Zhang Ximing continued spitting blood from his mouth; it was clear he was about to die. Nevertheless, there was a victorious smile on his face. The rain fell on his face, washing away the dirt but blurring his vision at the same time. His bloodshot eyes looked even more terrifying due to how uncomfortable they felt. His mind seemed to have left him as he mumbled, "The Zhang family… is innocent… My father is not a… corrupt official. My father… is not a corrupt official… All of you have to die… All of you have to die…"
Zhang Ximing's life continued to leak out of his body as he lay limply on the ground.
Yu Zhenghai's Jasper Saber had cut Zhang Wanxiang's avatar open after all. That alone was enough to cause grievous injuries. On top of that, Yu Zhenghai's Great Dark Heaven Palm had also accurately landed on his chest, shattering his internal organs. It would have been strange if he did not die.
"Did I overdo it?" Yu Zhenghai asked Yu Shangrong.
"If it were me, he would've died long ago…"
"…"
The onlookers felt as though they were going crazy.
Meanwhile, the cultivator who said he would walk backward if Yu Zhenghai won stiffened as an unnatural smile hung on his face.
If the onlookers still could not guess the relationship between these two experts, they would be no different from mentally unsound people. Moreover, Yu Shangrong's sword of creation and the 80,000 energy swords were more than enough to convince them.
At this time, Yu Shangrong flew over and came to a stop above Zhang Ximing before he said, "I'm sorry. Your father's crimes have been exposed, and they're irrefutable. Your background and upbringing should've helped you to distinguish between truths and falsehoods. Right and wrong are black and white. Justice needs to be served. If you had even a modicum of propriety or shame, you wouldn't have used the word 'wronged'. If I were you, I would've slit my throat long ago. How dare you run around provoking others in the name of vengeance?"
Upon hearing these words, the motionless Zhang Ximing began to spit out blood again. His eyes were filled with hatred, resentment, and unwillingness. Alas, it was useless.
Yu Shangrong looked at Zhang Ximing indifferently; he did not pity Zhang Ximing at all. After years of toeing the line between life and death, whether it was in the Melilot Graveyard, traveling south across towering mountains and deep valleys, or having to endure the ridicules, he and Yu Zhenghai had suffered much more.
Only a pathetic person would misdirect his hatred, and Zhang Ximing was such a person.
Zhang Ximing's life continued leaking out of his body; his energy grew weaker and weaker.
Yu Shangrong looked at the fog and rain as he asked, "Where's the black lotus domain?"
"Y-you… you… you… If you're so… great, w-why… why don't you find them on… your own… You…" Zhang Ximing could not finish his sentence; his words were caught in his throat. After breathing heavily for a few moments, his head fell limply to the side, and he stopped breathing.
"Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 5,500 merit points. Domain bonus: 1,500 merit points."
Yu Zhenghai looked at Zhang Ximing who had stopped breathing and asked, "Is he really dead?"
"He should be dead," Yu Shangrong said.
Yu Zhenghai furrowed his brows slightly. "Will he come back to live like Ye Zhen?"
"That's possible…"
"One should learn from mistakes… Second Junior Brother, please move to the side. This time, I will finish him off properly." Yu Zhenghai raised his right. The Jasper Saber hovered above his palm and began to spin, releasing energy sabers.
Yu Shangrong was not interested in the corpse so he flew back to stand with the onlookers.
At this moment, the area within 60 meters was filled to the brim with golden energy sabers. They fell like a great waterfall as they slashed wildly. Although the area they covered was not too big, the commotion they caused made people felt as though the earth was quaking and the mountain was shaking. The commotion was even greater than when Yu Zhenghai and Zhang Ximing were fighting.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
After a while, silence finally returned.
Yu Zhenghai looked at his masterpiece in satisfaction before he flew away.
Upon seeing this, the cultivators who were watching the show retreated one after another, afraid of being attacked.
At this moment, Yu Shangrong said, "There's no need to be afraid. The Evil Sky Pavilion has always distinguished between right and wrong when dealing with matters."
"…"
Yu Zhenghai flew in front of everyone and swept his gaze across them. He asked, "Where's the Zhang family?"
"T-the city of J-Jingzhou… in… in Guannei Circuit," one of the cultivators answered nervously.
"Jingzhou City? Second Junior Brother, you should report this to master. I'll head to Jingzhou City to investigate the Zhang family's background," Yu Zhenghai said.
Yu Shangrong shook his head and said, "If the black lotus domain is involved, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to go alone."
"Don't worry. Times have changed. I know what to do."
"No, if you encounter a Thousand Realms Whirling expert, you'll be in danger. Master might not make it in time to save you," Yu Shangrong refuted.
"I'll be careful and focus on the investigation."
"Eldest Senior Brother, it's better if I go. After all, in regard to speed, you're inferior to me."
Everyone only dared to watch silently. They could not help but gulp as they wondered if this was how the experts from the Evil Sky Pavilion did things.
At this moment, a deep voice rang from the rain and fog.
"Both of you, return."
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong turned around immediately, startled.
The familiar voice, tone… and the aura that pierced through the thick fog and rain.
The duo bowed and obediently replied, "Yes."
Everyone. "…"
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong did not dally and flew away from the ruins.
The heavy rain poured down and washed over the ruins after the battle.
Zhang Ximing's corpse had long been sliced into pieces by the merciless energy sabers.
The spectators also looked at the rain and fog…
"It can't be…"
"Let's hurry up and leave. It's so scary here. Moreover, who do you think can make both of them so obedient?"
The spectators were about to turn around and leave when…
"Wait."
Lu Zhou's figure flashed and appeared in front of everyone. The rain and fog around them were evaporated by his energy, clearing everyone's vision.
The onlookers saw an old man with black hair hovering in front of them with his hands on his back. All of them stared at him in a daze as they gulped.
"S-s-senior… Senior… w-what are y-you're o-orders?" The person standing at the lead was sweating bullets.
Lu Zhou flicked his sleeve. The Golden Taixu Mirror appeared and shone on everyone present like a spotlight.
The crowd could not help but close their eyes when the dazzling golden light shone on them. When they opened their eyes, they discovered the black-haired old man had already left. His speed was so fast that it seemed as though he was never there at all.
…
The royal place.
The Preservation Hall had already been cleaned up when Lu Zhou returned.
He did not waste time and activated the Purple Glazed Ceramic to meditate on the Heavenly Writing to replenish his supreme mystic power. He had used up the supreme mystic power when he observed his eighth disciple.
After some time had passed, Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong finally arrived in the Preservation Hall. Both of them were shocked when they saw their master sitting cross-legged in the center. First, they were shocked that their master had returned so quickly. Second, their master seemed to have grown younger!
Needless to say, despite their shock, they did not dare to ask any questions. They stepped forward and greeted their master in unison, "Disciple greets master."
Inwardly, the duo was still wondering how their master made it back so fast? They had flown back without stopping. Based on their master's posture, it seemed like he had been here for a long time.
"You're finally back…" Lu Zhou opened his eyes.
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong. "…"
"Both of you did a good job with Zhang Ximing. However, trying to investigate the black lotus domain is a little reckless," Lu Zhou said.
"Master is right," Yu Zhenghai said sheepishly.
"The Black Tower Council's plan has been disrupted. Sooner or later, they'll send people over. Rather than looking for them, it's better to wait for them to come to us. The Black Tower Council is full of experts. The Black Guards are all Thousand Realms Whirling experts. Do you think you can handle them?" Lu Zhou said.
The duo silently lowered their heads.
Lu Zhou continued to say, "Old First, you're my eldest disciple. Logically speaking, after breaking the shackles, you should improve the fastest. If you don't cultivate diligently, it won't be long before Yuan'er catches up to you."
Yu Zhenghai bowed and said, "I'm ashamed of myself. I promise to cultivate even more diligently and sprout the tenth leaf as soon as possible."
"Old Second, you're my second disciple, and the first person to successfully attempt severing the lotus. However, to form your Thousand Realms Whirling avatar and activate your Birth Charts, you need your lotus seat where the Birth Palace is located. Therefore, only by sprouting the tenth leaf soon as possible will we be able to seek out new ways for you to rise to the next realm…" Lu Zhou said.
Yu Shangrong was, naturally, aware that usually one would need a lotus to form the Thousand Realms Whirling avatar and activate Birth Charts. Due to his lack of a lotus, this matter had been weighing heavily on him. However, now that he had heard his master's words, he was delighted and felt at ease. He hurriedly said, "Thank you, master!"
"In the coming days, I'll personally supervise your cultivation."
"Understood."
"Ding! You've educated Yu Zhenghai. Reward: 200 merit points."
"Ding! You've educated Yu Shangrong.. Reward: 200 merit points."
