Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 248: Gathering Qi

The method of Emptiness Attestation should rightfully be mine!

This was the only thought in Lu Yangʼs mind after hearing the warning from Qing Chen Feixue True Person, and this confidence naturally came from the 〖Book of a Hundred Lifetimes〗.

”Emptiness Attestationʼs greatest issue is being discarded by the Dao Lords after achieving it, but Iʼm different. As long as I restart immediately upon attaining the attestation and bring it back, the attestation will be cleansed by the 〖Book of a Hundred Lifetimes〗, leaving no cause or effect. What can the Dao Lords do to me then?”

Lu Yang barely managed to keep a straight face, refraining from laughing aloud, as he watched Qing Chen Feixue True Person depart.

With Chong Guangʼs death and the mysterious True Person re-concealing themselves, the various True Persons dispersed their attestations, and the sky returned to clarity, as if no great battle had ever occurred.

”Come back with me.”

Lu Yang glanced at Duo Bao Tongzi, who had been anxiously waiting outside the blessed land, not daring to leave, and smiled slightly: ”Fellow Daoist, you still have merit.”

After all, he wasnʼt some great demon.

Being a rogue cultivator was tough, and small sects even tougher. Lu Yang considered himself a very empathetic person and naturally wouldnʼt make things difficult for Duo Bao Tongzi.

Moreover, there wasnʼt much to extract from him anymore.

Yet, with just a few words, Duo Bao Tongzi nearly burst into tears.

Reflecting on the hardships of recent days—since leaving Jiangbei and joining another sect, nothing had gone smoothly, and he was constantly misunderstood.

Previously, he had even been extorted by the Sword Pavilion, harboring a belly full of anger.

Now, looking back, it was the Saint Sect that truly appreciated talent, recognizing the abilities hidden beneath his exterior. Why had he foolishly chosen to betray them before?

Previously, a casual compliment from Lu Yang wouldnʼt have stirred such emotions in Duo Bao Tongzi, but after enduring repeated hardships and realizing he had not only survived but also earned merit, he was nearly moved to tears.

”Thank you, my lord!”

Seeing this, Lu Yang nodded, then took out the Abi Sword. A burst of sword energy reduced the unconscious Ye Guyue beside him to dust, and he departed gracefully.

Saint Sect, Luofeng Mountain.

After casually dismissing Duo Bao Tongzi, Lu Yang wandered around the mountain, listening to the sounds of people, easing the tension of the past days.

In cultivation, balance between relaxation and tension is the proper path.

However, despite not being away for long, returning now gave Lu Yang a sense of having been away for ages, simply because the mountain was unusually lively.

Looking around, the crowd was no less than that of the past Mending Heaven Peak, perhaps even more so. Many disciples were practicing the Witch Ghost Pathʼs techniques, as under the guidance of Master Ting You, these techniques were thirty percent cheaper than others, with monthly limited-time discounts.

”How is it?”

The myriad spirit banners fluttered, and Master Ting Youʼs figure appeared beside Lu Yang, with a touch of sentiment on his face and a genuine smile in his words.

”Thank you for your hard work, Master.”

Lu Yang also showed a sentimental expression: ”Thinking back, our lineage had only a single disciple, akin to a rogue cultivator. To have todayʼs prosperity feels like a dream.”

Hearing this, Master Ting You looked at Lu Yang, a trace of pity in his eyes, and a mental image of a disciple of the Witch Ghost Path, oppressed by the Sword Pavilion, living in constant fear yet never forgetting to revive the sect, emerged in his mind. He patted Lu Yangʼs shoulder:

”Youʼve suffered.”

Lu Yang shook his head and said solemnly: ”Striving for the sectʼs revival isnʼt suffering. My abilities are limited; Iʼll still need Master to take care in the future.”

Master Ting You nodded and proactively said:

”The Saint Sectʼs True Persons have broader insights than I do, so for now, donʼt consider first-grade Emptiness Attestation. However, second-grade is worth deliberating.”

”I understand.”

Lu Yang nodded, not truly giving up, but taking things step by step. Rushing could easily lead to problems.

”First, pursue the path of second-grade techniques, gradually understanding their intricacies, then consider Emptiness Attestation. Actually, the best method is to follow the ordinary path first—regardless of anything else, achieve a Golden Core, then reverse-engineer the techniques. Cultivating beyond oneʼs level suits me.”

