Lu Zhou put away the Supreme Mystic Card, feeling much more confident. The pressure of being in the Unknown Land had mostly disappeared with the appearance of the card. This was, in fact, just a psychological effect since the environment did not change at all.
“Why did Old Second only complete his apprenticeship now?” Lu Zhou wondered out loud. He took a look at his Birth Palace before he recited the incantation for the power of sight.
When his eyes glowed blue, scenes after scenes appeared in front of his eyes.
“Old Eighth, your cultivation has improved tremendously, but you haven’t grasped the essence of your Nine Tribulations Thunderblast’s fist technique. If you rely on brute force alone, it’ll be easy for others to surpass you…” Yu Shangrong said.
Yu Shangrong was the kind to challenge those who were stronger than him. When he had three leaves, he could kill those with six leaves; when he had six leaves, he could kill those with seven leaves; when he had eleven leaves, he could kill those with five Birth Charts.
Zhu Honggong was the opposite. He would never challenge someone stronger than him!
At this moment, Zhu Honggong pressed his hand against his swollen face and touched his panda-like eyes before he asked, “I understand. Senior Brother, can I have a day to rest tomorrow?”
Yu Shangrong frowned slightly. “After being embarrassed, you should become even more courageous. However, not only do you not feel ashamed, but you’re even so weak?”
Thud!
“I was wrong!” Zhu Honggong said, aggrieved, as he fell to his knees.
Then, Yu Shangrong shifted his gaze to Mingshi Yin who was standing at the side. “Old Fourth, what about you?”
Mingshi Yin, who was also bruised and swollen, touched his cheek. He winced in pain before he said, “It really hurts. However, these are superficial injuries! They’re a reflection of Second Senior Brother’s exquisite and superb swordsmanship. This is especially so when combined with the golden halo and sharp blades… How admirable! Second Senior Brother, you’ve created your own sword style…”
Zhu Honggong. “?”
Mingshi Yin glanced at Zhu Honggong, who was looking at him with round eyes, he said, “Idiot, what are you looking at me for?”
Zhu Honggong lowered his head; his heart was filled with grievances. His fourth senior brother had stolen these words from him! How unreasonable!
Yu Shangrong did not bother with his two junior brothers’ exchange. He said to Mingshi Yin, “Old Fourth, my swordsmanship is just at the rudimentary stage. I still need to study the Guiyuan Sword Technique and slowly hone my skills before I can fully develop my own sword style. In order to do that, I need a decent opponent.” He paused for a moment before he continued to say, “Your earlier words have moved my heart. Hence, over the next period of time, I’ll have to trouble you to spar with me to help me improve my swordsmanship…”
Mingshi Yin. “???”
Pfft!
Zhu Honggong could not hold back his laughter and burst out laughing. He quickly covered his mouth with his hands to suppress his laughter. He could feel two pairs of eyes staring at him, and it made him feel like ants were crawling all over his body.
“Old Fourth alone isn’t enough. From now on, both of you should spar with me,” Yu Shangrong said. Following that, he flew away from the training arena.
“…”
Zhu Honggong said, “Fourth Brother, don’t look at me like that! I’m innocent as well!”
“No, no, this can’t continue. We have to look for Eldest Senior Brother…” Mingshi Yin said before he flashed away.
…
With that, Lu Zhou cut off the power of sight.
‘So Yu Shangrong has comprehended a new sword style, and the system judged that he met the requirements to complete his apprenticeship?’
Yu Shangrong had long reached the final level of the sword path: the sword of creation or the swordless path. The theory of the son of heaven’s sword was no longer applicable to him. Since he had just developed his own style and comprehended a new sword principle, it must be something that complemented his eleven leaves and golden avatar.
With that, he could not help but wonder how Zhu Honggong would complete his apprenticeship. He shook his head. That disciple of his was not even well-versed with the Nine Tribulations Thunderblast; he had only gotten so far along because he found a huge tree to rely on.
After sorting out his thoughts, Lu Zhou thought about the 100 Reversal Cards he just obtained. The card was rather useful during critical moments. Moreover, the price had never gone up. This could be considered as the only shred of conscience the system had left.
Regardless, Lu Zhou liked the Supreme Mystic Card the most. No matter what, he had to treasure and protect this card. He was determined not to use it unless it was absolutely necessary!
Subsequently, Lu Zhou looked at his Birth Palace. Currently, the activation of the Birth Chart was at its most peaceful and also most tedious stage. He sighed; there was nothing he could do but wait.
On the system interface, his lifespan continued to decrease.
-100 days.
-200 days.
…
Ten days passed in just a blink of an eye.
