My disciples are all villains.

Lu Si took two steps back respectfully. Then, he waved to the people of the Black Tower Council.

The people of the Black Tower Council stepped back respectfully in unison.

Lu Si looked at the seawater that only had a tinge of red now and shook his head. He sighed before he bowed again and left.

The people of the Black Tower Council followed Lu Si and left as well.

After confirming that Lu Zhou could not see them, Lu Si raised his hand and said, "Stop."

"Elder Lu, are we really going to leave like this?"

"There are surely high-level fierce beasts and beast kings in beast tides… Since Pavilion Master Lu killed the Nether Wolf King, nothing can be done about that. However, we don't have to return to the Black Tower Council just yet; we can go to the Jiannan Circuit. The terrain there is low. If we're lucky, we might encounter high-level fierce beasts," Lu Si said.

"What if we meet someone from the royal court?"

"We'll avoid them."

The Black Tower Council cultivators nodded.

Based on the current situation, it was safest for the Black Tower Council to stay out of Great Yuan's plan and to just reap the benefits from the side. The fierce the battle was for the others, the more advantageous it would be for the Black Tower Council.

As the Black Tower Council members flew neatly in a row toward Jiannan Circuit; they looked like a black dragon from afar.

…

On the shore of the Endless Ocean in the red lotus domain.

Up until now, Lu Li was still confused. Based on what he had seen, Zhu Honggong's master should only have six, or at most eight, Birth Charts. That was the strength of a judge in the Black Tower Council. Why were Lu Si and the Black Tower Council so scared and respectful toward him? It did not make sense at all. In the end, he bowed and asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by the collective demotion of the Black Tower Council?"

Lu Zhou looked back at Lu Li and said, "It means what it means literally."

"..."

The red lotus cultivators walked up to Lu Zhou at this moment. After they bowed, they kneeled and said, "We didn't expect to meet Pavilion Master Lu here. Please accept our greetings…"

Lu Li. "..."

'Isn't this too exaggerated? Why is everyone so humble in front of him?'

Lu Zhou said, "Rise."

"Thank you, Pavilion Master Lu."

The three red lotus cultivators rose to their feet and looked at Lu Zhou with eyes shining with respect and admiration.

One of the cultivators said, "Fortunately, Pavilion Master Lu showed up in time to kill the Nether Wolf King. Otherwise, the cities around the Sky Wheel Mountain Range would've fallen."

It is fortunate that master Lu showed up in time to kill the Netherworld Wolf King. Otherwise, all the cities around the Tianlun Mountains would be in trouble. Thank God!"

Lu Li and Zhu Hong had just returned so they did not understand much of what was going on.

Lu Zhou recalled the scavengers he met when he first entered the valley half a year ago. He asked, "Why did the Nether Wolf King appear at the Sky Wheel Mountain Range?"

"Maybe someone is controlling it. Maybe it's an order from an intelligent beast. We are nobodies so there's no way we know these things."

That made sense.

In any case, Lu Zhou would find out about everything once he returned and spoke to Si Wuya and the others. Finally, he said, "Alright, it's dangerous out here. You may leave."

"Yes." The trio turned around respectfully and left.

Lu Zhou looked back at Zhu Honggong who was still lying prostrate on the ground and asked, "Why aren't you getting up?"

"Master... Master..." Zhu Honggong finally got up with an ingratiating expression on his face.

Lu Zhou said, "You just sprouted the eleventh leaf; you shouldn't let it get to your head."

"Yes, master."

Lu Li was further confused. "Pavilion Master Lu, you're not surprised by the eleventh leaf?"

Before Lu Zhou could reply, Zhu Honggong immediately nudged Lu Li and said, "Of course. My master is very knowledgeable; you just don't know it yet."

Lu Li: o(一︿一+)o

"Let's go back to Guannei Circuit first," Lu Zhou said.

"Understood."

...

Half a day later.

When Lu Zhou and the others traveled back to the capital, fierce beasts could be seen everywhere. It seemed as though there was an infestation of fierce beasts in the red lotus domain.

When they arrived at the royal palace, many cultivators from the palace rushed out to meet Lu Zhou. Since he had used the Disguise Card, all of them recognized him and welcomed him back respectfully.

Soon after, Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, Little Yuan 'er, Conch, and the people from the Evil Sky Pavilion rushed over as well. When they saw Lu Zhou's appearance, they were dumbfounded again.

Little Yuan'er pointed at Lu Zhou's beard and said, "Master… Master, why do you look like that again?"

"Don't be rude," Yu Zhenghai said.

"Oh."

It was inappropriate to point at their master, after all.

Based on their reactions, Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong's ability to accept things was much better than before.

