My disciples are all villains.

Zhao Yue sighed. "I still find it hard to believe what you said. I've thought about it for a long time; I should tell master about this matter."

Lian Xing shook her head and said, "What did you say when you first left the Evil Sky Pavilion's Golden Court Mountain?"

Zhao Yue said, "It's different from the past now. The number of times we've met can be counted on one hand. I can't trust you. At that time, I really intended to leave the Evil Sky Pavilion. Junior Sister Tianxin was determined to discover the truth about the Fish Dragon at that time. I pitied her and sympathized with her. However, I'm different from her; I've never thought about killing my master. I'm very grateful that you killed the witchcraft cultivator from Loulan, but ultimately, the one who saved at the altar in Runan was my master, not you."

Lian Xing looked at the flowers in the garden as she said, "I just want to talk to you about cooperating… You didn't trust me in the past, what about now?"

"Cooperating?" Zhao Yue asked in confusion.

"Listen to me," Lian Xing's tone became gentle as she said, "The black lotus domain has been treating the people in the red lotus domain like farm animals to monopolize life hearts. The golden lotus domain will definitely become the second red lotus domain. The most suitable person to act as a liaison for the black lotus domain's plan is you.

The captivity plan.

This was the second time Zhao Yue had heard of this term. The first time was when she met Lian Xing previously. She had no choice but to believe Lian Xing as time passed, especially after the incident with Jiang Wenxu. In a way, Jiang Wenxu's method was also a kind of captivity plan.

"The captivity plan can protect the golden lotus domain from the fierce Birth Chart Beasts. It'll also help the golden lotus domain escape the notice of experts. Every once in a while, we'll send someone to assist you with your problems and also maintain your status and power," Lian Xing said.

Zhao Yue frowned slightly. "I think you might have misunderstood me. I don't care about status and power."

Lian Xing fell silent. Indeed, if Zhao Yue wanted power, she could use her royal bloodline to ascend the throne and become the Empress of Great Yan. After a beat, she said, "Perhaps… there's something else you've always wanted?"

Zhao Yue asked, "Why can't you act on your own?"

"It'll expose our existence..." Lian Xing said.

"You're trying to sugarcoat the matter when you're just trying to get me to become your lackey," Zhao Yue said.

"It's not like that," Lian Xing explained, "The captivity plan is beneficial to both of us. Once the Birth Chart Beasts appear, they'll bring a storm of blood with them. At that time, it'd be too late for you to regret it."

"Then why are you still suppressing my cultivation? Have you been lying to me all this time?" Zhao Yue frowned.

"I'm not lying to you." Lian Xing turned around.

At this time, Lu Zhou finally saw Lian Xing's face. At first glance, she looked like a young girl. However, her mature and elegant long dress spoke of maturity beyond her appearance. After having a good look at her exquisite facial features, it could be seen that she was a peerless beauty in her prime, not a young girl.

"You have the Great Void energy. This energy will bring you trouble. The higher your cultivation base is, the stronger the energy would be…"

"Great Void?" Although this was not the first time Zhao Yue had heard these words, she could not help but feel curious.

"Since the time we've met until now, when have I ever lied to you or did anything that was unfavorable to you?" Lian Xing asked.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yue seemed to waver slightly. "Sister Lian Xing, it's not that I don't trust you... I just don't want to be the second Jiang Wenxu. I don't care about the Great Void energy or whatever. I still think it's best to report this matter to my master."

Lian Xing shook her head and said, "I'm afraid that your master can't even take care of himself... It's very likely that he's been targeted by the Black Tower Council."

Zhao Yue frowned.

Lian Xing said, "If you still don't believe me... We'll wait a little longer. A Ten-leaf cultivator should appear in the golden lotus domain soon. Moreover, I suspect the Black Tower Council has already sent people here a long time ago."

"Sister Lian Xing, we were once friends, or perhaps, sisters. I don't care about trivial matters, but the captivity plan is an important matter. I must report it to master."

Lian Xing furrowed her brows. "As you wish. I've already said everything I can. I hope you'll think things through." With that, she waved her hand and flew out of the palace in just a blink of an eye.

…

Lu Zhou cut off the Heavenly Writing Power.

Was Lian Xing a member of the Black Tower Council as well? However, based on her words, it did not seem like she's a member of the Black Lotus Council. Was she a cultivator from another force in the black lotus domain?

Based on Zhao Yue's behavior, it seemed like Lian Xing did not harbor ill intentions. She had said she suppressed Zhao Yue's cultivation base to hide the Great Void energy. However, that did not make sense. After all, his other disciples had Great Void Seeds as well, and so far, they had not been exposed.

Who was this Lian Xing?

After thinking for a long time, Lu Zhou still could not come up with an answer.

Regardless, he could now confirm the reason Zhao Yue's cultivation had stagnated was due to Lian Xing's intervention. Since he knew nothing about Lian Xing's strength and cultivation base, it was not feasible to send Ye Tianxin there to get rid of Lian Xing.

He was in the red lotus domain, and it would take some time for him to return to the golden lotus domain.

How could he solve this problem?

'Yan Zhenluo.' A name appeared in Lu Zhou's mind.

If Lian Xing was a member of the Black Tower's council, it was not a bad idea to start with Yan Zhenluo.

With this matter settled for the time being, he nodded and decided to check in on his eighth disciple. He recited the mantra for the Heavenly Writing Power again. Soon enough, his eighth disciple appeared in front of his eyes.

Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz!

Zhu Honggong was slumped over the table, drooling as he slept.

Lu Zhou. "..."

'How can I have such a disciple?'

Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz! Zzzzzz!

At this moment, Xu Wanqing rushed in. "Sect Master!"

Zhu Honggong sat immediately. He rubbed his eyes and wiped his drool away as he said groggily, "Who is it? What are you doing?"

"It's me! Xu Wanqing!"

"What's the matter? Why are you so anxious?" Zhu Honggong asked.

"Senior Lu asked me to invite you over. He said that everything is ready."

"Oh... I will go now." Zhu Hong stood up and followed Xu Wanqing out of the hall.

The hall was extraordinarily spacious and luxurious.

Upon seeing this, Lu Zhou felt it was better to worry about himself. His eighth disciple seemed to be faring better than him.

When Zhu Honggong arrived at another hall, Lu Li was standing with hands on his back. There was no one else around.

Xu Wanqing bowed and took his leave.

Lu Li asked, "Previously, you said your master's the one who came up with the lotus-severing method?"

"Yes, what about it? My master is a genius!" Zhu Honggong said, "With this, sprouting the ninth leaf won't consume 1,200 years of life!"

Lu Li nodded and said, "The world is so big; there are all kinds of strange things… I really can't wait to meet your master."

"Senior... am I going to sprout my leaf here?"

"Yes… After sprouting the ninth leaf, a giant beast will appear. At that time, you'll lead over 1,000 cultivators from the Flood Sect to kill that giant beast. The life heart can be used to nurture some of your trusted men. Apart from that, we can also use it to deal with Birth Chart Beasts in the future. Alright, let's begin…"

"Understood."