My disciples are all villains.

Jiang Aijian did not like to put on airs. However, he was usually forced to. This time, it was the same. After putting on airs, he immediately regretted it. Why did he have such a big mouth? Why must he meddle? This did not suit him! The great villain must have seen through this farce. Even if he stayed out of this, things would have still ended the same way. Moreover, the person before him was the greatest villain in the world. There were three little villains as well. Anyone of them could have easily taken his life.

Jiang Aijian chuckled sheepishly as he stood before Lu Zhou and bowed slightly. He licked his lips before he said, "Old senior… I'm Jiang Aijian, Jiang Aijian of the pugilistic world."

"You're quite the schemer." Lu Zhou sat before the stone table, staring at Jiang Aijian.

"Old senior… This is a collaboration! Don't you think things worked out for both of us?" Jiang Aijian asked.

"I don't think so."

When Lu Zhou returned to Skylark Pagoda, he did some calculations. He used three Binding Cage Cards to capture Yunsan. Although they were his old stock, the prices of the item cards had gone up. Yunsan's cultivation base was only in the Divine Court realm. Capturing him did not award Lu Zhou with any merit points. In a situation where accumulating merit points was becoming more difficult, this was a huge loss for him.

Jiang Aijian forced a smile and said, "I can't be blamed for what happened today. If you want to blame someone, you should blame your seventh disciple, Si Wuya. He's the one setting the stage from the shadows."

"All I know is you were the one who summoned me here," Lu Zhou said.

Jiang Aijian was rendered speechless. Alright, he was wrong. He glanced at Hua Yuexing, who was standing there in fear and trepidation. He suddenly had an inspiration and said, "I have something that'll make you feel better, old senior."

"What is it?"

Jiang Aijian walked to Hua Yuexing and said, "Hua Yuexing… I initially planned to bring you out of the palace and restore your freedom, but now… let me direct you to a brighter path."

"Huh?"

"Join the Evil Sky Pavilion," Jiang Aijian said.

Mingshi Yin said disapprovingly, "I'm not trying to belittle her, but with her skills… She's just like the general workers in Evil Sky Pavilion. Even Zhou Jifeng's more powerful than her."

Hua Yuexing felt offended that they were talking about her as though she was not there. She had cultivated in the Luo Sect since she was young. She did not like swords, blades, or fists… She could not help but fall in love with the bow and arrows. From the moment she picked it up, she could not stop herself. She ended up becoming Luo Sect's Godly Archer. She joined the palace after leaving the Luo Sect and had served in the palace since. She eventually made a name for herself and became one of the Divine Capital's Three Godly Archers. However, she was young and did not have much experience in killing enemies on the frontlines. That was why she was ranked third among the three Godly Archers of the Divine Capital.

"General worker? No way…" Hua Yuexing said.

"What? Do you want to spar with me? Bring it on. I don't discriminate between males and females. Don't cry when you're hit." Mingshi Yin raised his hand, the Separation Hook materialized and spun above his hand.

When she saw the heaven-grade weapon, Hua Yuexing took a step back. She was clearly frightened. After all, she had been attacked by Mingshi Yin earlier. This was a case of once bitten, twice shy.

Jiang Aijian said, "Don't underestimate her. Hua Yuexing is highly talented in archery. It's a shame that she followed the wrong person." He turned and said to Hua Yuexing, "If you want to join the Evil Sky Pavilion, show them some moves."

"I won't join the Evil Sky Pavilion." Hua Yuexing rejected the proposal directly.

"Uh… why?"

"I'd rather be punished in the palace than join the Fiend Path."

Jiang Aijian sighed and shook his head. He said in a brotherly manner, "Trust me… The conflicts within the palace are much more complicated than the affairs of the outside world. Besides, Lady Jade's witchcraft spell has been lifted. Mo Li is a dangerous person. Don't tell me you're thinking of going back to the Luo Sect?"

Hua Yuexing regarded Jiang Aijian with a complicated look. She felt as if this man knew everything. She said, "Who are you?"

"That's not important…" Jiang Aijian placed his hands on his back and began to pace back and forth.

After a while, Mingshi Yin could not stand it and sent a kick his way. "Cut the crap. You're only a prince. Get to the point!"

"…"

Jiang Aijian patted his buttocks and said, "I'm a prince, give me some face, will you? Alright, I'll settle this now."

"You're… a prince?" Hua Yuexing's eyes widened.

"… who keeps a low profile." Jiang Aijian pulled her to the side and whispered something to her.

Perhaps, Hua Yuexing was too young. After listening to him, she nodded and walked toward Lu Zhou. She said respectfully, "I, Hua Yuexing, am willing to join the Evil Sky Pavilion. Please accept me, old senior."

Lu Zhou looked at Hua Yuexing. Then, he stood up and said, "You don't have the rights yet."

