Shen Xi and Yu Zhenghai. “…”
The duo was dumbfounded while Zhao Hongfu looked around blankly.
The duo wondered when Lu Zhou got acquainted with Lan Xihe.
Lu Zhou answered as he flicked his sleeves, “Lead the way.”
Whitzard flew from the backyard to Lu Zhou and brought Lu Zhou away.
Yu Zhenghai, Shen Xi, and Zhao Hongfu watched, dumbstruck. It took a while for them to regain their senses.
Shen Xi said, “M-mister First… P-Pavilion Master, isn’t Pavilion Master too reckless? Is he planning to fight head-on?”
Yu Zhenghai said, “Why are you worried? I remember you were there when Wu Guangping died. Do you still not understand my master?”
“Uh… I t-think I do…” Shen Xi said. Following that, a list of names appeared in his mind: the Black Tower Council’s judge, Wu Guangping, dead; the White Tower Council’s judge, Ning Wanqing, imprisoned; the White Tower Council’s judge, Nangong Yutian, dead; the White Tower Council’s First Elder, Xu Chen, dead; the Black Tower Council’s First Elder, Shi Youran, dead; the Dark and Light Alliance’s master assassin, Ye Liuyun, dead; one of the five tigers of the Dark and Light Alliance, Yelu Chunan, defeated with one move.
Shen Xi shuddered. He slapped his thigh and said in self-reproach, “How could I forget Brother Pan’s words!”
…
The trio followed Lu Zhou and drew level with the red flying chariot.
A graceful young woman could be seen manning the helm of the flying chariot.
The blue-clad woman bowed and said, “Senior Lu, this way please!”
Lu Zhou and Whitzard flew onto the huge red flying chariot.
Shen Xi. “…”
‘Is it right that they’re so courteous? What’s going on?’
Shen Xi’s imagination and the reality were vastly different, and it took him a long time to recover from his shock.
Yu Zhenghai and Zhao Hongfu were about to follow into the flying chariot when the blue-clad woman raised a hand and said, “I’m sorry. The White Tower Council only welcomes Senior Lu.”
Lu Zhou, who had landed on the deck, turned around and asked, “Lan Xihe, is this how you treat your guests?”
A voice as calm as water rang from within. “Let them all come up.”
“Understood.” The blue-clad woman lowered her hand, no longer barring their way.
The black lotus domain’s endless mountain range, the small village shrouded in mist, the verdant forest, and the rapid river were all insight from the flying chariot. They made for an incredibly beautiful sight.
The trio from the Evil Sky Pavilion walked to the side and enjoyed the scenery.
At this time, some maids brought a few chairs out onto the deck.
Lu Zhou did not stand on ceremony and took a seat immediately.
The red flying chariot flew southwest at a neither fast nor slow speed.
At this moment, Lan Xihe said, “I hate the sunlight. You know that…”
Yu Zhenghai and Shen Xi. ‘You know that?’
There were too many meanings behind those words. It was too much for the duo to wrap their minds around.
Lu Zhou said, “Let’s not beat around the bush. Did you bring the agreed-upon stakes?”
The blue-clad woman detached a purple cloth bag from her waist and opened it in front of everyone.
Obsidian essences appeared in front of everyone’s eyes. The obsidian essences were shaped like long and narrow leaves. It emitted a dark light. It looked vaguely like a small boat. Although it was not big, its value was immeasurable. It was acknowledged as a rare material in the cultivation world and was necessary to upgrade items and weapons.
“So many obsidian essences?” Shen Xi gulped.
Zhao Hongfu said, “Obsidian essences. A rare material used to upgrade weapons. If the quality is good, it will set the foundation for the ‘permanent grade’…”
“Permanent grade?” Yu Zhenghai turned to look at Zhao Hongfu, puzzled.
“It’s something I made up. I don’t think there’s any permanent grade item in existence so far,” Zhao Hongfu said.
Lan Xihe said, “Not bad, young lady. You’re quite knowledgeable.”
Zhao Hongfu laughed and said, “Of course. I’m the most outstanding student in the Runes Academy.”
