My disciples are all villains.

The huge tree fell with a loud crash before the Black Knights before it shattered.

The black knight in the lead looked up before he gave the archer, Old Third, who was still hovering in the air, a meaningful look.

Old Third landed on his steed.

"I shall convey your message."

After that, the troop of black knights hurried along the small path toward the Divine Capital.

Shortly after, peace and quiet returned to the forest. Mingshi Yin walked out from behind a huge tree. He looked at the leaving black knights with interest. "Since four of them are so strong, it's impossible for Fan Xiu Wen to be weak. Oh, master, who are you trying to provoke this time?"

The Four Dark Knights' cultivation bases were almost at the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm while the remaining black knights' cultivation bases were at the Divine Court realm. Without considering the great and second disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion, these black knights could have fought on par with the Evil Sky Pavilion. There was no way that a person who commanded these people was a nobody in the cultivation world.

Mingshi Yin's curiosity was piqued. He wondered aloud, "Fan Xiuwen, who are you?" He tapped the ground with a foot and flew up to the trees with the agility of a swallow. His Bluewood Heart Technique was at its full potential in a forest. He moved with lightning speed before he seemed to vanish without a trace.

...

When the Black Knights arrived in the Divine Capital, they did not go into the city immediately. Instead, they skirted around the capital and continued north.

The Imperial Guards guarded the capital. The Black Knights were a covert group and only operated in the shadows. Their existence was not publicly acknowledged. Naturally, their base was not located in the capital. Only a handful of people knew of the location of their base.

…

At the foot of a hill. The Black Knights Headquarters.

The Four Dark Knights entered a hall at the same time.

"My lord, we've completed our mission. The Upper Prime City's traitor has been eliminated by the Black Knights."

Four of them kneeled on the ground and cupped their hands together.

A long brown and empty table stood before them. Next to the table, a tall and muscular man dressed in black armor stood with his back facing them.

"Very good." The voice was hoarse and deep.

"My lord, I have another report."

"Speak."

"We encountered a villain from the Evil Sky Pavilion on our way back. The Evil Sky Pavilion has a message for you."

The Four Dark Knights exchanged glances. Their leader paused for a moment before he said, "The Evil Sky Pavilion wants to meet you. They've given us three days." He had softened Mingshi Yin's words out of fear of angering his leader.

Fan Xiuwen was not angry. Instead, he turned around slowly and walked toward the table before gracefully taking a seat. He wore a mask as well. Even his face was completely covered. No one knew what he looked like.

After a moment's silence, Fan Xiuwen chuckled before he said in his deep voice, "This is a tribulation that I must face in my lifetime."

"My Lord, the Evil Sky Pavilion is notorious in the cultivation world. It has produced nine great villains over the centuries whose names shocked the lands. The patriarch of the Fiend Path, Ji Tiandao, possesses an unfathomable cultivation base. My lord, I suggest that we avoid the Evil Sky Pavilion…"

Fan Xiuwen raised a hand slowly and said, "I've received an order from the palace. The Evil Sky Pavilion has meddled in the palace's plans."

The Four Dark Knights were stunned by Fan Xiuwen's words, their mask hiding their shocked expressions.

"My Lord, are we making an enemy out of the Evil Sky Pavilion?"

Fan Xiuwen shook his head and spoke in his raspy voice, "The Evil Sky Pavilion is indeed terrifying. We have no idea about the cultivation bases of its nine disciples… Rumor has it that Ji Tiandao possesses an Eight-leaf Golden Lotus Avatar. It's not surprising for him to be able to repel the ten great elites."

Fan Xiuwen's four subordinates lowered their heads and listened quietly.

After muttering to himself for some time, Fan Xiuwen placed his hands behind his back and said, "I have no intention of making the Evil Sky Pavilion an enemy… It's only natural that we should avoid making an enemy out of such powerful people."

