Ever since Lu Li joined the Evil Sky Pavilion, whether it was Xia Changqiu, Meng Changdong, or his most trusted brother, Yan Zhenluo, all of them had told him that the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion was indescribably powerful. He was, naturally, skeptical.
During his time at the yellow lotus domain, Zhu Honggong had repeatedly bragged about how powerful his master was that it became unbearable to listen to. He felt that Zhu Honggong was exaggerating; how strong could a cultivator from the golden lotus domain, a place that was so weak it was not even considered for the captive plan, be?
When he returned from the yellow lotus domain, Yan Zhenluo and Xia Changqiu had taken turns to educate him about the mighty Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion. Their words were even more exaggerated than Zhu Honggong’s words. It was so exaggerated that he had grown numb to their words.
At this moment, Lu Li gulped as he looked at the corpses of the three beast kings. When he recalled Yan Zhenluo and Xia Changqiu’s words, he no longer doubted them. He was thoroughly convinced of Lu Zhou’s strength.
At the same time, as Yan Zhenluo calmed his Dantian’s and sea of Qi to suppress his surging blood and Qi, he said in a clear voice, “Although the beast kings are dead, don’t let your guard down. Drive the fierce beasts away!”
Dozens of cultivators rushed forward. Most of them sustained varying degrees of injuries. Their hatred and anger were at an all-time high when they looked at the ruined hometown; they could wait to kill the fierce beasts.
“Drive them away? Don’t you think we’re letting them off too lightly? We should kill them!”
“Kill them!”
“That’s right. Kill them!”
Their strong desire for revenge was roused.
Yan Zhenluo looked at the ruins; it looked like hell on earth. Then, he nodded. “Kill them!”
…
Jianbei Circuit.
In a valley sandwiched between two mountains that resembled giant swords.
Ning Wanqing was standing on the ground at this moment while the black-clad hovered in the air in the distance.
The black-clad cultivator said, “You’re exhausted. At this time, the Li Lis alone are enough to kill you…”
Ning Wanqing’s expression was somewhat unsightly at this moment. He forced a smile on his face and said, “At the very least, up until now, the Li Lis have yet to enter Jianbei Circuit…”
When Ning Wanqing brought up the Li Lis, the black-clad cultivator’s flames of fury were rekindled.
At the mention of this matter, the black-robed cultivator could not help but get angry. Initially, he assumed the Li Lis would be able to avoid detection by powerful cultivators due to how weak they were. Apart from that, most cultivators did not dare to wander out since they were surrounded by fierce beasts, and the wilderness was completely overrun with fierce beasts. With all these factors, the Li Lis should not have encountered any problems entering Great Tang’s territory. Once the Li Lis entered Jianbei Circuit, the plan would be completed. It was truly unfortunate that such a huge and perfect plan was destroyed by a mere Nine-leaf cultivator. How could he not be angry?
The black-clad cultivator checked the time before he said, “All of you will have to die now…”
The black-clad cultivator rushed out toward Ning Wanqing and Duanmu Sheng, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Duanmu Sheng was still holding the Overlord Spear. He stood unmoving like a statue despite his weak aura. His body that was riddled with wounds had grown numb, and he had lost the strength to fight. The purple smoke from Li Lis shrouded him and slowly seeped into his body at the same time; it would not be long before the poisonous energy took effect.
The black-clad cultivator spread his arms open as his eyes shone with killing intent. His surroundings were filled with many black energy sabers.
“Huh?” At this time, the black-clad cultivator was slightly taken aback when he heard the distinct noise of flesh being pierced. He thought he saw a flash of white light, but it was gone when he tried to have a better look. Following that, he felt like something was wrong and instinctively lowered his head to have a look when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. His eyes widened in shock as he looked at the white energy sword that pierced his heart. Subsequently, he hastily tapped his acupoints and stopped the bleeding to preserve his Birth Chart, dispersing the black energy sabers in his surroundings.
Swoosh!
A huge red flying chariot flew over from the south of the sky above Jianbei Circuit at a speed that was neither fast nor slow.
All of a sudden, pillars of light shot out from the huge red flying chariot and pierced through the black-clad cultivator’s chest.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“…”
Just like that, all of the black-clad cultivator’s Birth Charts were destroyed by the pillars of light. The difference between his strength and the person who attacked him was like the clouds and the mud.
“L-lan… Lan Xihe…” The black-clad cultivator pointed at the huge red flying chariot tremblingly before he fell onto the mountain of Li Lis’ corpses with his eyes open and rolled down the northern side of the mountain of corpses.
The Li Lis rushed up and tore the corpse into pieces in just a blink of an eye.
Ning Wanqing bowed and said, “Greetings, Tower Master.”
Lan Xihe’s calm voice rang from the red flying chariot. “Tell me about the situation…”
Ning Wanqing said, “I don’t know where the black lotus domain found the army of Li Lis. These beasts emit energy that decays and corrodes living and nonliving things they come in contact with. Duanmu Sheng, the third disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion, had been ordered to defend Jianbei Circuit and prevent these beasts from entering; he didn’t budge at all. His current condition is quite worrisome. I’m afraid he won’t survive…”
Lan Xihe did not speak for a moment. After a while, she finally said, “Bring him into the flying chariot and deal with the Li Lis…”
At this time, the blue-clad female attendant bowed and said, “Tower Master, these Li Lis come from the Unknown Land and contain evil energy. I’m worried they’ll affect you…”
“Bring him up,” Lan Xihe said again.
