Chapter 542: Decisive Battle of Heavenly Energy

Yu Zhenghai remained silent.

Si Wuya felt torn as well when he made the suggestion. He knew how much Yu Zhenghai longed to conquer the world. After all, his suggestion was essentially like asking Yu Zhenghai to dismiss the advantageous situation they were in to help the Evil Sky Pavilion. It would be well if everything went smoothly, but if any problem were to occur, the Nether Sect’s efforts thus far would be wasted. If that were to happen, how would he face the members of the Nether Sect? He decided to remain silent when he saw Yu Zhenghai was lost in his thoughts. Before he retreated from the great hall, he said, “Eldest Senior Brother, I’ll take my leave.”

The others understood Si Wuya’s intent and took their leave as well.

The great hall that dimly lit was now silent.

Yu Zhenghai turned around with his hands on his back to face the wall. Nobody knew what he was thinking. He stroked the Jasper Saber softly as he stared at it, still lost in his thoughts.

...

The next day, the sun rose in the east as it always did.

Mingshi Yin made his way to the hidden chamber first thing in the morning to greet his master. As expected, he did not receive any reply from his master. He sighed as he made his way down the mountain again.

Soon after, Mingshi Yin saw a flying chariot sailing toward the mountain as promised and landed at the foot of Golden Court Mountain.

Su Sheng had a keen eye. As soon as the flying chariot landed, he saw Mingshi Yin hovering in the air, waiting for them. He rose into the air and waved at Mingshi Yin who was standing behind the barrier. “Mister Fourth, we meet again.”

“Hello there,” Mingshi Yin said with a smile.

“I’m sure Senior Ji has come out from his cultivation in seclusion. Please lead the way, Mister Fourth.” Su Sheng smiled.

Mingshi Yin said, “I’m terribly sorry, but... can you come again tomorrow?”

“...”

“Just treat me as an untrustworthy and petty man,” Mingshi Yin said. Despite his words, he was slightly annoyed. Why must he submit to these guests who pestered him to meet his master when his master did not want to see anyone? It had nothing to do with his promise.

Su Sheng smiled and said, “I don’t think there’s a need for us to leave. The Evil Sky Pavilion is huge. We can just wait on the mountain until Senior Ji emerges from his cultivation in seclusion.”

Mingshi Yin chuckled and said, “If you’re smart, General Su, you’d do well to listen to my advice so you won’t regret it later.”

“I’m afraid that’s not up to you to decide,” Su Sheng replied. As he spoke, densely packed talisman seals appeared around him. The talisman seals hovered in the air and shone with golden radiance as they floated toward the barrier. He was clearly trying to break the barrier.

The Confucian school was known for its Formations and Expansive Heavenly Energy.

At this moment, from the midpoint of the mountain, numerous talisman seals descended. Each seal was larger than the one before it.

Su Sheng frowned slightly and shouted, “Is this how the Evil Sky Pavilion treats its guests?” He pushed his palms forward, and a round Confucian Heavenly Energy shield materialized in front of him.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

The descending script seals that came from the midpoint of the mountain were blocked by the Heavenly Energy.

Shortly after, a gruff voice rang from where the script seals shot out. “I’d like to see who’s bold enough to force their way into the Evil Sky Pavilion.”

When Su Sheng heard this, he bowed. “Greetings, Senior Zuo. I didn’t mean to force my way into Golden Court Mountain... His Majesty has an arranged meeting with Senior Ji. We’re merely here to uphold our end of the agreement.”

“I’m making the decision on the pavilion master’s behalf. The arrangement is now called off. Get lost from Golden Court Mountain, all of you,” Zuo Yushu said harshly.

Mingshi Yin was slightly shocked. He did not expect Elder Zuo to be so domineering. ‘I like it!’

At this moment, Liu Ge projected his voice and said, “Zuo Yushu, are you going to stop me from going up the mountain?”

“Liu Ge... This is the Evil Sky Pavilion, not the palace. Don’t think you can intimidate me.” Zuo Yushu rose into the air and swung her staff. A row of talisman seals spun around her. All the seals were of the word ‘human’.

