Chapter 386 - 381: Vicious Divine Ability

"Compensation? Hahaha, hahaha," the other party sounded as if he’d heard the funniest thing in the world. "You little whelp, what could you possibly have to compensate this old man? A single Dao Enlightenment Stone, which can temporarily enhance a Cultivator’s comprehension of Laws and allow them to grasp Divine Abilities in less time, sells for 1.8 million Spiritual Jade, and that’s if you can even find one. Can you take out 1.8 million Spiritual Jade?"

Du Youqian was silent for a moment before speaking, "Senior, using a Golden Core Cultivator to ’cultivate’ a Divine Ability doesn’t seem like it would cost as much as 1.8 million Spiritual Jade, would it? A million-plus Spiritual Jade is a large sum, and although this junior can’t produce it at the moment, it’s not impossible to figure something out. For instance, this junior could sign a contract with you, Senior, and pay in installments. By the way, may I know Senior’s name?"

He felt that he should be able to hold his own against the man for a while, and escaping wouldn’t be a problem either.

But it was best to avoid a fight if he could.

If he could buy his way out of trouble, that would be even better.

1.8 million was too expensive, but he could always haggle.

If the price wouldn’t budge, that was fine too. He would just string the old man along, escape far away, and then he refused to believe this old codger would chase him all the way to the Endless Desert Western Domain.

The man chuckled. "You’ve probably never heard of the name I used back in the day... I am Lu Yang Master."

Du Youqian’s expression turned solemn. "So you are a Senior from the Qianshan Sect."

Lu Yang Master was stunned. "I didn’t expect a little fellow like you from the Western Domain to know about such things."

Du Youqian offered a faint smile, his internal vigilance sharpening tenfold.

Over the past few years, he had been gathering intelligence on Master Luo Fan and had tried to uncover the identity of the Nascent Soul Evil Cultivator backing him, leading to many speculations.

But due to a lack of clues, even Divination couldn’t yield a precise answer.

And Lu Yang Master of the Qianshan Sect was one of his past suspects.

’Lu Yang Master... how should one put it?’

The Qianshan Sect was a typical Sect from the Demon Sect Camp, known for its evil and bloody methods.

But even a Sect like that found Lu Yang Master’s actions so damn wicked that they couldn’t stand it.

So the upper echelons held a collective vote to seal Lu Yang Master’s Cultivation and expel him.

However, several decades ago, three Nascent Soul Powerhouses from the Qianshan Sect, along with two other Nascent Soul experts who held a grudge against him, had joined forces—five in total—but failed to capture him, allowing the injured Lu Yang Master to escape.

Everyone thought Lu Yang Master had long since fled this region. No one expected him to be hiding in Starry Valley, so close to the Qianshan Sect.

’Hiding in plain sight.’

"Regarding this junior’s proposal, what are your thoughts, Senior Lu Yang?" Du Youqian asked.

Lu Yang Master laughed, his voice both joyful and sinister. "Your proposal is very interesting, little fellow. However..."

Suddenly, he extended his hand, which transformed into a massive, gaseous palm that lunged for Du Youqian. In that instant, it sealed off all of Du Youqian’s escape routes. It seemed that no matter what he did, he would inevitably end up in its grasp.

At the same time, Du Youqian could feel the Starry Valley’s Grand Array activate. An immense and irresistible binding and sealing force surged up from beneath his feet.

Lu Yang Master was all smiles. "This old man has decided to use you to re-nourish my Divine Abilities! Huh?"

He took half a step back in shock and suspicion. The grab he thought was a sure thing had been blocked by a Jade Seal, while a Flying Sword was obstructing his follow-up move.

And the binding power of the Grand Array was also far weaker than it should have been; it hadn’t managed to restrain Du Youqian.

Since the fight had started, Du Youqian abandoned any illusion of a peaceful resolution. As he retreated, he released two Tier Three combat Puppets he had crafted long ago and controlled his Jinhuan sword to keep Lu Yang Master occupied.

After regulating his breath, he could now once again unleash a sword strike powerful enough to injure a Nascent Soul Master.

But when fighting a powerhouse, one must never rashly use their finishing move. Otherwise, the opponent could easily exploit the opening, turning a game-winning move into a fatal mistake that costs you everything.

Therefore, Du Youqian simply engaged in a running battle, observing Lu Yang Master’s weaknesses and patterns, waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

The two Tier Three combat Puppets Du Youqian had made were of quite high quality.

Against a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they would be overwhelming. Against a Core Formation Cultivator, they could hold their own for a time.

But before Lu Yang Master, they only lasted for a single exchange before being struck, emitting a puff of green smoke, and twitching for a moment before falling still.

Du Youqian hadn’t even seen clearly what technique Lu Yang Master had used to so effortlessly dispatch the two Puppets in an instant.

Even if he had done it himself, it would have taken some effort; a quick resolution would have required a significant expenditure of energy.

Moreover, the man had a wide array of techniques, and his moves were almost never repeated.

He had at least one Tier Four Ten Thousand Souls Banner and one Tier Four Defensive Treasure on him. He probably had several types of Divine Abilities, but for now, he had only used one: the Primordial Energy Hand capture technique.

Lu Yang Master had also tried several times to mobilize the power of the Grand Array to suppress Du Youqian, but he probably didn’t understand Arrays very well and couldn’t unleash its full power.

Besides, since Du Youqian had already tampered with the nodes of the Grand Array, how could he let the man have his way so easily?

