My disciples are all villains.

Huang Shijie's sudden attack caught Si Wuya off guard. He retreated to the side and gave them some space.

Yu Zhenghai was in no hurry. He was calm as he stood with his back straight. His left arm was on his back as he parried the attacks with his right hand.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Huang Shijie continued attacking with his palms. The afterimages and their radiance were dazzling.

Despite the high-speed attacks, Yu Zhenghai dealt with them easily and calmly.

Huang Shijie was flying horizontally now. His attacks grew faster and faster, stirring up a gust of wind and leaves.

The disciples from Penglai Island stood near the flying chariot and did not interfere. They merely observed in silence.

Similarly, the members of the Nether Sect observed in silence as well.

It was enjoyable to watch elites battle, after all.

From the landing point of the flying chariot, Huang Shijie kept attacking.

Yu Zhenghai retreated as he parried the blows. When he was at the edge of the steps, he raised his palm. His hand suddenly enlarged. "Earth Shaker!"

An energy saber seemed to appear out of Yu Zhenghai's palm before it turned into the shape of a crescent moon. He brought the blade down.

Boom!

Huang Shijie had to stop his attacks. He flipped backward and landed on his feet.

The battle ended.

Both opponents barely used 20 percent of their strengths. This was not even a warmup. Even so, the outcome was clear.

Huang Shijie said with a smile, "I'm surprised to see that your cultivation base has improved further."

"I can say the same about you."

"What's the matter? Am I not welcome here?" Huang Shijie asked.

Yu Zhenghai laughed. "I can't be happier to see you. Come inside!"

They entered the great hall.

Inside the great hall, Yu Zhenghai addressed Huang Shijie and said, "This is my wise brother, Si Wuya."

Si Wuya cupped his fists and said, "Greetings, senior."

Huang Shijie nodded in approval. "I've heard about the Evil Sky Pavilion's Mister Seventh, Si Wuya. You're in charge of the Darknet and have an information network that spans the land under the heavens. Your sources are everywhere: around the emperor and also among the common folk. Now that I've met you, I see that you live up to your reputation."

"You flatter me, senior," Si Wuya replied.

At this moment, Shen Liangshou carried a brocade box and walked over as he said, "This is the lotus-severing survival pills that Senior Huang requested the Core Yang Sect to refine." He presented the brocade box with both hands.

Yu Zhenghai took the brocade box and placed them on the table.

Shen Liangshou was a loyal fan of the Evil Sky Pavilion. Ever since the battle at Liang Province, the person he wanted to meet the most was the Evil Sky Pavilion's first disciple. Now that he was presented with such a wonderful opportunity, he would not let it slip past his fingers. He had to keep himself in check in case he lost control and showered Yu Zhenghai with flatteries. As he looked at Yu Zhenghai, "As… as expected…"

"What did you expect?" Yu Zhenghai did not seem to mind Shen Liangshou's words.

"You're as majestic, big, and tall as I've imagined. As expected of the Evil Sky Pavilion's Mister First," Shen Liangshou said with a hint of awe.

"Reward him." Yu Zhenghai waved his hand.

A Nether Sect disciple beckoned Shen Liangshou over to receive his reward.

Shen Liangshou took a few steps backward and said with a smile, "Thank you very much!"

The moment he retreated, Huang Shijie said, "I heard that the Evil Sky Pavilion's Master has already attained the Nine-leaf stage a long time ago?"

"That's right." Yu Zhenghai did not withhold the information from him. After all, the more powerful the Evil Sky Pavilion was, the more fearful people would be of it.

"By the way, you may not believe me, Sect Master Yu," Huang Shijie calmly said, "However, when I passed by the heaven worship platform, north of Jing Province, I ran into a Nine-leaf elite."

Upon hearing this, Si Wuya widened his eyes in shock. He was the first to react. "A Nine-leaf elite? My master went to the heaven worship platform?"

Huang Shijie shook his head and said, "It wasn't your master."

