My disciples are all villains.

Wuwu and Ji Fengxing looked at the duo in stunned silence. They were surprised that the duo was still in the mood for rock-paper-scissors at such a crucial moment. If they were not worried, they would have been impressed.

If the Flying Star House wanted to look for trouble, how was the Thousand Willow Monastery going to overcome it?

Meanwhile, Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai played their game.

Three rounds later, Yu Shangrong won. He smiled faintly as he said, "Thank you."

Yu Zhenghai placed his hands on his back and said, "Since I'm your senior brother, it's only natural for me to give this chance to you."

Yu Shangrong was pleased enough with his victory that he did not bother to bicker with Yu Zhenghai. He was happier than that time when they had their ultimate Eight-leaf battle in Cloud Radiant Forest.

Wuwu and Ji Fengxing were speechless as they watched the duo.

Ever since Yu Zhenghai began to stay here, the two disciples often debated in the gazebo, but they had never spared. One was an elite swordsman while the other was an elite saber user. No matter how long they argued, they could decide on a winner. Therefore, they decided to make Ji Fengxing learn both the sword and the saber before they made their judgment.

Sometimes, the others wondered if the duo was nemeses or fellow disciples.

…

The cultivators on the flying chariot slowly made their way to the Thousand Willow Monastery.

Meanwhile, in front of the Thousand Willow Monastery's Fair Hall, the elder, Tian Buji, led dozens of disciples as he flew over.

They hovered at the side of the gazebo and bowed at the flying chariot.

"I wonder which senior from the Flying Star House has decided to grace us with his presence? Forgive us for our lack of hospitality."

At the helm of the flying chariot, a sexagenarian with a stoop back walked out. His hair was gray, and he was not tall.

Tian Buji bowed. "So, it's Elder Liang."

When the flying chariot stabilized, the old man with the stoop back, Liang Zidao, disembarked from the flying chariot and hovered in front of it.

Dozens of Flying Star House disciples flew out as well and spread out behind Liang Zidao.

Liang Zidao rested his hands on his back as he looked at the gazebo before shifting his narrowed eyes to Tian Buji. Then, he said, "I want to speak to Xia Changqiu."

The two elders spoke with some sound technique, causing the low-rank cultivators to hear ringing noises in their minds. It was rather uncomfortable.

Tian Buji smiled before he replied, "Elder Liang, you've come a long way. May I know what business you have here? The monastery master is currently cultivating in seclusion and isn't able to receive guests. You can speak to me instead."

"It's not the same."

"How so?"

"You're too weak," Ling Zidao said bluntly; his voice dripping with scorn.

Tian Buji said, "Elder Liang, we're both cultivators. Is there a need to insult another fellow cultivator?"

Liang Zidao shook his head. "The Flying Star House has lost too many disciples to the Thousand Willow Monastery. Yet, you expect me to behave in a civil manner? Don't you think you're asking for too much?"

"Their deaths have nothing to do with the Thousand Willow Monastery," Tian Buji said.

"Don't try to talk your way out of this!" Liang Zidao raised his right hand.

Two disciples stepped forward on each of Liang Zidao's sides and summoned their avatars immediately.

Whizz!

Whizz!

There were two sounds of resonance as a Seven-leaf red lotus avatar and an Eight-leaf red lotus avatar appeared before fading away.

Tian Buji and the others frowned slightly.

"I'm not Lu Song or Xuan Ming… We're all intelligent people. There's no need to beat around the bush," Ling Zidao said, making his intentions clear.

"So the Flying Star House has decided to look for trouble with the Thousand Willow Monastery?"

"So what if it's true?"

Tian Buji, naturally, knew what kind of situation they were in. The rise of the great forces would often come with them taking over minor forces. Even without Wuwu, Lu Song, or Xuan Ming… this was bound to happen. He would have to deal with this sooner or later.

The only thing Tian Buji did not expect was for the Flying Star House to send Liang Zidao.

Liang Zidao was known for being merciless and making big movements whenever he made a move. He was always direct with his intentions as well.

For the Flying Star House to send Liang Zidao, it was clear they no longer intended to conceal the hostility.

At this moment, Yu Shangrong pushed away from the ground and stepped over the railing. He flew over as though he was as light as a feather. When he came to a halt, he said humbly and politely, "My apologies, but if you'll allow me to interject..."

Wuwu and Ji Fengxing were perplexed. At this juncture, how could Yu Shangrong speak in such a manner?