Su Sheng frowned slightly. “Heavenly Energy, single script seal.”

The character for ‘human’ was sometimes replaced with ‘mercy’, which was the core seal cultivated by the Confucian school. Throughout the years, only a handful had been capable of cultivating this script seal to great heights. Zuo Yushu was one of them. This was the most powerful script seal in the Expansive Heavenly Energy’s arsenal.

“I see that you’re not completely blind.” Zuo Yushu looked down at him in the skies.

Su Sheng said, “When the Confucian school was expanding many years ago, you were supposed to be our saint, Elder Zuo. Alas, that position is only reserved for men, not women... Even so, the Confucian disciples were still respectful of you. Why did you join the Fiend Path, Elder Zuo?”

“Do I have to explain myself to you?” Zuo Yushu retorted.

Su Sheng was rendered speechless.

Gu Yiran said, “Why must you be so overbearing, Elder Zuo? You can’t replace Senior Ji.” After he finished speaking, he pushed his hand out and launched a palm seal.

A slight frown appeared on Zuo Yushu’s face as she waved her staff. Golden light burst out from the staff immediately. The ‘human’ script seals formed a line that collided with the palm seal.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

After a while, the energy from the collision finally subsided.

“Elder Zuo... kindly enlighten me.” Gu Yiran stomped his feet and shot into the skies until he drew level with Zuo Yushu.

Mingshi Yin was taken aback. He did not expect the taciturn Gu Yiran to step forward and fight first. This was bad.

Although Zuo Yushu had severed her lotus and was recultivating, she would not tolerate such behavior. Her staff spun in the air as she released script seals and talisman seals. The talismans swirled around her and formed a long chain.

Without another word, Gu Yiran summoned his avatar.

Whizz!

A 100-foot Eight-leaf avatar shone with golden light bringing with it a stifling atmosphere.

Boom!

The script seals and talisman seals faded away.

Zuo Yushu did not expect Gu Yiran to suddenly strike with all his might and was pushed back by the powerful energy.

Gu Yiran said, “Elder Zuo, it’s just as I thought, you’re not at the Eight-leaf stage...”

While Zuo Yushu reeled back, she suddenly swung her staff. A fine golden line appeared on her staff and formed the pattern of a winding dragon from the handle to the other end of the staff. Then, a mystical talisman seal shot out.

Bam!

Gu Yiran retreated with his avatar. A shocked expression could be seen on his face as he cried out, “The Coiling Dragon Staff! No wonder! The Coiling Dragon Staff is in your hands all along, Elder Zuo!”

At this moment, the spinning Coiling Dragon Staff shot back into Zuo Yushu’s hand. She held it next to her as she hovered in the air. With a meaningful look in her eyes, she said, “You need my permission if you want to climb up the mountain.”

Suddenly, Su Sheng tapped the tips of his toes and flew into the air with movements as nimble as a swallow. Then, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Gu Yiran.

The two great generals, both at the Eight-leaf stage, looked at Zuo Yushu from a distance.

“Elder Zuo... why must you do this?” Su Sheng placed his hands on his back. He stepped forward; radiant circles appeared with every step he took. The talisman seals on his body formed unique Formation veins.

When the Formation veins came into contact with the barrier, a door appeared in the barrier! Then, Su Sheng easily stepped into the barrier!

Mingshi Yin was shocked. ‘He’s a master of Formations?!’ Those who were masters in Formations were like people with master keys. Not everyone could become a master in Formations. This reminded him of Pan Litian and his Second Senior Brother. At their level, the existence of a barrier did not make much of a difference!

Zuo Yushu expected as much. She waved her Coiling Dragon Staff again. A dragon-shaped Expansive Heavenly Energy shot out.

Su Sheng waved his huge hand. His palm shone with a golden energy seal as he clenched his fist!

Bam!

He caught the coiling dragon energy seal!

“This level is at the Four-leaf stage, at most. Elder Zuo... you should know what the Eight-leaf stage means.” Su Sheng clenched his hand. The coiling dragon energy seal dissolved.

Upon seeing this, Zuo Yushu’s frown deepened.