My disciples are all villains.

On a towering tree near the secluded hut.

Yu Shangrong sat on a branch and leaned against the trunk. His eyes were closed and a faint smile could be seen on his face. He said nonchalantly, "Seventh Junior Brother… if you do that, you'd be throwing your previous efforts down the drain."

Si Wuya looked at Yu Shangrong, who was on the branch, and said, "I've underestimated master's ability…"

"How so?"

Si Wuya said confidently, "I allowed Old Eighth to return to the Evil Sky Pavilion so that his safety would be guaranteed. Moreover, I needed him to provide me with information from within. Old Eighth is dumb and wouldn't be killed. If need be, I can send Wushu to rescue him."

Yu Shangrong shook his head lightly. He smiled disapprovingly and said, "I'm just worried that Wushu would become a target scorned by the others."

"Also, I surrendered my Peacock Plume to Fourth Senior Brother… to test master's strength. However…" Si Wuya paused before continuing to say, "It seems like the Peacock Plume is in danger."

"The conditions to refine a heaven-grade weapon are strict. Since I've helped you… You shouldn't regret it," Yu Shangrong said.

"You're right, Second Senior Brother."

"Now, it's your turn to help me…" Yu Shangrong opened his eyes. Rays of sunlight shone on his chiseled face through the leaves. He leaped off the branch with light movements and landed before Si Wuya like a drooping willow.

Si Wuya's heart quickened. Ever since he founded the Darknet, he heard countless news about people coming to life or dying. All sorts of things could happen in a single day. There were events as serious as the sky falling down, and troubles as trivial as a mustard seed. However, he had never once felt shaken. Yet, Yu Shangrong's words sent chills running up his spine.

Si Wuya knew his eldest senior brother and second senior brother had always been at odds with each other. He would not be surprised if they fought each other in the future. However, he did not expect the day would come so soon. He was caught slightly off-guard. "Second senior brother… can't we…"

Before Si Wuya could finish his sentence, Yu Shangrong raised a hand and interjected, "I've decided. I hope he doesn't get injured within these six months…"

The world of elites was a lonely one. It was only natural for them to wish their opponents would be able to fight them at their full strength. It was boring to fight against a weakling after all.

"With eldest senior brother's cultivation base, I'm afraid only master would be able to injure him."

"That's why you shouldn't provoke master..." After Yu Shangrong finished speaking, he lightly tapped the branch with the tips of his toes and rose into the air as though he was as light as a feather. When he was dozens of meters in the air, he turned around and said, "Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, senior brother… I can keep myself safe."

"We'll meet again."

"I'm sure we will."

The two of them cupped their fists at each other.

Yu Shangrong did not waste any time. With both hands on his back, he flew in the air and vanished into the horizons.

Si Wuya shook his head and sighed softly. He returned to the secluded hut. He looked at the information sheets strewn across the floor and the list of urgent matters he had to attend to. Suddenly, the usually calm and steady Si Wuya swung his arms in anger!

Swoosh!

The stack of paper scattered everywhere.

"What am I doing all this for?"

At this moment, Si Wuya suddenly grunted before blood trickled out of his mouth. He did not seem bothered and calmly wiped it off with his sleeve.

Another grey-robed subordinate who was nearby kneeled with one knee on the ground and said, "Sect master, are you alright?"

"I'm alright… It's just the backlash from trying to break free from the Binding Mantra." Si Wuya's brows were deeply furrowed.

"Do take care of yourself, sect master."

…

Meanwhile.

"Ding! Punished Si Wuya. Obtained 200 merit points."

Although Lu Zhou was not sure what Si Wuya was doing at the moment, he knew these 200 merit points must mean that Si Wuya had suffered from the backlash.

Lu Zhou shook his head. He looked at the Peacock Plume and said, "It's not easy to break the Binding Mantra."

This Binding Mantra originated from the system. Even if a Six or Seven-leaf elite from the Celestial Masters Sect tried to break it, it would not be easy.

Lu Zhou thought about everything Si Wuya did recently. He shook his head and said, "Rascal… I'll hold onto your weapon for now." With a wave of his hand, the Refining Talisman vanished.

This was the first time the master and disciple had fought from a distance, and Si Wuya had been soundly defeated.

Lu Zhou put the Peacock Plume away. At this moment, Zhao Yue's voice rang from outside…

"Master, there are two letters."

"Two letters?"

"One of them is from Jiang Aijian. The other… is from the foot of the mountain."

"Read them."

Zhao Yue opened Jiang Aijian's letter first and read aloud, "Old senior, this third piece of information concerns an important imperial affair. I didn't want to tell you about it in the beginning, but after giving it some thought, I decided to tell you about it. Wei Zhuoyan's four deputies led 50,000 men to the Liang Province to quell the unrest there. The Fourth Prince, Liu Bing, has returned to the palace in triumph with his troops… I know you don't care much about rebellions, but I'm sure there's something amiss in the palace with such a huge disturbance. Be careful of Mo Li."

Lu Zhou's expression remained calm.

In the end, this message was related to the puppet master, Mo Li… Lu Zhou had no interest in joining the palace factions. He would leave it up to fate in regard to Wei Zhuoyan's ability. He ordered, "Continue."

"Understood." Zhao Yue opened the second letter. She skimmed through it and said, "It's a letter of challenge from the Heavenly Sword Sect."

When Lu Zhou heard this, his expression remained calm. As the saying went, 'When it rains, it pours.' So many trivial matters came one after another.

"Master, Luo Xingkong has arranged a battle arena and wants to challenge you to a one-on-one fight," Zhao Yue said hesitantly.

"Ignore him.' Lu Zhou did not think much about the puny Heavenly Sword Sect. Moreover, his mind was preoccupied with the box, the key, and comprehending the Heavenly Writing. At the same time, he had to think of some way to deal with Si Wuya, Yu Shangrong, and Yu Zhenghai. He did not have time for other matters.

"Understood. I'll take my leave then." Zhao Yue turned around and left.

...

The next morning, Zhao Yue came to the east pavilion again with another letter in her hand.

"Master… This time, the Heavenly Sword Sect's Luo Xingkong had sent a messenger… It's also a letter of challenge. Luo Xingkong claims his cultivation base has improved greatly and wishes to fight you fairly."

Lu Zhou said disapprovingly, "He's got some balls…"

Usually, the ten great sects regarded the Evil Sky Pavilion with fear and reverence. However, the Heavenly Sword Sect was bold enough to send a letter via a mere disciple.

'He's truly blinded by the grief of losing his son.'

"There's no need to bring me any letter from the Heavenly Sword Sect from now on."

"Yes, master."

...

During the next ten days, a letter of challenge would arrive each day without fail.

They were all intercepted by Zhao Yue.

The 13th letter was presented to Zhao Yue by one of the female cultivators.

Zhao Yue thought that it would be the same as the previous ones. She opened it and read the letter. A frown soon appeared on her face. "Where's the sender?"

"He just left the foothill."

"Capture him… and kill him with thousand cuts," Zhao Yue ordered expressionlessly.

The two female disciples were from the Derived Moon Palace after all. When they heard this command, they were slightly frightened.

Zhao Yue lowered her voice and said with a hint of anger, "Do it!"

"Understood!" The two female cultivators sped down the mountain.

With the letter in hand, Zhao Yue walked toward the Evil Sky Pavilion.