Chapter 764: You’ve Underestimated Me
There were only three individuals in the world who understood the memory crystal the most: the crystal’s owner, Jiang Wenxu who obtained the crystal, and Meng Changdong who had been studying the crystal for a long time.
Jiang Wenxu’s life stone had shattered. In that case, who could this golden lotus cultivator be?
“Are you from the golden lotus domain, old mister?” Meng Changdong was unwilling to speak about the crystal. After all, it was the only leverage he had now to stay alive.
Lu Zhou continued to stroke his beard calmly as he said, “Before Jiang Wenxu died, he sent my crystal to the red lotus domain. I crossed the Endless Ocean just to look for it. Is there anything wrong with me trying to retrieve what’s mine?”
Meng Changdong’s heart skipped a beat. He cried out, “You’re the owner of the crystal?!”
Lu Zhou looked at Meng Changdong and asked, “Where’s my crystal?”
Meng Changdong gulped. A hint of incredulity could be seen in his eyes as he said, “Ye Zhen knows the importance of the crystal. Every time I studied the crystal, he would send disciples to a.s.sist me. Officially, the disciples are sent to a.s.sist me. However, they were actually there to monitor and control me. How could I have the chance to bring the crystal out with me? It’s in my room on Lofty Steep Mountain.”
Lu Zhou nodded. ‘In that case, I’ll have to go to the Flying Star House.’
Meng Changdong leaned forward and said, “I’ve answered your questions honestly, old mister. Can I go now?”
As Meng Changdong turned around, Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “I’ll release you once I retrieve my crystal. After all, who’s to say you’re not lying to me?”
“…”
After that, Lu Zhou raised his hand that seemed to be imbued with divine power.
Gooseb.u.mps rose on Meng Changdong’s skin when he looked at Lu Zhou’s hand that seemed capable of holding onto one’s soul.
The Fiend Monk Hand Sel closed as Lu Zhou sent several energy seals that landed on Meng Changdong’s dantian and sea of Qi. With this, Meng Changdong’s cultivation base was firmly sealed. Then, he waved his sleeve and rose into the air with Meng Changdong in two like an eagle clutching a chick.
…
After dealing with Xie Xuan, Yu Zhenghai returned to the Thousand Willow Monastery.
Soon after, Yu Shangrong returned as well.
The others rushed up and greeted them upon their return.
“How was it?”
Yu Shangrong shook his head and said, “Only 200 of them are left… The leader reminds me of Fourth Junior Brother. He’s a slippery one.”
Yu Zhenghai did not make fun of Yu Shangrong over this. Although the duo liked to compete among themselves and Yu Zhenghai’s techniques were grand, he could not compare to Yu Shangrong when it came to pursuit. He knew Yu Shangrong well. With Yu Shangrong’s ability, if Yu Shangrong could not catch that person, then, the others had no hope of catching that person as well.
Little Yuan’er said, disgruntled, “If master were there, that person wouldn’t be able to get away.”
“You’re right. Senior Lu would be able to catch him,” Xia Changqiu said.
Yu Zhenghai said, “Junior Sister, you shouldn’t say that. Master is getting old. It won’t do for us to trouble him with every single thing.”
“Oh.”
Xia Changqiu walked over and cupped his fists at the four disciples before he said, “You might be unaware of this, but the leader is Meng Changdong. He’s the Second Elder of the Flying Star House. Although his combat strength is only mediocre, he’s highly skilled in escape techniques and Formations. He’s well-versed with escape techniques from the Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist sects. It’s only natural that we can’t catch him unless Senior Lu makes a move…”
Yu Shangrong turned to look at Xia Changqiu. “The Flying Star House’s Second Elder?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s great. I’ll head to the Flying Star House and capture him,” Yu Shangrong said calmly and confidently.
“…”
Xia Changqiu hastily said, “Brother Yu, you mustn’t. The Flying Star House isn’t a minor sect. The Lofty Steep Mountain is 100,000 feet tall and has near-impenetrable defenses. There are 10,000 disciples at the foot of the mountain, apart from elites like Ye Zhen. If you go, it’s just like…” He paused for a moment. He swallowed the words ‘walking into a trap’ before he said, “It’d be fine if Senior Lu goes there…”
At this moment, Little Yuan’er cried out, “Master?” She pointed at Lu Zhou who was flying toward them from the back of the mountain.
Xia Changqiu was shocked when he saw Lu Zhou and the person with him. He quickly calmed down and feigned an expectant expression on his face as he said, “Flying Star House Elder Meng Changdong? It seems like you tried to be cunning at the wrong place…”
The Thousand Willow Monastery elders bowed in unison.
Yu Zhenghai and the others looked at Lu Zhou as well. They looked at Meng Changdong intently in confusion. This was the elder who was skilled in escape techniques?
