My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou fell deep into his thoughts as he stroked his beard.

Since Yu Shangrong was already in the red lotus domain, it would be even more difficult to find him. He was worried about his disciple's stubborn and unyielding character…

He sighed as he thought to himself, 'If only Old Fourth was the one who went missing.' After that, he chided himself, 'How can I even think of that?'

Lu Zhou opened the system dashboard and checked his remaining merit points…

Merit points: 5,603.

He had 12 luck points.

He did not think that he could purchase any good item cards with these merit points.

'In that case, let's try the lucky draw.'

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Spent 12 luck points. Obtained Reversal Card x12."

'Not bad. Continue.'

"Lucky draw."

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Obtained Reversal Card x5."

'I had a losing streak before this. Now, I'm on a roll.'

This felt great.

"Lucky draw."

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Thank you for your participation."

"…"

After trying another ten consecutive draws, he was thanked a similar number of times.

Lu Zhou frowned. 'Why is my luck running out so fast? Again!'

…

Meanwhile.

Inside the meeting hall in Liang Province.

Si Wuya was greatly shocked when he finished reading Luo Shiyin's notes. He looked at the torn parts before he shook his head and sighed. If he had access to the missing information, it would have helped when he made his inferences.

He picked up a brush and started drawing. In no time at all, a simple outline of a map appeared.

At this moment, Jiang Aijian entered the hall. He crossed his arms and asked, "What are you drawing?"

"A map."

Jiang Aijian moved closer. When he saw the map, he was slightly stunned. "Two Great Yan maps?"

"One," Si Wuya replied.

"The one on the left is Great Yan, I recognize it… but the complementary one on the right, isn't that Great Yan as well?" Jiang Aijian asked.

Si Wuya pointed at the notes at the side and said, "Take a look at that if you have the time… These records are from the Luo woman, the mysterious individual whom we have been searching for all this time. The notes clearly state that her homeland largely resembles Great Yan."

Jiang Aijian stroked his chin as he studied the map and said, "What's with the overlapping part?"

"The abyss."

Si Wuya said, "Master had reached the bottom of the 100,000-foot-deep abyss and obtained Chi Yao's Heart there. I've gone through the ancient records. Chi Yaos are high-ranking beasts that disappeared long ago. Eight-leaf cultivators would flee at the sight of them. At the bottom of the abyss, southward, is probably where the world of the red lotus lies!"

"…" Jiang Aijian frowned. The more he looked at the map, the more he found it familiar. "I think I've seen this before!"

"You're not mistaken… The palace's internal archives contain works left behind by the Imperial tutor. This is how one of the sketches looks like! Liu Gu, your father, knew the secrets of the Imperial tutor. That's why he devoted himself to researching the Nine-leaf stage," Si Wuya said.

"Don't mention him. He's not my father… My father is long dead," Jiang Aijian said with a sigh.

Si Wuya knew that he should not have brought up the names of the dead. After a while, he asked curiously, "An empire can't do without its monarch… Eldest Senior Brother doesn't bear the surname Liu, after all. Are you really unwilling to take the throne?"

"Don't try to trick me into ascending the throne…" Jiang Aijian shook his head. "I have no interest in that position at all. I don't care about being the Fifth Prince or whatever. I think Zhao Yue is doing a great job as an empress. I have high hopes in her."

"It's not easy for a woman to claim the throne."

"Hold it right there… I've already said that I won't become the emperor. When Mister First has fully recovered, I'd rather the Imperial family changed its surname to Yu than becoming the emperor myself." Jiang Aijian kept waving his hands.

Si Wuya sighed helplessly.

Jiang Aijian's past life in the palace had instilled a natural avoidance in him. The fire that devoured Jinghe Palace made him give up on any thoughts of returning. If he went back, how was he supposed to face the wronged souls that roamed the Imperial city or his own conscience?

Jiang Aijian pointed at the map. "Let's get back to the topic. If what you say is true, that the imperial tutor is someone from the other side and that the people there are more powerful than we are, why didn't those people invade Great Yan?"

Si Wuya smiled and said, "Because of selfishness."

"Selfishness?"

"Everyone is selfish to a certain degree. I've studied the Imperial tutor's activities in the past. Coincidentally, Great Yan's Imperial city wasn't the only place he had been to. He also visited the 12 allied nations of Rongxi and Rongbei. Wherever he went, he was always in a position of power. Although he was Great Yan's Imperial tutor, Emperor Yong Shou had been obedient to him. He even went as far as to duel with my master using with High Void."

Si Wuya said, "He's the most powerful person here…"

Jiang Aijian's brows knitted together upon hearing this. "Now that you mentioned it, this man is even more disgusting than I am… He's too despicable."

"The Imperial tutor, Jiang Wenxu, might actually be a Nine-leaf expert who's currently living in Lou Lan," Si Wuya said.

"Nine-leaf? Why isn't there a disaster, then?"

"There are two possibilities. One, the disaster is a complete hoax. However, that doesn't seem likely. The appearances of Chi Yao and Cheng Huang have changed my mind. A Nine-leaf cultivator might attract the attention of the beasts. Second, the Imperial tutor has suppressed the Nine-leaf stage through some method."

"What about Old Senior Ji?" Jiang Aijian asked.

Si Wuya was deep in thought. After a moment's silence, he said, "I don't know."

"Are you reluctant to tell me what you know or do you really not know?" Jiang Aijian asked with a smile.

"It's too early to say anything for now. We'll find out after my master returns from Lou Lan," Si Wuya replied.

"You're right."

…

Meanwhile, inside a room.

"Lucky draw."

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points. Luck +1. Thank you for your participation."

"Oh, come one." Lu Zhou stroked his beard helplessly.

He looked at his merit points. He was left with 553 points. He had 99 luck points now. He wondered if something amazing awaited him once his luck points hit three digits.

Lu Zhou was in no hurry to attempt another lucky draw. Instead, he waited for a moment. After all, his luck did not seem too good today.

A moment later…

"Lucky draw."

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points and 99 luck points. Obtained Ji Tiandao's Peak Form Trial Card x1."

"Ji Tiandao's Peak Form Trial Card. Grants Ji Tiandao's peak form for 30 minutes. This item card is rare. Use it wisely."

Lu Zhou's old eyes widened in surprise!

Peak Form Card?!

'I knew I'd get something great!'

Although he had expected a treasure, the Peak Form Card still surprised Lu Zhou. He was the only one who knew how important this treasure was. He was the only one who knew how great of a power this item card held! With this card, he would be afraid even if the 12 allied nations came at him at once!

Lu Zhou looked at the item card in admiration before stowing it away.