Xuanyi, Zhang He, and the others had been fighting with the ancient Saint slayer in the dark clouds for a long time. They had not won, and they had even suffered a little. Otherwise, Xuanyi would not have asked for Lu Zhou’s help. Since Shang Zhang Hall’s people were here, it was a good idea to let them charge into the battle.

This was Xuanyi Palace’s territory. It spanned thousands of miles. Hence, even if Shang Zhang Hall managed to subdue the ancient Saint slayer, Xuanyi Palace still had the right to claim the kill. This was something decided by the Sacred Temple to maintain the balance.

Xuanyi and the others did not stand too close. Instead, they looked at the dark clouds that covered the entire southern sky from afar.

The shadow twisted in the dark clouds, causing people to shudder.

Up until now, Xuanyi and Zhang He had yet to have a good look at the ancient Saint slayer.

“I wonder if Pavilion Master is confident,” Zhang He said.

“Don’t worry about that. If something happens, everyone should retreat immediately,” Xuanyi said.

“Yes.” Zhang He nodded. He looked at the dark clouds that were still moving south before he asked, “Why did an ancient Saint slayer suddenly appear in this place?”

Everyone also had thought about this, but no one had the answer.

…

At this time, Lu Zhou and Shang Zhang had flown far away from the people of Xuanyi Palace. He had deliberately maintained a huge distance so that Shang Zhang could display his strength without being discovered.

Seeing that they were far away from the others, Shang Zhang’s body began to glow. The light forced the dark clouds back immediately.

Shang Zhang raised his head and looked at the dark clouds with eyes as sharp as an eagle’s as he said, “How dare a Saint slayer cause trouble here! I won’t let you off.”

Lu Zhou hovered in the air and asked, “Are you confident?”

“No.”

“Hm? If it were Ying Long, then perhaps, even Ming Xin would have a hard time dealing with it. However, you said it’s not Ying Long earlier,” Lu Zhou said.

Shang Zhang nodded. “The Ying Dragon has the Golden Amber Battle Axe. It was buried in the Thousand Serenities Tower south of Xuanyi Palace. Without the battle axe, Ying Long would not be able to control the wind and thunder.”

“You’re saying it’s an impostor?” Lu Zhou asked.

“It’s just a guess. I’ll be able to verify it after testing it out,” Shang Zhang replied. Then, he charged into the dark clouds like a shooting star.

Following that, an astrolabe appeared in the sky. The 36 Birth Charts shone dazzlingly. It expanded and covered the sky. Countless pillars of light that could tear through space with the power of the Dao shot out.

The heavens and the earth shook, shocking everyone.

…

The cultivators from Shang Zhang looked at the pillars of light, puzzled.

“Why is this method similar to His Majesty’s method?”

“Indeed. However, His Majesty said he won’t be here when he told us to help Xuanyi Palace.”

“I saw two figures flying south earlier. However, they were too fast so I couldn’t get a good look. It can’t be His Majesty, right?”

…

The huge commotion attracted the people of Xuanyi Palace immediately.

“Pavilion Master Lu’s strength is indeed that of a supreme being!” Zhang He exclaimed.

Xuanyi was naturally not surprised.

Li Chun chuckled. “Indeed, it’s like the might of a great emperor, but…”

“But what?”

“It’s a little too showy,” Li Chun said.

Zhang He retorted, “Since Pavilion Master Lu has the ability, it’s only natural for him to display his strength for everyone to see. This is also a way for him to establish his position. It’s reasonable and understandable. If it were Divine Emperor Shang Zhang, I’m afraid he would be even showier and tear the sky down.”

“You have a point. Moreover, this is our Xuanyi Palace’s territory. If Shang Zhang were here, he would definitely seize the opportunity to show off even more. Indeed, Pavilion Master Lu is much more low-key,” Li Chun said with a sigh. He had vaguely guessed Lu Zhou’s identity, and he thought that it should be about time for Lu Zhou to show his might. Regardless, he had no doubt Xuanyi Palace was going to rise to its peak with the addition of Lu Zhou.

…

Rumble!

A clap of thunder rang in the air followed by a roar from within the dark clouds.

The long and slender shadow began to rush toward the southern horizon at lightning speed.

Shang Zhang put away his astrolabe and appeared next to Lu Zhou before he asked, “Old sir, did you see it clearly?”

Lu Zhou had been using the power of sight to observe all this time. He had already identified the target. He nodded and said, “I thought it was Ying Long. As it turns out, I’d overestimated it.”

“Oh? As expected.” Shang Zhang smiled.

“It’s Teng She, a snake-like beast,” Lu Zhou said.

“Old sir, you’re very knowledgeable. I’m impressed,” Shang Zhang said as he cupped his fists together at Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou’s knowledge of Teng She came from the memories of the Unholy One. He said confidently, “Teng She was originally one of the Planetary Divine Incumbents. Due to its ugly appearance and heinous acts, it was classified as a beast. It was on par with Gou Chen. It rode on the clouds and summoned the rain. In ancient times, it was dissatisfied with its position as a divine incumbent. It challenged Ying Long and was forced to flee in defeat. After Ying Long disappeared, it used the name of Ying Long as it wandered around.”

Shang Zhang nodded as he looked at Lu Zhou with a complicated expression. He asked, “Old sir, you weren’t born in the ancient times, were you?”

Lu Zhou did not deny it. After all, this would make sense later when he appeared in the Great Void as the Unholy One.

Shang Zhang said, “Only those from ancient times knew about these secrets.” He sighed before he added, “Although my daughter is unlucky, she could also be considered lucky to have you as a master. I have no regrets.”

Shang Zhang was not stupid. If he could not tell that Lu Zhou’s cultivation was profound, he would have lived for so long in vain. He was relieved that his daughter had such a master.

“Let’s take down Teng She first,” Lu Zhou said as he turned into a shooting star and chased after Teng She.

“I’ll lend you a hand.”

Two shooting stars flew in the sky. In less than 15 minutes, they had already covered thousands of miles and arrived above the Thousand Serenities Tower.

The Thousand Serenities Tower overlooked a deep vortex-like ravine. The bottom could not be seen at all.

The duo looked up at the dark clouds.

“Vile creature, you want to take the Golden Amber Battle Axe, but alas, you don’t have the ability!”

Teng She was nowhere as powerful as Ying Long.

Shang Zhang flew into the sky and manifested his avatar.

Lu Zhou used three powers from the Heavenly Writing to sense the changes in the surroundings.

Shang Zhang and Teng She fought in the sky, causing the world to shake.

A golden light illuminated the sky.

Hiss!

Due to the battle, the dark clouds slowly dispersed, revealing a dark body that was tens of thousands of feet long in the sky. Its skin was like tree bark. It bared its fangs before it spat out blood mist and flew toward Shang Zhang.

Shang Zhang put away his avatar before he launched dozens of golden light pillars toward Teng She’s head.

Teng She howled in pain.

Boom!

Energy seals sailed in the air.

Teng She writhed in pain and anger.

Space tore, and Lu Zhou felt power surging toward him. He was surprised to discover the lesser laws could not even withstand a single blow.

“Bast*rd!”

Lu Zhou attacked from behind.

In front, countless golden light pillars bombarded Teng She’s body.

Shang Zhang said, “This is it. It won’t be able to hold on for long.”

The duo intensified their attacks.

“Spatial Lock!” Shang Zhang and his avatar flew up as a circular formation appeared in his hand.

Soon enough, the formation expanded and froze the space.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Teng She struggled frantically with all its might to free itself from Spatial Lock. At this time, a tearing sound rang out, and black bark-like skin began to fall in pieces as though it was shedding.

“Metamorphosis?” Shang Zhang was surprised, “Old sir, we can’t wait anymore. No wonder this vile creature came to Xuanyi Palace. I’m afraid it wants to replace Ying Long!”

Lu Zhou scoffed as he gripped Unnamed in the form of a sword tightly. “A snake is a snake. No matter how it changes, it won’t become a dragon!”

Buzz!

The surging divine power and divine Dao power entered Unnamed. Then, a 10,000-foot-long energy sword appeared around Unnamed. Subsequently, flames began to burn around Unnamed.

Shang Zhang had seen Unnamed previously. However, it was still impressive to see it again. After a moment, he said, “The southern true fire has been refined with the karmic fire into the divine fire?”

The divine fire danced around Unnamed as Lu Zhou thrust it out with all his might. Unnamed looked like a fire dragon as it struck Teng She’s back.

When Unnamed pierced Teng She’s body, Teng She went mad and began to writhe violently. Blood splattered in the air, and when they fell, they were like balls of crimson fire that burned in all directions.