”What are your plans next?”

Seeing Lu Yang deep in thought, Master Ting You asked with concern: ”Increasing Dao practice and fortune to seek a second innate divine ability isnʼt easy.”

”Moreover, you know the Saint Sect.”

Master Ting You spoke very subtly.

However, Lu Yang understood in his heart. According to Qing Chen Feixue True Person, she would invite a True Person to help refine the 〖Immortal Spring〗 into a great pill.

Once the pill was formed, consuming it would replenish his Dao practice.

It sounded wonderful, but this was the Saint Sect. A pill refined by a Saint Sect True Person—could it be trusted? Who knows what might be added!

After careful consideration, Lu Yang still shook his head: ”The True Person wouldnʼt harm me.”

”Are you confident?” Master Ting You frowned.

With the 〖Book of a Hundred Lifetimes〗 in his possession, Lu Yang had a safeguard and naturally wasnʼt worried. However, he maintained a sincere expression: ”No, but I trust the True Person.”

”Youʼre quite loyal.”

Before Lu Yang finished speaking and before Master Ting You could respond, a third voice sounded, accompanied by a gentle footstep.

Master Ting Youʼs expression instantly froze, and Lu Yangʼs smile became strained, a great shock arising in his heart.

”Who is it!?”

Lu Yang turned his head to look beside him, only to see a woman in brocade robes and a rosy cloak, with cascading black hair, appearing gentle and graceful.

”A Grand True Person? A True Person?”

In an instant, Lu Yangʼs thoughts raced. Although both could approach him unnoticed, he made a decision immediately:

”Disciple greets the True Person!”

”Oh?” The woman showed surprise and then asked curiously: ”You recognize me?”

Lu Yang respectfully replied: ”I donʼt, but regardless of your cultivation, I would address you as True Person. After all, itʼs always pleasant to address someone with a higher cultivation.”

”Sharp-tongued.”

The woman smiled: ”I am Zeng Cai Qiluo True Person, an old acquaintance of Feihong—whom you call Qing Chen Feixue True Person.”

”She invited me out this time specifically for you, to help refine a Jia Wood Pill to enhance your Dao practice in preparation for your second innate divine ability.” As she spoke, the woman lightly shook her robe, and clouds rose from her skirt, forming a cloud pavilion supporting her.

”Where is the 〖Immortal Spring〗? Take it out.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang didnʼt dare hesitate and immediately took out the spiritual material given to him by Ye Guyue. The woman received it and examined it carefully:

”Hmm, the fire is quite strong.”

”Unfortunately, itʼs been overexposed.”

Then the woman shook her head, and the cloud transformed into a teapot. She directly threw the 〖Immortal Spring〗 into the pot and gently shook it.

”I also heard youʼre going to ʼgather qiʼ?”

The True Person asked, and even though her tone sounded like casual conversation, Lu Yang didnʼt dare be negligent:

”Replying to the True Person, this was also Qing Chen Feixue True Personʼs instruction. She said that going beyond the heavens to gather qi would help increase oneʼs fortune and seek the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend.”

”Itʼs a good method, just a bit risky. In the past century, youʼre the most prominent figure in our Saint Sect. After such a commotion, your reputation has spread far and wide. Several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Sword Pavilion have died, directly or indirectly, all related to you.”

”Youʼre quite the hot commodity now.”

At this point, the woman curiously asked:

”In such circumstances, letting you go beyond the heavens suggests that Feihong truly trusts your strength, or... have you offended her in some way?”

”...Hmm?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang was stunned and cautiously asked: ”May I ask, True Person, what dangers would someone like me face beyond the heavens?”

The woman laughed: ”Someone like you, achieving mid-stage Foundation Establishment in a hundred years, now nearing completion, often indicates being blessed with fortune and exceptional talent. In a sense, youʼre the essence of heaven and earth—in other words, youʼre a prime source of qi.”

”A prime source of qi... me...?”

In an instant, Lu Yangʼs pupils contracted, and he suddenly thought of something: Could the so-called ʼgathering qiʼ be exclusive to this world?

Perhaps ʼbeyond the heavensʼ is a relative term!

In other words, if he went beyond the heavens, then...