https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-33-Primordial-Hunyuan-One-Qi-Divine-Talisman/13500617/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-35-Senior-Brother-Zhao-and-I-Are-Destined-to-Meet-/13500619/
Chapter 34: Three Rivers Recruitment, Foundation Building Opportunity
Chapter 34: Three Rivers Recruitment, Foundation Building Opportunity
Outside the Cultivation Cave, as Lv Yang achieved his breakthrough, intelligence reports about him landed on the desks of observant figures. His background was thoroughly investigated within days.
As Lv Yang had anticipated, his origins could only be described in four words:
Roots pure, sprout black.
Every year, the Holy Sect recruited new disciples—Lv Yang had entered through the Happiunion Hall’s trials, then quietly cultivated while crafting Soul-Stealing Yin Puppets for massive profit before retreating into seclusion.
An ascetic cultivator indeed.
A woman in pink robes, her delicate face sharp with intensity, sighed as she scanned the documents. A Refining Qi Late Stage cultivator herself, she stood at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement—merely a step from the tenth and final stage.
Her name was Fei Xia, a renowned figure in the Holy Sect.
Not just for her beauty, but for her rare talent as a talismansmith—her skills had even earned the favor of a Holy Sect elder.
"A bitter cultivator alone couldn't reach Refining Qi Late Stage", Fei Xia mused.
Beside her, a young man in scholar’s robes fanned himself lazily. “He made a fortune selling Yin Puppets yet remains so inconspicuous.”
“Precisely why he’s a cautious and clever one.”
Fei Xia nodded. “For ordinary disciples like us, talent, caution, wit, and courage are all indispensable.”
“Then it’s decided?”
Fei Xia smiled. “I’ll recommend him. To breakthrough to Refining Qi Late Stage in just ten years? The Three Rivers Association needs exactly this kind of talent.”
Inside the Cultivation Cave, Lv Yang sat cross-legged on his meditation cushion. Before him lay over a dozen talismans—each an invitation. Every faction promised lavish gifts: spirit stones, cultivation techniques, mystical arts, treasures, pills. The offers were endless.
“Never realized the Holy Sect had so many factions last time around.”
In the Holy Sect, any Refining Qi Late Stage cultivator could form their own clique. Decades ago, Liu Xin had done the same. Lv Yang found this unsurprising—within such a vast sect, factions were inevitable. Yet most were rootless driftwood.
The real power lay in elder-backed groups or those founded by Foundation Establishment experts. Their offers, at least, seemed credible.
Still, money wasn’t his problem.
The Soul-Stealing Yin Puppet profits had left him flush with resources. What he needed were permissions—the authority to access restricted Holy Sect materials.
As he pondered, the formation array at the cave entrance flared.
Lv Yang looked up. The illumination formation outside blazed brilliantly, casting the silhouette of a graceful figure.
Fei Xia.
"You practice Formation Arts too?" Fei Xia’s eyes lit with surprise as the formation patterns illuminated the cave. “Delightfully unexpected.”
Lv Yang bowed. “Senior-mistress, what brings you here?”
Fei Xia returned the bow, poised and direct. “I’m Fei Xia, an officer of the Three Rivers Association. I’ve come for you.”
Lv Yang ushered her in, mind racing. The Three Rivers Association—Zhao Xuhe’s faction? Why target him?
Though little-known to him, he recognized Zhao Xuhe’s name. As Heaven-Mending Peak’s disciple, Zhao was merely a mid-tier member of this faction. That alone hinted at their prestige.
“Forgive my ignorance, Senior-mistress,” Lv Yang said carefully. “But what exactly is the Three Rivers Association?”
Fei Xia smiled, unsurprised. “Founded by three True Transmission seniors. The eldest brother has already established his own peak in the Cloud Sea. The second and third brothers, though not Foundation Builders, have refined top-tier Qi to reach Refining Qi Perfection.”
Her voice softened. “Like you, they began as ordinary disciples. They know the struggles of early cultivation. That’s why they created the Three Rivers Association—to aid disciples like us.”
“How admirable,” Lv Yang replied, hiding his inner scoff.
If I hadn’t borrowed from you in past lives and seen your 36% interest rates, I might’ve believed that.
He kept his skepticism hidden. “Honored to be considered. But what benefits would membership bring?”
Fei Xia’s tone turned reassuring. “Join, and I’ll grant you a True Transmission-level mystical art immediately. You’ll receive annual contribution points, access to our Foundation-level resources, and even guidance from the three seniors—if you can afford it.”
She placed a jade scroll before him. “A blood-signed contract is required. Standard confidentiality clauses.”
Lv Yang glanced at the scroll. Just another faction’s boilerplate terms. He signed without hesitation.
“A lifetime commitment—that won’t affect my next life anyway.”
Fei Xia nodded approvingly. “Now, present your Holy Sect disciple talisman. I’ll inscribe it for access.”
As Lv Yang handed it over, Fei Xia formed a seal, imprinting the talisman with a new mark.
Formation Arts… Lv Yang’s eyes brightened. Though he’d mastered ninth-grade formations, talisman-making had always intrigued him.
Suddenly, he recalled something.
“She’s Zhao Xuhe’s cultivation partner.”
In past lives, he’d heard how Fei Xia and Zhao Xuhe became famed disciples—both reaching Refining Qi Perfection, even attempting Foundation Building together before perishing.
Their failure isn’t the point. The chance to pursue Foundation Building itself—that’s the real opportunity.
(End of Chapter)
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