Hua Yuexing was speechless. She flipped her right hand and raised her left hand. A bow and arrow formed by energy appeared in her hands. An energy arrow appeared between her index and middle fingers.

Bzzt –

She turned around and fired the arrow at a bird on a tall tree outside the pagoda.

Twang!

The arrow sailed through the air and landed true. The bird fell into the forest.

Mingshi Yin, Duanmu Sheng, and Little Yuan'er were inwardly shocked by this display.

This was their first time witnessing someone forming energy without the need for a weapon.

Lu Zhou glanced at Hua Yuexing and said, "Too weak."

Hua Yuexing was not willing to give up. She bowed and said, "Please lend me a weapon."

Condensing qi into energy without a weapon would always be weaker.

Lu Zhou raised his hand, and the Sky Bow appeared on the stone table.

Hua Yuexing took the Sky Bow and walked to the edge of the pagoda. She searched for a target…

When she held the bow, her eyes were set, and her expression was calm. She felt her confidence returning. This time, she pulled on the bowstring with her right hand. She condensed qi into energy. An energy arrow that was sharper, thinner, and clearer was nocked on the bow. She adjusted her breathing. As a Godly Archer, aim was not everything that was required of her. She needed good eyesight as well. Everything in her sight was targets. She loosened her grip.

Twang!

The first arrow was fired into the forest.

This arrow was loud and startled dozens of birds in the forest.

Hua Yuexing pulled on her bowstring again. Dozens of energy arrows hit the flying birds.

"Nice shot!" Jiang Aijian clapped his hands despite himself.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

Except for Jiang Aijian's applause, it was quiet in Skylark Pagoda. His monotonic claps sounded exceptionally awkward.

Mingshi Yin, Duanmu Sheng, and Little Yuan'er looked at him in unison. They looked at him as though he was a madman.

"Come on, you have to admit it was a nice shot," Jiang Aijian said.

Lu Zhou shook his head and said, "Real archery is honed on the battlefield… You have the talent, but you're not sharp enough. You're still some ways from being qualified to join the Evil Sky Pavilion…"

The moment he finished speaking, Lu Zhou waved his arm and recalled the Sky Bow. "Jiang Aijian, I won't hold this against you since you helped me recover a Sky Fragment. Don't forget our promise."

"Safe journey, old senior."

At this moment, his mount, Whitzard, flew in from the clouds.

Lu Zhou leaped onto its back nimbly.

Little Yuan'er ran over as well.

Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng shook their heads helplessly. Judging by the looks of things, they would have to fly again. This was too tiring.

Whitzard traveled through the air in the direction of Anyang City.

Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng followed closely behind it.

...

Hua Yuexing was stunned. For a time, she did not know how she should react.

Jiang Aijian said, "Go after them. You don't have anywhere else to go… Remember what I said, the palace has no place for you nor does the Luo Sect. The Noble Path won't take you in as well… You have no choice besides the Evil Sky Pavilion."

"Oh." Hua Yuexing flew after them. She was an archer to begin with. She was no stranger to speed. Perhaps, she wanted to prove herself so she chased after them earnestly.

Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng looked behind and saw her.

Mingshi Yin came to a halt in midair as he said, "Master has said that you're unqualified to join the Evil Sky Pavilion…"

"I want to prove that I am," Hua Yuexing said resolutely.

"Aren't you worried that I'll kill you?" Mingshi Yin threatened.

Hua Yuexing was startled. She did not dare to get too close, that was why she had followed them from a distance.

Meanwhile, Whitzard moved at breakneck speed. It left them in the dust in just a blink of an eye.

Lu Zhou stood on Whitzard's back as he looked down at the terrain.

"Master, what's that?" Little Yuan'er pointed at a flying chariot that hovered above the forest on the other side of Nine Tune River.

Lu Zhou ordered Whitzard to slow down.

Little Yuan'er who had a keen eye said, "That's the flying chariot of the person who gave me the gift earlier in Skylark Pagoda!"

Was that not, Old Seventh, Si Wuya's flying chariot?

"Is Seventh Senior Brother here?" Little Yuan'er wondered.

Lu Zhou remembered what happened during these few days. He said in a deep voice, "Rascal."

Whitzard switched directions and proceeded toward Nine Tune River. Bathed in auspicious Qi, Whitzard shot through the skies at an amazing speed.

When Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng saw this from afar, they stopped to look.

Hua Yuexing did the same.

Whitzard was too flashy after all.

When it got closer, the cultivators on the flying chariot were scared witless.

"Oh, no! The old senior has noticed us!"

"Run!"

The flying chariot turned around quickly.

Unfortunately...

Lu Zhou said, "Running away?" He flipped his hand. A Thunderblast Card appeared, and he tossed it out. His target was, naturally, the flying chariot.

A vortex appeared and charged toward the flying chariot.

A lightning bolt descended from the heavens...

Rumble!

The lightning bolt was wrapped in energy as it struck down at the flying chariot.

