Chapter 526: Perhaps This is Charisma

Liu Zhi, the Crown Prince, froze. His eyes slowly widened as he looked at the kowtowing eunuch. His voice was hoarse and stern as he said, “Come again.”

“Lin Xin failed to defeat Old Villain Ji and has died on Dangyang Peak,” the eunuch replied honestly. Although he was afraid, he knew he could not lie or hide anything from Liu Zhi.

Upon hearing this, flames seemed to be lit in Liu Zhi’s eyes. His expression was complicated as he said in a daze, “How’s that possible?” He could not accept this outcome. His eyes were brimming incredulity. Then, he asked, “The special power of the armor wasn’t triggered?”

“Y-your Highness… O-old Villain Ji didn’t even fight!”

Liu Zhi. “???”

How strange. Although the special powers of the armor were not triggered, its defense was top-notch. Moreover, Lin Xin had an Eight-leaf cultivation base. As the saying went, ‘An emaciated camel is still larger than a horse’. How could Lin Xin be defeated when Old Villain Ji did not even make a move?

“Was it Yu Zhenghai? Or Yu Shangrong?” Liu Zhi asked gruffly. If Old Villain Ji did not act, then, it had to be either Yu Zhenghai or Yu Shangrong who had killed Lin Xin. Among the nine disciples, those two were the only ones who were capable of killing Lin Xin.

However, Yu Zhenghai was preoccupied with the battle at Yu Province. He would not have the leisure of leaving the battlefield to kill Lin Xin. Moreover, it was common knowledge that Yu Zhenghai was at odds with his master. Then, could it be… Yu Shangrong, the Sword Devil?

The eunuch replied, “It’s the Evil Sky Pavilion’s Mister Third, Duanmu Sheng.”

“…” Liu Zhi’s expression darkened as he asked in a deep voice, “Has Duanmu Sheng attained the Eight-leaf stage?”

“Your Highness… Lin Xin had underestimated his enemies and his stomach was impaled by Duanmu Sheng’s spear. The armor wasn’t useful,” the eunuch replied.

Liu Zhi frowned deeply. “The armor was useless?” He did not believe this. When he first received the armor, he had tested it. Ordinary Nascent Divinity cultivators could not do anything against the armor. How could this be?

The eunuch continued to say, “After Lin Xin’s death, Old Villain Ji made two moves. He broke the Taixu Academy’s barrier with a palm strike and destroyed the Hengqu branch’s barrier with his sword.”

“…” Liu Zhi no longer wanted to listen to the eunuch’s words. He closed his eyes to suppress the rage that threatened to boil over as he gruffly said, “Get lost.”

The eunuch scampered away at once.

When Liu Zhi finally opened his eyes, he mumbled, “Must I ask the old man to do something? Perhaps, I should continue asking that mysterious elite for help?” He frowned, unable to think of a good solution.

…

Meanwhile, the news of Lin Xin’s death on Dangyang Peak spread like a wildfire. If it had only been Lin Xin’s death, it would not have spread this quickly. However, the act of destroying two huge barriers with a palm and sword strike truly intimidated the various sects.

In the past, they could count on hiding behind their barriers. However, the Evil Sky Pavilion had clearly demonstrated that was no longer the case. The Evil Sky Pavilion was capable of easily breaking barriers; who would dare to stand against the Evil Sky Pavilion now? Even a major sect such as the Three Sects, with more than 20 barriers, had to tread carefully, let alone the minor sects.

This was Lu Zhou’s objective for destroying the two barriers. He wanted to deter the other sects from making a move so he could focus on cultivation in seclusion.

…

When the cloud-splitting chariot returned to the Evil Sky Pavilion, Mingshi Yin said, “After master broke the barriers with a palm and sword strike, I don’t think anyone will dare to look down on the Evil Sky Pavilion in the future.”

Duanmu Sheng nodded and said, “Naturally… Moreover, Second Senior Brother is back. It’s only a matter of time before the Evil Sky Pavilion is restored to its glory.”

The cloud-splitting chariot was about to descend when a melodious tune from a flute sounded from the top of the southern pavilion. The tune was sometimes hurried and sometimes slow. There were parts that sounded like a storm while other times it softened to a drizzle.

When Mingshi Yin heard the flute song, he exclaimed, “Oh, no! That little girl, Conch, is going to attract wild beasts over!”

Mingshi Yin had the best view since he manned the helm. He looked to his left and to his right. At this moment, he saw a fine horse with a red mane, snow-white coat, and shining golden eyes circling above the Evil Sky Pavilion while stepping on auspicious clouds. He remembered Tiangou and said, “Master, a beast has breached the barrier!”

Duanmu Sheng shouted, “Cursed livestock!” He flew out of the flying chariot with his Overlord Spear in his hand before he launched himself at the steed.

Neigh!

The steed suddenly rose to two feet and neighed at the skies. It did another lap before running away.

Duanmu Sheng was taken aback as he said, “That cursed livestock has been scared away by me!”

