Lu Zhou did not expect Yu Zhenghai to be so determined. However, the risk was too great when there was only a 70% chance of success for the red coffin.
At this moment, Si Wuya said, “Eldest Senior Brother, are you really going?”
“Naturally.”
Si Wuya nodded and said, “I remember that Second Senior Brother doesn’t have his scabbard with him. Back then, I inscribed the Longevity Sword with runes and imbued it with the power to absorb vitality. I have some runes left. I’ll inscribe them on the scabbard so that it can detect where the other runes are. It should be able to lead you to Second Senior Brother.”
When he heard this, Yu Zhenghai was delighted. “That’s great! This way, there won’t be any room for error.”
“That’s only an 80% chance of success. If the red coffin doesn’t last until it reaches its destination due to damage and attacks from the beasts, I’m afraid…” Si Wuya said worriedly.
“No matter. With my Eight-leaf cultivation base, why would I fear the beasts?” Yu Zhenghai said confidently as he patted his chest.
Lu Zhou shook his head. He had first-hand experience of how fierce and powerful the beasts were when he encountered Chi Yao in the black water. Even after using half of his extraordinary power, he could not kill Chi Yao. What could Yu Zhenghai do then?
Lu Zhou looked at Yu Zhenghai and said, “Is your cultivation base at the peak?”
Lu Zhou thought about Chi Yao’s Heart. That item could provide the user with 1,200 years of life. With that, the requirements of the golden lotus would be fulfilled. He had just recently attained the Eight-leaf stage. At most, he was back to his peak. He needed more time to reach the peak of the Eight-leaf stage. If Yu Zhenghai was already at the peak, he could ask Yu Zhenghai to attempt the Nine-leaf stage first.
Great Yan’s Big Dipper Academy had developed a medicinal pill that extended a person’s life. However, for someone already at their great limit, it would have no effect.
In the past, his host, Ji Tiandao, had attempted this method in the palace.
Therefore, Chi Yao’s Heart was best to be used at the point of a breakthrough.
Yu Zhenghai replied, “Give me a few more months, and I’ll return to the peak of my cultivation base.”
Lu Zhou said, “Wait for a few more months before traveling to the red lotus domain. Chi Yao can help you reach the Nine-leaf stage. But to use it, you’ll need to be at the peak of the Eight-leaf stage.”
Yu Zhenghai was slightly taken aback when he heard this.
There was no Eight-leaf expert in this world who did not want to reach the Nine-leaf stage. All of them had tried to reach this elusive stage. Even Yu Shangrong, who was focused on swordplay, had attempted to kick down the doors to the Nine-leaf stage.
Chi Yao’s Heart was extremely precious. It was something their master had brought back from the abyss with great difficulty. However, his master was willing to give it to him? How could Yu Zhenghai not feel shocked or moved?
However, Yu Zhenghai shook his head and said, “It’s too precious, I can’t accept it. Moreover, Second Junior Brother is in the red lotus domain and is surrounded by dangers. If his identity is exposed, he’ll be in even more danger. We can’t waste a single moment.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he considered this. The two notifications from the system proved that Yu Shangrong was in trouble again. If Yu Shangrong unleashed his energy, it would be difficult for Yu Shangrong to conceal his identity. After a moment, he said, “Give me your Jasper Saber.”
“Uh…” Yu Zhenghai did not know what his master intended to do. He assumed his master was going to confiscate his weapon and forbid him from leaving. He kowtowed and said, “Please allow me to go, master!”
“Leave your Jasper Saber with me today, and you may leave tomorrow.”
Yu Zhenghai was overjoyed. He said, “Thank you, master.” Then, he respectfully presented his Jasper Saber to his master.
After that, Yu Zhenghai looked at Si Wuya meaningfully before both of them left to prepare the red coffin.
…
Lu Zhou picked the Jasper Saber up and studied it for a while.
He sighed emotionally. This was the first heaven-grade weapon Ji Tiandao had given as a gift. After a few centuries, the saber was now completely in sync with Yu Zhenghai and had reached the peak of heaven-grade. It was undoubtedly one of the best candidates to be upgraded into a desolate-grade weapon.
He had learned about desolate-grade weapons through Jiang Wenxu. This meant there were surely desolate-grade weapons in the red lotus domain.
‘My disciples deserve the best weapons.’ Lu Zhou took a shining stone out. With just a thought, the stone hovered in the air as it buzzed. After a moment, it burst into flames.
Lu Zhou raised the Jasper Saber that was being drawn to the shining stone.
Bam!
The shining stone and the Jasper Saber collided, and the flames turned blue.
This was no ordinary blue flame. The tongues of the flame rose in a straight line as it burned, completely engulfing the Jasper Saber.
The fire crackled, and both sides of the blade shone.
The flames continued to burn.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and wondered how long the process would take.
In the end, he sat on the rush cushion. Before he closed his eyes, he muttered to himself, “Let’s do a lucky draw.”
“Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Obtained: Reversal Card x10.”
‘Not bad. I’ll need these when I’m attempting the Nine-leaf stage.’
“Lucky draw.”
“Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Obtained: Reversal Card x10.”
Lu Zhou was taken aback. ‘I seem to be quite lucky today.’
“Continue.”
“Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Obtained: Critical Block Card x10.”
Lu Zhou was puzzled when he saw the Critical Block Cards. They had never been activated before. Why would the system reward him with the cards?
‘This must be a joke. Who can harm me?’
The next ten draws ended with him being thanked for his participation. He immediately lost all will to continue.
He closed his eyes and meditated on the Heavenly Writing scrolls.
…
A day had passed.
Early the next morning.
Sizzle!
The loud noises of burning pulled Lu Zhou out of his meditative state. He opened his eyes and looked at the burning shining stone.
The flames burned in midair. Strangely, it did not spread.
The Jasper Saber was red. It was dazzling.
Swoosh!
All of a sudden, the flames vanished.
Lu Zhou pushed with his palm out. His energy caught the Jasper Saber and kept it from falling to the ground.
“Ding! Upgrade successful. Obtained desolate-grade weapon, the Jasper Saber. Reward: 2,000 merit points.”
“Jasper Saber. Grade: Desolate. Owner: Yu Zhenghai.”
Lu Zhou could feel the Jasper Saber was not hot despite being burned so he released his energy and let the saber drop into his hand.
His Primal Qi surged.
“Nice.” Although he possessed a weapon like Unnamed, when he touched the Jasper Saber, he could not help but praise it.
When he channeled his Primal Qi into the saber, he could feel that its sharpness had exceeded those at the heaven-grade.
“So this is the desolate-grade?”
The Jasper Saber looked no different from before, but it was sharper now. Streaks of fluorescent lights would gleam off the blade from time to time.
He withdrew his Primal Qi.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai’s voice rang from the other side of the door. “Greetings, master.”
“Come in.”
Yu Zhenghai opened the door and entered the room.
Mingshi Yin and Si Wuya had come as well.
The three disciples stood respectfully in the center of the room.
“Master, the red coffin is ready. I’d like to depart today,” Yu Zhenghai said.
Lu Zhou opened his palm, and the Jasper Saber sailed toward Yu Zhenghai.
Surprised, Yu Zhenghai caught his weapon. The Jasper Saber was wrapped in rich energy. He was stunned when he held it in his hand. His eyes widened as he said, “My Jasper Saber…”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded as he said, “That’s right. The Jasper Saber is now a desolate-grade weapon.”
“Desolate-grade?”
The three disciples were stunned.
“In the red lotus domain, a desolate-grade weapon will be of much help.”
Yu Zhenghai fell to his knees immediately and said, “Thank you for the desolate-grade weapon, master!”
Si Wuya and Mingshi Yin could not help but feel envious.
“Ma… Master. How did you do it?” Mingshi Yin said in a slightly pleading tone as he took out his Separation Hook.
Lu Zhou rolled his eyes and said, “Increase your strength. Everything will come in due time.”
Upgrading a weapon earned him 2,000 merit points, and it helped improve his disciple’s cultivation base. As a result, they would be able to help him gain more points. Therefore, he would gladly do it. Upgrading his disciples was the same as upgrading himself, after all.
At this moment, Lu Zhou remembered Chi Yao’s Heart. “OId Fourth.”
“Yes, master.”
“Bring me Chi Yao’s Heart.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after, Mingshi Yin returned with the Heart of Chi Yao.
Lu Zhou looked at it. Indeed, it was too large. He waved his hand, and energy wrapped around Chi Yao’s Heart. He could sense the abundant vitality in it.
“Your previous deaths cost you 600 years of life. After your last death, you’ve run out of life. The Red Fish Heart has given you 100 years of life. Chi Yao’s Heart can provide you with 1,200 years of life. Take half of it for now.”
Yu Zhenghai kowtowed, overwhelmed by the favor. “Master, I can’t possibly accept something as important as this!”
“Your current 100 years of life is somewhat frail. If you don’t have Chi Yao, you won’t last long in the red lotus domain as well. How are you going to rescue Old Second, then?”
“Uh…” Indeed. Yu Zhenghai’s first two deaths cost him 600 years of life. On top of that, he had lived for 300 years. In theory, he should not have come back to life from his last death. It was a miracle that he did. If he replenished his life with Chi Yao’s Heart, he would be able to resurrect from death again thanks to the special attributes of the Wuqi tribe. With this, he would have a higher chance of surviving the abyss.
“Eldest Senior Brother, you should just accept it. We can’t help but worry about you in your current state,” Mingshi Yin said.
Yu Zhenghai no longer refused Lu Zhou. He kowtowed loudly thrice.
Lu Zhou did not stop Yu Zhenghai from kowtowing. This was because he knew Yu Zhenghai’s thoughts.
After Yu Zhenghai finished kowtowing, Lu Zhou raised his wizened hand. The scenes of what happened 300 years ago flashed before his eyes. They were master and disciple, after all. After experiencing three deaths, his only wish for his disciple was for his disciple to stay safe. He placed his hand on Yu Zhenghai’s crown and pressed it lightly. He said sincerely, “Live on.”
