My disciples are all villains.

While Yu Zhenghai searched for Yu Shangrong, Lu Zhou had replenished his Heavenly Writing's extraordinary power.

At this moment, he heard the notification for 1,000 merit points.

"1,000 merit points…"

'Based on the number of merit points, this person shouldn't have been a threat to Yu Shangrong. Why was he stuck there? Of course, this might be Yu Zhenghai's doing as well. It's normal for him to run into some fool. However, I know nothing about Yu Shangrong's current state.'

When he recalled what he had seen earlier, he could not help but wonder to himself. Surely the person capable of stopping Yu Shangrong.

Lu Zhou opened his eyes and looked at the mission list.

The mission of disciplining his nine disciples was still there. This was a long-term mission now, and Lu Zhou no longer paid much attention to it.

"Broken sword…" Although he only had a brief look, he was sure the broken sword was the Longevity Sword. Yu Shangrong would not have broken his sword; he valued the sword as much as he valued his life. Moreover, Yu Shangrong was at the Nine-leaf stage. An opponent capable of breaking the Longevity Sword had to possess a desolate-grade weapon. If he knew this was going to happen, he would have upgraded the Longevity Sword to the desolate grade.

However, Yu Shangrong relied too much on his sword. That was why he could hardly make any progress on his sword path.

Lu Zhou sighed. 'With these disciples, I don't think that I will be able to ever rest in peace.'

"Let's try it again." Lu Zhou decided to use his newly obtained power again.

He flattened his palms and was about to recite the mantra when a voice rang from outside.

"Greetings, master."

It was Yu Zhenghai.

"Greetings, master."

This was Yu Shangrong.

He felt relieved upon hearing his disciples' voices. Fortunately, they had spoken just in time. Otherwise, he would have wasted half his extraordinary power for nothing.

"Come in."

His two eldest disciples entered the room. They passed the screen and bowed to their master.

Lu Zhou raised his hand and said, "Rise."

Yu Zhenghai glanced at Yu Shangrong before saying, "Master, I'm proud to announce that I didn't fail you. I've brought Second Junior Brother back, safe and sound."

"Safe and sound?" Lu Zhou studied Yu Shangrong.

Yu Shangrong was holding the Longevity Sword's scabbard in his right hand. His back was straight as he stood respectfully.

When Yu Shangrong discovered his master's probing gaze, he bowed again and said, "I ran into some trouble, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Thank you for worrying about me, master. Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother, for coming to my rescue."

Lu Zhou shifted his gaze away from the Longevity Sword to Yu Shangrong and said, "It's understandable that you're competitive, but it's not good to lie."

Yu Shangrong bowed and said, "I've spoken the truth. I don't dare to deceive you, master."

"Show me your sword," Lu Zhou said.

"…" Yu Shangrong was slightly taken aback. However, when he saw his master's gaze, he had no choice but to bring out the Longevity Sword. Then, he fell to one knee and presented the sword to his master with both hands. "I've done wrong and accidentally broke the Longevity Sword."

Lu Zhou remained calm.

On the other hand, Yu Zhenghai was slightly surprised. He knew his Second Junior Brother, and he knew how important the sword was to his Second Junior Brother. During the journey back, he did not see any hints of sadness on his junior brother's face. He sighed.

Lu Zhou said, "Let's hear it."

Yu Shangrong nodded before he recounted everything that had happened to his master. When he mentioned the partially-blind man, Lu Zhou and Yu Shangrong frowned slightly. They would not be surprised to run into golden cultivators in the red lotus domain since a route had already been established between the two domains and the creations of the flying chariot, Water Shuttle, and other modes of transportation. However, the appearance of the dark purple energy made them feel wary.

"The partially-blind man's cultivation base was average, but his attacks were incredibly peculiar. When we fought, I was careless, and he used his desolate-grade weapon to break my Longevity Sword."

"A desolate-grade weapon?"

Instead of replying, Yu Shangrong brought out a small object from his pocket.

During that battle, it was too dark so Yu Shangrong could not see clearly. Now that he looked at the small item again, he saw that it resembled a rock and was not eye-catching at all.

However, the faint light it radiated caught Lu Zhou's attention. He waved his hand, and the item flew into his palm.

"Ding! Obtained the item, Fire Spirit Stone. Can be used to upgrade desolate-grade weapons." (Note: Three Fire Spirit Stones are needed to upgrade a desolate-grade weapon.)

'The Fire Spirit Stone?' Lu Zhou circulated his Primal Qi.

The Fire Spirit Stone shone brighter.

The Fire Spirit Stones could be used as a weapon, and they could also be used to upgrade desolate-grade weapons.

Yu Shangrong was rather lucky.

"Do you know what this is, master?" Yu Zhenghai asked curiously.

