Chapter 881: Heaven Helps the Worthy
When Si Wuya saw the valiant Li Yunzheng, he asked, “Are you Li Yunzheng?”
A hint of pride could be seen on Li Yunzheng’s face as he said, “Yes. Your student, Li Yunzheng, grew up in the royal palace. I’ve read a few superficial poems and books. I have some insights and achievements in the areas of astronomy and geography. I heard from grandmaster that teacher is wise and knowledgeable and that you’re the only one who’s qualified to be my teacher.”
Although Li Yunzheng was speaking the truth, it did not sound like it when one listened to it.
Si Wuya brought out the difficult riddles he had prepared from his sleeve and handed them to Li Yunzheng. Then, he said, “It’s said that preaching comes before teaching. These riddles were left behind by your grandmaster. Take them with you. After you’ve solved them, you can come and acknowledge me as your teacher. I’ll give you half a month to solve the riddles.”
Li Yunzheng accepted them with both hands. Before he even looked at them, he said confidently, “Rest assured, teacher. I don’t need half a month; they’ll be done by tomorrow morning.”
After Li Yunzheng finished speaking, he flipped through the pages as he walked away.
Si Wuya sighed softly and shook his head. He felt as though he could see a shadow of his former self in Li Yunzheng at this moment. In hindsight, he was truly fearless and ignorant. As the saying went, ‘A newborn calf isn’t afraid of tigers’.
At this moment, Nie Qingyun said, “Senior Lu is resting in the Literary Hall. Please follow me, everyone.”
...
Soon enough, the members of the Evil Sky Pavilion made their way into the Literary Star Hall. As soon as they walked into the hall, they saw Lu Zhou, who looked like a sage, sitting in the hall while the others stood at the side.
Si Wuya led the others and kneeled on the ground. “Disciple greets master.”
Duanmu Sheng and Mingshi Yin kneeled and greeted their master as well.
On the other hand, the four elders of the Evil Sky Pavilion only bowed. “Greetings, Pavilion Master.”
Jiang Aijian felt a little out of place as he greeted Lu Zhou sheepishly, “Senior Ji, we meet again.”
Lu Zhou slowly rose to his feet as he swept his eyes across the newly arrived people. As he walked down the steps, he said, “Alright, all of you, rise.”
“Yes.” The three disciples rose to their feet before they greeted their fellow disciples. “Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother...”
“No need for formalities.” Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong waved their hands.
Little Yuan ‘er simply said, “Greetings, all my senior brothers!”
Greetings between fellow disciples were much simpler and casual.
“Eh? Where is Little Junior Sister?” Ming Shiyin was puzzled. Naturally, he was talking about Conch.
Little Yuan’er moved to Mingshi Yin’s side and shushed him before she said, “Master just punished her to stay in her room to meditate. He’s not happy.”
Ming Shiyin was startled. Then, he nodded. “I understand, I understand...”
Meanwhile, Lu Zhou looked at the four elders and calmly said, “Elders, the journey has been hard on you.”
“Pavilion Master, you’re too kind. It’s our duty,” Pan Litian said with a smile.
“How’s your cultivation going?”
Pan Litian laughed. “Nine leaves aren’t worth mentioning.”
Everyone nodded inwardly.
Leng Luo said, “It was only due to luck that I sprouted the ninth leaf...”
Zuo Yushu cupped her fists together and said hands, “I’m embarrassed to say although I reached the Nine-leaf stage first, I’m not as good as Miss Sixth.”
Hua Wudao felt even more embarrassed. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Pavilion Master. Although I’ve reached the Nine-leaf stage, I’m the weakest member of the Evil Sky Pavilion!”
Meng Changdong. “...”
All of them were Nine-leaf cultivators.
In the past, the Flying Star House only had two strong Nine-leaf cultivators: Meng Changdong and Ye Zhen. However, in the Evil Sky Pavilion, not only the elders had nine leaves, all the disciples seemed to have nine leaves as well. In fact, the youngest disciple had ten leaves!
Lu Zhou nodded. “Hua Wudao.”
Hua Wudao was slightly confused. “Pavilion Master, please instruct me.”
“When I was in the Evil Sky Pavilion, I didn’t give you a weapon because I didn’t have anything suitable on me. Now, I’ll bestow to you the Square Box. I hope you’ll put it to good use,” Lu Zhou said before he waved his sleeve.
The Square Box flew out toward Hua Wudao who quickly caught it. His heart was moved by this.
“The desolate-grade Square Box,” Sikong Beichen said with a smile, “This item was originally given to Elder Zhu Xuan by me. It’s a pity that Zhu Xuan’s character isn’t stable enough to bring out its full potential. It’s a blessing that the Square Box had found its true owner.”
