Chapter 1: The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes
Demonic Sect, First Saint Sect.
Layer upon layer of cloud sea surged like raging waves. Countless magnificent peaks, each with its own breathtaking scenery, dotted this expanse like islands in an ocean or pieces on a chessboard.
On the very edge of this 'chessboard', there stood a peak. Compared to the others, it was noticeably shorter, as if its summit had been sheared off cleanly, leaving only a vast, flat plateau. On this plateau, flying vessels rose and landed. A line of newly-arrived probationary disciples stood waiting.
Lu Yang was one of them.
He had just woken up here, having crossed over into this world. The fragmented memories lingering in this body told him his current situation was... far from ideal.
From the original host's memories, he learned that under the rule of the First Saint Sect lay a nation named "Chen".
Every three years, the Chen Kingdom would send a batch of probationary disciples to the First Saint Sect. In return, the sect ensured the kingdom had favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and that its royal family remained as stable as a mountain.
At first glance, this seemed like a heavenly opportunity—a chance to enter an immortal sect and embark on the path of longevity.
In reality, however, not a single prominent official or noble from Chen was willing to come. Those sent as "blood tribute" were only impoverished commoners like Lu Yang.
After all, while thousands of probationary disciples were sent to the First Saint Sect every three years, the number of formal disciples never seemed to increase significantly. Instead, probationary disciples simply vanished one after another without a trace. It felt less like entering a sacred cultivation ground and more like stepping into a bottomless abyss.
The mere thought was enough to send chills down one's spine.
No wonder this body feels so weak, completely drained...
Lu Yang pinched his own arm—soft flesh, not a hint of firmness. He felt even worse. As he tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through his chest.
The original host was also sick? This illness is... damn it!
Lu Yang cursed silently a few more times. This wasn't just weakness; it was a terminal illness. He likely had only a few days left to live.
Just as despair washed over him, feeling like he'd speedrun a second life right after arriving...
A tiny point of light appeared before his eyes. It then swelled rapidly with the wind, visibly transforming into a transLucent screen.
[Name: Lu Yang]
[Lifespan: 18]
[Cultivation: None]
[Talents: None]
[Techniques: None]
[Supernatural Abilities: None]
[Treasures: None]
For a moment, Lu Yang looked at the system interface and almost felt like crying. They say heaven never seals off all exits! As long as I want to walk, a path will appear beneath my feet!
System, allocate my points!
Then, Lu Yang's expression froze.
Because no matter how he searched—left, right, up, down—he couldn't find the pLus signs he longed for in any column. There weren't even any minus signs.
Wait, System, where are my allocation points?
After searching for a long time, he had to face a bleak truth: his personal status screen seemed to lack a point-allocation function.
In other words, to improve, he had to rely on his own hard work.
Lu Yang: "..."
Screw this. Before I awakened the system, you wanted me to work hard. Now that I've awakened the system, you still want me to work hard? What was the point of awakening the system then?
System, screw yo—
[Remaining Pages of the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: 100]
[Book of a Hundred Lifetimes: Upon death, return to the initial point in time and begin a new life.]
[After restarting, choose one from: Treasures, Cultivation, or Lifespan accumulated in the previous life. Alternatively, forsake all gains from the previous life to awaken a single Talent.]
...Father, it's alright. My mistake.
Lu Yang suddenly grew excited. A hundred cycles of reincarnation—what immense potential wealth was this? If utilized well, it could definitely propel him to soar to the heavens!
"Those whose names I call, step forward."
At that moment, a sinister-looking Daoist priest in black robes appeared before the group. He held a register in one hand, and a floating lantern hovered beside him.
"Drip your blood into this Life Lantern beside me to ignite your Life Flame. From then on, you will be probationary disciples of our First Saint Sect."
Hearing this, no one present showed any joy.
Most of those sent here had heard of the First Saint Sect's fearsome reputation. They knew this so-called 'probationary disciple' status was more a curse than a blessing.
The black-robed Daoist, however, paid no mind to their thoughts. He simply began calling names one by one.
"Chen Liang."
"Here!"
As the Daoist called a name, a fair-skinned, delicate-looking young novice beside Lu Yang stood up and bounced cheerfully to the front.
This novice was exceptionally handsome, with large, bright eyes that seemed to speak. Most importantly, an aura of intelligence—perceptible even to mortals—radiated from his brow. His demeanor suggested an early maturity and cleverness. In the mortal world, he would have been a prodigy fiercely sought after by every major academy.
Sure enough, the black-robed Daoist's eyes lit up with appreciation:
"What a naturally gifted Spiritual Child!"
"You flatter me, Elder Brother Daoist." The novice bowed respectfully, his childlike voice, tinged with innocence, effortlessly evoking goodwill.
The black-robed Daoist laughed heartily.
"Excellent, excellent! Our First Saint Sect needs talents like you!"
