Sikong Beichen was confused. He did not understand why Lu Zhou suddenly asked about this matter.
Lu Zhou no longer held this piece of information back from them. He said honestly, “I’ve been to the Flying Star House before and fought Ye Zhen in his dojo.”
Meng Changdong exclaimed in surprise,” You fought him in his dojo, Senior Lu?”
“The Absolute Heaven Formation can’t do anything to me,” Lu Zhou said indifferently.
Sikong Beichen was slightly surprised as well. “This Absolute Heaven Formation is extremely difficult to inscribe and set up. It has a high requirement for the surroundings. The enemies inside the Formation would be greatly weakened while the Formation’s user will be greatly strengthened. Although Ye Zhen is a Nine-leaf cultivator, the strength he displayed when he was in the Ninth Temple was close to a Ten-leaf cultivator. Moreover, he has the karmic fire! I’m truly impressed you’re able to shrug off his Absolute Heaven Formation and best him, Brother Lu.”
Meng Changdong frowned as he said, “No wonder there’s a rumor about me fighting on the middle peak. Someone even saw Ye Zhen being struck down with the Nine Cuts Hand Seals. So, the rumors are true.”
“The Daoist Nine Cuts Hand Seal?” Sikong Beichen was startled. “The Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist sects each have their own advantages, and they’re further divided into different cultivation methods. Brother Lu, which one are you skilled in?” He once witnessed Lu Zhou using all creation as a sword from the swordless path so he had assumed Lu Zhou specialized in the sword.
“Aside from music, my master is skilled in everything,” Little Yuan’er said, “However, striking with the palm is easiest and most convenient.”
“…”
Little Yuan’er words seemed… flawless.
Sikong Beichen asked in a mix of surprise and curiosity, “You’ve mastered the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist techniques?”
At this juncture, Lu Zhou felt it was a good time for him to talk about this matter. He said, “It’s not easy to master all three. However… have you ever wondered why the concept of cultivation in the golden lotus domain is the same as the one in the red lotus domain?”
“The same?” Sikong Beichen was slightly stunned; his expression stiffened. “I’ve never been to the golden lotus domain. I’ve only heard about it recently.”
At this moment, Meng Changdong chimed in from the side, “The Sky Martial Court has been studying this matter as well. There was a theory that the two domains were originally connected.”
Lu Zhou and Sikong Beichen turned to look at Meng Changdong in unison.
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “Indeed, that’s possible.”
As a transmigrator, Lu Zhou had more knowledge compared to them. He had a basic understanding of tectonic shifts. However, this was only a guess with no evidence. After a moment, he asked, “Have you been to the Endless Ocean?”
The others stayed silent and humbly listened as the elites conversed. The conversation between elites was different and interesting after all.
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “When I first attained the Nine-leaf stage, I went to the Endless Ocean. I can never forget that experience. I rode on the mount and flew as far as I could over the Endless Ocean. The few oceanic beasts I encountered at first were no threat to me. However, on the fifth day, I encountered hordes of oceanic beasts. As a result, I got injured and lost my mount. Fortunately, I managed to return.”
“These oceanic beasts separate the two shores… When I crossed the Endless Ocean, I encountered a massive beast that was 100,000 feet long. Just its fin was humongous,” Lu Zhou said.
As soon as Lu Zhou finished speaking, Little Yuan’er and Conch chimed in, “We saw it as well!”
Sikong Beichen exclaimed in shock, “Even you can’t do anything against it, Brother Lu?”
Lu Zhou shook his head. “In my opinion, even if every cultivator in the red lotus domain joined forces, they still won’t stand a chance against the beast.”
“…”
The flying chariot flew against the wind. It looked like a golden meteor, enveloped in Yu Zhenghai’s golden energy.
“After listening to your words, Brother Lu, I really want to see this colossal beast of the Endless Ocean with my own eyes,” Sikong Beichen said.
Meng Changdong and the others nodded somewhat emotionally as well. They felt as though their horizons had been widened.
The flying chariot continued flying for the entire day.
During the journey, Lu Zhou and Sikong Beichen discussed the cultivation paths of the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist sects. They talked about the path of blades as well.