Lu Zhou nodded lightly. He stroked his beard and said, "I've heard about it. This can be used to improve desolate-grade items. Desolate-grade items are rare, and this Fire Spirit Stone can be used to upgrade them. This stone is a great treasure."

Yu Zhenghai was shocked. He moved to pat Yu Shangrong's shoulder as he loudly said, "Second Junior Brother, you're quite lucky. Although your sword is broken, the heavens weren't unfair to you. Heaven-grade weapons are nothing. With the Fire Spirit Stone, you'll soon own the only flood-grade weapon in the Evil Sky Pavilion!"

However, as Yu Shangrong put his Longevity Sword away, he said, "Since this Fire Spirit Stone is a great treasure, I'm willing to give it to you, master. Please accept it."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhenghai quickly regained his senses and hastily said, "Yes, yes, yes… The Fire Spirit Stone is a great treasure. It's best to give it to master."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and shook his head as he said, "I appreciate the sentiment. You won this by risking your life so you should keep it. As for the Longevity Sword, you don't have to worry about it being broken. What's important is keeping your heart instant. We'll find a way to reforge it in the future." Then, he tossed the Fire Spirit Stone back to Yu Shangrong.

Yu Shangrong caught the Fire Spirit Stone. He was moved by his master's words. He quickly said, "Thank you, master."

"The rock forest you mentioned sounds suspicious. If you have the time, you should try to sketch it and let your Seventh Junior Brother study it. Apart from that, you should be grateful that you were able to master a new sword path in the rock forest. Do you know why I didn't turn your Longevity Sword into a desolate-grade weapon?"

Yu Shangrong looked at his master. Realization dawned on him immediately before he said, "I'll remember your kind intention, master."

"You were relying too much on the Longevity Sword. It had become a hindrance on your sword path. Although you've understood and mastered the son of heaven's sword, there's still the swordless path and Calm Disturbance. The path of cultivation is long. You mustn't be too proud of yourself," Lu Zhou said.

"I understand. Thank you for your teachings, master."

"Ding! Taught Yu Shangrong. Obtained 200 merit points. Mentor extra: 300 merit points."

Yu Zhenghai smiled and said, "Second Junior Brother, master has certainly given a lot of thought to you."

Lu Zhou shifted his gaze to Yu Zhenghai. "This applies to you as well..."

That gaze, that aura, that attitude… It seemed as though his master was asking him if he had mastered the Water Dragon Song after the demonstration. Clearly, his master was calling him out for calling the kettle black. Yu Zhenghai hastily fell to one knee. "I will remember your teachings, master. I'll certainly master Water Dragon Song as quickly as possible."

"Ding! Taught Yu Zhenghai and earned 200 merit points. Mentor extra: 300 merit points. Eternal Paragon extra: 300 merit points."

When Lu Zhou heard the system's notification, he wondered about the difference between his two disciples' notifications. Yu Zhenghai's reward had the additional Eternal Paragon, but Yu Shangrong's reward did not. After a while, he realized he had only bought the item card recently and demonstrated Water Dragon Song to Yu Zhenghai. He wondered, 'Should I demonstrate Calm Disturbance to Old Second?'

At this moment, Yu Shangrong said, pulling Lu Zhou back to the present, "Master, Ji Liang is waiting outside. I discovered that it seems to possess the ability to replenish life."

"Replenish life?" Lu Zhou wondered out loud.

"That's right. However, I think it needs to rest every time it uses the ability."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. "I'll let it recuperate in the forest behind the hall."

"Understood."

Based on what Lu Zhou knew, every mount had its own special ability. Whitzard could summon auspicious rain. He had activated the ability when he encountered the grand shaman. Bi An's sense of smell was incredibly sharp, and it was fierce as well. Its ability was clearly demonstrated when they were looking for Yu Zhenghai in the past. Ji Liang's ability to replenish life was activated when Yu Shangrong was in danger. What about Qiong Qi and Da Kang. Qiong Qi was currently with Mingshi Yi, and it seemed to have a bond with Mingshi Yi as well. Was Qiong Qi's ability its terrifying combat strength? As for Da Kang, it had not arrived yet so he had no opinion about it.

At this moment, a voice rang from outside his room.

"Senior Lu, the people from Sky Martial Court are here."

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong looked outside in unison.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. 'They're finally here.'

"Let's go"

His two disciples bowed.

…

On the cloud platform. 1,000 meters before the 12 Cloud Mountain peaks.

An extremely huge, majestic, and imposing chariot was slowly flying toward them outside the barrier. It was 1,000 feet long, 100 feet tall, and more than 100 feet wide. It resembled a skiff. A flag was flown on the chariot, and armed soldiers with poleaxes were assembled on the deck. Their momentum was rather imposing.

The huge chariot slowly entered the area of the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain, and when it was above the cloud platform, a voice rang in the air.

"Nie Qingyun of Cloud Mountain, aren't you going to come out and welcome His Majesty?!"