With that,the Daoist raised his brush and lightly drew a line through the name [Chen Liang] on the register.
Thud!
In the next instant, without any warning, the once vibrant and spirited novice's eyes rolled back. He collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Having done this, the black-robed Daoist casually instructed:
"Take the blood and flesh to the Alchemy Hall.Bones and soul to the Treasure-Refining Hall. Organs to the Beast-Taming Hall. Don't let such excellent material go to waste."
Three sentences. That was all it took to leave the crowd of probationary disciples utterly stunned.
The black-robed Daoist let out a sinister chuckle upon seeing their expressions. "Do not misunderstand, fellow junior brothers."
"Our Sacred Sect has always vaLued 'worth'. Therefore, a disciple's excellence is measured solely by whether they can create sufficient value for the sect."
"That junior brother just now was a natural Spiritual Child with robust bones and sinews. Only in death could he create the greatest value for the sect. That is why he died."
"As for you, fellow junior brothers, with your mediocre aptitudes, you create value for the sect by remaining alive. There is no need for you to worry."
"Next."
The black-robed Daoist continued calling names. The crowd below was terrified, yet they had no choice but to comply, fearing they might share the young novice's fate and have their names struck from existence.
"Lu Yang."
"Here."
Lu Yang stepped forward, his expression respectful.
The black-robed Daoist's gaze first fell on Lu Yang's handsome, refined face. A flicker of delight appeared, but it soon faded as he assessed Lu Yang's bone structure and physique.
Soon, he shook his head in disappointment.
Clearly, in his eyes, Lu Yang was handsome but little else.
"Go to the Joyful Union Hall."
Not daring to ask more, Lu Yang quickly replied, "Yes."
After the assignments, Lu Yang received a jade token. It was nearly transparent, engraved with his name, and seemed to contain a sealed wisp of flame within.
He was also given a cultivation manual.
The manual was titled "Yin-Yang Great Joy Canon", the foundational technique of the Joyful Union Hall he was assigned to. It was said to allow one to cultivate True Qi and step into the Qi Refining realm.
An elderly menial disciple leading the way explained as they walked, "The flame inside your Life Token is your Life Flame. Remember to carry it with you at all times. The sect's formations, spirit plants, and spirit beasts recognize the token, not the person. If you ever go out and forget it, don't blame me if you die within the sect."
Soon, they were led before a grand hall.
Before the hall stood a voluptuous, stunningly beautiful woman. She wore a long skirt with a slit running high up her thigh. Her every glance was alLuring, brimming with charm and a thousand forms of grace.
Gulp...
Lu Yang clearly heard someone beside him swallow hard.
Not only was the woman unashamed by their gazes, she let out a light, covering laugh and playfully lifted the side of her skirt with delicate fingers.
Hanging beneath the lifted hem was a jade token.
The name on it read: Yu Suzhen.
"This is the Joyful Union Hall. I am Yu Suzhen, and I suppose I can be considered your senior sister."
In the next moment, Lu Yang noticed the beautiful woman named Yu Suzhen's eyes brighten. Her gaze landed directly on him, bold and utterly unconcealed.
"A junior brother as handsome as you must be destined for our Joyful Union Hall."
Yu Suzhen gave a light laugh, then swayed her slender waist, the overlapping folds of her skirt swishing with each step as she approached Lu Yang. The dizzying flashes of pale skin made his head spin.
"You're quite good-looking. Come with me. I'll explain the situation of the Joyful Union Hall to you."
Lu Yang hurriedly cupped his hands in saLute. "Thank you, Senior Sister Yu."
"Why be so formal?"
Yu Suzhen shot him a charmingly flirtatious glance, then turned, her serpentine waist swaying hypnotically, stirring the desires of everyone watching.
Lu Yang didn't dare look too closely and silently followed.
"Disciples of our Sacred Sect are divided into Inner and Outer. The Outer Sect has four halls: Treasure-Refining, Alchemy, Beast-Taming, and Joyful Union. These are the destinations for probationary disciples like you."
"Only by passing the trials of the four Outer Halls can one enter the Inner Sect, receive true teachings, and become a formal disciple."
"You're quite lucky to have been assigned to our Joyful Union Hall. You won't have to suffer the hardships of the other three halls. After all, the trials of our Joyful Union Hall are much... gentler..."
Here, Yu Suzhen suddenly leaned close to Lu Yang.
"Do you want to know what they are?"
In the next heartbeat, Lu Yang felt a warm breath against his ear and caught the scent of fragrance at the tip of his nose. Turning his head, he found an exquisite, captivating face mere inches from his own.
"Please enlighten me, Senior Sister," Lu Yang said, lifting his gaze.
"It's cultivation."
The sweet, delicate voice whispered in his ear, like a lover murmuring intimately...
Lu Yang instantly drew in a sharp,startled breath.