My disciples are all villains.

If this were in the past, a disciple like Ji Fengxing would not have the opportunity to enter the doors inside. Times were different now. After all, with elites by his side, Tian Buji would not rigidly stick to the rules for such a trivial matter. This was an important matter. If he was not careful, the Thousand Willow Monastery might be dragged down.

…

In front of the Thousand Willow Monastery's Fair Hall.

Hundreds of inner disciples were training on the plaza.

"Elder Tian!"

"Elder Tian!"

The disciples greeted Tian Buji when they saw him.

Tian Buji nodded slightly before he continued walking his hands on his back.

Many of the inner disciples were shocked when they saw Ji Fengxing trailing behind Tian Buji. They wondered what circumstances would allow an outer disciple to come to the Fair Hall. They had their misgivings, but with Tian Buji leading the way, nobody dared stand in the way.

When Ji Fengxing felt the probing and judgmental gazes on him, he suddenly felt self-conscious and hastened his pace.

Wuwu who was walking at the very back was stopped by one of the inner disciples. "Wuwu, who's that?"

Wuwu pointed at Yu Shangrong's back and said, "Big brother? He's an elite swordsman."

"Is he the outsider who has a conflict with the Flying Star House?"

"What do you mean by outsider?" Wuwu asked, puzzled.

"Wuwu, how can you be so clueless? It's because of him that the Flying Star House is looking for trouble with the Thousand Willow Monastery. I heard Daoist Xuan Ming was here earlier, and he left in anger!"

"Well, he deserves it!" Wuwu no longer wasted time talking to the inner disciple and hurried over to the others.

The inner disciples shook their heads.

"We must notify the other elders of this."

…

Fair Hall faced the southeast direction. It looked imposing but serene at the same time.

Even inner disciples were not allowed to approach without proper reason.

The surroundings were quiet as the sun shone down on it.

This was the best spot in the Thousand Willow Monastery.

When they entered the hall, they saw it was rather stately.

A white-haired old man sat cross-legged in the hall. A horsetail whisk rested on his arm. He was only elevated by two steps, but he seemed to be above everyone.

"They're here?" the old man said without even opening his eyes.

"Monastery master, the guests are here." Tian Buji announced their arrival and retreated to the side.

The Monastery Master, Xia Changqiu, opened his eyes and looked at the duo.

On the left, Yu Zhenghai stood with a straight back and his hands on his back. He looked as though he was the strongest person in the room.

On the right, Yu Shangrong stood with his arms crossed. He stood tall with a faint smile hanging on his face.

The duo had a similarity in that both of them had confidence and pride that seemed to be etched on their bones.

The hall was quiet.

A while later, the monastery master, Xia Changqiu, said, "What business do you have, traveling all the way here?"

Yu Shangrong replied, "My Eldest Senior Brother and I would like to stay for a few nights here. Kindly forgive our intrusion if there is any."

"It's only natural for us to accommodate our honored guests when they visit."

"Thank you." Yu Shangrong nodded slightly.

"Why did you kill Daoist Master Xuan Ming, sir?" Xia Changqiu stared at Yu Shangrong.

Yu Shangrong could sense the subtle change in Xia Changqiu's emotions, and he asked, "Are you afraid?"

If the Thousand Willow Monastery was not afraid of Flying Star House, would Xia Changqiu say these words that sounded as though he was washing his hands off this matter?

Ji Fengxing and Wuwu were startled. They hastily rushed in. They did not expect Yu Shangrong to be so frank with the monastery master.

"Monastery Master, please forgive us. My big brother is new here, and he's not aware of the Thousand Willow Monastery's rules. Please have mercy!" Ji Fengxing trembled as he prostrated himself on the ground.

Wuwu fell to her knees as well even though she did not prostrate herself. She looked at Xia Changqiu and said, "Big brother is a good person!"

Xia Changqiu ignored the siblings and continued to look at Yu Shangrong. After a long time, he heaved a long sigh. "You're still young…" A hint of weariness appeared on his face as he candidly said, "Indeed, it's natural to be arrogant and reckless when you're young. However, things aren't simple."

Yu Zhenghai wondered out loud, "What's so complicated?"

Xia Changqiu did not answer Yu Shangrong. Instead, he asked, "Are you from the Ninth Temple?"

