Lu Zhou felt as though he had just woken up from a deep nap. There was a sense of disorientation as though his surroundings had changed. The unfamiliarity of the Thousand Willow Monastery and the night skies intensified this feeling. After a moment, he gradually recovered, and the feeling faded away.
When everything returned to normal, he raised his hand.
The half chunk of crystal was instantly reduced to dust.
“Ding! Found the remaining memory crystal. Reward: 5,000 merit points.”
Lu Zhou sighed as he placed his hands on his back, recalling the newly-restored memories that came with many questions.
“The unknown land… Pills that alter one’s bodily constitution… Luo Xuan…” Lu Zhou muttered to himself.
After sifting through the memories, he discovered there was a reason why Ji Tiandao managed to become the greatest villain in Great Yan. He was also shocked by the memory of the black lotus; Ji Tiandao had been shocked as well. At that time, Ji Tiandao did not know much about the Fiend Zen. Whether it was the Fiend Zen or the Buddhist Zen, the fruit of cultivation was supposed to be a black Golden Body, not the avatar. The lotus was black. Why did it appear in the unknown land? Was it a coincidence? No matter how hard he thought about it, he could not come up with an answer. Similarly, Ji Tiandao did not have the answer as well.
‘Forget it. I should raise my cultivation base. The truth will be revealed sooner or later.’
Lu Zhou crossed his legs and sat down. He was about to enter his meditative state when he heard footsteps approaching. “Who’s there?”
“Xia Changqiu.”
“What is it?”
“I saw candlelight in your courtyard, Senior Lu, so I came over to have a look. The Ninth Temple’s Sikong Beichen has sent a letter. He intended to visit the Thousand Willow Monastery, but you weren’t in. Hence, I sent a reply and told him to visit another day. Would you like to reject the request?” Xia Changqiu asked.
“Tell him to come tomorrow,” Lu Zhou said.
“Alright. Rest well, Senior Lu,” Xia Changqiu said before he turned and left.
Lu Zhou checked the system dashboard.
Merit points: 25,940.
Remaining life: 219,455 days.
Item: Deadly Strike Card x1, Critical Block Card x138 (passive), Binding Cage Card x5, Whitzard (rushing to the red lotus domain), Bi An, Ji Liang (rushing to the red lotus domain), Qiong Qi, Disguise Card, Golden Taixu Mirror, Appearance Alteration Card x3, Shining Stone x3, Thunderblast x1, Impeccable Card x1.
Weapon: Unnamed, Jade Horsetail Whisk, Magistrate Brush, Nine String Zither, Square Box.
If it were not for the Nascent Divinity cultivators who pursued him, his trip to Flying Star House would have been a loss. Fortunately, he managed to retrieve his memory crystal.
“Perhaps, Ye Zhen concealed his cultivation base…” Lu Zhou thought about Ye Zhen again. He could not help feeling that something was amiss due to how smooth everything went.
Lu Zhou flipped his palm. The Golden Taixu Mirror materialized in his hand. This item was capable of reflecting the true form of all creations. He made a note to use it if he were to encounter similar situations in the future.
Then, he brought a Shining Stone out. When he tossed it out, flames surged out from it. Then, he threw the Golden Taixu Mirror into the tongues of flames.
Subsequently, he entered his meditative state.
…
Dawn was breaking.
A flying chariot flew away from the Ninth Temple.
On the flying chariot.
Two First Seats manned the helm.
Yao Qingquan pointed in the direction of the Thousand Willow Monastery and said, “Monastery Master, what’s that?”
Sikong Beichen who was onboard the flying chariot looked at the horizons.
A beam of light shot up into the clouds from the Thousand Willow Monastery.
Zhao Jianghe said, “I think it’s some kind of weapon. I don’t understand why they would use a weapon for no reason. What a waste of Primal Qi.”
Sikong Beichen coughed softly. He waved his hand and said, “Perhaps, it’s Senior Lu’s treasure. We’ll know when we arrive.”
“Understood.”
