Time flowed like water; the years slipped away like an arrow.
In the blink of an eye, another thirty years had passed.
When Lü Yang opened his eyes again, his face still showed no signs of aging, but a single strand of frost-white hair had appeared among his once-thick black locks.
"Eighty years old, just like that."
Qi Refining cultivators lived longer than mortals—around a hundred and fifty years—but not by much. Eighty was already middle age.
In another twenty years, Zhao Xuhe's Heavenly Secrets would unlock.
"Even though Foundation Establishment is hopeless in this life, once I refine the Sage's Thief, I can attempt a breakthrough anyway. At the very least, I'll gain experience for the next round."
The path to the Dao was close. So close.
Even the Taiyin Metamorphosis Corpse Dissolution True Method—after thirty years of secluded study—had finally yielded a shortcut, crafted with the help of the Mingdao Jade Slip.
"To truly master the Taiyin Metamorphosis Corpse Dissolution True Method, one must undergo 'death followed by metamorphosis.' But if I die, the Hundred Lifetimes Book triggers a restart. In reality, this 'death' isn't absolute—the technique itself cannot truly kill the cultivator."
"The so-called 'death' is limited to the physical body."
"After the physical body dies, it remains chained underground, claws and hair growing back, the corpse appearing alive—eventually achieving Dao. For others, however, the death of the physical body is true death."
"After all, the body is the raft of the soul. Once the body dies, the soul gradually dissipates. Death is only a matter of time."
"In other words, as long as I allow the physical body to die while keeping my soul clear and preventing its death, the Hundred Lifetimes Book won't activate."
"This way, perhaps there is a chance for 'death followed by metamorphosis.'"
This was the solution the Mingdao Jade Slip had provided. Lü Yang found it highly feasible. The only problem was the shortcut technique he'd had to create to make it work.
"According to the Mingdao Jade Slip's calculations, this secret technique should stabilize my soul after the body's death. But I've never actually seen a soul that exists independently of its physical form. If I could observe one and record it in the jade slip—with data—the technique would be complete."
More importantly, Lü Yang knew such beings existed in this world.
Foundation Establishment True Persons.
True Persons lived three hundred years, but that was the lifespan of the physical body. The soul's lifespan was far longer. That's why they often chose reincarnation after death.
Though everything started anew after a True Person's reincarnation—cultivation dropping from Foundation Establishment—they were free from the womb's mysteries. Before age eight, they would inevitably awaken their past memories. Cultivation then progressed rapidly. As long as they could reclaim Foundation Establishment, they gained another three hundred years.
Of course, this couldn't continue indefinitely.
Each reincarnation depleted their merit. If a True Person's cultivation didn't increase, they would only grow weaker.
The first reincarnation produced a prodigy.
The second produced a dragon among men.
The third produced an ordinary genius.
By the fourth and fifth reincarnations, if cultivation hadn't improved, they would be reduced to mere mortals, stripped of their former transcendence.
Thus the saying: The fruit of a True Person ends after five lifetimes.
Moreover, reincarnation didn't guarantee a return to Foundation Establishment. Once a True Person reincarnated, they couldn't suppress their destiny. Past karma would inevitably follow.
Premature death was common.
Therefore, every True Person was extremely cautious during reincarnation. They concealed their heavenly secrets, rarely revealing themselves to outsiders, lest unexpected karmic tribulations arise.
Under such circumstances, how difficult was it to witness the reincarnated soul of a Foundation Establishment True Person?
At this thought, Lü Yang felt another headache coming on. He set it aside for now and turned to assess whether his Dharma-spreading mission had progressed.
"Taiwei Treasure Register, Imperial Decree."
Lü Yang activated the Taiwei Treasure Register to divine heavenly secrets. His mind sank into the omnipresent web of karma and began a keyword search.
Soon, corresponding information surfaced in his mind.
At the end of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a tyrannical emperor proved incompetent, and the people suffered greatly. Thus, a celestial book appeared—split into four volumes, scattered across the world, attracting hidden talents from every corner of the land.
When the chaos subsided, the four volumes found their owners. One volume went to the Haoran Academy, copied by generations of scholars. One volume was obtained by the Hanging Temple, becoming a supreme Buddhist scripture. One volume was annotated by the Celestial Master's Mansion, becoming a token passed down through generations of Celestial Masters. Only the last volume was lost to the mortal world.
Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism—the three schools—now shared the world, becoming the source of martial arts in this era!
"Good! Excellent!"
Surprise lit Lü Yang's face. He immediately activated the Sage's Thief technique. The next second, a surge of powerful energy swept over him, instantly engulfing his body.
Boom!
In an instant, Lü Yang's body exploded.
Yet strangely, after the explosion, his body did not scatter into flesh and blood. Instead, it became countless particles of dust—with Lü Yang's consciousness residing at the very center.
He could feel every speck of his physical form being scorched and refined by the power of destiny.
Human lives—forging a sage's golden body.
A long time passed. The abundant power of destiny was finally exhausted. The dust particles reassembled, reforming into Lü Yang's body.
But this time, his body had undergone a tremendous change.
"Sage's Golden Body—Minor Success!"
A glint flashed in Lü Yang's eyes. He stomped his foot.
In an instant, a terrifying wave powerful enough to shake mountains rippled outward!
Under its impact, the cliffside cave where Lü Yang stood trembled as if struck by an earthquake. Rocks tumbled down as an invisible storm raged. Countless ferocious birds and beasts startled, looking toward the mountain where Lü Yang had been secluded—then fled in terror.
"Not bad."
Lü Yang exhaled deeply, feeling for the first time a sense of solidity in his body. With just his physical form alone, he could now probably match a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator!
But the next second, his expression turned solemn.
"According to Senior Brother Luo's experience, the Sage's Thief uses the world's people as resources. This greatly diminishes one's merit. Minor success might escape notice, but major success will inevitably bring calamity."
"Many Sage's Thief cultivators failed because of this calamity. Lucky ones might survive. Unlucky ones—like that true disciple killed by the secret realm's natives—die violent deaths. But now that I'm behind the scenes, who in the secret realm could become my calamity?"
At this thought, Lü Yang fell into deep contemplation.
Jiangnan, Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
Yun Zhiqiu stood on a pavilion. Compared to his vigorous self sixty years ago, he now looked like an old man on his deathbed.
Just then, a flying letter pierced the air.
Yun Zhiqiu caught it and examined it closely. His expression changed drastically. He immediately activated his escape technique and arrived at the Yun family's ancestral home in no time.
As soon as he entered, a pale-faced young man rushed out and cried to Yun Zhiqiu, "Grandmaster Uncle is dying! He lit the Seven Star Lamp just to see you one last time. Once the lamp goes out, he will reincarnate. Time is short—please go in and see him!"
"How could this be!" Yun Zhiqiu's face darkened with grief.
But beneath the grief lay panic.
The Yun family's ancestor—the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Yun family, the pillar of the Yun family in the Sword Pavilion for hundreds of years—had reached the end of this life!