My Disciples Are All Villains

If it was any other matter, Lu Zhou could have ordered Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong to take care of it. Now that they were both Nine-leaf cultivators, even in the red lotus domain, they were considered outstanding cultivators. However, they seemed to lack the ability to stand on the same stage as Sikong Beichen. Moreover, the strength of the Flying Star House's Master was still unknown. Ye Zhen's cultivation base should be similar to Fa Kong.

If it were a one-on-one battle, Lu Zhou was confident enough to take on the Flying Star House. The problem was… they might not agree to a one-on-one fight. At moments like this, the disadvantage of the Deadly Strike Card was particularly glaring.

The extraordinary power from the Heavenly Writing scrolls granted him enough power to defeat his peers. However, he did not think it would be easy to defeat a Ten-leaf cultivator. This was not a small-scale battle. The difference of one leaf could hardly be made up for with other methods. He had to consider possible outcomes after his extraordinary power was depleted.

'How many Nine-leaf or Ten-leaf cultivators are there in the red lotus domain?'

The most important factor was the Ninth Temple's stance. The hearts of men were difficult to predict. The Evil Sky Pavilion had experienced several sieges. It was not entirely impossible for such a scenario to happen in the red lotus domain.

"Sikong Beichen sure knows how to put on airs," Lu Zhou said tonelessly.

Xia Changqiu was slightly puzzled. However, it did not take long for realization to dawn on him. He hastily said, "You're right, Senior Lu. They should come here to meet you instead."

Hierarchy mattered, after all. There was no reason for a high-ranking person to go out of his way to meet a low-ranking person. Sikong Beichen was used to being in his high office and being revered by others that he had forgotten this minor detail.

Lu Zhou suddenly remembered something. He stood up and walked out the door. He saw Xia Changqiu standing respectfully in the courtyard and asked, "What's the Flying Star House's strength like?"

'If they're weak, I can use this opportunity to defeat them and retrieve the memory crystal. Relying on my Nine-leaf cultivation base might not be enough so I'll have to accumulate more merit points. If I use item cards alone, it'd be nothing but a loss…'

Xia Changqiu replied, "Currently, Ye Zhen and the house master, Chen Tiandu, are the strongest cultivators. at least on paper. Chen Tiandu seldom troubles himself with the affairs of the Flying Star House. Usually, a Ten-leaf cultivator wouldn't simply make a move if it's not necessary."

Unfortunately, it seemed like ordinary situations were a rarity.

"In that case, the Flying Star House's overall strength isn't comparable to the Ninth Temple. What gives them the confidence to visit the Ninth Temple?" Lu Zhou was puzzled.

"Temple Master Sikong is old, and his body isn't what it once was. Many things are handled by the nine First Seats. Then, four of them passed away. The Ninth Temple's strength is just a shadow of its former self. On the surface, it seems as though the Ninth Temple is stronger, but in truth, the Ninth Temple won't be able to gain the upper hand against the Flying Star House. Ye Zhen is deemed as a rare talent in the red lotus domain. He reached the Nine-leaf stage in less than 800 years and mastered the karmic fire. He's also said to be the cultivator who would most probably become a Ten-leaf cultivator. Moreover, he reads extensively and is very knowledgeable. He's even capable of governing the new world," Xia Changqiu said.

Lu Zhou could accept the first half of the words, but he was troubled by the second half. Before he returned to his room, he said, "I see. Send a reply to Sikong Beichen. Tell him that I don't have time for this. That will be all."

Xia Changqiu bowed and retreated.

…

In the Flying Star House on Lofty Steep Mountain.

Ye Zhen stood outside the Flying Star House and looked down at the mountains and rivers as the sun hung high in the sky.

Meng Changdong, who was standing next to Ye Zhen, asked, "The house master is planning to visit the Ninth Temple. Is that your idea, Elder Ye Zhen?"

Ye Zhen did not look at Meng Changdong. His expression remained neutral as he asked in return, "Do you have a problem with that?"

Meng Changdong said, "I have no objections to visiting the Ninth Temple, but isn't it slightly inhumane to annihilate the Thousand Willow Monastery?"

Ye Zhen said calmly, "The annihilation is approved by the Sky Martial Court. If we don't annihilate the Thousand Willow Monastery, the reputation that the Flying Star House has built over the years would be destroyed overnight. If we don't wipe them out, Lu Song, Xuan Ming, Liang Zidao, and the other disciples would've died in vain. How are we going to recruit disciples in the future then?"

"Are you going to lead the men there, Elder Ye?" Meng Changdong wondered out loud.

Ye Zhen shook his head and said, "I'll head to the Ninth Temple with the house master."

"Rumor has it that they are golden lotus experts hiding in the Thousand Willow Monastery. Now, they're also colluding with the Ninth Temple. How are we supposed to annihilate them if you or the house master don't lead our members there?"

