Ever since the matter with Ding Fanqiu was dealt with, Lu Zhou was of the opinion that no one else would dare to impersonate him anymore. He did not think there would be someone so bold.
Jiang Lizhi smiled and said, “Old Mister, your act is almost flawless. Keep it up!”
“Hm?” Lu Zhou frowned slightly. Then, he said in a solemn and stern voice, “I’m the Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
Jiang Lizhi said, “Yes, yes, yes… Greetings, Old Senior Ji.” Contrary to his words and his actions of making the others bow, his gaze and tone suggested that he was merely playing along with Lu Zhou.
The Taixu Academy disciples nodded as well. “Greetings, Old Senior Ji.”
Lu Zhou asked, “The Taixu Academy?”
“At your service,” Jiang Lizhi said haughtily.
At this moment, Lu Zhou recalled that it was the people from the Taixu Academy and the Hengqu Branch who fought over Conch so they could use her to tame the wild beasts. Would such organizations come to help Penglai Sect out of the kindness of their hearts?
‘Jiang Lizhi and Jiang Renyi…’ Lu Zhou really had to commend their naming sense.
“Are you here on Penglai Island’s invitation as well?” Lu Zhou asked.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Lizhi straightened his back, cupped his fists at Lu Zhou, and said, “Old Mister, that’s about enough. I don’t know the details, but everything will be clear once we reach Penglai Island.” After saying this, he waved his hand.
The Taixu Academy disciples walked on air, close to the sea’s surface.
Lu Zhou looked at the island hovering above the sea. It resembled something out of an oil painting. There were streams of water spilling from the edges of the island as well. At this moment, the barrier around the island seemed weak, even its light was dim.
“Yuan’er, let’s go.”
“Alright!” Little Yuan’er brought Conch with her as she flew toward the island.
After leaving the shore for some time, they still have not arrived. It was just as Lu Zhou had said; the island seemed close, but it was far away. They were traveling in the air, and although they could vaguely see the coastline, they had yet to arrive on Penglai Island.
After some time, the island grew clearer in Lu Zhou’s eyes. There were five islands gathered together. Four of the islands surrounded one island in a circle. All of the islands were covered in a faint blue light that was refracted from the sea. Four huge Formations that manifested in intensely bright light seemed to stretch on for several miles. The islands were pristine. Lush greenery could be seen everywhere.
“Beautiful,” Conch said, admiring the scenery of the islands.
“There are many people there.” Little Yuan’er pointed to the entrance to the island.
The entrance was a path made of slabs of rock. How extravagant. This was Penglai Island, a place where everyone wanted to visit.
Lu Zhou, Little Yuan’er, and Conch flew toward the island.
At this moment, someone ran toward them from among the crowd…
“Old Senior Ji, we meet again!” The person was none other than Ma Qing, the Grand Elder of the Qingyun Sword Sect, whom he had met several days ago when he took down Lanni, the Roulian. He had brought his disciples with him as well. Since they had just met him recently, they were familiar with him.
The Qingyun Sword Sect disciples bowed in unison, attracting the attention of the bystanders. Those present on the scene were mostly friends from various sects.
Lu Zhou said tonelessly, “There’s no need for such pleasantries.” Then, he observed the island that was surrounded by the other islands.
At this moment, Jiang Lizhi, the Grand Elder of the Taixu Academy Grand Elder, walked over and patted Ma Qing’s shoulder before he said, “Brother Ma, great minds truly think alike!”
‘Who’s thinking alike?’ Ma Qing moved away from Jiang Lizhi.
Jiang Lizhi continued to say, oblivious, “I think this Old Mister, among all those I met before, resembles Old Senior Ji the most. What do you think, Brother Ma?”
Ma Qing frowned slightly. He regarded Jiang Lizhi as though Jiang Lizhi had gone crazy. He said, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about. This… is the real Evil Sky Pavilion’s Patriarch! Don’t be rude!”
Jiang Lizhi was stunned. However, it was only for a moment before he said with a smile, “I get it, I get it… You’ve always been diplomatic, Brother Ma. I really like that about you.” Then, he turned to Lu Zhou and said in a formal and respectful tone, “Greetings, Old Senior Ji.”
Lu Zhou ignored Jiang Lizhi. His thoughts were on the island in the center.
Jiang Lizhi did not mind Lu Zhou’s attitude as well. After bowing, he addressed Ma Qing and said, “How’s that, Brother Ma? I was far more formal than you were.”
“Jiang Lizhi, what are you trying to do?” Ma Qing did not understand Jiang Lizhi. ‘If you’re trying to drag someone down with you, please find someone else!’
As the saying went, ‘Having a lousy teammate is worse than facing a godly opponent’.
“I’m just doing what you’re doing!” Jiang Lizhi said with a knowing smile.
Ma Qing turned ghastly pale. His expression darkened as he said with a righteous air, “Jiang Lizhi, I’m seriously telling you this person before you is Old Senior Ji, the Nine-leaf expert.”
