My Disciples Are All Villains

Sikong Beichen asked, "Is it because of the heaven and earth shackle?"

"The Sky Martial Court has researched the heaven and earth shackle for a long time, but they've yet to find an answer. The Sky Martial Court's intention to invade the golden lotus realm... Is it born out of selfishness or are they trying to find a way to break the heaven and earth shackle?" Lu Zhou said with a blank expression.

"Humans are greedy. The Ninth Temple's ideals are different from the Sky Martial Court and the Flying Star House. Throughout these years, the Sky Marital Court and the Flying Star House are experiencing a meteoric rise. Moreover, they have the support of the palace. There's nothing the Ninth Temple could do about them," Sikong Beichen said with a sigh.

In truth, the Ninth Temple had been working hard just to maintain itself. They did not have the leisure to think about the Sky Martial Court or the Flying Star House.

At this moment, Sikong Beichen fisted his hand, and his avatar vanished from sight. He said without beating around the bush, "If it's possible, the Ninth Temple wishes to work with you, Brother Lu."

It was difficult to find someone who would willingly talk to him about Birth Charts since they were so important. Therefore, Sikong Beichen gave up on that thought. However, he did not think it would be too difficult to strike a deal and work together.

The five First Seats simultaneously turned to look at Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou's disciples shifted to him as well.

Lu Zhou's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Work together?"

"I understand with your cultivation base, there's no need for you to work with anyone. However, your talented disciples are slightly weak. Moreover, golden lotus cultivators are foreign tribesmen, and as such, they would be treated as hostiles. If they remain here, the Ninth Temple can guarantee their safety," Sikong Beichen said.

Little Yuan'er and Conch did not feel anything about Sikong Beichen calling them slightly weak. However, Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong were slightly displeased.

Yu Shangrong said, "I've always preferred to be alone. I've met countless strong enemies in the past, but I never needed anybody's help."

Yu Zhenhai chimed in as well, "I'm the master of a sect with 100,000 members. Why would I need protection from someone else?"

At this moment, the meaning of Sikong Beichen's words finally dawned on Little Yuan'er. She hurriedly said, "Junior Sister Conch and I will always follow master..."

"..."

At this moment, the Mystery Hall's First Seat, Zhang Shaoqing, said, "I heard from Zhu Xuan that this friend is highly skilled with the sword. I'd like to have a sparring session with him." He looked at Yu Shangrong as he spoke.

Lu Zhou understood Zhang Shaoqing's intention. Zhang Shaoqing wanted to display the Ninth Temple's strength.

In truth, the Ninth Temple was powerful enough with Sikong Beichen alone. However, one person was far from enough for the high-ranking members of the sect. A major sect's most important strength was its core.

Yu Shangrong had been itching for some action so he agreed readily, "Sure."

Sikong Beichen made an inviting gesture. "The young shouldn't overexert themselves when they're sparring. Brother Lu, do you want to watch?"

Lu Zhou was slightly puzzled. Yu Shangrong was only an Eight-leaf cultivator. How was he going to stand up against this early-stage Nine-leaf cultivator?

When Yu Shangrong was at the door of the Holy Palace, he bowed at Lu Zhou and said, "Don't worry, master."

Upon seeing how calm and confident Yu Shangrong was, Lu Zhou said, "Very well."

...

After a while, everyone gathered outside the Holy Palace. It was a very spacious spot in the building. At this moment, they seemed to have forgotten that Chen Beizheng had been killed here earlier.

Yu Shangrong and Zhang Shaoqing were hovering in the air, a distance away from each other, as they cupped their fists together at each other.

Zhang Shaoqing said, "Since you're an Eight-leaf cultivator, sir, I'll fight using strength at the Eight-leaf stage."

"There's no need for that. You might lose even if you use your Nine-leaf strength..."

"..."

Yu Shangrong was as confident as always.

"After you."

After these words fell, both opponents drew their swords and moved with a flurry of movements. Their blades crossed when they met in the middle.

Bam!

There were no extravagant and ostentatious energy swords or techniques during their first collision.

Both of their backs were turned toward each other at this moment.

The insider knew the ropes while the outsider just came along for the ride.

"They're testing each other," Yu Zhenghai commented.

Sikong Beichen wondered out loud, "You're skilled with the sword as well?"

"I don't know much about the sword, but I'm skilled with the saber... The way I see it, the sword is for little men. It's not as majestic as the saber. Men should be more imposing," Yu Zhenghai said.

"..."

Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he looked ahead and said, "This disciple of mine has always been proud. You'll get used to it."

