To cultivate or not to cultivate, that's a tough question for Lü Yang.
But soon, Lü was no longer troubled by it.
Because he simply had no choice. In broad daylight, in front of the crowd, Yu forced him to do it!
And as the disease had drained Lü's Qi energy, he was too weak to take charge during the process of their dual cultivation.
"Impotent!"
Seeing this, Yu Suzhen scolded angrily: "You have such a good-looking face, but so little Qi energy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lü's face turned pale.
Immediately after, he found that all his remaining Qi energy flowed into Yu's body, and he became even more emaciated.
"So this is what the Essence Exchange Cultivation Art does?"
The cultivation technique assigned during the distribution flashed in his mind, and it suddenly struck Lü Yang that the so-called Yin-Yang Unity Hall's test was actually to make Registered Disciples devour each other's essence by using the technique. Only the last survivor can be promoted to Official Disciple.
"Congratulations, Sister Yu!"
At the same time, a few Registered Disciples walked over, flattering Yu, saying, "Now that you've absorbed the last portion of Qi needed for your breakthrough, you should be able to enter the Qi Refining Stage."
"Qi Refining Stage marks the beginning of your glorious cultivation journey!"
"Please take us under your wing, Senior Sister, we are willing to serve you..."
Seeing this scene, Lü suddenly laughed.
"Haha..."
The sudden laugh from the exhausted man caught everyone's attention. Yu glanced at Lü and said coldly:
"Why are you laughing, Brother?"
"I am laughing for you, Sister." Lü Yang said sincerely: "I was worried about your health, but now it seems I worried too much."
"Worried about my health?" Yu was puzzled.
"Yes." Lü Yang said with emotion: "Before entering the sect, I was already severely ill. You rushed too quickly just now, I didn't have time to say. But since Sister Yu is about to become a Qi Refiner, a small illness should be no problem for you, right?"
Yu Suzhen: "....."
....
[The exasperated Yu Suzhen killed you.]
[Current available leaves of Centome: 99]
[Reopening a life, you may choose one item from your previous life's harvests:]
A: Artifacts.
B: Cultivation.
C: Lifespan.
D: Trade all your harvests for a random Talent Skill based on your past life experiences]
"Those whose names I call, come and stand before me."
Lü Yang opened his eyes, looked at the black-robed Daoist on the stage, and realized he was back at the square upon first joining the Stain Sect.
The memories of cultivation were undeniably real, and the taste of that demonic woman was still fresh, yet now it was all starting over. It seemed like a dream. Lü Yang stunned for a while before returning to his senses, feeling both amazed and delighted that his Centome was indeed a Marvelous Treasure!
Calm himself down, Lü Yang looked down at the options on the panel.
He skipped the first three options, after all, he hadn't even started formal cultivation before Yu seized his Qi energy and killed him. The only possible choice really was the fourth.
[Settling your past life rewards...]
[After Yu Suzhen seized your Qi energy, she broke through to the Qi Refining Stage, but unfortunately got infected by your disease and failed to cure it with her Qi. After months confined to bed, she succumbed to her illness.]
[Throughout history, it has been rare for the weak to triumph over the strong.]
[Yet you managed to cross the chasm between mortals and cultivators, taking an unorthodox path and slaying a cultivator with mere mortal flesh — as if Don Quixote had truly felled his windmill.]
[You awakened a white Talent Skill: Unorthodox Cultivation Genius.]
[Unorthodox Cultivation Genius: Your understanding of unorthodox cultivation methods is exceptionally profound. No cultivator of the same level can seize your essence.]
Immediately, the words on the panel changed again.
[Name: Lü Yang]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: None]
[Talent Skill: Unorthodox Cultivation Genius (White)]
[Cultivation Technique: Essence Exchange Cultivation Art (Elementary)]
[Abilities: None]
[Artifacts: None]
[Available Leaves of Centome: 99]
Lü exhaled deeply. Out of nowhere, a torrent of Qi energy surged into his Dantian, filling his body with warmth and power. In an instant, the weakness that had plagued him faded away.
"It seems my illness hasn't been cured, but I can hold on a little longer.
Lü Yang carefully assessed his own physical state.
Aside from a stronger body, Lü Yang also gained considerable insight into the Essence Exchange Cultivation Art. After all, he had cultivated it himself, and his Talent Skill further enhanced his comprehension.
The following plot unfolded the same way as it did in his past life.
Because of his handsome looking, Lü Yang was still assigned to Yin-Yang Unity Hall, and he still encountered Yu Suzhen at the gate, forced to cultivate with her once again.
But this time Lü Yang no longer resisted.
In the next moment, Lü Yang felt his spiritual energy merge with that Qi inside Yu's body, which made him shake violently and feel as if he were breaking through an invisible gate.
Lü Yang felt a sudden enlightenment: "I've broken into Qi Refining Stage!"
Yu Suzhen, a veteran Registered Disciple of Yin-Yang Unity Hall, was just one step away from Qi Refining Stage.
In the previous life, she drained him to complete that final step, making a successful breakthrough. In this life, her cultivation was instead completely siphoned away by Lü, propelling him into Qi Refining Stage.
"How unforgettable you are, Sister Yu… I'll probably remember you for the rest of my life."
Looking at Yu's lifeless body on the ground, Lü couldn't help but sigh.
Once he became a Qi Refiner, he would soon be promoted to an Official Disciple, climbing one more rung on the ladder. It was a small step, yet one that had stopped countless Registered Disciples over the years.