Chapter 178 - An Exorbitant Price

Zhu Honggong descended the mountain as soon as he received his order. Although he was reluctant to visit the Heaven Choice Temple, he did not dare to defy his master’s orders. He had no choice but to agree to it. Moreover, this was a good chance for him to redeem himself. As he walked, he began to think of how he would negotiate with the Heaven Choice Temple.

While Zhu Honggong was lost in thoughts, Pan Zhong suddenly appeared out of nowhere with an ingratiating smile on his face. “Mi-mister Eighth?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Pan Zhong.” Pan Zhong appeared before Zhu Honggong.

When he saw Pan Zhong, Zhu Honggong said irritably, “Get lost. I’m not done with you for what happened the other day.”

“Please… Mister Eighth. I’m sure you won’t hold this against me since you’re magnanimous beyond measure. From a single glance, I can tell that you’re different from the others, Mister Eighth. There’s no way that you’d hold a grudge just because of a few words…” Pan Zhong said.

“Save your flattery! I won’t fall for it!” Zhu Honggong said.

“Mister Eighth, you’ve wrongly accused me. If speaking the truth is considered as flattery, am I supposed to lie to you whenever I see you?” Pan Zhong said.

“That’s more like it. Say it, what’s on your mind?”

Pan Zhong said with a smile, “Mister Fourth has said that he would put in a good word or two for you to the pavilion master. All you have to do is to head to the Heaven Choice Temple. Mister Fourth will hold the fort in the Evil Sky Pavilion.”

Zhu Honggong sighed and said, “Fourth Senior Brother is the only one who treats me well…”

“Of course.”

“Get out of my way. Don’t you think I’ll forgive you just because you said a few nice words to me.”

“Of course…”

Zhu Honggong walked onto higher ground and glanced at Pan Zhong. “When I was cultivating in the Evil Sky Pavilion, there was no place for people like you,” he said haughtily. With a tap of his feet, he propelled himself forward.

Swoosh!

Upon seeing this, one might think Zhu Honggong was about to unleash an impressive movement skill. However, he took a nosedive and fell.

Crash!

Zhu Honggong fell down the slopes, his squeals resounded throughout the mountain.

Pan Zhong covered his face with his hand. ‘Drat. I’ve forgotten what I was supposed to do. I’m supposed to unseal Mister Eighth’s cultivation base.’

…

Six hours later.

The great hall in the Evil Sky Pavilion.

“Pavilion Master, the Yun Sect’s special envoy, Li Yundao, requests an audience.”

“Let him in.”

Li Yundao slowly made his way into the great hall while being escorted by the Derived Moon Palace’s female cultivators.

It was inevitable for those who visited the Evil Sky Pavilion to appear nervous and curious at the same time. Li Yundao was also worried the villains might do something to him. He appeared ill-at-ease. He walked into the great hall with a flustered expression and stiff movements.

Li Yundao did not dare to meet Lu Zhou’s eyes. Instead, he bowed and said, “Li Yundao of the Yun Sect greets Old Senior Ji.”

“You may take a seat.” Lu Zhou waved his arm.

Li Yundao bowed again. “Thank you for your kindness, Old Senior Ji.” He sat down with stiff movements before he finally looked at the greatest villain under the heavens. He was shocked when he saw Lu Zhou’s appearance, his heart skipped a beat. Everyone had been saying Ji Tiandao had less than ten years to live, but he seemed hale and hearty. He even had some dark hair. There was no sign at all that his time was almost up.

When Li Yundao shifted his attention to Hua Wudao, an expression of disappointment could be seen on his face as he looked at Hua Wudao from the corners of his eyes. A great elder of the Yun Sect had truly joined the Fiend Path. How sad and lamentable!

“Old Senior Ji, as instructed by the Sect Master of Yun Sect, I’m here to offer up the sable magnolia.” He produced a brown brocade box in his hand. He resembled a eunuch from the palace at this moment. However, before he could even get close, Mingshi Yin snatched the brocade box away from him and presented it to Lu Zhou respectfully.

