Chapter 1438 - From a Free Man to a Venerable Master

Chapter 1438: From a Free Man to a Venerable Master

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Directly opening all 36 zones in his Birth Palace in one go had exceeded his expectation. After all, he had yet to open all 36 zones in his golden avatar’s Birth Palace.

For a brief moment, Lu Zhou thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He looked again and confirmed that there were indeed 36 zones in Birth Palace to accommodate 36 life hearts.

At this time, the life heart was slowly sinking into the Birth Palace.

As expected, there was no problem with activating the first Birth Chart with a beast king’s life heart.

In the future, he would have to think of a way to obtain better life hearts.

The area grew distinct in the Birth Chart, indicating that the process was well underway. A vortex appeared, absorbing his lifespan.

Lu Zhou looked at his lifespan on the system panel.

The full opening of the upper limit had greatly exceeded Lu Zhou’s expectations.

His Golden Lotus Life Palace had yet to reach the talent of full opening, but his Blue Dharma body had already been fully opened.

Lu Zhou thought that his eyes were playing tricks on him. He opened his eyes slightly and looked again. The area of the Blue Lotus seat was enough to accommodate thirty-six life spans. Indeed, the upper limit was the biggest.

The Life Grid Heart was like a piece of rock candy, slowly melting in the life palace.

-100

-200

-300

His lifespan kept decreasing. Its frequency was the same as the speed of the churning vortex.

“It’s the same as ordinary activation of Birth Charts?” Lu Zhou perked up. This was his first time activating Birth Charts with the blue avatar so he took it very seriously and did not dare to be careless.

He continued observing his decreasing lifespan.

There was no distinction between night and day in the Unknown Land since the black fog covered the sky. In such an environment, it was easy to forget the passage of time.

Occasionally, the birds flying back in the sky would chirp, waking everyone up.

As for Lu Zhou, he only realized he had been absent-minded for an entire day when he heard the little Fire Phoenix’s cry.

He looked down at his Birth Palace.

‘What a coincidence.’

Aight flashed from the distinct pattern on the Birth Palace as a crisp noise rang out.

The height of the blue avatar had doubled, and its size had grown larger as well. It was now a deep sky blue that was dotted with stars. It was like a blooming desert bluebell or dazzling blue ink, shining brightly.

Lu Zhou looked at his lifespan.

Remaining lifespan: 27,398 years.

He had lost 10,000 years.

Lu Zhou frowned. “Activating my Birth Chart doesn’t give me more years of life?”

‘When activating Birth Charts with the golden avatar, one would lose years, but after the completion of the activation, one would gain a certain number of years.

After becoming a Venerable Master, one would gain 10,000 years of life with every activated Birth Chart.

Lu Zhou was very unhappy that activating Birth Charts with his blue avatar not only did not give him years of life, but he also lost years of life.

It was unprecedented for cultivators to have two avatars so Lu Zhou was unsure.

If he only cultivated his blue avatar, it was tantamount to suicide. Not to mention the Thousand Realms Whirling avatar, he would not even be able to sprout ten leaves before his years were all absorbed by the blue avatar.

‘Is this an evil and unorthodox path? Lu Zhou shook his head. No, it was against the law of conservation.

Lu Zhou recalled the time he was in the black lotus domain and was mistaken for Lu Tiantong, the ancestor of the Lu clan.

In Lu Tiantong’s Scripture of Sermons, he had heard accusations about the unorthodox method. Was it possible that someone had cultivated blue lotus in the past?

“Is that why everyone mistakes me for Lu Tiantong, appearance aside? Then, who’s the Unholy One?”

After a long time, Lu Zhou shook his head. The truth would come to light in the end; there was no need to rush things. He was sure these questions will slowly be resolved once he arrived at the Great Void.

They had obtained recognition from three Pillars of Destruction. If everything went smoothly, his ten disciples would all become first-class experts.

The Great Void’s silver-armored guards had already appeared. The Evil Sky Pavilion had to increase its overall strength as soon as possible.

After Lu Zhou gathered his thoughts, he looked at the blue avatar and muttered, “Time to upgrade it to a Thousand Realms Whirling avatar.”

Lu Zhou pressed his hand down.

The lotus spun.

At the same time, it looked as though millions of knives were cutting the blue avatar. Soon enough, the appearance of the Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar vanished.