“Yes, yes, yes… I believe you. There… Are you happy now?” Jiang Lizhi nodded.
“That’s more like it,” Ma Qing said, “If we didn’t go way back, I would’ve severed all ties with you because of what you said.”
“Hey, now. That’s uncalled for.”
As soon as Jiang Lizhi finished speaking…
Whizz!
The island in the center sank ten meters.
Everyone was shocked into silence as they looked at the floating island in the center. Soon after, the cultivators began to discuss among themselves.
“The floating island has sunk again! At this rate, it won’t be long before the island sinks to the bottom of the ocean. When it comes to that, the Formation will be damaged and the other islands will sink as well.”
“When you put it that way, Penglai Island is truly in trouble.”
Most of the cultivators shared the same opinion.
One of them rose into the air and projected his voice toward the island and said, “Since Island Master Huang isn’t around, I humbly ask that Island Mistress Huang take charge.”
“Yes, please take charge, Island Mistress.”
“How can you let your guests wait outside… It’s been days!” Someone began complaining.
At this moment, the doors of the huge palace slowly opened. More than ten women in yellow clothes flew toward them with paper umbrellas in their hands. The paper umbrellas were arranged in a square. A graceful and luxurious-looking woman stood on the umbrellas.
“Greetings, Madam Huang!”
The woman was the wife of Huang Shijie, the Island Master.
Madam Huang’s expression was calm as she took in the scene in front of her. She said to the cultivators who had come from all parts of the empire in a clear voice, “Welcome, everyone… Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Jiang Lizhi was the first to step forward. He looked up and said, “Where’s Island Master Huang?”
“The Island Master is currently attending to some urgent matter and can’t return for now… I’ll be in charge of all affairs regarding Penglai Island.” Madam Huang’s gaze was slightly dull. There did not seem to be any hint of gratitude in her words toward the cultivators gathered here.
Someone said, “Madam Huang, what could be more important than the islands sinking? Isn’t he worried at all?”
“Yes.” Madam Huang nodded slightly when she heard this. Once the floating islands sank, Penglai Island would be forever submerged. After muttering to herself for a while, she loudly said, “We’ll follow our previous agreement. Anyone capable of restoring the floating island’s Formation will have Penglai Island’s thanks.”
Jiang Lizhi from the Taixu Academymsaid, “I don’t want anything but… the Lantian jade.”
“No,” someone refuted, “Why should she give it to you? We all have a part to play in this.”
After hearing all these words, Lu Zhou vaguely understood the situation. The commotions under the heavens were mostly related to benefits and gains. There was no such thing as doing charity for charity’s sake.
It was no wonder that Madam Huang did not seem appreciative of their presence. From her point of view, these cultivators who came from afar were nothing but a pack of ravenous wolves howling piteously for food. It was possible that they would openly loot the islands when they sank in the name of protecting the treasures and riches for the island’s sake. To put it bluntly, most of the people here were waiting for easy pickings.
At this juncture, Ma Qing, the Grand Elder of the Qingyun Sword Sect, cupped his fists together and said, “Everyone, please listen to me.”
The other turned to look at Ma Qing.
Ma Qing said respectfully, “Since the Island Master isn’t here, shall we have the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Old Senior Ji take charge?”
Ma Qing’s words were like a pebble that gave rise to a thousand waves.
The Evil Sky Pavilion’s Old Senior Ji?
Everyone searched the crowd.
Those who were not blind saw an old man standing at the edge of the island with two dumb-looking girls by his side.
“Old Senior Ji? How long has he been here?”
“Does he usually keep a low-profile like that?”
Some were shocked while others were puzzled.
Madam Huang who was standing on the umbrellas looked over as well.
Jiang Lizhi said, “Brother Ma, don’t you think you’re getting way too into your act?”
Ma Qing snorted and said, “Qingyun Sword Sect disciples, hear my words… From this day onward, the Qingyun Sword Sect is severing all ties with the Taixu Academy!”
“…” Jiang Lizhi said in response, “Fine with me. If he’s Old Senior Ji… How would you explain this?” He raised his hand.
The others looked at Jiang Lizhi.
Jiang Lizhi held an ancient bronze mirror the size of an egg. The mirror was decorated with golden ornaments and illegible runes and veins.
“The Taixu Mirror?”
There was a commotion.
The Taixu Mirror or the Golden Taixu Mirror. It was famous in the cultivation world. However, nobody paid much attention to it since it did not help one’s cultivation or improve one’s strength.
“The Golden Taixu Mirror is said to be the finest mirror in the Taixu Academy. It can verify an object’s authenticity, gauge a person’s cultivation base, and peek into the depths of the dark abyss… The Taixu Academy seems serious about this matter to have brought this treasure here.”
Jiang Lizhi cupped his fists and said in a loud voice, “On the orders of my patriarch, with the Golden Taixu Mirror, I’m here to lend a helping hand to the Penglai Sect.”
