When the 200-foot red lotus appeared in the sky, the disciples of the Ninth Temple looked up. In every corner of every building, everyone stopped what they were doing to look. Many of them would never have the chance to see what a Ten-leaf avatar looked like. It was a great pleasure in life to admire one of the greatest works of art with their own eyes. For cultivators, this was what they had worked toward. This was their goal.
Unfortunately, this short-lived radiance did not last long before it dissipated in the air like fireworks.
…
In a pavilion near the northern section, Yu Zhenghai was trying to suppress his excitement when he saw the 200-foot avatar. He could not calm down for quite a while. He had seen everything. He knew the Ninth Temple was powerful, but it was completely out of his expectations that they were this powerful.
He did not remain standing there with his hands on his back. When he witnessed this, he sat down.
A young disciple was coincidentally cleaning Yu Zhenghai’s room at this moment. He was also shocked.
“Is that a Ten-leaf avatar?” Yu Zhenghai asked.
“Yes… Yes, senior.”
“Do you recognize whose avatar is that?”
The young disciple gulped before he replied, “I… All I know is a general seems to be visiting. He… he went to see the temple master.”
“Who’s the owner of that palm seal then?” Although Yu Zhenghai was shocked, his control over his emotions was, naturally, better than these juniors.
“I… I think it’s… Temple Master Sikong’s…” All the young disciple knew was that the person with the highest authority in the Ninth Temple was Sikong Beichen. He had never seen Sikong Beichen before so how could he know whose palm seal it was,
Yu Zhenghai frowned. He wondered if it would be difficult for him to escape from here in the future. He clenched his hands. He kept recalling the huge palm seal and mumbled to himself, “Stronger than master…”
…
“Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 5,500 merit points. Domain extra: 1,500 merit points.”
For what seemed like hours, the Holy Palace was a quiet as a graveyard.
Everyone was staring at the sky blankly as though they had lost their souls. Nothing was left. The sky was as clear as far as the eyes could see. They could not even see any clouds. There were no signs on the grounds of the red lotus that once blossomed so brilliantly.
Chen Beizheng was nowhere to be seen as well.
Everyone was breathing silently. They felt as though they could hear each other’s heartbeats.
The atmosphere was extremely heavy. They felt as stifled as though they were being held underwater.
Even Sikong Beichen who was feared by all felt the same way as the others.
The five First Seats blinked to relieve their dry eyes. Their tears made their visions blur. With this, they suddenly realized the difference between them and the old senior. They recalled the scene earlier when they tried to attack the old senior. Now they realized how laughable and childish they had been.
Xia Changqiu and Tian Buji’s expressions were rather interesting. They finally understood why the old senior was so confident. Ji Fengxing might have been right… The old senior might actually be unparalleled!
Everyone stood witness to the status and strength of the Great General of the North. He once defeated the foreign tribesmen cultivators at the northern border and charged right into the heart of the foreign tribes. He was renowned as a killing god.
Although Sikong Beichen was confident he could defeat Chen Beizheng, he could not guarantee he could do it so cleanly with just a strike.
As for Lu Zhou’s three disciples, their knowledge of their master was renewed again. He was much more powerful than before.
At this moment, a strange and pungent odor pulled Yao Qingquan back to his senses. His nose twitched. He turned to look and saw Kong Lu sitting limply on the floor. The carpet beneath Kong Lu was wet. An elder from the Ninth Temple had wet himself from the shock.
Sikong Beichen said, “Drag him out and beat him to death.” He did not even look as he waved his arm.
“Understood.”
“Mercy, mercy, mercy…” Kong Lu could barely string a sentence together. He was shaking uncontrollably.
Zhu Xuan’s forehead was drenched in sweat. His back was wet as well. He lowered his head and remained silent.
Shortly after Kong Lu was dragged out of the building, a cry of despair rang in the air.
…
Chen Beizheng’s two subordinates were stunned witless. They suddenly regained their senses and glared at everyone.
Sikong Beichen was not an ordinary person. He naturally had his own way of dealing with such an unexpected incident. He was calm as he said indifferently, “Kill them.”
“Understood.” The four First Seats attacked at the same time; they dragged the duo out.
There were no more naysayers in the Holy Palace.
Sikong Beichen turned around slowly. He faced the old man whose hair was also white. He raised his hands solemnly and cupped them together. How could he not take someone like the old man seriously?
Lu Zhou merely glanced at Sikong Beichen. Then, he walked over to the chair at the side and slowly sat down. ‘At least I showed him.’
Sikong Beichen knew… When Lu Zhou entered the Holy Palace, he did not pay any attention to Lu Zhou and did not treat Lu Zhou seriously. Hence, he had been quite rude to his guest. It was understandable for his guest to have this attitude now. He did not walk up the stairs. Instead, he sat across Lu Zhou.
The female attendants busied themselves with tidying the Holy Palace with cautious movements. They soon cleared the debris away. The damages would have to be repaired some other day.
In the past, who would dare treat Sikong Beichen like this?
The remaining members looked around and dared not say anything.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and looked at Sikong Beichen. He asked, “Are you the Temple Master of the Ninth Temple?”
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “Your shocking techniques have truly widened my horizon, old mister.”
“That’s nothing.”
Sikong Beichen sighed softly and said, “I’m afraid the palace won’t let this matter go now that you’ve killed him, old mister.”
“That’s the Ninth Temple’s problem. That man was hostile. Don’t you want to get rid of him?”
“What I want is one thing. Actually getting rid of him is another. The Ninth Temple is no longer what it once was. We don’t want to make too many enemies for ourselves if it’s not necessary,” Sikong Beichen said.
“However, you were bold enough to act against me?” Lu Zhou asked as he stared at Sikong Beichen.
Sikong Beichen frowned. Chen Beizheng’s death would surely spell more trouble, but since when did the Ninth Temple offend this expert?
At this moment, Zhu Xuan fell to his knees with a thud. He kowtowed and said, “Temple Master, please forgive me… I didn’t know that Brother Yu is the old senior’s disciple. I truly had no idea. When I fought the other day, we came to an understanding, and I invited him here as a guest. I’ve made sure he has been well attended during his stay here. Please forgive me, Temple Master! Please have mercy, old senior!”
Bam!
Zhu Xuan knocked his forehead loudly on the ground. He was a Nine-leaf cultivator who commanded fearful respect from the others. Yet, in the face of an expert, he could only wag his tail and beg for mercy.
What was a deterring power? Killing the chicken to intimidate the monkey. This was how things were done.
Sikong Beichen understood the gist of the story. He said gruffly, “Well? Release the old mister’s disciple immediately!”
“Yes, yes, yes, right away…” Zhu Xuan trembled.
After Zhu Xuan left, Sikong Beichen cupped his fists together at Lu Zhou and said, “Please forgive us for our lack of hospitality before this.”
After witnessing Sikong Beichen’s change in attitude, Lu Zhou was rather satisfied with the deterrent effect he had on these people. Hence, he said, “I’m not a petty man.”
Sikong Beichen managed a smile on his weathered face. He nodded and recalled Lu Zhou’s earlier. He asked, “Old mister, you’re powerful enough to defeat Chen Beizheng with your shocking moves… May I know if you’ve initiated your Birth Chart?”
