Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 45: Auspicious Star

Several days later, inside a quiet chamber of the Blood Garment Tower.

Fairy Feixia had already departed gracefully, while Lu Yang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, beginning to study the talismanic techniques he had acquired during his recent discussions with her.

As for matters of romance, Lu Yang had never been one to dwell on them.

He understood clearly that within the Saint Sect, there was no such thing as true love—only exchanges of benefits.

Saving her life was one aspect; another was that he managed the marketplace and, being at the peak of Qi Refining, was not easily subdued—Fairy Feixia needed his assistance.

Additionally, dual cultivation accelerated the pace of their discussions.

After all, the Saint Sect possessed the Ode of Yin-Yang Great Bliss, a dual cultivation method that allowed direct absorption of knowledge, making physical interaction more efficient than verbal communication.

However, if Fairy Feixia intended to leverage their recent interactions to demand any benefits from him, that was utterly impossible.

After all, he had also taught her about formations during these days.

A fair trade—money and goods settled!

”Talismanic techniques, huh.”

As one of the myriad arts of cultivation, talismanic techniques were quite favored, and after several days of deep exchange, Lu Yang had gained a deeper understanding of them.

In his view, talismanic techniques were essentially temporary micro-formations.

Although their power was far inferior to full formations, they were convenient to carry, required no geomantic veins or spiritual energy support, and had no geographical restrictions—activation only needed the userʼs mana.

Lu Yang focused his mind and looked at the panel of the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes.

【Golden Light Talisman (Beginner), Five Thunder Talisman (Beginner), Sword Qi Talisman (Beginner), Returning Wind and Reigniting Fire Talisman (Beginner)】

Fairy Feixia had imparted to him four talismans in total.

Among them, the Golden Light Talisman, Five Thunder Talisman, and Sword Qi Talisman were quite common, each ranked at the ninth grade.

Only the last one, the Returning Wind and Reigniting Fire Talisman, was a seventh-grade major talisman.

This talisman could imprint and preserve a cultivatorʼs state at a certain moment, allowing them to overlay it later and temporarily return to their peak condition.

For instance, after a fierce battle leaving one severely injured and nearly depleted of mana, using this talisman would instantly restore them to an unscathed, peak state.

Although the subsequent backlash would worsen their injuries by thirty percent, it was invaluable in critical moments.

Fairy Feixiaʼs successful escape back to the marketplace previously owed much to this talisman.

That she willingly taught such a life-saving talisman indicated that, despite other intentions, she held some genuine sincerity during their discussions.

Of course, the effects of the Returning Wind and Reigniting Fire Talisman couldnʼt be stacked.

Moreover, due to its outstanding efficacy, it had a longer cooldown period—after one use, a three-month interval was required before the next.

”Heaven is round, Earth is square, laws in nine chapters; as I write, all spirits submit.”

Several talisman papers floated in the air.

Lu Yang formed hand seals with one hand and channeled mana with the other to inscribe on the papers.

Occasionally, mana would go out of control, causing the talisman paper to be destroyed.

However, Lu Yang would promptly draw in new talisman papers to replace them.

After a long while, Lu Yang finally concluded his work.

Before him lay four talismans, each glowing with spiritual light, differing in color and script.

”Success!”

Lu Yang first stored away the most precious Returning Wind and Reigniting Fire Talisman.

Then, he took the remaining three talismans in hand, scrutinizing them intently, and suddenly had an idea.

”Unlike the Returning Wind and Reigniting Fire Talisman, the Golden Light, Five Thunder, and Sword Qi Talismans are quite standard.”

”They donʼt require advanced talismanic skills.”

”With the right materials and sufficient practice, they can be mass-produced.”

”The only issue is finding enough people to draw them for free.”

Fortunately, this was never a concern for Lu Yang.

Conveniently, the banner spirits within the Ten Thousand Spirits Banner were idle all day.

By teaching them the art of talisman drawing, he could assign them tasks to pass the time.

This approach could even save money.

After all, hiring Saint Sect disciples to draw talismans required payment.

But banner spirits? Just kidding—they should consider it a blessing to be given work.

Demanding wages? Then donʼt blame him for layoffs!

Upon exiting the quiet chamber, Yun Miaoqing, who was waiting outside, brought Lu Yang unexpected news.

