Lu Zhou’s heart stirred slightly. ‘This Mingshi Yin! He won’t stop making me worry. Since you’ve already conveyed the message, you can just peacefully return. You just had to get in conflict with Fan Xiuwen’s men. If you provoked Fan Xiuwen and get yourself killed, you’ll only have yourself to blame!’
Mingshi Yin was still quite a distance away from the Evil Sky Pavilion. Although Lu Zhou could rescue him with a Peak Form Card, it would still take some time for Lu Zhou to reach him even if he unleashed all his techniques to rush over. If Mingshi Yin managed to escape unscathed from the Black Knights, he was certain Mingshi Yin would be able to protect himself better in Great Yan in the future.
The path of cultivation was fraught with dangers. Lu Zhou did not wish for anything to happen to Mingshi Yin. Although this disciple of his was unruly, he was certain Mingshi Yin had the potential to be someone great with the right education. Moreover, he also hoped to earn merit points through Mingshi Yin. Currently, the system dashboard showed he had 1,710 merit points.
Lu Zhou thought to himself, ‘I have two Deadly Strike Cards left. They should be enough. Binding Cage’s hit rate is too low. I should buy two more.’ When he opened the item cards tab, he saw Binding Cage had been unlocked. It cost 200 merit points each, and he bought three in a go.
‘I have six Binding Cage Cards now, this should be enough, right? I’ll go for the lucky draw next time. It’ll be worth it if I manage to get an avatar. I’ll only make two draws.”
…
Two days later.
Lu Zhou finally decided to stop comprehending the Heavenly Writing for now. After continuously studying it, he discovered he had made some headway. The more he comprehended it, the more his mental state improved. The improvement seemed to show itself when something unexpected happened. A good example of this was when he encountered the Buddhist Brahman Lullaby and when his fourth disciple, Mingshi Yin, approached the hidden chamber. He managed to remain unaffected by the Brahman Lullaby and repel Mingshi Yin. He muttered to himself, “Could it be that the process of comprehension allows me to gain extraordinary power?” This seemed to be the only logical explanation, for now.
Lu Zhou closed Heavenly Writing’s interface. He felt that he had been a little too immersed in comprehending and studying it during the past two days.
At this moment, Little Yuan’er voice rang from outside, “Master, Fourth Senior Brother is back!”
“Alright.” Lu Zhou left the hidden chamber and walked toward the pavilion. He saw Mingshi Yin kneeling in the hall.
Mingshi Yin’s face was covered in grime, and he looked extremely battered.
To Lu Zhou’s relief, Mingshi Yin’s loyalty did not decrease. In fact, it seemed to be much better than before.
Mingshi Yin said, intentionally speaking loudly, “Greetings, master!”
Lu Zhou walked over with his hands on his back, “Stand up and talk. Where are the Black Knights now?”
“The Black Knights departed earlier… They’re less than 10 miles away from Golden Court Mountain. They should arrive at any minute,” Mingshi Yin replied.
Little Yuan’er exclaimed in surprise, “So soon?!”
At this moment, an unnatural smile appeared on Mingshi Yin’s face.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and walked over. He stood before Mingshi Yin and looked at him appraisingly before saying, “Daredevil! Impudent!”
Upon hearing this, Mingshi Yin instinctively fell to his knees. ‘I’m dead. Master is going to lose his temper!’
“We’re not clear about Fan Xiuwen’s strength. You’ve just entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm, and yet, you’re bold enough to provoke him? I think you’re sick of living, is that right?” Lu Zhou’s tone contained a hint of rebuke when he spoke.
“I dare not! I was worried he wouldn’t come so I… harassed some of his men! I didn’t plan on killing them, but they didn’t want to let me go. I had no choice but to hide in the forest and took care of them there,” Mingshi Yin explained.
“Fool.” Lu Zhou evaluated Mingshi Yin’s actions calmly. “If Fan Xiuwen really meant you harm, he would be able to easily deal with you. There’s no need for him to give you a chance.”
Mingshi Yin was frightened when he heard this. He asked in a small voice, “Fan Xiuwen is so strong?”
At this moment, Little Yuan’er chimed in, “His real name is Leng Luo. Didn’t you read the letter master sent you?”