“How fast!”

Forming the Thousand Realms Whirling avatar was like remolding the avatar’s appearance completely. The entire process was usually long and painful.

In just a few breaths, Lu Zhou could already faintly see the appearance of a Thousand Realms Whirling avatar. Then, the 36 zones lit up one after another in the Birth Palace before a blue astrolabe appeared at the back of the avatar, reflecting the lotus seat.

Inacertain place in the Great Void.

Jiang Wenxu paced back and forth.

At this moment, a subordinate walked in from outside and said with a bow, “Master, the 3,000 silver-armored guards have been dispatched. However, I received news that five are dead. All five were Venerable Masters. The whereabouts of the murdered is unknown. Apart from that, there is no news from

Jiang Dongshan who has gone to the Unknown Land.”

“Five? In the nine domains, there are very few people capable of killing a silver-armored guard, let alone five,” Jiang Wenxu said.

“What do you mean, Master?”

Jiang Wenxu did not reply to the question, Instead, he asked, “What’s Lan Xihe been doing lately?”

“I don’t know,” the subordinate said as he shook his head.

“Send someone to investigate in secret. As for that Ouyang, since he likes to play games, I’ll play with him,” Jiang Wenxu said.

“Understood,” the subordinate said before leaving.

Ten days later.

Early in the moming.

Ina dark ancient forest in the Unknown Land.

Lu Zhou looked at the blue avatar in front of him. Then, he looked at the 36 distinct patterns on the astrolabe that flashed briefly before only one of them stayed lit up.

His blue avatar was now a Thousand Realms Whirling avatar. This meant it could now unleash the power of the Birth Chart.

After admiring it for a while, Lu Zhou decided to test the blue avatar.

He lifted his hand and formed a crystal clear energy sword.

The blue avatar moved to form an energy sword as well. Its movements were smooth.

Following that, it changes into an energy saber, an energy spear, and all kinds of energy weapons. Finally, it pushed its hand out.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The energy seal was like a meteor as it pierce through the ancient trees.

Lu Zhou looked at the Blue Dharma body in front of him. The astrolabe had been formed. In the twelve regions, thirty-six triangles were stacked one after another, naturally rushing out of the Life Palace region.

Following that, a blue energy seal shot out, leaving holes in over 100 trees before it dissipated.

It was truly powerful.

Lu Zho flashed, vanishing into thin air and reappearing high up in the sky. He surveyed his surroundings. It was dark and gloomy, perfect for testing out his strength.

In fact, although the environment was harsh, due to the rich Primal Qi here, it was extremely beneficial to cultivate here.

Lu Zhou looked at a mountain in the distance and nodded. “Alright, I choose you.”

Then, he pushed his hand out.

The blue astrolabe was unique and dazzling as a beam of light shot out at lightning speed.

Whoosh!

Boom!

The beam of light pierced the mountain, leaving a circular hole on the mountain.

“This power…” Lu Zhou was surprised. The blue avatar that had just entered the Thousand Realms Whirling stage with one Birth Chart was actually as powerful as his golden avatar that had 20 Birth Charts. How could he not be surprised?

Lu Zhou sensed his divine power. It had indeed consumed a lot of divine power, but it was still less than using the Heavenly Writing powers. The rate of consumption was sustainable. Apart from that, the limit of his divine power had also increased. He no longer had to scrimp and save like before as

though he was squeezing out toothpaste from an almost-empty tube.

Lu Zhou was extremely satisfied.

With just a flash, he returned to the ancient forest.

Over the next few days, Lu Zhou did not cultivate. Instead, he practiced and improved the sword control of the blue avatar and its basic movements.

He also used the leaves and the lotus separately.

Overall, he was satisfied.

After he was done, he finally remembered something.

“I forgot about my golden avatar…”

He had been engrossed with upgrading his blue Seven Lead Hundred Tribulations Insight avatar into a Thousand Realms Whirling avatar and had spent ten years under the effect of the Pillar of Impermanence to do so. It would likely take about the same amount of time to activate his 21st Birth Chart.

“Let’s see how much the others improved before I make a decision.”

Lu Zhou rose to his feet before he pointed at the ground.

Bang!

The Pillar of Impermanence emerged from the ground. Then, he cut off the effect of the pillar.

