My disciples are all villains.

Everyone watched in shock and disbelief as Lu Zhou dragged the gigantic scorpion out of the ground. They quickly regained their senses and rushed in all directions.

Yu Zhenghai ordered, “Kill the small ones!”

Lu Wu and Cheng Huang that were gigantic in size easily dealt with the small scorpions with just one slap.

The others flew back and forth, displaying their respective abilities.

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong were highly skilled in controlling and attacking with their energy sabers and energy swords.

Qin Naihe, who had become a Venerable Master, flew everywhere among the crowd, killing as he went.

After confirming that everyone was able to cope with ease, the divine power burst forth from his hand as he grabbed the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King and dragged it higher up into the sky. He did not want the Scorpion King to injure his people, after all.

Boom!

With their king gone, the small scorpions fell into chaos immediately. They could not even withstand a single blow.

Soon enough, the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion killed all of the small scorpions.

The scorpions’ carcasses that littered the ground were a nauseating sight.

They were not even interested in the scorpions’ life hearts. After traveling in the Unknown Land for such a long time, ordinary life hearts could no longer attract their attention. Even Kong Wen, who used to look at all life hearts with bright eyes, was not very interested in ordinary life hearts anymore. His

taste and vision had long improved.

After clearing a small area of the battlefield, the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion rested as they watched the battle in the sky.

It was unfortunate that the wind and sand obscured their vision. Moreover, the loud whistling of the wind also impaired their hearing. In the end, they could only vaguely see the battle.

At this time, Qin Naihe, who had the best eyesight among the group, saw the faint blue light on Lu Zhou’s body and exclaimed in surprise, “What’s that?”

Whoosh!

Once again, fierce wind stirred up the sand, obscuring the sky even more.

In the sky.

The Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King brandished its pincers and struggled with all its might, trying to sting and poison Lu Zhou.

Poisonous liquid shot out from the stinger in the air, but it could not get close to Lu Zhou at all, blocked by his robe.

Lu Zhou held the blue astrolabe with his left hand and struck with his right hand. Then, a beam of light shot out of the blue astrolabe.

Boom!

It accurately hit the vital point of the Scorpion King.

‘The Scorpion King writhed in pain. A bloody hole could be seen on its body.

“What a strong defense,” Lu Zhou said, filled with praise. Naturally, he did not expect the blue avatar that had just entered the Thousand Realms Whirling stage with one Birth Chart to kill the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King with one move.

He only manifested the blue avatar to test it out. He was rather satisfied with it. If it had the same number of Birth Charts as his golden avatar, its strength would be unimaginable.

Boom!

The Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King plummeted to the ground.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

‘The Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King seemed to realize its opponent was very strong, and it began to burrow into the ground, pushing the sand aside with its pincers.

The people from the Evil Sky Pavilion flew up into the air, reminding each other to be careful.

Lu Zhou flashed and appeared at a low altitude. He clasped his hands on his back as he looked down.

‘Dao gives birth to one; one gives birth to two; two give birth to three; three give birth to all things. All things have Yin and Yang, giving birth to harmonious qi.’

Unnamed launched a sky full of energy swords that stabbed into the ground one after another. They attacked in a circular formation, sealing off all routes of escape.

Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “Come out!”

Everyone looked down and saw the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King that was riddled with holes being dragged out of the ground by a net that was weaved from energy swords.

Lu Zhou flicked his wrist.

Unnamed unleashed a 10,000-feet-long energy sword that descended from the sky and pierced the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King.

“Ding! Killed a target. Reward: 5,000 merit points.”

After the fight, it was time to call it a day!

Lu Zhou flicked his sleeves, and the energy swords dissipated.

The people from the Evil Sky Pavilion descended and surrounded the Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King’s body.

Kong Wen stepped forward and said, “Let me do it.”

Kong Wen led his brothers to dissect the carcass and harvest the life hearts.

Life hearts rolled out one after another.

‘When Kong Wen was done, he said excitedly, “Not bad! We have four!”

Lu Zhou thought that the Scorpion King’s defenses were not bad so he kept one of the life hearts in the Vast Sky Back first. Then, he said, “Keep them well.”

Kong Wen carefully put the life hearts away.

During their time here, they had witnessed too many killing scenes like that and had grown slightly numb to them.

Everyone returned their attention to the Pillar of Destruction again. It stood unwavering between heaven and earth in the midst of the sandstorm.

“Is there a zombie king guarding Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction?” Mingshi Yin asked.

No one had the answer to this question.

Lu Zhou said, “Follow closely.”

Everyone streaked across the sky, through the sandstorm, and approached the Pillar of Destruction. Just as they drew close, a golden astrolabe streaked across the sky.

“Watch out. Someone’s here,” Yu Zhenghai said.

Everyone descended. They raised their heads to look at the golden astrolabe in the sky.

“Golden lotus cultivator?”

“It’s Jiang Dongshan,” someone said.

Lu Zhou looked into the distance before he turned back and said, “Zhao Hongfu, construct a runic passage nearby. Since the wind is strong here, coupled with the sand, it’ll be easy to hide the passage.”

“Understood.”

Shen Xi and Li Xiaomo volunteered to protect Zhao Hongfu as she looked for a place to construct the runic passage.

Lu Zhou led the ground and continued moving forward through the sandstorm. When they were almost at their destination, the golden astrolabe flew over.

Jiang Dongshan was in a sorry state; he was covered in blood. He looked completely different from their last meeting.

Lu Zhou raised his head. “Jiang Dongshan.”

Jiang Dongshan landed. His eyes were wide as he said, “Let’s go!”

“Hm?”

Everyone was confused.

Jiang Dongshan said, clearly panicked, “It’s the black-armored guards from the Great Void’s Xuanyi Palace. Let’s go!”

“Black-armored guards?”

Jiang Dongshan was so anxious that his forehead was drenched in sweat as he continued to say, “There might be a Great Dao Saint among them!”

The people were shocked when they heard the three words ‘Great Dao Saint’.

Let alone a Great Dao Saint, even ordinary saints were powerful enough.

Buzz!

‘A jade-green avatar appeared in front of Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction. It was so tall that the top could not be seen at all. It stood in front of the pillar like a huge Buddha. Then, it flew out toward Lu Zhou and the others.

“It’s coming!” Jiang Dongshan fell limply to the ground.

Everyone in the Evil Sky Pavilion felt nervous, and an unprecedented pressure assaulted their hearts.

Lu Zhou’s gaze was like that of a falcon as he pressed his hand down. The Hourglass of Time fell to the ground as his divine power surged.

“Freeze.”

Electric arcs snaked out in all directions.

Even Zhao Hongfu and the others who were quite a distance away were frozen in time.

“With one’s true body and wisdom in the heavenly arts, one can reveal one’s vast strength. With the cloud medallion, one will be able to hide from sight and avoid detection through various heavenly arts. The power of concealment!”

Swoosh!

The divine power shrouded the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion immediately.

‘As the huge jade-green avatar flew in the sky, hundreds of black-armored guards flew behind it.

A puzzled voice rang from the sky at this moment as the avatar came toa halt.

“Nine Immense Mountain Scorpion King?”

Lu Zhou looked up and saw a figure hovering above the head of the jade-green avatar. The figure held a jade horsetail whisk and glowed with a green light. He looked like an immortal who had descended to the secular world.

‘Is he the Great Dao Saint? He seems even stronger than Lan Xihe.’

Lu Zhou glanced at the Hourglass of Time. Three seconds had passed. The power of concealment could still hold on a little longer.

The person holding the jade horsetail whisk looked at the Scorpion King’s carcass and shook his head as he said with a sigh, “The people of the Sacred Hall are too cunning…” Then, he looked up ahead and said, “I hope my old friend is still alive. Let’s go.”

Swoosh!

‘The group disappeared in just a blink of an eye.

Lu Zhou did not cut off the power of concealment immediately. Instead, he looked at the Hourglass of Time.

The blue sand continued to drop. Soon after, the last grain of sand dropped to the bottom.

Perhaps, it was due to his blue Thousand Realms Whirling avatar, he could sense that the sand was falling at a much slower speed. This meant he could freeze time for much longer.

After another three seconds, the effect of the Hourglass of Time ended, and Lu Zhou withdrew his hand, cutting off the power of concealment.

Qin Naihe exclaimed instantly, “Pavilion Master has comprehended such a strong power of the Dao!”

Lu Zhou turned around and asked, “You can feel it?”

Qin Naihe nodded and said respectfully, “Pavilion Master’s methods are truly amazing!”

Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong looked at each other.

“Ican feel it as well,” Yu Zhenghai said.

Yu Shangrong nodded. “Me too.”

To be able to feel the power of the Dao, one had to be a Venerable Master or close to becoming a Venerable Master. However, now was not the time to discuss this.

To the others, it seemed like no time had passed at all. They were confused when they listened to the conversation. What had happened?

‘The most confused person was Jiang Dongshan. He rose to his feet and looked at the empty space in front of Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction, perplexed. “They’re gone?”

“Who?” Zhu Honggong asked.

“The black-armored guards…”

“L knew you’re not a good person when we met previously. I didn’t expect you to be so bold as to follow us here,” Zhu Honggong said before he asked, “What’s your purpose?”

Jiang Dongshan shook his head and waved his hands. “It’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! I really didn’t follow you. I came here directly from Ping Dan! I didn’t expect to meet you here. It’s, it’s really fate…”

Jiang Dongshan forced a smile on his face at the end of his words. Faced with so many pairs of eyes, he could not help but feel guilty. He was nervous as well when he recalled Lu Zhou’s strong control of the power of the Dao.

Lu Zhou stared at Jiang Dongshan and asked, “You know about the black-armored guards as well?”

“T’ve run into them twice during my time in the Unknown Land. They’re from one of the forces in the Great Void. Every few hundred years, many heavenly and earthly resources will grow around the Pillars of Destruction. Forces from the Great Void will send their people to collect all these treasures. This

is likely the reason they’re here as well this time. I just didn’t expect a Great Dao Saint would come as well,” Jiang Dongshan said.

