My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou's disciples, naturally, knew what his words meant.

The first one to make a move was Duanmu Sheng who had held himself back for a long time. He flexed his arm as he raised the Overlord Spear before throwing it out with all his might.

The Overlord Spear was wrapped in energy, and its tip glinted in the light as it sailed through the air.

Anyone with a keen eye could easily see this was a wonderful heaven-grade weapon.

Heaven-grade weapons were divided into different ranks. However, the ranks were a little blurry. The difference in heaven-grade weapons could be seen clearly in the case where Yu Shangrong's Longevity Sword broke Zhuo Ping's male and female double swords. Apart from that, heaven-grade weapons' strength was also dictated by their wielders' strength. Compared to a Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm cultivator with a One-leaf avatar, a heaven-grade weapon wielded by a cultivator with a Five-leaf avatar was, naturally, much more powerful.

The crowd cheered when Duanmu Sheng tossed his spear out.

Bang!

The Overlord Spear struck the marble floor three feet away from the Buddhist Master, Wu Nian.

The marble floor cracked, spreading more than ten meters away.

Meanwhile, Little Yuan'er unfurled her Nirvana Sash as well. It rolled out like a red carpet. She trod on it swiftly, blocking the nuns' path.

Mingshi Yin seemed at ease as he leisurely walked up to one of the towering pillars and stabbed his Separation Hook into it. A contemptuous smile could be seen on his face.

The onlookers were in an uproar again. Perhaps, it was due to their opponent identities, the crowd was exceptionally riled up. After discovering the Heavenly Sword Sect's despicable deeds, they could not help but feel disgusted by the pretentious nuns from the Cloud Shine Nunnery.

Wu Nian was puzzled. "Amitabha… Old benefactor, what's the meaning of this?"

Lu Zhou looked down at the Buddhist Master, Wu Nian, condescendingly before he shifted his attention to the horsetail whisk. "You may leave once you destroy your own cultivation base and leave the Jade Horsetail Whisk here."

Buddhist Master Wu Nian. "…"

Lu Zhou spoke in an unhurried tone, his tone was neither light nor solemn. It was as though he was talking about something insignificant. Perhaps, it was due to his status, when he spoke, everyone fell silent. Even without using Primal Qi, everyone clearly heard his words.

"Old benefactor, the Cloud Shine Nunnery has no quarrel with the Evil Sky Pavilion. Why are you putting me in a difficult spot?" Wu Nian asked innocently.

Lu Zhou sighed and shook his head. He did not entertain her. Instead, he said, "Did Jing Yan tell you nothing?"

Wu Nian was perplexed. Her instincts told her the Evil Sky Pavilion's master had a unique relationship with her master, Jing Yan. She entered the Cloud Shine Nunnery when she was young and grew up there. She had been under Jing Yan's tutelage for a century, and yet, she had never heard her master mention the Evil Sky Pavilion. In the end, she straightened her palms and said, "Old benefactor, I'm confused by your words. Please kindly explain."

Lu Zhou said, "Bastard." This was one of Ji Tiandao's more vivid memories. He recalled what had happened in the past centuries. Time and people changed, but some things still remained the same.

"Why are you cursing, old benefactor?"

Ten nuns stepped forward and surrounded the Buddhist Master, Wu Nian.

When she was surrounded, Wu Nian began chanting some strange sutras.

The ten nuns straightened their palms and chanted as well.

Wu Nian bowed at Lu Zhou who was standing on the cloud-splitting chariot and said, "Although I don't know what relationship you have with my master, I know that I'm blameless. If you're willing, I humbly invite you to the Cloud Shine Nunnery where we can discuss this topic at length. Farewell!"

Buzz.

Radiant circles grew from under the nuns' feet. These were improved Bright Mirrors. They could move with the caster. The green radiant circles had complex patterns and emitted a unique energy. This was the most used and most difficult enhancing technique of the Buddhist sects.

The 11 of them levitated in the air. With Wu Nian in the center, the radiant circles enveloped them as they rose into the air.

Duanmu Sheng grunted and flew into the air. The Overlord Spear on the ground was pulled out of the ground by some energy. It buzzed and vibrated as it flew back into his hand.

Whoosh!

Having suppressed himself for too long, Duanmu Sheng made a beeline for the nuns.

Upon seeing this, Wu Nian shook her head and sighed. "This is the Evil Sky Pavilion's third disciple, Duanmu Sheng. I heard he cultivates the Divine One Technique, and he's extremely overbearing and fierce. From what I can see today, he lives up to his reputation."

The radiant circles shone.

Bam!

The Overlord Spear hit the radiant circle, but the 11 nuns continued to rise in the air.

Duanmu Sheng glared at them and said, "Hundred Tribulations Insight." His Two-leaf avatar appeared next to him. The two leaves spun so quickly that it left afterimages that made it look like he had ten leaves before they merged into one.

Wu Nian frowned slightly. "Amitabha… Break!"

The Jade Horsetail Whisk flashed. Densely packed droplets of energy descended from the radiant circle like the rain.

The ten nuns chanted even more loudly at this moment.

It was rare to see someone from a Buddhist sect to fight in such a manner. The members of the audience felt their heart race as they watched with their mouths agape. Their eyes were trained on the Evil Sky Pavilion's third disciple, Duanmu Sheng.

Duanmu Sheng lifted his Overlord Spear.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He deflected the rain of energy with his avatar, but he was forced to descend from the impact.

Boom!

A loud explosion rang in the air as soon as Duanmu Sheng's feet touched the marble floor. Debris and rubble flew everywhere. The marble floor's surface was almost completely covered in cracks.

The onlookers retreated as they looked into the sky.

"Allow me." Hua Yuexing raised her arms and formed an energy bow and arrow. With fluid movements, she fired a feathered arrow.

Bam!

The radiant circle blocked Hua Yuexing's arrow.

"They have an archer?"

"The Evil Sky Pavilion is too powerful!"

"Although the arrow couldn't break the Buddhist Bright Mirror, only a Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm elite can fire a shot like that."

As soon as the crowd's voices faded, another ten shots were fired. They resembled ten beams of golden light in the air.

At this moment, Little Yuan'er and Mingshi Yin shot toward the nuns at lightning speed.

The scarlet Nirvana Sash was like a huge blooming rose, it was extremely eye-catching.

Mingshi Yin had a determined look in his eyes. The Separation Hook gleamed as he held it in his hand.

Upon seeing this, Wu Nian scoffed before she said, "Amitabha. You asked for this..."

Four Buddhist seals shot out of the Jade Horsetail Whisk.

The ten nuns suddenly spread out in a formation and formed a large circle. The radiant circle seemed to follow their movement and enlarged as well. At this moment, it had covered the center of the Lotus Dais. Energy surged from the circle.

"The abyss of worldly suffering knows no bounds."

A wave of energy rolled out like a huge wave. The chantings seemed to bring with it a feeling of sorrow that loomed in the air. Those who were caught in the feeling of sorrow had a hard time extricating themselves from it.

Hua Wudao was just about to stand up when Lu Zhou raised his hand and said, "Since I started this, I'll put an end to it."

Hua Wudao nodded.

Little Yuan'er, Mingshi Yin, and Duanmu Sheng were enveloped by this energy and could not make a single move.

Lu Zhou stepped out of the cloud-splitting chariot.

Everyone turned their eyes to Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou's aura did not seem particularly powerful as he raised his hand. "Bastard!" His voice was deep and forceful, the soundwave rolled out into the Lotus Dais.

It reached Wu Nian and her fellow nuns as well. They saw Lu Zhou walking toward them in the air. They felt nervous despite themselves.

'The Evil Sky Pavilion's patriarch is going to make a move!'

Lu Zhou raised a hand with a flick of his sleeve. He was indifferent as he lightly struck out with his palm.

The air sizzled slightly as Primal Qi gathered. The air before Lu Zhou seemed to contort.

At this moment, the character, 'bind', that was the size of his palm, shot out.

There were those who were more knowledgeable among the crowd. They knew what script it was.

"The Binding Mantra!"

The Binding Mantra shot toward the nuns with a speed quicker than Hua Yuexing's arrows. There were no flashy displays of size changes or radiant lights.

Bam!

The script resembled a meteor as it breached the energy circle without any difficulties.

"How's… that possible?"

Before Wu Nian could even react, the Binding Mantra landed on her. She grunted, and the chanting stopped immediately.

The ten nuns could not sustain the energy circle since it demanded a huge amount of energy. Their formation crumbled immediately.

Enlightenment was immaterial and so was a clear heart.

The more powerful the Buddhist Bright Mirror was, the more energy it needed to sustain it.

Without Wu Nian in the middle, they lost their power. It was as though a central pole had been removed from a majestic building. Regardless of how impressive it was, it would still crumble.

Waves of energy rippled out into the surroundings. The ten nuns reeled back and spat out blood. They were sent flying several hundred meters back from the center of the Lotus Dais.

Wu Nian's expression changed drastically. When she tried to circulate her Primal Qi, she found her body empty. As soon as the energy circle disappeared, she fell down.

Little Yuan'er retracted her Nirvana Sash.

When Mingshi Yin saw this, he cursed, "What trickery is this… I better dodge!" After that, he moved to the side.

Duanmu Sheng adjusted the direction of his Overlord Spear so that it was facing the ground.

Bam!

The Overlord Spear stabbed into the marble floor again. He stood on the end of the shaft with his arms crossed. He looked at Wu Nian expressionlessly.

Boom!

Wu Nian crashed onto the cracked marble floor. A cultivator without her cultivation base. Her body that had been strengthened by Body Tempering landed on the floor like a huge piece of metal. A human-shaped hole could be seen on the floor.

Silence descended on the Lotus Dais.

The onlookers rubbed their eyes in disbelief. 'The strongest elite in the Cloud Shine Nunnery is defeated by the Evil Sky Pavilion's patriarch with a single blow?'

Lu Zhou, on the other hand, appeared calm. It looked as though he did not expend much effort at all.

Hua Wudao said in awe, "Your skills have truly widened my horizon, Pavilion Master." He could be considered as a knowledgeable and experienced person. He knew one would not be able to cast a Binding Mantra without a profound cultivation base. Moreover, Wu Nian was in the range of the improved Bright Mirror when she was hit.

Lu Zhou descended. He placed one hand on his back as he stroked his beard with his other hand.

The onlookers did not even dare to breathe heavily. They stared at the greatest villain under the heavens in awe.

Little Yuan'er landed near Wu Nian.

The ten nuns from the Cloud Shine Nunnery lay on the ground, raising their heads with great difficulties.

Lu Zhou stood next to Wu Nian and looked down at her.

Wu Nian's eyes were filled with fright and disbelief… There was a trail of blood at the edge of her mouth, and her face was ghastly pale. Her lips were trembling as well. She tried her best to get out of the crater, but she could not move at all.

Lu Zhou waved his arm, and the Jade Horsetail Whisk flew into his hand.

"Ding! Recovered the Jade Horsetail Whisk. Refining required before use."

Lu Zhou remembered the things that happened. Although they were Ji Tiandao's memories, he felt as though he had personally experienced them. He could not have enough of the conversations on Cloud Shine Peak, watching the moon on Lilac Mountain, and watching the fishes in the Hundred Leaves Lake. All these felt like they had happened yesterday. He seemed to recall something before he asked, "How's Jing Yan faring?"

Wu Nian's eyes widened. "My… master… has long since passed away."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhou's expression remained calm. He sighed and said, "… Life, growth, sickness, and death, the so-called circle of life. There's no such thing as a circle in the world… The best state to be in is being alive."

Little Yuan'er was secretly shocked to see her master looking slightly forlorn. Ever since she joined the Evil Sky Pavilion, she had never heard about her master having a friend. Who knew he had a female Buddhist Master as a friend? She could vaguely tell their relationship was quite good as well. She asked curiously, "Master… who's Jing Yan?"

Lu Zhou did not reply to Little Yuan'er. Instead, he looked at Wu Nian and asked, "Who ordered you to meddle in my affairs?"

Wu Nian could not help but shake her head and said, "No… No one… I bet, and I paid the price…"

'Bet and pay?' Lu Zhou found Wu Nian's choice of words strange. 'What did she wager? That the Heavenly Sword Sect would win? That the Evil Sky Pavilion would eventually lose?'

Wu Nian coughed and spat another mouthful of blood. She tried to push herself up once again. This time, she used all her strength and finally managed to get out of the hole.

Seeing her battered appearance, the onlookers gulped, inwardly shocked. To think the greatest villain in the world was still so terrifying!

"Where's Jing Yan buried?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Near Cloud Shine Peak and Hundred Leaves Lake…"

"…" Lu Zhou shook his head and said apathetically, "I remember this Jade Horsetail Whisk had acknowledged Jing Yan as its master… How did you end up with it? Answer truthfully. If there's an ounce of a lie in your words, this day, next year, will be the anniversary of your death."

Wu Nian shuddered. She had thought, with her strength, she would be able to escape at the very least. She did not think she would be at the Evil Sky Pavilion's mercy. At this moment, she realized how ridiculous her thoughts were. Finally, she replied in a deep voice, "After my master passed away, I had no choice but to take over my master's place as the Cloud Shine Nunnery's abbess. The Jade Horsetail Whisk was given to me by my master." After speaking, she slumped to the ground.

Lu Zhou looked at Wu Nian. Then, he sighed and said, "The Buddhist sect is unfortunate."

Wu Nian was silent. She had nothing to say.

With his hands on his back, Lu Zhou said, "I'll be taking back the Jade Horsetail Whisk… Are you willing to live without your cultivation base?"

When Wu Nian heard this, her eyes widened. She hastily got up, flustered. "No, no, no..." She moved to Lu Zhou. Her pride and air of superiority from moments ago seemed to have vanished without a trace. She was about to touch Lu Zhou's feet when she was blasted away by a surge of energy.

The ten nuns of the Cloud Shine Nunnery leaped up at the same time and moved to the center of the dais.

…

Meanwhile.

Inside the third pavilion, far away from the Lotus Dais.

"Retreat! The plan has failed!"

...

Within the fifth pavilion.

"The plan has failed, retreat!"

…

Within the eighth pavilion.

"The plan has failed. Everyone, pull back!"

...

The cultivators in every pavilion deserted the buildings as quickly as they could. They left the Lotus Dais without turning back.

...

However, in the ninth pavilion.

An order was given. "Prepare for action."