My disciples are all villains.

When the sound of the conch faded away, the beasts and birds stopped following them.

Lu Zhou glanced at Miss Conch. It was mystifying to think that there was a person with such abilities.

Hua Chongyang praised her. "If this talent is used well, you'll be comparable to the brave master."

Lu Zhou glanced at him and said, "With these beasts alone?"

The beasts near human settlements were generally not very large. They would still be lacking if they were to compete with powerful human cultivators.

Hua Chongyang considered this in his mind. The old senior was knowledgeable and experienced. It was only natural for him to know about many things. He was somehow convinced that Lu Zhou was trying to find out about his sect master's strength. He mulled over it for a moment before he said, "Naturally, these beasts are too insignificant to mention. Many beasts are merely slightly more powerful than mortals. The minority that is powerful are only in the Mystic Enlightening or Sense Condensing realms. They can't be compared to human cultivators. However, the beasts from the four great forests are enough to strike fear in the hearts of the masses." When he saw Lu Zhou keeping quiet, he continued to say, "Not only did the Hengqu Branch and Taixu Academy covet the little girl's talents, they saw the huge benefits they could gain from her as well. If they were to groom the little girl well and catch some mounts, I'm sure they'll become the greatest sects in Great Yan within 100 years."

Lu Zhou had never thought about it from this angle. The little girl could subdue vicious beasts. Naturally, it was suited to taming wild beasts. Who knows how many powerful beasts there were within the four great forests? Even an Eight-leaf elite like Pan Litian had been lost inside the forest previously and nearly lost his life. He recalled his mounts, Whitzard and Bi An. They were not from the four great forests and could not be compared.

After flying for some time, Lu Zhou, Miss Conch, and Hua Chongyang finally arrived at Jing Province City.

Lu Zhou glanced at Miss Conch's clothes and brought her to the tailor to have a set of garments made. Then, he employed someone to give her a wash. If the soil and her old clothes could not even obscure her other-worldly elegance, after a change of clothes, Miss Conch seemed like a fairy. Although her hair was coiled into a bun, she still seemed playful and cute. Her long dress that was girdled at the waist made her seem stately.

Hua Chongyang clicked his tongue in wonder. "It's difficult to imagine her being a homeless child." What kind of parents would be so cold-hearted as to abandon such a naïve, pure, beautiful, and elegant daughter?

Miss Conch seemed to like her new clothes well enough. When she emerged from the fitting room, she pirouetted like a graceful dancer. She relished in her new appearance; a joyful smile could be seen on her face.

"Do you like it?" Lu Zhou asked.

"I do." Conch looked up and smiled. "You're nice."

"Good."

That was all? The little girl was not only naïve, but she was oblivious to the workings of the world. She resembled Little Yuan'er in this aspect. However, the other party would usually be on the losing end when dealing with Little Yuan'er. On the other hand, Miss Conch seemed like the type to be at a disadvantage. Her being almost sacrificed at the heaven worship platform was the best proof of this.

At this moment, Hua Chongyang bowed and said, "Senior Lu, it's getting late. There's a curfew in Jing Province City at night."

Curfew was a form of strict control over the entry and exit of a city. The citizens would not be allowed to venture outdoors at night, let alone out of the city.

Lu Zhou did not seem to care as he said, "There's no need to rush." He looked at Miss Conch and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Miss Conch rubbed her stomach and nodded.

Hua Chongyang had no choice but to follow the two of them to the inn.

Sumptuous dishes were ordered and placed on the table, around which the three of them sat.

Lu Zhou and Hua Chongyang did not have much of an appetite. They only stared at Miss Conch as she ate. She was not a fast eater. She ate in small mouthfuls without gobbling down her food. She did not have the speed of a chick pecking for grain. She resembled more of a rabbit. Based on this, it seemed like she was not the child of an ordinary family.

"Where's your house?" Lu Zhou asked again.

She pointed east and said, "Far, far away…"

"Do you remember where it is?" Hua Chongyang's interest was piqued.

Miss Conch shook her head.

"What is your hometown like?" Hua Chongyang wanted to try and guess the place based on geographical landmarks.

Conch shook her head again, "I don't remember."

Lu Zhou felt suspicious. 'Did she lose her memories?' His curiosity was piqued. He said, "Give me your hand."

"Oh." Miss Conch obediently placed her hand in front of Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou placed two fingers on her wrist. His Primal Qi trickled into her Extraordinary Eight Meridians. After a moment, he was even more confused. She was not injured nor did she hit her head. Her mind seemed to be in tip-top condition as well. Her dantian's sea of Qi was in its primordial state, indicating she had never cultivated. In other words, she was an ordinary healthy mortal. So why did it seem like she had lost her memories? What puzzled him even most was her ability to command wild beasts and her ability to evade the prying Eye of Truth. Would a mortal be like this? There were too many suspicious things about her so he paid attention to her every move. She seemed polite enough. She did not have the finicky air of a child, but she did not show the maturity and composure of an adult. It was difficult to find adjectives to accurately describe her.

"Senior, the sun is setting. We should get going," Hua Chongyang said urgently.

"Are you full?" Lu Zhou looked at Miss Conch.

"Mhm… Thank you." Miss Conch nodded.

"Let's go, then."

Then, the three of them left the inn.

…

Meanwhile.

In one of the certain Nether Sect's branches, Yu Zhenghai was pacing up and down.

Si Wuya looked at him nonchalantly and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, there's no need to worry. Hua Chongyang's performance has always been consistent."

Yu Zhenghai stopped pacing and said, "We can't be sure. I'm worried about what we would do if he fails."

"We'll think of something else, then."

"You have another wonderful plan, wise brother?" Yu Zhenghai asked.

"I won't call it wonderful," Si Wuya said, "I've gone through the recent records of the Nether Sect… When did you get acquainted with the Sect Master of the Penglai Sect, Eldest Senior Brother?"

Yu Zhenghai laughed. He said, "It's a long story. When I mastered my Great Dark Heaven Memorial, I was in need of opponents. I initially intended to test my skills against Second Junior Brother, but I couldn't find him. Hence, I had no choice but to travel to Penglai Island. I defeated him with three strikes of my saber. Basically, we got acquainted through a fight." Then, he asked, "Why are you asking, wise brother?"

"If we have the help of the Master of Penglai Island, we can easily take Jing Province City," Si Wuya said.

Yu Zhenghai's eyes brightened, enlightened. "You have a point."

At this moment, a subordinate walked in. He bowed and said, "Sect Master, the Master of Penglai Island is here."

Si Wuya stood up. His eyes were sparkling as he said, "Eldest Senior Brother, you're in luck."

Yu Zhenghai said, "Bring him in."

When the flying chariot landed outside the branch.

Yu Zhenghai walked up to it.

Si Wuya followed closely behind him.

A voice rang from the flying chariot. "It's been a long time!"

"Brother Shijie, good to see you again."

At this moment, a figure in brocade robes shot out of the flying chariot, guns blazing, at lightning speed.

The target of the attack was Yu Zhenghai.

The palms of the figure glowed in the dark.