Chapter 11: Killing Curse
The next day, Lu Yang waited in his Immortal Cave all day.
No one came.
The three black-clothed individuals seemed not to be Disciples of the Primordial Sect at all, causing no ripples, and no one even came to check the situation.
Lu Yang once again sighed. He wouldn't doubt that the Primordial Sect, which possessed the life lamps of all Disciples, hadn't discovered the deaths of the three. Now, it seemed that "mutual killing among Disciples" was an unwritten rule. As long as it didn't escalate and become widely known, no one would investigate closely.
After all, the Demonic Dao was unpredictable and hard to fathom.
People died, perhaps to silence them, perhaps for wealth, or perhaps because they knew something they shouldn't have. What if a thorough investigation revealed something?
So, it was better not to investigate.
"As expected of the Primordial Sect."
After his sigh, Lu Yang relaxed and began to collect his spoils.
First were the Disciple tokens. To Lu Yang's shock, the Disciple tokens of the three black-clothed individuals actually contained a full 400 contribution points, an amount far exceeding the norm.
"So, they were three habitual offenders."
Lu Yang frowned, then searched again. Besides miscellaneous items, only a secret manual called the "Qi Concealment Art" interested him the most.
After all, in Lu Yang's opinion, these three black-clothed individuals were very skilled at concealing True Qi. If his Cultivation had not Breakthrough, and his True Qi and spiritual sense had not undergone a qualitative leap, he probably wouldn't have discovered their infiltration. This showed how powerful the Qi Concealment Art was; it was clearly a trump card.
"More importantly, this has nothing to do with the Primordial Sect!"
Primordial Sect Cultivation Techniques would only be recorded on Disciple tokens, but the Qi Concealment Art was a secret manual, indicating that this must have been an Opportunity the three black-clothed individuals found themselves.
Therefore, there was no need to worry about the Primordial Sect having a way to counter it.
"This is truly a pillow when one is sleepy—it's good that they died!"
Thinking of this, Lu Yang sincerely collected the bodies of the three, then dug a pit and buried them, allowing them to rest in peace.
Then, he suddenly had another thought:
"This Qi Concealment Art is so exquisite, and it wasn't passed down by the Primordial Sect. Where did they get it? Could there be an even greater Opportunity behind this?"
Instantly, Lu Yang's thoughts became active.
However, he quickly restrained his greed, his eyes returning to calmness: "No rush, no rush. Perhaps these three people can be friends in their next lives."
There would always be a chance!
After helping the three to rest in peace, Lu Yang took out his Disciple token again and began to check the Materials needed for refining sword pills that Yun Miaoqing had told him about earlier.
"To refine a sword pill, one needs to gather 150g of gold essence, 150g of jade marrow, 100g of cinnabar, and 100g of Sword Qi, totaling 500g. Then, supplemented by True Fire and Divine Water, it is forged and cooled, Impurities are removed, and then slowly refined with secret sword arts, so that it merges with the essence, Qi, and spirit of the refiner before it can truly be completed."
Lu Yang recalled the method of refining sword pills while browsing the item directory.
The more he looked, the uglier his expression became.
"Gold essence, jade marrow, cinnabar, Sword Qi, all priced at 100 contribution points per 150g. True Water is 500 contribution points per gourd, True Fire is 500 contribution points per strand."
"2000 contribution points!?"
Lu Yang gritted his teeth. He had heard Yun Miaoqing say that Disciples of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion would receive a sword pill bestowed by their elders after breaking through to Qi Refining.
Yet, in the Primordial Sect, it actually cost 2000 contribution points?
Ordinary Disciples would have to work like oxen and horses for the Primordial Sect for twenty years, without eating or drinking, to possibly accumulate that many contribution points!
Damn the Demonic Dao!
Such an exorbitant price instantly extinguished Lu Yang's pride from having just made a small fortune, making him realize again the reality that he was a pauper.
"In that case, 400 contribution points are a bit useless."
According to Lu Yang's plan, he would choose Cultivation in his next life, so whatever he obtained in this life could not be taken away.
Therefore, no matter what good things he bought with these 400 contribution points, they would be meaningless to him.
As for Cultivation, the Middle Stage of Qi Refining was completely different from the Early Stage. Even if he used up all 400 contribution points, it would be impossible for him to Breakthrough to the fifth level of Qi Refining.
