Chapter 774: The Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain’s Wrath

‘Really? Are they so powerful?’

When Wuwu saw the expressions on everyone’s faces, she said timidly, “I’m only telling you what she said.”

Among these people, the person with the most knowledge of the Evil Sky Pavilion was undoubtedly Meng Changdong. After all, most of the news the Sky Martial Court received would be relayed to the Flying Star House. The two sects had been working closely together since 300 years ago. Meng Changdong was there when the first group of cultivators, including Jiang Wenxu, traveled to the golden lotus domain.

Meng Changdong looked at Wuwu and asked, “Are you sure that’s true? The Evil Sky Pavilion is famous in the golden lotus domain. Many will impersonate them.”

Xia Changqiu was rendered speechless by Meng Changdong’s words. He said incredulously, “Are you saying that Senior Lu is impersonating the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Master?”

“No, no, no...” Meng Changdong suddenly realized that he had misspoken and quickly waved his hands.

Based on Lu Zhou’s strength and cultivation base, coupled with his two Nine-leaf disciples, was there a need for him to impersonate another person?

Ji Fengxing said knowingly, “It’s called keeping a low profile. This is the red lotus domain after all. Ordinary golden lotus cultivators would consider themselves lucky if they weren’t hunted down.”

The others felt chills running up their spines. They were all red lotus cultivators, but they were going to work with the greatest villain in the golden lotus domain? Was this not akin to asking a tiger for its hide? They were not sure if they had made the right choice. However, faced with death, they could only grit their teeth and take things one step at a time.

Sikong Beichen calmly said, “I’ve seen Brother Lu’s red lotus avatar. How do you explain that?”

Ji Fengxing was stunned. He had no answer to that as well.

Xia Changqiu said softly, “Didn’t Senior Lu... manifest a blue lotus earlier?”

Everyone fell deep into their thoughts.

In the end, Xia Changqiu smiled and said, “I think there’s no need for us to think too deeply about this... If Senior Lu is someone who doesn’t hesitate to commit heinous crimes, there’s wouldn’t have bothered with the Thousand Willow Monastery.” When he saw the others looking at him, he said loudly, “Truth be told, I know many of you here look down on me and the Thousand Willow Monastery... I know that I’m not powerful and my cultivation base is weak, but I’ll do anything to guarantee the survival of the Thousand Willow Monastery... Every person should know what they want in life.”

Xia Changqiu continued to say, “Knowledge lies in the details. I remember when Senior Lu first came to the Thousand Willow Monastery, Ji Fengxing was willing to risk his life to protect Yu Shangrong, who’s Senior Lu’s second disciple. At that time, Senior Lu took a liking to Ji Fengxing and wanted to recruit him. Everyone, I know I’m not the most knowledgeable, but with Ji Fengxing’s talent and foundation, why do you think Senior Lu wanted to recruit him?”

“Why?”

The great hall was as silent as a graveyard.

Even the Ten-leaf elite, Sikong Beichen, whose name shocked the lands, was nodding his head. He looked at the floor, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Meng Changdong recalled Lu Zhou’s words and felt awkward. If such a person was truly a heinous criminal without an ounce of conscience or charisma, these elites would not be so willing to follow him.

Xia Changqiu continued saying, “Now that the situation is clear, I’m sure everyone has made up their minds. Since the direction is decided, we shouldn’t hesitate any longer... There’s no remedy for regrets in this world. If Senior Lu is willing to accept all of us, I would disband the Thousand Willow Monastery and let everyone join the Evil Sky Pavilion. Senior Lu is our only hope.”

In fact, Xia Changqiu’s words were in line with the thoughts of the people from the Ninth Temple.

The others nodded.

Meng Changdong suddenly recalled something. He looked at Ji Fengxing and asked, “Are those two Nine-leaf cultivators Senior Lu’s disciples?”

Ji Fengxing nodded and said, “The Evil Sky Pavilion has ten disciples. Yu Zhenghai wields the desolate-grade Jasper Saber and has recently reached the Nine-leaf stage. He’s skilled with the saber, and his attacks are as majestic as the raging waves of the sea. According to Miss Yuan’er, he has more than 100,000 members in his sect, and he has conquered nine provinces in the golden lotus domain.”

Yan Qingquan cupped his hands together and said somewhat awkwardly, “Temple Master, he’s the man who dealt a great damage to Kong Lu.”

Kong Lu was a Ninth Temple elder, after all. When Yu Zhenghai arrived in the red lotus domain, they had some sort of a quarrel and fought each other. However, Sikong Beichen had sentenced Kong Lu to death by beating, hence, he was seldom mentioned. However, this was a testament to Yu Zhenghai’s strength.

“The Evil Sky Pavilion’s second disciple, Yu Shangrong, wields the heaven-grade Longevity Sword. He’s a Nine-leaf cultivator, is skilled with the sword, and his attacks are like the rain, unending and unyielding. I heard there’s no one he can’t kill.”

Sikong Beichen and Yao Qingquan had personally witnessed Yu Shangrong’s sword path before.

“Indeed, his sword path can be deemed as unparalleled.”

Who would think lowly of Yu Shangrong now that he had Sikong Beichen’s praise?

Meng Changdong gulped before he said, “No wonder those two’s cultivation bases are so terrifying! When we came on our mission to annihilate the Thousand Willow Monastery, the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain’s elite, Xie Xuan, was no match for them at all.”

Zhao Jianghe said, “Those who achieve mastery first will be hailed greater in the path of cultivation. As a sign of respect, we should address him as ‘Mister’ from now on.”

