My disciples are all villains.

"Big brother… We can't afford to offend the Flying Star House!" Ji Fengxing said with a bitter expression on his face.

Yu Shangrong stood outside the gazebo. He turned around and smiled faintly as he asked, "Why can't we?"

"The Flying Star House has two Nine-leaf cultivators. Also, the house master is mysterious and unfathomable. He doesn't show himself often. Ye Zhen is injured from killing the luan. Even so, nobody is bold enough to strike him!" Ji Fengxing said.

At this moment, Wuwu came flying back from a nearby rock. She landed near the gazebo and said, "Big brother, you mustn't go!"

"You think so too?"

"The people from the Flying Star House are here to investigate Lu Song's death. If they find out anything about this, you won't be able to escape… Big brother, I'll bring you down the mountain." Wuwu said as she made her way to Yu Shangrong's side.

Yu Shangrong flashed a faint smile and said, "The little Flying Star House isn't enough to frighten me. If my master is here, even Ye Zhen will have to avoid him."

Ji Fengxing was shocked to hear this. He recalled Yu Shangrong's words. There were four types of swords. The commoner's swords, the lord's sword, the king's sword, and the swordless state of using everything as a sword. If the big brother was only using the lord's sword… How powerful was his master then? It was no wonder that big brother was this calm and composed. It seemed like he was never surprised by anything. He did not even think much of the Flying Star House. It seemed like he had a truly powerful supporter.

"Good! I'll go with you, big brother!" Ji Fengxing patted his chest.

Wuwu. "…"

In the end, the trio flew up the Thousand Willow Mountain. When they were halfway up the mountain, where the sect buildings were, they descended slowly.

Two disciples were already waiting for them.

"This way."

Under the guidance of the Thousand Willow Monastery disciples, they passed through several side courts and arrived at the attendant hall of the sect.

When they entered the hall, Ji Fengxing hurried ahead and fell to one knee as he said, "Greetings, Elder Tian. The disciple, Ji Fengxing, greets you."

Tian Buji was one of the managing elders of the Thousand Willow Monastery. He oversaw many affairs and had a high status.

Wuwu did not kneel. Instead, she cupped her fists.

Yu Shangrong was the only one standing with his arms crossed with his back straight as he looked at Tian Buji.

To Tian Buji's left, there was a middle-aged man in Daoist robes. There were two Daoist apprentices standing behind him. One of them carried a horsetail whisk while the other carried a sword. The scabbard was adorned with the Taiji Eight Trigrams.

Tian Buji waved his hands and said, "This is the Flying Star House's Daoist Master Xuan Ming. Aren't you going to greet him?"

"Greetings, Daoist Master Xuan Ming," Ji Fengxing and Wuwu said in unison.

Yu Shangrong remained silent. He shifted his gaze from Tian Buji to the Flying Star House's Xuan Ming. After some probing, he confirmed the person was a Nascent Divinity realm elite.

Tian Buji looked at Yu Shangrong. He was puzzled when he saw Yu Shangrong made no move to kneel or greet him.

Although the Thousand Willow Monastery was not as glorious as it was in the past, Tian Buji had a pair of discerning eyes when it came to recognizing talents. He could tell that this man's temperament was not cultivated overnight. Hence, he did not insist on the elaborate etiquette. Instead, he turned to Daoist Master Xuan Ming and said, "Wuwu is here. Daoist Master Xuan Ming, you can speak to her. If she's willing to go with you, I won't stop her."

Daoist Master Xuan Ming stole a glance at Yu Shangrong. He was not concerned about his attitude. Instead, he looked at Wuwu and smiled.

"Miss Wuwu, Elder Lu Song has made his intentions clear before this. The Flying Star House is recruiting talents. If you're willing to join the Flying Star House, I'll certainly recommend you to the house master to become his direct disciple. I wonder if…"

Before he could finish, Wuwu interrupted him and said, "I'm not going… I've told you many times before. You guys are so annoying."

Daoist Master Xuan Ming frowned at the direct refusal.

Tian Buji smiled brightly and said, "I'm sorry… Wuwu has made her stance clear. You should leave now, Daoist Master Xuan Ming."

Daoist Master Xuan Ming shook his head and said, "We'll leave Miss Wuwu's matters aside for now… I have another objective for coming here. I hope you can give me an explanation, Elder Tian."

"What's this about?"

"Elder Lu Song's life stone has shattered. Something happened to him. His three disciples were killed as well. It just so happens… that we found their bodies near the Thousand Willow Mountain." A hint of hostility crept into Daoist Master Xuan Ming's voice now.

Ji Fengxing's eyes widened. He lowered his head, feeling uneasy. 'They found them?'

"The disciples of the Flying Star House have runes inscribed on their bodies. Unless they're completely shattered, we can find them even if they're hidden at the ends of the world."

Tian Buji frowned and said, "Daoist Master Xuan Ming, are you suspecting us?"

Xuan Ming said, "The bodies are proof. With Elder Lu Song's cultivation base, how can you not notice such a huge commotion..."