"It seems I can only exchange them for Cultivation Techniques."
After all, compared to treasures, Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities, as knowledge, could be brought to the next life. Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately left his Immortal Cave and headed for the Hidden Scripture Pavilion.
"Oh, it's you, kid?"
The old man at the entrance of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion actually remembered Lu Yang, showing a look of surprise: "Are you here to exchange for Cultivation Techniques again? Looks like you've struck it rich."
"Thanks to Senior Brother's auspicious words."
Lu Yang cupped his hands, then walked into the Hidden Scripture Pavilion. This time, his intention was clear: he wanted to find a powerful Divine Ability specifically for fighting to the death.
Soon, Lu Yang locked onto his target.
"Life-Slaying Curse: 300 contribution points."
This Divine Ability was very special, resembling the Buddhist silent meditation. It required the Cultivator to nurture a Killing Intent in their chest, refining it day and night with True Qi, intertwining it with their life.
Normally unused, one could speak normally. But when used, with an open mouth and a single word, "Kill!", the entire Killing Intent would instantly erupt, carrying one's life force, shaking souls and spirits, irresistible. However, once this Killing Intent was fully unleashed, the person would also die. It was a method of mutually assured destruction.
"Not bad. It can kill others and also kill myself. It's perfect for me!"
With the Hundred Lifetimes Book, what Lu Yang feared most was not death, but being unable to die, because the Hundred Lifetimes Book could not be actively activated; it could only be used when he died.
Therefore, he desperately needed a suicide Divine Ability.
After exchanging for the Cultivation Technique at the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, Lu Yang immediately sat cross-legged and began to comprehend the art.
"Life-Slaying Curse, hiding Qi in the chest. The most important thing is this Killing Intent. The higher the quality of the Killing Intent, the greater the power of the Life-Slaying Curse when it erupts."
"It is said that when Heaven unleashes Killing Intent, stars shift; when Earth unleashes Killing Intent, Dragons and snakes rise; when humans unleash Killing Intent, Heaven and Earth overturn. Therefore, Killing Intent in the world is divided into three types: Heaven-Killing, Earth-Killing, and Human-Killing. Among them, Heaven-Killing and Earth-Killing are rarely seen in a hundred years, while Human-Killing is ubiquitous, with the Qi of weapons being the most superior."
Inside the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, Lu Yang began to refine the Killing Intent.
"Thankfully, the Materials are readily available."
The so-called Human-Killing Qi was mostly extracted from the weapons used by those with Killing Intent. Coincidentally, he still had the weapons of the three black-clothed individuals.
Lu Yang directly extracted Killing Intent from them, refining it bit by bit into his body.
In an instant, Lu Yang felt as if a thousand knives were scraping his bones and cutting his flesh in his chest, the pain unbearable. But he kept his lips tightly sealed, not daring to open his mouth.
Because this was a crucial moment in the refinement. Once he opened his mouth and the Qi leaked, he would surely die instantly!
After a long time, Lu Yang finally felt the Killing Intent in his chest gradually stabilize, completely connected to his own True Qi, ready to erupt with a single thought.
"I wonder how powerful it is."
Thinking of this, a hint of anticipation appeared on Lu Yang's face. He decided that he must use the Life-Slaying Curse at least once before he died in this life, to see its power.
Returning to the entrance of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, Lu Yang was surprised to find the old man at the door cursing loudly.
"That son of a bitch, that lucky bastard..."
The old man held a Disciple token, his wrinkled hands trembling uncontrollably, his old face contorted, unable to clearly express what emotion it was.
Lu Yang walked forward and asked curiously, "Senior Brother? What happened?"
"What happened?" The old man's eyes widened in anger when he heard this, and he slammed the Disciple token to the ground, sneering, "It's all over the place. See for yourself."
Before he finished speaking, the old man lay back down in his rocking chair, looking sulky.
Lu Yang was utterly confused until he also opened his Disciple token and saw the latest news, only then understanding what had happened.
"Grand Prize in the Merit Pool Finally Has a Winner!"
"The Colored Merit Fish was drawn by the newly inducted Disciple Xiao Shiye. The Immortal Master publicly awarded a billion-dollar prize. Xiao Shiye went into seclusion after claiming the prize and has not been seen since!"