Nevertheless, Liang Zidao did not even deign to spare Yu Shangrong a glance. He only waved his hand.

With that signal, a Seven-leaf red lotus elite dove from the sky.

"I've already told you. Apart from Xia Changqiu, none of you are qualified to speak to me."

Liang Zidao's voice had barely faded when the Seven-leaf red lotus elite, who had dived from the sky, summoned his avatar and made his way toward Yu Shangrong. He found it strange that Yu Shangrong still wore a faint smile on his face and remained still as he hovered in the air. In that instant, he ran dozens of simulations in his mind regarding possible surprises that might occur during battle. In the end, he came up with a few possibilities: his opponent would prepare to defend himself with a weapon, summon his avatar, or turn around and run. Whatever it was, he was prepared to kill or severely injure his opponent with a red lotus sacred technique. This was a good opportunity for him to take the initiative and crush his opponent. With all these thoughts in mind, a faint smile appeared on the Seven-leaf red lotus elite's lips. 'Here I come! Die!'

Yu Shangrong did not move at all.

The red lotus elite frowned slightly. All he saw was the sword behind Yu Shangrong shaking. In just a moment, he was upon Yu Shangrong.

Zing!

There was a flash of red light as the sword left its scabbard!

Yu Shangrong wielded his sword with his right hand and brought it from his left shoulder to the right. His right arm was now extended to the side.

Bam!

The battle ended; it did not even last for half a breath before it ended.

There were no flashy moves or bursts of energies. There were no unnecessary techniques as well.

The red lotus avatar was smoothly cleaved into two.

The Seven-leaf elite's eyes widened as he looked at his avatar with trembling lips. He had run through various scenarios in his mind, but he did not expect this outcome at all.

His avatar shattered, and he fell, severely injured. Even if it was not a fatal blow, it still dealt heavy damage to him.

…

The others were shocked as they looked at Yu Shangrong.

Yu Shangrong moved his right arm back to its original position before he calmly sheathed his sword. He was as gentle as ever as he said, "I had to save my life with this sword strike. I hope you understand."

Liang Zidao stared at Yu Shangrong intently. Someone who could strike down a Seven-leaf cultivator with a single sword strike in just a blink of an eye could not be a weakling. "Who are you?"

Yu Shangrong did not reply to Liang Zidao's question, which was quite unlike him. Instead, he said, "If the Flying Star House came looking for trouble, how could I, as a guest of the Thousand Willow Monastery, sit back and do nothing?"

"So, that geezer, Xia Changqiu, hired a helper. Are you from the Ninth Temple?" Liang Zidao asked.

Yu Shangrong shook his head. "That's not important. I have a suggestion for you, and I hope that you'll heed it."

"And what's that?" Liang Zidao turned around with a curious expression.

"Return to where you came from and stop giving the Thousand Willow Monastery trouble…" He paused for a moment. After giving it some thought, he added, "On behalf of the Thousand Willow Monastery, I thank all of you."

"…"

Wuwu and Jifengxing. "…"

Yu Zhenghai did not find Yu Shangrong's behavior strange. He merely shook his head, bored.

Liang Zidao stared at Yu Shangrong. "You and what army?" There were not many who dared to challenge the Flying Star House in Great Tang, after all.

"I, alone, am enough," Yu Shangrong calmly replied.

"…"

The disciples of the Flying Star House were furious when they heard Yu Shangrong's words.

"Very well." Liang Zidao completely disregarded Tian Buji, at this moment. All his attention was focused on Yu Shangrong. Due to Yu Shangrong's polite and calm manner, he was even more infuriated, to the point where killing intent surged in his body.

"Even if the Ninth Temple's Master is here, he won't dare to act against the Flying Star House recklessly. The seeds of a grudge have been planted now." Liang Zidao waved his hand.

"You should heed my advice." Yu Shangrong shook his head helplessly. "If my master were here, you wouldn't even be able to last a round."

After the verbal exchange, the killing intent in Liang Zidao's swelled even more.

Inside the gazebo.

Wuwu looked at Yu Zhenghai and said, "Elder big brother… Is your master really that powerful?"

Yu Zhenghai nodded and said, "My junior brother has many wonderful qualities, but sometimes, he's humble to a fault."

"Hum… humble…" Ji Fengxing felt as though he was struck by lightning. He wondered if Yu Zhenghai was bragging.

"If my master were here, there won't be any 'round' to speak of… These people won't even have a chance to make a move," Yu Zhenghai said.

"…"