“Ding! Captured the rascal, Yu Shangrong. Reward: 1,000 merit points.”
At this point, there was no longer any need for Lu Zhou to rush.
Under the influence of the binding mantra, Yu Shangrong was now without his cultivation base. Where could he run?
A starved camel was larger than a horse. Lu Zhou understood why Duan Xing and the others kept their distance. After all, the person before them was the Sword Devil. He was known to challenge elite swordsmen of the world at the slightest, or no, provocation. Compared to him, the Fiend Temple disciples were nothing but small fry.
Duan Xing gulped before he cupped his hands and said, “Greetings, Senior Sword Devil!”
The others bowed and did not dare not move.
After Yu Shangrong fell to the ground, he saw the people from the Fiend Temple. He was surprised by the peculiarity of the binding mantra. He sat up and grabbed his Longevity Sword. He stabbed it into the ground and pushed himself up to his feet. His expression remained unchanged.
Yu Shangrong did not look at Duan Xing and the others. Individuals of their level were not fit to converse with him just yet. He took a few deep breaths as he looked at his master who was walking toward him. The old man was the only one in the world who could evoke a sense of powerlessness in him.
Lu Zhou paused in his steps when he was finally a few meters away from Yu Shangrong.
Radiant Cloud Forest was deathly silent at this moment.
Lu Zhou looked at Yu Shangrong quietly and calmly.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The Cloud Shine Nunnery’s bell tolled and broke the silence.
Lu Zhou was surprised. Throughout the days he stayed in Cloud Shine Nunnery, he was getting used to the sound of the bell and drums which signaled daybreak and dusk. However, the forest was untrodden for a long time now and the nunnery was a distance away… Where did the sound of a tolling bell come from? He finally asked, “Where’s the rascal, Si Wuya?”
Yu Shangrong shook his head. “He has left.”
Lu Zhou saw the unwillingness in Yu Shangrong’s eyes. He said, “I’ve given you your cultivation base… and this is all you’ve
got?”
Yu Shangrong was puzzled. He wondered what his master meant. However, he said nothing.
The victor was the king, and the loser could only submit. This was the hard truth since time immemorial.
“Take him away.” Lu Zhou waved his sleeve.
Duan Xing bowed at once. “Understood!”
Yu Shangrong glanced at Duan Xing and the others. He put some strength in his arms and stood up. He said, “I can walk on my own.”
Duan Xing and the others retreated. They lowered their heads and did not dare to
Duan Xing felt useless. Although Yu Shangrong was a prisoner now, he was not someone Duan Xing could handle. However, he felt fortunate he was able to witness a peerless individual like Yu Shangrong being captured by his master. Perhaps, when he became an old man, he could boast about witnessing this. At the same time, he could reminisce about how amazing and majestic the ultimate battle between the Evil Sky Pavilion’s first and second disciple was. He would never forget it.
Yu Shangrong carried his Longevity Sword in one hand as though nothing had happened.
Lu Zhou swept his gaze across the others and said, “Return to the Cloud Shine Nunnery for now”
Yu Shangrong felt speechless. Did this mean that his master had been waiting inside Cloud Shine Nunnery all this while? If that was the case, why did his master hide himself and reap the benefits of the third party? Unfortunately, it was now meaningless to dwell on it now. He had no choice but to follow Lu Zhou back to Cloud Shine Nunnery.
After the others left the area. In the depths of Cloud Radiant Forest, Si Wuya sighed in relief. If he had not noticed it sooner, he would have been captured as well. He calmed himself down. After his breathing stabilized, he muttered under his breath, “Poor Second Senior Brother… What should I do now?”
Si Wuya hastily shook his head. When he remembered that binding mantra, he frowned. The same method was repeated. This reminded him of his earlier speculation; his master had found a way to overcome the great life limit.
When he thought about this, Si Wuya smiled wryly and shook his head. “You’ll only put yourself through hell by trying to keep up appearances… He insisted on acting tough when he was actually injured. Where has that gotten him?”
If his Second Senior Brother had not placed such importance on his pride, he would have been able to escape capture. Perhaps, this was fate.
In Cloud Shine Nunnery. On Cloud Shine Peak.
In the room that faced the Hundred Leaves Lake, Lu Zhou walked up to the windowsill with his hands on his back. He looked at the damaged Hundred Leaves Lake.
Yu Shangrong stood behind him expressionlessly.
After a moment’s silence, Lu Zhou said, “Sit.”
Clang!
The Longevity Sword fell to the floor. At this juncture, Yu Shangrong no longer had the luxury of caring about his appearance. He picked the sword up at once. If this had been any other time, the Longevity Sword would never have fallen. His affinity with the Longevity Sword was already perfect. His Primal Qi would withdraw without his prompt.
Lu Zhou glanced at the Longevity Sword in Yu Shangrong’s arms. He seemed to have remembered something as he said, “You’ve been with the pavilion for 275 years… Do you remember the very first rule I told you about?”
Yu Shangrong looked at the Hundred Leaves Lake through the window as well. He was slightly stunned by his master’s question. Then, he answered, “No infighting.”
“Yet, you violated it.” “Eldest Senior Brother and I were only sparring…” Yu Shangrong replied.
“Sparring?” Lu Zhou turned around slowly. He sat down on a chair at the side. He stared at Yu Shangrong’s Longevity Sword and said, “Since I can grant you your cultivation base and weapon, I can take them back as well.” When Yu Shangrong heard this, his heart sank. He instinctively tightened his grip on the Longevity Sword. He had never been restrained and fearful of anyone apart from his master. His pride and strength seemed like a joke in front of his master. He remained silent like a child who had misbehaved.
Lu Zhou looked at Yu Shangrong and asked, “Why did you leave the Evil Sky Pavilion?”
Yu Shangrong frowned slightly. He looked up and said, “You really don’t remember?”
Lu Zhou recalled his lost memories. He had thought of a reply long ago. He answered truthfully, “I’ve forgotten.” It was the truth. He had lost some of his memories.
Yu Shangrong regarded this old man before himself with a complicated gaze. “Seventh Junior Brother said that you’ve changed… and I didn’t believe him in the beginning.”
Perhaps, it was because this was the first time he was facing his master after such a long time, Yu Shangrong suddenly recalled many things from the past. When he had just joined the pavilion, he was but a young boy. Before he knew it, three centuries had passed. He was now the Sword Devil whose name struck fear in those who heard it. On the other hand, his master… was almost at the end of his life. He could not help but be filled with emotion. “That’s not important,” Lu Zhou said tonelessly.
Yu Shangrong said, “It’s a good thing if you’ve forgotten about it as well.”
“You bastard!” Lu Zhou frowned. His voice rang loud and clear. He rose to his feet with hands on his back.
Yu Shangrong fell to his knees immediately. However, he still remained silent.
After the outburst, Lu Zhou stared at Yu Shangrong and said, “You won’t talk?”
Yu Shangrong kept his eyes fixed on the floor and said, “It’s for your own good, master. It’s best you forget about it!”
Lu Zhou raised his hand. A blast of energy shot out. It was not light nor strong.
Smack!
Yu Shangrong did not dodge. His head turned to the side rigidly. The slap stung.
“Ding! Punished Yu Shangrong. Reward: 300 merit points.”
“I have all the time in the world…” Lu Zhou barked, “Men.”
