My disciples are all villains.

Hua Chongyang's eyes lit up. He bowed and said, "Now that you mentioned it, Mister Seventh, I have some recollection of it as well. I did some digging around Jing Province City before this. Indeed, there's something like that coming up. However, I didn't think much of it before and didn't ask anyone else about it in detail."

Yu Zhenghai nodded and said, "My wise brother, you're telling me that we should snatch this person away and use him for our cause?"

"That's right."

Yu Zhenghai's eyes brightened up. He stood up and patted Si Wuya's shoulder. With a forthright smile, he said, "Why didn't I think of that before, my wise brother?"

Hua Chongyang had a respectful expression on his face well. It had been the same piece of information, but he had thought nothing of it. On the contrary, that information he had easily discarded became extremely useful in Si Wuya's hands.

Si Wuya nearly spat out blood from the forceful pat on his shoulder. He said, "However, my cultivation base isn't profound. It's not practical for me to whisk this person away."

Yu Zhenghai said, "That can be easily arranged. You may use my Four Great Protectors as you see fit. The others are in Liang Province, but just give the word, my wise brother, and they'll come to you in haste." After he finished speaking, he felt his words were not sincere enough so he thumped his chest and added, "I'll be at your service as well."

Upon hearing this, Hua Chongyang hastily said, "Muster Seventh, please leave this to me… I'm familiar with the layout of Jing Province City, and I know where the heaven worship platform is." How could he allow the great Sect Master of the Nether Sect to personally whisk someone away? Such an act was beneath his sect master.

Yu Zhenghai looked at Hua Chongyang disapprovingly.

Si Wuya nodded and said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Chongyang."

"It's my duty," Hua Chongyang replied.

Si Wuya said meaningfully, "Although the people from the powerful factions won't be on heaven worship platform, you should still keep a low profile just to be safe. You shouldn't expose your identity as well, otherwise… not even Eldest Senior Brother can save you. Also, if you can go about it with your wits, don't resort to force. After all, the activity at the heaven worship platform deals with men."

"Understood," Hua Chongyang said.

"Go, then."

Hua Chongyang retreated from the great hall reverently.

After Hua Chongyang left, Yu Zhenghai nodded in satisfaction. "I feel much more at ease when you're around, wise brother. I've been troubled these few days. I've racked my brain, but I can't seem to come up with a way to take down Jing Province City."

Si Wuya smiled and said, "The Four Great Protectors have profound cultivation bases. There's no shortage of abled men in the Nether Sect as well. How is it that nobody can think of anything?"

Yu Zhenghai shook his head and said, "Now that the nine provinces are in chaos, I have no problem focusing on taking one city at a time. However, keeping tabs on the overall situation is much more difficult. Bai Yuqing, Yang Yan, and Di Qing are guarding Liang Province, and they have to guard against sudden advances from the Roulians. The more concerns I have, the more muddled my brain becomes. The more muddled my brain is, the more difficult it is for me to calm down and think of a countermeasure." This was especially true now that a Nine-leaf cultivator had appeared, and they had entered the Lotus Severing era. He was truly flustered.

On the surface, although he had plunged the nine provinces into chaos and many places are now under the Nether Sect's control, he could not consider himself as having succeeded so long as the Divine Capital's lifeline remained intact. Taking down the Imperial city in the Divine Capital sounded far-fetched.

"There's no need to worry, Eldest Senior Brother," Si Wuya said in a soft voice, "I'll do everything I can."

For some reason, Yu Zhenghai felt there was something different about the current Si Wuya. He did not know what Si Wuya had experienced to become so determined. Si Wuya had become more grounded. However, he did not comment on the changes. He turned around with his hands on his back and looked at the map of Great Yan on the table.

…

Business went on as usual in Clouds Inn.

Lu Zhou parted the curtains and looked down at the streets. There did not seem to be any disturbances. 'Did I waste my Appearance Alteration Card?'

A knock sounded on the door at this moment…

"Your meal, dear customer." The waiter entered and placed the dishes on the table.