The others could naturally sense this. All of them opened their eyes and gathered from all directions. In the range of the Pillar of Impermanence, ten years passed in just a blink of an eye.

The first to appear was Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong. After ten years, both of them had grown a slight beard, making them look more domineering. Due to his appearance, Yu Shangrong still looked like a gentleman, just that he was more mature and steady now.

“Master!”

The duo bowed.

Following that,

Before long, Duanmu Sheng, Mingshi Yin, Zhu Honggong appeared one after another. Perhaps, due to their youth, their appearance did not change much. However, their auras were energetic. After obtaining recognition from the Pillars of Destruction and activating their Great Void Seeds, it was only

natural that their rate of improvement was now the fastest in the Evil Sky Pavilion.

The four elders, the Guardians, the Left and Right Envoys, the Free Man, and the others appeared next.

Finally, Little Yuan’er and Conch arrived. The two of them had grown up, looking graceful and beautiful.

“Pavilion Master.”

“Master!”

After everyone greeted Lu Zhou, he nodded in satisfaction and asked, “Is everyone here?”

After Kong Wen finished counting, he said, “Apart from you, there are 28 people. Everyone’s present.”

Lu Zhou nodded and said as he swept his gaze past everyone, “Under the effect of the Pillar of Impermanence, ten years had passed. I assume all of you have improved greatly.”

Lu Zhou sensed the changes in his auras.

Apart from his disciples, those who had absorbed the Great Void energy from the blue crystals, especially the four elders, had made the greatest improvement. They were all talented and experienced. During these ten years, each of them had activated two Birth Charts.

Shen Xi, Li Xiaomo, and the others had yet to obtain the blue crystals so their progress was slower. Even then, they had all activated one Birth Chart.

Lu Zhou thought about testing their strengths but dismissed the idea since there were too many of them present. One’s cultivation base was considered a private matter. Hence, he decided on a general and collective test. He said, “I want to test all of you.”

Lu Zhou flipped his hand before he pushed it down.

Awave of energy with the force of a mountain sailed out immediately.

Everyone was caught off guard and was sent flying back at the same time.

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong were the first to react. They quickly stabilized themselves.

The others flew ten meters back before they landed on the ground one after another.

Lu Zhou nodded. Then, he increased his strength and launched another wave of energy.

Whoosh!

Energy like raging waves swept out. It did not hurt them, only pushing them back.

Yu Zhenghai was quick to react. He stabbed his large saber into the ground and held onto the handle, stabilizing himself.

Yu Shangrong held the sword with both hands as he stabbed it into an ancient tree and held his ground.

Qin Naihe was the steadiest. He was as steady as Mount Tai, and there was even a faint smile on his face.

Pan Zhong, Zhou Jifeng, Kong Wen, and his brothers were the first to be sent flying out since they had lower cultivation bases.

The four elders’ performance was beyond Lu Zhou’s expectations. Even if they had activated two Birth Charts, it was still not an easy feat for them to stand their ground like Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong.

“Watch out,” Lu Zhou said as he unleashed another wave of energy seals.

Allhis disciples displayed their strength. They manifested energy weapons and used them to stand their ground. They also used energy seals to block the force blowing at them.

The wave of energy was like a gust of violent wind, making everyone feel uncomfortable.

At this time, Meng Changdong, Shen Xi, and Li Xiaomo lost their footing.

Then, Lu Zhou looked at those who managed to stand their ground and said, “I hope you’ll be able to withstand the next wave.”

Like light and shadow, permeating everywhere while staying still in Samadhi.

A blue lotus bloomed as another wave of energy swept out. This time, it was slightly damaging, unlike the previous waves. Despite the slight damage force, the surging force was beyond everyone’s understanding.

Qin Naihe’s expression changed slightly as he took a few steps back. He had no choice but to use an energy seal to stabilize himself.

Yu Zhenghai’s saber flew out, and he manifested his astrolabe and held it in front of him.

Yu Shangrong flipped twice in the air before landing on the ground, piercing his sword into the ground.

The others were all sent flying; there was no suspense.

Finally, Lu Zhou withdrew his energy.

Everyone slumped to the ground one after another.

“Aiyo, master, how can we be a match for you?” Zhu Honggong said as he patted his butt.

Lu Zhou said with a hint of reproach, “You still dare to complain when you’re not strong enough?”