“Apart from Senior Sikong, all of us should probably adhere to this.”

They had to accept the differences between them and be clear about their identities.

The others nodded in agreement.

Sikong Beichen suddenly felt his burden lighten. Although he was no longer bothered by the karmic fire, he still needed to return to rest. Hence, he rose to his feet and said, “Convey my gratitude to Brother Lu. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Rest well, senior Sikong.”

The others cupped their fists.

Yao Qingquan and Zhao Jianghe left the Fair Hall, trailing behind Sikong Beichen. The trio then left on the flying chariot.

...

In the dojo at the middle peak of Lofty Steep Mountain, it was peaceful and quiet.

Ye Zhen flipped his palms up before resting them on his legs. His eyes were closed as he cultivated.

The ‘ru’ character on the wall would glow red every now and then in tandem with his breathing.

Soon enough, script seals appeared and revolved around him

...

Outside, in the sky 20 miles south of Lofty Steep Mountain, roughly 30 green-clad cultivators flew past the towering trees toward Lofty Steep Mountain.

...

At this moment, Jiang Xiaosheng arrived outside the dojo. He prostrated himself and said, “Master, Nie Chi of the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain requests an audience.”

Ye Zhen opened his eyes slowly and calmly said, “Let them in.”

“Understood.”

He closed his eyes again.

The 30 green-clad cultivators flew up Lofty Steep Mountain and entered the dojo at the middle peak.

Jiang Xiaosheng opened the door and said, “This way.”

The 30 cultivators entered the dojo.

They saw Ye Zhen sitting before the ‘ru’ character with his eyes closed as he cultivated. They felt annoyed by this.

“Ye Zhen! How can you still remain calm and cultivate at a time like this?” Nie Chi, who was standing at the lead, said indignantly.

Ye Zhen did not open his eyes. He said calmly, “I’m nurturing Expansive Qi that comes from the heart. The heart needs to be calm. If I’m not calm, how can I nurture my Qi?”

One of the green-clad cultivators said, “I don’t think I can talk to you. Where’s House Master Chen? We’ll talk to him instead.”

Ye Zhen opened his eyes slowly and stopped nurturing his Qi. He raised his hands and cupped his fists slightly with a faint smile as he said, “The house master isn’t feeling well. He’s not in a state to receive visitors. I’m taking over the affairs of the Flying Star House for the time being, be it internally or externally.”

“You can’t! You can’t shirk the responsibility of the death of Elder Xie Xuan from the Twelve Sects... How are you going to deal with this?” another green-clad cultivator said.

“A storm may arise from a clear sky; man’s fate is as unpredictable as the weather. I deeply regret Elder Xie Xuan’s death. About this matter, I will give a satisfactory explanation to the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain,” Ye Zhen said.

Nie Chi was much calmer compared to the other green-clad cultivators. He said, “Ye Zhen, Elder Xie is a rare talent in our Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain. The Flying Star House’s Meng Changdong betrayed his sect at the last moment and plotted against Xie Xuan. That’s how the foreign tribesmen managed to achieve their goals. How are you going to explain that?”

Ye Zhen smiled and said, “For every debt, there’s a debtor. You’re all here to solve the problem, not to create more problems. If outbursts of rage can calm you down, please continue.” After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes and placed his hands on his legs again.

Script seals shot out from between Ye Zhen’s fingers and revolved around him again.

The already-irritated green-clad cultivators were further enraged upon seeing Ye Zhen’s attitude.

A young green-clad empty could not suppress his anger and stomped his foot on the floor.

Bam!

The wooden floor could not withstand the force behind the stomp, and the cultivator’s foot easily broke through the floor. “Ye Zhen, you owe us an explanation. Don’t think you can look down on everyone just because you killed a flying turkey. You’re not all that great.”

It was clear that the purpose of the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain’s visit was to seek justice for Xie Xuan.

Ye Zhen remained as unmoving as a mountain.

The script seals continued to revolve around him as faint int Primal Qi swirled around him.

He continued cultivating in the presence of so many cultivators.

Nie Chi frowned slightly as he said, “Ye Zhen, what are you trying to prove?”

Ye Zhen opened his eyes. He looked at the damaged floor before shifting his gaze up. His eyes did not betray his thoughts at all. Then, he said in a low voice, “My explanation is simple; you can join Xie Xuan.”

Thud!

The wooden doors of the dojo instantly slid shut. The scenic drawings around them were like the ocean. Apart from the script seals revolving around Ye Zhen’s body, red lines appeared as well.

“Ye Zhen! You dare!”

Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!

The 30 green-clad cultivators immediately manifested their avatars.

There were three Eight-leaf cultivators, 10 Six-leaf cultivators, and the remaining were below the Five-leaf stage. They were all Nascent Divinity elites.

Several cultivators charged at Ye Zhen. While the others charged toward the scenic drawings.

Ye Zhen’s eyes were as calm as still water as he extended his hands. He unleashed the Absolute Heaven Formation without holding back.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Dozens of palm seals landed on Ye Zhen, but it seemed as though they had hit water. The attacks were ineffective.

The cultivators standing at the back wanted to smash their way out of the dojo, but they discovered that their strength was greatly weakened. There was nothing they could do. Their avatars were shackled in the dojo.

It was silent outside the dojo as though a battle was not raging inside.

Nie Chi’s frown deepened. He joined his palm together and unleashed all his strength as he cried out, “Kill Ye Zhen!”

“Understood!”

The green-clad cultivators charged out immediately.

At this moment, Ye Zhen manifested his avatar...