The cultivators standing close to the edge were eager to try.
Madam Huang pushed away lightly from the umbrellas before she descended. The disciples who wielded the umbrellas followed closely behind her.
The crowd made way for Madam Huang.
Madam Huang walked up to the edge of the island and looked at Luo Yu in the sea.
The area where Luo Yu was swimming around was precisely the area under the Formation.
At this moment, many cultivators began urging Madam Huang.
“The Formation must’ve been damaged by this Luo Yu. The floating island is kept in place by the Formation. The other four islands rely on the floating island as the core. If the floating island is gone, Penglai is as good as gone as well.”
“Madam Huang, please give the order.”
Madam Huang knew these people had ulterior motives hidden behind their seemingly helpful actions. However, she could not afford to lose her cool now nor could she agree to their request immediately. However, if Penglai Island was not saved and the Formation was destroyed, Penglai would truly be in danger.
At this moment, Ma Qing said in a loud voice, “The way I see it, we should ask Old Senior Ji for his opinion.”
Upon hearing Ma Qing’s words, the others regained their senses. They recalled the Daoist Nine Cuts Hand Seals they had just witnessed, and fear rose in their hearts again. With this reminder, they shut their mouths and looked at Lu Zhou. Was he truly the great individual from the Evil Sky Pavilion?
Regardless of what the others thought or what the results of the Golden Taixu Mirror’s examination were, Ma Qing was convinced the old man before him was the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Patriarch. Those who believed that the old man was only a Two-leaf cultivator either had their heads caught in a door or were out of their minds. Could a Two-leaf cultivator take down the Taixu Academy’s Grand Elder in just a blink of an eye? Was that even possible?
Ma Qing was an Elder of the Qingyun Sword Sect. His words weighed more than the others.
Lu Zhou extended a hand and said, “Yuan’er.”
Little Yuan’er understood her master’s meaning. She placed the Golden Taixu Mirror in her master’s hand.
The glow faded.
Lu Zhou gleaned at the Taixu Academy disciples, causing them to stumble back in fear.
Even their Grand Elder, Jiang Lizhi, was incapable of withstanding a single hit from this old man… One could only imagine how powerful he was! However, they were perplexed. Why did the Golden Taixu Mirror show him as a Two-leaf cultivator?
It was not just them; everyone present was confused as well. The Golden Taixu Mirror could not lie.
Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “From this moment on, the Golden Taixu Mirror belongs to the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“…”
His words were powerful and resounded through the area.
“Ding! Obtained the Golden Taixu Mirror. Owner: Lin Xin. Re-cultivation needed before use.”
Although this item would not help much in improving Lu Zhou’s cultivation base, he found it interesting.
Lin Xin was the Taixu Academy’s Patriarch. Rumor had it that his great limit was close at hand. Yet, no news of his death had spread as of yet. It made one wonder what he used to maintain his life/ The effects of the Golden Taixu Mirror were unique. ‘Where did he get it from?’
Thud!
The Taixu Academy disciples fell to their knees immediately. Their faces were glistening with sweat. Just when they were about to beg for mercy…
Rumble!
The floating island sunk again.
“Old senior, now’s not the time to be quarreling with the Taixu Academy… Please help Penglai. If the floating island is saved, I’ll give you the Penglai Heavenly Scroll.”
‘Penglai Heavenly Scroll?’
A commotion broke out as everyone began to discuss among themselves again.
It was said that the Penglai Sect Patriarch’s cultivation base had improved greatly all thanks to the Penglai Heavenly Scroll. In a way, it helped lift Penglai Island’s status to the height it was now. However, due to the cryptic nature of its contents, nobody understood it. After the passing of the patriarch, the Penglai Heavenly Scroll was passed down from generation to generation to this day. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Penglai Heavenly Scroll was the foundation of Penglai Island. It was unexpected for Madam Huang to offer it up.
“The floating island is sinking. Madam Huang has no choice… However, there’s only one scroll… How will it be divided amongst us?”
The ambition of the wolves was becoming clearer.
“Madam Huang’s asking old senior Ji for help, not you. Don’t get ahead of yourselves.”
“It’s true that the old senior is an elite, but whether he’s Old Senior Ji or not still remains to be seen… You know too little about the Golden Taixu Mirror. That’s no ordinary mirror. It sees through all lies in this world. It can’t possibly make a mistake.”
“How are you going to explain the Nine Cuts Hand Seals then?”
“An Eight-leaf Daoist expert could’ve done that.”
Whether it was the Buddhist Great Seal of Fearlessness, the Daoist Nine Cuts Hand Seals, or Hua Wudao’s Nine Scripts Six Compatible Seal, they were all Eight-leaf grand techniques. However, it was difficult to unleash these massively powerful energy seals. Hence, the cultivators rarely used them. In most cases, the results were not worth the trouble.
“Shh… Don’t say that. I think he’s the real deal.”
“Keep your mouth shut if you want to stay alive. For you lot, there’s no difference between an Eight-leaf and a Nine-leaf cultivator.”
“…”
They could be killed with a single palm seal. It made no difference. Who gave them the courage to belittle an Eight-leaf expert?
Some believed while others remained doubtful.
Madam Huang did not concern herself with this. All she wanted was for someone to help her get out of this predicament. She said again, “Please take charge, old senior.”
