My disciples are all villains.

When the Jasper Saber shot out of the flying chariot, it spun clockwise in the air. Every blade of energy morphed into the likeness of the Jasper Saber. The real Jasper Saber was shrouded in a body of dense energy. It was like a huge cartwheel that stirred up Primal Qi. The Primal Qi shot out and condensed into energy that formed miniature Jasper Sabers.

"The Great Dark Heaven Memorial. The Dark Heaven Starlight," Si Wuya said with a nod.

The Great Dark Heaven Memorial was the cultivation method Yu Zhenghai was famous for. Ever since he obtained the Jasper Saber, he merged the Great Dark Heaven Method and his sword skills through his own insight and hard work. Even his peers would not underestimate the force of this skill.

Needless to say, these sorry excuses of cultivators from the Azure Dragon Association did not stand a chance. When they looked up and discovered the rain of blades, it was already too late.

There was a drizzle of blood accompanied by a foul wind.

The Jasper Saber was an outstanding weapon among heaven-grade weapons to begin with. It could easily break through the protective energy layers around the mediocre cultivators. Some avatars, which were only half a person's height, had only appeared for an instant before being destroyed by the Great Dark Heaven Memorial's rain of blades.

In the time it took for them to take a breath, the Jasper Saber returned to Yu Zhenghai's hand. The saber appeared no different from before. It looked ordinary and insignificant. It was as though one would find it lying around in any blacksmith's workshop.

"Four great protectors," Yu Zhenghai said indifferently, "Clean it up."

"Yes, Sect Master." The four great protectors leaped off the flying chariot one after another.

After four of them left the flying chariot, four colossal Hundred Tribulations Insight avatars lined up in a row. The golden lotuses beneath their feet had at least six leaves!

Si Wuya knew the Nether Sect was powerful but did not expect it to be this extent. This had truly exceeded his expectations. Apart from the four great protectors, Yu Zhenghai had thousands upon thousands of sect members and many powerful cultivators spread out across the land. It was shocking to imagine what kind of methods his Eldest Senior Brother must have employed to recruit so many experts into the Nether Sect with his personal abilities. He turned to look at Yu Zhenghai.

Yu Zhenghai did not even deign to look at the Azure Dragon's headquarters. Instead, he was looking at the scenery in the distance. "Junior Brother Wuya, there's no need to be surprised… The Azure Dragon Association is an ally to my sect on the surface, but they bite the hand that feeds them. They had this coming," Yu Zhenghai said nonchalantly.

Si Wuya was not shocked. He had appraised Nether Sect's strength once before. If the Nether Sect did not possess true strength, it would never be able to become the greatest cult under the heavens. He smiled faintly before he said, "Nice move, Eldest Senior Brother."

"You flatter me, Junior Brother… Come, let's have another toast." Yu Zhenghai raised his hand, and the cup of wine on the table flew toward him. With his cultivation base, he could already move objects with his energy as if it was second nature to him.

Si Wuya replied earnestly, "Sure!"

After they emptied their cups, the four great protectors walked toward them on air before entering the flying chariot one after the other.

"Sect Master, the cleaning up has been done."

"Very good." Yu Zhenghai placed his wine cup down.

The four great protectors retreated to his back respectfully.

Si Wuya put his cup down as well and said, "I've seen the display and have had my drink. Eldest Senior Brother… about the box…"

Yu Zhenghai raised a hand to interrupt him. "If you didn't come, if it had been anyone else, I would never agree to unlock this box. But since you asked, I have no reason to not give you face. I'll unlock the box. However…" He paused for a moment before continuing, "Not today."

"Why?" Si Wuya asked, puzzled.

"Seven days later, I'll personally deliver this box to Old Eighth's Tiger Ridge… I'll take this opportunity to visit him as well. I'd like to reminisce," Yu Zhenghai said.

Si Wuya nodded and said, "That's a good plan."

"Old Seventh, aren't you going to ask me why I'm giving you this excuse?"

