My disciples are all villains.

Mingshi Yin stroked his chin and said thoughtfully, "If I were Si Wuya, I would never place myself in harm's way. However, I might just act contrary to convention." After he said this, he felt that something was wrong and added, "If Old Seventh does have a connection with Princess Yong Ning, she might actually show up in Liang Province. As for Eldest Senior Brother… it's not unlikely that he's in danger. I think… Eldest Senior Brother is trying to create a diversion."

Duanmu Sheng was still rubbing down his Overlord Spear like nobody's business.

Lu Zhou nodded. He felt that it was logical. Then, he looked at Zhu Honggong and asked, "What do you think?"

Zhu Honggong said, "Master, you're asking me?"

Without waiting for a reply from Lu Zhou, Mingshi Yin rolled his eyes and said, "Just answer the question." He thought to himself, 'This oaf won't feel at ease unless he's flattering another person. I have to stop this habit of his no matter what.'

Zhu Honggong said, "If I were Seventh Senior Brother, I'll immediately return to the Evil Sky Pavilion, obediently kneel before you, kowtow, and ask for forgiveness!"

Mingshi Yin was speechless. 'That's it. I've had enough!' He kicked Zhu Honggong.

"Ow!" Zhu Honggong stumbled to the side. He said, in pain, "I'm telling the truth…"

Lu Zhou had no intention of punishing Zhu Honggong, but his answer was truly meaningless.

Si Wuya was not Zhu Honggong. Since he chose to aid Yu Zhenghai and make an enemy out of the Imperial court, he must have his reasons.

Also, Yu Zhenghai's departure was similar to Yu Shangrong, but there was also a great difference between the two.

All this could only be resolved once Lu Zhou found the memory crystals.

According to the piece of information Yu Shangrong gave him, since his host, Ji Tiandao, had sealed the memories away, it meant that he did not wish for anyone to know where he stored them.

Si Wuya was the smartest disciple among the nine. If he did not know where it was, it would be impossible for the others to know anything about it.

"Master… I think Seventh Senior Brother will go to Liang Province," Little Yuan'er said.

Mingshi Yin turned to look at Little Yuan'er and asked, "Why?"

'Did Little Junior Sister have an epiphany?'

"Gut feeling," Little Yuan'er replied.

"…" Mingshi Yin felt speechless.

'One of them is stupid, and the other is dumb. Why do I have such juniors?'

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, "Why would you have this gut feeling?"

"If Sister Yong Ning is really helping him out, I don't think he'd stand back and see Sister Yong Ning fall into the hands of the Other Tribesmen, right?" Little Yuan'er said.

Mingshi Yin rolled his eyes and said, "He's the fastest runner around here."

The two of them had clashing opinions.

However, this time, Lu Zhou agreed with Little Yuan'er. Although her judgment was based on simple theories of friendship, it was usually such elements that form the most fatal of weaknesses.

Since time immemorial, even the heroes had a weakness for the charms of beautiful women. Would Si Wuya be the same?

…

Meanwhile, inside one of the Nether Sect's branches far, far away.

Yu Zhenghai was in an exceptionally good mood. He looked out the window with his hands on his back and said, "With Seventh Junior Brother looking after the Nether Sect, the world will be mine sooner or later… Now that all nine provinces are in chaos, I'd like to see what the Imperial family would do."

"Eldest Senior Brother, this is only the beginning. Let's not underestimate our foes yet," Si Wuya replied.

"That dog of an emperor is nothing without the Divine Capital's Imperial guards and the Ten Terminal Formation."

Si Wuya said, "In terms of cultivation base, it's only natural for you to be the best under the heavens, Eldest Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother, such words mustn't be said lightly. I'm only bold enough to claim that I'm second best," Yu Zhenghai said.

Si Wuya did not continue with the topic. Instead, he sat down and looked at the map on the big table before him. With the Divine Capital at the center, the human settlements around it had been labeled. Everything was going smoothly. So smoothly that he found it odd.

When Yu Zhenghai saw Si Wuya deep in thoughts, he asked, "Are you worried about the Other Tribes, junior brother?"

"Eldest Senior Brother, Liu Gu is an extremely patient man. He didn't even meet the emperor when the Second Prince, Liu Huan, and Mo Li died. In fact, he grounded the Crown Prince, Liu Zhi," Si Wuya said thoughtfully, "Could it be… that he's willing to see his own empire trampled upon by the Other Tribes?"

"He won't." When the Other Tribes were mentioned, Yu Zhenghai was suddenly angered. He glared and said, "One day, I'll surely sweep through Lou Lan with my saber, and I won't return until I've killed every last soul of that foul land."

"Don't worry, senior brother… Lou Lan rules with witchcraft, which isn't very powerful when you think about it. We'll destroy them sooner or later, and you'll have your revenge."