At this moment, Lu Zhou raised his hand and interjected, “Very good. I hope you won’t go back on your words.”
Lan Xihe said, “Although the obsidian essences are precious, it’s not worth me going back on my words.”
Lu Zhou looked into the distance.
A cool breeze blew past.
“Are you so sure I can’t win against Xia Zhengrong?”
“Because Xia Zhengrong isn’t one who admits defeat,” Lan Xihe said.
“So even if he loses, he won’t admit defeat?”
“If I say too much now, I’m afraid you’ll regret our bet,” Lan Xihe said in her voice that was as calm as water.
Lu Zhou rose to his feet and moved to the side of the deck. He looked at the mountains and forests as he asked, “I killed Xu Chen and captured Ning Wanqing. Aren’t you angry?”
“It’s the punishment they deserve.”
Lu Zhou continued to ask, “Do you agree to the captivity plan?”
“The weak are prey to the strong. Even if there is no White Tower Council, there’ll be the Black Tower Council or even the Red Tower Council.”
“The Black Tower Council monopolized the red lotus domain. Where does the White Tower Council monopolize?” Lu Zhou asked bluntly.
Lan Xihe did not reply for a long time; it was obvious she did not want to answer this question.
This was within Lu Zhou’s expectation. He asked another question, “Who will win between you and Xia Zhengrong?”
Lan Xihe did not hesitate at all as she said, “Me.”
“So confident?”
“This is the confidence a cultivator should have.”
“Then why didn’t you kill Xia Zhengrong? Wouldn’t the White Tower Council rule over everything then?” Lu Zhou asked.
“Keeping them around makes things more interesting…” Lan Xihe said.
“…”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi and Yu Zhenghai really wanted to retort that Lan Xihe was too pretentious and too confident for her own good. However, it was to be expected; she was the Tower Master of the White Tower Council after all. As the Tower Master, her strength must be extraordinary.
At this moment, Lan Xihe asked, “I’m very curious. How did you break the heaven and earth shackles in the golden lotus domain? The limit was only eight leaves…”
“By severing the lotus,” Lu Zhou replied. It was not completely false.
Lan Xihe fell silent for a moment before she said, “It’s unexpected that you can think of this method.” Following that, she swiftly changed the topic. “Have you been to the Unknown Land?”
This time, it was Lu Zhou’s turn to remain silent. He was not in a rush to answer her. Instead, he was pondering her purpose in asking this question. It was impossible for him to activate 12 Birth Charts in such a short time; it was not surprising that Lan Xihe suspected that he had gone to the Unknown Land. If he said he had not been there, she probably would not believe him. Therefore, he replied, “I have.”
“No wonder.” Lan Xihe was not surprised by his answer.
“Have you been there before?” Lu Zhou asked in return.
“…”
Shen Xi held his breath. The conversation between the big bosses was truly direct, exciting, and informative.
Lan Xihe did not deny it. “I’ve been there.”
“You’ve obtained the Great Void energy,” Lu Zhou said.
“So have you.” Although Lan Xihe did not sense the Great Void energy on Lu Zhou, she was certain he had the Great Void energy since he was able to activate 12 Birth Charts in such a short time.
Lu Zhou did not correct Lan Xihe.
Lan Xihe continued to say, “Many people participated in the Great Void Expedition back then. However, there was no participant from the golden lotus domain.”
Lu Zhou. “…”
‘What a cunning woman. She deliberately set a trap…’
Lu Zhou replied unhurriedly, “Who said one must participate in the Great Void Expedition in order to go to the Unknown Land?”
Lu Zhou gave himself full marks for his reply.
Lan Xihe could not find any flaws in his reply. She changed the topic again and said, “Perhaps, I’ve underestimated you. After all, you’ve obtained Whitzard’s approval.”
“It’s just Whitzard; it’s not worth mentioning,” Lu Zhou replied.
At this moment, the blue-clad woman walked over and bowed. “Master, Senior Lu, we’ll be arriving in the Land of Shu in 15 minutes.”
Lan Xihe said, “Alright.”