Everyone on the flying chariot felt that they had learned a lot.
When the sun was finally high in the sky and its rays refracted into a rainbow through the thin layer of mist, Cloud Mountain appeared before their eyes.
“We’ve arrived.”
The others walked out onto the deck and saw the 12 main peaks of Cloud Mountain that towered into the clouds.
Meng Changdong said, “Cloud Mountain is known for its height. The 12 peaks are arranged in a connected array of seven stars. It’s one of the largest sects in Great Tang.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He looked at the 12 peaks as he stood under the sun. He asked, “How do the Twelve Sects compare to the Flying Star House?”
“Uh… That’s not an easy comparison to make,” Meng Changdong replied, “In terms of strength, it seems like the Twelve Sects are more powerful. However… the Flying Star House has Ye Zhen.”
Little Yuan’er said with a scoff, “Who cares if he’s Ye Zhen or Li Zhen? When we get there, my master will kill him like a fly!”
“…”
…
On Cloud Mountain.
The disciples of the Twelve Sects gathered inside a hall on the main peak.
A disciple stood respectfully in the hall as he asked, “Sect Master, the Ninth Temple’s flying chariot is here. They don’t seem friendly. Should we notify the Sky Martial Court’s Master and take them down with this opportunity?”
Seated upright in the hall was the Master of the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain, Nie Qingyun. He slowly rose to his feet before he walked down the steps. “Where does the Ninth Temple’s confidence come from?”
“The Flying Star House’s elder, Ye Zhen, initially intended to meet you, but he changed his mind at the last minute. He said the Ninth Temple has the support of an elite and advises you to be careful,” the disciple replied.
At this moment, one of the elders at the side bowed and said, “Ye Zhen is a hypocrite, and he can’t be trusted. 3o disciples from our sect who went to the Flying Star House are still missing to this day… Ye Zhen is supposed to give us an explanation, but the Ninth Temple has come instead. There’s a high possibility this is part of Ye Zhen’s scheme.”
Nie Qingyun turned to look at the elder. He nodded and said, “Our meeting on Cloud Mountain today is supposed to resolve the conflict between us and the Flying Star House. I won’t meet anyone else.”
“Understood.”
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The bell tolled.
On the platform on the towering peaks of the Twelve Sects, several Nascent Divinity realm disciples flew into the air toward the Ninth Temple’s flying chariot.
The huge chariot slowed down and hovered before the Twelve Sects.
“The sect master has said that he won’t meet any guests today. Kindly turn back.”
The others on board the flying chariot were puzzled.
Yao Qingquan stepped out. He looked at the disciples from the Twelve Sects and said, “Senior Lu and the temple master were invited by Ye Zhen to come here. How can we leave just because you ask us to?”
Since Lu Zhou was bold enough to come, it was certain he was confident he would be able to deal with it. This fight had to be fought.
The disciples hovering in the air said, “Temple Master Sikong, Sect Master Nie has said that he doesn’t wish to meet you today. Ye Zhen isn’t a member of the Twelve Sects. He can’t make decisions on our behalf.”
A thought appeared in Sikong Beichen’s mind. He projected his voice to Lu Zhou, “Brother Lu, as we expected, Ye Zhen is truly cunning.”
No matter how this situation turned out, it would be beneficial to Ye Zhen.
If the Ninth Temple and the Twelve Sects fought, Ye Zhen only needed to wait to reap the benefits at the end. If they did not fight, Cloud Mountain would be forced to be friendly with the Flying Star House, considering the pressure from Ninth Temple.
Lu Zhou said loudly, “Notify Nie Qingyun that I’d like to meet him.”
The disciples asked, “What business do you have with our sect master?”
“Xie Xuan has led many Cloud Mountain disciples to annihilate the Thousand Willow Monastery. Have you forgotten about this matter?” Tian Buji flew out at this moment.
“You killed Elder Xie, we’re the ones who should demand payback, right?” The disciple was slightly baffled.
“It’s the same either way,” Tian Buji said.
“…”
These words clearly confused the Twelve Sects disciples.
