My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou's 'we meet again' pulled everyone back to the present.

Shen Liangshou was rather quick-witted. He was the first to rush up to Lu Zhou and bowed as he said, "Greetings, Senior Lu… I didn't expect to meet you here."

Lu Zhou ignored Sheng Liangshou. He calmly looked at Yu Zhenghai who was seated in the great hall. This was the first Evil Sky Pavilion's disciple. Then, he saw his seventh disciple, Si Wuya, seated to Yu Zhenghai's left.

Huang Shijie rose to his feet immediately and bowed along with the Penglai Sect disciples. He said, "Greetings, Senior Lu."

"Rise." Lu Zhou waved his hand.

At this moment, Yu Zhenghai and Si Wuya stood up, wariness apparent in their eyes. Both of them studied Lu Zhou, wondering who he was. Since Huang Shijie accorded such respect to him, they did not dare to neglect their manners. Both of them cupped their fists together at Lu Zhou. They did not beat around the bush and asked in unison, "Where are you from, senior?"

Lu Zhou could no longer say he was from Penglai. How could he use that excuse again.

However, before Lu Zhou could reply, Hua Chongyang stepped forward from behind, bowed at Yu Zhenghai, and said, "Sect Master, Senior Lu has lived in seclusion for many years in a mountain and seldom concerns himself with the trivial affairs of the world. The person beside him is Miss Conch from the heaven worship platform."

Lu Zhou did not care if Hua Chongyang helped him explain his origins. After all, he finally met Yu Zhenghai.

Miss Conch's appearance shocked Yu Zhenghai and Si Wuya slightly. They looked at her. For a time, they could not understand what their relationship was.

Hua Chongyang immediately bowed again before he walked to Yu Zhenghai's side. He whispered into his ear and recounted the day's events.

When Yu Zhenghai heard there was a possibility of a Nine-leaf elite joining his cause, his eyes widened in surprise. He smiled immediately and said, "So, it's Senior Lu… We're honored to have you visit the Nether Sect, Senior Lu. Please have a seat."

Lu Zhou led Miss Conch into the hall and sat down.

"Are you the Nether Sect's Yu Zhenghai?" Lu Zhou asked.

Yu Zhenghai said in a slightly smug tone, "Yes. I've studied in the Evil Sky Pavilion. My master is Ji Tiandao. He's also a Nine-leaf expert like you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Liangshou said in a fawning manner, "That's right, Sect Master Yu… The Evil Sky Pavilion's Master is truly a heroic figure of the times. The sun and moon pale in comparison to his Nine-leaf avatar. Sect Master Yu is the Evil Sky Pavilion's first disciple and controls the greatest Fiend sect under the heavens. Now that the nine provinces are in chaos, the Nether Sect merely act as the situation calls for. We will surely restructure the rivers and the mountains."

Lu Zhou turned around and looked at Shen Liangshou. "Is Ji Tiandao that powerful?"

Something stirred in Yu Zhenghai's heart. He noticed the old man's wariness. A Nine-leaf expert could only be kept in check by another expert of the same rank.

Shen Liangshou eagerly replied, "The Evil Sky Pavilion's Patriarch is not only a Nine-leaf expert, but he has nine outstanding disciples as well. The youngest of them, Miss Ninth, Ci Yuan'er, entered the Nascent Divinity realm in just five years. I don't think anyone has ever managed this feat, and I don't think anyone ever will… Misters First and Mister Second are full-fledged Eight-leaf cultivators. They're one easy step away from becoming Nine-leaf cultivators."

Yu Zhenghai nodded in satisfaction. 'I didn't reward you for nothing. You're quite glib. Keep on talking...'

"If the nine disciples are so outstanding, I wonder just how amazing the Evil Sky Pavilion's Patriarch is?" After praising his idol to the high heavens, he thought he should not just continue with the praises. He needed to say something to balance the praises and also to cast 'Senior Lu' in a better light. Talking was an art. If one could talk well, one would be able to reach great height. He continued to say, "Naturally… You're an outstanding individual. Now that the Lotus Severing era is in full bloom, cultivators are pursuing the Nine-leaf stage, and the major sects are working toward this at full force. Anyone who's at the forefront of the new era is surely an exceptional person. Moreover, you've been keeping a low profile for such a long time, Senior Lu, you must be really modest. In this aspect, Old Senior Ji would do well to learn from you."

Yu Zhenghai chimed in, "It's true that my master likes attention. I hope everyone here doesn't mind."

Lu Zhou frowned slightly. He now understood why the outside world would heap the blame of all the crimes the rascals committed on the Evil Sky Pavilion. Due to his disciples, his name was pushed to the top of the blacklist!

When the Penglai Sect's Huang Shijie saw such a good opportunity to entice Lu Zhou to their cause, he said, "We've known each other a long time now, Sect Master Yu. Initially, I wanted to help you take down Jing Province, but if Senior Lu is willing to lend a hand, the Penglai Sect will willingly be under Senior Lu's command."

Lu Zhou did not respond to them immediately. He looked at Wuya who was next to Yu Zhenghai and asked, "What about you?"

Si Wuya had been keeping mum all this while. Nobody knew what he was thinking.

Lu Zhou allowed Si Wuya to leave the Evil Sky Pavilion because he wanted to see what choices Si Wuya would make. From the looks of things, Si Wuya seemed to have made up his mind.

Si Wuya smiled and said, "Since you're here, Senior Lu, I'm sure you have something that you want as well. Let's hear your conditions."

Everyone shifted their attention back to Lu Zhou again. Si Wuya was right. How could they have forgotten about this? Let alone Jing Province, if they had the help of a Nine-leaf elite they would have a chance at taking down the Divine Capital. What conditions could satisfy such an individual?

Something stirred in Yu Zhenghai's heart. He felt slightly nervous as he looked at this old man.

"I want the whole world," Lu Zhou said.

"…"

The others were shocked.

Silence descended on the great hall.

After a long pause, Yu Zhenghai said, "Senior Lu, surely, you're joking?" He had been working so long to conquer the world. To him, this Nine-leaf Lu's words sounded hostile and grating.

"My appetite and ambition have always been big," Lu Zhou said nonchalantly.

"Senior Lu, your cultivation base is profound. My master…"

The moment he said the words 'my master', Lu Zhou placed his hand lightly on the table next to him.

Crash!

The table shattered immediately.

The others jumped back in shock.

Lu Zhou slowly rose to his feet. He looked at Yu Zhenghai and asked, "Are you worthy of mentioning your master?"

Yu Zhenghai asked, "Why would you say that, Senior Lu?"

The others furtively retreated back. They could sense an odd atmosphere in the air.

The Jasper Saber on the saber holder inside the great hall was buzzing.

Hua Chongyang's expression changed. After all, he was the one who brought the old man here. How could his Eight-leaf sect master defeat a Nine-leaf cultivator? He fell to one knee and hastily said, "Please calm down, Senior Lu!"

Lu Zhou ignored him completely. He looked at Yu Zhenghai. His voice was low and brought with it a great pressure as he said, "You want the world, but I want the world as well. Why? Are you reluctant to give up on your ambitions?"

Yu Zhenghai would never hand the fruits of his labor to someone else on a silver platter.

Si Wuya said in a deep voice, "Senior Lu… Are you going to make an enemy out of the Evil Sky Pavilion?"

The Nether Sect disciples inside the great hall fanned out and drew their swords.

Shen Liangshou's lips trembled slightly. Then, he said, "Senior Lu, please think this through!"

Who dared to make an enemy out of the Evil Sky Pavilion?

Lu Zhou asked, "So what if I am?"

As soon as he said these words, the Jasper Saber shot out with a bang into Yu Zhenghai's hand at lightning speed.