From the top of the southern pavilion, Little Yuan’er rose into the skies and said, “Third Senior Brother, it’s all your fault!”

“Huh?” Duanmu Sheng straightened his Overlord Spear. He scratched his head, not understanding Little Yuan’er’s words.

“We were this close to capturing that horse! This close…”

The flute stopped playing.

Conch stood up. She looked up with a gentle gaze as she flashed a sweet smile at Duanmu Sheng. “All of you have returned!”

Lu Zhou stepped out of the flying chariot.

At this moment, Hua Yuexing flew over. She pulled on her bowstring and fired an arrow.

Whoosh!

The energy arrow went after the steed before it vanished in the air mid-flight.

Hua Yuexing frowned and said, “That horse is strange. No matter how many times I shoot, I can’t seem to hit it…”

“Stop,” Lu Zhou said calmly.

Hua Yuexing turned around.

“Greetings, Pavilion Master.” The four Elders appeared at the base of the southern pavilion.

The female cultivators, Pan Zhong, and Zhou Jifeng looked up.

“Pavilion Master, you arrived just in time. That cursed livestock has been giving us trouble outside the barrier since morning. The elders have slashed their lotuses and are recultivating. There’s nothing we could do to it,” Hua Yuexing said.

Little Yuan’er pouted and said, “Master… If Conch didn’t calm it down, the Golden Court Mountain’s barrier would’ve been breached again! That wretched beast!”

The others kept voicing their opinions and venting their displeasure about the steed. It was clear the house had given them considerable trouble throughout the day.

Lu Zhou remained silent. He stroked his beard as he looked in the distance.

The steed went further and further away. When it was quite some ways away from the Evil Sky Pavilion, it came to halt, standing on auspicious clouds.

Lu Zhou looked at Conch and asked, “Did it say anything?”

Conch knew the tongue of beasts. She should have communicated with it.

Conch shook her head and said, “It doesn’t want to talk.”

In other words, it was not willing to communicate.

Leng Luo cupped his fists. “Even the little girl couldn’t tame it. This beast is wild and might end up causing disaster. I propose that you kill it to protect Golden Court Mountain’s barrier, Pavilion Master.”

“I support the decision to kill it as well,” Pan Litian chimed in.

Zuo Yushu said, “It’s strange. Golden Court Mountain is bustling with human activity. Powerful beasts wouldn’t venture into human territory, usually. Why would this beast come all the way here?”

“Perhaps this is a scheme of the Other Tribes… Don’t forget, the Other Tribesman envoy, Lanni Bonar’s family had even sent a coffin here. If a vicious beast such as Tiangou were to let loose here, how are we supposed to deal with it?” Hua Wudao asked.

While the others were actively discussing this matter, Lu Zhou said tonelessly, “Calm down.”

He stepped into the air. He covered dozens of feet with a single stride. In the next instant, he was already above the Evil Sky Pavilion. He looked at the steed that was hovering in the distance.

“The pavilion master is making his move!”

“That cursed livestock. It’ll taste the might of the pavilion master’s invincible strike!” Pan Zhong and Zhou Jifeng’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Lu Zhou did not summon Unnamed. Instead, he looked at the steed and waved his hand. He said apathetically, “Ji Liang, come here.” His voice rolled out thunderously in a soundwave.

The others were stunned.

‘That horse is called Ji Liang? In any case, will it obey the old man just because he asked it to come over? Is this a joke?’

They were still fearfully respectful of Lu Zhou, but Lu Zhou’s action left them puzzled.

The cultivation world knew how difficult it was to tame a beast. Otherwise, everyone else would have been riding on mounts through the streets. Moreover, this horse, Ji Liang, could not even be controlled by Conch who was gifted in the tongue of beasts. In any case, they certainly could not voice out their thoughts.

The others were still puzzled when the steed neighed loudly. Then, it galloped toward the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Everyone else held their breaths.

That wild horse was going to tackle the Evil Sky Pavilion’s barrier again! A livestock was a livestock, after all.

‘Dear Pavilion Master, you should use your ultimate skill soon. Just kill it with a palm strike or pierce its heart with an arrow. Just do something.’

Shortly after, the steed arrived above the barrier.

Lu Zhou waved his hand and an opening appeared on the barrier.

“Uh…”

Then, there was a collective exclamation of surprise. The pavilion master had allowed the beast into the barrier?!

The steed descended through the opening. It slowed down, seemingly calm. It trotted up to Lu Zhou obediently and softly neighed. It did not attack, instead, it fell to its knees. The beast had submitted to Lu Zhou!

Upon seeing this, everyone was stunned speechless. What was happening? Was this not the same horse that was haughty and hot-tempered just moments ago? Why was it suddenly obedient and submissive now?

The four elders registered various expressions on their wizened faces.

Hua Yuexing bowed. “Uh… Pavilion Master, h-how did you do that?”

Lu Zhou stroked his beard. He smiled without saying anything, making himself seem even more mysterious. When he saw the envious looks from everyone, he nodded. He was pleased with himself. ‘Perhaps, this is my charisma.’