“Lwas wrong,” Zhu Honggong said, admitting his mistake immediately.

Little Yuan’er had been using the Nirvana Sash the entire time. Many of the ancient trees were tied up by the Nirvana Sash, and she had yet to completely extricate it. She said, slightly aggrieved, “Master, you attacked too quickly. I wasn’t prepared.”

No one said anything. They were all shocked by Lu Zhou’s strength.

Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er and asked, “Yuan’er, do you want to try again?”

Little Yuan’er hurriedly shook her head and waved her hands as she said, “No, no, I don’t want to.”

Zuo Yushu walked forward and stabbed her Coiling Dragon Staff into the ground before she said, “The little girl’s cultivation has improved the most. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have enough skills and combat experience so she’s in such a sorry state.”

“Oh?” Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er and asked, “Did you recklessly activate your Birth Charts again?”

“No.” Little Yuan’er shook her head.

“How many Birth Charts?” Lu Zhou asked.

Little Yuan’er lifted her hand and raised her index finger before slightly hooking it as she said, “Only… nine, master.”

“Hm?” Lu Zhou looked at Little Yuan’er.

Little Yuan’er straightened her back and lowered her head before answering, “I… I have ten.”

Lu Zhou only looked at her quietly.

Little Yuan’er raised her head to peek at her master. When she saw her master looking at her, she said, “11… I’m telling the truth, master.”

“Astrolabe,” Lu Zhou said. Since it was not appropriate to look at her Birth Palace with so many people around, the astrolabe was a good and appropriate substitute.

Little Yuan’er manifested her astrolabe. The distinct zones lit up one after another.

“It’s really 11 Birth Charts?”

“So she activated three Birth Charts in a row? No way!”

Everyone looked envious. Comparison was truly infuriating.

Before they began to cultivate, Little Yuan’er only had eight Birth Charts. Who knew she would activate three Birth Charts in ten years?

Lu Zhou asked, “If you’re so capable, why didn’t you continue to activate your 12th Birth Chart?”

Little Yuan lowered her head and said, “It hurts…”

Lu Zhou said with a hint of wryness, “So you still know how to feel pain.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m close to my second Birth Trial,” Little Yuan’er mumbled.

“It’s good that you know how to feel pain. You mustn’t be impatient in the future.”

“Understood.”

“Ding! Obtained 500 merit points for educating Little Yuan’er.”

This notification reminded Lu Zhou that he had yet to let Little Yuan’er and Conch complete their apprenticeship. After thinking about it for a moment, he thought now was not the time. Since he would be able to obtain a rare item card, it was not a bad idea to wait until the critical moment.

Little Yuan’er still remembered her promise so she said, slightly unwilling, “But I want to catch up to Second Senior Brother within five years.

Yu Shangrong smiled slightly and said, “I’m glad Ninth Junior Sister is using me to set your goal…”

Little Yuan’er ran over to Yu Shangrong and asked, “Second Senior Brother, what’s your cultivation base?”

Yu Shangrong tumed to look at Little Yuan’er and discovered Little Yuan’er’s height had already reached the bridge of his nose. She was slender, graceful, and beautiful like the clear streams, beautiful clouds, and a gentle melody.

Yu Shangrong maintained the slight smile on his face as he softly said, “It’s a secret.”

Little Yuan’er lost interest immediately.

At this moment, Yu Zhenghai asked, “Ninth Junior Sister, why don’t you ask me?”

Upon hearing this, Little Yuan’er turned around and asked excitedly, “Eldest Senior Brother, what’s your current cultivation base?”

Yu Zhenghai stepped forward and knocked Little Yuan’er’s forehead gently as he said, “It’s very impolite to randomly inquire about other people’s cultivation bases.”

Little Yuan’er stomped her feet and said, “Boring!”

Everyone laughed.

There were too many members of the Evil Sky Pavilion. It was not that everyone was not trustworthy. However, keeping one’s cultivation base a secret could come in handy to protect oneself during a critical moment.

Lu Zhou looked at Qin Naihe and asked, “Venerable Master?”

Qin Naihe was different from the others. He nodded proudly. “Yes.”

Upon hearing this, everyone congratulated Qin Naihe.

“Congratulations, Venerable Master Qin!”

Qin Naihe waved his hands, looking awkward. “It’s better if you address me as before. Otherwise, it’d be awkward if Venerable Master Qin hears this.”

