Entering the Archive Pavilion, Lü Yang was met with the sight of an elderly man lounging lazily in a rocking chair, basking in the sun while earnestly reading a scripture.
The moment Lü Yang stepped inside, the old man looked over.
"Another new disciple?"
The old man said flatly, "Go pick for yourself inside. Remember, follow the rules written there. If you die, don't blame me for not warning you."
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
Lü Yang clasped his hands in salute, then walked toward the bookshelves.
Sure enough, as soon as he approached, the disciple token at his waist seemed to sense something. A faint light emerged, transforming into lines of text that leaped into the air before him.
"Lü Yang, disciple of Heaven-Mending Peak."
"Eligible to freely receive the Heaven-Mending Peak's secret technique: Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon. Simultaneously, for the first technique exchange, a zero-down-payment loan is available."
Lü Yang didn't hesitate and claimed it immediately.
The next second, the contents of the technique appeared on his disciple token. Lü Yang's mind quickly immersed itself in it, only regaining focus after a long while.
"Why is this technique, like the Primordial Dao Scripture, also split into two parts?" Recalling his previous life's end, Lü Yang's expression turned grim. "Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon—when perfected, can refine a strand of Yin-Yang Dragon-Tiger Qi, ranked fifth grade. Theoretically, it's also a technique pointing directly to Foundation Establishment..."
"But what I was given is only the Qi Refinement chapter!"
Having learned from his previous life, Lü Yang was now extremely wary of techniques that were "cut off" halfway through. He even briefly considered abandoning cultivation altogether.
Yet after much contemplation, he sighed. "I still have to practice it!"
If he practices it, there might be hidden dangers in the future.
If he doesn't practice it, he might not even have a future!
Moreover, this Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon was truly profound and mysterious. It could not only drain the target's vitality but also absorb their knowledge!
Techniques, supernatural abilities, experience—he could drain it all!
"Additionally, cultivators drained by this technique will gradually have their thoughts controlled by the practitioner, becoming utterly devoted and unable to extricate themselves, eventually reduced to the practitioner's puppet, even willing to die for them. It's an extremely sinister and treacherous demonic technique..."
Lü Yang studied the technique, silently comprehending.
Another half-hour passed before he attempted to circulate its energy. Two streams of True Qi flowed at his fingertips, shaping into dragons and tigers, vaguely about to transform into a new type of Qi...
Ugh!
The next moment, Lü Yang's face paled. The Qi at his fingertips dissipated.
"Failed? Well, that's right. Although I've grasped the theory, I haven't practiced it... Dual cultivation techniques aren't meant for solo practice, after all."
Undaunted, Lü Yang turned his attention to the dazzling array of bookshelves before him.
According to the Archive Pavilion's rules, as a newly entered Formal Disciple, he had one more opportunity to exchange for a technique or supernatural ability with a zero-down-payment loan.
To Lü Yang's surprise, the Archive Pavilion didn't only contain demonic techniques.
There were also many techniques clearly originating from renowned orthodox sects, covering an extremely wide range of fields: divination, sword arts, Five Elements magic—truly everything one could want.
"Minor Heaven-Severing Art, Supreme Primordial Unity Five Elements Orthodox Method, Longevity True Explanation, Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art..."
After picking for a long time, Lü Yang finally made his choice.
"Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art. Price: 1000 Contribution Points."
"Detection: This is your first exchange. Eligible for zero-down-payment loan. Annual interest rate: 36%. To be repaid over ten years. Do you wish to proceed with the exchange?"
How much???
Lü Yang nearly cursed aloud. A 36% annual interest rate meant he would have to repay 460 Contribution Points in principal and interest each year. Over ten years, that would be 4600 points!
Borrow 1000, repay 4600?
This was sucking the marrow from the bones!
"Wait... I'm different!"
Lü Yang's eyes suddenly lit up. A zero-down-payment loan with usurious interest might be a bottomless pit for others, but for him, it was utterly inconsequential.
At worst, he could just restart. What does a previous life's loan have to do with him?
So, as long as he wanted, he could essentially freeload on the techniques and supernatural abilities in the Archive Pavilion!
Since he had no intention of repaying, Lü Yang calmed down considerably. With a wave of his hand, he took out the loan for the Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art without even blinking.
Then something unexpected happened.
Previously, when he received the Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon, the contents were directly provided. This time, however, Lü Yang only received a message:
"Technique delivery in progress. Estimated delivery to your cave abode within three days."
"Please wait patiently."
Looking at the message on his disciple token, Lü Yang was puzzled. What did "delivery in progress" mean? Was this technique a unique, un-copied original?
That said, Lü Yang believed the First Saint Sect wouldn't simply swindle him out of his technique.
Before leaving, he approached the old man at the pavilion entrance again.
"Senior, I—"
As soon as Lü Yang bowed, the old man in the rocking chair spoke up. "No need for 'Senior.' I'm also a sect disciple, just a bit older than you."
Lü Yang was taken aback, then changed his address. "Senior Brother, I was wondering... does the sect have suitable cultivation cauldrons available for us to practice dual cultivation techniques?"
Being in a demonic sect, Lü Yang naturally harbored no notions of "remaining unstained while emerging from the mud." He had no taboos about dual cultivation—he would utilize anything that could make him stronger.
"Cultivation cauldrons, huh..."
The old man glanced at Lü Yang, then suddenly asked, "Did you take a loan to buy a technique?"
Lü Yang paused, then nodded.
"Then you don't need to worry about that."
At this, a meaningful smile appeared on the old man's face. "While these technique loans are hateful, they aren't without their benefits..."
"Go back and wait!"
Baffled, Lü Yang returned to his cave abode.
Soon enough, however, he understood why the Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art needed time for "delivery" and what the "benefit" the old man mentioned was.
Three days later, a box was delivered to the entrance of Lü Yang's cave abode.
Lü Yang carried the box inside and opened it.
Inside, he saw a woman with a curvaceous figure and sharp, imposing phoenix eyes. Her hands and feet were bound, stuffed into the center of the box.
Though not a nation-toppling beauty, she was naturally lovely.
Her plain face, free of rouge, instead exuded an ethereal, elegant purity.
And because she had been in the stuffy box for so long, glistening sweat beads now adorned her body, dripping down her fair neck into her bosom.
"Demonic scum!"
The woman looked at Lü Yang, her eyes wishing she could slice him into a thousand pieces. Seemingly also realizing her own fate, her pretty face showed despair.
Seeing this, Lü Yang frowned. "You are... a disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion?"
"What if I am?" The woman closed her beautiful eyes. Two clear tears slowly traced down her fair cheeks. "Just kill me!"
Then Lü Yang understood.
The Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art was a secret supernatural ability of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, the leading orthodox sect of the southern region. He had previously wondered how the First Saint Sect obtained it.
Now he knew.
The Dragon-Tiger Union Yin-Yang Ecstasy Canon could drain a target's knowledge and experience. The First Saint Sect had directly brought him a formal disciple of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
In other words, if he wanted the Divine Firmament Sword-Control True Art, he only needed to drain her.
"This way, they both impart the technique and solve the disciple's need for a cultivation cauldron. Killing two birds with one stone—maximizing utility value to the extreme."
Waste not, want not. Truly the Saint Sect's style.
Compared to the orthodox sects' bitter cultivation—training through the coldest winter days and hottest summer days—this was the demonic sect's way of cultivation.