Cultivate… or not cultivate?This was a truly troubling question.
However, Lu Yang didn't struggle with it for long.
Because he had no right to refuse.
In broad daylight, under the clear heavens, Yu Suzhen directly made her move.
Unfortunately, Lu Yang's body was already severely depleted—his vitality exhausted, his illness deep-rooted.He had the will, but no strength.
"What a piece of trash."
Yu Suzhen cursed irritably:
"With a face this good-looking, yet you don't even have any vital energy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Yang's face turned pale.
Immediately after, he felt the pitiful amount of vitality he had left completely flow into Yu Suzhen's body.His already frail frame withered even further.
The Yin–Yang Grand Joy Scripture?
The cultivation technique he had received earlier flashed through his mind, and realization dawned on Lu Yang.
The so-called Hehuan Hall trial was likely nothing more than letting registered disciples battle each other through the Yin–Yang Grand Joy Scripture—like raising venomous insects in a jar.
Only the one who survived to the end could become a formal disciple.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister Yu!"
At that moment, several registered disciples walked over, faces full of flattery.
"After plundering the last person's vitality, Senior Sister should finally be able to enter the Qi Refining Realm!"
"—Stepping into Qi Refining, no longer a mortal!"
"Senior Sister, please take care of us in the future. We're willing to serve you with everything we have…"
Watching this scene, Lu Yang suddenly laughed.
"…Heh…"
A man who had been drained dry like discarded medicinal residue suddenly laughing naturally drew attention.
Yu Suzhen glanced at him indifferently and said:
"Junior Brother, why are you laughing?"
"I'm laughing for Senior Sister."
Lu Yang said sincerely:
"I was originally worried about Senior Sister's health, but now it seems I was overthinking."
"Worried about my health?"
Yu Suzhen froze.
"Yes," Lu Yang sighed.
"Before entering the sect, I was already suffering from a severe illness.Senior Sister acted too quickly just now—I didn't get the chance to mention it.
"But since Senior Sister is about to reach Qi Refining,a mere illness like mine surely won't be a problem for you, right?"
Yu Suzhen:"..."
[Yu Suzhen, enraged and humiliated, killed you.]
[Remaining pages of the Book of a Hundred Lives: 99]
[Rebirth available. You may choose one of the following rewards from your previous life:]
Treasures
Cultivation
Lifespan
Abandon all rewards and randomly awaken one talent based on past experiences
"Those whose names are called, step forward."
Lu Yang opened his eyes.
Looking at the black-robed Daoist on the platform, he realized—
He had returned to the plaza where names were being called,right at the moment he first entered the Primordial Sacred Sect.
Everything he had just experienced felt vividly real.The demonic woman's presence still lingered in his senses.
Yet now, everything had reset.
Past events felt like a dream.
The overwhelming contrast left Lu Yang stunned for a long moment before he recovered—and then felt joy.
The Book of a Hundred Lives was truly a divine treasure!
Steadying his mind, Lu Yang looked down at the choices.
The first three options were instantly discarded.
He hadn't even begun proper cultivation before Yu Suzhen drained him to death.
That left only the fourth option.
[Calculating your previous life experience…]
[After plundering your vitality, Yu Suzhen successfully broke through to the Qi Refining Realm.However, due to severe illness, her true qi could not be expelled.She remained bedridden for several months and ultimately died from illness.]
[Since ancient times, following Heaven is easy—defying Heaven is hard.]
[Martial skills cannot rival divine abilities.The gap between mortals and cultivators is greater than that between Heaven and Earth.]
[Yet you entered the game personally, cleverly used unorthodox methods,and with a mortal body slew a cultivator—this can be called winning half a move against Heaven itself.]
[You have awakened the white-grade talent: Unorthodox Prodigy.]
[Unorthodox Prodigy: You possess extremely high comprehension of unorthodox cultivation techniques.Cultivators of the same realm cannot plunder you.]
The light on the interface shifted again.
Name: Lu YangAge: 18Cultivation: NoneTalent: Unorthodox Prodigy (White)Technique: Yin–Yang Grand Joy Scripture (Beginner)Divine Abilities: NoneTreasures: NonePages of the Book of a Hundred Lives: 99
Lu Yang exhaled deeply.
A surge of qi and blood rushed straight into his dantian.His strength instantly returned, his vitality overflowing like a fierce dragon or tiger.
His once-weak body gradually recovered.
"The illness… doesn't seem cured.I can just endure for longer now."
Lu Yang carefully sensed his condition.
Aside from the physical recovery brought by his talent,his understanding of the Yin–Yang Grand Joy Scripture had deepened significantly.
After all, compared to pure theory, real combat experience mattered far more—especially with a talent boost.
From then on, everything proceeded exactly the same.
Thanks to his naturally handsome face,Lu Yang was once again assigned to the Hehuan Hall.
He again encountered Yu Suzhen at the entrance,and once more, she set her sights on him immediately.
But this time—Lu Yang did not resist.
In the next instant, he felt his essence, spirit, and qi merge into one.
With a thunderous shock,it was as if an invisible door had been flung open.
Lu Yang's mind cleared instantly.
"I've broken through!"
When spirit and qi unite—that is called Qi Refining!
Yu Suzhen, as a long-standing registered disciple of the Hehuan Hall,had always been just one step away from Qi Refining.
In the previous life, she drained Lu Yang and completed that final step.
But in this life—she was counter-devoured.
All her accumulated foundation became his.
From today onward,Lu Yang was a Qi Refining First Layer cultivator!
With a single breakthrough, he was promoted to a formal disciple—a status leap straight to the heavens.
It seemed simple,yet for countless years, it had blocked innumerable registered disciples.
"Truly delightful, Senior Sister Yu.I doubt I'll ever forget you for the rest of my life."
Lu Yang stood up, looking at Yu Suzhen's lifeless body on the ground, and sighed softly.