Chapter 978: Guardian

After Shen Xi left the eastern pavilion, Lu Zhou no longer dwelled on the matter. He activated the Purple Glazed Ceramic and meditated upon the Heavenly Writing. He needed to replenish his supreme mystic power to confirm Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong’s safety and their injuries.

…

Meanwhile, Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai were surprised as more and more fierce beasts appeared. There were so many flying beasts in the sky now that they had almost blocked the moon.

Shen Shi respectfully left the East Pavilion.

Lu Zhou did not think much and urged the purple glass to quickly enter the State of comprehending the heavenly book. He needed to confirm the safety of Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong.

Finally, Yu Zhenghai brought his Jasper Saber out and said, “Let’s kill our way out.”

“It’s too dangerous to kill our way out. There are at least three or four Birth Chart Beasts…” Yu Shangrong replied calmly.

If they were in peak condition, they would not be worried. Even if they could not kill all of their fierce beasts, it would not be a problem for them to escape. However, now that they were injured, it was difficult for them to break out of the encirclement.

“We can’t continue like this. They’re continuously surrounding us…” Yu Zhenghai said.

Yu Shangrong did not move. He surveyed his surroundings.

The fierce beasts drew closer and closer to them.

Buzz!

At this moment, the fallen formation flags buzzed as though they had sensed something before they connected again in a triangle formation. At the same time, the ground lit up faintly. As though boosted by some unseen energy, the formation flags were pulled up in a standing position. The inscriptions on the poles lit up and snaked up the white flags again.

Three white transparent barriers with web-like patterns on them appeared around the duo, keeping them inside. Even the top was sealed. Only the moonlight managed to penetrate the barriers.

“It’s over. This is the worst. These formation flags are used to trap the special Birth Chart Beasts. Now that we’re injured, I’m afraid we won’t be able to leave…”

“There are both pros and cons,” Yu Shangrong said with a faint smile, “The good thing is we no longer have to worry about the fierce beasts. Look…”

The fierce beasts had stopped drawing closer to them as though afraid of the formation. In fact, some of the beasts even retreated.

At this moment, a loud howl similar to that of a wolf rang in the air followed by roars and howls from the other beasts. The deafening noises resounded in the heavens and earth.

The beasts seemed to have gone crazy. They paced around frantically at the periphery looking for a way to draw closer to the duo. Some of the beasts extended their paws into the range of the formation flags but were electrocuted, scaring them back.

“These formation flags aren’t simple,” Yu Zhenghai said.

“Based on the whiteguards’ conversation, these are used to trap intelligent Birth Chart Beasts that require a judge to subdue them. This means those Birth Chart Beasts aren’t inferior to a Five Chart expert. How can these formation flags be simple then?” Yu Shangrong said.

“That whiteguard was really tenacious. He didn’t forget to dig a hole for us even before he died.” Yu Zhenghai shook his head.

Yu Shangrong said, “If nothing goes wrong, the other whiteguards will only return after a month. We should use this time to heal our injuries and recover our cultivation base.”

“Alright.”

…

In the eastern pavilion of the Evil Sky Pavilion.

After recovering half of his supreme mystic power, Lu Zhou used the Heavenly Writing Power again. He was slightly taken aback when he saw his two eldest disciples inside the triangular barriers formed by the formation flags. He saw the fierce beasts surrounding the duo, looking for an opening to attack.

“The world changes too rapidly.” Lu Zhou sighed as he stroked his beard. After observing for a while and confirming the beasts would not be able to break through the barriers, he withdrew the Heavenly Writing Power.

The triangular barriers must have been activated by the whiteguard before he died to trap the duo. These formation flags were not quite similar to the Eight Desolate and Six Harmony Flags; they were specifically used to capture beasts. Once they were activated, it was likely that the people from the White Tower Council would rush over.

“What kind of Birth Chart Beast would make the White Tower Council send so many people out to use such powerful flag formation?” Lu Zhou wondered out loud. “Now that I’ve resolved the matter in the golden lotus domain and there’s a runic passage, I should definitely go to the Southern Kingdom. I’m looking for my fifth life heart after all…”

…

Over the next two days, Lu Zhou spent a day and a night replenishing the supreme mystic power while he spent another day writing down the cultivation methods, Butterfly Lover Flower and Acacia.

Following that, he summoned Zhao Yue and Ye Tianxin to the eastern pavilion. Since his return, he had not spoken to his two disciples alone. To be honest, since he had transmigrated, he did not really have a good chat with these two disciples. As their master, he felt it was not really appropriate.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yue and Ye Tianxin were slightly nervous when they entered the eastern pavilion. Both of them fell to their knees and called out in unison, “Greetings, master.”

“Rise to your feet and speak,” Lu Zhou said as he looked at Zhao Yue and Ye Tianxin.

Ye Tianxin was dressed in white as usual. Coupled with her white hair, she looked like an ethereal beauty with all the qualities of a lady from a noble family.

On the other hand, Zhao Yue had the bearing and temperament that only those with high-ranking positions possessed. Perhaps, this was due to her time in the palace.

Lu Zhou did not beat around the bush. He tossed a scroll to Ye Tianxin and said, “This is called the Butterfly Love Flower. Cultivate it well…”

Ye Tianxin caught the scroll before she said, “Thank you, master.”

Then, Lu Zhou looked at Zhao Yue and said, “This is a saber technique called Acacia. Since you’ve regained all your Great Void energy, your cultivation base will progress rapidly…”

“Thank you, master.”

“Ding! Educated Ye Tianxin. Reward: 200 merit points.”

“Ding! Educated Zhao Yue. Reward: 200 merit points.”

Following that, Lu Zhou said, “You can speak to Old Seventh about the ways to form the Thousand Realm Whirling avatar. He has the necessary information. Listen to Guardian Shen while he speaks to the others during these few days…”

“I’ve listened to Guardian Shen, and I’ve benefited greatly from him,” Ye Tianxin said.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction. “Although the problem in the golden lotus domain has been temporarily resolved, we can’t let our guards down. The people from the White Tower Council will definitely return to seek revenge. I’ll be leaving in a few days. If there’s a problem, contact Old Seventh immediately.”

Zhao Yue said, “Master, the country can’t function without a ruler for a day…”

Lu Zhou replied, “Your Eldest Senior Brother is far away in the red lotus domain and has just formed his Thousand Realms Whirling avatar. I’m afraid he’ll disdain the throne. For now, you can continue to govern the country. If we can’t find anyone, you can ascend the throne.”

“…”

“The Evil Sky Pavilion will support you,” Lu Zhou said.

With these words, Zhao Yue could only bow and said, “This disciple obeys master’s orders.”

“There’s another thing. Both of you have the Great Void energies. Let Guardian Shen think of a way to conceal it for both of you.”

“Understood.”

…

Lu Zhou spent another two days arranging the matters in the Evil Sky Pavilion and the golden lotus domain while Shen Xi and the others made preparations for the trip to the Southern Kingdom.

During this time, he would check in on Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai as well to make sure everything was okay.

…

On the morning of the third day.

Shen Xi arrived in front of the eastern pavilion and called out respectfully, “Pavilion Master, everything is ready. We can leave now. Li Xiaomo will lead the way first…”

Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “No, Li Xiaomo will stay here. It’s enough for you to accompany me…”

“Just me alone?” Shen Xi was slightly surprised.

Lu Zhou nodded. “Is there a problem?”

“No… No problem.” Shen Xi said, “It’s a good idea to leave Xiaomo here.”

“Then let’s go.”

Lu Zhou left the east pavilion with his hands on his back. When he arrived at the square in front of the Evil Sky Pavilion, Di Jiang was already waiting there.

Everyone from the Evil Sky Pavilion was there as well, standing respectfully at the side.

After leaping onto Di Jiang’s back, Lu Zhou said to everyone, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Farewell, Pavilion Master.”

Following that, Lu Zhou rode on Di Jiang and left the barrier.

Shen Xi flew up into the sky and followed suit.

Lu Zhou maintained the speed, causing Di Jiang to fly very slowly. It was a pity that Di Jiang could only carry one person.

However, compared to the flying chariot, Lu Zhou, Di Jiang, and Shen Xi’s speed was still very fast. Although Shen Xi did not have a mount, his speed as a Four Chart Thousand Realms Whirling expert was not something flying chariots or ordinary cultivators could compare to.

The two often left the barrier and made their way north to the Radiant Cloud Forest.

…

In the Radiant Cloud Forest, north of the Hundred Leaves Lake near Lilac Mountain.

Lu Zhou slowed down as he looked in the direction of the Hundred Leaves Lake.

The blazing sun hung high in the sky, illuminating the lake like a fiery-red mirror.

“Pavilion Master, what’s wrong?” Shen Xi asked when he finally caught up.

“I’m just reminiscing. Let’s continue on our journey,” Lu Zhou said.

Ji Tiandao had once stayed near the Hundred Leaves Lake. It was also where Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong fought when they were both at the Eight-leaf stage.

Hundred Leaves Lake was the place where Ji Tiandao once stayed.

Time flew by quickly like a passing cloud.

The duo continued making their way north.

After about an hour, Shen Xi looked in the distance and said, “Pavilion Master, it’s up ahead.”

“Alright.”

“Normally, a runic passage would have a Thousand Realms Whirling cultivator guarding it. We can just kill the guard. There’s no need for the Pavilion Master to act. I’ll deal with it,” Shen Xi said.

Following that, the duo descended and flew toward a small forest.

Shen Xi said, “The runic passage is in the forest. It’s just that it’s a little difficult to locate the guard.”