Chapter 174: The Sword Devil’s Principles   Lu Zhou nodded in satisfaction. At least the people of Yun Sect were tactful.

At this moment, Hua Wudao added, “However... They have an additional condition.”

“What is it?”

“Ding Fanqiu isn’t enough... They’re demanding for a heaven-grade weapon,” Hua Wudao’s voice seemed to falter as he said this. It felt as though he was speaking on the Yun Sect’s behalf.

This was the Evil Sky Pavilion after all. Nobody could guarantee that the pavilion master would not be angered when he heard this.

Lu Zhou’s expression appeared calm. It was impossible for his wizened face to show as many expressions as the younger generation after all.

Mingshi Yin said, “Their greed knows no end. The Evil Sky Pavilion is graceful enough to strike a deal with them, and they dare to demand a heaven-grade weapon? Do you know how precious heaven-grade weapons are?”

Clearly, the Yun Sect felt that Ding Fanqiu’s worth was too low. That was why they came up with a second demand. Although Ding Fanqiu was a Five-leaf elite, in their eyes, Ding Fanqiu was not worth a sable magnolia.

“I know how precious heaven-grade weapons are. In fact, I don’t recommend trading with them,” Hua Wudao said, seemingly out of character.

Mingshi Yin was also surprised by this. He said, “You’re no longer worried about Ding Fanqiu?”

“Although I do feel guilty about this, I know my place,” Hua Wudao replied.

“Master, this is related to Little Junior Sister’s future. It would be appropriate for you to make the decision,” Mingshi Yin said as he looked at Lu Zhou.

Little Yuan’er remained silent, but an expectant look could be seen in her eyes.

Lu Zhou’s disciples knew he owned many weapons. There was a rumor that Ji Tiandao had a fortuitous encounter and managed to obtain many treasures and weapons. This was how he had raised his villainous disciples into becoming so terrifying.

The Yun Sect knew about the rumors, therefore, they wanted to use this chance to obtain a weapon. Moreover, they could also improve their relationship with the Evil Sky Pavilion at the same time. Even if the Evil Sky Pavilion were to refuse, at worst, the status quo would remain the same. It would not affect the Yun Sect much. It had to be said that the Yun Sect had planned this out well.

Lu Zhou said, “I have many weapons...But that doesn’t mean I’ll give them away easily.”

Hua Wudao was not surprised. He cupped his fists and said, “I’ll inform the Yun Sect about this as soon as possible.”

“Since the Yun Sect is unwilling to surrender the sable magnolia... I’ll personally go there and retrieve it myself,” Lu Zhou said.

“...” Hua Wudao stiffened when he heard Lu Zhou’s words.

Based on the situation, if Lu Zhou intended to go to the Yun Sect to retrieve the sable magnolia from the Yun Sect, there was no doubt that Hua Wudao would be the one to lead them there. How could he do something like this? He would die of shame!

“You’re dismissed.” Lu Zhou said with finality.

Hua Wudao cupped his fists and remained silent.

However, Mingshi Yin chimed in, “Master, this is a great idea... To be honest, I haven’t gone robbing in a long time. If this goes on, my ranking on the blacklist will surely drop!”

“Impudent!” Lu Zhou raised his voice.

Mingshi Yin trembled in fright. He fell to his knees immediately and said, “I’ve misspoken!” His mouth had landed him in trouble again.

Little Yuan’er said, “Master, I no longer want the sable magnolia. I don’t believe that I must rely on it to open up my sea of Qi.”

Lu Zhou turned to look at Xiao Yuan’er and said, “Are you sure?”

“Of course,” Little Yuan’er said with a smile, “After all, I have you to protect me, master.”

“Little girl...” Lu Zhou’s expression was stern as he said, “You have exceptional talents. It’s a shame if you can’t enter the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm... The sable magnolia is a Heaven and Earth Treasure that can help you open your sea of Qi. You’re growing up, and I can’t protect you forever.” Naturally, he could not say he was weak and he would need her protection, could he?

Little Yuan’er was moved upon hearing these words. She said with a pout, “You won’t die so soon, master...”

“...”

