Chapter 444: This is not a Dream

Lu Zhou’s 150-foot avatar hovered in the air and towered over everything. He seemed calm, unsurprised by Ye Tianxin’s appearance. Ever since he had read the letter Yu Shangrong had entrusted Ye Tianxin to send, he knew Ye Tianxin was still around. However, he had to admit he did not expect her to show at this moment to kill the enemies. Regardless, time was ticking. He did not have time to think about such trivial matters. Moreover, he did not need help from a mere Six-leaf cultivator. Saying that, although she had been banished, at least, she still had some sense. In any case, he was not losing out on rewards even if she was only killing low-rank cultivators. ‘Forget it. Let her be.’

The disciples from the seven great sects were easily overwhelmed by the Evil Sky Pavilion’s crushing force. Even when the nine elders of the Yun Sect ignited their sea of Qis and activated their avatars, they were like ants trying to shake a tree. It had been a futile resistance. Wherever the Nine-leaf Golden Lotus passed, everything was reduced to dust in its wake.

Lu Zhou unleashed his grand technique again as he shot in another direction. He wanted to confirm if the patriarchs from the other sects were here. He would have a headache if those who were willing to throw their lives away showed up after the Peak Card’s effect disappeared.

The 150-foot avatar flitted everywhere.

When Lu Zhou encountered slightly more powerful cultivators, he would mercilessly take their lives.

Meanwhile, Ye Tianxian was resolved to fight her enemies to death. When she was fighting, she saw the huge avatar and was in awe. She suddenly recalled that time when her master captured her and brought her back to Golden Court Mountain. She remembered seeing the same sight in the Evil Sky Pavilion. She thought that she was dreaming back then. The known limit that was achievable by cultivators was the Eight-leaf stage, after all. However, this time, she was sure her eyes were not deceiving her! “Master is already at the Nine-leaf stage! How did he do it? Could it be that Eldest Senior Brother is right? Master had been after the secret behind the Nine-leaf stage before this?”

As she looked at the falling low-rank cultivators, Ye Tianxian suddenly realized her intention to help the Evil Sky Pavilion seemed rather unnecessary. She was clearly not needed in this situation.

Near the southeastern corner of the battlefield, the remaining wave of elders burned their sea of Qis at the same time. They seemed to be engulfed in flames as they scattered.

With a soft grunt, Lu Zhou leaped into the skies with his avatar. In the skies, the Nine-leaf Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar was like a human-shaped sun that illuminated the area within 100 miles.

The cultivators within 100 miles looked up in the direction of Golden Court Mountain.

They were either shocked or awed.

Those who were further away could only catch a glimpse of the light. They did not know what kind of impressive phenomena was happening.

Lu Zhou summoned Unnamed and converted it into a bow. With fluid movements, he wielded the bow with his left hand and pulled on the bowstring with his right hand.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Arrows after arrows were shot out.

“A Nine-leaf Godly Archer!” Hua Yuexing was staring intently at Lu Zhou as he fired volleys after volleys of arrows.

It was only natural since everyone wanted to witness the grandeur of a Nine-leaf cultivator.

Hua Yuexing was a talented Godly Archer with a superior capacity for understanding than most, to begin with. Even without a teacher, she reached the Three-leaf stage on her own. For a genius like her, if she had a teacher to, even if it was as minimal as pointing her down a path, it would be a great help to her. Currently, she felt as though she had been enlightened. She worked hard to etch every movement into her mind. This... this would be the goal she worked toward in the future!

The energy arrows accurately pierced the elders who were burning their sea of Qis, and they fell in succession.

‘S... S-so this is the Nine-leaf stage?’ Many cultivators shared this thought the moment before they took their last breath.

Nine shining golden lotus leaves and the huge avatar swept through the battlefield.

In his peak state, Lu Zhou could use his Primal Qi as though he had an unlimited supply. He was constantly moving at top speed and unleashing his grand technique at the same time. He was still left with half of the time limit.

The force of the Nine-leaf stage had exceeded Lu Zhou’s expectations. It was no surprise he was able to crush the seven great sects in such a short time. However, he could not shake the feeling that there were rats hiding in the shadows. ‘Is... Is the Nine-leaf stage too flashy?’

Lu Zhou waved his arm and recalled the Nine-leaf avatar. He descended slowly like a falling feather. He could still feel the surging power in his body. Every time it was spent, it would be instantly replenished.

...

Meanwhile, in a valley 100 miles away from the westernmost part of Golden Court Mountain.

Feng Qinghe, the Master of Zhencang Branch, flew at top speed as he pressed a hand on his abdomen. Among all those from the seven great sects, it seemed like he was the only one who survived. In any case, he did not have the luxury to check if there were other survivors. Fear gripped his heart and threatened to crush it whenever he thought about the Nine-leaf avatar. ‘Why is he a Nine-leaf cultivator? Why is he a f*cking Nine-leaf cultivator?!’

If he did not seize the opportunity created by the chaos when he forcibly burned his sea of Qi forcibly and escape when Old Villain Ji was sweeping through the battlefield, he would have been a corpse by now. He looked at the valley. “Another mile to go.”

He wiped the blood off the edge of his lips and dashed forward. One was bound for good fortune after surviving a great disaster.

At this moment, someone called out from behind, “Sect master! Wait up!”

Feng Qinghe was startled with a jump. He snapped around and immediately stumbled to the ground. His eyes were wide open when he stared at the disciple who was rushing toward him. ‘Impossible! There’s someone who’s as intelligent as me from the Zhengcang Branch and managed to survive?’

Feng Qinghe gulped as he watched the disciple who was dressed in Zhencang Branch’s uniform running toward him. He relaxed and asked, “How did you manage to escape?”

“I... I played dead.”

“Played dead? That means you know the inner breath technique, and that you’re, at least, in the Divine Court realm. Not bad.” Feng Qinghe praised. He did not have the energy now to gauge the disciple’s cultivation base.

“Sect-sect master... Where are we going?”

“That valley up ahead. I’ve prepared something there.” Feng Qinghe shook his head and sighed. “Alas, it won’t be of any use. Faced with a Nine-leaf cultivator, what good are all our plans?”

“Huh? Does this mean the Zhencang Branch is done for?!”

“Watch your words!!” Feng Qinghe frowned.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“After this incident, you’ll be the pillar of Zhencang Branch. You’ll be the Grand Elder! Come, help me up,” Feng Qinghe said.

“Uh, I’d like to be the sect master,” the disciple replied.

“Hm?” Feng Qinghe frowned slightly. There were many who would take advantage of another person’s misfortune. After holding this position for so long, he was prepared and not surprised by this kind of situation.

He studied the disciple before him. He could not remember who this person was. Although Zhengcang Branch could not compare to the Yun, Tian, and Luo Sects, it was still a branch with thousands of members. It was impossible for him to remember each and every one of them. In any case, having lost so many of his members, he could not reprimand this disciple like he usually would.

“If you want to become the sect master, you’ll need to earn the right and have the strength to match it.” Feng Qinghe examined the disciple. “Help me up now.”

“Alright...” The disciple helped him up.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Ri... Ri...” He scratched his head. “I didn’t think of a proper name...”

‘What does he mean?’ Feng Qinghe was confused.

There was a sudden cold flash of light...

Zing!

The moment Feng Qinghe was pulled up, the Separation Hook, wrapped in energy, slashed across his chest

Boom!

Feng Qinghe was sent flying by this sneak attack. He flipped in the air. When he landed on his feet, he spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered backward. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the Separation Hook, clearly seeing through its grade. He coughed violently before he asked in a deep voice, “You’re not a Zhencang Branch disciple! Who are you?”