My disciples are all villains.

When the huge beasts were mentioned, Yu Zhenghai asked, "Ten huge beasts? How did they attract so many beasts? Isn't it said that attempting the Nine-leaf stage would attract the beasts? Also, I noticed the huge beasts' powers vary. How are they differentiated?"

The golden lotus domain had only recently broken through the cultivation limit, after all. Their understanding of the huge beasts could not compare to those from the red lotus domain. The red lotus domain had been fighting the beasts for many years and discovered many ways to fight the beasts.

Nie Qingyun said, "The people from the Sky Martial Court think that it was caused by a great earthquake, landslide, or tsunamis, which startled the beasts. It's true that humans with profound cultivation bases were the preferred prey of the beasts. The beasts started coming for the humans in throngs. Indeed, when a person breaks through to the Nine-leaf stage, they would attract the beasts. The beasts' senses are far superior to humans. They have a unique method of perceiving their environments. Although the intelligence of the huge beasts can't compare to that of humans, they know when to advance and retreat…"

Nie Qingyun continued to say, "Nine-leaf cultivators are like a juicy piece of meat to the beasts. Eating Nine-leaf cultivators greatly boost the beasts' strength. They can sense the presence of Nine-leaf cultivators. This is especially true for new Nine-leaf cultivators. They're like newborns, delicious and not powerful…"

Yu Zhenghai coughed and cleared his throat before he said, "There's no need to be so graphic. We get what you mean."

Nie Qingyun smiled sheepishly. Then, he said, "According to the records, when humans in the red lotus domain weren't that powerful, the people lived in peace. When the first Nine-leaf cultivator appeared was when the beasts first attacked human settlements, causing humans to suffer big losses. As time went on, humans learned to adapt. They began to carve Daoist veins and installed ballistae to keep the beasts at bay. After the emergence of Ten-leaf cultivators, many of the beasts were no longer a threat to humans. However, there would still be the occasional appearance of more powerful beasts. Although they did not show up that often, they were a great threat."

After a beat, Nie Qingyun continued to explain as he looked at the others, "The most direct way to judge a beast's strength is by their size. Naturally, there are exceptions. If we categorized them by abilities, the offensive ones are usually more powerful while the assistive ones are weaker. There's another way to judge their strength. The more powerful the beast is, the higher the possibility that it possesses a powerful life heart. Hence, the most accurate way to judge their strength is through their life auras. However, mortal's senses are weak so they mostly rely on the first method to judge the beasts' strength."

Li Yunzheng nodded. "That's true."

Lu Zhou remembered the colossal beast he saw when he crossed the Endless Ocean. Its size should trump all the beasts in the red lotus domain. After a moment, he said, "Tell me about Yu Chenshu."

"Yu Chenshu is the only Ten-leaf cultivator in the red lotus domain who mastered karmic fire. Back then, the Sky Research Court supported him and nurtured him, and he became their chief. His strength is unfathomable," Li Yunzheng said.

"How unfathomable?" Lu Zhou asked.

"I've never seen him fight. Everything I know, I learned from the eunuchs in the palace," Li Yunzheng said with a shrug.

Nie Qingyun said, "Yu Chenshu's cultivation base is profound, but he rarely fights. Rumor has it that he's in possession of a special weapon close to the flood-grade. That weapon renders him undefeatable. However, nobody knows what weapon it is nor has anyone seen it. Even someone as cunning as Ye Zhen was cautious when it came to Yu Chenshu."

When Ye Zhen was mentioned, Yu Zhenghai asked, "By the way, how did you find out about Ye Zhen's Nine Infants avatar?"

"It's a long story. The conflict between Cloud Mountain and the Flying Star House goes way back. Naturally, I wouldn't allow the Flying Star House to devour Cloud Mountain. Before I went into secluded cultivation, I fought him for several hundred rounds. After I injured him, he unleashed his Nine Infants avatar to heal his wounds, and I happened to catch him in the act," Nie Qingyun replied, "After I returned, I secretly investigated the matter and even sent some men to the Cherry Blossom Nation."

The others nodded.

Although Meng Changdong was a Flying Star House elder and he had always felt there was something peculiar about Ye Zhen, he did not expect Ye Zhen to be hiding such a huge secret.

