Ye Zheng smiled genially. He waved his hand again and said, “Are you testing me, Elder Meng?”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’m genuinely asking for enlightenment. Everyone in the Flying Star House knows that you’re an elite, Elder Ye. You killed the luan with your Expansive Heavenly Energy and script seals.”
Ye Zheng said, “Killing the luan is the joint effort of everyone in the Flying Star House.”
Meng Changdong nodded.
Ye Zhen lowered the teacup in his hand and asked, “Who do you think is powerful enough to kill Jiang Wenxu? He was capable of building a personal fiefdom in the golden lotus domain and maintained it for three centuries. Do you think he didn’t have ways to defend himself? This crystal must contain a secret about the person who killed him. This person will also become one of the red lotus domain’s greatest enemies.”
“Indeed, but, why would this person seal his memories inside a crystal?” Meng Changdong wondered out loud.
“Everyone has a weakness. One would be more inclined to seal away something that they don’t want to face.”
If the expert from the golden lotus domain’s weakness was contained in the crystal, their priority should be to decipher it.
Meng Changdong’s expression remained neutral; he merely nodded in agreement.
Ye Zhen looked at him and said, “Elder Meng, do you have any other questions?”
“The people sent by the Sky Martial Court have all been killed. The plan of invading with the Sky Chariots will have to be put aside for now. Fa Kong of the Blood Sun Temple, who mastered the karmic fire, is also dead. The golden lotus domain isn’t as weak as we imagined it to be,” Meng Changdong said.
Ye Zhen said nothing. Instead, he waved his hand again. The teapot poured another cup of tea.
After the cup was filled, Ye Zhen said, “The Sky Martial Court will keep an eye on the golden lotus domain. There’s no need to trouble yourself over it, Elder Meng. You should focus your efforts on deciphering the crystal’s secrets.”
Meng Changdong was shocked when he heard these words. He no longer dared to continue this topic. Ever since he voiced his extremely conservative opinions, the Flying Star House’s Master ordered him to stay out of it.
The Flying Star House’s Master was in secluded cultivation most of the time. Therefore, Ye Zhen held the highest authority. Although Meng Changdong was an elder, his status was incomparable to Ye Zhen. Moreover, he was much weaker as well. He thought about it for a moment before he brought a piece of paper out from his sleeve and placed it on the table. “Elder Ye, kindly take a look at this.”
Ye Zhen picked it up and read it. There were random symbols scribbled all over the place. He did not recognize any of them. He read extensively so he was knowledgeable about matters from the stars in the sky to the ground. However, he frowned when he saw these symbols.
“I’ve analyzed the obstacles within memory crystals in the world for several months and couldn’t decipher it. I couldn’t understand what these symbols mean at all. Like I said, I’ve tried everything, but I couldn’t unlock it,” Meng Changdong said.
Ye Zhen stared at the symbols, falling deep into thoughts for a long time. If he could not decipher the key to unlocking the crystal, nobody in the Flying Star House had any hope of doing so. After what seemed like hours, he still could not make heads or tails out of the symbols on the paper.
Meng Changdong said, “Since this is only half of the crystal, The symbols we have are only half the entire thing as well.”
Ye Zhen put the paper down and said in a slightly disappointed tone, “If Luo Xuan was still around, she might be able to decipher the secret of this crystal. The person who sealed the crystal must’ve used a method that only he knows. We have no choice but to find him.”
Meng Changdong nodded and said, “Alas, Luo Xuan was exiled from the Sky Martial Court long ago. I think she lost her life in the Endless Ocean.’
Ye Zheng sighed. “There’s only a thin line between a lunatic and a genius. Alas, the Sky Martial Court couldn’t see her potential. Enough about her… How are things with the Thousand Willow Monastery?”
“Lu Song and Daoist Master Xuan Ming have died. Initially, I planned to go to the Thousand Willow Monastery to demand an explanation, but…”
“But what?” Ye Zhen asked.
“There seem to be golden lotus cultivators in the Thousand Willow Monastery. To protect themselves, the Thousand Willow Monastery and the golden lotus cultivators have aligned themselves with the Ninth Temple,” Meng Changdong said. Then, he looked around before he lowered his voice and said, “I’ve also obtained secret information…”
“This is my place. You don’t have to worry about being overheard. Say what you must,” Ye Zhen said as he straightened his back.
“The Great General of the North, Chen Beizheng, is dead,” Meng Changdong said.