After skirmishing for a while, Lu Yang Master sent a message via his Divine Sense, "Not bad, little fellow. As a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator, you can be proud of lasting this long against this old man."

Du Youqian replied, "Senior Lu Yang, how about we stop here? This junior will find a way to compensate you for your losses."

"Stop? Fine, let’s both stop!" Lu Yang Master said with a laugh as he suddenly raised his hand.

The moment he saw the man raise his hand, alarm bells screamed in Du Youqian’s mind. Without a second thought, he commanded the Jade Small Sword that could block one fatal attack.

However, nothing came from Lu Yang Master’s hand—or rather, what came out was formless and intangible. The Jade Small Sword was unaffected.

A moment later, a chill ran down Du Youqian’s spine. His Great Divine Abilities, Knowing the Celestial Mandate, clearly showed that while he originally had 92 years of life remaining, he now only had 46.

In just an instant, he had lost 46 years of his life!

"Huh," Lu Yang Master studied Du Youqian, his eyes filled with confusion. He muttered to himself, "I cut away half of your remaining lifespan. Why do you look completely fine?"

As he spoke, he covered his mouth, and blood seeped from between his fingers.

Clearly, using such a Divine Ability was not without a cost to him.

"Then let this old man cut away another half of your life!"

Although Du Youqian felt nothing inwardly, he thought, ’If you’ve got the guts, then cut my life away until I die. Let me go reincarnate right now...’

At the same time, he had a sudden realization as to why the upper echelons of the Qianshan Sect had collectively ganged up to expel Lu Yang Master.

’Who wouldn’t be afraid of such a vicious Divine Ability?’

’Oh, wait. Who wouldn’t be afraid, besides me?’

Of course, a look of anxiety still appeared on his face. His superb acting skills were no worse than his Swordsmanship.

Another Divine Ability was unleashed, and Du Youqian’s remaining lifespan dropped to 23 years.

He looked inward at the Spring and Autumn Brush in his Dantian. The Spring and Autumn Brush could record two Divine Abilities.

It had already recorded one: Master Nine’s Plague Divine Abilities.

And now, it had just recorded the Divine Ability that Lu Yang had cast a moment ago.

This kind of bizarre and unpredictable Divine Ability was very difficult to comprehend on one’s own. The proper way was to comprehend it either through some kind of Spiritual Object or Curiosities, or by observing others using it.

In his next life, Du Youqian planned to cultivate the *Golden Jade Flying Scripture of the Eight Realms of Truth*, which would surely help him comprehend this life-draining Divine Ability.

Du Youqian was very satisfied with this gain, but his face was a mask of terror. He shouted, "Stop! Senior Lu Yang, we can talk this out! Don’t use that Divine Ability again!"

Lu Yang Master laughed smugly. "You are a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator with a lifespan of eight hundred years. You should only be seventy or eighty right now. After having your remaining lifespan cut twice, you should have less than two hundred years left."

Du Youqian’s face turned grim. "Senior Lu Yang, we can talk. This junior admits defeat."

Secretly, he began to communicate with the Blood Slaughter Sword using his Sword Intent.

Perhaps because they were in the same realm without any barriers, the communication was exceptionally smooth this time.

"It’s good that you admit defeat," Lu Yang Master said. "Now, swear an oath on your Golden Core to serve me as a slave for one hundred and fifty years. This old man will naturally find a way to help you break through to the next Realm and even find Longevity Elixirs for you."

Du Youqian said angrily, "Senior Lu Yang, don’t push me too far! I am a Golden Core Cultivator! How can I become someone’s slave?"

Lu Yang Master chuckled. "If you don’t agree, then so be it. Make your move! After this old man cuts your lifespan a few more times, I won’t let you off even if you beg to be my slave!"

He was completely confident in this move.

Ever since he comprehended this Divine Ability, it had always been invincible.

Even when he encountered Cultivators who were usually brave, reckless, and unafraid of death, they would become cowardly and compromising, losing all their principles, after he had cut their lifespan once or twice.

Cultivators were still human, after all. And as long as one was human, one had weaknesses.

Many Cultivators weren’t afraid of dying, but they were afraid of dying a meaningless death.

Some Cultivators did not fear death, but they couldn’t bear to watch their own lifespan shorten again and again.

Therefore, Lu Yang Master was not at all afraid that Du Youqian would turn on him.

Du Youqian, of course, did not attack. Instead, he played along, asking hesitantly, "Senior, will you really help me break through to the next Realm and find Longevity Elixirs for me?"

Lu Yang Master chuckled. "Naturally."

Du Youqian asked again, "When you say ’serve as a slave,’ what exactly will I have to do for you?"

"What you’ll do depends on this old man’s mood. In any case, I will make use of you sparingly and won’t intentionally send you on suicide missions."

Du Youqian was still hesitant. "One hundred and fifty years is too long. How about one hundred?"

Du Youqian’s acting was so superb that Lu Yang Master didn’t suspect a thing.

Moreover, seeing Du Youqian haggling, he assumed the man was already tempted and was just playing hard to get. He gave another smug push with a smile, "Now it’s one hundred and sixty years. Wait a little longer, and it will be one hundred and seventy!"

Du Youqian quickly said, "Senior, Senior! Say no more! One hundred and sixty years it is. But... how exactly do I swear this oath? This junior formed my Core not long ago and have no experience swearing on my Golden Core."