My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou looked at Pan Litian who was seated at the side. Pan Litian had traveled far and wide. Surely, Pan Litian's knowledge was comparable to Leng Luo's.

Pan Litian said, "I've heard about it as well. The melilot blooms in the morning and withers at dusk. Every flower lasts but for a day. It blossoms in the day and wilts by night. New flowers will replace the dead ones, and it has a long blooming period. It's also known as the longevity flower… The melilot is extremely short-lived. Hence, it was given many other names. The longevity flower means that it blooms forever and never wilts."

Hua Wudao cupped his fists. "I've learned something new today."

"…" Lu Zhou had been hoping that Hua Wudao would give him some information. With that response, it seemed hopeless.

Leng Luo continued, "The melilot is special. Not many would want to cultivate them. It's now rare to see them in Great Yan. What's the reason for the question, Pavilion Master?"

Lu Zhou did not answer the question immediately. The information provided by Leng Luo and Pan Litian were about the same as what he knew. He connected this to what Yu Shangrong said about the melilot was a plant in his hometown and that it was a plane with a fleeting life. It seemed like the plant was native to the Noblemen's Nation.

Yu Shangrong was from the Nobleman Nation. The system had also given him the mission, 'Lifespan of the Melilot'.

Did Yu Shangrong's identity have something to do with his missing memories? Was that why Yu Shangrong said what he said when he was caught?

This was a logical inference. With these thoughts in mind, Lu Zhou no longer beat around the bush. He said, "Elders, do you know about Nobleman Country?"

When Pan Litian heard this, he nodded and said, "That reminds me, Pavilion Master. The books did record that the melilot grows all year in Nobleman Country… Alas, that place no longer exists."

"Why did it disappear?" Lu Zhou asked.

"It's said that the Noblemen are short-lived just like the melilot. That's why they like it very much and take good care of the plant. However… they were short-lived, and cultivators live longer than most. Hence, Nobleman Country gradually ceased to exist."

Leng Luo continued, "It's funny when you think about it. Nobleman Country is the same as the fairfolks. All lands under the heavens belong to the crown. Brackish Mountain has long since become a part of Great Yan. However, it's covered in snow all year-round. It's currently uninhabited."

"Where's Brackish Mountain?" Lu Zhou asked.

At this moment, Pan Litian cupped his fists and said, "Northwest of Yong Province…" He sighed before he continued to say, "What a shame… I was at the borders back then. We were chasing the Other Tribes away from the southwest to the north. Yet, I was heavily injured and was made captive. We were driven all the way to Rongbei by the Other Tribes, and we passed by Brackish Mountain along the way. It's not big although we didn't get a close look. Then, one of the Other Tribesmen threw me into the Black Forest. I've had several grueling experiences, and I survived out of sheer luck…"

"Why are you asking about this, Pavilion Master?" Hua Wudao asked.

Lu Zhou looked at Hua Wudao with mixed feelings. He did not answer Hua Wudao, deciding to ignore him. 'This old fart isn't giving me much information, and yet, he's asking so many questions.'

Yu Shangrong was from Nobleman Country, but he had been in the pavilion for 275 years. How did Yu Shangrong manage to survive the years? When he thought about this, Lu Zhou stood up slowly and said, "If there's nothing else, everyone's dismissed."

"I'll take my leave."

"Elder Leng, a word." After Pan Litian and Hua Wudao left, Lu Zhou stood up, walked down the steps before he asked, "How are things after the incident in Obedient Villa?"

Leng Luo replied, "After Mo Li's death, Jiang Aijian killed the Second Prince, Liu Huan. Zhao Yue is Princess Yun Zhao's orphan child, and she has the Empress Dowager's support so there's no need to worry about her. Currently, the most person most likely to be in trouble is Jiang Aijian."

"Jiang Aijian killed Liu Huan?" Lu Zhou was surprised. After all, Jiang Aijian valued his life greatly all this while and was unlikely to cause any trouble.

"I think they should be returning soon," Leng Luo said.

"Very well." Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded.

Leng Luo cupped his fists and said, "You'll have to ask Mingshi Yin about the other matters, I'm afraid. I'll take my leave now."

Lu Zhou merely waved his hand.

Leng Luo left the great hall.

Lu Zhou noticed that Leng Luo's loyalty was much higher compared to before. It was a good thing that such an untamable character was willing to remain in the Evil Sky Pavilion. He had thought that it would be difficult to handle such a person. After all, a mountain was too small for two tigers. However, things went much smoother than he had expected them to. He stroked his beard, lost in thoughts.

…

Meanwhile, in one of the Nether Sect's branches. In a huge hall that was dimly lit by some weak light source from above.

A layer of mist could be seen swirling around the throne in the hall. After a few moments, the mist dissipated.

Yu Zhenghai laid his palms flat and slowly opened his eyes after he was done recovering. "Second Junior Brother, I've underestimated you." Now that his Qi and blood were flowing smoothly, he looked much better.

At this moment, Hua Chongyang, the Azure Dragon Hall's First Seat, walked in. When he saw Yu Zhenghai looking better now, he cupped his fists immediately and said, "Congratulations on your recovery, sect master."

Yu Zhenghai merely glanced at Hua Chongyang and did not respond. 'What a tactless fellow. When have I ever been injured when sparring with others? How could he bring it up?'

Hua Chongyang lowered his hands awkwardly.

Yu Zhenghai was not overly bothered by this. He asked, "What happened?"

"Mister Seventh arrived at the branch yesterday and requested an audience. When I saw that you…" The words 'were hurt' were stuck in Hua Chongyang's throat. He forced them back down.

"Seventh Junior Brother is here?" Yu Zhenghai beamed. He was immediately invigorated. "Bring him here!"

"At once!"

A short while later, Hua Chongyang led Si Wuya into the hall. Si Wuya did not look well, he seemed to be injured. However, his steps were swift. There were clear fluctuations of Primal Qi about him.

When he saw this, Yu Zhenghai exclaimed in surprise, "Seventh Junior Brother, you've recovered your cultivation base!"

Si Wuya nodded. "It was a stroke of luck… I…"

"That's good! That's great!" Yu Zhenghai walked up to him and interrupted Si Wuya. He gave Si Wuya's shoulder a heavy pat. "Ever since you took the binding mantra for me, I couldn't eat nor sleep. I was constantly thinking of a way to undo the mantra for you. Looks like the heavens have finally answered my prayers."

Si Wuya was puzzled. 'Oh, well. You're right no matter what you say.'

"Seventh Junior Brother, I was in too much of a hurry back then and left you behind. I hope you won't blame senior brother for that."

Yu Zhenghai's tone suddenly turned amiable that it gave Si Wuya goosebumps when he heard Yu Zhenghai referred to himself in the third person.

Si Wuya waved his hand and said, "You make it sound too serious, Eldest Senior Brother… I've come today to tell you something."

"What is it?" Yu Zhenghai asked, "You've just regained your cultivation base. You could've sent a letter. Why did you have to come personally?"

Si Wuya began in a slightly anxious tone, "Second Senior Brother has been taken away by master!"

"…" The air seemed to have frozen as the hall was plunged into silence. Yu Zhenghai was thoroughly stunned. As the Sect Master of Nether Sect, with thousands upon thousands of subordinates, he had seen a fair share of life and death and had grown numb to them. His heart had grown to become as still as a calm lake. Matters as trivial as the death of a person to matters as serious as the fall of a city would not cause his emotions to fluctuate at all. However, the news Si Wuya brought him truly shocked him.