Chapter 523: Challenging Old Villain Ji
Lu Zhou walked out of the courtyard. It completely exceeded his expectations to obtain the remnant piece from the armor. When the red energy lines exploded, he discovered someone had hidden the Earth Scroll remnant in the armor. The Heavenly Writing scroll in the Melilot Graveyard was not damaged even though it had been left there for a long time. How did the armor survive for centuries? It was all due to the Earth Scroll remnant piece.
‘Is this the source of the armor’s so-called unique power?’
At this moment, Zuo Yushu bowed at Lu Zhou and said, “Brother, Lin Xin and I share the same roots, after all. Should I pay him a personal visit?”
Lu Zhou looked at Zuo Yushu. “If you have your cultivation base, I’d approve of this without question. However, you’ve severed your lotus and are recultivating. How are you going to deal with him?”
Zuo Yushu raised her walking stick slowly and tapped it on the ground. An avatar appeared behind her. No Golden Lotus could be seen under the avatar’s feet; only two leaves could be seen spinning around it.
“With your help, brother, I’m now in the Two-leaf Nascent Divinity realm.” A hint of pride could be seen on her face as she spoke as though she was showing. Indeed. She had the right to brag. After severing her lotus and having to recultivate, her talent was evident in how she had managed to reach the Two-leaf stage again in such a short time.
Lu Zhou shook his head. “The Two-leaf stage is too low.”
Zuo Yushu’s face fell.
Zhu Honggong interjected, “Don’t be depressed, Elder Zuo. I’m only at the One-leaf stage... At our level, we’ll be cut down in no time if we venture out there now.”
“...” Zuo Yushu staggered and nearly lost her footing.
“Elder Zuo!”
“I... I’m fine.” Zuo Yushu looked at Zhu Honggong who was next to her. ‘How frustrating. Talents, cultivation base, experience, and technique, which of these am I weaker than Zhu Honggong?’ She found it difficult to accept that he was catching up to her.
“Stay here and focus on your cultivation... You’ll have plenty of chances to show your skills in the future,” Lu Zhou said before turning to leave.
“Safe journey, Pavilion Master.”
...
Lu Zhou returned to the eastern pavilion. He did not rush to meditate on the Earth Scroll. Based on his experience of meditating on the Human Scroll and when he obtained the first power, he would enter an unconscious state. However, he did not draw much attention to himself back then because of his weak cultivation base and also because he was ensconced in the hidden chamber when he was meditating.
The Imperial family was keeping a keen eye on the Evil Sky Pavilion at the moment. If there truly was a method to deal with a Nine-leaf cultivator, this armor would not be the only trump card they had.
To be safe, Lu Zhou decided to intimidate them further.
...
The next day, a letter arrived at the Taixu Academy’s main branch.
For a time, the content of the letter terrified the entire Taixu Academy.
The elders of the Taixu Academy immediately called for a meeting.
Inside the discussion hall.
Lin Xin swept his eyes across the elders who were present before he asked, “Where are Zhou Wenliang, Wang Jianrang, and Zhang Gong?”
“Patriarch, the three elders went out yesterday and have yet to return.”
Lin Xin frowned slightly. “Forget about them.”
“Patriarch, the Evil Sky Pavilion has sent another letter. This time, they’re demanding your head. This is going too far!”
It seemed like the Crown Prince’s visit had bolstered some of the elders’ confidence.
Lin Xin said apathetically, “I’ve decided to challenge Old Villain Ji three days later on Dangyang Peak. Men.”
A disciple appeared inside the discussion hall. “Yes, Patriarch.”
“Bring me my armor.”
“Understood.”
In no time at all, two disciples carried a box into the discussion hall.
When Lin Xin saw the box, he spoke in an extremely valiant manner. “Our success or failure will be determined by this.”
...
Shortly after, the news of the Taixu Academy’s Patriarch challenging the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Old Villain Ji spread like a wildfire. It was like a single pebble that gave rise to a thousand ripples.
Lin Xin, the Patriarch of the Taixu Academy, was only at the Eight-leaf stage in his prime. Where did he get the courage to challenge Old Villain Ji?
There were many differing opinions regarding this matter.
...