Little Yuan’er clearly meant well, but somehow, her words sounded wrong.

...

Meanwhile, on the sword altar in Yun Sect.

The Yun Sect had eight holy altars of cultivation. The sword altar was the least populated. This was because the sword altar belonged to a single person; the Sword Saint, Luo Shisan.

The Yun Sect initially had seven holy altars. The general workers, outer disciples, inner disciples, and the backbone of the sect were arranged to go to the altars.

However, the sword altar was the only place that was specially built for Luo Shisan.

Luo Shisan was dedicated to attaining great heights with his sword techniques. He also accepted a handful of disciples. Apart from the disciples who looked after the sword altar and the disciples from the other altars who came here as apprentices, there was nobody else.

At this moment, black smoke rose from a huge incense cauldron in the center of the sword altar.

“It’s been almost a month since master has gone into cultivation in seclusion. His injuries should be healed by now.”

“Hua Wudao didn’t wound the master. Master’s merely trying to recover his cultivation base.”

“He could’ve recovered his cultivation base in seven days. Why would he need to stay in seclusion for so long? I have many things about sword techniques that I’d like to ask him.”

“The master has said that someone will come and spar with him. He wants to be in peak condition when that time comes.”

“Who is it? The master seems quite wary.”

“If the opponent is really that powerful, all we have to do is move back to the main altar.”

“The master said that we can’t always run away when the going gets tough.”

The disciples were discussing this intently. They did not notice a green-clad man walking in the air toward them.

The green-robed swordsman easily passed through the layers of barriers and wards. He finally came to a halt and hovered above the sword altar.

“Who’s that?” A disciple who saw the green-robed swordsman was frightened out of his wits.

The other disciples drew their swords at the swordsman as though he was a powerful enemy.

Their opponent was far stronger than they could ever imagine since he was capable of breezing through the barriers and wards and appearing without anyone noticing.

The green-robed swordsman spoke gently, “There’s no need to be flustered, everyone. I have an appointment with the Sword Saint. Can you announce my arrival to him?”

The disciples sighed with relief. Fortunately, this green-robed swordsman was not an enemy.

Sword Saint Luo Shisan had been famous for a long time. It was not surprising his friend was such an elite.

“Oh, you’re a friend of our master! Please wait for a moment, senior. I’ll inform my master now.”

“Thank you.”

The disciple ran to the place where Luo Shisan was cultivating in seclusion. A surge of powerful Primal Qi blasted the door away! Several energy blades shot out from within.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The energy blades flew to the sword altar and rose into the air toward the horizons.

“Uh...” The disciples were flustered.

The energy blades were targeted at the green-robed swordsman.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The green-robed swordsman seemed to be taking this easily. A wall of energy appeared before him, keeping the energy blades at bay. In just a blink of an eye, the energy blades vanished into thin air.

Sword Saint Luo Shisan stepped out of the room and flew into the air with his hands on his back.

“Master!”

“Master!”

The disciples greeted him.

Luo Shisan ignored them. He rose all the way up to a spot a few dozens of meters away from the green-robed swordsman before he came to a halt. “You’ve come.”

As the green-robed swordsman looked at Luo Shishan, who was slightly old but unmistakably an elite, a faint satisfied smile could be seen on his face. “... The current you are acceptable. This will be interesting.”

“I thought that you’d be too afraid to come... Although there aren’t many Yun Sect cultivators in the sword altar, this isn’t a place any scoundrel can easily trespass upon. Aren’t you worried that I might have laid a trap for you?”

“I’ll just have to kill you another time, is all.”

Luo Shisan nodded and said, “I’ve been in the cultivation world for a long time. I don’t have to stoop so low. I’m different from the likes of you who’s from the Fiend Path after all. If there’s a fight, I would fight fairly.”

“That’s good.”

Luo Shishan did not dare to let his guard down against this seemingly casual green-robed swordsman. He cupped his fists respectfully and declared with a loud voice, “The Yun Sect’s sword altar’s First Seat, Luo Shisan, is here to fight as promised!”

“Yu Shangrong.” The green-robed swordsman smiled and cupped his fists perfunctorily.