Sikong Beichen merely felt that the young ones were filled with hot blood and did not think too much of it. However, he wondered what kind of disciples were they, to the extent that their master had gotten used to their behavior?

Meanwhile, the two opponents turned around and struck again.

There was a flash of light as golden energy and red energy collided.

Lu Zhou noticed that Yu Shangrong's Longevity Sword was no longer glowing red.

Bam! Bam! Bam.

Several hundred energy swords collided as the two opponents retreated.

"That's the Traceless Sword," Yu Zhenghai remarked, "If I'm up against this technique of my junior brother, I'd push him back using thunderous saber blows with the force of the ocean."

Little Yuan'er and Conch looked at Yu Zhenghai strangely. Their expressions seemed to say: Eldest Senior Brother, are you a spy sent by the enemy?"

"Uh... I couldn't help myself." Yu Zhenghai understood Yu Shangrong's sword techniques very well. If he claimed second place, nobody would dare to claim the first place.

Sikong Beichen said, "The sword consciousness is difficult to grasp. Indeed, it's a good idea to counter it with a tidal wave of energy sabers to catch."

The four First Seats were shocked that their temple master agreed with Yu Zhenghai.

Zhu Xuan looked up with an incredulous expression on his face. He was surprised that Zhang Shangqing, a Nine-leaf cultivator, had not won yet despite fighting against an Eight-leaf cultivator. He could tell Yu Shangrong was much stronger than before.

Zhang Shaoqing shared the same thoughts as Zhu Xuan. A Nine-leaf cultivator should be able to defeat an Eight-leaf cultivator in a short time. If the battle dragged out for a long time, even if he won, it would not be a dignified victory. Hence, he said loudly, "Sir, be careful. The victor would be determined with the next strike."

After Zhang Shaoqing finished speaking, he wielded his sword with both hands and rose high up into the sky. His Primal Qi turned to energy before a dazzling red energy sword more than 10 meters long appeared in his hand. At the same time, a red lotus appeared and bloomed under his feet. Nine inconspicuous leaves spun around it. It was clear he was no longer holding back.

Yu Shangrong looked up. He did not move as he wielded his Longevity Sword in a reverse grip. He did not move.

Meanwhile, Yu Zhenghai looked at his Second Junior Brother with a puzzled expression. He remembered their intense battle with Ma Luping in Yu Province. After a moment, he said confidently, "Second Junior Brother has won." Although he did not know the specifics, based on the victorious expression on Yu Shangrong's face, he had no doubt about Yu Shangrong's victory.

Sikong Beichen was a Ten-leaf elite, and yet, he did not see anything that indicated Yu Shangrong's victory. How could a junior be so confident about the result? "Are you sure, little friend?"

"That's how Second Junior Brother's sword path has always been... The path of the sword turns the impossible into something possible. It can turn the rotten into a legend," Yu Zhenghai said. After a beat, as though he could not help himself, he added, "Naturally... it's still weaker than my saber."

The First Seats. "..."

Yu Zhenghai's words were rather irritating.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and placed one hand on his back as he said with a straight face, "You'll get used to it."

Sikong Beichen. "..."

'Is he truly an elite who has activated his Birth Chart?'

Meanwhile, Zhang Shaoqing who was hovering in the sky was not affected by Yu Zhenghai's words. In his opinion, Yu Zhenghai's words were meant to affect him mentally. He wielded his swords with both hands and said, "Mysteries within mysteries; the gates of all wonders. You won't be able to dodge this."

The energy sword descended.

As the Nine-leaf Zhang Shaoqing brought his sword down, Yu Shangrong felt danger locking onto him. If he was an Eight-leaf cultivator, there was no doubt he would lose. He smiled as he loosened his right hand's grip. After the Longevity Sword flew out of his hand, he summoned his avatar.

Whizz!

An avatar without a golden lotus with its palms facing the heavens joined its palms together.

Bam!

It caught the energy sword between its palms.

Yu Shangrong leaped out as his Longevity Sword flew back into his hand. His other golden leaves spun around him before shooting toward his opponent at lightning speed.

"No!" Zhang Shaoqing's expression changed drastically as he forcibly withdrew his energy sword. He raised it up before himself to block Yu Shangrong's strike.

In just a blink of an eye, Yu Shangrong was upon Zhang Shaoqing with his energy sword. "You lose."

The remaining eight golden leaves shot past Zhang Shaoqing and returned to Yu Shangrong.

The final golden leaf split into two before they disappeared.