Stepping into the library pavilion, he immediately saw an elderly man in his sixties lying idly on a rocking chair, basking in the sun, and diligently reading a Dao book.
As soon as Lü Yang entered, the old man looked over.
"Another newcomer?"
The old man said indifferently, "Go inside and pick for yourself. Remember, follow the rules written inside, otherwise don't blame me for not warning you if you die."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
Lü Yang cupped his hands, then walked towards the bookshelves.
Sure enough, as he approached, his Disciple token at his waist seemed to sense something, a faint light emerged, and then transformed into lines of text that appeared in the air.
"Lü Yang, Disciple of Butian Peak."
"You may freely receive the Butian Peak's secret Cultivation Technique, the 'Dragon and Phoenix Conjunction Yin Yang Great Bliss Art', and for your first exchange of a Cultivation Technique, you can exchange it with a down payment-free loan."
Lü Yang did not hesitate and immediately claimed it.
The next second, the content of the Cultivation Technique appeared on his Disciple token. Lü Yang's mind quickly immersed itself in it, and he only came back to his senses after a long while.
"How is it that this Cultivation Technique, like the Innate Dao Book, is also divided into two parts, upper and lower?" Recalling the outcome of his previous life, Lü Yang's expression turned somewhat grim: "The Dragon and Phoenix Conjunction Yin Yang Great Bliss Art, upon Perfection, can refine a Yin and Yang Dragon and Phoenix Qi, ranking fifth-grade, and theoretically it is also a Cultivation Technique that directly leads to Foundation Establishment."
"However, what I received is only the Qi Refining section!"
With the lessons from his previous life, Lü Yang was extremely wary of such Cultivation Techniques that were cut short halfway, and he even once entertained the thought of giving up on Cultivating it.
But after much contemplation, he sighed again: "I still have to Cultivate it!"
If he Cultivated it, there might be hidden dangers in the future.
If he didn't Cultivate it, there might not even be a future!
Moreover, this 'Dragon and Phoenix Conjunction Yin Yang Great Bliss Art' was indeed extremely profound. Not only could it extract the Origin Qi of the target, but it could also extract their knowledge!
Cultivation Techniques, Divine Abilities, experience—he could extract them all!
"Besides that, Cultivators who have been extracted by this Cultivation Technique will gradually have their minds controlled by the Cultivator, thus becoming completely devoted to the Cultivator, unable to extricate themselves, and eventually becoming the Cultivator's Puppet, even willing to die for the Cultivator. It is truly a Demonic Technique of extreme Weird."
Lü Yang studied the Cultivation Technique, silently comprehending it.
Another half an hour passed in this manner before he attempted to circulate his Qi. Two streams of True Qi flowed at his fingertips, forming a Dragon and Phoenix, subtly about to transform into a brand new True Qi.
"Hmm!"
The next second, Lü Yang's face paled, and the True Qi at his fingertips dissipated.
"Failed? That's right, although I've mastered the theory, I haven't had any practical experience yet. After all, Dual Cultivation Techniques aren't meant for one person to Cultivate."
Lü Yang was not discouraged and turned his gaze to the dazzling array of bookshelves before him.
According to the rules of the library pavilion, as a newly initiated official Disciple, he had one opportunity to exchange a Cultivation Technique or Divine Ability with a down payment-free loan.
What surprised Lü Yang was that the library pavilion contained not only Demonic Techniques.
There were also many Cultivation Techniques clearly from Righteous Path renowned sects, and they covered a wide range of fields: divination, sword arts, Five Elements techniques—truly everything imaginable.
"Minor Heaven-Cutting Art, Supreme Grand Unity Five Elements Righteous Method, Everlasting True Understanding, Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art."
Lü Yang pondered for a long time before finally making his choice.
"'Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art,' price: 1000 contribution points."
"Detecting that this is your first exchange, you are eligible for a down payment-free loan, with an annual interest rate of thirty-six percent, to be repaid over ten years. Do you wish to exchange?"
How much???
Lü Yang almost cursed out loud. An annual interest rate of 36% meant that he would have to repay 460 contribution points each year, principal plus interest, for a total of 4600 points over ten years!