Hua Wudao grew even more excited when he learned that it was a desolate-grade weapon. Previously, everyone in the Evil Sky Pavilion, except for him, had a weapon. He was, in fact, rather depressed because of this matter. How could he not be ecstatic and excited now that he received a weapon? Moreover, it was a desolate-grade weapon! He immediately bowed and said, “Thank you, Pavilion Master!”
“The Sky Martial Court has talented blacksmiths so all of your weapons can be reforged,” Lu Zhou said. Then, he looked at Qiu He who was standing nearby and asked, “Elder Qiu, do you have any objections?”
Qiu He hurriedly waved his hand and said, “I don’t dare. The Sky Martial Court doesn’t lack the forging materials. However, fire spirit stones and purple spirit stones are rare. I hope Senior Lu understands this...”
“I’ve always been reasonable, and I’ve always appreciated those who are tactful and know what’s good for them. You’re very smart... After this matter is over, the feud between the Evil Sky Pavilion and the Sky Martial Court will be considered resolved.”
Qiu He was overjoyed upon hearing this. He bowed immediately. “Thank you, Senior Lu!”
How could Qiu He not be happy? Lu Zhou’s words just proved that all his actions were right! With these words, no one thought of the demand as unreasonable.
Following that, Lu Zhou turned to Si Wuya and asked, “Si Wuya, have you met Li Yunzheng?”
“Yes,” Si Wuya replied.
Upon seeing Li Yunzheng’s absence, Lu Zhou asked, “What do you think?”
Si Wuya replied honestly, “He’s too arrogant.”
“I’ll leave him to you,” Lu Zhou said as he stroked his beard.
“Understood.”
Then, Lu Zhou looked at the sky outside and said, “It’s late now. If there’s nothing else, all of you can go ahead and rest.”
Everyone bowed before they left.
...
In the sky above the Endless Ocean.
Zhu Honggong was still flying against the strong wind. Fortunately, he did not encounter any sea beasts so far.
Dang Kang’s speed had decreased by now. In order to lighten Dang Kang’s burden, Zhu Honggong flew on its own and let Dang Kang carry Lu Li.
They flew for countless days and nights. It felt as though they would never be able to stop flying.
There were times when Zhu Honggong wanted to give up, but when he thought about his fellow disciples and his father, he persevered.
At this moment, Lu Li suddenly started coughing. After he inhaled deeply, he slowly opened his eyes.
Zhu Honggong was overjoyed when he saw this. He flew next to Dang Kang and asked, “You’re awake?!”
“Where are we?” Lu Li’s mind was a little muddled at this moment.
“We’re still above the Endless Ocean,” Zhu Honggong said with a sigh, “However, I don’t think I’ll be able to hold on for long...”
Lu Li sat up slowly before he surveyed his surroundings. The scenery that consisted only of the endless sea and the endless sky could easily make one fall into despair. Then, he looked at Zhu Honggong and said with a sad smile on his face, “As long you’re alive, there’s always hope.”
“Senior, are we moving in the direction? I think I’m lost...” Zhu Honggong said.
Lu Li looked at the space between Dangkang’s eyebrows. “Previously, I left a guiding mark on its body. The mark will light up when you’re going in the right direction. Remember not to make too much of a commotion or manifest your avatar. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to save you even if I was at my peak.”
Zhu Honggong nodded and said, “Understood.”
“Why do you want to cross the Endless Sea?” Lu Li recalled the Sky Shuttle.
“Don’t ask me! I have a headache!” Zhu Honggong hurriedly said. Then, he asked curiously, “I was going to ask you the same question. Why did you go to the Endless Ocean to kill the sea beasts?”
The sea breeze blew against them.
“That sea beast is the king of sea beasts. It was leading a large number of sea beasts to invade the land. I was ordered to intercept it and kill it,” Lu Li replied.
“Okay,” Zhu Honggong gave him a thumbs up and said, “Nipping the problem in the bud before it blooms! Impressive!”
“I didn’t expect the king of the sea beast to have grown stronger. Even after I burned my sea of Qi, I almost failed to kill it,” Lu Li said.
“The life heart you gave me... is from the king of the sea beasts?”
“That’s right. Not only is it the king of the sea beasts, but it’s also a Birth Chart beast,” Lu Li said.
“A Birth Chart Beast?”
“After reaching the Ten-leaf stage, you can use the life heart of a Birth Chart Beast to activate your Birth Chart and form the Thousand Realms Whirling avatar,” Lu Li said.
“You’re giving me such a valuable thing?” Zhu Honggong asked in shock.
“The Birth Chart Beast’s life heart is useless to me...” Lu Li said. It seemed like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he only sighed.
“You said it yourself earlier; as long as you’re alive, there’s always hope!” Zhu Honggong patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry! I’ll bring you out of the Endless Ocean!”
At this moment, the mark on Dang Kang’s forehead lit up.