Yu Zhenghai remained silent when Si Wuya expected him to speak. Throughout the years, he had learned how to suppress his own emotions.

Si Wuya said, "Mo Li is dead. If we can seize this opportunity and incite a feud… All we have to do is sit back and reap the benefits when the time is right."

Yu Zhenghai nodded in satisfaction. "Junior brother… In that case, you shouldn't go to Liang Province. Stay here with me, have a drink, and let's enjoy the moon together. Isn't it much better to devise strategies in a tent and watch the tigers fight on another mountain?"

Si Wuya shook his head. "I'll have to decline. This opportunity is very important, and I must be there… If Jiang Aijian left the Evil Sky Pavilion, my sources inside the palace can no longer be trusted."

When Jiang Aijian was mentioned, Yu Zhenghai frowned. "The great Third Prince of Great Yan, and he had to give himself some nonsensical name. Aijian? I think he's despicable, that's what he is. If I were to see him. I'll surely teach him a lesson on your behalf, junior brother."

"…" Si Wuya was not offended by such trivial matters. He shook his head when he heard this. Finally, he stood up, cupped his fists at Yu Zhenghai, and said, "It's getting late. Senior brother, we'll meet again."

Yu Zhenghai said in a slightly disapproving tone, "Are you really going? You can't be worrying about that Princess Yong Ning, right?"

"Please trust me, senior brother." Si Wuya did not want to explain himself at length. He bowed at Yu Zhenghai.

When Yu Zhenghai saw how determined Si Wuya was, he shook his head and sighed before saying, "How about this… let my Four Great Protectors accompany you there?"

"Eldest Senior Brother…"

Before he could finish, Yu Zhenghai raised a hand and cut him short. He said sternly, "That's my bottom line. My cultivation base is already restored. Why would you worry? You, on the other hand, if something were to happen to you, I won't be able to eat or sleep in peace."

Si Wuya had no choice but to say, "Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."

…

The next morning, the sun shone on the eastern pavilion of the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Lu Zhou opened his eyes. He called up the system dashboard to check his remaining life and merit points.

Remaining life: 6,769 days.

All this while, he had been thinking about the Nine-leaf stage and forgotten all about earning merit points. He was surprised to see that so much time had passed. When he thought about what happened yesterday, he used ten Reversal Cards.

By now, nobody was suspicious about the activities in the eastern pavilion.

The amassing of life energy made Lu Zhou feel energetic. Although he reversed his life for a similar time period, there were still some minor changes in him. If he studied his own reflection, he would look no different from before. However, at a casual glance, he seemed livelier.

Lu Zhou dared not use too many Reversal Cards in one go. If his appearance were to change too drastically, his disciples would surely ask questions. If the changes were minute and gradual, they would not be too noticeable, and his imposing air would not be compromised.

After ten Reversal Cards were used, he was left with 33.

At this moment, the column for his life showed 9,769 days.

'Not bad.'

Lu Zhou looked at his merit points.

Merit points: 17,900.

It was early in the morning, and he felt rejuvenated. This prompted him to attempt the lucky draws.

He did ten draws in a row and was thanked ten times.

When he did not get any prize, he felt much more awake.

At this moment, Zhao Yue's voice rang from outside.

"Master, the monks of the Heaven Choice Temple have left at first light. They wanted to bid their farewells to you but were worried that they would disturb you."

"I see." Lu Zhou gave it some thought before he waved his arm. The Peacock Plume appeared. With another wave of his arm, it vanished. He emerged from the eastern pavilion and looked at Zhao Yue.

"Call your Little Junior Sister over." Lu Zhou felt that, perhaps, it was time for him to visit Liang Province.

"Master… Little Junior Sister has been cultivating late into the night and might still be sleeping at the moment. Kindly give me the order if there's anything that needed to be done." When Zhao Yue heard about yesterday's happenings from Mingshi Yin, she guessed that her master must be thinking about going out. Hence, she volunteered herself.

'Cultivating? That little girl is becoming more and more hardworking.'

It was a good thing. Lu Zhou looked at Zhao Yue and said, "Did you sprout any leaves on your avatar?"

Zhao Yue appeared embarrassed. She said, "I-I haven't… I've just entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm and have been studying the Sky Dagger lately…" She was speaking more quickly now. "I'll do my best to sprout leaves as soon as possible!"

Without any leaves, the difference in cultivation base would be too great.

'She's not the most reliable choice for my protection.' He considered it for a moment. While maintaining the same expression on his face, he slowly said, "Summon your Little Junior Sister here."

"Yes, master." Zhao Yue bowed and left. Inwardly, she thought to herself, 'Master sure treats Little Junior Sister well. Her cultivation base isn't too profound, and she's rude and impetuous at times. However, master's willing to bring her out with him.'