Lu Zhou swept his gaze across the crowd and asked, "Where's Old Seventh?"

"Seventh Junior Brother is in the Sky Martial Court."

"Summon him. I want to see him."

"Understood."

After saying that, Lu Zhou rushed toward the Preservation Hall. He was still shirtless, after all. There was no need to explain since everyone should know image was the most important thing!

The Disguise Card's effect would last for five days. Lu Zhou did not think there was a need to dispel the effect for now. Considering the many troubles that came with his youthful appearance, it was not a bad idea to go with the flow.

After Lu Zhou left, Zhu Honggong stepped forward and greeted his seniors. "Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother..."

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong both went forward and patted Zhu Honggong's shoulders, nodding their heads.

"There will definitely be good fortune after surviving a great disaster. That day when I heard you jumped into the Endless Ocean, it made me look at you in a new light." Yu Zhenghai was very surprised when he heard about that matter from Si Wuya.

"It's a small matter..."

Yu Shangrong was also not stingy with his praise. "Once you really experience life and death, you'll definitely gain something. I saw your energy is steady and strong. I think Eighth Junior Brother must have had some fortuitous encounters?"

Zhu Hong said confidently, "Senior brother, you praise me too much. My cultivation base has only improved slightly. However, if there's a chance, I'd like to exchange a few moves with you."

Everyone. "..."

'Old Eighth must have gone crazy!'

An expression of approval appeared on Yu Shangrong's face immediately. "You have the courage to challenge me now. Old Eighth, you've changed a lot. Victory and defeat aside, your courage alone is worthy of praise!'

'Just wait. I'll defeat you in a while. Let's see who dares to look down on me from now on.' Despite his thoughts, Zhu Honggong remained modest outwardly.

Following that, Zhu Honggong called out to Little Yuan'er, "Little Junior Sister..."

Little Yuan'er placed her hands on her hips and said, "Eighth Senior Brother, you're mistaken. She's our Little Junior Sister…"

"Uh..." Zhu Honggong looked at Conch.

Little Yuan'er briefly recounted what had happened.

When Zhu Honggong recovered from the shock, he said, "Master has good taste!"

Conch bowed and greeted Zhu Honggong. "Greetings, Eighth Senior Brother."

It was not easy for Zhu Honggong to gain another junior; how could he not seize the chance to act like a senior brother? He cleared his throat and solemnly said, "No need to be so formal…"

At this time, Yan Zhenluo, Shen Xi, Xia Changqiu, and the others finally arrived.

Yan Zhenluo had sharp eyes; he saw Lu Li as soon as he arrived. At first, he was stunned. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He rubbed his eyes before he looked again. It was really Lu Li! He called out, "Brother Lu!"

"Brother Yan?" 

The duo's reunion was even more exaggerated than that of a lover's reunion. First, they asked about each other's well-being. After ensuring they were both fine, they laughed burst into laughter.

Yan Zhenluo asked, "Where have you been all this time?"

"I was injured when I was on the mission and somehow got stranded in the yellow lotus domain. Thanks to Old Zhu's sacrifice, I survived…" Lu Li pointed at Zhu Honggong. He was never one to discredit another person.

Yan Zhenluo nodded and said, "If it weren't for the life stone, I would've gone to look for you. Many things have happened in the Black Tower Council since you left. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive today."

"It's all in the past now. How has the Black Tower Council changed? Anyway, something's strange. I personally witnessed Fourth Elder Lu Si kneeling to Pavilion Master Lu. What's going on? By the way, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Black Tower Council?" Lu Li asked, growing confused again. At this point, one wondered if he could be any more confused.

"It's a long story... I haven't asked you yet; how did you end up returning with Pavilion Master Lu?" Yan Zhenluo asked.

Lu Li then told Yan Zhenluo what had happened to him.

Yan Zhenluo was amazed. After he seemed to have understood what had happened, he smiled and asked, "Do you know about the collective demotion of the Black Tower Council?"

Lu Li had heard these words earlier. An uneasy feeling rose in his heart as he asked, "What do you mean by collective demotion?"

"In order to save me, Pavilion Master Lu single-handedly broke through the 3,600 Dao inscriptions formation. Why it's called a collective demotion is because almost every member of the Black Tower Council lost one Birth Chart at least. Tower Master Xia lost two Birth Charts! Lan Xihe, the Tower Master of the White Tower Council, was there at that time as well. News of this has spread throughout the entire cultivation world. People refer to it as the Collective Demotion of the Black Tower Council," Yan Zhenluo said.

Lu Li's eyes were as wide as saucers. The word 'shock' could not even describe his feelings at this moment. He gulped before he said disbelievingly, "How's that possible? At most, he has six Birth Charts. When I first met him, he only had ten leaves!"