Lu Zhou looked at the graceful and composed Madam Huang and said, “Huang Shijie has an Eight-leaf cultivation base. If he can’t do it, why do you think I can?”
The others looked at Madam Huang.
Madam Huang bowed and said, “I have no other choice.”
Lu Zhou raised the Golden Taixu Mirror in his hands and channeled some Primal Qi into it. A beam of light shot out of the Golden Taixu Mirror and shone on the crowd. Avatars appeared around those who were shone on by the light. Most of them were Ten Worlds avatars. Only a handful of them was at the One-leaf and Two-leaf stage.
Some cultivators deliberately avoided the light to hide their cultivation bases. It was possible for there to be grand cultivators among the people here. There might be any number of cultivators below the Nine-leaf stage! The allure of the Penglai Heavenly Scroll was great.
Lu Zhou flipped his wrist.
The light shone on the sea.
Luo Yu swam faster.
Clang!
A sound similar to chains being shattered rang from the southeastern corner of one of the huge islands.
Penglai Island shook with the sound.
Everyone present staggered and nearly lost their footing.
Madam Huang frowned slightly and said, “Bring the heavenly scroll here.”
“Understood.”
The cultivators on the island registered wore expectant expressions on their faces. They were curious about what the Penglai Heavenly Scroll looked like.
Shortly after, a Penglai disciple carried the heavenly scroll in his arms as he flew toward them from the central region of the island. He landed before the crowd of Penglai cultivators on one knee and presented it to Madam Huang. “Madam.”
Madam Huang said, “If Penglai is destroyed, the heavenly scroll will be destroyed as well.” She took it with one hand. There were clear ornamental patterns on the outer surface of the scroll, which was made from some unique material. She channeled some Primal Qi into the scroll, and the ornamental patterns shone.
“Now!”
Whistling sounds rang from the four islands, and three figures flew toward Madam Huang immediately.
Who cared about the Penglai Sect? Who truly wanted to save Penglai?
Madam Huang was not surprised. She exerted some pressure with her hand. The heavenly scroll returned to the box. With a click, it was locked. She pushed away from the ground and rose into the air.
The umbrella-holding cultivators behind Madam Huang flew up into the sky as well.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The three figures reeled and spat out mouthfuls of blood.
The remaining umbrella-holding cultivators escorted Madam Huang as they hovered in midair. She said decisively, “Activate the Formation!”
Four rings of light shone on the four islands. With the floating island in the center, the rings of light merged to form a special Formation.
A screen covered the skies.
The huge barrier covered everyone on the island like a massive cage.
For an instant, the cultivators who were making their moves looked up at the barrier with stunned expressions.
Someone laughed maniacally. “What’s the use of this? Once the floating island falls, these Formations will be useless.”
Someone even bowed at Lu Zhou and said, “Old senior, we’ll leave Madam Huang to you. You can leave the rest to us… You can have the heavenly scroll. What do you say?”
Madam Huang looked at them from the skies. The battles on the four islands had already started. She had great hopes for the island before herself.
“Ma Qing! My husband has invited you here! Are you trying to strike us when we’re down as well?” Madam Huang looked at Ma Qing.
Ma Qing said in a deep voice, “Everyone, stop! Qingyun Sword Sect disciples, hear my order!”
“Yes, elder!”
“Defend Penglai!”
The 100 sword cultivators from the Qingyun Sword Sect rose into the air at the same time.
Zing! Zing! Zing!
They unsheathed their swords. As they hovered in midair, they pointed their swords at the cultivators who were trying to take advantage of this situation.
When Madam Huang saw this, she bowed and said, “Penglai will remember the Qingyun Sword Sect’s help!”
“Madam Huang, now’s not the time for this.”
Penglai Island’s crisis was much more difficult than they had anticipated. The sinking floating island was not the only problem. There was a pack of hungry wolves waiting for the right moment to attack.
Ma Qing rose into the air and said, “Anyone who dares lift a finger against Penglai will be the sworn enemy of the Qingyun Sword Sect!” His soundwave spread to the four islands and the floating island.
The Penglai disciples on the four islands swarmed out and hovered above the islands. The remaining disciples who could not fly remained on the ground with frightened expressions on their faces. If the island sank, they would die.
“Ma Qing, you can quit your hypocritic act. You’re just trying to take all the spoils for yourself, aren’t you? Fat chance of that happening…”
“I’d like to see how long you can hold out against us!”
The other cultivators drew their swords and sabers as they pointed at the umbrella-holding cultivators and members of the Qingyun Sword Sect in the air.
“Old senior… Just give the word, and the treasures of Penglai Island will be ours.” Two cultivators walked up to Lu Zhou.
Ma Qing looked at Lu Zhou with a worried expression. He was not worried about the others; he was worried about this old man who had been keeping a low-profile all this while. The old man’s stance would determine the survival of Penglai!
Lu Zhou furrowed his brows slightly as he turned to look at the crowd. He stroked his beard and said, “Did I say I’ll wallow in the mire with you lot?”
The others were stunned.
“Old senior… Don’t you want the Penglai Heavenly Scroll?”
Rumble!
The floating island sank another ten meters again!
The barrier above it contorted. Eventually, it could no longer withstand the pressure, and it shattered. Its power dissolved into spots of starlight and scattered in the skies.
Madam Huang’s face fell as she said, “This is bad!”
