My disciples are all villains.

When Si Wuya saw this, he retreated with movements as light as a swallow. He was still parrying Mingshi Yin's energy attacks with a single hand.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Their energies collided without regard for the buildings around them.

Zhu Honggong's heart wrenched with every strike. He quickly tried to mediate. "Senior brothers, stop this! We're brothers, why do we have to fight among ourselves?"

When Si Wuya heard Old Eighth's mediation, he projected his voice, "Fourth Senior Brother, you've stayed on the mountain for far too long. Although you've entered the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm with a stroke of luck, alas, you've been suppressed for far too long. You can't do anything to me."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"You're wrong." More energy surged out of Mingshi Yin's body as his Separation Hook sailed toward Si Wuya at a peculiar angle.

Bam!

At seemingly the same time, the Peacock Plumes shot out! The hidden weapons formed from blades of energy shone with golden radiance as it defended its owner.

The Separation Hook swatted the energy blades away with its hook and edge.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Although the Peacock Plume had spread out, Mingshi Yin was too close, and the plumes could not spread too far. Hence, the Separation Hook was at a slight advantage. This could also be attributed to Mingshi Yin's sudden attack.

After their heaven-grade weapons collided, both of them retreated. They stopped fighting and glared at each other.

Energy faded from the air. Their surroundings were quiet again.

Si Wuya wore a shocked expression on his face as he stared at Mingshi Yin's Separation Hook and Scabbard. He praised, "Fourth Senior Brother, not only did you enter the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm, but you even possess a heaven-grade weapon!"

"And still, I'm no match for your Peacock Plume, Seventh Junior Brother," Mingshi Yin said calmly.

"It's right and proper for a senior to reprimand his junior. I've been rude. I hereby apologize to you, Fourth Senior Brother." Si Wuya cupped his fists.

"I have no need for your apologies! This box belongs to master. I need Elder Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, and your weapons to open it. It's up to you whether you want to help or not," Mingshi Yin said.

"What's in the box?"

"I don't know, but since master highly values this box, it must be something extraordinary," Mingshi Yin replied.

"Aren't you worried that we'll take the treasure inside for ourselves after we open it?" Si Wuya asked with a smile.

"Master has already thought of that. The final key is the Amorous Hoop. Junior Sister Tianxin has been captured and imprisoned by master. Her Amorous Hoop is in master's hands," Mingshi Yin said.

Si Wuya sighed and said, "I heard Second Senior Brother say that master has undergone a great change, whether it's his way of doing things or his temper. It seems like it's true." When he finished talking, he brought his Peacock Plume to the mysterious box.

Zhu Honggong was relieved when he saw both of them had stopped fighting. He walked up to them and said, "If Seventh Senior Brother praises this thing, it must be valuable."

Si Wuya hit Old Eighth on his stupid head with his Peacock Plume and said, "You money-grubber. This item's worth can't be measured by money." He studied the patterns on the box's surface, and in just a flash, he found the groove for the Peacock Plume. He was guarded and did not insert the Peacock Plume into the groove immediately. He scrutinized the box for a while before saying with a nod, "I'm surprised that master has such a mysterious box. The grooves are interconnected. If we're not careful, our weapons will be stuck." As he said this, he inserted his Peacock Plume into the groove.

Click!

A noise rang from the box. The Peacock Plume was ejected. Although another groove did not appear, the groove that resembled the Peacock Plume had clearly disappeared. This meant the Peacock Plume had played its part in unlocking the box.

Si Wuya lifted his right hand, and his Peacock Plume vanished.

"Fourth Senior Brother… Are you satisfied with this?"

Mingshi Yin did not show any signs of approval. Instead, he only said, "This is what you should do. Besides, I know you're the only one who can contact Elder Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. I'll leave this box in your hands for now. I'll return to Old Eighth's place in seven days to retrieve it."

When Si Wuya heard this, he said, "It's true that I can contact Elder Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. There's no place the Darknet can't locate under the heavens. The problem is, Elder Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother aren't as open-minded as I am. I'm afraid that we won't be able to unlock this box."

"Are you really so worried that the box might contain something that spells doom for your treasures?" Mingshi Yin mocked.

"Worried?" Si Wuya chuckled. "To tell you the truth, Fourth Senior Brother, if I were really worried, I wouldn't have inserted my Peacock Plume into the box earlier."

"That's the best. I believe Elder Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother will understand as well." Mingshi Yin waved his hand. The box flew into the air, spun a few times before it fell on the ground, creating a square pit. "At the very least, master is alive and kicking."

In other words. 'Master is still alive. Even if you're not in the Evil Sky Pavilion, he's still your master. If master is angered, he might just hunt you down and drag you to the Yellow Springs even if his life is near its end.'

"Don't worry, Fourth Senior Brother. I'll inform Elder Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother about this." Si Wuya cupped his fists together calmly.

Mingshi Yin nodded in satisfaction. Si Wuya did not show much reluctance. Instead, he was being cooperative. This greatly surprised him. When he was about to leave, he asked, "Old Seventh, were you involved in the kidnapping of the Ci Family?"

Si Wuya shook his head and said, "No."

"I believe you," Mingshi Yin said.

"Although we want results, we have our principles. The Evil Pavilion has never seen any internal feud since it has started recruiting disciples. There weren't any before, and there won't be any in the future," Si Wuya said calmly.

"I hope so." Mingshi Yin left with his hands on his back.

Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, sat on the floor as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. He looked at the damage around him before he sighed and shook his head.

Si Wuya remained unruffled. He walked to the wooden armchair and sat down before he said, "Old Eighth, a fired arrow can never be taken back. Since it has come to this, there's only a single option available to us." When he said this, he turned to look at the mysterious box beside him. "Master has moved unhindered under the heavens for many years. He might have many more treasures that he hasn't shown anyone. This box is definitely extraordinary."

Zhu Honggong, Old Eighth, rose to his feet and approached the mysterious box. "Could it be a weapon?"

"I won't eliminate that possibility…"

"Why did you promise to open this box, then?" Zhu Honggong was puzzled.

"This box is extremely unique. If it remains locked, the treasure would stay sealed. Master's life is almost up, how long can he possess this treasure? It's better to unlock the box and bring the treasure into the world," Si Wuya said. He rose to his feet and rested his hands on his back as he said, "When I was fighting Fourth Senior Brother earlier, did you see his weapon?"

"I did! I'm curious about it as well. Fourth Senior Brother has been staying in the Evil Sky Pavilion for many years, but he has never grasped the essence of the Greenwood Heart Technique before this. Moreover, his cultivation base was suppressed. However, he exchanged so many blows with you. His weapon is a heaven-grade weapon, right?" Zhu Honggong asked.

"That's right."

"…"

Si Wuya raised his right hand. The mysterious box seemed weightless. A cluster of energy wrapped itself around the box as it flew into his hand.