As the saying went, 'One wouldn't rise early in the morning if there is no profit to be gained', and 'There would be no breeze in an empty cave'.

Everything happened for a reason.

At this moment, Yu Zhenghai stepped forward and met Xia Changqiu's gaze. "Our origins aren't important… You're the Thousand Willow's Monastery Master so you must know this: the enemy of your enemy is your friend."

Upon hearing this, Xia Changqiu's legs moved. He lunged at Yu Zhenghai as he extended his hand in front of himself.

"Monastery master!"

"Eldest big brother!"

Yu Zhenghai pushed away from the floor lightly; his hands were still resting on his back as he flew back. The pillars on both sides shot past him.

Xia Changqiu pushed forward with his right palm.

They flew out of Fair Hall in just a blink of an eye; they were now on the plaza.

Yu Zhenghai moved like a swallow. He landed on the huge cauldron at the center of the plaza.

Xia Changqiu extended his fingers. "The Ideal is to be like Water."

Xia Changqiu's fingers glowed red and displayed changes from the five elements.

The inner disciples and the elders gathered hastily and looked up.

Yu Zhenghai extended his palm as his Primal Qi surged.

Bam!

Their palms collided!

Yu Zhenghai did not launch a palm seal. He met Xia Changqiu's palm with his bare palm. A vertical plane of air surged and struck the cauldron.

The others were shocked.

"It's the monastery master!"

"Who has the audacity to challenge the monastery master?!"

The elders swarmed forward and saw a tall and muscular man on the cauldron. One hand rested on his back as he held his other hand out. It… it seemed like he was suppressing the monastery master! Who was this man?

Xia Changqiu was shocked. He looked up and said, "Why aren't you using a palm seal?"

Yu Zhenghai smiled faintly and said, "There's no need for that."

"Young man. You're too green." Xia Chengqiu fisted his hands.

'Hm?'

Bam!

The force in Xia Changqiu's fists grew stronger before it surged out.

Yu Zhenghai raised his foot and kicked.

Dong!

The cauldron spun up and blocked the palm strike.

Bam!

The palm seal left its mark on the cauldron.

Then, Xia Changqiu made a flurry of movements. He swung the horsetail whisk in his left hand.

A red force shot toward Yu Zhenghai like a gust of wind.

Upon seeing this, Yu Shangrong smiled faintly and said, "If you can't deal with this, allow me..."

Yu Zhenghai exclaimed, "Who says I can't deal with this? Look closely…" He pushed with his palm out again!

Xia Changqiu's body burst forth with red energy. He intended to repel Yu Zhenghai.

However, Yu Zhenghai's palm strike was ferocious. He forcibly suppressed the red energy that tried to overwhelm him.

Xia Changqiu struck again!

Boom!

Their palms collided, and both opponents reeled back.

Yu Zhenghai landed on the ground and retreated five steps back. He felt his arm go numb.

Xia Changqiu landed on the ground, retreating three steps back. His arm was numb as well. He frowned as he looked at Yu Zhenghai. 'Since when did the Ninth Temple have an elite like this?'

The disciples and elders hurried over to have a better look.

"How dare you cause a scene in the Thousand Willow Monastery?! Take him down!" The elders were filled with righteous indignation.

Zing! Zing! Zing! Zing! Zing!

The disciples drew their swords.

However, Xia Changqiu raised his hand at this moment. "Stand down."

The others were stunned by the order. They reluctantly put their swords away.

At this moment, Yu Shangrong stepped between the two opponents. He glanced at Yu Zhenghai and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, you've taken two more steps backward compared to him."

Yu Zhenghai's ears flushed slightly red as he said, "That doesn't count! I wasn't giving it my all! I want a rematch!"

At this moment, Xia Changqiu took half a step back from his lack of confidence. 'This man is ruthless.'

Indeed. Yu Zhenghai did not use his full strength. He did not use his energy nor did he use his weapon. However, he had to admit he had underestimated Xia Changqiu as well.

At this time, Yu Shangrong turned around to face Xia Changqiu. He extended his right hand and said with a smile, "Go ahead."

Xia Changqiu shook his head slightly and said, "I was only trying to find out who your master is when I attacked. I have no ill will. There's no need for another battle."