It was not awkward to wear the same clothes, but it would be too awkward to share the same name.

“Our Evil Sky Pavilion has finally produced a second Venerable Master!”

Everyone sighed emotionally.

Qin Naihe humbly said, “Qin Naihe thanks the Pavilion Master. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Alright.”

“All of your progress isn’t bad. Since that’s the case, we’ll set off tomorrow morning for Shanyan.”

“Understood.”

The next morning.

After getting on their mounts, the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion flew off to Shanyan, leaving the ancient forest.

Two months later.

Ina desert in the Unknown Land.

Fierce wind raged, stirring up the sand and blowing against the protective energies of the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion.

They came to a stop on the horizon of the desert.

“As it turns out, Shanyan is in a desert,” Yan Zhenluo said.

They had flown in the desert for half a month. It seemed like there was no end to the desert.

From time to time, there would be sandstorms, obscuring their visions.

“pavilion Master, the Pillar of Destruction is up ahead,” Kong Wen said.

Lu Zhou nodded. “The Pillars of Destruction have always been dangerous. Be careful.”

“Understood.”

Lu Zhou took the lead and flew forward on Whitzard’s back.

Not long after, they saw the Pillar of Destruction standing between heaven and earth. It was the only building in the center of the boundless desert.

The strong wind stirred up the sand that swirled around the Pillar of Destruction.

Whoosh!

Lu Zhou came to a stop and looked down.

Something bulged under the sand and moved at an extremely fast speed in the distance.

“It’s a fierce beast,” Kong Wen said.

“What is it?”

“It’s hiding under the sand so I can’t tell…”

Everyone instinctively raised their altitude.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

All of a sudden, many bulges appeared on the ground, undulating under the sand. Their number was difficult to estimate.

Mingshi Yin felt chills running up his spine as he said, “This trip to the Unknown Land has truly broadened my horizons. What are these things! They’re disgusting!”

Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Qiong Qi barked, clearly wanting to rush down.

“Do you want to die? I don’t want to die. I cultivate the Bluewood Heart Technique. There’s not a single plant down there. I’m not going to send myself to death!” Mingshi Yin said as he shrugged.

Qin Naihe said helplessly, “Let me check it out.”

Then, Qin Naihe pressed his hand down, launching a palm seal.

Boom!

Swoosh!

It stirred up the sand, revealing countless red and black scorpions on the ground. They scrambled and burrowed under the sand again, vanishing from sight in just a blink of an eye.

“Nine Immense Mountain Scorpions!”

“What?”

“These scorpions are very venomous. It’s said that there’s no antidote for their poison. They’re vicious and live in groups. With so many small scorpions around, the Scorpion King must be nearby.”

Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Clean them up.”

Yu Zhenghai, Yu Shangrong, and Qin Naihe rushed over first.

Energy sabers and energy swords sailed in the air in just an instant, killing all the scorpions.

Lu Wu’s method was very simple and violent. It walked casually without looking at the ground, stomping the scorpions under the sand to death.

As they killed the scorpions, they continued to advance toward the Pillar of Destruction. When they were about a kilometer away from the pillar, the bulges on the ground became bigger.

“It seems like the earlier ones are just appetizers. These are the main dish,” Kong Wen said, surprised, “Fortunately, Mr. First and Mr. Second are powerful so it’s not a problem to deal with them.”

The group continued to advance steadily until

Swoosh!

The desert ground bulged, forming a huge and long ridge.

Following that, a long brown tail that was 1,000 feet long pierced toward Lu Zhou.

Everyone dodged to the left and right.

The sharp stinger aimed for Lu Zhou’s glabella without any deviation, but he remained calm and unmoved.

Bang!

The stinger hit Lu Zhou’s protective energy that glowed with a faint blue light. The protective energy was a combination of the power from his golden and blue avatars.

The stinger could not advance and was kept firmly at bay.

“The Scorpion King!” Kong Wen exclaimed.

Lu Zhou raised his hand, launching the Fiend Monk’s Hand Seal.

The hand seal clamped down on the huge tail immediately.

Lu Zhou flew off Whitzard’s back as he said, “Show yourself.”

Swoosh!

Then, with his bare hands, Lu Zhou pulled the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King.

The huge creature was the size of a mountain, stirring up a sandstorm when it was pulled out..