My disciples are all villains.

His antics left the others dumbfounded. They had to give it to him.

Lu Zhou, on the other hand, frowned.

They waited until Zhu Honggong was at the center of the great hall.

He kowtowed again. "Greetings, master."

Mingshi Yin glanced at Zhu Honggong and said, "Old Eighth, what's with all this fanfare? You're a disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion, for crying out loud. Aren't you afraid you'll shame the Evil Sky Pavilion's name with this display?"

"I genuinely want to bow and salute my master… Ever since I returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion, I've never given Master a proper bowing to. It's only natural for me to kneel three times and kowtow nine times," Zhu Honggong replied.

He had a point.

Lu Zhou looked at Zhu Honggong again.

Name: Zhu Hongong

Identity: Human of Great Yan

Realm: Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm

Although he had just recently obtained his Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar, he was considered to be in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm. It was not something a Divine Court realm cultivator could compare to.

"Stand up and speak," Lu Zhou said.

Zhu Honggong stood up. He grinned and said, "Thank you, master."

"Show me your avatar."

This was a crucial moment. The ability to manifest a Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar was the difference between average cultivators and grand cultivators. Countless cultivators had failed at this stage. With the Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar, the avatar's completeness and strength would determine the future of the cultivator.

Little Yuan'er's avatar was extremely complete. It was full of spiritual energy and vigor. They had high hopes for it in the future.

Some cultivators would have deformed Hundred Tribulations Insight avatars. These avatars would be hard-pressed to even sprout leaves.

"Yes, master." Zhu Honggong conjured up his Primal Qi and activated his avatar.

An avatar that was half a man's height and resembled a fat toddler appeared.

When the others saw this, they could hardly suppress their urge to laugh.

The avatar took after its owner.

Fat.

However, the avatar's completeness was satisfying. It was also full of Primal Qi.

Duan Xing was secretly shocked. The Evil Sky Pavilion's eighth disciple was so talented. Just how terrifying would he be in the future?

There was no need to mention the ninth disciple. It was rumored that the ninth disciple, Ci Yuan'er, had even more terrifying talents. She entered the Divine Court realm in just five years. Nobody had ever achieved that nor would anybody achieve that in the future.

Zhu Honggong looked at his own avatar proudly. He could not help but straighten his back.

Zhao Yue was not envious, but she felt slightly ashamed. After all, she had joined the pavilion earlier than him. She was quite accomplished in her Brilliant Jade Technique, and yet, she had no breakthrough. When she saw Zhu Honggong's avatar, she could not help but feel a slight discomfort in her heart.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He waved his hand.

Swoosh!

A silver box dropped before Zhu Honggong.

When Zhu Honggong saw it, he was confused, "Master, what's this?"

Lu Zhou waved his hand again.

The box split in half. It was oddly shaped.

"I'm giving you the Tear Stain Boxing Gloves. I hope you'll put them to good use," Lu Zhou said.

Ever since the box was opened, Lu Zhou had been keeping it. After much thought, he felt that it was suited for Zhu Honggong's Nine Tribulations Thunderblast. Moreover, he needed to improve his disciples' cultivation bases as quickly as he could.

When Zhu Honggong heard this, he was so filled with emotions that he cried and fell to his knees, thanking Lu Zhou profusely. "Thank you, master! Thank you, master!"

Duan Xing salivated at this sight.

Zhao Yue was now genuinely envious. She was the only one without a weapon now. It was only natural that she felt envious.

Perhaps, the weapon had a naturally high affinity with Zhu Honggong. He barely placed his hands on them when a click was heard. He put on the boxing gloves with much ease.

"Ding! Activated Tear Stain Box. Target owner: Zhu Honggong. Reward: 1,000 merit points."

"Congratulations, Mister Eighth." Duan Xing cupped his fists.

"Congratulations, Old Eighth," Mingshi Yin smiled as he walked up to Zhu Honggong's side and said, "This seems sturdy. Even Eldest Senior Brother's Jasper Saber can't cut this. You've hit the jackpot!"

"Have I?" Zhu Honggong was stunned. He did not expect the item to be so amazing.

