“All the more reason to hurry. I propose we send our main forces there to take down the Birth Chart Beast,” Jian Tingzhong said gruffly.
“That won’t do. There must be a grand cultivator looking after things in the Sky Martial Court. We can’t just leave. The despicable golden lotus domain dwellers have invaded, and we must be careful of ambushes from their side,” someone said.
Yu Chenshu, on the other hand, remained silent, deep in his thoughts.
The debate in the Sacred Rites Hall lasted for a while. Everyone had their own opinions and could not agree with each other. In the end, they looked at Yu Chenshu and waited for a verdict from him.
Yu Chenshu said, “We shouldn’t be rash. Let’s send someone to Sky Wheel Mountain Range to investigate, in case this is a ploy to lure us out of the Sky Martial Court. It won’t be too late for us to move after we confirmed the existence of the Birth Chart Beast.”
The elders nodded. They found Yu Chenshu’s words reasonable. This way, they could ensure the safety of the people in the Sky Martial Court and send their main forces to rift valley to take down the Birth Chart Beast. With their court master making a move, things would be much simpler. The Sky Martial Court had gone through much trouble to capture Sikong Beichen; they could not give Cloud Mountain and the Ninth Temple any opportunity to act at all.
“By the way, when are Wang Shizhong and His Majesty returning?” Yu Chenshu asked.
“Wang Shizhong’s subordinates have returned. According to them, His Majesty is thoroughly enjoying himself touring the lands. His Majesty will return in a few days.”
Yu Chenshu frowned slightly.
“Look into this matter. Wang Shizhong is a cautious man. I don’t think he’ll allow the young emperor to tour the lands.”
“Understood.”
“That will be all for today. Make sure none of the discussion today leaks out.” After saying this, Yu Chenshu left the Sacred Rites Hall with his hands on his back.
Jiang Tingzhong and Elder Qiu followed him out of the building.
…
Cloud Mountain.
Lu Zhou and the others finally returned.
“Master!” Little Yuan’er and Conch ran out.
Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er and Conch. He had sensed the changes in their auras. Hence, he asked, “Breakthroughs in your cultivation bases?”
Little Yuan’er smiled and said, “Thanks to you, master, I’m now an Eight-leaf cultivator! Junior Sister Conch is close to being a peak Three-leaf cultivator as well.”
Nie Qingyun clicked his tongue in amazement. “To reach the Eight-leaf stage at such a young age. You have a promising future ahead of you!”
There were many genius cultivators on Cloud Mountain as well. However, they were a far cry from the two girls.
Lu Zhou nodded, pleased. This must be the effects of Eternal Paragon. Since his battle with the Yong was too intense, he did not immediately notice Little Yuan’er had sprouted a new leaf.
At this moment, Meng Changdong brought Li Yunzheng, Xia Changqiu, Wuwu, and Ji Fengxing over.
Soon after, the Cloud Mountain elder arrived as well.
“Senior Lu, that was a breathtaking display! You defeated the Birth Chart Beast with your amazing might!”
“Congratulations on obtaining the Birth Chart Heart, Senior Lu.”
Everyone bowed and congratulated Lu Zhou.
“It’s only a Birth Chart Beast. It’s nothing,” Lu Zhou said.
At this moment, Meng Changdong said, “Senior Lu, I have something to say.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“The Yong seemed to have peculiar origins. I’ve observed the surrounding terrains and couldn’t figure out where it came from. After I retraced its flight route, I discovered something,” Meng Changdong said.
“What did you discover?”
“I suspect that the Yong came from Sky Wheel Mountain Range,” Meng Changdong said.
The others were shocked by Meng Changdong’s words.
Yu Zhenghai said, “You’re saying there are more Birth Chart Beasts there?”
“That’s right.”
