Ji Fengxing flew up the mountain in a haste.
Ever since Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai sparred with the monastery master, Xia Changqiu, Ji Fengxing had been promoted to an inner disciple. He now had sufficient authority to enter the Fair Hall.
“Is it someone from the Flying Star House?” Xia Changqiu’s expression was grim.
The last time the Flying Star House’s Liang Zidao led his men here, they were all killed by Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai. The Ninth Temple’s Zhu Xuan had said that the Flying Star House would not dare to trouble the Thousand Willow Monastery… In truth, would the Ninth Temple even step in to help if the Flying Star House came looking for trouble?
“I don’t know. It’s an old man, but he looks hostile,” Ji Fengxing said worriedly.
Tian Buji bowed. “Monastery Master, this concerns the monastery’s survival. Should I go to the Ninth Temple?”
“No.” Xia Changqiu walked down the steps and said worriedly, “We can’t trust the Ninth Temple. Yu Zhenghai is in their hands now. Even if we’re in a collaborative relationship, they won’t care about us.” He turned to look at Ji Fengxing, who was kneeling on one knee, and said, “Have you found Yu Shangrong?”
“Ever since his attempt to reach the Nine-leaf stage was interrupted, we haven’t seen him.”
The two of them sighed. All they knew was that Yu Shangrong’s attempt to reach the Nine-leaf stage was interrupted when they were dealing with the huge beast. They did not see the ninth leaf or a Nine-leaf avatar.
Xia Chengqiu knew Elder Xu Su was killed because he tried to sneak up on Yu Shangrong to kill Yu Shangrong. It was understandable if Yu Shangrong left the Thousand Willow Monastery because of that matter.
“Come with me. We’ll meet the visitor. If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster. If it’s a disaster, we won’t be able to avoid it anyway.” Xia Changqiu waved his sleeve and flew outside.
The disciples in front of the Fair Hall flew out as well.
…
At the foot of the mountain.
Wuwu walked out of the gazebo. She called out to the slowly approaching old man and asked, “Who are you? What are you doing here at the Thousand Willow Monastery?”
Lu Zhou did not answer her immediately. After landing, he surveyed his surroundings before he looked up at Thousand Willow Mountain. They had to ask for directions along the way to get here. Fortunately, it was not difficult to locate the Thousand Willow Monastery. All things considered, their journey was rather smooth. He nodded, pleased. “It’s remote and strategically located. Indeed, this is a sound spot.”
Wuwu raised her voice and said, “Hey, hey, hey… I’m talking to you!”
Little Yuan’er looked over. When she saw that Wuwu was about her age, she frowned and asked, “Do you think you can talk to my master that way? Little girl, let me ask you… Have you seen a slender, out-of-this-world handsome swordsman who carries a long sword on his back? His sword skills are incredibly amazing.”
When Wuwu heard this, her assumptions were confirmed. She immediately put on an act and said, “I’m not a little girl… The swordsman you’re looking for isn’t here. I haven’t seen him.”
“You haven’t seen him?” Little Yuan’er was skeptical.
Conch gestured as she said, “In that case, have you seen a saber user who carried his saber around his waist? He’s tall and stocky, and very skilled with the saber. He’s on par with that swordsman.”
Wuwu’s heart skipped another beat. She was now convinced these people were here to look for her big brother and eldest big brother. She averted her gaze and said, “Never seen him.”
Conch seemed disappointed. She turned around and said, “Master… they’re not in trouble, right?”
Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “There’s no need to worry.”
Little Yuan’er was no longer the naïve young girl she once was. When she saw that Wuwu seemed to be dealing with them half-heartedly, she grew annoyed. She asked, “Master, should we force our way into the Thousand Willow Monastery?”
‘Force their way in?’ Upon hearing these words, Wuwu straightened her back instinctively. ‘This sister is fierce!’
After Little Yuan’er finished speaking, many cultivators could be seen flying down from Thousand Willow Mountain.
The leader was Xia Changqiu, the Monastery Master of the Thousand Willow Monastery. Tian Buji, the elder, was next to him.
When Xia Changqiu saw Lu Zhou, he was puzzled. He had never seen this old man before. He bowed and asked, “Old Mister, may I ask what business you have here?”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and looked at Xia Changqiu. He said, “I’m looking for someone.”
“Are you looking on behalf of the Flying Star House or the Sky Martial Court?” This was what Xia Changqiu was most concerned about.