“Understood.” The blue-clad female attendant leaped off the flying chariot.
Following that, white lotuses fell from the sky on the Li Lis.
The Li Lis fell one after another.
The blue-clad female attendant threw a ribbon out. After the ribbon wrapped around Duanmu Sheng, she tugged on the other hand of the ribbon and brought him with her as she flew back to the flying chariot and landed on the deck.
Sizzling noises began to ring in the air as the purple smoke touched the inscriptions on the red flying chariot.
Lan Xihe frowned slightly.
At this moment, Ning Wanqing flew up and landed on the deck. His superior hearing told him that the situation was bad. Hence, he said, “We have to move him immediately…”
Lan Xihe walked out and raised a jade-like hand.
Primal Qi as bright as the sunlight that was swirling in Lan Xihe’s hand shot out, forming a barrier around Duanmu Sheng.
Lan Xihe said, “Keep an eye on him…”
“We can’t continue like this. That evil energy is very strange. It’ll erode the power you have left…” Ning Wanqing said.
“I know,” Lan Xihe replied indifferently, “I was asked to do my best…”
“Understood.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Countless flying beasts appeared in the sky along with hordes of fierce beasts on the ground.
Lan Xihe said, “Don’t move.”
The fierce beasts swept out like a flood before they surrounded and came to a stop near the mountain of Li Lis’ corpses, forming a huge circle.
Many of the fierce beasts carried human corpses in their mouths and on their backs. They were very organized. This was clearly premeditated.
Ning Wanqing could not see them, but he could sense their huge numbers. He could not help but feel worried.
Lan Xihe walked to the helm and looked down at the densely packed Li Li still coming from the north. With a light tap of her toes, she flew out of the flying chariot.
“Tower Master!” the blue-clad female attendant cried out in shock.
Lan Xihe’s expression remained calm. She flashed three times, flying high up into the sky before she released a ring of white light.
Boom!
Countless fierce beasts were swept away and turned into corpses.
Lan Xihe glanced at the Li Lis that were still swarming over and shook her head. “A runic passage in the Unknown Land…”
She looked to the left and the right before she raised her right hand; her five fingers pointing skyward.
The Sun, Moon, and Star Wheel appeared in her hand, illuminating the land.
“Tower Master Lan, this isn’t a place where you should be…”
A black figure suddenly attacked. He launched a purplish-black palm seal that shot into the encompassing light from the Sun, Moon, and Star Wheel.
Lan Xihe continued to release the energy from the Sun, Moon, and Star Wheel, unmoved.
Bang!
The palm seal was blocked by the Sun, Moon, Star Wheel. At the same time, it released energy seals that killed all the fierce beasts within 1,000 meters.
The black figure seized the opportunity while the Sun, Moon, and Star Wheel was releasing energy seals and launched another palm seal.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Lan Xihe flicked her sleeves to defend herself as she flew backward. The Sun, Moon, and Star Wheel flashed, blocking the palm seal.
Primal Qi surged between the opponents.
Lan Xihe smiled. “Mu Ertie, you’re finally here…”
“The era of the White Tower Council is over. I didn’t expect you to work with the Evil Sky Pavilion…” Mu Ertie, the Black Emperor, hovered above the beast tide, glancing at the corpses below.
“Working together? Regardless, the White Tower Council has always objected to the annihilation plan. That’s why I came…”
“I showed weakness and submitted to the Evil Sky Pavilion back then all for this day. I thought the Evil Sky Pavilion would be smart and stick to their golden lotus domain; who knew Old Demon Lu is also someone who doesn’t know what’s good for him?” Mu Ertie said.
Lan Xihe smiled brightly. “I remember Pavilion Master Lu visited your royal palace once. Why didn’t you say these words to him back then?”
“A great man knows when to retreat and advance. If I couldn’t even endure it, what right do I have to talk about a great cause?” Mu Ertie replied.
“What gives you the courage?” Lan Xihe asked.
Mu Ertie spread his arms and said, “They listen to my orders and aren’t afraid of death…”
Lan Xihe shook her head. “No, they listen to the beast emperor’s orders. You’re the ruler of a country, but you’re manipulated by fierce beasts…”
“There’s no need for you to sow discord; I know what I’m doing.”
Killing intent shone in Mu Ertie’s eyes as he looked at the tall mountain of corpses, “Hand over that reptile who guarded Jianbei Circuit earlier, and I’ll let you go…”
Lan Xihe said, “Are you sure? He’s Pavilion Master Lu’s disciple…”
Mu Ertie looked into the distance. When he shifted his gaze away, he said, “I’ll kill him sooner or later…”
Lan Xihe ignored him and flew toward the red flying chariot. She had felt the slight tremors on the ground and knew that the beast emperor was coming.
“Take her down for me…”
