Chapter 556: Examining the Disciples’ Cultivation Bases

As expected, Lu Zhou discovered the first power of the Earth Scroll had something to do with hearing.

‘Let’s see if I can hear something else.’

At the moment, Lu Zhou was not using much extraordinary power. Moreover, he did not expand the range of the technique as well. With just a thought, he increased the range of his hearing, effectively using more Heavenly Power compared to before.

A voice entered his ears again...

“Super heaven-grade? High Void? Let’s look for an opportunity to cultivate with it. Or maybe, I can use it to strengthen my Separation Hook. It’s too difficult to cultivate... I wonder if master has an idea. No, wait, I think master has forgotten about this sword. I must keep it hidden. If master asks, I’ll just say that it’s lost. I’m a f*cking genius.”

‘You bastard. However, I really forgot about High Void.’

Lu Zhou decided to deal with his disciple later. He used more extraordinary power, and the range of his hearing increased again.

This time, he heard the sounds of things being flung in the air against the roar of a waterfall. He decided that it must be Duanmu Sheng who was practicing with his spear. ‘I can always count on Old Third to work diligently.’

Just when Lu Zhou was about to expand the range again, he felt lethargy coursing through his body and into his mind.

“Hm?” Lu Zhou stopped using the power. “It consumes so much power?”

Although it only took up one-sixth of his current capacity of extraordinary power, that was enough to instantly kill a Seven-leaf elite. He did not expect his extraordinary power to be depleted so soon. This was a useful power, but it used up too much of the extraordinary power. He would have to be careful with its usage in the future.

Lu Zhou called out, “Anyone there?”

“Your orders, Pavilion Master?” A voice rang from the other side of the door.

“Summon the Evil Sky Pavilion disciples to the eastern pavilion.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, Duanmu Sheng, Mingshi Yin, Zhao Yue, Zhu Honggong, Ci Yuan’er, and Conch entered the eastern pavilion and stood in a neat line.

Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng were not Lu Zhou’s disciples so they could only stand outside and watch on with envy. They would learn whatever they could from this position.

Ye Tianxin who was still recuperating from her injuries were excluded from the test.

Creak!

The door swung open slowly.

Lu Zhou crossed the threshold with his hands on his back and swept his eyes past all the disciples gathered there.

“Greetings, master.” His disciples bowed.

Lu Zhou’s gaze fell on Mingshi Yin first. “Old Fourth.”

“Yes, master.” Mingshi Yin stepped forward with an ingratiating and excited expression on his face.

“Bring me High Void.”

“Huh?” Mingshi Yin shuddered.

“I’ll only say it once. I won’t repeat myself,” Lu Zhou said in a low voice, but his expression remained calm.

Despite Lu Zhou’s seemingly calm expression, Mingshi Yin shuddered. He was on the verge of tears. It seemed like he could not keep that matter hidden at all.

“I’ll go get it right away...” Mingshi Yin returned to the southern pavilion and brought High Void over. He carried it respectfully and presented it to his master.

Everyone looked at High Void in awe.

A heaven-grade weapon was already something that cultivators longed to possess, let alone a super heaven-grade weapon.

Lu Zhou picked High Void up and examined it. The red veins did not seem like it was engraved on the sword. They seemed to have been forged at the same time as the swords. The veins could even withstand his extraordinary power. It was clearly special.

Lu Zhou placed two fingers on it. Primal Qi surged into the broken sword, and it buzzed. Unfortunately, because of the damage on the Formation veins, it did not glow red. Without the support of the red veins, the grade of this sword dropped as well.

Lu Zhou joined the two sides of the broken blade together and circulated his Primal Qi again.

Bzzt!

The red veins shone. However, it was only a faint glow.

“Master, we should try to mend the super heaven-grade weapon since it’s a treasure,” Zhu Honggong said.

“Old Eighth’s right. Master... isn’t the Luo Sect’s Lu Ping skilled in forging? We can just let him mend it,” Duanmu Sheng chimed in.

“I don’t think Lu Ping can do it. These Formation veins aren’t made by a normal person. He’s only a Six-leaf cultivator. He won’t be able to do it,” Mingshi Yin refuted Duanmu Sheng’s suggestion.