"Of course. Why would I lie to you? Besides, do you think a weapon given by master would be shabby?" However, inwardly, Mingshi Yin thought to himself, 'The weapon is, indeed, sturdy, but it's too hideous. I'll have to compliment it some more.'

Zhu Honggong was overjoyed. "I won't let you down, master."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He noticed that Zhu Honggong's loyalty had skyrocketed. It was now stable. This was also within his expectations.

Zhu Honggong retreated to the side and toyed with his boxing gloves.

Lu Zhou no longer bothered with Zhu Honggong. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Zhao Yue. "Zhao Yue…"

"Yes, master."

"Your cultivation base has deteriorated while you were in the palace," Lu Zhou said.

Zhao Yue's face reddened, she felt ashamed. "I'll work hard and not let you down, master."

Duan Xing smiled and said, "I'm impressed that you're putting so much effort into your disciples, old senior…"

"Duan Xing, you've done well in Cloud Shine Forest. Naturally, I won't mistreat you… How about this, you can make a request, and I'll do my best to fulfill it," Lu Zhou said.

Duan Xing was delighted to hear this. He hastily bowed and said, "I dare not! All the efforts I expended was sincere. I don't dare to take credit."

"Very well." Lu Zhou nodded.

"…"

Hold up. This isn't right. Aren't we supposed to exchange more pleasantries? What about my request? This… Will I have to bring it to my grave?' Duan Xing was stunned.

Lu Zhou looked at Duan Xing and said, "If the Nether Sect is tactful, they won't raise a hand against the Fiend Temple after this."

"Thank you, old senior." With this, at least the Fiend Temple's safety was guaranteed. As for his other requests, well, he did not dare to push his luck.

"Send our guest away."

After Duan Xing left the Evil Sky Pavilion, Lu Zhou waved his arm and said, "If there's nothing else, that'll be all for today."

"I'll take my leave, master."

"Safe journey, old senior."

Lu Zhou stood up and returned to the eastern pavilion.

…

Shouning Palace, Imperial city of the Divine Capital.

"Imperial grandmother, Zhao Yue belongs to the Evil Sky Pavilion. You must be wary of her words." The prince who stood in the bed-chamber was the heir apparent, Liu Zhi.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and did not look at Liu Zhi. With a stern tone, she said, "Do you wish to see me die as well?"

Liu Zhi's face fell. He kneeled at once and said, "I dare not. I'm only worried that something bad might happen to you!"

"If something were to happen to me, it would've happened in Obedient Villa! Is there a need to wait until now?" the Empress Dowager slowly asked. Ever since the incident in Obedient Villa, she had a newfound dislike for all the princes.

Liu Zhi continued to kneel as he said, "Imperial grandmother, I will surely give you a satisfactory explanation regarding second brother. Please don't let this bother you."

At this moment, Li Yunzhao, who had been standing at the side for a long time without saying anything, finally spoke up, "Your Highness, I have something in my mind, but I wonder if it's appropriate to say it."

"Speak."

Li Yunzhao was a famous person by the Empress Dowager's side, after all. Liu Zhi had to take him seriously.

"The Empress Dowager's sickness can't be allowed to fester… Moreover, His Majesty has given his agreement. If you wish to fulfill your filial duty, Your Highness, you should be considerate of the Empress Dowager. Also…" Li Yunzhao glanced around him before saying in a hushed tone, "The Empress Dowager is still pained by the death of His Second Highness. Please don't bring this topic up."

"You have a point, Eunuch Li." Liu Zhi stood up. He bowed and said, "Imperial grandmother, I have a close guard with a profound cultivation base. Since you're going, I'll leave him with you."

"That'll be all." The Empress Dowager's eyes were still closed as she waved her hand.

"Goodbye, grandmother." Liu Zhi retreated out of Shouning Palace. He barely took a step outside the palace when his guard came up to him.

With his hands on his back, Liu Zhi walked, and said, "Tell Jiang Liang to escort my grandmother to the Evil Sky Pavilion. I will take care of his family. If he brings back Jiang Aijian's head, he'll be handsomely rewarded."

"Understood!"