My disciples are all villains.

Zhu Honggong felt awkward. 'Shouldn't both of you decide? Why do I suddenly have to decide?'

"Old Eighth, how's your cultivation base?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Three-leaf…" Zhu Honggong replied sheepishly.

"That's not worth a mention in the Evil Sky Pavilion, but for the people outside, being able to recultivate to the Three-leaf stage is a commendable feat. If you leave, I'm afraid that you'll be missing out on a bright future. If you stay in the Evil Sky Pavilion, your future achievements won't be inferior to mine," Lu Zhou slowly said, "Think carefully about this. I won't stop you."

Zhu Tianyuan. "???" Why did this statement sound a little wrong? Were they not going to let his son decide for himself?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Honggong said, "Master, I don't have a big ambition. All I want is to live a stable and uneventful life."

"Now that the beasts are invading, and the humans racing to sever their lotuses, it's going to a survival of the fittest. I can understand your wish of wanting to lead a stable life, but do you have the ability to do that?" Lu Zhou asked.

"…" Zhu Honggong had no way to refute his master's words. Even when he left the Evil Sky Pavilion in the past, he had relied on Si Wuya and Yu Zhenghai to live a peaceful life. How could he manage on his own?

When Lu Zhou saw Zhu Honggong keeping quiet, he said, "That's all I have to say. You can make your choice."

There was a heavy meaning behind Lu Zhou's words that was not lost on Zhu Honggong. His master meaning was if he chose to leave, he would no longer be a disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Lu Zhou closed his eyes again as if nothing had happened. His expression was calm.

Zhu Tianyuan felt that something was amiss after listening to Lu Zhou's words. It felt as though his son was being led astray.

Zhu Tianyuan was about to speak up when Zhu Honggong suddenly prostrated himself in front of Lu Zhou and said, "Master, I've never thought about leaving the Evil Sky Pavilion."

Zhu Tianyuan. "???" 

Was this person really his son? How could his son forget everything they discussed beforehand?

Lu Zhou nodded in satisfaction. He opened his eyes to look at the duo and said, "Naturally, I'm happy that you chose to stay. As for the Ancient Saint Cult, it's meaningless whether you inherit it or not."

"Brother Ji… Indeed, the Ancient Saint Cult can't compare to the Evil Sky Pavilion, but… but…"

"No buts. Zhu Honggong has made his decision. Although you're his biological father, you should still respect his choice," Lu Zhou said.

"Ah…"

'Who says that I'm not respecting his choice? This…' Zhu Tianyuan felt like crying.

"I respect my son's choice, but what will happen to my Ancient Saint Cult from now on? Should I hand it over to someone else?" Zhu Tianyuan was reluctant.

Zhu Honggong kowtowed at Zhu Tianyuan and said, "I'm sorry, father. I'm an unfilial son."

"You can't be blamed for this. I can only blame myself." Zhu Tianyuan shook his head and sighed.

Lu Zhou looked at Zhu Tianyuan and said, "Why are the others looking to take over your Ancient Saint Cult?"

"They're trying to seize the opportunity!"

"No… The reason is you're too weak."

"…"

Being weak was the original cause. Those who fell behind would naturally be picked on. This was a truth that did not change since time immemorial.

"If Zhu Honggong returned with you, can he change the Ancient Saint Cult's situation?" Lu Zhou asked.

If an Eight-leaf cultivator could not do anything, what could a Three-leaf cultivator do?

As though hit by a sudden realization, Zhu Tianyuan said, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Ji… My sights have been too narrow." He could just spread the news that his son was a disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion. That way, nobody would look down on the Ancient Saint Cult!

Zhu Tianyuan smacked his thigh and exclaimed inwardly, 'Why didn't I think of this earlier?'

"Thank you, Brother Ji. You've enlightened me."

"That'll be all."

The two of them left respectfully and closed the door behind them.

Lu Zhou continued trying the lucky draws.

"Lucky draw."

"Ding! Spent 50 merit points and 1 luck point. Obtained: Reversal Card x5."

…

Throughout the next month, Lu Zhou spent his waking hours cultivating and trying his luck at the lucky draws.

...

During the second month, Rongxi and Rongbei were attacked by beasts. The Other Tribes of Rongbei were powerless to fight back. They migrated elsewhere. The five nations of Rongxi formed another alliance to repel the beasts.