In the afternoon, the Hengqu Branch was also made aware of this.
The Hengqu Branch Master, Shi Hong, called for an emergency meeting with the elders.
“I think everyone has heard that Lin Xin intends to challenge Old Villain Ji on Dangyang Peak. What are your views on this?” Shi Gong asked.
“Is Lin Xin out of his mind? He didn’t even dare to provoke Old Villain Ji when he was in his prime. Why is he throwing his life away now by challenging Old Villain Ji who has entered the Nine-leaf stage?”
At this moment, the Third Elder said, “I heard that the Crown Prince, Liu Zhi, visited the Taixu Academy and had given them a boost of confidence.”
“A boost of confidence? Unless someone else in the Divine Capital has attained the Nine-leaf stage or the Ten Terminal Formation has been moved to Dangyang Peak, I don’t see where their confidence could have come from.”
The branch master, Shi Hong, shook his head and said, “Our Grand Elder, Zhang Can, is most likely killed by the Evil Sky Pavilion. There’s a chance the next target on the Evil Sky Pavilion’s list is our branch.”
The others were stunned. That was right. Making fun of the Taixu Academy was the same as making fun of their future selves.
“Second Elder, lead some of our men to Dangyang Peak and secretly observe.”
“Understood.”
...
The Big Dipper Academy.
President Zhou gathered several disciples and said, “I heard that the Taixu Academy’s Patriarch Lin Xin is challenging Old Villain Ji to a fight on Dangyang Peak. You are to investigate this but not interfere. Remember that well.”
“Understood.”
Zhou Youcai nodded and said, “If Lin Xin loses, act as though you’ve seen nothing. If Lin Xin wins, send me a letter immediately.”
“Understood!”
...
At the same time, the Sky Conduct Academy, the factions in the Divine Capital, the Crown Prince’s retainers, the Imperial guards, and the remnants of the ten great sects that survived the Evil Sky Pavilion’s slaughter sent their men to Dangyang Peak as well.
...
On the third day.
Dangyang Peak.
It was a bright and sunny day. A gentle breeze blew in the air.
Lin Xin, the Taixu Academy’s Patriarch, sat in the center of a huge rock platform in a stately manner.
Two disciples stood not far behind him. Both of them were sweating profusely due to their lack of confidence.
“Has the word been spread?” Lin Xin asked.
“It has been sent out two days ago, patriarch.”
Lin Xin looked at the sun above and said, “Help me put on the armor.”
“Yes, patriarch.”
The two disciples opened the box and took the armor out. They walked respectfully to Lin Xin’s sides.
Lin Xin glanced at the armor and asked, “Why is it wrapped in a cloak?”
“Elder Zhou said this way your magnificence would be magnified when we unveil it,” one of the disciples replied dutifully.
At Lin Xin’s age, he no longer cared for appearances. However, on this day, he felt that it was necessary to appear valiant and formidable. He donned the armor as he said, “Just as well... I’m sure many sects are here to watch me fall. I’ll show them.”
“Patriarch... we’re counting on you,” the two disciples said before retreating.
Lin Xin said with a chuckle, “I know that people in the academy and the other sects are saying that I’ve lost my mind. However, they don’t know the source of my confidence is given by His Highness, the Crown Prince...”
“Patriarch, is the armor the source of your confidence?”
“You’ll see soon enough.” Lin Xin stroked his beard and nodded.
The two disciples did not know what else to say,
...
At this moment, many cultivators flew to Dangyang Peak and hid in various corners and crevices around the peak. All of them had their eyes trained on the peak.
...
When the sun was beginning to set, Lin Xin turned around and looked in the direction of the Evil Sky Pavilion. He did not see any cultivator flying toward him in the cloudless sky. He scoffed before he said, “It seems like Old Villain Ji is afraid...”
“You’re right, Patriarch.”
The later Lu Zhou arrived, the more confident he felt. Finally, after some time had passed, he was about to turn around and leave.
At the same moment, a flying chariot that left a glowing tail in its wake like a comet appeared on the horizon.
It was finally here!
The cultivators who were hiding around the peak saw the flying chariot as well and began to spread the word.
“The Evil Sky Pavilion’s flying chariot is here.”action