Chapter 46: Stealing Heaven's Secrets

“This technique is called ‘Stealing Heaven’s Secrets.’”

Upon receiving Lü Yang’s approval, Zhao Xuhe took out a jade slip, injected his memory into it, and handed it to Lü Yang. It contained a brief description of the secret technique for Foundation Establishment he had just mentioned.

Lü Yang swept it with his spiritual sense and immediately showed a look of amazement.

At a glance, he could tell that this “Stealing Heaven’s Secrets” technique was created by a high-ranking expert from the Primordial Saint Sect, because every word carried the unique style of the sect.

As the name implied, “Stealing Heaven’s Secrets” involved first identifying an opposite-sex cultivator whose age, talent, and cultivation were on par with one’s own, and then forming a Daoist couple with them.

Afterward, through continuous dual cultivation, one would gradually implant one’s own Qi seed into the partner’s body, eventually replacing theirs.

Once successful, the partner would no longer be cultivating their own Qi seed, but that of the spell caster.

From then on, regardless of the partner’s fortuitous encounters or breakthroughs, all of it would be harvested by the spell caster. Their entire life’s cultivation would become someone else’s wedding dress.

Sinister and venomous—treating people as tools.

Truly a classic.

Thinking this, Lü Yang glanced at Zhao Xuhe again, and suddenly recalled that in his life two cycles ago, he had heard that Zhao Xuhe had become Daoist partners with Fairy Feixia.

‘So that’s how it was. No wonder after their Foundation Establishment failure, both perished together.’

‘Looking at it now, Zhao Xuhe probably killed Fairy Feixia first, then failed in Foundation Establishment himself. After all that scheming, it still ended in vain.’

While he mocked in his heart, Lü Yang also secretly felt alarmed.

Because from his perspective, Zhao Xuhe of two lifetimes ago had prepared thoroughly—he had used every available resource.

In that lifetime, after forming a Daoist bond with Fairy Feixia, Zhao Xuhe had risen swiftly by leveraging Skeleton Mountain.

He not only broke through to the peak of Qi Refining but also obtained two rare Foundation Establishment treasures. If this “Stealing Heaven’s Secrets” was considered, then Fairy Feixia’s portion also counted as Zhao Xuhe’s.

All things considered, Zhao Xuhe had prepared three full methods to achieve Foundation Establishment!

And yet the result?

Still a failure!

“Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment, the foundation of the Dao and Immortality. Without it, one is ultimately a mediocre mortal. No wonder only those at Foundation Establishment are called True Persons.”

“Foundation Establishment is harder than ascending to the heavens.”

After sighing, Lü Yang looked back at the jade slip in his hand.

“What does Junior Brother think?”

Zhao Xuhe looked expectant. “Using this as collateral, I’d like to borrow thirty thousand contribution points from Junior Brother. The term is three months. I promise to repay the debt after three months.”

“If I can’t repay it, the secret technique will be yours to settle the debt.”

“But even if I repay it, I’ll still give you the secret technique as thanks for your timely help and for aiding me through this crisis!”

Zhao Xuhe spoke generously, but Lü Yang sneered inwardly.

‘Sounds like as long as I agree to the loan, this “Stealing Heaven’s Secrets” technique is mine either way—no loss on my part. But that’s absolutely not the case!’

The crux wasn’t in the secret technique, nor in the money.

It lay in the three-month deadline.

Because once he lent the money, if Zhao Xuhe encountered any danger within those three months, Lü Yang would have to intervene—or risk never recovering the loan.

So this wasn’t a loan of money, but of manpower!

Zhao Xuhe clearly wanted to use this Foundation Establishment secret technique to tie him down, forcing him to be liable for whatever risks or karma Zhao Xuhe incurred!

In short, it was a sugar-coated cannonball.

And since it concerned Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t simply refuse.

“But what if I want the technique, but not the responsibility…”

Lü Yang stared at the jade slip in his hand, contemplating how he could eat the sugar and throw away the cannonball—perhaps by sending Zhao Xuhe to team up with Liu Xin.