"You'll lead the mission."

"…" Meng Changdong was shocked.

"You're not willing?" Ye Zhen turned and stared at Meng Changdong with a judgmental gaze.

"Since I'm an elder of the Flying Star House, I'll lead the mission. Don't worry, Elder Ye."

"Good."

Ye Zhen looked ahead again. He said indifferently, "The house master and I will hold the Ninth Temple back. You can rest easy about that matter. Also, the Sky Martial Court has formed an alliance with the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain. They'll send 1,000 cultivators in the Divine Court realm and above. Moreover, the elite of the Twelve Sects of Cloud Mountain, Xie Xuan, will lend you a helping hand as well."

"Thank you, Elder Ye." Despite his words, a hint of worry could be seen on his face. 'What good would Divine Court realm cultivators be? Xie Xuan sounds more like it.'

Ye Zhen turned around slowly. He walked toward the dojo and said, "Elder Meng, don't forget… Three days."

"I'll go and make preparations at once," Meng Changdong left.

After Meng Changdong left, a Confucian scholar entered Ye Zhen's dojo. He bowed and said, "Should I continue keeping an eye on him?"

Ye Zhen smiled faintly. "There's no need."

"You know Meng Changdong has always been passive. Why is he leading the mission to annihilate the Thousand Willow Monastery?"

"There's only two outcomes to this mission: success or failure. If it's a success, it'll benefit the Flying Star House. If it's a failure, the house master definitely won't forgive him."

"That's brilliant, Elder Ye."

Ye Zhen pointed at the paper before him and said, "Send this paper to the Sky Martial Court. Have them study it as well."

"Understood." The Confucian scholar bowed. Then, he raised his head and said, "The Sky Martial Court's Sky Chariot research is a success. They can now cross the Endless Ocean, and the duration of the journey has been reduced to half. Should we send our men over?"

"The golden lotus domain has already invaded the red lotus domain. There's no need to meddle in the matters of the golden lotus domain," Ye Zhen said.

"Alright. I'll take care of it right away." The Confucian scholar picked the paper up and looked at the random symbols. He could not understand it. After he shoved it in his pocket, he left.

…

Three days later, during the day...

A small flying chariot pulled by red flying beasts left Lofty Steep Mountain before disappearing among the clouds.

Meanwhile, on another peak that was much shorter than Lofty Steep Mountain, Meng Changdong and 1,000 cultivators left and flew toward the Thousand Willow Mountain.

...

Half a day later.

In the Ninth Temple.

"Grand Elder, the Flying Star House's Ye Zhen is here," a disciple said with a bow.

Zhu Xuan frowned slightly and said, "Ye Zhen? What's he doing here? The Ninth Temple and the Flying Star House have never seen eye to eye. Just tell him that the five First Seats are in secluded cultivation and will meet him some other day."

"But… The Flying Star House's Master seems to be here as well."

"Chen Tiandu?" Zhu Xuan was shocked. "Notify the five First Seats. Quick!"

"Understood."

The disciple had just stepped out of the room when a gruff voice rang from the distant horizon. "Flying Star House's Ye Zhen requests an audience with Senior Sikong."

The voice was resounding and deep. The powerful sound technique spread across the mountains and forests.

The Mystery Hall's Zhang Shaoqing did not go out because he was grounded.

In the Peace Hall, Yao Qingquan heard it most clearly.

The other areas were covered by powerful Formation veins.

Yao Qingquan opened his eyes and flew out of the hall. He rose into the air and looked ahead. He saw red birds and a flying chariot. Although the red birds were not huge, he knew only the Flying Star House's Master had a chariot that was pulled by red birds. He frowned. "The chariot of the Flying Star House's Chen Tiandu?"

There were still ways to deal with Chen Beizheng since officials would play by the rules. However, the Flying Star House did not have many rules. This was especially true when they annihilated many smaller sects over the years. After killing the luan in the Black Water Mystic Cave, their popularity rose as well.

Yao Qingquan found this strange. "There are only a handful of Ten-leaf cultivators under the heavens. They usually stay out of worldly affairs. What's he doing here?"

The people who had reached the Ten-leaf stage in the red lotus domain were old.

At this moment, the other three First Seats flew over.

"The Flying Star House's Ye Zhen requests an audience with senior Sikong." The voice rang again. This time, it was more penetrative.

The Truce Hall's Zhao Jianghe said irritably, "Ye Zhen is truly here to show off his strength."

"How dare he? Let's ignore him for now. Why isn't Old Senior Lu here yet?"

Challenging another party with sound technique was disrespectful, after all.

"A female attendant sent Senior Lu's flying letter straight to the Holy Palace. I wonder what it said."

"I sure hope Senior Lu comes here sooner so the Flying Star House won't be able to stay arrogant."

The four of them exchanged a look and nodded.