Lu Zhou waved his arm gently and the brocade box opened…

“Ding! Obtained item: Sable magnolia x1. A Heaven and Earth Treasure. Can be used for cultivation, healing, and opening a sea of Qi.”

Lu Zhou was slightly disappointed that there was no merit points reward. He nodded in satisfaction and said frankly, “I like people who keep their words… Bring Ding Fanqiu here.”

“Understood.”

Soon enough, Zhou Jifeng brought Ding Fanqiu into the hall.

After his cultivation base was sealed, Ding Fanqiu had been imprisoned. He never saw daylight nor the blue skies. Hence, he now appeared like a madman with his disheveled hair and emaciated body.

Li Yundao glanced at him. Then, he cupped his fists and said, “Thank you.”

“Send our guest off.”

“…” Li Yundao was slightly taken aback. He had traveled far, and yet, he was being sent away before his seat even turned warm? He hastily stood up and said, “Old Senior Ji, I have something to say.”

“What is it?” Lu Zhou asked, puzzled.

“Senior Sword Devil has defeated the sword altar’s First Seat, Senior Luo, a few days ago… Senior Luo has a message he wants me to convey to you… If there’s a chance, he’d like to spar with Senior Sword Devil again.” Li Yundao bowed.

“Yu Shangrong went to the sword altar?”

“Did you not know about this, Old Senior Ji?” Li Yundao was shocked.

Lu Zhou pondered the implications of these words. ‘No wonder the Yun Sect suddenly changed their mind. Yu Shangrong was pressuring them!’

When he remembered the things that Yu Shangrong did in the past, Lu Zhou muttered, “That rascal.”

Li Yundao hastily said, “Senior Sword Devil’s sword skills are amazing. His Return Enter Three Souls earned endless praises from Senior Sword Saint…”

Mingshi Yin cursed, “Get lost.”

“Uh…”

‘How dare you praise a traitor before my master? Are you out of your f*cking mind?’

Mingshi Yin shouted again, “Off with you! Take Ding Fanqiu and scram!”

“I will, I will…” Li Yundao took Ding Fanqiu by the arm and fled from the great hall. At the same time, he cursed the sword altar under his breath. Politeness meant nothing to the villains. They could never be offended.

Li Yundao left with Ding Fanqiu.

Lu Zhou shifted his gaze to the sable magnolia inside the box and said, “To think that this tiny sable magnolia has such potent properties.” Even by looking at it alone, it was clear that the sable magnolia was a potent herb.

“Master, can this sable magnolia really open up my sea of Qi?” Little Yuan’er regarded the sable magnolia curiously.

Mingshi Yin said with a smile, “The sable magnolia is a Heaven and Earth Treasure… You can even be pulled back from death’s door by eating this, let alone opening up your sea of Qi.”

When Little Yuan’er heard this, she was overjoyed. She fell to her knees and said, “Thank you, master!”

Loyalty +2%.

Lu Zhou glanced at the number. Little Yuan’er’s loyalty was over 85%. She was the most loyal of all his disciples.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he nodded and said, “My treatment of you has not been in vain.”

“I won’t let you down, master.”

At this moment, Pan Zhong hurried into the great hall. He bowed and said, “Pavilion Master, there’s a letter from the Heaven Choice Temple.”

“Bring it to me.”

Pan Zhong presented the letter from the Heaven Choice Temple to Lu Zhou reverently.

Lu Zhou opened it and scanned its contents.

“How audacious!”

Smack!

Lu Zhou threw the letter onto the table. The letter slipped off the table.

Mingshi Yin waved his arm and a wave of energy brought the letter to him.

When Mingshi Yin finished reading it, he said indignantly, “The Heaven Choice Temple is demanding an exorbitant price! They want three heaven-grade weapons and Eighth Junior Brother to return the zen tunic!”

“Didn’t you say he’s on good terms with the Heaven Choice Temple?” Hua Wudao asked, puzzled.

“Perhaps, that pighead is hiding something.” Mingshi Yin scratched his head and looked at Lu Zhou. “Master… Old Eighth is now held captive. The Heaven Choice Temple is clearly looking down on the Evil Sky Pavilion.”