The black lotus was rather big, giving off an oppressive aura. Just like black clouds looming over a city. If it were not for the distinct lotus shape and the dazzling black light, one might actually mistake it for black clouds.
As the black lotus moved up, the ten leaves spun, parting the clouds in its path.
...
Meanwhile, the four blackguards did not rush to return. Although they still had tricks up their sleeves, they rather not run into Lu Zhou again.
As they flew, they thought about how the judge would punish them, if they could survive this disaster, and if they did, how they were going to report this failed mission.
The four of them were anxious and ill at ease. Moreover, two of their ranks had died. How could the atmosphere be pleasant?
At this moment, all four of them felt the shift in the energy and looked up in unison in the direction of the 'entrance'. When they saw the 750-foot avatar, all of them were shocked.
750 feet far surpassed all of the heights of their avatars after all.
After forming the Thousand Realms Whirling avatar, every Birth Chart would increase the height of one's avatar by 50 feet. Upon reaching the sixth Birth Chart, one had to pass the Birth Chart test. If one passed the test, one's avatar would grow another 30 feet taller. Apart from that, after passing the test, one would gain abilities like the Birth Chart fusion ability. Needless to say, if one failed, one would not be able to activate the seventh Birth Chart. On the other hand, those whose Birth Palaces were small, naturally, did not even have a chance to take the test.
The blackguards were very strong… in the red lotus domain. However, they were only average or slightly above average in the Black Tower Council. Someone like Lord Wu was a genius whom they all looked up to.
When the four blackguards regained their senses, they were confused.
"Why is Lord Wu going back now?"
"Why is he in such a hurry?"
The captain frowned and said, "The entrance just opened. Lord Wu must have something urgent to attend to. This is a good thing for us. We should find a place to recuperate."
"... Didn't we get injured in vain then?"
"First, report to the Black Tower Council."
"Understood."
The blackguard standing at the left brought a black talisman out. Just as he was about to light it, the black lotus suddenly stopped spinning.
"What's That?"
One of the blackguards exclaimed, "It's him?"
"Life and death are determined by fate. I've already tried to persuade him. If he doesn't listen, there's no one to blame for his death."
The blackguards saw Lu Zhou riding on Di Jiang's back, flying up.
That seemingly weak body rode on the lightning-fast mount as a conical energy appeared five feet in front of him.
…
At this moment, Wu Guangping, one of the four judges in the Black Tower Council and an Eight Chart expert, stood above the black lotus avatar with an excited expression on his face. All of a sudden, he frowned when he sensed movements underneath his avatar.
"Hmm? Thousand Realms Whirling? Interesting."
…
At the same time, Lu Zhou continued climbing up the sky as he had yet to see the Eight Chart expert. When he reached a certain altitude, he said Di Jiang before he flew off its back. "Wait for me to return."
Squawk!
A thunderous cry rang in the sky.
Di Jiang was very obedient. It flew away at lightning speed. Now that it was not carrying anyone, its speed was even faster than before. In just a blink of an eye, it had already flown a distance away.
Lu Zhou continued to fly up. When he was dozens of feet away from the bottom of the black lotus avatar, a thunderous voice rang from above.
"Weak."
Following that, tens of thousands of shadows appeared around Lu Zhou and began to attack. His instincts told him the shadows were incredibly dangerous. He hurriedly clenched his left hand, and the Golden Buddha Body appeared around him.
The Golden Buddha Body looked different from before. It sat cross-legged on the lotus, and the lotus shone with a much dazzling golden light.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The attacks from the shadows that surrounded the Golden Buddha Body rained down like a storm on the Golden Buddha Body. Countless black palm seals hit the Golden Buddha Body, causing it to ring like the tolling morning bell. The ringing spread in all directions, alarming the beasts on the ground and in the sky.
On the other side, the four blackguards watched in confusion. Their eyes widened as they stared at the Golden Buddha Body that withstood the attacks from the shadows.
Similarly, Wu Guangping who had used a powerful technique thought he would be able to easily kill the frail old man was slightly surprised as well. He did not expect his countless palm seals were like cotton candy when they hit the Golden Buddha Body. His body stiffened for a moment before he quickly descended and appeared in front of Lu Zhou. He asked skeptically, "You're capable of blocking my palm seals?"
Lu Zhou did not even wait as he pushed his right hand out.
The enhanced Deadly Strike Card disappeared into spots of starlight immediately.
"Take this palm strike." A vortex spinning counter-clockwise appeared before it transformed into a terrifyingly huge palm seal.
Apart from its size, it was no different from a palm seal by an ordinary cultivator. It looked deceptively simple.
Upon seeing this, Wu Guangping's eyes flashed in disdain. Then, he advanced and launched a black palm seal several times larger than Lu Zhou's palm seal.
Swoosh!
"Hmm?" Wu Guangping frowned.
The golden palm seal was unaffected by the black palm seal and passed through it easily.
Then, Wu Guangping moved his 750-foot Thousand Realms Whirling avatar in front of him to block the simple-looking golden palm seal.
Alas, the golden palm seal was unstoppable.
Bam!
The golden palm seal landed on the black Thousand Realms Whirling avatar. The avatar flashed brightly before cracks began to appear on its body.
Wu Guangping's expression changed drastically. He retreated hastily, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
All of a sudden, the sound of glass breaking rang from the towering 750-foot avatar.
The golden palm seal continued to fly unimpeded toward Wu Guangping.
…
Meanwhile, the four blackguards stared at the scene before them unblinkingly. When the golden palm seal flew into the clouds, obscuring their sight, they could not help but sigh regretfully. Alas, they could not witness an exciting battle.
Perhaps, they were not paying attention. They had assumed Wu Guangping's palm seals had hit the old man's vital points and destroyed his Birth Charts. With the golden palm seal disappearing into the clouds, they were even more convinced the old man had died. After all, how could the old man's Golden Buddha Body withstand the attack from an Eight Chart expert? Look, the old man did not even have a chance to manifest his avatar before it died; it was just a futile struggle to go against an Eight Chart expert.
However, soon after, they were shocked to discover the old man was not dead! Instead, he was standing proudly and looking at the sky.
At this moment, they realized something was amiss.
With Wu Guangping's temper, how could he tolerate a weak cultivator acting so presumptuously for such a long time? By right, Wu Guanping should have already killed the old man.
…
Boom!
Wu Guangping looked at the golden palm seal that was closing in on him in disbelief. He focused all his energy in his hands before he pushed them out.
Crack!
As soon as Wu Guangping's hand met the golden palm seal, a cracking noise rang in the air. Both his arms were broken!
The golden palm seal continued to push forward and stuck itself to Wu Guangping's body.
…
In the distance.
Lightning flashed a few times within the clouds. Following that, there was a clap of thunder and the sounds of screaming.
When silence returned…
"..."
"What's wrong with Lord Wu?"
"Did the entrance close?"
The four blackguards looked at the sky in confusion.
...
"Ding! Killed one target. Reward: 10,000 merit points. Domain bonus: 5,000 merit points."
Si Wuya, naturally, witnessed everything. He felt as though his soul was shattered when the palm seal landed on Wu Guangping. At this moment, he was once again in awe of his master's profound strength.
Just a single palm strike was able to kill an Eight Chart expert! How invincible!