"This method is called Stealing Heavenly Secrets."
With Lü Yang's approval, Zhao Xuhe took out a jade slip, infused it with his spiritual sense, and handed it over. It contained a brief description of the Foundation Establishment secret technique he had mentioned.
Lü Yang scanned it with his own spiritual sense and immediately showed astonishment.
He could tell at a glance that this "Stealing Heavenly Secrets" technique was created by a master of the Holy Sect, as its writing style bore the unique hallmarks of the sect's methods.
As the name suggested, "Stealing Heavenly Secrets" involved first finding a female cultivator of similar age, talent, and cultivation level, then forming a Daoist partnership with her. Through continuous dual cultivation, one would gradually implant their own Qi into the other's body, subtly replacing her foundational Qi seed.
Once successful, the other person would no longer cultivate her own Qi seed, but rather the caster's.
At that point, no matter what opportunities she obtained or what breakthroughs she achieved, they would ultimately be stolen by the caster—her lifelong cultivation becoming nothing but a wasted effort for another.
Insidious, ruthless, treating innate talent as mere consumable resources. A classic Holy Sect approach.
Thinking this, Lü Yang glanced at Zhao Xuhe again, suddenly recalling a rumor from his past life: Zhao Xuhe and Fairy Feixia had become Daoist partners.
"So that's how it was. No wonder they both perished after failing to break through to Foundation Establishment."
"Looking at it now, it seems Zhao Xuhe killed Fairy Feixia first, then failed in his own Foundation Establishment attempt and died. His grand scheme ultimately came to nothing."
While inwardly grumbling, Lü Yang was also secretly alarmed.
Because from his perspective, Zhao Xuhe's preparations in his past life had been absolutely meticulous, utilizing almost every resource at his disposal.
In that life, after Zhao Xuhe and Fairy Feixia became partners, his fortunes soared from Skull Mountain. He not only broke through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining but also obtained two Foundation Establishment treasures. Considering the "Stealing Heavenly Secrets" technique, Fairy Feixia's share was, in fact, also Zhao Xuhe's.
All told, Zhao Xuhe had prepared three methods to attempt a breakthrough!
But what was the result?
He still failed!
"Foundation Establishment... Laying the Immortal Foundation of the Great Dao. Without it, one is ultimately just a mortal. No wonder only Foundation Establishment cultivators are deemed 'True Persons.'"
"Foundation Establishment is difficult, more difficult than ascending to the heavens."
After a silent sigh, Lü Yang looked at the jade slip in his hand.
"What do you think, Junior Brother?" Zhao Xuhe asked expectantly. "Use this as collateral, Junior Brother. Lend me 30,000 contribution points. The term is three months. I will definitely repay in full after three months."
"If I fail to repay, the secret technique is yours as compensation."
"However, even if I repay in full, I will still gift the technique to you as thanks for helping me through this difficult time!"
Zhao Xuhe spoke with apparent generosity, but Lü Yang sneered inwardly.
It sounds like as long as I'm willing to lend, this 'Stealing Heavenly Secrets' technique is mine either way, and I can't lose. But that's not the case at all!
The key wasn't the secret technique, nor was it the money.
It was the three-month time limit.
Because once he lent the money, if Zhao Xuhe encountered any crisis within those three months, Lü Yang would have to protect him; otherwise, he might not get his money back.
So this loan wasn't about currency—it was about buying a person's safety.
Zhao Xuhe clearly wanted to use this Foundation Establishment secret technique to bind him, forcing him to bear the risks and consequences of Zhao Xuhe's adventures!
In short, this was a sugar-coated bullet.
Unfortunately, it concerned Foundation Establishment. He couldn't refuse.
"But what if I want the candy but not the bullet?"
Lü Yang looked at the jade slip, pondering how to swallow the sugar and spit out the lead—perhaps by sending Zhao Xuhe to become sworn brothers with Liu Xin.
