My disciples are all villains.

Lu Zhou knew that it was time for him to learn more about Birth Charts. However, there were more important matters to decide for now. For example, should he head to Sky Wheel Mountain Range?

The major factions would most probably treat Sky Wheel Mountain Range as a stage for a competition of their strength.

It did not seem worth it to Lu Zhou to expend so much effort for the Birth Chart Beasts. After all, he had the Reversal Cards, after all. He did not even have to worry about 2,00 years of life, let alone 1,500 years. The only thing he needed was the abilities the Birth Chart Beast might give him.

Lu Zhou continued to study the Yong's heart.

Compared to ordinary beasts, the life heart of a Birth Chart Beast was angular. Ordinary life hearts were like oval crystals; their shape was not dissimilar to a walnut. On the other hand, the life heart of a Birth Chart Beast resembled a Rubik's cube.

"Strange… Can't I initiate Birth Charts with the Reversal Cards?" Lu Zhou wondered out loud.

After he was done examining the life heart, he put it down. Then, his thoughts wandered to Sky Wheel Mountain Range.

"I've exhausted my extraordinary power, and I don't have many trump cards now."

The extraordinary power granted him an advantage over his peers, allowing him to defeat them. The six powers from the Heavenly Writing scrolls could also deliver a shocking effect if used at the correct time.

However, it was unlikely that Yu Chenshu would go to Sky Wheel Mountain Range. Moreover, there would also be people from other factions. Even if Lu Zhou brought Nie Qingyun and his two eldest disciples along, he still would not gain the upper hand.

'Should I just keep a low profile?'

Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he continued to ponder on this matter. After a while, his eyes lit up. "If the Sky Martial Court goes to Sky Wheel Mountain Range, should I seize the opportunity to attack the Sky Martial Court and rescue Sikong Beichen?"

However, soon after, he shook his head and dismissed that thought. 'Surely this will occur to Yu Chenshu as well since it occurs to me.'

What should he do? For the umpteenth time since he arrived in the red lotus domain, he regretted not bringing Si Wuya along. Alas, it was pointless to feel regret now.

He knew there was no question he had to bring Conch if he wanted to get to the bottom of her origins. Among all his disciples, Little Yuan'er was the only one who could look after Conch. Therefore, he had decided back then to bring the two little girls with him.

"Is anyone outside?" Lu Zhou asked.

"Your orders, Senior Lu?:

"Summon Meng Changdong here. Tell him to bring some talismans with him."

"Understood."

Lu Zhou almost forgot he had the means to contact Si Wuya.

Soon after, a Cloud Mountain disciple led Meng Changdong to the side hall.

Meng Changdong opened the door and entered the room respectfully. "Senior Lu, were you looking for me?"

"Contact Si Wuya," Lu Zhou said.

Meng Changdong nodded and said, "Understood."

Meng Changdong had grown smarter. He had already drawn several Formation canvases in advance for communication purposes. When the Cloud Mountain disciple told him to bring talismans with him, he brought the Formation canvas as well. Formation veins could be seen on the canvas as soon as he unrolled it.

Following that, Meng Changdong folded his palms. His Primal Qi surged, and the Formation veins on the canvas lit up. Subsequently, he raised his right hand and held a talisman between two fingers. Soon after, the talisman ignited.

Rune seals appeared in the air and formed a picture.

…

At this moment, Si Wuya was studying the Sky Chariot and Water Shuttle in the southern pavilion. When he saw the Formation canvas in the room glowing, he immediately ignited a talisman. He had communicated with his master and Meng Changdong several times now, and Meng Changdong had taught him the necessary techniques. He also learned how to make talismans and Formation canvases. Then, using Zhao Yue and the Empress Dowager's influence, extreme-grade talismans were gathered from all over the empire and sent to the Evil Sky Pavilion.

...

There was a circle of light in the air before Lu Zhou saw Si Wuya.

Si Wuya saw his master and Meng Changdong as well. "Greetings, master."

When Lu Zhou saw Si Wuya was about to formally salute him, he raised his hand to stop Si Wuya before he said, "That's enough. There's something urgent I'd like to discuss with you."

"Something urgent?" Si Wuya was puzzled.

Lu Zhou gave Si Wuya a brief account about Sky Wheel Mountain Range, the Sky Martial Court, the various factions, and Yu Chenshu. He spoke about the Yong and Birth Charts as well. He only withheld the part about him recently sprouting the tenth leaf. After all, Meng Changdong was with him, and everyone in the red lotus domain was under the impression he had long sprouted the tenth leaf.

Si Wuya was shocked upon hearing his master's words. He hastily congratulated his master, "I was unaware that you've become a Ten-leaf cultivator, master. Congratulations…"

Lu Zhou frowned slightly and said, "That's not the point. In your opinion, how should we deal with this?"

Si Wuya asked, "How many tricks do you have up your sleeve, master?"

"…" This was not an easy question to answer. Lu Zhou could not possibly tell Si Wuya about the Deadly Strike Cards, the Peak Card, or any cards for that matter. However, how was Si Wuya supposed to strategize and come up with a plan if Si Wuya did not know the full extent of his strength?

When Si Wuya saw his master was deep in his thoughts, he tactfully said, "Forgive me for being rude, master."

"No matter."

Then, Si Wuya asked, "If I may be bold... Are you confident about defeating Yu Chenshu in a one-on-one battle?"

Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he thought about this and said, "Even if two Yu Chenshus come at me at the same time, I'll be able to defeat both of them, let alone one Yu Chenshu."

Meng Changdong was shocked by Lu Zhou's reply. He wondered if this was the sort of confidence a Birth Chart gave a person. The feeling of winning life's lottery by joining the Evil Sky Pavilion increased.

Si Wuya nodded before he said, "I see. This is simple then. The Birth Chart Beast you killed proves there are other Birth Chart Beasts at Sky Wheel Mountain Range. There are too many possibilities in the world. Most people dislike uncertainties. Hence, they're usually cautious. What needs to be done is to turn one of the possibilities into an inevitability. With something as important as the Birth Chart, Yu Chenshu is bound to show up."

"How are we supposed to turn a possibility into an inevitability?"

"Give the Yong's life heart away!" Si Wuya made a shocking statement.

"Give it away?"

"Even if the other factions go to Sky Wheel Mountain Range, they might not make a move at all. The life hearts of Birth Chart Beasts is a trigger to a great war. Once you give the life heart away, all you have to do is wait and reap the rewards. When Yu Chenshu shows up, you can take his head. If other elites show up, they'll definitely fight Yu Chenshu. Sometimes, even the strongest alliance crumbles in the face of benefits," Si Wuya explained.

Meng Changdong. "…"

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. Si Wuya's plan was reasonable. However, why did he feel the plan was shameless and even despicable?

Si Wuya continued to say, "You can bring the Yong's carcass to Sky Wheel Mountain Range and create the illusion that the Yong had escaped… This way, the pressure on Cloud Mountain will ease as well," Si Wuya said.

Meng Changdong nodded and said, "Good idea."

Si Wuya added, "To prevent accidents, I've come up with two backup plans as well..."

Meng Changdong. "…"

"The first backup plan is like this… Eldest and Second Senior Brothers have profound cultivation bases. When you're at Sky Wheel Mountain Range, send Eldest and Second Senior Brother to the Sky Martial Court and challenge them. Leave two marks on them. If Yu Chenshu appears, they won't need to remove the marks. If Yu Chenshu didn't show up, have them remove the marks."

Si Wuya, who was getting carried away, continued to say, "The second backup plan…"

"Enough." Lu Zhou interjected. 

'I'm getting a headache.' Lu Zhou felt that it was a headache as well when his disciples had too many thoughts. He wondered if his seventh disciple ever felt exhausted from all these brain activities.

Si Wuya hastily bowed as he said, "I'm sorry, master. These are all crude plans. I'm just worried because I'm not familiar with your circumstances."

Meng Changdong mused, 'You call this unfamiliar?'

Lu Zhou maintained a neutral expression as he said, "Your plans are good, but why must I take such a roundabout way?"

"You're right, master. A strong man can defeat ten martial artists. I was worried for nothing."