Borrow 1000, repay 4600?
This was extortion!
"Wait. I'm different!"
Lü Yang's eyes suddenly lit up. A high-interest loan with no down payment might be a huge trap for others, but for him, it was completely irrelevant.
He could just restart; what did the loans from his previous life have to do with him?
So, if he wanted to, he could completely obtain the Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities in the library pavilion for free!
Since he had no intention of repaying, Lü Yang became much calmer. He immediately waved his hand, buying the 'Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art' on loan without even blinking.
Then, something unexpected happened to Lü Yang.
Previously, when he obtained the 'Dragon and Phoenix Conjunction Yin Yang Great Bliss Art', the Cultivation Technique content was given directly. However, this time, Lü Yang only received a message:
"Cultivation Technique is being dispatched. It is expected to arrive at your Immortal Cave within three days."
"Please wait patiently."
Looking at the message on his Disciple token, Lü Yang was somewhat puzzled. What did it mean, "Cultivation Technique is being dispatched"? Was this Cultivation Technique an original copy, not something that had been transcribed?
That being said, Lü Yang believed that the Chu Sheng Sect wouldn't just swallow his Cultivation Technique like that.
Before leaving, he sought out the old man at the entrance of the library pavilion again.
"This Senior."
As soon as Lü Yang bowed, the old man in the rocking chair spoke: "I'm not exactly a Senior; I'm also a Disciple of the sect, just a bit older than you."
Lü Yang was stunned by these words, then corrected himself: "Senior Brother, do you know if there are any cauldrons available in the sect suitable for us to Cultivate Dual Cultivation Techniques?"
Being in a Demonic Sect, Lü Yang naturally had no notion of remaining untainted by evil, nor would he shy away from Dual Cultivation. He would utilize anything that could make him stronger.
"Cauldrons, huh..."
The old man glanced at Lü Yang upon hearing this and suddenly asked, "Did you take out a loan to purchase a Cultivation Technique?"
Lü Yang was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
"Then you don't need to worry about this matter."
At this point, the old man's face revealed a meaningful smile: "Although these Cultivation Technique loans are annoying, they're not without benefits."
"Go back and wait!"
Lü Yang returned to his Immortal Cave, utterly confused.
However, he soon understood why the "Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art" required dispatch time, and what the "benefit" the old man spoke of truly was.
Three days later, a box was delivered to the entrance of Lü Yang's Immortal Cave.
Lü Yang moved the box into his Immortal Cave and opened it.
He then saw a shapely, heroic woman with sharp Phoenix eyes, bound hand and foot, placed in the center of the box.
Although the woman wasn't exceptionally beautiful, she possessed natural grace.
Her unadorned face, without makeup, exuded a transcendent elegance.
And because she had been in the stuffy box for too long, she was now covered in glistening sweat beads, which dripped down her fair neck and rolled into her collar.
"Demonic Path!"
The woman looked at Lü Yang, her eyes filled with a hatred that wished to tear him into a thousand pieces. At the same time, she seemed to have connected the dots about her fate, and despair slowly appeared on her pretty face.
Lü Yang frowned at the sight: "You are... a Disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion?"
"So what if I am?" The woman closed her beautiful eyes, and two lines of clear tears slowly streamed down her fair cheeks: "Just kill me!"
Lü Yang then suddenly understood.
The 'Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art' was the secret Divine Ability of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, the leader of the Righteous Path in the south. He had been curious earlier about where the Chu Sheng Sect had obtained it.
Now he understood.
The Dragon and Phoenix Conjunction Yin Yang Great Bliss Art could extract the knowledge and experience of a target, and the Chu Sheng Sect had directly brought him an official Disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
In other words, if he wanted the 'Divine Firmament Sword Control True Art', he only needed to extract it from the other party.
"This way, it both imparts the Cultivation Technique and solves the problem of Disciples needing cauldrons for Cultivation, killing two birds with one stone. It's truly maximizing utility."
Making the best use of everything—such was indeed the style of the Sacred Sect.
Compared to the arduous Cultivation of renowned Righteous Path sects, who trained rigorously through winter and summer, this was the Demonic Path's way of Cultivation.