The flying chariot's movements stopped. It creaked and teetered perilously in the air.

Crack!

The flying chariot shattered and dropped from the sky.

Hua Yuexing was rooted to the spot in shock when she saw this. She knew she was inexperienced when she witnessed Lu Zhou capture the master thief, Yunsan, with his techniques. However, she did not personally see how Yunsan was captured. Currently, she acutely felt her inexperience as she watched this Thunderblast that could shock the heavens and the earth and make devils and deities cry. Moreover, this attack was launched from afar. Compared to this, her multiple arrow shots seemed insignificant.

Mingshi Yin exclaimed in awe, "Nobody can stop master when he's on a roll. Seventh Junior Brother is going to lose some important assets today."

Duanmu Sheng crossed his arms and said, "If Seventh Junior Brother is on the flying chariot, I don't think he'll be able to escape."

With Whitzard here, even if Si Wuya had an extra pair of wings, he would not have been able to escape. Under such circumstances, Si Wuya might not even have as much of a chance as Yunsan had.

"Old Seventh is risking a lot this time… To think he's bold enough to keep an eye on Skylark Pagoda from here." Mingshi Yin seemed to be enjoying himself.

Whitzard flew through the air.

Many of the cultivators leaped off the flying chariot when it fell. The low-level cultivators could only conjure up simple energy shields and fall.

Those with Brahman Sea realm cultivation bases and above could move in the air and control the pace of their descent.

"Rascal, show yourself!" Lu Zhou's voice resounded in the air. He did not earn much merit points at Skylark Pagoda this time. However, if he could capture Si Wuya, it would not be too much of a loss.

The cultivators were shaking in fear and shock as they scurried away in all directions. Their sect master had reminded them over and over again to stay away from Ji Tiandao. They were not to put up any resistance. This had become a rule of the Darknet. Currently, there was only a single thought in their heads and that was to run away as quickly as possible. They ran for their lives.

Nobody replied to Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou glanced at fleeing the cultivators. None of them had cultivation bases greater than the Divine Court realm.

Since Si Wuya, Old Seventh, obtained the Peacock Plume and cultivated the complete Great Compassion Poem, his cultivation base should be in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm now. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to keep his position as sect master with a mere Divine Court realm cultivation base. This meant that Si Wuya was not among these people.

"Yuan'er."

"Alright."

Little Yuan'er had been itching to jump into action. She leaped off Whitzard's back. She was like a wolf that was let loose among a herd of sheep. The Nirvana Sash danced in the air as it unfurled.

The cultivators who could not run quickly enough were bound by the Nirvana Sash.

There were those who put up a fight as well. Little Yuan'er simply knocked them out cold. The terrifying qualities of a heaven-grade weapon were fully displayed at this moment.

Little Yuan'er loved the feeling of trampling on the weak. Moreover, since she had gotten her master's approval, she did not hold back. However, she did not kill.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He was pleased. 'Now there's a promising disciple.'

If this had happened in the past, these people might not be so lucky.

A short while later, Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng caught up to Lu Zhou.

When Mingshi Yin saw the scene, he gulped before asking, "Third Senior Brother, do you think little junior sister will torture us in the future?"

Duanmu Sheng remembered the scene when Little Yuan'er first got the Nirvana Sash. He scratched his head and said, "I don't think so… Little junior sister has grown up."

"I hope so."

At this moment, the sounds of wailing rang from all directions.

Many of the cultivators were captured by Little Yuan'er. She tossed them into a pile. All of them were bound by the Nirvana Sash.

Lu Zhou descended slowly. He gave Whitzard a pat.

Whitard growled and waited in its spot.

"Master, should I beat them up? I guarantee they'll reveal Seventh Senior Brother's location!" Little Yuan'er said.

Lu Zhou waved his hand to signal her to stand back.

Little Yuan'er retreated to the side.

With his hands on his back, Lu Zhou said, "I'll only ask each question once. If there's one wrong answer… You'll have to pay the price."

The group of cultivators shuddered. They were facing the greatest villain under the heavens. This person was also their sect master's master. Their sect master had told them to cooperate and not to put up any resistance.

"Where is Si Wuya now?"

"Old… Old senior… We're… only here on orders. The sect master has always been mysterious… We d-don't know w-where he is. I'm being honest!"

"Why were you hiding here?"

"The sect master has ordered us to observe the situation after presenting the gift to Miss Ninth."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and contemplated this. This meant Si Wuya had planned all of this. What was his true objective?

Mingshi Yin bowed and said, "Master, Old Seventh has gone too far this time! How dare he use the Evil Sky Pavilion as his pawn! I'm willing to stay here and track him down. I swear that I'll capture him!"

"I'm afraid that you might not be a match for Old Seventh," Lu Zhou said with his hands on his back.

It was not only a problem of cultivation base. In terms of schemes, Mingshi Yin had always been sharp, but he was petty.