Chapter 963: Ashamed

Shen Xi was very confused. Even if this was not his strongest technique, it looked magnificent and cool. It clearly showed the level of his cultivation base. The astrolabe and the glowing Birth Charts were the unique signs of a Thousand Realms Whirling cultivator.

Zhu Tianyuan continued to say with a smile, “What kind of move was that? Come on, teach me.”

Did Zhu Tianyuan really not know about the astrolabe and what it represented? Or did he really mistake a wolf for a stray dog?

Shen Xi coughed to cover up his embarrassment before he said, “This… Uh, I’m afraid I can’t teach you…”

Zhu Tianyuan laughed before he said good-naturedly, “Hey, hey, are you underestimating me? I’ve created many fighting techniques, you know. I’m sure you’ve never seen anything like them before. Come one. If you teach that technique, I’ll teach you two of my techniques!”

“…”

The cultivators present had never seen a Thousand Realms Whirling avatar in their lives. How could they have recognized the astrolabe or understood what it represented?

Pan Zhong who overheard the entire conversation felt incredibly embarrassed. He hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Zhu Tianyuan’s arm before he said in a hushed voice, “Senior, this… Guardian Shen really can’t teach you that…”

“Why not?” Zhu Tianyuan asked in confusion.

Pan Zhong replied, “That move is unique to Thousand Realms Whirling experts! It’s only natural it can’t be taught!”

“…”

Everyone turned to look at Shen Xi in unison when they heard Pan Zhong’s words.

When Pan Zhong saw his words had caught everyone’s attention, he continued to say, “That’s right. Guardian Shen and Guardian Li are Mystic Realm experts!”

Despite Pan Zhong’s words, there was still a hint of disbelief on everyone’s faces.

Upon seeing this, Pan Zhong turned around and said, “Guardian Shen, forget about the astrolabe. It’s better to show your avatar.”

Shen Xi nodded in understanding.

Buzz!

The sound of energy resonating rang in the air.

Soon enough, a black lotus that covered half the area in front of the Evil Sky Pavilion’s main hall appeared in front of everyone’s eyes. Ten dazzling leaves like the blades of assassins that caused everyone to shudder could be seen as well. The Birth Palace on the lotus seat with distinct zones shone, illuminating its surroundings. Following that, a black avatar appeared and rapidly increased in size.

100 feet.

200 feet.

300 feet.

400 feet.

450 feet.

In Great Yan, most experts were stuck at the Eight-leaf stage. If it were not for the 1,000-year limit of their lifespans, there would be Eight-leaf cultivators in every corner of Great Yan. Eight-leaf cultivators were rather outstanding with their avatars that were 100 feet tall in Great Yan. However, after the lotus-severing technique appeared in Great Yan, cultivators who managed to sprout the ninth-leaf saw an increase in their avatars’ height from 100 feet to 150 feet.

So, what was that 450-foot avatar?!

Naturally, these people were not fools. They knew the height of an avatar represented one’s cultivation base. Although the height of 450 feet exceeded their understanding, they knew this was a height that they could not reach.

After a moment, they recalled Pan Zhong’s earlier words. So this was the Mystic Realm?

Meanwhile, a black astrolabe appeared at the back of the 450-foot avatar. The 12 lines on the astrolabe were very distinct, and the four Birth Charts shone dazzlingly.

Zhu Tianyun gulped as he looked at the avatar. ‘Ah… Indeed, something like this can’t be taught…’

Meanwhile, Shen Xi enjoyed the admiration from the crowd. Perhaps, he had been in the Black Tower Council for too long and was constantly inundated with cruel missions like searching for and killing Birth Chart Beasts. Even if the missions were completed beautifully, he would only receive some token reward from the Black Tower Council. If he performed exceptionally well, he would maybe receive perfunctory praise from the Upper Council.

Therefore, Shen Xi did not immediately withdraw his avatar. Even if he had to waste a little Primal Qi, it did not matter to him.

The visitors continued to look at the avatar in admiration and praised it.

After a long time, Lu Zhou’s voice finally rang from the main hall. “That’s enough.”

Now that Lu Zhou had spoken, Shen Xi no longer dared to show off. He bowed immediately. “Understood.”

In just a blink of an eye, the avatar vanished into thin air.

Everyone was still in a daze. However, a hint of envy could be seen on their faces as well.

Shen Xi said, “Sorry for showing you a joke…”

“…”

Zhu Tianyuan’s expression was rather unnatural at this moment. He wanted to nudge Shen Xi with his elbow again, but he did not feel it was appropriate. In the end, he only said, “I apologize. I… My eyes aren’t discerning enough…”

“It’s nothing. It’s just a small trick,” Shen Xi said modestly.

Everyone nodded in approval. They assumed a high and mighty Mystic Realm expert would be arrogant. They did not expect Shen Xi to be so courteous and humble. Finally, all of them shuffled back into the main hall.

When everyone returned to their positions, Lu Zhou walked down the stairs and swept his gaze across them as he said, “I asked Shen Xi to reveal his cultivation base for two reasons.” He paused briefly before he continued to say, “First, it’s to tell you that you must not be a frog at the bottom of the well. Apart from the red lotus domain, there are also powerful experts from the black lotus domain and the white lotus domain. Second, when you reach the Ten-leaf stage, you’ll attract the Birth Chart Beasts. In the coming days, I want all of you to leave a person from your sect here to learn from Shen Xi. He’ll teach you the way to sprout the tenth leaf, to activate your Birth Charts, and the way to kill Birth Chart Beasts. Only by getting stronger can we stop others from seizing control of the golden lotus domain.”

Upon hearing Lu Zhou’s words, the cultivators were overcome by emotions.

Nan Gongwei stepped forward and said, “Pavilion Master’s magnanimity is truly awe-inspiring!”

Everyone followed suit and bowed.

“Truly awe-inspiring and admirable!”

Meanwhile, Lu Zhou looked at Shen Xi and asked, “Guardian Shen, what do you think?”

Shen Xi was slightly taken aback. When he regained his senses, he nodded and said, “I’ll follow Pavilion Master’s orders.”

“Then I’ll leave them to you…”

“Understood.”

Following that, the leaders of the sect began to select people to learn from Shen Xi.

Nan Gongwei hurriedly said to Elder Chu Nan, “Elder Chu, your ability is not bad. When you return, you should handle the affairs of the Tian Sect on my behalf. I’ll reluctantly stay behind.”

Chu Nan was startled by these words. He said, “Sect Master, you can’t do this. The sect can’t be without its master for a day. If you’re not around, it’d be difficult to keep the others in line.”

Nan Gongwei mulled over Chu Nan’s words for a moment before he said decisively, “Then how about this? You can temporarily take over the position of Sect Master!”

Chu Nan said, “It’s inappropriate for me to temporarily take over the Sect Master’s position. Moreover, people will know I’m borrowing your power to deal with matters, and they won’t be convinced. I think it’s better for me to stay behind.”

Nan Gongwei hardened his heart and said determinedly, “Fine! Then you can just become the Sect Master! At that time, I’d like to see who dares to object!”

Chu Nan. “???”

This scene was repeated in the other sects as well.

Meanwhile, everyone from the Evil Sky Pavilion felt rather speechless when they saw this.

Shen Xi did not expect this level of enthusiasm as well. He suddenly recalled something and said after he bowed, “Pavilion Master, I’m afraid we can’t activate the Birth Charts without a lotus.”

This matter had been lingering in his mind since he saw Zhao Yue’s lotus-less avatar. It was beyond his comprehension.

Everyone froze upon hearing Shen Xi’s words.

Lu Zhou nodded. He placed his hands on his back and said, “Currently, their cultivation bases are stuck at the Nine-leaf stage. We’ll discuss this once they reach the Ten-leaf stage. Meanwhile, we’ll start collecting life hearts from Birth Chart Beasts.”

“Understood,” Shen Xi said, “If it’s possible, we should mobilize and unite all the cultivators to seize the Birth Chart Beasts as our own. At the same time, we’ll think of a way to hide them from the Black Tower Council and the White Tower Council.”

Li Zhou nodded. “I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Understood.” Shen Xi bowed. Then, he said to everyone, “Everyone, please guide us…”

Naturally, no one dared to be negligent. “You’re too courteous and humble, Guardian Shen.”

At the same time, everyone wondered how Lu Zhou managed to make two mysterious experts submit to him.

…

Meanwhile, somewhere in the White Tower Council.

“Sir, the team we sent to the golden lotus domain had four people. All of them are dead,” a cultivator said respectfully.

A middle-aged man who was practicing with his sword in the hall looked over and asked, “Who killed them?”

“The Black Tower Council,” the cultivator replied.

“The Black Tower Council?” The middle-aged man sneered. “The Black Tower and White Tower Councils had an agreement. How dare they attack us!”

“It’s said that it was over the Great Void energy,” the cultivator said, “Captain Teng told me that before he left. I don’t know if there are any truths in those words.”

The middle-aged man frowned. “The Great Void energy?”

“That’s right.”

“This matter must not be made public. I’ll speak to the Black Tower Council personally…”

“Understood.”