Chapter 263 Moon as Bright as Jade  

The Brilliant Jade Technique was an interesting cultivation method. Zhao Yue had personally chosen this cultivation method.

At full strength, if she used the circulation method, the surface of her body would go translucent, and she would appear like she was wrapped in a layer of cold fog. When the Primal Qi outside her body turned into energy, there would be an exchange between heat and cold.

It was clear that Zhao Yue had met with an accident. There was nothing wrong with the way she had cultivated, but she had been too impatient and anxious to see results. Without sufficient protective energy to ward off the cold, she would only inflict pain upon herself if she forcibly cultivated.

Lu Zhou stood before Zhao Yue. He said with a sigh, “Reason?”

“I’ve made a mistake... I shouldn’t have been so anxious to achieve a breakthrough,” Zhao Yue said with a lowered head.

“That’s all?”

“I... I d-dare not say,” Zhao Yue stammered.

“Spit it out.”

Zhao Yue nodded despite her apprehension and said, “I don’t know what happened. Ever since I cultivated the completed cultivation method, the flow of my Primal Qi became turbulent. I can’t cultivate as fast as I did before.”

Lu Zhou was puzzled when he heard this. Nothing of this sort had happened to his other disciples. In fact, the other disciples had gained a faster cultivation speed after they were given the completed cultivation methods. Zhao Yue had joined the pavilion before Little Yuan’er did. Even if she was not as talented as Little Yuan’er, she should not have been lagging that far behind. “Don’t move.” Lu Zhou raised his hand. A gentle Primal Qi rose from his palm before it landed on Zhao Yu.

As Lu Zhou had expected, when the Primal Qi entered Zhao Yue’s extraordinary eight meridians, the cold air retaliated and tried to expel Lu Zhou’s Primal Qi.

That’s not right. This isn’t the cold from the Brilliant Jade Technique.’ This seemed unique and peculiar. It seemed to have existed in her for a long time now.

Lu Zhou raised a palm again. “Raise your head.”

Although Lu Zhou’s temper was much different from before, Lu Zhou’s imposing manner and things he had done in the past made Zhao Yue feel nervous. After a brief moment, she lifted her head.

Lu Zhou said, “Let me ask you, what cultivation method did you cultivate before joining the Evil Sky Pavilion?”

Zhao Yue shook her head and said, “None.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

The eyes were the windows to the soul.

Zhao Yue felt frightened seeing Lu Zhou staring at her with such intensity. She would not dare to lie. She said, “I’m telling the truth!”

Lu Zhou nodded. He stroked his beard and said, “I gave you the Brilliant Jade Technique. How many levels have you mastered?”

Zhao Yue replied, “I’m stupid and have only managed to master six levels. I’m not too familiar with the seventh level yet. The eighth and ninth levels that you’d taught me are difficult to understand, and I haven’t got the time to cultivate them yet.”

In that case, the two final levels of the cultivation method were not responsible for her current state. At most, they might have only triggered the problem.

The cold poison within Zhao Yue’s body was the cause of her condition.

“Think about it again. Before you cultivated the Brilliant Jade Technique, have you ever met with another cultivator and cultivated someone unknown cultivation method? Or were you wounded?” Lu Zhou asked.

The origin of the cold poison remained a mystery. However, there was no doubt that it did not just appear out of thin air.

Zhao Yue was not the most talented among nine disciples, but she was still better than those people outside. If she had cultivated properly, she would not have made a basic mistake such as this. It was likely that the cold poison was caused by someone else.

Zhao Yue was lost in thoughts. After a while, she said softly, “I was nine when I joined the pavilion... There are many things that I can’t remember clearly.” “What about the time before that?” Lu Zhou asked.

It was easier to sort out the events after she joined the Evil Sky Pavilion. However, she would have to recall whatever happened before that.

Zhao Yue was stunned. She appeared flustered.

Lu Zhou said with a slightly pointed tone, “Are you hiding something from me?” “I dare not!”

Zhao Yue immediately bowed down and stammered, “S-some... S-someone told me that... that... that I was from the palace. However, I don’t believe it.” From when she began to speak until she finished, she kept shaking her head as though she was in denial.

