Chapter 20: Xiao Shiye
Nearly three months later, in the Earthfire Furnace Chamber.
Lu Yang slowly stood up, his body trembling.
No, rather than standing, floating might be more appropriate, because at this moment, he no longer had flesh, muscles, or bones, but was a crimson blood shadow!
"I succeeded!"
The blood shadow had no face, only a slightly distorted voice that vibrated amidst the swirling radiance: "Eighty-one days, I finally refined it!"
The next second, the blood shadow gradually receded, and the skin peeled off on the ground flew in from thin air, being "worn" by the blood shadow. The pale skin gradually filled with blood, and the shriveled flesh slowly plumped up. In a short while, a perfectly intact Lu Yang appeared in the furnace chamber.
At first glance, he was no different from an ordinary person.
In fact, compared to three months ago, Lu Yang's Qi was even more immense now, and his profound True Qi had subtly condensed into a Qi Seed.
Qi Refining Seventh Layer! Late Stage!
Perhaps the process of Cultivating Divine Ability was too painful, an unimaginable tempering for his essence, Qi, and spirit, which unexpectedly caused him to Breakthrough his cultivation Bottleneck.
Even more fortunately, this was before he formally mastered the Divine Ability.
If it had been after mastering the Divine Ability, then even if he broke through the Bottleneck, it would have been useless. For example, now, his cultivation would be permanently stuck at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
"But it's enough..."
Lu Yang murmured in a low voice. Possessing the hundred lifetimes book, he never confined himself to the achievements of one lifetime. His goal was how to effectively use it in the next life.
"Let's test its power!"
As Lu Yang's thought arose, a magnificent sword pellet immediately appeared between his eyebrows, and then his figure transformed into a streak of blood light, merging with the sword pellet.
"Boom!"
Outside Ten Thousand Treasures Peak, as the ground shook violently, the originally bustling crowd suddenly swayed, and several people directly fell to the ground.
"What's happening?"
"A Dragon turning over... Impossible, with the Immortal Masters suppressing the Earth Veins, how could there be a Dragon turning over?"
The Disciples looked at each other, and those with higher cultivation suddenly felt something, subconsciously looking in a certain direction, their eyes gradually showing surprise.
"Look quickly!"
"That is—"
Everyone's gaze followed suit.
Immediately after, everyone saw a long rainbow piercing the sun rush out from a furnace chamber, leaping into the sky in a blink of an eye, causing the sea of clouds to surge wherever it passed.
Clang! Clang!
Clear sword cries spread throughout the nine heavens, and the intense red light dyed Ten Thousand Treasures Peak blood red, stirring the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into a towering tide!
Amidst such a Spiritual Qi tide, most Disciples couldn't even breathe, almost suffocating!
"Such a display, Qi Refining Late Stage?"
Some Disciples showed envy: "This is already a formed Qi Seed, just waiting for the final step of nurturing to achieve Perfection, and from then on, Foundation Establishment is within sight..."
"I wonder which Senior Brother has broken through?"
"I've seen Senior Brothers in the Qi Refining Late Stage before, but none had such Spiritual Pressure. That rainbow-like sword light is probably also an extraordinary Magic Treasure—"
At the same time, above the sea of clouds.
Lu Yang transformed into a blood shadow, his Qi merging with the sword light, his spiritual sense spreading in all directions. Everything within a radius of more than ten miles was clear, like observing patterns on his palm.
"Qi Refining Late Stage, True Qi sinks into the Dantian, transforming into a Qi Seed, triggering a transformation of essence, Qi, and spirit. If I still had a body, my physique would have undergone a qualitative leap, becoming impervious to blades and spears would be trivial, and my True Qi would have increased dozens of times. Unfortunately, now only my spiritual sense remains..."
Lu Yang was lamenting when he suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"Who's there?"
Before Lu Yang's words finished, the sword followed his Heart-Nature in an instant. The sword light, like a blood-colored long rainbow, directly tore through the sea of clouds, revealing a young, handsome figure.
"Senior Brother, don't attack! Don't attack!"