The Four Dark Knights felt relieved inwardly. They were worried their leader would be overconfident. Although the Black Knights were powerful, if they were to butt heads with Ji Tiandao, both sides would surely sustain great losses. After all, there was no need for them to be impatient. When Ji Tiandao's time was up, they would be able to easily destroy the Evil Sky Pavilion.

However, when Fan Xiuwen spoke again, his words seemed to have taken a sharp turn. "However, since the palace has issued an order, we must obey the order. Since the Evil Sky Pavilion wants to see me, I'll go see them."

The Four Dark Knights were taken aback. They did not expect the palace would order the Black Knights to negotiate with the Evil Sky Pavilion. Was this only a coincidence?

They were Fan Xiuwen's most trusted subordinates. Naturally, they knew about Fan Xiuwen's identity as well. Fan Xiuwen was younger than Ji Tiandao, but he was a unique talent in the cultivation world. When he was at the top of the blacklist, the Evil Sky Pavilion had not even existed yet. Ji Tiandao and their leader had fought to a draw. However, Ji Tiandao experienced a huge leap in his cultivation base and went on to establish the Evil Sky Pavilion. They did not know how profound Fan Xiuwen's cultivation base was, but they were certain it was not higher than an Eight-leaf avatar.

"Master! At Ji Tiandao's age, his time should be up in a decade, at most. He'll be gone by then. Why do we have to rush there now?"

"I concur!"

"I concur!"

"I concur!"

The four of them raised their cupped hands at the same time.

Fan Xiuwen looked at all four of them. He was not angered. After all, these four people were his most trusted subordinates. He stayed silent for a moment before he finally said in a deep voice, "I can wait, and the Black Knights can wait. Even the emperor can wait. However, Great Yan cannot wait."

The Four Dark Knights were baffled. They did not understand their leader's words.

When Fan Xiuwen saw his subordinates were about to speak, he waved his hand and said, "Three days later, accompany me to the Evil Sky Pavilion. This matter is settled."

…

"Ding! Mingshi Yin has accomplished his mission. Gained 300 merit points."

When Lu Zhou received this notification, he was not surprised. He was pleased. Apart from the rascals who left the Evil Sky Pavilion, those who remained were quite smart. Their only shortcoming was that it was difficult for them to improve their cultivation bases after being suppressed by Ji Tiandao for so long. He had to quickly change this situation.

Lu Zhou had a feeling that the world did not dare to act against the Evil Sky Pavilion due to Ji Tiandao's cultivation base. However, as time passed, probing attacks such as the one before would only increase in frequency. The limit of one's life was determined after all.

Lu Zhou was still deep in thoughts when he heard Little Yuan'er calling out to him.

"Master, I've waited the entire day but Fourth Senior Brother still hasn't written back. Do you think he received my letter?" Little Yuan'er launched into a lengthy complaint the moment she appeared before Lu Zhou.

"It's fine." Mingshi Yin had completed his mission. As long as he did not cause trouble elsewhere and return safely, there would not be a problem.

However, Little Yuan'er said, "Master, is Senior Brother dead? I've asked Blockhead about this, he said the leader of the Black Knights, Fan Xiuwen, is very dangerous. Nobody knows who he truly is."

"Blockhead?"

"Pan Zhong! He said that Fourth Senior Brother will die! I gave him a piece of my mind after I heard his words," Little Yuan'er said huffily.

"A piece of your mind?" Lu Zhou recalled that time when Pan Zhong's face was swollen and bruised.

Little Yuan'er raised a thumb and said in a small voice, "Well, I might have accidentally scratched him…"

Lu Zhou shook his head. 'When will she change her violent habit of hitting others on a whim?' He knocked her head. "You're becoming unrulier by the day."

"This disciple knows that she's wrong."

Boom!

A loud explosion suddenly rang from the back of the mountains.

Lu Zhou frowned slightly. The Golden Court Mountain was protected by a barrier. 'Who's causing the disturbance?'

At this moment, Pan Zhong appeared in a rush. He quickly cupped his hands together before he said, "M-mister Third has had a breakthrough!"

Duanmu Sheng had attained the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm?