Inside the red flying chariot.
Lan Xihe turned and looked at the three people standing at the side. It was just a quick glance so she did not have a good look at their appearances. However, she could sense Yu Zhenghai, Shen Xi, and Zhao Hongfu’s locations. She nodded slightly and asked, “Are they your subordinates?”
Without waiting for Lu Zhou’s introduction, Shen Xi said very politely, “This is the Pavilion Master’s eldest disciple. I’m a Guardian of the Evil Sky Pavilion, and this is the new runemaster of the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
Lan Xihe said softly, “The guardian has four Birth Charts…”
Shen Xi. “…”
Shen Xi felt he was being despised. However, he could not take offense; after all, Lan Xihe had the strength to look down on him. With four Birth Charts, no matter if it was the Black Tower Council or the White Tower Council, he definitely was far from being qualified to be a guardian.
Lu Zhou said, “Ability doesn’t depend on strength and cultivation base alone. Guardian Shen has made many contributions to the Evil Sky Pavilion and is one of my capable subordinates…’
Shen Xi’s loyalty instantly soared by 20%.
Lu Zhou had only spoken the truth; he did not expect Shen Xi to be moved.
During Shen Xi’s time in the Black Tower Council, no one had ever acknowledged him. Otherwise, he would not have saved his life and left the Black Tower Council. In his opinion, the Black Tower Council that treated people from the Lower Tower like tools were not worthy of him sacrificing his life for them.
Sometimes all one needed to win someone over was to acknowledge their efforts.
Lan Xihe said, “You have a point. Your runemaster seems very young…”
Zhao Hongfu laughed. She looked no different from a man now as she said, “Being young is an advantage. The people from the Runes Academy all said that I’m highly talented. I believe them!”
Lan Xihe said, “I heard that the Runes Academy found a group of children to learn runes hundreds of years ago. However, most of them perished or were disqualified. Only one person managed to learn the runes. You’re the person, right?”
Zhao Hongfu smiled awkwardly. “Uh… Can we not talk about this?”
Lan Xihe smiled gently. “You’re indeed very talented, but you integrated too late. It’s very surprising that the Great Yuan’s royal court didn’t kill you.”
“They dare? I have the Pavilion Master’s support now. If they try to kill me, the Pavilion Master will kill them,” Zhao Hongfu said ingratiatingly as she snuck a glance at Lu Zhou.
Lan Xihe stopped talking.
At this time, the blue-clad woman bowed and said, “We’re now in the Land of Shu. Fifty miles southwest will be the territory of the Black Tower Council.”
“Alright,” Lan Xihe said.
Shen Xi knew Lu Zhou had never been to the Black Tower Council so he took the initiative and said, “The Black Tower Council covers an area of 10,000 hectares and is in the shape of a heptagram. There are 36,000 Dao inscriptions inside and outside of it. There are seven main towers that control seven different grand formations respectively.”
“Grand formations?” Lu Zhou raised an eyebrow. He had personally witnessed the power of a few grand formations. For example, Great Yan’s Ten Absolute Formation and the grand formations in the red lotus domain. Since the Black Tower Council and the White Tower Council could easily use the Eight Desolate and Six Harmony Flags, how could the formations in their nests be weak?
Lu Zhou wondered if Lan Xihe had lured him into a trap. He shook his head; even if Lan Xihe did not make a bet with him, he would still come to the Black Tower Council.
…
Soon enough, the red flying chariot flew into the Black Tower Council’s territory.
One could immediately see seven towers that pierced through the clouds. They were so tall that the tops could not be seen. Clouds swirled around the middle of the towers.
All the buildings on the ground were arranged in the shape of a heptagram as well.
Finally, the red flying chariot came to a stop near the Dubhe Tower.
At the same time, several people flew over at a low altitude before coming to a stop 100 meters away from the flying chariot.
The blue-clad woman took the initiative to say in a clear voice, “Please inform Tower Master Xia that my master wants to see him.”
The few black-clad cultivators did not waste time and flew back into a black tower.
Soon after, an old man flew over. He hovered in the air and said, “Lu Si pays respect to Tower Master Lan. Please follow me, Tower Master Lan.”