"Fortunately, you killed Ye Zhen with your amazing techniques, Senior Lu. If he had been allowed to accumulate nine lives and initiate his Birth Chart, it would've been a disaster," Nie Qingyun said.

At this moment, Xia Changqiu, who had been silent all this time, wondered out loud, "Birth Charts can be initiated using the Nine Infants?"

"The chances are extremely high."

Little Yuan'er nodded and said, "He can curse his rotten luck for running into my master."

At this moment, Meng Changdong suddenly recalled something. He cried out, "This is bad!"

Everyone turned to look at Meng Changdong in unison.

"What is it, Guardian Meng?"

"We've overlooked Jiang Xiaosheng!" Meng Changdong said.

Yu Zhenghai smiled and said, "There's no need to worry. I've already killed him. Also, I made sure to deal the finishing blow, which is the most important thing to remember when using a saber. We mustn't underestimate our opponents. When I make my move, I won't give my opponent any chances at all. Although he was merely a Five-leaf cultivator, I fought him as though he was a Ten-leaf cultivator."

Yu Shangrong. "…"

The others. "…"

Meng Changdong exclaimed in shock, "You killed him?!"

Yu Zhenghai said with a proud expression, "It's true. Second Junior Brother was there."

"How many times did you kill him?" Meng Changdong asked with a frown.

"How many times?" Yu Zhenghai frowned as well. He might not be as smart as Si Wuya, but he was not a fool. How could he not understand the implication behind Meng Changdong's question? His eyes widened imperceptibly, and his heart sank as he asked, "Guardian Meng, you're saying he's also a Nine Infants cultivator?"

"…" Meng Changdong neither nodded nor shook his head. He merely stared at Yu Zhenghai as though he was telling Yu Zhenghai he was not going to state the obvious.

After a brief moment of silence, Yu Zhenghai smacked his thigh, looking incredibly vexed. "I was careless! I didn't understand the essence of master's finishing blow philosophy deep enough !"

Then, Yu Zhenghai turned around to face Lu Zhou, preparing to apologize.

Lu Zhou waved his hand and said, "That's enough."

"Don't worry, master. When I run into him again, I'll cut him down until he can no longer get back up," Yu Zhenghai said.

"…"

Yu Shangrong smiled and said, "He's someone who fears the powerful and bullies the weak. He's not much of a threat."

"Second Junior Brother, we're talking about the Nine Infants… Give him enough time, and he'll become a huge threat."

Lu Zhou's two eldest disciples seemed like they were going to start bickering again.

Little Yuan'er leaped between her two senior brothers and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, there you go again, quarreling all of a sudden. If you have so much free time, why don't you join me in going through these boxes?"

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong said in unison, "Not interested."

"…"

At this moment, a Cloud Mountain disciple sped over from the main peak's great hall. He landed on the cloud platform and panted heavily as he said, "Sect Master, Senior Lu, this is bad!"

"What is it?" Nie Qingyun asked with a frown.

"Before daybreak, I received news that the Sky Martial Court attacked the Ninth Temple. Hence, I sent Senior Sikong and the two First Seats away from Cloud Mountain. However, they were ambushed by the Sky Martial Court. In fact, the Sky Martial Court never went to the Ninth Temple. Yu Chenshu… Yu Chenshu personally made a move!"

Everyone was shocked.

Lu Zhou looked at the Cloud Mountain disciple and asked, "What's the situation now?"

"Senior Sikong has been captured while First Seat Yao and First Seat Zhao are injured! They're hurrying back," the disciple replied.

Yu Zhenghai shook his head and asked, "Why did they leave without a word?"

"Senior Sikong went to Senior Lu's room, but he did not want to disturb Senior Lu so he left."

At this moment, an elder flew over from the distance as well. He bowed and said, "Sect Master, Senior Lu, the two First Seats of the Ninth Temple are in the main peak's hall!"

Lu Zhou looked at the others and said, "Xia Changqiu, you deal with these boxes."

"Understood."

"Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, stay on the cloud platform. Protect Li Yunzheng, and don't contact anyone for the time being."

"Yes, master."

After assigning tasks to the others, Lu Zhou looked at the main peak and said, "I'll go and have a look."