There were more locations in Great Yan's nine provinces that were attacked by the beasts as well. Fortunately, the barriers in the human cities blocked most of the calamities.

At the same time, this pushed the efforts to improve the Formations in the Divine Capital. The human cultivators were working together as well.

Many cultivators of various sects voluntarily applied to join the two academies. Some of the sects requested to join the Evil Sky Pavilion as well in search of security. Yet, they were all turned away by the Evil Sky Pavilion.

...

In the eastern pavilion of the Evil Sky Pavilion.

"Master, that's the fifth sect today requesting to join the Evil Sky Pavilion. That sect has never joined the ten great sects in the past. Do you think…" Mingshi Yin started to say.

Lu Zhou shook his head. "The quality of the troops is more important than the quantity."

"The Three Sects have sent emissaries as well. They wish to forge a good relationship with us. They're major sects."

"The Three Sects have many restrictions and an abundance of elites. They're in no short supply of allied forces, but the method to attain the Nine-leaf stage," Lu Zhou said.

Mingshi Yin nodded. "Understood."

"Tell the others that I'm not to be disturbed tomorrow… I feel dizzy," Lu Zhou said.

"Understood…" Mingshi Yin was puzzled. How could his Nine-leaf master feel dizzy? However, he did dare to press and retreated obediently.

Lu Zhou checked the dashboard again.

Merit points: 22,893.

Throughout the past month, he did 400 lucky draws. How could he not feel dizzy?

However, he was satisfied with the results. He obtained 125 Reversal Cards, one Shining Stone, and three Refining Talismans.

He had 190 Reversal Cards now, but that was far from enough.

Generally, obtaining Reversal Cards through lucky draws was better than purchasing them directly.

He was in no hurry to earn the merit points… He decided to attempt them before anything else. If he was lucky, he might get some grand prize.

…

Meanwhile.

In the Thousand Willow Monastery in the red lotus domain.

Like always, Yu Shangrong leaned against the railing and looked out at the forest.

"Big brother, these are the most powerful sects of Great Tang. However, the most popular ones lately are the Flying Star House and the Sky Martial Court. They're recruiting many disciples and have produced many talented cultivators," Ji Fengxing said.

"Did anything special happen lately?" Yu Shangrong asked.

"Not really. However… It's said that a mysterious saber user has appeared in Wangyue City. He's elusive, and an elite of Ninth Temple has been gravely injured by this saber user. I don't think that he'll last long. I suspect… that it's the Flying Star House's doing," Ji Fengxing said.

"A mysterious saber user?"

It was common knowledge that the Flying Star House and the Ninth Temple were on bad terms. The Flying Star House had been losing many of its numbers lately. It was only natural for them to shift and vent their anger on the Ninth Temple.

"The Flying Star House has sleeping dragons and crouching tigers. It's not surprising for them to have a saber user or two, but this saber user has a special characteristic…" Ji Fengxing said with a smile, "He's a saber user, but he carries a sword scabbard with him. Isn't that strange? Big brother, do all elites have some eccentric preference or something? Take you, for example, you like to use a rag to… wrap your…" He trailed off before he hastily added, "Brother, don't give me that look… I was wrong!"

At this moment, a disciple came flying down the mountain. He stood outside the gazebo and said in a clear voice, "Ji Fengxing, Miss Wuwu, the elder has invited the two of you up the mountain for a talk."

Ji Fengxing was slightly taken aback. He hastily looked up and asked, "Why did he summon me? I'm an external disciple!"

"Elder Tian has told you to bring the guest up the mountain. He won't accept a refusal."

Ji Fengxing was shocked. However, he knew they could not avoid this. He remembered Yu Shangrong's feat of cutting down four Flying Star House disciples in the past. With a slightly worried tone, he said, "Big brother, you should run for your life now. The Flying Star House will come and investigate the Thousand Willow Monastery sooner or later. I don't think we'll be able to escape this calamity."

Yu Shangrong seemed surprised. With a small hint of admiration, he asked, "Aren't you afraid?"

"I am… but what good would that do? I'm not like you, big brother. I can't roam about unfettered with a sword," Ji Fengxing said with a sigh.

"It's just as you said, we won't be able to escape if it's a reckoning. There's no need to worry. I'm right here." Yu Shangrong stepped out of the gazebo.