Lan Xihe said, “I’m here because of a certain matter. There’s no need for me to go in…”
The old man looked puzzled. “Tower Master Lan, it’s rare that you visit us… If we don’t give you the right treatment, I’m afraid Tower Master Xia will blame us…”
Lan Xihe said, “I came here because of something important…”
Upon hearing this, Lu Si did not dare to delay any longer. He said before disappearing without a trace, “Tower Master Lan, please wait a moment.”
Lu Zhou looked down at Black Tower Council’s land and said, “Even you don’t dare to enter. What’s so special about the tower?”
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t think it’s necessary,” Lan Xihe replied.
“I’ll believe you for now,” Lu Zhou put his hands on his back and said, “If he doesn’t show up, who wins the bet?”
“Since he avoided the fight, it’ll be counted as you winning the fight,” Lan Xihe replied.
“At least you’re a fair person,” Lu Zhou said.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai said, “Master, the Black Tower Council’s internal strife is bad and so are their conflicts outside. I’m afraid he won’t show up.”
“He’ll show up,” Lan Xihe calmly said.
“You’re so confident?”Said Lu Zhou.
The blue-clad woman said with a smile, “There’s no one my master can’t meet. The Black Tower Council and the White Tower Council have been fighting for so many years, but the only person Xia Zhengrong doesn’t dare to provoke is my master…”
“…”
As soon as the blue-clad woman’s voice fell, three people appeared above the Dubhe Tower. They did not leave. Instead, they transmitted their voices from afar.
A deep voice rang in the air. “As it turns out it’s Tower Master Lan who decided to grace us with her presence…”
Lan Xihe said bluntly without beating around the bush, “I’m here today because I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Tower Master Lan, please speak.”
“I made a bet with the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion… I bet that you can beat him,” Lan Xihe said.
The tall shadow hovering in the distance was none other than Xia Zhengrong, the Tower Master of the Black Tower Council.
“The Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
At this moment, Lu Zhou flew out of the red flying chariot. He looked at the shadow and said, “It’s me.”
Xia Zhengrong’s voice was calm as he replied, “You’re far more impressive than the rumors said…”
Lu Zhou said bluntly, “You heard what Lan Xihe said. I must win the bet…”
The blue-clad woman felt a little uncomfortable that Lu Zhou used Lan Xihe’s full name. However, since her master did not say anything, she could not say anything about it.
Xia Zhengrong ignored Lu Zhou and looked at the red flying chariot. “Is that why Tower Master Lan came?”
If Lan Xihe did not come, Xia Zhengrong would not have come out even if the sky collapsed. He did not expect Lan Xihe had come because of a bet. Moreover, what did the bet have to do with him? Why was he dragged into the bet?
Lan Xihe said, “If Tower Master Xia can win against Pavilion Master Lu, the White Tower Council will only focus on the white lotus domain for the next 1,000 years.”
Lu Zhou was slightly surprised. Regardless of whether Xia Zhengrong won or lost, Lan Xihe would have to pay a huge price either way. Did Lan Xihe like Ye Tianxin so much?
Xia Zhengrong was tempted by Lan Xihe’s offer. The Black Tower Council and the White Tower Council’s conflict was getting old. 1,000 years of peace was a huge concession on her part as well. At the same time, he wondered what was at stake for Lan Xihe to make such an offer. In the end, he raised his voice slightly and said, “Alright.”
The Black Tower Council did not look like it had many people. However, the seven main towers, the heptagram formation, the Land of Shu with Dao inscriptions everywhere showed that the Black Tower Council was not simple at all.
However, Lu Zhou had many trump cards in his possession. If he did not care about saving, it would be even easier for him to take down Xia Zhengrong. The only thing that concerned him was how much he could save and finding the most cost-saving method to achieve the best results!
Lu Zhou said, “Xia Zhengrong, I have a piece of advice for you.”
“Please speak, Pavilion Master Lu.”
“If you fight me, you’ll lose without a doubt. If you directly choose to admit defeat, it’ll save you a lot of pain,” Lu Zhou said.
Xia Zhengrong raised his head and shifted his gaze from Lu Zhou to the red flying chariot. Then, as though he had long made up his mind, he said without any hesitation, “I admit defeat.”
Lan Xihe, Shen Xi, Yu Zhenghai, and everyone in the red flying chariot. “…”