“…” Mingshi Yin sat on the floor with a dumbfounded expression on his face. He had never heard of Fan Xiuwen, but he was not unfamiliar with the name, Leng Luo. Back then, Leng Luo’s reputation was unrivaled. If his master did not amaze the world by raising nine disciples, Leng Luo’s reputation would linger even longer.
Leng Luo was a scheming expert with a profound cultivation base. How could Mingshi Yin not feel frightened after killing the Black Knights under such an expert’s nose?
All of them wondered why Fan Xiuwen did not make a move…
At this moment, a female cultivator from Derived Moon Palace entered the hall. After bowing, she said, “Pavilion Master, Fan Xiuwen requests an audience with you. He’s outside.”
‘Here he comes.’ Lu Zhou looked outside the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Mingshi Yin rose to his feet, looking very obedient now. He asked tentatively, “Master, should I drive him away for now? You can meet him another time?” His master was old, after all. Even if his master could suppress Fan Xiuwen easily with his cultivation base and strength, he might not wish to fight such an elite.
Lu Zhou waved his hand dismissively and said calmly, “Bring him in.”
“I’ll fetch him” Mingshi Yin did not even have time to clean himself before he walked out of the Evil Sky Pavilion.
Little Yuan’er giggled and said, “Master… I’m going as well!”
Lu Zhou did not stop her. After all, Fan Xiuwen was already at the foot of the mountain. Fan Xiuwen was an intelligent man. He would not be so rash as to attack his disciples.
…
Beyond the barrier, Golden Court Mountain.
More than 10 Black Knights waited in a row, looking imposing. Only one knight stood at the lead, and he was none other than Fan Xiuwen. His most trusted subordinates, the Four Dark Knights, stood in the middle.
Fan Xiuwen looked at Golden Court Mountain’s barrier that shone with a gold brilliance as he said in a hoarse voice, “I didn’t expect Golden Court Mountain to have a Formation in such a perfect place…”
A Black Knight standing behind Fan Xiuwen said, “Rumor has it that even the ten great Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm elites could not break Golden Court Mountain’s barrier after they joined forces. Such a Formation is truly amazing.”
Fan Xiuwen nodded lightly and said indifferently, “Four of you will accompany me up the mountain while the rest will stay here and wait.”
“Understood.”
At this moment, a figure shot toward them from the top of the stairs at lightning speed. It was none other than Mingshi Yin. He came to halt a short distance away from the barrier. He looked at the people beyond the barrier to confirm they were the Black Knights he had seen in the forest. The person standing in the lead who wore black armor and a black tiger mask with a tall and muscular body had to be the infamous Leng Luo. He felt chills running up his spine when he looked at him. He did not dare to act recklessly. He cupped his hands together and said, “The master invites you up the mountain.”
Fan Xiuwen glanced at Mingshi Yin and said in a deceptively soft voice, “The Evil Sky Pavilion’s fourth disciple, Mingshi Yin… You killed four of my knights. However, on account of your master, I won’t hold it against you.”
“Senior, you’re truly magnanimous. However, I was only defending myself since they persisted on hunting me down…” Mingshi Yin said.
A Black Knight standing behind Fan Xiuwen retorted coldly, “Weren’t you the one who infiltrated the Black Knights Headquarters first?”
“I was just worried you won’t convey the message to your leader. I won’t be able to bear the consequences if I fail my task. All of you know what kind of person my master is, right?” Mingshi Yin effectively stopped the Black Knights from retorting by bringing his master up.
Fan Xiuwen raised a hand to signal his subordinates to not interrupt. Then, he said indifferently, “I will never decline an invitation from your master. Lead the way.” Based on his words, he was clearly confident in his strength.
Compared to Fan Xiuwen, Mingshi Yin preferred Zuo Xinchan better. At the very least, Zuo Xinchan had addressed him as Mister Fourth. He liked the sound of that. Alas, it was unfortunate that Zuo Xinchan was dead.
Mingshi Yin walked up to the barrier before waving his arm, and an opening appeared in the barrier. “Master asks you to go up on your own.”
“Interesting.” Fan Xiuwen nodded. He walked up as the Four Dark Knights trailed after him.
The last Dark Knight to cross the barrier paused for a moment to look at Mingshi Yin before he said, “Fourth disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion, if we have the opportunity in the future, let’s exchange some moves.”
Without batting an eyelid, Mingshi Yi calmly said, “Master has said that I’m not to fight without a reason…”