Ning Wanqing felt that he had still underestimated Lu Zhou after the first palm strike and thought he was not prepared for it. However, the second palm strike confirmed that Lu Zhou’s attack was stronger than his defenses. Conservatively speaking, he guessed Lu Zhou should have about nine or ten Birth Charts. He still could not believe there was such a strong cultivator in the golden lotus domain. After enduring the pain, he decisively gave up. There was no need to continue with the third palm strike unless he was willing to lose one Birth Chart.
“My lord.” The white-clad young man rushed over and helped Ning Wanqing up, causing Ning Wanqing’s blood Qi to surge and more blood to trickle out from the corners of his mouth.
“I’m fine.” Ning Wanqing gestured for his subordinate to let go.
The subordinate let go of Ning Wanqing and retreated to the side with a worried expression on his face.
Following that, Ning Wanqing cupped his fists together at Lu Zhou and said, “Thank you for showing mercy, old sir.”
Shen Xi. “…”
‘The arrogant member of the White Tower Council is actually lowering his head? Would people believe me if I told them about this?’
Lu Zhou looked at Ning Wanqing, feeling rather satisfied with how tactful Ning Wanqing was. Although he had used up quite a lot of his supreme mystic power, it was better than wasting a Deadly Strike Card. Moreover, since it was not a battle, he could showcase his strength easily. If it was a real battle, the palm seals might land so easily. After all, even Di Jiang could dodge his attack that contained the supreme mystic power, proving that the supreme mystic power was not invincible. Back then, the Eight Chart Wu Guangping’s speed was incredibly fast. It stood to reason that if it was a real battle, his attacks might not land accurately on Ning Wanqing, and he might have to use a Deadly Strike Card in the end as well. However, there was no doubt the supreme mystic power was very powerful. Perhaps, even a judge with ten Birth Charts would not be able to withstand the full force of the supreme mystic power.
Lu Zhou asked again, “Are you sure you don’t want to withstand the third palm strike?”
Ning Wanqing said, “Old sir, your cultivation is profound. I’m really embarrassed, but I’m really inferior to you…”
“It’s good that you know that,” Lu Zhou said, “If you really tried to withstand the third palm strike, I’m afraid your life would’ve been in danger.”
Ning Wanqing could not refute these words. As the saying went, ‘The winner takes it all’. Moreover, he felt Lu Zhou was not lying. During the second palm strike, he was helpless. He had only felt this way when he faced the Tower Master. He sighed inwardly; a loser had to have the awareness of a loser. In the end, he said, “Old sir, I’ll leave this runic passage to you, and I won’t investigate the matter in the golden lotus domain anymore.”
“Very good.”
“However, I’m only a judge. I hope that you’ll keep the matter regarding this runic passage a secret. If others find out, it’d be difficult for me…”
Shen Xi replied with a smile, “Rest assured. The Pavilion Master appreciates tactful people and those who know when to yield… He won’t make things difficult for you…”
Ning Wanqing smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
Lu Zhou said, “I hope you’ll keep your promise.”
Ning Wanqing only remained silent as he watched Lu Zhou turn around and make his way toward the runic passage in the small forest. After Lu Zhou disappeared from sight, he said to the white-clad young man, “Keep this matter a secret.”
“Understood.” The white-clad young man naturally knew this matter could not be spread around. Would he not be seeking trouble for himself if he told people that the Eight Chart judge was defeated by someone? After a moment, he said, “My lord, I have something to say…”
“What is it?” Ning Wanqing’s energy gradually began to calm down.
“That old man doesn’t seem like he’s just a golden lotus cultivator. His first palm seal was golden with a hint of blue, and the following palm seals were blue…”
Ning Wanqing was shocked. “Are you sure?”
“I daren’t lie…”
Ning Wanqing fell silent as his unseeing eyes were trained up ahead. No one knew what he was thinking at this moment. After a while, he said with a sigh, “No wonder…”
“My lord, did you figure something out?”
“No. I’ve never heard of a blue lotus cultivator before…”
“…” The white-clad young man was speechless. ‘If you didn’t figure anything out, why did you say ‘No wonder’ as though you’ve figured it out?!’
After a moment, the white-clad young man asked, “Are we really not going to investigate the deaths of the members of the White Tower Council in the golden lotus domain?”
“That person has probably activated at least ten Birth Charts. It’s not wise to oppose him directly. Moreover, with such an expert, isn’t it good if he can make the Black Tower Council suffer a little?”
“My lord, you’re wise.”
Ning Wanqing said, “Let’s return and make the necessary preparations. I still have other important things to attend to.”
“My lord, do you really intend to head to the red lotus domain’s Southern Kingdom?”
Ning Wanqing nodded and said, “Our people have already confirmed that a special Birth Chart Beast will be appearing in the Southern Kingdom. We must take it down; we can’t let the Black Tower Council have it.”