The person shouted loudly, but Lu Yang paid no attention. The sword light surged forward. Seeing this, the person quickly took out a small flag and erected it in the air.
The next second, the flag unfurled, transforming into a pair of flag gates.
The person hid in one of the flag gates. Only after the sword light split by Lu Yang also chased in, did he emerge from the other flag gate. Then, he beckoned with his hand.
The flag gates disappeared, returning to a small flag.
Lu Yang, however, raised an eyebrow, discovering that the sword light he had split off was actually trapped in an unknown place, having been evaded by the opponent.
"Interesting..."
Lu Yang grinned, and the sword pellet between his eyebrows vibrated violently, like muffled thunder rolling in the sky. In an instant, it split into dozens, even hundreds, of sword lights, like a peacock fanning its tail.
Seeing this, the young man, who had been somewhat smug, immediately changed his expression drastically. He quickly took out his small flag Magic Treasure again to protect himself, and at the same time shouted loudly: "This Senior Brother, I am Xiao Shiye. I came here simply to make your acquaintance, with absolutely no ill intent. Please, Senior Brother, retract your Divine Ability..."
"Xiao Shiye?"
Lu Yang was startled upon hearing this, and then the sword light that was about to erupt suddenly paused, hanging in mid-air, reflecting a face covered in cold sweat.
That pre-ordained stooge?
The next second, Lu Yang retracted his sword light, transformed into human form, and landed in front of Xiao Shiye, laughing heartily: "Junior Brother, don't misunderstand, I was just playing a joke!"
Xiao Shiye wiped the sweat from his forehead upon hearing this, inwardly complaining that Lu Yang had clearly intended to be serious just now. Yet, he also showed a brilliant smile on his face, eagerly saying: "Senior Brother's Divine Ability is vast, and his magical power boundless. This Xiao admires you. Please accept this small gift, Senior Brother, do not decline."
With that, he casually handed over the small flag in his hand.
"How can I accept this..."
Lu Yang shook his head while taking the small flag. Only then did he see two words on the flag: "Life and Death," which were embroidered with gold thread.
"This treasure is called the Life and Death Flag."
Xiao Shiye proactively introduced: "I bought it at an antique shop before entering the sect. It didn't seem extraordinary at first, but after entering the sect, I discovered it was a unique treasure."
"The flag has two sides. When activated, it can transform into two flag gates, one of life and one of death."
"Within the same Realm, as long as one enters through the death gate and exits through the life gate, no matter how great the danger, one can find a way to survive, and disaster will not cling to them."
Lu Yang's face couldn't help but twitch after listening.
Such a miraculous Magic Treasure was actually casually bought by this Xiao Shiye from a mortal antique shop before he even started Cultivating in the Primordial Sect?
Thinking of this, Lu Yang suddenly had an idea and concentrated his spiritual sense in his eyes.
In the Qi Refining Late Stage, with the great increase in spiritual sense, many wonderful uses naturally emerged. What Lu Yang was using at this moment was a miraculous technique called "Qi-Gazing Art."
It wasn't a problem not to look, but upon looking, Lu Yang almost widened his eyes.
Because in his eyes, Xiao Shiye's entire body—his crane cloak, boots, robe, headwear, and even his waist belt—were all glowing with treasure light!
In terms of quality, they probably weren't inferior to his sword pellet!
Even with Lu Yang's current Heart-Nature, he couldn't help but feel a bit unbalanced.
After all, the Magic Treasure he had spent several months and a huge sum to refine was seemingly everywhere with Xiao Shiye, as if it cost nothing, which inevitably made people envious.
"This person has great Luck..."
If Lu Yang had previously thought that Xiao Shiye winning the Merit Pool grand prize was due to shady dealings, now he changed his mind.
Could it really be that he was just lucky?
Thinking of this, Lu Yang's expression gradually became strange again.
With such high Luck, it could be said that as long as he followed him, he would definitely gain many Opportunities. Moreover, his cultivation wasn't high, making it particularly easy to snatch them...
This Xiao Shiye, he seems to be a talent!