"I deeply regret Elder Lu's passing, but this has nothing to do with the Thousand Willow Monastery. I hope you'll investigate this properly, Daoist Master," Tian Buji said as he tried to suppress the anger welling up in his heart.

"Tian Buji… I suspect you're the culprit…" Xuan Ming raised his voice and said.

Although the Thousand Willow Monastery was not as glorious as it once was, Tian Buji was not someone who would let another person humiliate him. He retorted, "That's a vicious lie!"

"The Flying Star House has always abided by the rules! Three of ours have died at your doorstep. How are you going to explain this?" Daoist Master Xuan Ming went on the offensive.

Both of them rose to their feet and glared at each other.

At this moment, Yu Shangrong, who had been silent all this while, said, "If I may have a word?"

Tian Buji and Daoist Master Xuan Ming looked at Yu Shangrong at the same time.

Daoist Master Xuan Ming said, "Who are you?"

Yu Shangrong said tonelessly, "My identity isn't important. It's true that the deaths of the three disciples of the Flying Star House have nothing to do with Thousand Willow Monastery."

"How do you know?"

"I witnessed it myself," Yu Shangrong replied.

"And I'm supposed to take your word for it? Who's the culprit? Where is he now?" Daoist Master Xuan Ming demanded.

"It's just as you said… You'll have to take my word for it."

"…"

Yu Shangrong's attitude, tone, and mannerism, all of them crushed Daoist Master Xuan Ming's momentum.

"Since you know the culprit, I must ask you to come with me, sir." Daoist Master Xuan Ming stepped forward.

"My apologies." Yu Shangrong's tone flattened. However, it was still polite and humble. "I have no obligation to do that."

"That wasn't a request!" Daoist Master Xuan Ming turned around and drew his sword. The sword buzzed as it left the Taiji scabbard.

Alas, before he Xuang Ming could extend his hand out, Yu Shangrong had already drawn his sword at a far greater speed. From his left shoulder, he swung the sword to his right.

Bam!

The swords clashed.

Yu Shangrong remained where he stood. His sword was sheathed again.

Daoist Master Xuan Ming did not expect Yu Shangrong to suddenly attack. He was caught off guard and staggered backward. When he finally regained his footing, he heard a crack… The sword in his hand snapped and fell to the floor.

Yu Shangrong crossed his arms as though he did not move at all. He only looked at Xuan Ming indifferently. "If this happened in the past, I would've taken your life. However, I know it's not easy for you to attain your current cultivation base. I hope that you'll take care of yourself."

"You." Xuan Ming glared at Yu Shangrong. His sword arm was numb. He knew that he was up against an elite. He guessed that this was a helper invited by the Thousand Willow Monastery.

As the saying went, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold'. The Flying Star House could wait; they were not in a hurry to see revenge, and they would bide their time.

With these thoughts in mind, Xuan Ming swallowed in indignance and said, "Elder Tian, the Thousand Willow Monastery is truly something. We're leaving."

A disciple picked up the broken blade.

Daoist Master Xuan Ming waved his sleeve and left.

"Farewell." Tian Buji cupped his fists.

When they left, Tian Buji slammed the table, "They're insufferable bullies!"

Ji Fengxing seemed worried. "What do we do now? Big brother… The Flying Star House won't let this matter go!"

It was only now that Tian Buji studied Yu Shangrong. At the end of the day, the conflict between the Flying Star House and the Thousand Willow Monastery had nothing to do with this man. Even if Lu Song was not dead, this would still happen.

Tian Buji was about to thank Yu Shangrong when Yu Shangrong said, "There's no need to worry."

"Big brother? How can we not worry?" Ji Fengxing was stunned speechless.

"He won't be going back."

Yu Shangrong looked at Tian Buji meaningfully before he vanished out of sight and appeared outside the hall. In another flash, he disappeared again.

Tian Buji immediately felt a chill run up his spine. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He hastily said, "Ji Fengxing, go and stop your big brother now!"

"…"

…

Meanwhile.

The Flying Star House's Daoist Master Xuan Ming led his two disciples back.

After they passed the mountain. Daoist Master Xuan Ming could no longer hold it back. He was furious. "Preposterous! How dare Tian Buji humiliate me with outside help. I'll have him on his knees and begging for mercy next time!"

"Daoist Master, Tian Buji was rude. Clearly, he doesn't think much of the Flying Star House… Making him kneel is too light of a punishment."

"That swordsman is incredible… We should retreat for now. We'll have our revenge some other day." Xuan Ming was filled with lingering fear when he remembered that sword.

"That sword is at least heaven-grade. There are exquisite red runes inscribed on it. Indeed, he's an elite."

Xuan Ming's voice had barely faded when a figure appeared and blocked the trio's path.

The person had a saber on the left side of his waist and a sword scabbard on the right. His hands were placed on his back. He looked at Daoist Master Xuan Ming and asked, "You met an elite swordsman?"