At this moment, Lu Zhou looked at Mingshi Yin and asked, “Do you have a way?”

“No,” Mingshi Yin said with a bow.

“Place it in the pavilion,” Lu Zhou said.

“Understood.”

If they did not have a way now, it did not mean that they would not have a way in the future.

Mingshi Yin brought High Void into the eastern pavilion, feeling a slight heartache from having to part with it. Then, he obediently returned to his position with the others.

The others looked at him.

“Old Eighth,” Lu Zhou said.

“Yes, master,” Zhu Honggong replied.

“How’s your cultivation base?”

“I’m proud to say that I didn’t let you down, master. After five months of painstaking cultivation, I’m now in the Two-leaf Nascent Divinity realm. I’ve sprouted another leaf. I didn’t have any experience with sprouting leaves before,” Zhu Honggong said, clearly proud of himself, “Master, look!”

Zhu Honggong flipped his palm, and a Two-leaf Golden Lotus avatar appeared above his palm.

The others nodded.

If a cultivator above the Two-leaf stage severed his lotus and recultivated, sprouting one leaf over the span of five months was slightly slow. However, Zhu Honggong’s speed was rather fast.

Zhu Honggong recalled his avatar and awaited his master’s praise.

Alas, Lu Zhou merely stroked his beard and said, “20 strokes and three days of reflection in the Cave of Reflection.”

Zhu Honggong. “???”

The others were stunned. They felt chills running up their spines immediately. The old master was back! He was strict and merciless! If Zhu Honggong, with his fast cultivation speed, was punished, then what hope did the rest of them have?

‘This is bad!’

“What are you waiting for?” Lu Zhou asked.

Zhu Honggong replied at once, “I’ll remember your teachings, master. I’ll work harder next time! I’ll accept my punishment right away!”

“Ding! Instructed Zhu Honggong. Reward: 200 merit points.”

Lu Zhou’s gaze fell on Zhao Yue and asked, “What about you?”

Zhao Yue’s heart skipped a beat. She replied nervously, “I... I’m dumb, and I’m only almost at the Two-leaf stage...”

“Not bad. Keep up the good work.”

Thud!

Zhu Honggong fell on his face before he stepped out of the door.

“Mister Eighth, are you alright?”

“I’m... I’m fine... the floor is uneven...” Zhu Honggong stifled his sobs and left the eastern pavilion with a miserable expression on his face.

The others sighed inwardly.

At this moment, Duanmu Sheng stepped forward and said, “Master, I’ve cultivated painstakingly for five months and my cultivation base is now at the Three-leaf stage! Please have a look, Master!”

Whizz!

Duanmu Sheng had recultivated to the Three-leaf stage after he severed his lotus!

The others looked at Duanmu Sheng’s avatar in shock. Indeed, there was no lotus under the avatar’s feet. There were only three leaves spinning around it.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded. He said, “Not bad. You can take it easy with your spear techniques for now. Focus on sprouting leaves.”

“Yes, master.”

“Ding! Instructed Duanmu Sheng. Reward: 200 merit points.”

Lu Zhou returned his gaze to Mingshi Yin.

Mingshi Yin wore an awkward expression on his face as he scratched his head. Then, he fell to his knees without any prompting and said, “Master... Just punish me...”

“You didn’t sever your lotus?” Lu Zhou asked.

“I think it’s enough to be an Eight-leaf cultivator... Why must we attempt the Nine-leaf stage, anyway? I don’t have such ambitions. Living as an Eight-leaf cultivator for 1,000 years and spend my life keeping you company are good enough for me.”

The others rolled their eyes.

Mingshi Yin’s flattering words were not inferior to Zhu Honggong.

Lu Zhou nodded and said, “To each his own. I won’t force you.”

“Thank you, master. You’re perceptive even of the finest detail. You’re the light on my path...”

“Enough.” Lu Zhou waved his hand.

The others were puzzled.

‘Isn’t he going to be punished for being shameless?’

‘Why was Old Eighth punished, then?’

“Yuan’er.” Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er.

Before Conch joined the pavilion, the world was of the opinion that the youngest disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion had the most monstrous talent for cultivation. How much did she improve in these five months?

Everyone else looked at her expectantly.