Near Lake Heart Island.
Ye Wusheng and Ye Cheng looked at the dead fishes and frozen trees.
Ye Cheng said, “Lu Wu left…”
“Lu Wu isn’t stupid. Of course, it’d leave. If we wait for reinforcements from the Ye clan, it’d be too late. Even a Venerable Master would need a month to travel here from the runic passage…” Ye Wusheng said.
The injuries on the duo’s bodies had mostly recovered after this period of time.
“No wonder Brother Ye revealed this matter to the monster hunting squad,” Ye Cheng said.
“This is what the monster hunting squad does. They live on the edge of the blade all year round. They should be here within a month..” Ye Wusheng said.
“But… aren’t we just handing the beast emperor to them?”
“Lu Wu has four life hearts. They’ll definitely leave us with one for the Ye clan’s sake. Moreover, do you really think my target is Lu Wu?” Ye Wusheng asked. The scene of Duanmu Sheng soaring into the sky as purplish-blue energy shrouded him appeared in his mind.
“Huh?” Ye Cheng was confused.
“You’ll know when the time comes…” Ye Wusheng flew to the lakeside and tossed a talisman out.
The talisman fluttered in the air before turning into a firefly and flying into the sky.
“This… Isn’t this a tracking talisman?” Ye Cheng was surprised.
“That’s right. Before coming to the Unknown Land, I found someone and exchanged a lot of treasure for these few tracking talismans. Although Lu Wu is very smart, it’d be difficult for it to completely remove all traces of its energy… This is the reason I insisted we return to this place within 15 days…”
Ye Wusheng flew to the island in the center of the lake, watching the firefly-like talisman capture the remnant energy in the air. He shifted his gaze into the distance as he said, “The vitality energy in the Unknown Land is complex and fluctuates greatly. The energy will remain for half a month at most before it’s dispersed by the harsh environment…”
“Lu Wu should know about this tracking method. Isn’t afraid of being found?”
“Only Venerable Masters could fight Lu Wu so why would it be afraid? Moreover, the tracking talisman isn’t without flaws. If the energy is messed even slightly, we’ll be led astray. In the end, it also depends on luck. I hope it didn’t run far,” Ye Wu Sheng said. He increased his speed as he followed the firefly-like talisman.
The duo flew at high speed past the island, following the talisman that was flying toward the mountains in the distance.
“Brother Ye, I don’t understand. If it’s like you said, only Venerable Masters are a match for Lu Wu, how’s the monster hunting squad going to deal with Lu Wu when they don’t have a Venerable Master in their team?” Ye Cheng asked, puzzled.
Ye Wusheng chuckled. “People die for money and birds die for food. The monster hunting squad is like a group of outlaws. They hunt Birth Chart Beasts in the Unknown Land all year round. They’re experienced as well. They might not amount to much alone, but their teamwork is among the top three in the Unknown Land. Moreover, Lu Wu has been injured by that mysterious golden lotus cultivator. Hence, the possibility of them taking Lu Wu down is very high.” After a beat, he continued to say, “I’ve met the captain of the monster hunting squad, Cao Zechun, a few times. This person likes to take risks and is born to be an outlaw in the Unknown Land. He has 15 Birth Charts, at least. Look, we don’t even have to do anything, and we’ll get a life heart…”
“Brother Ye, you’re amazing!” Ye Cheng gave Ye Wusheng a thumbs-up.
Ye Wusheng did not mention Duanmu Sheng at all. Even if it was to Ye Cheng, he did not say a word at all. After all, this concerned the Great Void energy, a supreme treasure that could defy the heavens and change one’s fate.
…
After flying for two hours, Ye Wusheng saw the Tracking Talisman stop in the air.
Ye Cheng was overjoyed. “It has to be nearby.”
Ye Wusheng shushed him before saying in a low voice, “Don’t think Lu Wu is stupid. Treat it like how you would a human…”
“Oh.”
Silent Ye waved his hand casually.
After the tracking talisman disappeared, the duo lowered their altitudes in the sky.
“Restrain your energy in your Dantian’s sea of Qi. There are three mountains ahead. If I were Lu Wu, I’d choose this place to rest. The terrain is high so it’s not easy to be discovered, and one can leave at any time…” Ye Wusheng said. Then, he landed on the ground before pressing his ears to the ground after he said, “Wait.”
Ye Wusheng stayed in that position for two hours. When he heard a muffled boom, he rose to his feet and said, “We’ve got the right place…”
“Brother Ye, how do you know that?” Ye Cheng was amazed.
“Through sound, strength, and experience…” Ye Wusheng replied.