Lu Zhou thought about it for a moment. Currently, he did not know much about the Thousand Willow Monastery. Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai fought the Ninth Temple’s Elder around Thousand Willow Mountain, and it was impossible that these people had missed that. The Thousand Willow Monastery members were from the red lotus domain, after all. It was highly possible that they were involved in capturing Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai. ‘Let’s dig out information from them before revealing my identity.’
In the end, Lu Zhou said, “The two people I’m looking for are from the golden lotus domain. I’ll be taking them with me.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Changqiu thought to himself, ‘As expected, they’re not here with good intentions. This old man must be an elite from the Sky Martial Court or the palace.’
“I’m sorry… I’ve never heard of the golden lotus domain before. Old Mister, I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Xia Changqiu made an inviting gesture.
“You’ve never seen them? They’re foreign tribesmen.” Lu Zhou did not believe Xia Changqiu.
Before Xia Changqiu could reply, Tian Buji bowed and said, “The monastery master is usually cultivating in seclusion. He doesn’t know much about the affairs of the world. I, on the other hand, have heard some rumors.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“It’s said that the Ninth Temple has captured a foreign tribesman from the golden lotus domain. You might want to head over to the Ninth Temple, old mister,” Tian Buji said. He was akin to hitting two birds with one stone. He could redirect the calamity to the Ninth Temple, and at the same time, the Thousand Willow Monastery would escape this calamity.
“The Ninth Temple?” Lu Zhou had heard the name mentioned several times now. “Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
Tian Buji was taken aback. ‘This old man’s manner…’
Lu Zhou pushed away from the ground and hovered in the air as though he was as light as a swallow. He looked at Xia Changqiu as he said, “I’m going to ask you questions, and you’ll answer them truthfully. If there’s even an ounce of untruth in your words, I’ll annihilate everyone in your monastery.” His voice traveled far and loud.
Xia Changqiu was shocked. ‘He’s not just an Eight-leaf cultivator! I-is he a Nine-leaf cultivator?’
“Calm down, old senior. The Thousand Willow Monastery don’t dare to conceal the truth from you. We’ve honestly never seen those two Eight-leaf golden lotus elites,” Xia Changqiu explained hastily.
“I didn’t say they are Eight-leaf cultivators… How do you know that?” Lu Zhou’s voice deepened considerably.
“…” Xia Changqiu’s heart sank. ‘This is bad.’
Lu Zhou faded out of focus for a moment before he shot forward.
Xia Changqiu’s expression changed slightly. He folded his palms and pushed them forward.
Lu Zhou appeared in front of Xia Changqiu. His wrinkled hand was like a five-fingered heavenly hook. He did not seem to be using any energy as he pushed his palm forward. When he broke through Xia Changqiu’s energy, his palm shone with a blue radiance!
Bam!
Xia Changqiu was sent flying back. His arms went numb immediately, and his blood essence surged.
The others were shocked. The grand Monastery Master of the Thousand Willow Monastery was pushed back with what seemed to be just a casual strike!
Xia Changqiu was in great pain. His confidence and pride had taken a blow consecutively from Yu Shangrong, Yu Zhenghai, Liang Zidao, Zhu Xuan, and now, this old man… He could hardly accept this. All of them could easily bully him! How could he remain unaffected? Was there no longer any place for the pride of an Eight-and-a-half-leaf cultivator?
Lu Zhou looked at Xia Changqiu and said with a hint of praise, “You’re still standing after taking a hit from me. Your cultivation base isn’t too bad.”
Xia Changqiu’s expression was gloomy. However, with so many people watching, he had to straighten his back. “Thank you for the kind words, old mister… We’ve never seen the two golden lotus cultivators. About them being Eight-leaf cultivators… I’ve heard that from the rumors as well.”
Lu Zhou stood in the air with his hands on his back as he said, “I don’t like liars…”
Tian Buji planted himself before Xia Changqiu and said, “Old senior, you’re techniques are shocking and profound. Why must you bully us?”
Ji Fengxing flew up and bowed at Xia Changqiu. Then, he turned to face Lu Zhou and said, “This has nothing to do with the Thousand Willow Monastery, I was the one who started all this. I know the people you’re looking for, old mister.’
After Ji Fengxing finished speaking, a figure shot toward them from the distant forest. Upon seeing this, his eyes widened immediately as he shouted, “Big brother… Run!” With a burst of movement, he flew toward Yu Shangrong.
