Chapter 613: Exploration Never Ends

Based on Zhu Tianyuan’s understanding of Ji Tiandao, it was impossible for Old Villain Ji to let his son go. In fact, he would not even be given a chance to see his son. He was aware of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s rule: those who had joined the Evil Sky Pavilion had to sever their past ties. This was the reason he had decided to act first and report later. He truly did not expect Old Villain Ji would leave the decision up to his son.

Lu Zhou placed his hands on his back and turned to the side to gaze into the distance. behind his back and turned to the side as he gazed into the distance. Half of the Divine Capital’s sky was dyed red by the setting sun. It was an exceptionally beautiful sight. He thought to himself that teaching a disciple was a long and difficult journey. However, he was inherently different from Ji Tiandao when it came to educating the disciples.

Zhu Honggong mulled over the matter for a while before he finally turned to Zhu Tianyuan and kowtowed.

Thud!

Although Zhu Tianyun was shameless, the skin on his face as thick as the city walls, he could not suppress his surging emotions at this moment.

Zhu Honggong kowtowed thrice before he said, “Please forgive me for not being able to go with you… Master raised me and taught me how to cultivate. How can I abandon him?”

Zhu Tianyuan sighed when he heard Zhu Honggong’s words.

Jiang Pu and the others shook their heads, feeling that it was a great pity.

Jiang Pu sighed and tried to persuade Zhu Honggong. “Young master, if you don’t return, the Ancient Saint Cult will fall into the hands of others!”

Zhu Tianyuan raised a hand to interrupt Jiang Pu and said, “I respect your choice.” There was no greater grace than the act of raising someone. Although he was slightly surprised by Zhu Honggong’s decision, he could understand it.

Zhu Honggong said, “I’m not interested in the Ancient Saint Cult and have no intention of becoming a holy child…”

Zhu Tianyuan sighed again and said, “Oh, well… In any case, I’m happy enough that I got to meet you today.”

“Ding! Disciplined Zhu Honggong. Reward: 500 merit points.”

Lu Zhou did not expect to be rewarded for this. He was merely acting on his own accord. Based on this, the rascal’s character could be seen. Despite the rascal’s loose mouth, the rascal was sincere. ‘All those lessons didn’t go to waste.’

Lu Zhou looked up at the sky and called out, “Old Eighth.”

Zhu Honggong immediately rose to his feet and followed Lu Zhou.

It had only been an instant, but Zhu Tianyuan seemed to have recovered from his dejection. He shamelessly asked, “My son, can you call me father before you leave?”

“…”

‘Call him father?’ To be honest, when Zhu Honggong was kowtowing earlier, he had the urge to call Zhu Tianyuan father. However, upon seeing Zhu Tianyuan’s behavior now, the urge was completely swept away. How awkward. He remained silent and followed Lu Zhou out of the courtyard.

“Safe journeys, Senior Ji!”

“Young master!”

After the duo left, Zhu Tianyuan sighed in disappointment. “I’m a failure of a man…”

Jiang Pu kneeled and said, “It was I who was useless!”

“That’s enough… This is Old Villain Ji we’re talking about. Do you really think you can win him?” Zhu Tianyuan rolled his eyes.

“Uh…” Jiang Pu’s face flushed red.

“He’s the great Nine-leaf cultivator, after all. If he had the intention, you would’ve died. Do you think you’d still be able to stand here? However, I really didn’t expect his temperament to change this much,” Zhu Tianyuan said.

“If young master isn’t going to inherit the cult, are we going to sit back and do nothing while the cult falls into the hands of others?” Jiang Pu asked.

“Then Ancient Saint Cult is already declining… If it’s gone, it’s gone. I’m relieved to see my son living a good life.”

“What should we do now?”

“We’ll stay, of course… I won’t leave until he calls me father… That ungrateful brat!” Zhu Tianyuan said resentfully.

“…”

…

Back in Dazheng Palace.

Zhu Honggong obediently trailed after Lu Zhou without saying a word.