The Ninth Temple received Xia Changqiu’s flying letter last night. With Sikong Beichen’s temperament, he would not delay the visit. He ordered for the flying chariot to be prepared, and they departed at first light. He even had two First Seats power the flying chariot together so that they would arrive at the Thousand Willow Monastery as soon as possible.
…
Thousand Willow Monastery.
Inside the courtyard.
A loud clang rang in Lu Zhou’s room when the Golden Taixu Mirror fell on the floor.
He opened his eyes and looked at the mirror. He waved his hand, and the Golden Taixu Mirror flew into his hand.
He circulated his Primal Qi. As expected, the edges of the mirror shone with light. This meant that the Golden Taixu Mirror was now upgraded to the desolate grade.
“Ding! Obtained the desolate-grade Golden Taixu Mirror. Reward: 1,000 merit points.”
Lu Zhou nodded in satisfaction as he put the mirror away.
‘Would there be other functions now that it has been upgraded? Can I see other people’s bones as well?’
At this moment, Xia Changqiu’s voice rang from the courtyard. “Senior Lu, Temple Master Sikong requests an audience.”
“Alright.”
Lu Zhou left the courtyard.
When they were outside, he saw Little Yuan’er flying above the courtyard. He beckoned to her and said, “Come down.”
“Oh.” Little Yuan’er landed obediently before her master. She thought that she was going to get a scolding. However, to her surprise, Lu Zhou produced the Golden Taixu Mirror and shone it at her.
The golden light was like the sunlight when it shone on Little Yuan’er’s body.
A Seven-leaf golden lotus avatar appeared in the mirror.
“There’s no difference?” Lu Zhou was puzzled. He put the Golden Taixu Mirror away. ‘If there’s no difference, isn’t it a waste to upgrade it? What a scam!’
“Master… I’m trying my best. I’m not slacking off!” Little Yuan’er mumbled.
“Cultivate well, and don’t fly around recklessly. This is the Thousand Willow Monastery, not the Evil Sky Pavilion,” Lu Zhou said.
“Understood.” Little Yuan’er nodded.
Lu Zhou looked at Xia Changqiu who was standing next to him with a dazed expression. He waved his hand and said, “Lead the way.”
“Oh… Uh… Senior Lu, please follow me…” Xia Changqiu was overwhelmed with emotions. ‘His young disciple’s cultivation base is rather profound for her age, but he’s still so strict. Does… does this mean his other disciples are much stronger than this one?’ At this moment, the feeling of certainty that he made the right choice to flatter this old man grew even stronger.
Shortly after, they arrived in the Fair Hall.
When Sikong Beichen, Yao Qingquan, and Zhao Jianghe saw Lu Zhou walking toward them with his hands on his back, they greeted him in unison.
“Brother Lu.”
“Greetings, Senior Lu.”
After that, Sikong Beichen began to cough. He did not seem to be in good health. Without waiting for Lu Zhou’s response, he stepped backward and sat down. Then, he said, “I’m sorry. I mean no offense, Brother Lu.”
Lu Zhou looked at him and asked, “No matter. Are you hurt?”
Sikong Beichen said with a sigh, “I accidentally fell into Ye Zhen’s trap.”
“Ye Zhen’s capable of hurting you?” Lu Zhou walked over and sat down across Sikong Beichen.
Sikong Beichen recounted the events of Chen Tiandu and Ye Zhen’s visit to the Ninth Temple.
When Sikong Beichen mentioned their clash of swords, Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. “Using all creation as swords. With precise control, everything in the world can be turned into a sword. I’d say that your mastery of the sword path is satisfactory.”
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji nodded.
The few elders waiting outside the hall were dumbfounded. They had hurried over when they heard Sikong Beichen was coming over for a visit. After all, when would they get a chance to see Sikong Beichen before this? They wanted to see the renowned glorious elite. After considering their statuses, they dared not enter the hall and waited outside respectfully. They thought Senior Lu was probably the only person under the heavens who could comment on Sikong Beichen’s sword path in this manner.
“Ye Zhen is only a Nine-leaf cultivator. Even if you spar with Chen Tiandu, Chen Tiandu probably wouldn’t be able to hurt you. How did you fall for his trap with your cultivation base?” Lu Zhou asked as he stroked his beard.