Meng Changdong said confidently, “2,000 years ago, there were Birth Chart experts, but at that time, it was easier to initiate Birth Charts. Nobody knew what happened to lead to the situation today, but the Sky Martial Court blamed it on the heaven and earth shackles. Hence, they began their 2,000-year research on the shackle but found nothing. Anyway, back to the Birth Chart Beasts, every sect and cultivator dreams of catching one. After all, using a Birth Chart Heart is the easiest way for a Ten-leaf expert to initiate his Birth Chart. Alas, no Birth Chart Beast that fulfills the requirements has appeared. I don’t know why the Yong decided to show up now, but since it did, there must be a reason. The Yong has caused too much of a ruckus, and the Sky Wheel Mountain Range can be easily seen from many directions. I’m sure the major sects will head there in search of Birth Chart Beasts.” After a beat, he continued to say, “Senior Lu, with your unfathomable cultivation base, you should head to Sky Wheel Mountain Range immediately. I believe that nobody will dare fight for the Birth Chart Hearts if you’re there.”
Lu Zhou kept his expression neutral. Inwardly, he did not feel too confident since he had depleted his extraordinary power. He asked, “Do you think Yu Chenshu will go there as well?”
“It’s highly likely. The Sky Martial Court has been researching Birth Charts for many years. They’ve been searching far and wide for Birth Chart Beasts. They even sent their men deep into the forests and the Endless Ocean. Every year, there would be 100 cultivators who lose their lives because of this. Yu Chenshu has no reason to let such a great opportunity slip past his fingers,” Meng Changdong said, “However, with your strength, Senior Lu, you can defeat Yu Chenshu at Sky Wheel Mountain Range and establish a reputation for yourself.”
“…” At this moment, Lu zhou felt his collection of trump cards was not very useful. This was especially true when he encountered an opponent like Ye Zhen.
Yu Chenshu would certainly not be inferior to Ye Zhen. If Lu Zhou did not have his extraordinary power, he would be evenly matched with Yu Chenshu, at most. Yu Chenshu commands the Sky Research Court, therefore, he would surely have many ways to preserve his life. Nevertheless, he was not afraid of Yu Chenshu. He only wanted to be completely certain when it came to taking Yu Chenshu down.
‘What about Peak Cards?’
Nie Qingyun said at this moment, “Guardian Meng has a point. Time waits for no man. Senior Lu, I’ll go with you.”
“We’re willing to go with you, master,” Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai said in unison as they bowed.
With something as important as the Birth Chart, there would certainly be a huge incident. It was likely people would fight to the death in Sky Wheel Mountain Range to obtain Birth Chart Hearts.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he pondered on the matter. Finally, he said, “There’s no need to rush things for now.” Then, he looked at the hole on the roof of the building he had made when he appeared earlier.
Nie Qingyun said at once, “I’ll send someone over to mend it. Please follow me to the side hall, Senior Lu.”
Lu Zhou nodded. Then, he said, “Since the Birth Chart is important, we can’t be careless about this. The Yong has been killed by me. If I leave Cloud Mountain and Yu Chenshu decides to come, how will you fend him off?”
“Uh…” Nie Qingyun was at a loss for words. Indeed, he did not have the capability to stand against the Sky Martial Court.
In the past, the Sky Martial Court did not bother to do much to deal with Cloud Mountain. However, things were different now that Birth Chart Hearts were in the equation.
As Lu Zhou entered the side hall, the others exchanged a look.
Xia Changqiu said with a sigh, “Your worries aren’t unfounded, Senior Lu… With Yu Chenshu, we shouldn’t act rashly. Senior Sikong has been captured. We should be wary of him. With the Sky Martial Court’s way of doing things, they will certainly station some of their men to keep an eye on Cloud Mountain if they hadn’t already done so. Moreover, there are also the hidden elites from the palace. Another option is for Senior Lu to go to the Sk Wheel Mountain Range alone while we stay to defend Cloud Mountain.”
After the incident with Sikong Beichen, the members of Cloud Mountain were wary of leaving the mountain.
Lu Zhou, who had entered the side hall, was mulling over this matter as well.
Currently, apart from Yu Chenshu, Xiahou Sheng, the Thousand Blades Temple’s Jian Zhen, and the hidden elites of the palace, there was no need for him to worry about the Nine-leaf cultivators.
Lu Zhou was confident he could deal with Yu Chenshu alone, but he would have a hard time if other elites with Yu Chenshu’s strength showed up as well. He did not want the situation with Ye Zhen to repeat itself.
After a moment, Lu Zhou brought the Yong’s heart out. As he studied it, he muttered inwardly, ‘Can this thing really help a Ten-leaf cultivator initiate his or her Birth Chart?’
