Lu Zhou paused for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction.
Disciples can complete tasks, and masters can earn Merit Points from their disciples. It makes perfect sense.
Not bad at all.
Half an hour passed, and Little Yuan'er had already slain more than ten audacious cultivators.
Lu Zhou checked the panel.
The Merit Points had accumulated to 300 points.
"Shop."
"Purchase 'Initial Taiji Formation' Dharma Body."
[Ding, you have acquired the Initial Taiji Formation Dharma Body.]
At the moment he obtained the Dharma Body, Lu Zhou felt a spring of energy surge from his long-dry Dantian.
Waves of energy coursed through his entire body.
He broke through!
Truly stepping from the Body Refinement Realm into the Profound Understanding Realm.
Body Refinement only trains the muscles, bones, and skin, unable to utilize energy like a cultivator. Becoming a cultivator exponentially increases one's abilities.
"As expected, there's no bottleneck," Lu Zhou felt the changes within his body.
After a brief moment, his body calmed down.
[Name: Lu Zhou
Race: Human
Cultivation: Profound Understanding Realm, Mind Orifice.
Merit Points: 0
Remaining Lifespan: 613 days
Items: Ji Tiandao Peak State Card*2, Fatal Block*5 (Passive)]
***
The Two Forms Transformation requires a thousand Merit Points.
What a huge pit.
Reaching the heights of Ji Tiandao doesn't seem as easy as imagined.
It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "p𝑎wread.com".
Moreover, there are currently no suitable cultivation techniques to practice.
"Practice the old cultivation techniques?"
In Lu Zhou's mind, there were indeed many of Ji Tiandao's cultivation methods and insights, as well as the training methods and pros and cons of his nine disciples. However, those techniques were tailored for them and not suitable for himself.
As for Ji Tiandao's own techniques, it seems that due to the aging body, practicing them would lead to stagnation.
This means he needs to increase his lifespan before considering further cultivation.
Before that, it's better to wait and not settle for less.
At this moment, the Merit Points seemed to stop increasing.
"Little Yuan'er of the Divine Court Realm can easily handle these small fry.
They need to be put to work more."
Since disciples can help earn Merit Points, they should be utilized well.
Lu Zhou slowly stood up, stretching his muscles and bones.
Just as he was about to step out—
A shadow suddenly attacked.
Whoosh!
Hmm?
The shadow was like a bolt of lightning, breaking through the window from the west side of the pavilion, wielding a short sword that gleamed with a cold light.
With Lu Zhou's current strength, he only needed a glance to see that the intruder was a formidable opponent...
The sword's edge was charged with immense Vigorous Qi, aiming straight for Lu Zhou's vital points.
Should he call for help?
Bang!
The long sword stabbed into Lu Zhou's chest.
No harm was done!
The effect of the Fatal Block was triggered.
At this moment, Lu Zhou clearly saw the intruder's face.
"Zhou Jifeng, the senior disciple of the Celestial Sword Sect?" Lu Zhou exclaimed in surprise.
Zhou Jifeng didn't expect to be recognized at a glance. He hurriedly withdrew his sword and retreated into the air, thrusting another strike.
"Die!!!"
Lu Zhou frowned slightly.
After all, the Profound Understanding Realm is the weakest in the cultivation realm, how could it possibly withstand Zhou Jifeng who has stepped into the Divine Court Realm?
Man is the knife, I am the fish!
Zhou Jifeng was clearly here for revenge, a reckless madman who didn't care for his own life!
Bang!
Each strike was lethal.
This strike was once again deflected by Lu Zhou's mysterious block.
Zhou Jifeng somersaulted in the air, stumbling back, his arm slightly numb.
How... is this possible?
The Demon Heaven Pavilion fell silent.
Zhou Jifeng's eyes widened, swallowing hard... his eyes bloodshot.
The long sword in his hand trembled slightly, unsure whether to continue the attack.
"Do you still want to continue?" Lu Zhou's gaze was sharp.
"……"
Zhou Jifeng's legs gave out, and he staggered back, sitting down.
The gap was too wide.
So wide that he completely gave up the thought of attacking.
"Overestimating oneself." Lu Zhou snorted lightly, slowly turning around.
Stay composed.
Can't lose the momentum.
"You killed my master... even if I die, I must avenge him!" Zhou Jifeng gripped his long sword tightly.
"Futile."
Zhou Jifeng charged forward with his sword again.
His speed was like the wind.
A strong practitioner of the Divine Court Realm is not something ordinary cultivators can compare to.
In this split second—
"Master!"
A figure in green flashed in from outside.
Zhou Jifeng's heart trembled, his movements slowed by a beat.
Bang!
The figure in green sent him flying with a burst of energy.
With a puff, Zhou Jifeng spat blood and fell to the ground.
"Who dares to sneak attack my master?" Little Yuan'er landed, revealing her little tiger teeth, her smile full of killing intent.
"Yuan'er, stand down."
"Master... he ambushed you, I want to tear him to pieces to vent your anger..."
Hearing this.
Zhou Jifeng's face turned pale.
The nine disciples of the Demon Heaven Pavilion were indeed all fierce.
Zhou Jifeng's understanding of them only existed in rumors, which often contained exaggerations and inaccuracies.
Now seeing it with his own eyes, even this cute and pretty little girl was so terrifying!
Zhou Jifeng regretted it.
Regretted coming for revenge!
***
On the surface, Lu Zhou remained as steady as an old dog.
But inside, he sighed repeatedly.
This old body was truly weak.
In his peak state, someone like Zhou Jifeng wouldn't even warrant a glance. Now... it almost cost him his old life. Luckily, his little disciple arrived in time, otherwise, the five blocks wouldn't last long. At that point, he would have to waste a peak state trial card.
Taking advantage of the barrier not being repaired and the disciples' attention being diverted, Zhou Jifeng, with his Divine Court Realm cultivation, could sneak up from a secluded place, but he didn't expect him to be so audacious to attempt an assassination!
His gaze fell on Zhou Jifeng—
Name: Zhou Jifeng
Race: Human
Realm: Divine Court Realm, Dao Shaping Initial Stage
Status: Hostile, Hate Value 85%.
"I killed your master, and you come to seek revenge, which is reasonable.
But overestimating yourself is akin to courting death, doing so is meaningless."
Lu Zhou slowly sat down, searching his memory for information about Zhou Jifeng.
Coincidentally, Ji Tiandao seemed to have had some entanglements with Zhou Jifeng in the past.
"You tempered your body at eight, entered the Profound Understanding Realm at nine, reached the Condensed Awareness Realm at thirteen, the Brahma Sea at eighteen, and the Divine Court at twenty. In the cultivation realm, you're considered a rare genius. You could have waited a few more years to seek revenge. Why rush to your death now?"
Zhou Jifeng regretted it to death.
He was a genius, known throughout the Celestial Sword Sect.
Little Yuan'er muttered, "Master, is this what they call a rare genius? I became your disciple at ten, and entered the Divine Court at fifteen..."
Lu Zhou: "..."
Hearing this, Zhou Jifeng's little bit of pride was utterly crushed.
"Don't interrupt randomly," Lu Zhou glared at her.
Little Yuan'er stuck out her tongue and stood aside.
Lu Zhou continued:"Zhou Jifeng, do you know why I didn't kill you?"
"Old devil, spare me your hypocritical kindness. Kill or torture, do as you please," Zhou Jifeng said with a righteous demeanor.
Lu Zhou shook his head.
"Do you really think Luo Changfeng is a gentleman?"
"What do you mean?" Zhou Jifeng's eyes widened.
"You naive young man, when I knew Luo Changfeng, you weren't even born."
"What are you trying to say?"
"If I told you that your father's killer was Luo Changfeng... would you believe it?" Lu Zhou said calmly.
[Ding, hidden branch quest triggered: Convert Zhou Jifeng.]
[Tip: Any of your actions may trigger hidden quests.]
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan