The middle-aged man stayed until the cultivators vanished into the barrier’s opening before turning around and leaving. After all, he was not from this domain. He was not as maniacal and passionate as the other cultivators. There were two more days to go; it was useless for him to stay here.
On the other hand, the cultivators who were here to watch the show and admire the elites did not leave even if they could not see or listen to the patriarch’s preaching.
…
After passing through the barrier, the cultivators walked up the mountain as promised. They were not exhausted and chatted merrily among themselves as they enjoyed the scenery.
In terms of height or steepness, Golden Court Mountain was a far cry from the Three Sects. However, Golden Court Mountain did not have many disciples. It was not as huge as the Three Sects that had tens of thousands of disciples. A single mountain was enough to strike fearful respect into the cultivators’ hearts.
When the cultivators were halfway up the mountain, a man with a silver mask could be seen under a gazebo. He was looking at the distant mountains as he rested one hand on his back.
“Shh… He’s Leng Luo, the first person on the blacklist 300 years ago. He’s now one of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s elders.” The one who had spoken was Shen Liangshou.
“Shen Liangshou, you sure know much about the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“Well… I’m only committing faces to my memory so that I won’t repeat the same low-level mistakes such as looking down on others based on their appearance.” Shen Liangshou recalled what had happened in the past. Ever since then, for a year, he had made sure to commit to his memory every single person in the Evil Sky Pavilion, even those who had just joined. He prided himself on his knowledge of the Evil Sky Pavilion more than anyone else.
“You’re the first person on the white list and can be considered to be of the same rank as Senior Leng Luo. Why don’t you go up and greet him?”
Shen Liangshou said awkwardly, “Stop making fun of me. He made it to the top with his strength, I made it to the top by bragging…”
The others broke out in laughter as they continued climbing the mountain.
They were still near the gazebo when they saw two little girls flying about in the air.
The cultivators were confused.
‘Wasn’t flying prohibited on Golden Court Mountain?’
Shen Liangshou was the first to speak. “Don’t be surprised… The one with the red silk is the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Miss Ninth. The one wearing the Cloud Feather Raiment next to her must be her sister. Don’t think that they’re unaccomplished because of their young age. In the Evil Sky Pavilion, the disciples fawn over Miss Ninth the most. Everything she does is supported by her seniors. Look for…”
“…”
How terrifying! Everyone doted on that girl! That was terrifying enough.
The two girls flew gracefully like fairies. They were young, but they were already peerless beauties. These two were little ancestors whom they could not afford to offend.
Shen Liangshou stopped walking. He studied Conch who was behind Little Yuan’er and committed her face to his memory. He did not know much about Conch, but he knew for her to be able to stay here, she must not be ordinary.
The cultivators continued walking up.
“This is the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Mister Eighth. He might look silly, but when he was only a Divine Court realm cultivator, he was the leader of the Tigerridge Gang. He’s someone valued by Mister First and Mister Seventh,” Shen Liangshou continued to explain.
Someone spoke up at this moment. “Mister Eighth’s father has fought against the Other Tribesmen of the seven nations in the battle at Liang Province. He’s an Eight-leaf elite who lives up to his name… If I’m not mistaken, he’s from the Ancient Saint Cult.”
Everyone instinctively turned to look at Jie Kai, the supposed Master of the Ancient Saint Cult Master.
Jie Kai walked past the other cultivators and made his way to Shen Liangshou. He asked warily, “May I know your name?”
“It’s insignificant. I’m Shen Liangshou.” Shen Liangshou returned the greeting.
“You said that Mister Eighth’s father is from the Ancient Saint Cult?”
“That’s right.”
“May I know his name?” Jie Kai asked.
“Zhu Tianyuan.” Shen Liangshou covered his mouth with a hand as he whispered the name into Jie Kai’s ear. After all, it was considered disrespectful to mention another person’s name openly.
When Jie Kai heard the name, his eyes widened in shock, and he staggered backward.
Shen Liangshou asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
“He’s the Ancient Saint Cult’s Master, Jie Kai,” someone said.
“…” Realization dawned on Shen Liangshou immediately. “Zhu Tianyuan was from the Ancient Saint Cult, and you’re the sect master… Destiny leads enemies to meet. Take care,” he said with a sigh as he shook his head and patted Jie Kai’s shoulder.
…
Soon after, the cultivators arrived in front of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s great hall.
Si Wuya and Mingshi Yin did not pay attention to the cultivators’ discussion.
Si Wuya ordered someone to lead the cultivators to the northern pavilion before the duo returned to their own affairs.
…
Inside the eastern pavilion.
Lu Zhou was no longer meditating on the Heavenly Writing scrolls. Instead, he was cultivating with all his might to raise his cultivation base.
His host, Ji Tiandao, had already expanded his dantian’s sea of Qi to the peak of the Eight-leaf stage. Hence, throughout Lu Zhou’s process of progressing from the Body Tempering stage to the peak, he never had any problems or met with obstacles and bottlenecks.
His life had been prolonged to a point where his cultivation base was not affected by his age. His cultivation speed had improved greatly as well.
At this moment, Si Wuya arrived in the easter pavilion. “Master, the cultivators who are here to learn have already settled in.” Then, he added, “Also, I made the decision to let Jie Kai, the Ancient Saint Cult’s Master, up the mountain.”
Lu Zhou replied with his eyes closed. “I see.”
