Xia Changqiu took a step backward instinctively as he said in a hoarse voice, “The five First Seats are all coming.”
Zhu Xuan reeled back and crashed on the ground after he was burned. Several disciples rushed over to support him.
Lu Zhou ignored the five First Seats who were hurrying over. Apart from Sikong Beichen, no one could do anything to him. He did not have to use the Deadly Strike Cards against them as well.
Lu Zhou looked at the Square Box in his palm.
“Square Box. Desolate-grade. Master: Zhu Xuan. Can be used after refining.”
Lu Zhou pocketed it.
Zhu Xuan seemed frightened when he saw this. The pain from the burn on his left leg seemed to finally register as he asked, “It’s… It’s really karmic fire?!”
The disciples of the Ninth Temple were in an uproar.
Karmic fire?
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji heard their discussions and were shocked. The exchange merely lasted for an instant! The old senior had raised his palm, collected the Square Box, and sent Zhu Xuan flying! Everything happened too quickly; they did not see any karmic fire at all!
Lu Zhou stroked his beard while he looked at the figures flying toward him.
Shortly after, the five First Seats hovered in the air and looked down at Lu Zhou.
Zhu Xuan bit back the pain from the burn on his left leg and said, “Greetings, First Seats.”
“Are you alright?”
“I…” Zhu Xuan seemed to be in pain. However, he could not admit that he was not fine. He was a Nine-leaf cultivator, and he was aiming to become a First Seat. He could not bear the shame. “I’m alright.”
The five old men descended.
Lu Zhou glanced at the five hall masters. He wondered if fighting five opponents at the same time would be too much for him. However, if he used his Deadly Strike Cards, he could take two of them out. With his extraordinary power and karmic fire, he was confident of subduing three of them. There was no reason to worry.
The five old men had lived very long lives. Their judgment was good. They could tell the old man was not easy to deal with. Moreover, he easily defeated Zhu Xuan who possessed a great treasure. How could he be a weakling?
“Peace Hall’s Yao Qingquan.”
“Truce Hall’s Zhao Jianghe.”
“Unending Hall’s Sun Wenchang.”
“Prisoner Dragon Hall’s Wang Youdao.”
“Mystery Hall’s Zhao Shaoqing.”
The five old men announced their names.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. ‘These five old men are smarter than Zhu Xuan and Kong Lu.’
Indeed, dealing with dumb men was not as comfortable as dealing with intelligent people.
Although these five old men were powerful enough, Lu Zhou would not abandon his plan. He was determined to deal with their king.
“Where’s Sikong Beichen?” Lu Zhou placed one hand on his back and stroked his beard with the other.
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji. “…”
In the beginning, the duo from the Thousand Willow Monastery had thought Lu Zhou was trying to act cool. They had also bragged about their strength in private before. It was just that they did not dare to repeat those words in public. They really did not expect Lu Zhou to mention Sikong Beichen in front of the five First Seats of the Ninth Temple!
‘Uh… Is he truly unparalleled?’
The Mystery Hall’s First Seat, Zhang Shaoqing, said, “Old Mister, you have a wonderful cultivation base. If you’re a friend, the Ninth Temple welcomes you with open arms. The temple master isn’t feeling well and spends most of his time recuperating. I’m afraid that he won’t be able to meet you.”
Lu Zhou continued stroking his beard. He said with a hint of disappointment, “I thought five of you are smart…”
“Old mister… What business do you have in the Ninth Temple?”
Ninth Temple had been waning in recent times. They had to be extra careful about any attempts by the Sky Martial Court and the palace to chip at their strength.
At this moment, Zhu Xuan bowed and said, “First Seat Zhang, that Yu Zhenghai is this senior’s first disciple.”
Upon hearing these words, the five First Seats frowned slightly. They had heard about Yu Zhenghai. However, they had entrusted that matter to Zhu Xuan and did not care to ask for details. All they knew was Yu Zhenghai came from the golden lotus domain, and this matter now was important.
“Are you from the golden lotus domain, old mister?” Zhang Shaoqing asked.
They had to be clear about this. This was a crucial question.
Lu Zhou did not answer Zhang Shaoqing. He merely shook his head and said, “The Ninth Temple is so vast… Is there no one with brains here?”
‘I’m the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Master, the first Nine-leaf cultivator in Great Yan. Why should I answer you? Don’t you think my pride matters as well?’
“Hm?”
The five of them felt that Lu Zhou’s imposing air was rather difficult to describe.
At this moment, Lu Zhou made a shocking move. He stomped his foot on the ground and flew toward the five First Seats.
Xia Changqiu. “…”
Tian Buji. “…”
Zhu Xuan and Kong Lu’s expressions were similar. They looked at the flying Lu Zhou in shock. ‘He’s out of his mind! He must be crazy!’
The five First Seats spread out and raised their right hands in unison. Instead of retreating, they advanced.
Yao Qingquan, Zhao Jianghe, and Sun Wenchang summoned their avatars.
Three 150-foot avatars illuminated the entire place. The bright red lotuses were like three dazzling suns that hung high in the sky.
On the other hand, Wang Youdao and Zhang Shaoqing unleashed their grand techniques.
Five of them surrounded Lu Zhou.
This was what both parties wanted.
Lu Zhou seemed to have expected this. He used one of his trump cards.
To gain the power to silence everything, to maintain and manifest samadhi. Like light and shadow, permeating everywhere while staying still in samadhi.
This was the power to silence everything.
This was the second power Lu Zhou obtained after meditating on the Heavenly Writing scrolls.
A blue lotus bloomed under his feet as his body shone with a blue light.
Lu Zhou was bold and decisive as he used half of his extraordinary power.
“A blue lotus!” Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji exclaimed in hoarse voices.
The disciples of the Ninth Temple widened their eyes as they looked at the blossoming blue lotus. They had expected a golden lotus, but they were treated to the sight of a blue lotus instead. This was a color they had never heard of or seen before.
Before Yu Shangrong came to the red lotus domain, he was like the other Great Yan cultivators who thought his master’s blue lotus was from the barrier’s power. Everyone had assumed the color of the barrier changed the color of his master’s lotus just like how the Fiend Zen would taint one’s avatar black.
At this moment, the blue lotus was beyond everyone’s comprehension.
Realization suddenly dawned on Yu Shangrong. This must be the reason why his master was so powerful. From the beginning, his master was a cultivator who was much stronger than those from the golden lotus domain and the red lotus domain!
Conch hugged Little Yuan’er’s arm as she looked up and said, “Senior sister, that’s beautiful! I’ve never seen it before.”
Little Yuan’er said, “I’m almost sick of it. However, it’s only natural that it’s beautiful since it’s from master!”
When the blue lotus was fully bloomed, a wave of energy shot downward.
Zhu Xuan’s knees buckled, and he fell to his knees. Sweat was dripping down his face. ‘Blue lotus and karmic fire?’
The five First Seats were also shocked by the blue lotus. They had never seen such a lotus or such a battle style before.
Their red energies and avatars were pushed back by the blue lotus.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
All five First Seats reeled back. They grunted in pain as their blood essences boiled. They stopped short of spitting out blood; the blood was caught in their throat. Alas, the weakest among them, the Nine-leaf Zhang Shaoqing, could not endure it and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blue lotus faded away.
Lu Zhou hovered in the center and looked at the five First Seats in satisfaction. ‘It has been a long time since I used this power… Its impact is still something to be feared. Usually, I can kill an Eight-leaf cultivator instantly with half of my extraordinary power. It’s natural that these five are only injured with half of my extraordinary power.’
Lu Zhou seemed nonchalant and as steady as Mount Tai.
The others fell silent.
The five old men wore a grim expression on their faces as they looked at the old men in confusion.
After a long pause, the Mystery Hall’s First Seat, Zhang Shaoqing, called out, “Men!”
“Yes, Hall Master.”
“Invite the temple master here. Quickly!”
“Understood.” The disciple flew toward the central part of the Ninth Temple on his sword.
The five of them were completely subdued.
At this moment, something unexpected happened.
A guard flew over and announced in the air, “This is bad. The Great General of the North is here.”
The five First Seats were already in a tight spot after being subdued by Lu Zhou. The appearance of the Great General of the North changed their expressions drastically.
“Great General of the North?” Lu Zhou turned around. This sounded like a title someone from the palace would have. He recalled what he had heard when he used the power of hearing back at the Thousand Willow Monastery.
A majestic voice rang from the tallest building in the center. “Get in, everyone.”
The five First Seats turned submissive immediately. They bowed at the central building. “Understood.”
The owner of the voice was none other than the Ten-leaf Sikong Beichen.
Xia Changqiu was the first one to lose control. He staggered and nearly lost his footing. Fortunately, Tian Buji caught him in time.
“E-elder Tian… I… am I dreaming? T-two Ten-leaf cultivators… We’re doomed.”