However, he quickly dismissed the idea. Just as accepting Ouyang Haoze as a banner spirit hadn't granted him the Divine Martial Sect's core cultivation technique, the cultivation world had many methods to prevent the leakage of techniques and supernatural powers. Since Zhao Xuhe dared to approach him, he must have taken precautions.
The success rate was too low.
Lü Yang remained 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 it, I would rather give up the secret technique."
Zhao Xuhe was overjoyed. "Junior Brother, please speak!"
"The condition is simple," Lü Yang said softly. "Senior Brother, you must hand over the true text of the secret technique to me. Otherwise, what if you change your mind later and refuse to give it?"
"Of course, you can place a restriction on the true text. For example, if opened without authorization, it self-destructs immediately. You can return after three months to lift the restriction. With your magical power, Senior Brother, the restriction could last at least eighty years. That way, I'm at ease, and you're at ease too. What do you think?"
Zhao Xuhe considered it. It seemed reasonable.
The only issue was his limited magical power. The restriction would automatically dissolve after eighty years due to depletion, but by then, it would be too late.
Consider this: A Qi Refining cultivator's lifespan is around one hundred and fifty years.
Past one hundred years of age, one's essence, energy, and spirit decline, and hope of Foundation Establishment is virtually extinguished.
Lü Yang is already over twenty this year. In eighty years, he'll definitely be over a hundred, halfway to the grave. Even if he obtained the Foundation Establishment technique then, it would be of little use.
After all, his current life would be nearly spent. What would he use to establish his foundation?
In his next life? The more Zhao Xuhe thought, the more Lü Yang's solution seemed impeccably crafted—securing a deal while avoiding mutual suspicion. A true win-win!
"Junior Brother's request is reasonable. Let's proceed this way!"
Zhao Xuhe nodded decisively, took out another jade slip, first condensed his magic power to inscribe a restriction upon it, then handed it to Lü Yang.
Seeing this, Lü Yang naturally accepted it with a smile.
For a moment, both host and guest were pleased.
"From now on, Zhao Xuhe is expendable."
"If he returns alive, fine. But if he truly causes trouble, I won't intervene. At worst, I'll wait eighty years to read the secret technique."
"Anyway, I can't lose."
After seeing Zhao Xuhe off, Lü Yang hummed a little tune and happily began inspecting the market formations. After all, this market was now his rice bowl.
Moreover, the market's "Hundred Bones Revitalization Array" was a seventh-grade formation, while his "Bloodbath Heavenly River Sword Array Diagram" was only ninth-grade, its power entirely reliant on the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light. Therefore, thoroughly comprehending the Hundred Bones Array would greatly advance his formation mastery.
Soon, time passed.
In the blink of an eye, another month had gone by. Lü Yang awoke from meditation, suddenly sensing a fragrant breeze. Then, he saw a graceful figure enter the Blood-Clad Tower.
"Senior Sister," Lü Yang smiled and said, "You never come without a reason. Have you gained new insights into formations and wish to exchange with me?"
"How many times must I tell you? Just call me Feixia."
Fairy Feixia rolled her eyes at Lü Yang, habitually sitting in his lap, before softly saying, "Someone from the Holy Sect has arrived."
"Didn't they arrive a while ago?" Lü Yang said nonchalantly. "I said last time, I only wish to cultivate in peace and have no interest in stirring up trouble. I have no interest in that so-called Witch Ghost Secret Realm."
"The person who came this time is different."
Hearing this, Lü Yang narrowed his eyes. "...Who is it?"
"It's Second Senior Brother."
Fairy Feixia's expression turned serious. "The Second Senior Brother of the Three Rivers Society, a true disciple who has reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. This time, he personally sent me to deliver a message."
Upon hearing this, Lü Yang's expression gradually darkened.
Because if he remembered correctly, the founder of the Three Rivers Society—this major faction within the Holy Sect—was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, wasn't he?