Under Shen Xi’s control, everyone entered the runic passage. Light flashed around them, obscuring their vision. They could only feel the surging and vast power.
Lu Zhou sometimes thought that the runic passage perhaps drew its mysterious power from heaven and earth. He wondered if one day in the future, humans could also learn to teleport with their own abilities.
Shen Xi placed his palm on the ground within the circle of light.
In just an instant, even more power surged out.
Yu Zhenghai asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just that the runic inscription is slightly rough and requires stronger Primal Qi to maintain it.”
After controlling it for a period of time, Shen Xi appeared to be out of breath.
Upon seeing this, Yu Zhenghai said, “Let me do it…”
“Uh…”
Yu Zhenghai stepped forward and slammed his palm on the runic light ring.
With that, surging power continued to be transmitted into the runic light ring.
An even more dazzling light illuminated the surroundings, and the visibility was not as bad as before. Apart from that, the speed had also increased considerably.
Shen Xi exclaimed in surprise, “Mister First, have you controlled a runic passage before?”
“No,” Yu Zhenghai replied honestly.
“This… This… Why are you more familiar with it than I am?” Shen Xi’s expression was one of incredulity.
Yu Zhenghai. “…”
The longer Shen Xi watched Yu Zhenghai, the more confused he became.
In the end, Yu Zhenghai said, “It all boils down to talent…”
Shen Xi said, “Mister First’s talent is truly astonishing. I admire you!’
About 15 minutes later, the light finally disappeared.
They were in a forest. There were some stone steles in the surroundings as well. The passage on the ground seemed old, but the lines were clear.
Shen Xi said, “Pavilion Master, we’ve arrived at the black lotus domain.”
“So this is the black lotus domain?” Lu Zhou sighed emotionally. In his imagination, the black lotus domain was a barren land with not a blade of grass in sight. It seemed like he had been overthinking it. The vitality energy here was much richer than he had imagined.
“This should be the southern plains of Great Yuan; that’s why the forest is verdant, and the scenery is pleasant. Pavilion Master, do you want to have a look around?” Shen Xi asked.
“No need.”
Let alone the beautiful scenery in the golden lotus domain, just the Lilac Mountain and the Radiant Cloud Forest were beautiful enough. Unless a place was very special, it would be difficult to attract his attention.
“This place is about 50 kilometers from the headquarters of the Dark and Light Alliance. It’s not very far. Pavilion Master, do you want to visit the Black Tower Council first?” Shen Xi asked again.
“Directly go to the Dark and Light Alliance.”
“Understood.”
The group flew into the sky above the forest and mountain toward the Dark and Light Alliance’s headquarters.
On the way, Shen Xi said, “Great Yuan is different from Great Tang’s ten circuits. Instead, they have provinces here. From the southernmost Anhai Province to the northernmost Anyang Province.
The great circle is different from the great Tang’s ten paths. They operate under the province system. From the southernmost Anhai Province to the northernmost Anyang Province. There are ten provinces in total and many other allied foreign tribes. All of them are under the jurisdiction of Great Yuan’s royal court in the capital.”
Yu Zhenghai asked curiously, “The Black Tower Council and the Dark and Light Alliance are so powerful. Why didn’t they conquer the provinces?”
“The Black Tower Council, the Dark and Light Alliance, and Great Yuan’s royal court balance each other. There have been many battles throughout history, and the three powers would keep each other in check. The Black Tower Council has always only accepted experts even if it’s only members of the lower tower. Whereas the Dark and Light Alliance is a place where major sects gather. The two had tacitly acknowledged Great Yuan’s royal court.”
…
Three strokes in the morning.
Shen Xi pointed at a towering building in front of them. “That’s the Dark and Light Alliance’s headquarters. It’s located in the southern part of the mountain and housed a large number of people. They have members all over the world. On the other hand, the Black Tower Council is located in the land of Shu’s Xuanzheng. Although their number is small, they’re the strongest. As for the royal court, needless to say, they govern the country’s affairs.”
Lu Zhou nodded.
Shen Xi’s introduction was short and powerful.
Perhaps, due to the runic passage, Lu Zhou did not know which direction he was traveling. Unlike the Endless Ocean that took him five days and five nights to cross on Di Jiang’s back, the runic passage only took them 15 minutes before they arrived.
Shen Xi said again, “Pavilion Master, please wait for a moment. I will go speak to them.”
“Go.”
Shen Xi dove and flew toward the huge archway that was dozens of feet tall. He hovered in the air as he said, “The Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion has arrived.”
