Training disciples is a long and arduous journey.

Lu Zhou stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the scenery beyond the pavilion.

He still couldn't tell if this transmigration was a blessing or a curse.

If there were a competition for the most miserable transmigrator, Lu Zhou believed he would surely take the crown.

Before long.

Little Yuan'er entered the pavilion with Ming Shiyin and Duanmu Sheng.

"Master."

"Master."

Lu Zhou turned around, his gaze falling on the two disciples.

He saw that Ming Shiyin's loyalty remained at 59%, indicating that although the recent discipline had temporarily won him over, he still harbored doubts about his master.

Duanmu Sheng was slightly better, with his loyalty stable at around 65%.

Only Little Yuan'er's loyalty had always been high.

Lu Zhou felt more at ease with her.

"I called you here because there are a few tasks I need you to undertake."

"Please instruct us, Master. I will do my utmost," Duanmu Sheng said, bowing.

Lu Zhou said, "Zhou Jifeng of the Celestial Sword Sect has defected. You are responsible for tracking and investigating him. Given his current status and position, joining a new sect shouldn't be difficult. Report back as soon as you have any news."

"Fourth disciple."

"I am here."

"I have a rather special task for you... Throughout my life, I've committed many sins and taught you nine infamous villains, despised by the world. I need you to clean up our sect."

"Clean up the sect?!"

Ming Shiyin was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, "Master, although I am at the Divine Court Realm, I am far from being a match for Senior Brother Yu Zhenghai and Second Brother Yu Shangrong... Even Junior Sister Tianxin is beyond my reach. She wields the Celestial-Grade Treasure, the Passionate Ring, and has killed countless people. Her cultivation is likely already at the Primordial Spirit Tribulation Realm!"

This was indeed true.

Those disciples who had defected from the sect relied on their weapons and formidable cultivation to dominate the world and establish their own factions, becoming infamous demons. Duanmu Sheng, Ming Shiyin, and Zhao Yue had not left, mainly because Ji Tiandao had withheld weapons and the most complete heart methods from them.

First disciple Yu Zhenghai possessed the Celestial-Grade Treasure, the Jasper Saber, which could cut through iron like mud. Even a Dharma Body at the same Primordial Spirit Tribulation Realm could be broken by the Jasper Saber at its peak!

Second disciple Yu Shangrong owned the Celestial-Grade Treasure, the Longevity Sword. It was said that with each kill, the sword gained a sliver of energy, growing stronger. When man and sword became one, it might even unravel the mystery of longevity.

Sixth disciple Ye Tianxin wielded the Celestial-Grade Treasure, the Passionate Ring. Before Little Yuan'er joined, Ye Tianxin was Ji Tiandao's favorite disciple. The third and fourth disciples had no treasures, so Ji Tiandao, being partial, gave her the Passionate Ring. Now, Ye Tianxin was the master of Yan Yue Palace.

Compared to these three villains, Ming Shiyin was indeed lacking.

"Eighth disciple is only at the Divine Court Realm's Dao Control stage, while you are at the Dao Transformation Realm. Start with him," Lu Zhou said calmly.

"Huh?"

The Divine Court Realm has three stages: Dao Shaping, Dao Control, and Dao Transformation.

Dao Transformation is the highest.

Eighth disciple Zhu Honggong is only at the Divine Court Realm's Dao Control stage, without a Celestial-Grade Treasure for protection.

"Didn't you meet the eighth disciple before?" Lu Zhou asked.

"I did go to Fierce Tiger Hill... but the eighth disciple is foolish. I suspect he was bewitched by the seventh disciple, which led to his defection. His crime doesn't warrant death!" Ming Shiyin said.

The pavilion fell silent.

Lu Zhou did not speak immediately, standing with his back to Ming Shiyin.

After a moment of silence, Lu Zhou slowly turned around, facing Ming Shiyin, and said in an emotionless voice, "Come here."

"Mas... Master..." Ming Shiyin trembled all over.

He had no choice but to crawl up and walk toward Lu Zhou.

The closer he got, the more nervous he became.

His legs began to weaken.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pawread dot com".

Until he stood before Lu Zhou.

"Look into my eyes..."

"Master..."

Ming Shiyin's heart raced, his face flushed.

"Your gaze is evasive, you're very nervous... There's a faint flow of Vigorous Qi in you. Are you afraid I'll make a move against you?"

Thud!

Ming Shiyin knelt down.

"Please forgive me, Master. Your cultivation is unfathomable, and I know I'm no match for you. My caution is an instinctive, unintended act!"

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

He was truly frightened.

Looking at him, Lu Zhou couldn't help but reflect... The old demon's way of disciplining disciples was singular: beatings!

As a modern person, Lu Zhou understood the long-term consequences of such methods.

Fear and hatred would coexist!

Until one day, when a disciple gained the strength to rival the master, they might very well kill the master.

Reaching this point was inevitable.

Thus...

Lu Zhou felt little anger over his disciples' defection.

"I know what you're thinking... So, I'm giving you an opportunity now."

He pointed to a piece of paper on the side table and continued, "On that paper is the final incantation of the Qingmu Heart Method. I'm entrusting it to you. With this heart method, your cultivation will advance further, and you might even reach the Primordial Spirit Tribulation Realm."

Ming Shiyin's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the paper on the table...

He pondered whether he should take it.

In the past, taking it would have meant at least a broken hand.

Since defeating the Ten Great Masters, his temperament had changed, and even his methods were new.

In other words... could he take it?

Ming Shiyin swallowed, just about to stand up.

Lu Zhou had already picked up the paper and, with a casual flick, it floated gently in front of him.

Though his strength hadn't fully returned, controlling a piece of paper was still easy.

Seeing the final incantation of the Qingmu Heart Method, Ming Shiyin was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Master, for your generosity! I will do my utmost to clean up the sect for you!"

Loyalty +10%

It immediately rose to 69%.

Lu Zhou nodded in satisfaction.

[Ding, disciplining Ming Shiyin, gained 200 Merit Points.]

Lu Zhou knew that with Ming Shiyin's current strength and cultivation, completing a task like cleaning up the sect was indeed challenging, so he didn't press further.

"You may leave."

Ming Shiyin obediently retreated.

Duanmu Sheng and Little Yuan'er looked on with envy.

They eagerly watched Lu Zhou.

Both of them longed for a weapon, but Ji Tiandao's tools had all disappeared, and they couldn't be fulfilled immediately. So he said:

"I hope you perform your duties well and don't disappoint me."

"We will obey, Master!"

Duanmu Sheng clasped his fists and left the pavilion.

Only after their figures disappeared did Little Yuan'er pout and say, "Master, I want to go on a mission too!"

"You're still young and lack experience. Stay by my side," Lu Zhou replied, hoping she would protect him.

"Master, wasn't the task regarding Zhou Jifeng assigned to Senior Sister Zhao Yue?"

"Zhao Yue's style is too erratic and not steady enough... She completed the task two days ago and hasn't returned, nor can she take on another task."

"Huh?"

Little Yuan'er was shocked, hardly able to believe it, "Could it be that Senior Sister... Senior Sister isn't coming back?"