"An old mansion?" After hearing Zhao Xuhe's suggestion, Lü Yang shook his head. "Senior Brother is too kind, but my mastery of magical techniques is still shallow. For now, I only wish to focus on cultivation."
"Oh?" Zhao Xuhe narrowed his eyes. "Junior Brother, are you... wary of me?"
"Senior Brother overthinks. It's just that I haven't learned any proper magical techniques yet and have no combat skills to speak of. Even if I went with you, I'd only be a burden."
Lü Yang's reasoning was sound.
After all, he'd only just entered the sect when he started trading Substitute Yin Puppets, even using his cultivation technique loan from the Library Pavilion as collateral. Zhao Xuhe knew this well.
"Forget it, then." Zhao Xuhe shook his head, his expression turning cold.
Killing intent. It had already sprouted in his heart.
He had lost everything, while Lü Yang had cashed out early and made a profit. How could he accept this?
More importantly, the contribution points Lü Yang earned were all borrowed from him. By extension, that money should rightfully be his!
Fine. I'll let you hold onto it for now.
Zhao Xuhe sneered inwardly. All he knows is cultivation, no combat skills. Does he think this is some righteous sect where you can cultivate in peace? Once I settle the Panlong Island matter, I'll find a chance to sneak into his cave dwelling at night and finish him. Those contribution points will still be mine.
"If I'm not mistaken, that Zhao fellow is probably already thinking of ways to deal with me."
Leaving Zhao Xuhe's cave, Lü Yang swaggered toward the Library Pavilion, already guessing his intentions but showing no panic.
After all, he hadn't been idle these past few days.
While others were frantically speculating on Substitute Yin Puppets, he ignored the noise, purchased a large quantity of spirit pills, and immediately began closed-door cultivation.
The fourth to sixth levels of Qi Refining were considered mid-stage—no bottlenecks, just a matter of spending resources on pills to break through.
Lü Yang, with 20,000 contribution points in hand, was naturally generous. He had already broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refining, reaching the peak of mid-stage.
Incidentally, he also cured the original owner's venereal disease with a Cleansing Pill bought with contribution points.
It turns out, the greatest incurable disease in life is poverty.
The reason "Yu Suzhen" in his first life died from that disease ultimately boiled down to being poor.
As for the mid-stage bottleneck, he had originally wanted to try breaking through using the Primordial Qi, but perhaps due to insufficient quantity, the effect was negligible.
This proved Liu Xin probably hadn't just tricked him to his death.
As for not being familiar with magical techniques? That was naturally a lie for Zhao Xuhe.
In his previous life, he had barely suppressed an exhausted Zhao Xuhe by setting up formations and ambushing him. This life, he wouldn't need to go to such trouble.
Even in a direct confrontation, he was confident he could escape.
"Senior Brother Wang, how have you been?"
Arriving at the Library Pavilion, Lü Yang deftly produced a gourd of wine, smiling. "Top-grade Drunken Flower Wine. I got this especially for you."
"...It's you again, kid."
At the library entrance, the aged Wang Bairong's eyelids twitched slightly. He sighed. "A gourd of Drunken Flower Wine costs fifty contribution points. You've really struck it rich, kid."
In this life, Lü Yang had deliberately cultivated a good relationship with Wang Bairong.
At first, Wang Bairong was indifferent to him. But after the Substitute Yin Puppet frenzy, this library senior brother had become much friendlier.
The reason was simple.
Just before the puppet bubble burst, he had persuaded Wang Bairong to sell off some of his stockpile, saving him from bankruptcy.
Since then, Wang Bairong had felt immense gratitude.
"What a shame. I've lived decades in vain, less perceptive than a youngster like you. If you hadn't advised me, I'd probably be possessed by inner demons by now."
"Not at all, Senior Brother. You mustn't underestimate yourself." Lü Yang shook his head. "As the saying goes, 'you can lead a horse to water...' I've advised many people, but only you, Senior Brother, truly listened. Having the courage to rein in your greed is also a form of wisdom."
"Mmm."
Wang Bairong narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard. Though he knew Lü Yang was deliberately flattering him, he found the words increasingly pleasing.
Soon, the two set up a small table and began drinking.
Wang Bairong didn't stand on ceremony, pouring himself a full cup of Drunken Flower Wine and downing it in one gulp. He then asked slowly, "You brat, what are you really after?"
This was the only question on his mind.
We're not related. Do you really believe those rumors about some hidden expert in the library waiting for a destined one?
"How could I?" Lü Yang chuckled, pouring more wine for Wang Bairong. "As the saying goes, 'an elder at home is a treasure.' I just think that for you to have lived to such an old age in the Sacred Sect, you must have some skills. And since you work in the library, perhaps you could give me some guidance on cultivation techniques and magical abilities!"
Lü Yang spoke with utmost sincerity.
Wang Bairong remained noncommittal, simply continuing to drink. As he drank, he began complaining about the Sacred Sect's shameless exploitation of its disciples.
"They're utter beasts! And what a coincidence—just when prices peaked, they suddenly intervened to suppress them. This was definitely premeditated! There are wicked people in the upper echelons!"
Lü Yang casually echoed his sentiments while pouring the wine.
Only after Wang Bairong had drunk quite a bit and began swaying did Lü Yang whisper, "Senior Brother, I've come to choose a cultivation technique or magical ability. Does Senior Brother have any recommendations? The more powerful, the better!"
"I knew you wanted something!" Wang Bairong chuckled smugly. "But you've come to the right person!"
Lü Yang quickly cupped his hands. "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."
"First, don't even think about truly top-tier magical abilities. Our library is just a branch of Butian Peak. The cultivation techniques and abilities here have limited power."
"The truly powerful abilities are all on Sacred Flame Cliff. They can only be learned through direct instruction!"
"But that's normal. Disciples in the early and mid-stages of Qi Refining are like the Sacred Sect's livestock. Why would they teach us powerful abilities?" After all, what use do livestock have knowing too much? Knowing too much hampers unity.
As for true disciples—the elites formally incorporated into the Sacred Sect's system, future inheritors of the sect's legacy—they naturally receive different treatment.
"Is there no workaround?" Lü Yang asked quietly.
"Of course there is!"
Wang Bairong smiled slightly. He had worked in the library for over forty years. With that seniority, there wasn't a single cultivation technique or magical ability in the library he didn't recognize.
Though he didn't know the specific details, he was well aware of their effects once mastered.
"In our library, there are actually only three truly powerful divine abilities that, once mastered, possess superior strength. But each has severe side effects."
"Side effects?"
Wang Bairong's expression turned grave. "For example, I know of one called 'Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Divine Light.' It greatly amplifies the power of a magical artifact by sacrificing oneself. However, mastering it not only shortens lifespan but also severs any hope of further cultivation—cutting off the path to immortality entirely."
"Tell me, how severe are the side effects?"
Wang Bairong intended to scare Lü Yang off. He never expected that after hearing this, Lü Yang wouldn't be discouraged but instead grow even more excited.
"Such a divine ability is perfect for me!"
Though the side effects were severe, they were limited to this life. And what did the side effects of this life have to do with his next?
He seemed to have found the correct way to use the [Book of a Hundred Lifetimes].