The two guards looked at each other in shock. One of them put down his long halberd and cupped his fists together before he said, “Are you Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
“No. My Pavilion Master is nearby.”
“Brother, it’s not that we don’t trust you, but you have to show us evidence. If it’s really the Pavilion Master, we’ll report it immediately.”
The people from the Dark and Light Alliance were not unfamiliar with Lu Zhou. Ye Liuyun’s death had spread in the entire alliance.
Shen Xi extended his hand. An ink-color astrolabe appeared in his palm. It was only a few meters in diameter before it rapidly expanded to hundreds and thousands of times bigger. In just a blink of an eye, it vanished into thin air.
The guard was shocked. Just a random errand boy was a Four Chart expert. No matter if it was truly the Evil Sky Pavilion or not, this matter had to be reported.
“Please wait a moment.” With that, the guard disappeared in a flash.
Soon after, dozens of cultivators flew out from the lower part of the building.
The leader, a burly man, wielded two hammers in his hands.
“Shen Xi?” The leader seemed to recognize Shen Xi.
Shen Xi smiled and said, “As it turns out it’s Master Zhe.”
At this moment, Lu Zhou and Yu Zhenghai flew over slowly.
Shen Xi bowed and said, “Pavilion Master, this is one of the Five Tigers of the Dark and Light Alliance, Master Zhe Bieli.”
Lu Zhou nodded and stroked his beard as he looked at Zhe Bieli.
Apart from his burly figure, Zhe Bieli did not look like someone who had gone through countless battles. His silver armor was rather eye-catching.
Zhe Bieli cupped his fists together and said, “I’m Zhe Bieli. I’ve long heard of the great reputation of the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion… Please follow me.”
Lu Zhou said, “Aren’t you afraid that I’m an imposter?”
Zhe Bieli laughed loudly. “An imposter wouldn’t have the guts to come to the Dark and Light Alliance. Moreover, I’m familiar with Shen Xi!”
Although Zhe Bieli looked like a typical burly person who was all brawn and no brains, it seemed like that was not the case.
Lu Zhou nodded. “Lead the way.”
Zhe Bieli said, “Since Senior Lu decided to grace us with his presence, I will personally welcome you…”
With Zhe Bieli flying at the lead, everyone flew at a leisurely speed.
The internal buildings were built close together. It roughly resembled Sikong Beichen’s Ninth Temple. However, the land the Dark and Light Alliance occupied was much bigger.
As they flew, they attracted the attention of the cultivators on the ground.
In the headquarters of the Dark and Light Alliance, apart from special cultivators, the enforcers, and high-ranking members, the others were prohibited from flying.
Soon after, Zhe Biele came to a halt in front of a large hall.
Rows and rows of pillars that were dozens of meters tall lined the sides of the hall. The building itself was majestic and magnificent.
“Please take a seat,” Zhe Bieli said after leading them into the hall.
Lu Zhou, Yu Zhenghai, and the others did not stand on ceremony and took a seat immediately. Only the two injured lay on the stretchers.
Zhe Bieli immediately ordered his men to prepare the most luxurious banquet. There were even rules to follow in regard to the dishes, the wine, the arrangement of the utensils, the manner in which the servants carried the dishes, and the placement of the dishes. It was all very detailed.
…
When noon arrived, the banquet was almost ready.
“I apologize for our lacking hospitality… Please forgive us…”
Shen Xi said, “These are all trivial matters.”
During this time, the host and the guests only exchanged polite conversations.
Lu Zhou rarely responded. It was mostly Shen Xi and Zhe Bieli who were talking.
Based on their conversation, Lu Zhou learned about the Five Tigers of the Dark and Light Alliance. 300 years ago, one of them participated in the Great Void Expedition and died. Ye Liuyun was also one of the tigers. Now that he had died, there were only three tigers left. The Five Tigers of the Dark and Light Alliance generally had around eighth Birth Charts. Apart from that, he learned there were tens of thousands of members at the Body Tempering stage to those in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation Realm. The higher-ups were mostly in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation Realm and the Thousand Realms Whirling stage. Their strength could not be underestimated.
Finally, Zhe Bieli asked Lu Zhou, “Senior Lu, I wonder what’s the purpose of your visit?”
Lu Zhou put down his wine cup and said, “Tell Fan Ruoxi to come out and speak to me…”
Lu Zhou’s words shocked everyone into silence.
After a long time, Zhe Bieli smiled sheepishly and said, “Senior Lu, I’ll be frank with you. The Alliance Leader had just gone out recently…”
“Oh, what a coincidence.”