"I've always felt at ease when you're the one doing things, Eldest Senior Brother. I have no need to doubt you," Si Wuya said calmly.

Yu Zhenghai laughed heartily. "The person I admire the most under the heavens is you, Seventh Junior Brother."

"You flatter me, Eldest Senior Brother," Si Wuya said with a smile. He stood up as soon as he finished speaking.

The flying chariot continued moving toward Pingdu Mountain.

Si Wuya looked at the chariot's course and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, I have something else to attend to. I'll have to trouble you with the box then."

"It's a trivial matter." Yu Zhenghai nodded calmly. "If you meet Second Junior Brother, tell him this. If he's free, I would like to spar with him."

"Uh…"

"If you want to keep your blade sharp, you must temper it frequently. I think that it's the same for Second Junior Brother's sword," Yu Zhenghai said slowly.

"You have a point, Eldest Senior Brother. As the saying goes, it's like meeting a formidable opponent in chess or to encounter a talented person while selecting a general. Without a worthy opponent, it's difficult to maintain one's combat skills fighting third-rate opponents all the time." After that, Si Wuya cupped his hands together and said, "I'll convey your message to Second Senior Brother."

"Go then." Yu Zhenghai waved his hand while drinking some more wine.

Si Wuya leaped off the flying chariot. He dove down and vanished in a blink of an eye.

Yu Zhenghai's four great protectors who stood behind him positioned themselves around the flying chariot. They took up a corner each. One of the great protectors bowed and said, "Sect Master, this man is slightly hypocritical. He ingratiates himself to you and flatters you. We should be on guard against him."

The protector's voice had barely faded when Yu Zhenghai glared at him. A Great Dark Heaven's palm print hit the protector's chest.

The protector dared not fight back. He took the blow squarely. He grunted as he doubled over. His Qi and blood were surging. He fell to one knee and said, "Please forgive me, Sect Master. I have spoken out of turn."

"This strike is only a minor punishment… Seventh Junior Brother isn't someone who can be judged by you lot of people."

The protector lowered his head and dared not say anything.

"The four of you are my most trusted subordinates… If it weren't for Seventh Junior Brother's efforts behind the scenes, do you think the Nether Sect can attain its current glory?"

The protector's eyes widened. He dared not say a word.

Yu Zhenghai shook his head. His voice softened. "This strike isn't only a punishment, it's also a warning. Never underestimate anyone."

"You're right, Sect Master."

...

Meanwhile, after Si Wuya landed, a swift-moving flying chariot sped over from the other side of the Divine Capital. It flew at a low altitude at specific angles and routes which avoided the Imperial guards' defenses. The flying chariot came to halt beside Si Wuya.

More than ten cultivators left the chariot and came to Si Wuya's side. They bowed at the same time. "Sect Master, the Nether Sect has been doing away with opposing factions in a frenzy lately. Everything between the Divine Capital and Pingdu Mountain now belongs to the Nether Sect. Since you have deep ties with the Nether Sect…"

Si Wuya raised a hand. "There's no need to worry. Sometimes, the outcome of a battle isn't decided by the size of the force… A sentence, a person, or an item could easily change the outcome on a battlefield. I'm sure Eldest Senior Brother understands this. He did not get to where he is now by not knowing anything after all."

"What about the Evil Sky Pavilion's box…"

"I expected that Eldest Senior Brother would keep it. Also, did you leak the information to the Clarity Sect?" Si Wuya asked.

"We have."

"Very good. Let it progress on its own from now. There's no need to meddle anymore."

"Understood!"

Some things merely needed a single push. The more naturally things progressed, the more real it would seem.

"Sect Master, there's a piece of information from the Darknet. Wei Zhuoyan's men are already at Tangzi Town."

"Continue to monitor them."

"Understood."

Si Wuya glanced at his flying chariot and said, "I don't need the flying chariot this time… I suddenly have the urge to stroll around the Divine Capital."