“Understood.”
…
Meanwhile, Lu Zhou and Shen Xi found the runic passage after a simple search. It was just a stone-like formation ring.
Inside the formation ring were complex inscriptions and runes. The interconnected runes looked like flowers at a glance.
After seeing it, Lu Zhou finally understood why only a rune master could create it. It was just like how amateurs would not be able to forge high-grade weapons.
“This is the runic passage. I have talismans that can activate the runic passage. After entering the passage, I’ll control it for you.”
“Alright,” Lu Zhou said, “Go straight to the red lotus domain.”
“Understood.” Shen Xi made an inviting gesture before he said, “Please stand here, Pavilion Master.”
Lu Zhou brought Di Jiang with him and stood in the formation ring.
Shen Xi stood in the middle of the ring before he lit up the talisman and let it fall in the formation ring.
As soon as the talisman touched the ground, a pillar of light appeared around Lu Zhou and Shen Xi immediately.
Lu Zhou thought it resembled the light from an astrolabe.
Buzz!
The runic passage began to buzz at the same time, and their visions were obscured.
“We’ve succeeded…” Shen Xi said calmly. He was experienced after all.
Lu Zhou did not feel any different. It only felt like he was in a time-traveling tunnel. Soon after, it began to get bumpy; it was as though he was in a plane.
At this moment, Shen Xi smacked the ground and continued to channel his Primal Qi into the formation ring.
The circle of light continued to pull them up.
After a moment, Shen Xi said, “Pavilion Master, be careful.”
As soon as Shen Xi’s voice fell, Lu Zhou felt completely weightless. At that same time, a pressure pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe. No wonder one needed a high cultivation base to use the runic passage. It would be difficult for those with low cultivation bases to withstand the suffocating pressure.
…
Meanwhile, in the red lotus domain’s Southern Kingdom.
Yu Shangrong did not look very good at this moment. Over the past few days, Yu Zhenghai had healed most of his injuries, but his injuries did not improve due to Tian Ming’s poison spike.
Apart from that, the fierce beasts outside the flag formation did not leave at all.
“Second Junior Brother, we can’t continue staying here. That person’s life stone must have shattered when he died. It’s possible that the White Tower Council has already sent people here to investigate. We should contact Seventh Junior Brother…” Yu Zhenghai said. Even if he could break out of the flag formation, it would still be difficult for him to bring Yu Shangrong and escape from the fierce beasts.
“I was careless. I didn’t expect him to use poison,” Yu Shangronrg said as he shook his head.
Yu Zhenghai placed the pre-drawn formation on the ground and lit a talisman.
In just a moment, Si Wuya appeared before their eyes.
“Seventh Junior Brother, I really missed you!” Yu Zhenghai said without any preamble.
Yu Shangrong. “…”
Si Wuya. “…”
Every time Si Wuya heard these words, his Eldest Senior Brother would ask something of him.
After Yu Zhenghai recounted everything, Si Wuya frowned. “Second Senior Brother is injured?”
Yu Shangrong rose to his feet. Apart from his pale face, he looked normal. “It’s not that serious. There’s no need to worry.”
Si Wuya studied Yu Shangrong briefly before he said, “It’s a witchcraft poison spike.”
“You recognize it?”
“Of course. Eldest Senior Brother hated Lou Lan the most back then. In order to deal with Lou Lan, I studied many books about witchcraft,” Si Wuya replied.
Yu Zhenghai smiled and said, “As expected of the number one strategist of the Nether Sect.
Yu Shangrong. ‘… How can he take all the credit like that?’
“How do I detoxify the poison?” Yu Shangrong asked.
“Forcefully extract the poison from your bones or get a powerful witchcraft cultivator to dispel the poison,” Si Wuya replied.
Yu Shangrong nodded. He sat down immediately and pulled out his Longevity Sword.
Upon seeing this, Si Wuya hurriedly said, “Second Senior Brother, you shouldn’t detoxify it now. It’s too dangerous there.”
“It’s better than waiting for death,” Yu Shangrong said.
At this moment, Ming Shiyin appeared next to Si Wuya and said, “Don’t worry! I’ll come to you. Wait for me!”
“Fourth Senior Brother?” Si Wuya was surprised.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this matter!”
While the fellow disciples were talking, a noise thundered in the sky, startling the fierce beasts into fleeing. In just an instant, they disappeared without a trace.
“Someone’s here.” This was the last thing Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong wanted to see.
South of the flag formation, a figure could be seen on the back of an enormous mount.
At the same time, an ear-piercing shriek resounded again.
In just a blink of an eye, a white-clad cultivator riding a mystic bird arrived above the ruins. He hovered in the air and looked at the flag formation angrily as he said, “What a waste of formation flags!”
