My disciples are all villains.

The eastern pavilion in the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Lu Zhou opened his eyes as he emerged from his meditative state. He had replenished half of his extraordinary power. He remembered the first Earth Scroll power he gained. Feeling curious, he recited the chant in his head.

To gain the power to hear everything so that we can hear voices in all realms at will.

Faint blue extraordinary power appeared by his ears, and he could hear the roars of the waterfall at the back of the mountain. Then, he used more extraordinary power before he heard Duanmu Sheng practicing with his spear. He added more extraordinary power again, and he could hear the mixed chirps and growls from various beasts and the sound of the wind blowing.

When he felt his extraordinary power swiftly depleting, he stopped. With this, he confirmed the range of this power was dependent on how much extraordinary power he used. The wider the range, the more extraordinary power was needed.

Lu Zhou shook his head. He felt that this power was slightly useless. What practical use did it have apart from being able to eavesdrop?

At this moment, Mingshi Yin's voice rang from outside. "Master, Seventh Junior Brother sent a letter saying that Eldest Senior Brother is preparing to siege the Divine Capital two days from now… Also, the Penglai Sect, the Ten Thousand Poison Sect, the Blossom Faction, and the Fiend Temple are heading toward Liang Province to repel the Other Tribes. Bai Yuqing, Yang Yan, and Di Qing are grievously wounded and have been sent back to Yan Province. Oh, Second Senior Brother is going to Liang Province as well."

Creak!

Lu Zhou opened the door. He placed his hands on his back and looked at Mingshi Yin who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. He said, "The Other Tribes couldn't hold themselves back anymore, it seems."

"Many Other Tribesmen in Rongxi and Rongbei believe in wild beasts. That's why they've grown more barbaric after severing their lotuses. They no longer fear death. Their cultivation speed has increased after they severed their lotuses as well. The Other Tribesmen will surely seize this opportunity while Eldest Senior Brother is occupied with attacking the Divine Capital," Mingshi Yin said.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. "I've been to the lands of the Other Tribes before. Indeed, they worship many beasts. However, I didn't expect that severing their lotuses would benefit them so much."

"They're dumb, if you ask me. If severing their lotuses is beneficial to them, they should just focus on cultivation to overtake Great Yan as a whole before they invade Great Yan. Wouldn't that be a better course of action?" Mingshi Yin said disapprovingly.

"Hm?"

Smack!

Mingshi Yin slapped himself before he said, "They're not dumb. They can see this is a great opportunity for them so they seized it. How despicable. Master… what should we do now?"

Lu Zhou was lost in thought. He stroked his beard as he descended the steps. A moment later, he looked at Mingshi Yin and said, "Old Fourth."

"Yes, master."

"Go to Liang Province."

"Huh?"

"You don't want to?" Lu Zhou frowned slightly.

Mingshi Yin hastily waved his hands and said, "It's not that I'm unwilling, I'm just surprised. Eldest Senior Brother told us to stay out of his business. I'm just worried that he'll get mad if I go over there."

"That's Liang Province, not the Divine Capital," Lu Zhou said with a sigh, "Among all of you, you're the one I'm least worried about… Your Second Senior Brother has always been proud and conceited. He's obstinate and loves to show off."

Something stirred in Mingshi Yin. He looked up and appraised the old man. The frivolous smile disappeared from his face. At this moment, he finally discovered the solemn expression on Lu Zhou's face. Lu Zhou's words and actions all revolved around his disciples. In the beginning, he thought this was some new trick of his master. However, it seemed like his master had truly changed.

Loyalty: +1%

Lu Zhou saw the change in Mingshi Yin's loyalty. He stopped in his tracks and asked, "Are you willing to go?"

Mingshi Yin fell to one knee. He cupped his fists and said, "I'm willing."

"Good." Lu Zhou looked up and called out, "Ji Liang."

Halfway up Golden Court Mountain, Ji Liang looked up and neighed joyously. It leaped into the air and flew toward the Evil Sky Pavilion's eastern pavilion. It slowly landed in the courtyard.

"Ji Liang is a wonderful steed. Ride it there."

Neigh!

Ji Liang seemed to understand Lu Zhou's words.

Mingshi Yin looked at Ji Liang excitedly. When he imagined how grand it must be to appear before the others on a legendary mount, he was beside himself with anticipation.

Alas, Ji Liang trotted up to Mingshi Yin and lowered its head to take a whiff. Then, it shook its head and neighed.

"Hey, are you rejecting me?" Mingshi Yin was speechless.

Lu Zhou did not expect Ji Liang to be so picky.

"Bi An!"

Bi An came on the clouds and landed in the courtyard.

Compared to Ji Liang, Bi An looked more ferocious. However, it was more obedient and not as picky about its riders.

Mingshi Yin smiled and said, "Bi An will do as well. Although it's ugly, it'll be able to scare others off!"

As soon as Mingshi Yin finished speaking, Bi An became clearly reluctant to carry him. After being insulted and praised in the same sentence, it retreated three steps before it lay on the ground.

"…" Mingshi Yin was speechless. He looked at his master pleadingly.

Lu Zhou shook his head. He wanted to summon Whitzard, but when he thought about his own old bones, he decided to leave a mount for himself that could provide him with a smooth ride. After mulling over it for a moment, he called out, "Ji Liang!"

Neigh!

After it shook its head, it reluctantly took a few steps forward.

Mingshi Yin nodded. "That's more like it."

Ji Liang listened to Lu Zhou's orders. "Go."

Mingshi Yin leaped onto Ji Liang's back. With a solemn tone, he said, "Don't worry, master. With me around, nothing will happen to Second Senior Brother! I swear it... on your horse…"

Neigh!

Ji Liang lifted its front hooves and flew into the sky as soon as Mingshi Yin finished speaking. In just a second, it vanished into thin air.

Perhaps, the disturbance Ji Liang caused was too big, the other disciples gathered outside the eastern pavilion as well. Soon enough, Zhao Yue, Zhu Honggong, Little Yuan'er, Conch, and Duanmu Sheng entered.

"Master, I'm willing to go to Liang Province as well."

Lu Zhou glanced at them before he said, "If you want to help, work hard on your cultivation."

His disciples were rendered speechless.

"Old Third."

"Yes, master."

"You're in charge of overseeing their progress. Everyone will be cultivating for twice the amount of time they're cultivating now."

"Yes, master!"

…

In the Evergreen Palace in the Divine Capital, the Imperial city.

Liu Gu opened his eyes. "Men."

An internal attendant walked in timidly.

Before he could kneel, Liu Gu said, "Why hasn't the Big Dipper Academy send ten leaf-sprouting pills today?"

"Y-Y-Your Majesty… The Big Dipper Academy's President Zhou said that they ran out of ingredients and are in the process of gathering them. They think it's unlikely for them to produce new leaf-sprouting pills this month," the internal attendant said fearfully.

"Hm?" Liu Gu's brows knitted together. "I treated him well. Is he harboring some ulterior motive?" The ingredients were supplied by the palace. He was no fool. He knew how many ingredients were needed to refine a certain number of leaf-sprouting pills. He said, "Bring me the Big Dipper Academy's ten elders."

"Understood."

"Also, what's the situation with the Nether Sect?" Liu Gu asked.

The internal attendant shivered as he said, "Your Majesty, the Nether Sect has gained control over the nine provinces. I'm afraid the Nether Sect will attack the Divine Capital with all their might soon."

Upon hearing this, Liu Gu rose to his feet and placed his hands on his back as he looked out the window. "It seems like I've underestimated you. Just as well… It's time to settle old scores."