Lu Zhou’s thoughts were not on Zhu Honggong at all, he was thinking about the diary the entire time. He walked to the rush cushion, lost in his thought, and sat down cross-legged.

Zhu Honggong did not dare to disturb his master when he saw his master deep in thoughts. When he turned around, he saw his Third Senior Brother, Duanmu Sheng, passing by Dazheng Palace. He immediately bowed and said, “I’ll receive my punishment from Third Senior Brother at once, master.”

Lu Zhou flipped through the diary as though he did not hear Zhu Honggong.

Zhu Honggong left Dazheng Palace. “Third Senior Brother…”

“What?”

“Please hit me!” Zhu Honggong requested with a bow.

Duanmu Sheng frowned. “I don’t have such strange fetishes.”

“… That’s not what I meant. I’ve made a mistake and should be punished with the rod. Master is currently occupied, and your seniority is the highest now. It’s most appropriate for you to punish me. Here, hit me. Don’t hold back the most.” Zhu Honggong pointed to his back.

Duanmu Sheng regarded Zhu Honggong with a complicated gaze and said, “Weirdo…” After saying that, he turned around and made his way to a deserted plaza.

Duanmu Sheng did not walk very far away when he heard Zhu Honggong exclaiming emotionally, “Although Third Senior Brother is slightly dumb, he… he’s really kind to me…”

Duanmu Sheng turned around. “Old Eighth, come here.”

“Huh?” Zhu Honggong was confused.

When Duanmu Sheng saw Zhu Honggong did not move, he went over and hoisted Zhu Honggong up before he fiercely kicked Zhu Honggong’s buttocks.

Although Zhu Honggong weighed several hundred catties, he could not withstand Duanmu Sheng’s kick. He drew an arc in the air as he was sent flying.

A miserable wail resounded in Dazheng Palace.

“I’m merely fulfilling your wish. Just as well. This is a good chance to polish my spear techniques!”

“Ahh!”

…

Inside Dazheng Palace.

Lu Zhou was flipping through the pages of the diary. Although the text was a blur, it was readable, for the most part.

“It’s still uncertain if the problem is caused by the Golden Lotus… Would anyone be willing to listen to me and try?”

The next page read: It’s hard to fathom a person’s mind. I must have control over my power. I must obtain sufficient power to protect myself. I can feel that some cultivators are getting greedy and want to steal the cultivation methods. Some cultivation methods are too profound, but I’ve memorized them. Who created these methods?

Lu Zhou was puzzled when he read that. Did the Luo woman’s cultivation method not come from her hometown? If that was the case, where did she obtain her cultivation method? The diary did not mention the source of the cultivation methods. He could only make his own guesses.

The next few dozen pages were all records of her feelings. They did not provide him with anything of substance.

When he was halfway through the book, he saw something interesting again. It read: After researching for a long time, I’ve proven that the Golden Lotus absorbs life while the red lotus will not. A 600-years-old Eight-leaf cultivator, Feng Ke of Mobei, failed to reach the Nine-leaf stage. He died. 400 years weren’t enough. Xie Han of Yang Province, a 400-year-old Eight-leaf cultivator, failed to reach the Nine-leaf stage. He died. 600 years weren’t enough. Han Song of Liang Province, a 300-year-old Eight-leaf cultivator, failed to reach the Nine-leaf stage. He died. 700 years weren’t enough.

All in all, there three pages that recorded failed attempts on attaining the Nine-leaf stage.

Upon reading all these things, Lu Zhou understood now why Zhu Tianyuan referred to her as legendary. These Eight-leaf experts were all great individuals renowned throughout history. And yet, they were only subjects of her experiments and researches.

The youngest one was a 100-year-old cultivator.

The pages read: Mo Jiangnan, a genius from Great Yan’s Qing Province. 100 years old. Failed to reach the Nine-leaf stage. He survived but lost nearly 900 years of his life. Is it possible that the people here are incapable of reaching the Nine-leaf stage? Perhaps, I should take a look at the Other Tribes.

The following pages after that documented her negative feelings.

“One day, I’ll find the answer. Exploration never ends! Don’t give up!”