”Zhao Xuhe?”

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, pondering why Senior Brother Zhao would suddenly seek him out, especially since their last conversation was filled with caution.

Seeing Lu Yang frown, Yun Miaoqing softly said, ”If you donʼt wish to see him, shall I send him away?”

”No need.”

Lu Yang smiled slightly.

”Letʼs meet him.”

Soon, Zhao Xuhe was led into the reception room of the Blood Garment Tower.

Lu Yang discreetly observed for any anomalies before entering.

”Senior Brother Zhao! Iʼve missed you!”

Lu Yang laughed heartily.

Upon entering, he embraced Zhao Xuhe enthusiastically.

”To be honest, I had a fierce battle with that true disciple from the Divine Martial Sect recently.”

”Although I killed him, I was severely injured and took a long time to recover.”

”Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

”No, no.”

Zhao Xuhe smiled awkwardly yet politely, though inwardly he was seething.

He had seen Fairy Feixia leaving the Blood Garment Tower!

Nevertheless, he quickly composed himself, his Dao heart steadfast.

”Junior Brother Lü, Iʼve come to ask a favor.”

Zhao Xuhe got straight to the point.

”Are you aware of the Witch Ghost Secret Realm?”

”Recently, news about this secret realm has been widespread.”

”Of course I know.”

Lu Yang nodded.

Zhao Xuhe seized the opportunity.

”To be honest, I have some clues about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm.”

”They might be related to Foundation Establishment opportunities!”

”Oh.”

Lu Yangʼs indifferent response left Zhao Xuhe momentarily stunned.

This wasnʼt right.

In his expectations, the prospect of Foundation Establishment was monumental.

Shouldnʼt Lu Yang be eagerly inquiring about the details?

Unbeknownst to him, Lu Yang remained calm.

He had initially learned about the Witch Ghost Secret Realm after converting Ouyang Haoze into a banner spirit—a highly confidential matter.

But now?

The entire Skeleton Mountain was abuzz with talk of the Witch Ghost Secret Realm.

Everyone was discussing it, as if finding the secret realm would guarantee Foundation Establishment, even for mortals.

”When even the neighborhood aunties start discussing stock trading, itʼs time to exit.”

A secret known to all was no longer a secret.

This was a setup to harvest the naive!

Lu Yang saw through it clearly.

The more the Witch Ghost Secret Realm was hyped, the more determined he was not to step outside the marketplace.

With this in mind, Lu Yang immediately shook his head.

”Apologies, Senior Brother.”

”Iʼm not interested in the secret realm.”

”This...”

Zhao Xuheʼs mouth hung open.

He quickly tried to persuade him.

”Junior Brother, cultivation is arduous.”

”We only live once.”

”How can we shrink back at critical moments?”

”The Ancient Witch Ghost Path was a major demonic sect.”

”Although it was eventually destroyed by the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, a centipede dies but never stiffens.”

”There must be valuable treasures, possibly even Foundation Establishment wonders.”

”Are you truly unmoved?”

”Opportunities come once in a lifetime.”

”Miss it, and itʼs gone forever!”

”Opportunities come once in a lifetime... for you.”

”For me, itʼs different.”

”If not this life, then the next.”

Lu Yang mused inwardly.

On the surface, he firmly shook his head.

”My mind is made up.”

”One must accept what fate bestows and not force what it withholds.”

Zhao Xuhe stood there, speechless.

There was nothing more to say.

Lu Yang had made his decision.

All Zhao Xuhe could do was curse the damned old tortoise in his heart.

”Since thatʼs the case, letʼs drop it.”

”However, I have another transaction to discuss with you.”

Zhao Xuhe gritted his teeth and moved to his second plan.

”I possess a secret technique that can increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.”

”Iʼd like to use it as collateral to borrow thirty thousand contribution points from you.”

”A Foundation Establishment secret technique?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang, who had been ready to see him out, suddenly brightened.

Looking at Zhao Xuhe, he felt a surge of affection.

This man was truly his lucky star.

From the Substitute Death Yin Puppet, the Ninefold Transforming Dragon Art, to the Skeleton Mountain marketplace.

Now, he had brought a Foundation Establishment secret technique!

So far, every opportunity Lu Yang had relied upon was connected to dear Senior Brother Zhao.

His achievements today owed much to him!