At dusk, inside the Blood-Clad Tower of Skull Mountain Market.
The setting sun bled across the sky. As another cycle of cultivation concluded, Lü Yang slowly refined the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his dantian, transforming it into true qi that coursed through his limbs and bones.
The qi flowed through his meridians like a dragon returning to the sea. "Almost there. Once I cultivate the final Flying Fish Transformation and unite all nine transformations, I can completely refine the third-grade true qi, 'True Dragon Fiend,' of the Nine Transformations Dragon Technique."
"By the time I master 'True Dragon Fiend,' the Great War between Righteous and Demonic Paths will be imminent. It will be a perfect transition, allowing me to contend for the Foundation Establishment opportunity at Skull Mountain in my peak state. Only the Foundation Establishment opportunity is worth the risk and struggle. Everything else is transient."
After finishing his cultivation, Lü Yang walked out of the meditation room.
Outside, a woman with a proud figure and sharp eyebrows had been waiting. Seeing Lü Yang, she immediately stepped forward and offered a jade slip.
"Brother Dao, today's report on the zombie horde has arrived."
Lü Yang accepted the slip with a slight smile. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Yun."
This woman was none other than Yun Miaoqing.
She was originally a disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion. Although Lü Yang had already mastered the Divine Firmament Sword Control Technique, he had still purchased her freedom, partly due to their connection in a past life.
To be fair, his initial thought was that since they had been cultivation partners once, he might as well do a good deed and help her, as long as it didn't interfere with his own path. It was better than letting her be bought by other Holy Sect disciples and drained dry as a cultivation vessel.
However, this decision had yielded a pleasant surprise.
Perhaps because he hadn't engaged in dual cultivation with Yun Miaoqing in this life, instead treating her with respect and focusing solely on arduous training, her affection for him had grown significantly.
"Brother Dao, you are a good person. Why stay in the Initial Saint Demonic Sect?" Yun Miaoqing whispered as she walked beside him. "With the zombie horde erupting, why not fake your death and come with me to the Sword Pavilion, converting to the righteous path?"
As she spoke, Yun Miaoqing looked at Lü Yang, her beautiful eyes filled with tender emotion.
In her most desperate moment, it was this man who had rescued her from misery, not only sparing her harm but giving her shelter.
Though he came from the Demonic Sect, he was a true gentleman.
Not to mention, over the past ten years, she had witnessed his step-by-step growth—high cultivation, formidable talent, and most importantly, striking handsomeness.
If he could join the Sword Pavilion, perhaps they could... At this thought, Yun Miaoqing's fair cheeks flushed, as if imagining something.
This demeanor reminded Lü Yang of how she had defiantly called him a "demon" in past lives, which he found rather amusing.
Of course, he had no interest in romantic entanglements.
What truly impressed him was Yun Miaoqing's seemingly high status within the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion; she even claimed that with her recommendation, the sect would certainly accept him.
"Cultivation in the Holy Sect is like treading on thin ice. If possible, I would rather go to a sect with a better reputation." Yun Miaoqing might be the key to his future conversion to the righteous path.
"How are Senior Sister Feixia and the others faring?"
"Those demonic cultivators were still stirring chaos within the zombie horde at Jueyin Ridge a few days ago. A mysterious expert intervened but was repelled, and they are now in pursuit."
Yun Miaoqing handed him another jade slip.
Lü Yang took it, scanning it with his spiritual sense. The events of that day immediately flashed before his eyes.
"So that's it. It seems there truly was a mastermind behind the premature zombie outbreak—a disciple of the Divine Martial Sect. And the wondrous treasure they used to catalyze the horde..."
Upon seeing this, Lü Yang suddenly stiffened, then abruptly stood up.
"The Mysterious Yin Jade!?"
Indeed, the intelligence revealed that the mastermind was a Divine Martial Sect disciple who possessed a Mysterious Yin Jade the size of a thumb!
"If I could obtain that jade, I could immediately master the Mysterious Yin Body-Changing Technique. Given time, even the 'Taiyin Body-Transforming Corpse-Dissolving True Method' wouldn't be a dream. Considering the jade's rarity, this is likely my only chance in this lifetime. To give it up might mean missing it forever."
"However... if not this life, then the next. If I miss it, I miss it!"
Lü Yang's expression darkened as he sat back down. Despite unexpectedly discovering the coveted Mysterious Yin Jade, he felt no joy.
He only felt a bone-deep chill, his heart filled with vigilance.
"What I desire, delivered to my doorstep? There's no such fortune in this world. After all, I'm not a chosen one like Xiao Shiye."
Moreover, Xiao Shiye's luck was bestowed upon him by others!
"Could it be that Lucky Daoist again?"
The thought that a Foundation Establishment cultivator might be manipulating karma and scheming in the shadows cleared Lü Yang's mind.
"I won't go out!"
The situation at Skull Mountain was treacherous; staying in the market to oversee the formation was the safest option. As long as the Foundation Establishment cultivator didn't intervene, he was as secure as a mountain.
"Besides, not venturing out doesn't mean I have no chance at the jade."
There were still Fairy Feixia and the others. After all, the intelligence said they were in pursuit. If they could seize the jade and escape back to the market, his opportunity would come.
Thinking this, Lü Yang couldn't help but sincerely cheer for Fairy Feixia.
Time flew by. Another day passed.
Inside the Blood-Clad Tower, Lü Yang was meditating when he suddenly sensed something. He rode a beam of light to the tower's exterior, gazing toward the outskirts of the market.
"Boom!"
In the distance, thunderous explosions accompanied by spreading clouds of light rapidly approached the market from the horizon—a fierce chase of escaping beams. Leading the charge was the distinctive, colorful radiance of Fairy Feixia.
"One missing?"
Lü Yang raised an eyebrow. Including himself, there were four late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in Skull Mountain Market: Fairy Feixia, Lu Yuanchun, and another senior brother.
Yet, at this moment, he only saw Fairy Feixia and Lu Yuanchun.
"Activate the formation."
Lü Yang calmly gave the order. The Holy Sect disciples in the market immediately formed ranks, their banners fluttering as they instantly erected a magnificent formation.
The Hundred Bones True Refinement Formation!
This seventh-grade formation was a top-tier array at the Qi Refining level. With Lü Yang controlling it, it could contend with even a Qi Refining Perfection cultivator.
However, in the next moment, a sudden change occurred!
Suddenly, Lu Yuanchun produced a token, formed a hand seal, and activated it, directly opening a gap in the previously sealed formation.
"Now!"
Almost simultaneously, an excited shout rang out beyond the market. Several streaks of light transformed into array flags, spreading in all directions.
Immediately after, a miniature array manifested at the gap Lu Yuanchun had created, locking it in place and preventing Lü Yang from closing it!
"Divine Martial Sect!"
Lü Yang frowned slightly, immediately recognizing the attackers. Clearly, the Divine Martial Sect had been lying in ambush outside the market, waiting for this opportunity.
Now that the formation had been forcibly breached, the Divine Martial Sect could storm the market!
The culprit behind it all, Lu Yuanchun, merely cast a cold glance toward the market before leaping away in the opposite direction!
He clearly understood what he had done—and he didn't care. In fact, he had acted intentionally, using the market as a sacrifice for his own escape. After all, for the Divine Martial Sect, seizing this golden chance to annihilate Skull Mountain Market was far better than continuing to hunt him down.
As for his fellow Holy Sect disciples within the market?
Consider them unlucky!