Upon hearing these words, The ever-calm Ye Zhen, who was raising the teacup to his mouth, froze. His right hand shook slightly, causing the tea to spill. However, as soon as the droplets of tea fell, a surge of Primal Qi swept out bringing the droplets of tea back into the teacup. “Is the information accurate?”
“It’s accurate. The palace tried to keep a lid on this, but they pushed the matter to the Sky Martial Court. We’re on good terms with the Sky Martial Court so they told me about it,” Meng Changdong said.
Ye Zhen was puzzled. After he calmed down, he said, “Is Sikong Beichen so bold now as to stand against the palace?”
“With Sikong Beichen’s abilities, it won’t be easy for him to kill Chen Beizheng. However, it happened in the Ninth Temple. It’s not entirely impossible for the Ninth Temple to kill Chen Beizheng in their territory.”
“I’ll report this matter to the house master.”
“Alright.” After saying this, Meng Changdong rose to his feet and cupped his fists at Ye Zhen. “I’ll continue to study the crystal. Farewell.”
“See our guest out.”
A Confucian scholar came over and led Meng Changdong toward the other peak.
…
Seven days later, in the golden lotus domain.
In front of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Great Hall.
Si Wuya was pacing back and forth.
“The Yun Sect’s Nan Gongwei has successfully reached the Nine-leaf stage. The Three Sects managed to kill the beasts while the huge beast fled after sustaining heavy injuries.”
“There’s an unknown Eight-leaf cultivator in Yi Province who has successfully reached the Nine-leaf stage as well. Alas, nobody was looking out for him so he was grievously wounded by the beasts and is still missing.”
“In the Divine Capital, the Big Dipper Academy’s president, Zhou Youcai, failed to reach the Nine-leaf stage. Apart from that, Fifth Senior Sister has commanded the cultivators to chase beasts away.”
“The Nether Sect’s Azure Dragon Hall’s Second Seat, Yu Hong, tried to reach the Nine-leaf stage on his own after reaching the Eight-leaf stage. He lost 300 years of life. Bai Yuqing has issued a strict ban on unsupervised attempts of reaching the Nine-leaf stage.”
“The Ten Thousand Poison Sect’s Lu Liang failed in his attempt to reach the Nine-leaf stage.”
“The Blossom Faction’s Madam Zhang failed in her attempt to reach the Nine-leaf stage.”
After reading the reports, Mingshi Yin spread his hands and asked, “The other cultivators who attempted the Nine-leaf stage did not notify us beforehand. From what our men saw, they’re not in good condition. Seventh Junior Brother, I don’t think they can manage without me. Should I go and support them?”
Si Wuya said, “So long as the Formation remains intact, the beasts are not much of a threat. Fifth Senior Sister has the Empress Dowager’s support so there’s not much of a problem at the Divine Capital. All they have to do is to defend it properly. Those who failed have no one to blame but themselves. Fourth Senior Brother, you shouldn’t leave this place if it’s not necessary.”
“Life is boring. I’m a Nine-leaf cultivator, but there’s no chance for me to put my strength to use. Seventh Junior Brother, stop drawing diagrams at night. Why don’t you spar with me?” Mingshi Yin said.
As soon as Mingshi Yin finished speaking, a pleading voice rang from outside. “M-mister Fourth, please… Please help.”
Zhu Tianyun appeared, panting.
“Help? What is it? I’ll deal with it in just a blink of an eye.” Mingshi Yin patted his chest before he extended his hand. The Separation Hook appeared in his hand.
Zhu Tianyuan said, “Please… spar… train with Mister Third.”
Whoosh!
A gust of wind blew in the great hall.
Zhu Tianyun looked around, baffled. “Eh? Where did Mister Fourth go?”
Si Wuya was speechless. He thought that Mingshi Yin was being childish. He returned to his room with his hands on his back and continued poring over the diagrams.
…
Meanwhile, in the red lotus domain.
The sun was setting.
Finally, Lu Zhou’s extraordinary power was fully replenished.
Apart from meditating on the Heavenly Writing scrolls, Lu Zhou would do breathing exercises as well to improve his cultivation base. He had to prepare for the Ten-leaf stage.
Perhaps, it was due to the richer Primal Qi in the red lotus domain, his cultivation base was improving faster compared to when he was in the golden lotus domain.
At this moment, a voice rang from the other side of the door. “Xia Changqiu requests an audience.”
“What is it?”
“The Ninth Temple has sent a flying letter. Three days from now, the Flying Star House’s Master is going to visit the Ninth Temple. Temple Master Sikong wishes to invite you over as well.”
