation Establishment Pill—giving them a true chance to break through.
They failed. But the opportunity was real.
Zhao Xuhe and I both cultivate the Nine Transformations Dragon Technique. If he had a chance… maybe I do too. It's worth a shot.
Three days later, as Lü Yang meditated in his cave, a human-faced owl landed at his entrance. Its beak opened, and Fairy Feixia's clear voice emerged:
"Junior Brother Lü, please come to my cave."
Lü Yang's eyes glinted. He mounted a sword beam and was soon led to an elegant tea pavilion nestled between mountain and stream.
Inside, Fairy Feixia was brewing tea. Her movements were fluid—pouring spiritual water, kindling true fire to warm the leaves. A delicate fragrance filled the air, refreshing the mind and sharpening the spirit.
"Junior Brother, please sit." She gestured gracefully. Once he was settled, she went straight to the point. "The Society has replied."
"Oh?" Lü Yang feigned excitement. "Has my divine ability been approved?"
"Indeed." She smiled. "Second Senior Brother has sent the list. You may choose one."
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
He took the jade slip, scanned the densely packed list of divine abilities, and inwardly cursed. He'd seen most of these in the Butian Peak library—but only abridged versions. The ones on this list were the complete arts—far more powerful. The difference was like heaven and earth.
It showed just how tightly the Holy Sect controlled its true resources.
If he hadn't joined the Three Rivers Society and signed that contract, he might never have seen these complete techniques in his lifetime.
Then his eyes locked onto familiar characters:
Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light — the complete version.
Or more accurately, the True Method of Taiyin Corpse Dissolution and Metamorphosis.
Taiyin refines the body, surpassing the Nine-Turn Elixir… resulting in a dignified form, a complexion like spiritual clouds, ascending to the Taiji Palace, receiving the scriptures to become a True Person.
This was a supreme art. The Blood Transformation Divine Light was just its first layer. Master it fully, and you would transcend the Five Elements, become impervious to weapons, and earn the title "Corpse Dissolution Immortal."
"This is the one," Lü Yang decided instantly, copying the method into his mind.
He then bowed solemnly to Fairy Feixia. "My gratitude, Senior Sister. Was there anything else?"
"To be honest, Junior Brother," she said, her smile deepening, "I've applied to oversee the Skull Mountain Market. I need a few capable assistants."
Just as I thought. Lü Yang wasn't surprised. The Society gave benefits, then called in favors. Classic.
"If Senior Sister doesn't mind, I would be honored to accompany you," he said without hesitation.
Even if she hadn't asked, he'd planned to take a mission to Skull Mountain himself. The Foundation Establishment opportunity was there.
Seeing his decisiveness, Fairy Feixia's eyes warmed with approval. "Junior Brother truly has a firm Dao heart. Ordinary disciples who grow complacent in the sect are doomed. Only by braving the outside world to seek opportunities is there a sliver of hope."
Burn your boats, risk your life—only then can you reach Foundation Establishment.
Lü Yang noted her gaze had grown more affectionate, as if seeing a kindred spirit.
He was willing to risk his life—not out of desperation, but because he had the [Hundred Lifetimes Book]. Death was just a reset.
Ten days later, on the flying ship bound for Skull Mountain, Lü Yang landed quietly on the deck. After greeting Fairy Feixia, he melted into the crowd.
This time, he didn't want to stand out. Better to be the one frowning in the background.
Several cultivators had gathered. Aside from Feixia, the leaders included two at the seventh level of Qi Refining. One of them, he recognized: Lu Yuanchun—disciple of the Heaven-Mending Peak Master.
A reckoning will come, Lü Yang thought coldly, his gaze sharpening before fading.
He scanned the crowd. If Lu Yuanchun is here… is Zhao Xuhe here too?
His answer came quickly. In a secluded corner of the deck, Zhao Xuhe was quietly drinking spiritual wine.
But this Zhao Xuhe looked broken—listless, dispirited, a shadow of the arrogant disciple from Lü Yang's past lives. It made sense. In this life, his destined opportunity had vanished. He'd gone bankrupt on the Substitute Yin Puppet trade. His lover, Fairy Qingchen, had surely left him. He'd lost everything.
Lü Yang was almost impressed he hadn't jumped off Heaven-Mending Peak yet.
"Senior Brother Zhao? Is that you?"
Lü Yang stepped forward, feigning surprise. "What a fateful meeting!"
"Ah? You are…" Zhao Xuhe blinked, then dredged up the memory. "Junior Brother Lü? You're… mid-stage Qi Refining?"
Zhao Xuhe, down on his luck, couldn't see through Lü Yang's Qi Concealment Art. Even mid-stage was shocking—ten years ago, Lü Yang was a nobody in his eyes.
The thought made Zhao Xuhe's bitterness deepen.
"Heh. Here to mock me too? Get lost."
"Why would you say that, Senior Brother?" Lü Yang looked genuinely puzzled. "I've always remembered your past kindness. How could I mock you?"
Kindness? What kindness? Zhao Xuhe was stunned, then remembered—he had helped Lü Yang get a loan once. That counted? Was this guy really this naïve?
As Zhao Xuhe prepared a sarcastic retort, Lü Yang spoke again.
"I see your cultivation is stuck at the sixth level, Senior Brother. If you don't mind…" He produced a spiritual pill. "This can help."
"This isn't…"
Before he could refuse, Lü Yang pressed the pill into his hand.
Zhao Xuhe stared at it, then at Lü Yang. A strange sense of familiarity washed over him—deep, unsettling, as if they'd met in a past life.
Could it be… we're truly connected by fate?