Yu Zhenghai frowned. There was another Nine-leaf elite? He was almost invincible as he swept his way through the empire because he was a peak Eight-leaf elite. His peers might not even be able to defeat him. Only his master, Ji Tiandao, could subdue him. Now that there was another Nine-leaf cultivator, did this not mean his plan might fail at the final and crucial moment? He asked, "Who is it?"

Shen Liangshou who had returned to the great hall after obtaining the reward money chimed in, "Mister First, I can attest to that. The person's surname is Lu. I don't think anyone knows about his origins, seeing that he's a recluse elite. The leader of the Nether Sect's Four Great Protectors, Hua Chongyang, was at the heaven worship platform as well. You can verify this with him when he returns."

"His surname's Lu?" Yu Zhenghai's expression was grim. Things were getting complicated. They could not even determine if that Nine-leaf elite was a friend or a foe. At this moment, at least, he did not seem like a friend.

Huang Shijie said with a sigh, "I didn't expect another Nine-leaf cultivator to emerge so fast after we enter the Lotus Severing era."

"Do you know where the man's current location is, brother Shijie?" Yu Zhenghai asked.

Huang Shijie shook his head, "I don't dare question such an elite."

Yu Zhenghai was visibly disappointed.

Shen Liangjie said, "The First Seat of the Azure Dragon Hall seemed to be acquainted with Nine-leaf Lu… There's a young girl with them as well."

"The girl who knows the tongue and tune of beasts..." Si Wuya said.

"Is that why you sent your subordinate to the heaven worship platform? To retrieve this girl, Sect Master Yu?" Huang Shijie asked in confusion.

"That's right. That girl is gifted in tune and can command beasts. If we have her help, Jing Province will be in the bag. What a shame…" Yu Zhenghai lamented.

"I see," Huang Shijie said.

"Brother Shijie, you've been living in seclusion on Penglai Island for a long time. Now that the nine provinces are in chaos, why don't you seize this opportunity and lend me a helping hand?"

"Uh…" Huang Shijie did not agree to Yu Zhenghai's request immediately. Deep down, he wanted to make Penglai Island more secular. Otherwise, he would not have protected a minor sect such as the Core Yang Sect nor would he leave Penglai and come to the Nether Sect's territory. All he needed was a chance. If he agreed to the proposal prematurely, he would be selling himself short.

Yu Zhenghai said in a powerful and resonating voice, "If you help us, Brother Shijie, Penglai will become the greatest sect in the future, and there'll be a place for Penglai in the Divine Capital."

"Deal!" Huang Shijie replied.

Yu Zhenghai smacked the table and said in a clear voice, "Men!"

"Yes, sect master."

"I wish to hold a banquet to welcome Brother Shijie," Yu Zhenghai said.

"Congratulations!" Sheng Liangshou said loudly as he cupped his fists.

Si Wuya did not expect things to proceed so smoothly. He stood up and walked to Yu Zhenghai's side. He was about to speak when Yu Zhenghai patted his shoulder and said, "Wise brother, you must be tired. You should go ahead and rest. I'll take care of the rest.

"Eldest Senior Brother…"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Yu Zhenghai's face was flushed, clearly in high spirits.

The atmosphere in the great hall was merry when a disciple hurried into the hall. "Sect Master, the Azure Dragon Hall's First Seat has returned!"

"Bring him here," Yu Zhenghai said.

The people of the Penglai Sect looked outside the great hall.

The sun had already set at this time so they could only vaguely make out three figures slowly walking toward them.

When the lights from the great hall shone on the three individuals, the entire great hall immediately became as silent as a graveyard.

An old man could be seen holding the hand of a young lady who looked like a fairy.

Hua Chongyang, on the other hand, walked at the back as though he was an attendant.

Since the people from Penglai Sect had seen the old man before, they knew who he was. For a time, they stood in stunned silence as they looked at the old man.

"We meet again." Lu Zhou was the first to break the silence.