“I’ll take my leave now.” If his master did not give him a clear directive, it meant that he was allowed to make the decision. This was something he had hoped for.
Si Wuya had barely left the eastern pavilion when he saw the Ancient Saint Cult’s Master, Jie Kai, walking through the corridors and passing gazebos. He was being led by Pan Zhong.
From afar, Jie Kai, who had noticed Si Wuya, nodded and bowed as he said, “Jie Kai of the Ancient Saint Cult offers his greetings, Mister Seventh.”
“What’s the matter?” Si Wuya asked.
“Zhu Tianyuan is my older brother. There are some misunderstandings between us. I wonder if you can bring me to meet him, Mister Seventh?” Jie Kai asked.
“There’s no need for that… However, I have a suggestion for you,” Si Wuya said.
“What is it, Mister Seventh?”
“It’s simple. Return the position of the sect master to him and leave the Ancient Saint Cult of your own accord. It’s better for both of you this way.”
“…” Jie Kai did not expect Si Wuya to be so blunt; he was slightly taken aback. Then, he asked, “Is the Evil Sky Pavilion going to meddle in the Ancient Saint Cult’s affairs?”
“Can’t we?” Si Wuya retorted.
Zhu Honggong was the eighth disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion. He was also the heir of the Ancient Saint Cult’s Master, Zhu Tianyuan. Why could they not meddle in the matter?
Although Jie Kai had prepared himself mentally, he was still shocked by Si Wuya’s reply. After a moment, he asked, “Aren’t you going to ask about the story behind the matter, Mister Seventh?”
“Why should I?” Was it not natural for the Evil Sky Pavilion to take the sides of their members?
Jie Kai said with a sigh, “I knew it; I’ve been too hopeful. I thought the Evil Sky Pavilion would be impartial in this matter. Forget it. Let it be as you’ve said, Mister Seventh.” After saying this, he turned around and made to leave.
“Wait.”
“Is there anything else, Mister Seventh?” Jie Kai was annoyed, and his annoyance leaked into his voice.
“The Evil Sky Pavilion has always drawn clear boundaries between favors and grudges. If you have any misgiving about this, I can make a proposal to my Eighth Junior Brother,” Si Wuya said. He paused for a moment before he continued to say, “However, I must warn you, this is the Evil Sky Pavilion, not the Ancient Saint Cult. You’d better do away with that useless pride. If my master didn’t give me an order, you would’ve been a dead man because of what you said earlier.” After he finished speaking, he placed his hands on his back and walked away.
Jie Kai trembled. When he lifted his head again, his back was already drenched in sweat. He no longer had any ideas or fantasies. He returned to the northern pavilion and tried to have someone pass a message to Zhu Tianyuan, saying that he would step down as cult master and leave the cult.
…
When Zhu Tianyuan learned of this, he was so happy that he could barely close his mouth. He laughed as he said, “Jie Kai, to think that you’d have such a day. Is this how it feels to take advantage of one’s position and bully another?”
…
Time flew by. Two days passed in just a blink of an eye.
Inside the eastern pavilion of the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Lu Zhou slowly opened his eyes. He felt that his dantian’s sea of Qi had been fully replenished yesterday. He had been cultivating until now because he was simulating the scene of breaking through to the Nine-leaf stage in his mind.
To the others, he was merely demonstrating something he had already done before. He was the only one who knew this was his first time sprouting the ninth leaf.
He called out, “Is anyone there?”
A disciple outside the door bowed and asked, “Your orders, Pavilion Master?”
“Tell them to gather outside the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“Understood.”
…
The cultivators in the northern pavilion were individuals with high positions from all over the nine provinces. However, none of them disdained the conditions of the northern pavilion.
They were already gathered as they awaited the orders from the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Patriarch.
At this moment, a voice reached them. “The pavilion master has summoned everyone to gather before the great hall. This way, please.”
The cultivators were delighted and excited as they hastily made their way to the great hall. There were hundreds of them.
…
Meanwhile.
Outside Golden Court Mountain, many cultivators hovered in the air as they tried to catch a glimpse of what was going on inside.
Those who could not fly too high or fly at all could only shake their heads and sigh.
…
Shortly after, the four elders, Leng Luo, Pan Litian, Zuo Yushu, and Hua Wudao, arrived. They were individuals whose reputations preceded them. In front of them, most of the cultivators were juniors.
Soon after, the disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion, apart from Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong, arrived as well.
Whenever a member arrived, the cultivators would cup their fists together and greet them.
Even the lowest-rank members, Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng, who were like general workers were treated with respect.
Soon after, a loud voice rang in the air. “The Pavilion Master is coming!”
The cultivators turned to look at the eastern pavilion.
Although Lu Zhou was renowned throughout the world, many of them had never seen his face. They highly anticipated this opportunity to witness the patriarch’s grandeur with their own eyes.
Whizz!
A unique sound of resonance resounded in the skies.
“Up there!”
Lu Zhou appeared above the Evil Sky Pavilion. His back was facing the cultivators as he stroked his beard and looked at the sky. His robes fell loosely on his body. At this moment, he had an erudite and elite air about him, not dissimilar to an immortal.
The others were slightly stunned.
An elite was truly an elite. The patriarch would even use a grand technique when he made his entrance. Well, he, the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Patriarch, was the greatest and the only Nine-leaf cultivator in Great Yan, after all.
“Hail, Pavilion Master!”
“Hail, Master!”
The cultivators present bowed fearfully.