Lu Zhou glanced at the dishes. In truth, Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm cultivators often did not need to eat for as long as ten days to a fortnight. However, since he was in Jing Province City, he could not afford to draw attention to himself. He asked, "Waiter, did anything happen in Jing Province City lately?"

"Dear customer, you've asked me this question many times… Jing Province City is as peaceful as can be. There's no place safer than here. You can feel at ease staying here," the waiter said confidently.

Lu Zhou had expected this response.

At this moment, there was a commotion on the streets below. Some low-ranked cultivators gathered on the streets and marched north. There were also many who were dressed in outlandish and ostentatious clothes.

Lu Zhou pointed at them. "Waiter, what's this about?"

The waiter tiptoed to the window and looked out before he shook his head and said, "A live sacrifice, that's what it is. It's boring."

"A live sacrifice?"

"In the past, they sacrificed pigs, oxen, lambs, or other livestock. I heard they're going to sacrifice a living person this time. Who knows if it's true?" As the waiter talked, he prepared the table. "Enjoy your meal."

Regardless of the era, there would always be things like this.

Lu Zhou shook his head. He did not want to stick his nose into where it did not belong.

The streets were getting livelier by the minute.

Just when he was about to close the windows, he saw a man speeding through the crowd. He was dressed plainly, but his appearance seemed familiar to Lu Zhou.

"This person is…" Lu Zhou could not recall his name. 'What's his name again? He looks familiar! Curse my memory!'

The more he looked at the man, the more curious he became. He tapped his feet lightly on the ground before he leaped out into the alley next to the inn. He walked onto the street and followed the man.

At the end of the street, the man suddenly stopped and turned around…

"Why are you following me, old mister?" The man had intentionally walked on this stretch of road when he discovered he was being followed.

"My little friend, have we met?" Lu Zhou asked calmly. This was a genuine question. He still could recall where he had met this man.

"My name's Hua Yang. I think you've mistaken me for someone else, old mister. Stop tailing me."

If the man did not mention this name, Lu Zhou would not have instantly recalled who this man was. It was none other than Hua Chongyang, the leader of the Nether Sect's Four Great Protectors and the First Seat of the Azure Dragon Hall.

Why would the great leader of the Four Great Protectors, a Seven-leaf Golden Lotus elite, enter Jing Province City on his own?

When Hua Chongyang turned around and left, a frown could be seen on his face. He quickly searched his memories and confirmed he had not met the old man before. It would be bad if his identity was exposed and foiled Mister Seventh's plan.

Lu Zhou glanced at the remaining time of the Appearance Alteration Card. He still had about two days left. He continued following Hua Chongyang. So long as he followed Hua Chongyang, he would certainly be able to meet the rascal, Yu Zhenghai.

Lu Zhou hid his aura and was now no different from an ordinary pedestrian. He was quite pleased with the Appearance Alteration Card… If Hua Chongyang knew who he was, he would have been scared out of his wits and ran away.

Hua Chongyang navigated through four streets and emerged from the main city. He proceeded northward from Jing Province City. Halfway through the journey, he suddenly swerved to the side and launched an attack behind him at lightning speed. "Forgive me, old man!"

When he was ten meters away from Lu Zhou, Hua Chongyang noticed that Lu Zhou appeared unflustered. He felt an unexplainable pressure weighed down on his chest.

Just when Hua Chongyang's energy fist was about to reach Lu Zhou's face, Lu Zhou raised a hand. His fingers seemed to be electrified. The bolts of electricity could be vaguely seen. He pushed his arm forward.

Bam!

The instant the two palms collided, a vertical blast of energy rippled out!

Hua Chongyang instantly reeled from the formidable power. He flipped as he flew backward. After flipping thrice, he landed and staggered three steps back. His eyes were brimming with shock. 'Penglai Energy Palm? Six-leaf? Seven-leaf? Eight-leaf?' He was not sure. This was because he merely used 30% of his power. However, since the old man faced him in such a calm manner, he was certain the old man had to be at the Six-leaf stage at least.

Hua Chongyang no longer underestimated his opponent. He cupped his fists and said, "Old Mister… I have no quarrel with you. Why are you following me?"