However, he quickly dismissed that idea. Just like how he had accepted Ouyang Haoze as a banner spirit but failed to obtain the core technique of the Divine Martial Sect from him, the cultivation world had countless methods to prevent the leakage of techniques and divine abilities. If Zhao Xuhe dared to come to him, he must be prepared.

The success rate was too low.

Lü Yang paused in silence for a moment, then suddenly said, “…Very well.”

“I can agree to Senior Brother’s loan, but I also have one condition. If Senior Brother cannot accept this condition, I’d rather give up the technique.”

Zhao Xuhe was overjoyed upon hearing this. “Please speak, Junior Brother!”

“The condition is simple,” Lü Yang said softly. “You must hand me the original copy of the secret technique. Otherwise, what if you go back on your word in the future?”

“Of course, you can place a restriction on the original copy—say, it will self-destruct if forcibly opened. You can lift the restriction after three months. With your magic power, the restriction can last at least eighty years. That way, I can rest assured, and so can you. What do you think, Senior Brother?”

Zhao Xuhe thought for a moment. It didn’t seem to have any issues?

The only problem was that his magic power was limited.

After eighty years, the restriction would dissolve on its own due to power exhaustion—but by then the cabbage would be cold.

One had to know, a Qi Refining cultivator’s lifespan was around 150 years.

And once over a hundred years old, their energy and spirit would decline, making it virtually impossible to achieve Foundation Establishment.

Lü Yang was already over twenty. Eighty years later, he would be over a hundred and halfway into the grave. Even if he got the secret technique, it would be useless.

After all, if this lifetime was over, how could he still establish a foundation?

In the next life?

The more Zhao Xuhe thought about it, the more he felt that Lü Yang’s well-thought-out proposal achieved a deal and avoided mutual suspicion—a true win-win!

“Junior Brother’s request is perfectly reasonable. Let’s do it!”

Zhao Xuhe nodded decisively and immediately took out another jade slip. He first used his magic power to inscribe a restriction onto it, then handed it over to Lü Yang.

Lü Yang, seeing this, accepted it with a smiling face.

For a moment, both host and guest were satisfied.

“From now on, Zhao Xuhe is of no use.”

“If he manages to come back alive, then fine. But if he stirs up trouble, I won’t care. At worst, I’ll look at the secret technique again in eighty years.”

“Either way, I don’t lose.”

After sending off Zhao Xuhe, Lü Yang hummed a little tune and cheerfully began arranging the marketplace, since it was now his foundation for survival.

Moreover, the Hundred Bones True Array within the marketplace was a seventh-grade formation, while his Heaven-Slashing Blood River Sword Formation was only ninth-grade, relying entirely on the Heavenly Demon Blood-Transforming Divine Light for power.

So if he could fully comprehend the Hundred Bones True Array, it would greatly enhance his formation mastery through analogy.

Soon, time passed.

In the blink of an eye, another month went by. Lü Yang woke from meditation and suddenly smelled a fragrant breeze. Then he saw a graceful figure walk into the Blood Garment Tower.

“Senior Sister.”

Lü Yang smiled brightly and said, “You wouldn’t come to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing. Could it be that you’ve gained new insights into formations and want to discuss them with me?”

“How many times have I told you? Just call me Feixia.”

Fairy Feixia rolled her eyes at Lü Yang, sat habitually on his lap, and then softly whispered, “Someone from the Saint Sect has arrived.”

“Didn’t they already come before?”

Lü Yang said carelessly, “I told you last time—I just want to cultivate quietly and avoid trouble. I’m not interested in that Witch Ghost Secret Realm.”

“This time is different.”

At these words, Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed. “...Who is it?”

“It’s Second Senior Brother.”

Fairy Feixia looked serious. “Second Senior Brother of the Three Rivers Society, a true disciple at the peak of Qi Refining. This time, he personally sent me to deliver the message.”

Lü Yang’s face gradually darkened upon hearing this.

Because, if he remembered correctly, the Three Rivers Society—the major faction within the Saint Sect—was founded by a Foundation Establishment True Person.