“The jade-green avatar belongs to a Great Dao Saint?” Lu Zhou asked.

“That’s right!” Jiang Dongshan said.

Mingshi Yin glanced sideways at Jiang Dongshan and said, “So you’re saying you saved us?”

“Uh… That’s not what I mean,” Jiang Dongshan said awkwardly.

Lu Zhou asked, “What’s the connection between the black-armored guards and the silver-armored guards?”

At this moment, Qin Naihe said, “Based on your words, there’s more than one force in the Great Void.”

Everyone nodded.

“It’s been 100,000 years. Even the strongest person in the past wouldn’t be able to maintain absolute rule over the place. It’s only natural there are different forces,” Mingshi Yin said.

Lu Zhou glanced in the direction where the people from the Great Void had left in before he turned around and flew toward Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction on Whitzard’s back.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Everyone hurriedly followed suit.

Jiang Dongshan endured the pain and quickly followed the others as well.

‘When they arrived right in front of Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction, everyone looked around in surprise.

Fierce beasts’ carcasses littered the ground in front of the Pillar of Destruction. There were even human corpses.

“silver-armored guards!”

“They even killed the silver-armored guards?”

Mingshi Yin sighed. “Our ancestors didn’t lie. Wherever there are people, there’ll be conflicts.”

Kong Wen and the others flew around to check the surroundings and soon returned.

Kong Wen bowed and said, “Pavilion Master, the area within a five-mile radius is filled with fierce beasts’ carcasses and some human corpses. I found about 30 dead silver-armored guards and five black-armored guards. All the life hearts of the fierce beasts have been harvested.”

Mingshi Yin asked curiously, “What were they doing here? This is a desert. Nothing grows here.”

Everyone looked at the Pillar of Destruction.

“Only the people from the Great Void have the answer to this question. In any case, this is good. The fiercer they fight among themselves, the better it is for us,” Lu Li said with a sigh. He was reminded of the Black Tower Council that fell into decline because of internal conflicts. Although the Black Lotus

Tower was still ranked very high in the black lotus domain, it was not as glorious as it used to be.

Lu Zhou said, “Stick to the plan.”

“Yes.”

Everyone followed Lu Zhou into the Pillar of Destruction.

With the previous experiences, they were familiar with the way. Once they entered, they began to try to obtain recognition from the Pillar of Destruction.

Dreams were beautiful, but reality was harsh.

Most of the people in the Evil Sky Pavilion were mercilessly rejected by the barrier in the Pillar of Destruction.

Zhu Honggong said before he walked toward the barrier, “I keep feeling like I didn’t really obtain the recognition from the Pillar of Destruction in Ping Dan. I’m sure this is the one for me.”

Soon enough, Zhu Honggong was sent flying back. He crashed against the wall and slid down to the ground.

“Aiyo!” Zhu Honggong cried out in pain, “How can this be?! Why are all of you fine? Why am I alone in so much pain?”

Mingshi Yin rolled his eyes. “That’s because you’ve already received recognition from Ping Dan’s Pillar of Destruction.”

“Why don’t I feel anything then?”

“You’ll have to ask yourself that,” Mingshi Yin said.

Lu Zhou walked to the edge of the barrier and gently touched it.

A buzzing noise rang in the air immediately.

‘As soon as he mobilized the divine power, the noise vanished. Then, he easily stepped into the barrier again.

Jiang Dongshan exclaimed in shock, “H-how’s this possible?!”

Everyone looked at Jiang Dongshan disdainfully. There was nothing to be surprised about, after all.

Lu Zhou observed the Great Void seedling. It looked healthy, and the soil looked untouched. Then, he casually grabbed four pieces of soil and tossed them out.

“Kong Wen, these are for you and your brothers.”

Kong Wen was overjoyed. ‘It’s finally our turn!”

Jiang Dongshan gulped before he said, “You came for the Great Void soil?”

“What do you think?”

Lu Zhou grabbed another piece of soil, keeping it for Zhao Hongfu. Then, he left the barrier and looked at the others as he said, “Don’t waste time. Obtain its recognition as soon as possible.”

Everyone nodded.

Jiang Dongshan frowned and asked, “You still want to gain its recognition?”

“Is there a problem?” Zhu Honggong asked.

“N-no problem,” Jiang Dongshan replied. He remembered Zhu Honggong. The master had asked him to observe Zhu Honggong after all. Not only did he have Dang Kang as a mount, but he also obtained recognition from Ping Dan’s Pillar of Destruction. Hence, he was sure Zhu Honggong would have great

achievements in the future. He should try to get close to such a person. He thought to himself, ‘To be able to obtain recognition from the pillar, he’s one in 10,000. Even if he doesn’t become a supreme being, he will still become a Saint so…”

Buzz!

Zhao Yu stepped into the barrier and looked around blankly. Then, an expression of surprise and delight appeared on her face.

Jiang Dongshan: