Chapter 1756: Asking to be Humiliated
The four ancient lords were tens of feet apart, but their energies connected them, forming a defensive energy wall.
Lu Zhou lowered his alt.i.tude until he drew level with them.
Lu Zhou’s four disciples followed him and descended as well, standing tens of feet away from the four ancient lords.
For most cultivators, standing so close to the four ancient lords would pressure and frighten them. After all, with the quartet’s cultivation bases, it was easy for them to destroy mountains, rivers, the sun, and the moon with just a wave of their hands.
The four ancient lords studied Lu Zhou’s appearance from top to bottom, not missing a single detail.
Ancient Lord Dongfang nodded slightly and said, “When the world said the Unholy One has returned, I didn’t believe it. Now, I met you, I believe it.”
Ancient Lord Nanfang added, “Resurrection is an ability all cultivators dream of. Not only did you successfully come back to life, but you’re younger than before. Those who don’t know better would think you’re just a young boy who has just entered the cultivation world and doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.”
Lu Zhou said expressionlessly, “There are indeed many people like that.”
Yu Zhenghai chimed in, “It’s a pity all of them have pa.s.sed away.”
Ancient Lord Dongfang smiled. “You’re the same as before. You always do things your own way. I admire you, I admire you.”
Lu Zhou scoffed lightly. “Since you know I’ve returned, you still insist on guarding the upper core and protecting your pitiful dignity?”
Ancient Lord Dongfang said slowly, “The will of heaven can’t be ignored. Similarly, the will of the people can’t be ignored. Old Demon Ji, back then, you defeated Yanfeng, Xuan Meng, Qiang Yu, and Rou Zhao and won a bitter victory. Now that you’ve returned to the Great Void, the four ancient lords do not fear you. The people of the Great Void do not fear you. Heaven and earth are boundless, and righteousness will prevail. Today, let’s settle all our old and new grudges.”
Upon hearing this, realization dawned on Yu Zhenghai. He finally understood why his master had accompanied them to the upper core of Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction. As it turned out, there was a story in the past. Among the four divine emperors who fell back then, the Master of Yan Feng Hall, which corresponded with Shanyan’s Pillar of Destruction, was one of them. Although Yan Feng Hall no longer had a master, it had the support of the Four Ancient Lords of Shanyan.
Lu Zhou said in a very low voice, “When I was sitting firmly on Grand Mystic Mountain back then, all of you came to the mountain every day to bow and wors.h.i.+p. You called me a role model for all the cultivators in the world. When Grand Mystic Mountain collapsed, you bag of bones called me a demon. How can shameless old men like you have the audacity to bark in front of me?”
Ancient Lord Dongfang was not angered. Instead, he said, “Times have changed. When you built Grand Mystic Mountain, and the sea and the land were at peace, we were in awe and willing to follow you. However, what did you do?”
After a brief pause, Ancient Lord Dongfang continued to say slowly, “You extracted the power cores and caused the earth to collapse. You cut down the Thousand Serenities Tower and pulled out divine dragon’s tendons, causing chaos in the human world. Fierce beasts fought with humans for hundreds of years, and countless lives were plunged into despair. You ordered tens of thousands of cultivators to dig the valleys and the abysses in the east in your search for eternal life. People’s hearts were uneasy, and the world was terrified. Do you think you’re worthy of the position of the Master of Grand Mystic Mountain? Do you think you’re worthy of the reverence and admiration of all the cultivators in the world? If you were an emperor of the common folks, you’d be the most muddle-headed and tyrannical emperor in history since the dawn of time!”
Upon hearing these words, Yu Zhenghai lost his temper immediately. “Shut your mouth! It’s not your place to judge my master’s actions! Do you think I’m aware of what Yan Feng Hall has done? Since I became its commander, I’ve looked through the ancient records in the hall. Do you really think people don’t know what you’ve done? Do you want me to list them out one by one for you? Shameless bag of bones! Bah!”
Yu Shangrong, Ye Tianxin, and Zhao Yue were usually quite refined and graceful. However, at this moment, they could not help but spit lightly in agreement with Yu Zhenghai.
The four ancient lords looked at the four young people, puzzled.
Realization seemed to dawn on Ancient Lord Dongfang before he said, “You’re Yu Zhenghai, the one who won the position of the Commander of Yan Feng Hall?”
“If I knew how shameless four of you are, I wouldn’t have agreed to become the Commander of Yan Feng Hall!” Yu Zhenghai said.
The four ancient lords’ expressions changed slightly.
Finally, Ancient Lord Dongfang said, “Old Demon Ji, you really like to accept students and disciples. I hope your disciples won’t follow the same path as the Four Supremes of the Sacred Hall.”
As soon as Ancient Lord Dongfang’s voice fell, Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “Impudent!”
Lu Zhou struck with his hand.
A blue palm seal flas.h.i.+ng with electric arcs, which contained the divine Dao power, flew toward the four ancient lords.
The four ancient lords’ eyes widened before they drew a circle with their hands, forming four circles of light. The four circles of light gathered, forming a huge circular s.h.i.+eld.
Boom!
The palm seal hit the s.h.i.+eld.
The four ancient lords actually blocked Lu Zhou’s palm seal.
Ancient Lord Dongfang sensed the power of the palm seal and revealed a puzzled expression. After a moment, he said, “I see.”
Lu Zhou took a step forward, and the other four flew back.
Ancient Lord Dongfang continued to say, “You’re walking the same path as the Unholy One, and you’re wearing his mantle. However, you’re less ruthless, and your cultivation isn’t enough. If that’s the case, then the four of us will carry out justice on behalf of the heavens and get rid of this little demon.”
Lu Zhou was unmoved. Sometimes, he thought so too. However, there were also times he felt that he was the Unholy One. He could not decide between the two.
At this moment, a phantom flew out of each of the four ancient lords’ bodies while their physical bodies shone from dazzling circles of light that turned them into Golden Buddhas.
The four phantoms shot toward Lu Zhou like the wind.
This was the power of the will.
Lu Zhou’s disciples could not see the phantom souls. They could only sense a mysterious force sweeping toward their master.
When the four phantoms drew close to Lu Zhou, the divine mark robe suddenly fluttered.
Roar!
The ancient Dragon Soul roared, pus.h.i.+ng the four ancient lords’ souls back.
The four phantoms kept retreating until they returned to their respective bodies.
Then, the four ancient lords opened their eyes and grunted at the same time. Subsequently, blood trickled out from the corners of their mouths. When they recovered, they exclaimed in unison, “Ancient Dragon Soul?!”
The quartet thought they could catch the person in front of them off guard by using the power of the will. They did not expect him to possess the ancient Dragon Soul.
Lu Zhou also did not expect the enemies to be so unlucky. After a brief moment, he said, “I haven’t even made a move yet, but you’re already like this?”
The four ancient lords exchanged a look and nodded tacitly.
Swoos.h.!.+ Swoos.h.!.+ Swoos.h.!.+ Swoos.h.!.+
The quartet flew into the sky above the upper core before forming a circle with their hands.
Following that, energy seals filled the air. At the same time, Primal Qi surged around the upper core, and the ground began to crack. Lines on the ground began to converge toward them as cracking noises rang in the air.
It was also at this moment that Lu Zhou leaped into the air and flew toward the four of them.
Ancient Lord Dongfang struck with his palm. “Go!”
The divine Dao power burst forth from Lu Zhou’s palm as he met the attack.
Boom!
Ancient Lord Dongfang’s palm seal dissipated, and Lu Zhou appeared in front of him with an unstoppable momentum.
Ancient Lord Dongfang was a little surprised, and he quickly sent out four consecutive palm strikes.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Lu Zhou flashed and disappeared.
At this moment, Ancient Lord Nanfang cried out, “Confine!”
Buzz!
A circle of light shot out of the upper core, confining all of them. This was a spatial technique.
“Freeze!” Lu Zhou threw the Hourgla.s.s of Time out.
The four ancient lords turned to look at Lu Zhou in unison. They were astonished when they saw the spinning hourgla.s.s.
“The Unholy One’s item?!”
As soon as these words were said, the four ancient lords were frozen.
In just a breath, Lu Zhou shattered s.p.a.ce, striking with four palm seals before he swept past the quartet.
The four ancient lords were struck in the chest and flew backward as though they had been struck by lightning. When time recovered, they spat out a mouthful of blood immediately.
Ancient Lord Dongfang endured the intense pain and adjusted his position as he cried out, “Steady!”
The four of them stabilized their bodies and gestured with their hands. Then, the Primal Qi between heaven and earth began to gather.
At the same time, four pillars of light shot out from the ground and shrouded them.
Four majestic avatars appeared. Their tops could not be seen at all.
Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “Fake supreme beings can only fake their confidence in the end…”
This was a huge formation that the four ancient lords had built with the help of the upper core, boosting their cultivation to that of a supreme being. Alas, that did not mean they were supreme beings.
Following that, Lu Zhou mobilized the power from the Unholy One’s painting. Its mysterious power coursed through his Eight Extraordinary Meridians and pulled out the energy from the four power cores. Then, they merged before electric arcs burst forth from his body. In just a moment, his eyes shone with a blue light.
“Blue eyes?!”
“Unholy One?!”
When the four ancient lords saw Lu Zhou in the Unholy One’s state, their eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.
When Lu Zhou arrived in front of them, his avatar appeared.
The 14-leaf lotus grew swiftly, and with a few loud booms, it sent the four ancient lords flying far away.
The four ancient lords spat out blood again.
“He still possesses his peak strength?!”
“How’s this possible?!”
“How did he manage to maintain his peak strength after everything?!”
The quartet was perplexed.
At this moment, Lu Zhou said in a sonorous voice, “You old thing, back then, I killed Yan Feng! Today, I’ll send all of you to see him! Yan Feng Hall will fall!”
“Old Demon Ji, I’ll fight you to death!”
Ancient Lord Dongfang was the first to charge out, looking as though he had no regard for his life at this moment. He shone with a golden light as he flew horizontally. A terrifying power wrapped around his hands as he drew close to Lu Zhou, aiming for Lu Zhou’s head.
Just as Ancient Lord Dongfang’s hand was about to touch Lu Zhou, Lu Zhou raised his hand.
Bang!
Lu Zhou’s hand was like the mountain when he firmly blocked Ancient Lord Dongfang’s earth-shaking attack. Then, he slowly clenched his hands.
Crack!
“Arghh!”
Ancient Lord Dongfang’s hands were broken in just an instant. He quickly retreated and returned to the others.
Then, the four ancient lords watched as Lu Zhou walked toward them unhurriedly. With every step he took, their expressions became uglier. Finally, they looked at each other tacitly.
“Use the ultimate move!”
The quartet nodded, looking as though they had seen through life and death as they spoke their final words to each other.
“Very well! We’re all so old anyway. It’s about time our mission comes to an end.”
“May the world be peaceful and prosperous again.”
“It’s not scary even if we fall. There are still tens of thousands of people who will carry on our legacy!”
“To be able to fight Old Demon Ji at his peak, even if we die, it’s acceptable!”
After that, the four of them endured the excruciating pain and spread their arms.
The world shook.
The upper core began to tremble and cracks began to appear.
Lu Zhou scoffed coldly. “Even if there are 10 million of you, I’ll still kill all 10 million.”
Lu Zhou flashed and appeared high in the sky.
Following that, Lu Zhou’s golden avatar appeared in front of the four ancient lords while the blue avatar appeared behind them.
Under Lu Zhou’s control, the two avatars exploded with the power of life and death.
The four hot-blooded ancient lords who had just roused their fighting spirit felt as though they had been splashed with a bucket of ice water when they saw the two avatars.
“Two avatars?!”
The quartet’s faces were ashen and dumbfounded as they watched countless energy swords swept out. At this time, they keenly realized the gap between them and the Unholy One. The difference was too great. They felt embarra.s.sed when they recalled how they had boldly challenged him and fought him earlier. They were just asking to be humiliated.
Two energies that far surpa.s.sed the quartet’s energies, which they mustered up at the cost of their lives, fell on them.