“Who told you this?” Lu Zhou asked.

“I don’t know him. However, I can tell he’s an elite. He should be from the palace as well... I’ve just met Junior Sister Tianxin at that time. Junior Sister Tian Xian asked me to activate the Formation, and I met the person on Bluesun Mountain... You’re aware of what happened after that, master,” Zhao Yue replied.

Lu Zhou would never forget how Ye Tianxin led a group of cultivators to ambush them on Bluesun Mountain.

Ye Tianxin was, perhaps, the boldest of his nine disciples. Now that Lu Zhou had thought about it, he wondered if Ye Tianxin, who had been chased out of the Evil Sky Pavilion for such a long time now, was still alive.

“Since you’re from the palace, you should begin your investigation with the palace,” said Lu Zhou.

Zhao Yue had the opportunity to investigate the palace before this, but she gave the chance to Mingshi Yin.

“I abide by the Evil Sky Pavilion’s rules. I’ve severed my ties with my past once I joined the Evil Sky Pavilion. I dare not violate that,” Zhao Yue said.

“If I’m not mistaken, the cold poison that’s afflicting you is from the Dark Yin Palm... That’s an extremely dark Daoist seal. Aren’t you going to find out about it?” Lu Zhou asked.

Zhao Yue shook her head.

Lu Zhou’s gaze fell on the jade pendant that hung on Zhao Yue’s waist. He recalled the scene when he recruited disciples. This was the jade pendant she had been carrying since she was a child. Now that he thought about it, it did seem suspicious. How could it be possible for someone from a humble family to have such a precious jade pendant?

“You there.”

“Your orders, Pavilion Master?” a female cultivator said from outside the door. “Bring Hua Yuexing here.” “Understood.”

Shortly after, Hua Yuexing appeared in the south pavilion. When she was outside Zhao Yue’s room, she bowed and said, “Greetings, Pavilion Master!”

Lu Zhou emerged with his hands on his back and asked, “How long did you serve in the palace?”

“In reply to your question, Pavilion Master, less than a year.”

“Throughout that time, did you meet any elites who are skilled in the Dark Yin Palm?”

“Dark Yin Palm?” Hua Yuexing appeared puzzled. She shook her head and said, “I’ve never met such a person... However, there are many elites from various sects in the palace. It’s not impossible that there might be an elite who’s skilled in the Dark Yin Palm there.”

This answer was no different from not having an answer.

“Forget it... You’re dismissed.” Lu Zhou waved his hand.

“I’ll take my leave then.” Hua Yuexing turned around and left the south pavilion. Outside the pavilion, she mumbled to herself, “The Pavilion Master is really gentle...”

Lu Zhou returned to the room. He looked at Zhao Yue’s pale face and said, “Sit up straight.”

When Zhao Yue heard this, she was overjoyed. She hastily kowtowed and said, “Thank you, master!”

Loyalty +5%.

She hastily sat up straight and crossed her legs.

Lu Zhou walked to her back and sat down with his legs crossed.

His cultivation base was only at the Dao Controlling stage of the Divine Court realm. Yet, Zhao Yue was already at the Dao Transforming stage of the Divine Court realm. Since she could not repel the cold poison, it was definitely impossible for him to do so. For this reason, he tried to use the extraordinary power. Even if he failed, it would be no loss to him.

“Don’t resist.”

“Understood.”

Lu Zhou raised his palm. Primal Qi surged out of his palm like the tide. At the same time, he felt the extraordinary power of the Heavenly Writing following his command. It merged more smoothly with his Primal Qi now...

Bam!

His Primal Qi flowed through the Door of the Corporeal Soul, the Heart Transporter, and other acupuncture points into her major meridians.

Without any warning, Zhao Yue suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. She merely grunted. She did not move away nor did she resistWithout warning.

Zhao Yue merely grunted. She did not dodge or resist.

As expected, the cold poison retaliated at once. Lu Zhou said indifferently, “Preposterous... A mere cold poison is trying to retaliate?”