Lu Zhou descended in front of the Fair Hall before he pushed Meng Changdong away.
Meng Changdong fell on the ground.
Little Yuan’er scoffed and said haughtily, “So what if he’s skilled in escape techniques? Isn’t he still caught by my master?”
Meng Changdong was humiliated by that statement.
Xia Changqiu bowed and said, “I’ve expected this. Since Senior Lu made a move, he wouldn’t be able to escape even if he could sprout wings.”
Meng Changdong was taken aback when he saw Xia Changqiu, the Monastery Master of the Thousand Willow Monastery, treated Lu Zhou with fearful respect and seemingly cheerful submission.
Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai bowed. “Master.”
‘Master?’ Meng Changdong remembered how powerful these two were. ‘He’s the master of these two Nine-leaf cultivators?’
“How did you catch him, Master?” Conch asked timidly.
Lu Zhou replied as though it was not a big deal, “He’s only a Nine-leaf cultivator. Capturing him is as easy as flipping my palm.”
“…”
Meng Changdong’s face flushed red when he heard the comment.
“I’ve already sealed his cultivation base. Lock him up, and don’t let outsiders know about his whereabouts. I’ll be going to the Flying Star House to retrieve something,” Lu Zhou said.
Upon hearing this, Meng Changdong sat limply on the ground. He shook his head and said with a sigh, “Old mister, I’m telling you, it’s best for you to stay away from Lofty Steep Mountain.”
“Oh?” Lu Zhou stroked his beard as he looked at Meng Changdong.
“No one can return from Lofty Steep Mountain. There’s no need for me to say any more than this.” Meng Changdong looked away.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “You underestimate me…”
Xia Changqiu recalled what happened in the Ninth Temple. He wondered inwardly, ‘Is the old senior going to use his old tactics?’
“I’ll head to the Flying Star House with you, Senior Lu,” Xia Changqiu said.
“Me, too,” Tian Buji chimed in.
Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong said in unison, “I’m willing to go and flatten the Flying Star House as well.”
Meng Changdong looked at Xia Changqiu in confusion. He was shocked by how submissive Xia Changqiu was. After he recovered from the shock, he said, “It’s futile.”
Xia Changqiu frowned. He looked at Meng Changdong and said, “Shut your mouth. Even Chen Beizheng and Sikong Beichen didn’t dare to act impudently in front of Senior Lu…”
Meng Changdong was shocked. He remembered Chen Beizheng’s death and how Ye Zhen issued an urgent order for everyone to retreat. There was no need for him to be told about the connection between the two. Gooseb.u.mps rose on his skin immediately as his back was drenched by cold sweat.
“Lock him up. The elders will keep an eye on him.”
“Understood.” Two Thousand Willow Monastery elders brought Meng Changdong away.
Lu Zhou nodded and said, “I’ll go by myself. All of you stay here.”
“Master, you’re going alone!” Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong were shocked.
“There’s no need to worry. I know what I’m doing.” Lu Zhou pushed away from the ground with his feet. He flew away from the mountain like a breeze.
The others bowed. “Safe journey, Senior Lu.”
Lu Zhou vanished from their sight in an instant.
Ji Fengxing said, slightly worried, “Will Senior Lu be in danger going there alone?”
Without waiting for an answer from Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, Little Yuan’er, and the others, Xia Changqiu said, “There’s no need to worry. There won’t be much of a problem if Senior Lu personally makes a move.”
“But, I heard that Ye Zhen is extremely cunning,” Ji Fengxing said.
“As the saying goes, ‘Ginger becomes spicier as it ages’. You’re still young, but you’ll understand this one day.” After saying these words, Xia Changqiu cupped his fists at Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong before he turned around and left.
The others were left there, stunned.
…
After Lu Zhou left the Thousand Willow Mountain. He landed and lamented his lack of mounts. Every day felt like a year to him.
With the little time he had, he checked the system dashboard. His mounts were still on their way.
Then, he produced an Appearance Alteration Card and shattered it. He visualized Meng Changdong’s appearance. His face seemed to distort before he morphed into Meng Changdong.
After that, he did not waste time and continued flying to Lofty Steep Mountain.
…
Lofty Steep Mountain.
The mountains were five fingers pointing toward the heavens.
The middle finger was the highest peak of Lofty Steep Mountain. It was also where Ye Zhen and the housemaster resided.
The other places were occupied by elders and core disciples.
There was a ring of old and simple buildings around Lofty Steep Mountain. Cultivators could be seen occasionally flying around Lofty Steep Mountain.
At this moment, Lu Zhou appeared in the vicinity of the mountain. He looked ahead and continued making his way there,
As he drew closer and closer to his destination, a person approached him. “Elder Meng?! You’re fine! Elder Ye has sent a search party to look for you!”