Zhou Wuji wasn't feeling guilty; rather, he was too familiar with True Person Zhihua, which is why he explained the situation directly.
Lu Wuyuan was so ashamed after losing to Xinkong at the Jingyang Dharma Assembly that he returned to Yunyang overnight.
Several people from our institute, including Lu Zhicheng, Lu Wuxia, and Lu Wuqiu, also left quietly without daring to utter a sound.
From beginning to end, Zhou Wuji never considered Lu Wuyuan an enemy; this man was simply not worthy of his attention.
Another point is that Lu Wuyuan has never had a direct conflict with him.
Upon hearing the news of Lu Wuyuan's death, Zhou Wuji was indeed somewhat surprised. This outstanding Fourth Rank cultivator had simply died like that?!
He was somewhat regretful, after all, the boy was young and very talented, and should have been able to achieve the Third Rank in the future.
"How did Lu Wuyuan die, True Person?" Zhou Wuji asked.
True Person Zhihua frowned slightly and said, "He was killed by the Devil Cultivator of Yunyang. It is said that he chased the Devil Cultivator into the mountains and forests, but somehow he was killed instead."
" Lu Zhijing was furious and went on a killing spree in Yunyang, which also drew strong dissatisfaction from all sides."
" The Ironclad Guard and the Prefect of Yunyang both reported to the imperial court, requesting that Lu Zhijing be dealt with."
Zhou Wuji remained silent. He could somewhat understand Lu Zhijing; at his advanced age, all his energy was devoted to raising his grandson.
But he suddenly died a violent death.
It's quite normal for an old man to go insane after burying his child.
This has drawn strong resistance from all sides, Lu Zhijing must have gone too far. Zhou Wuji certainly cannot agree with this.
Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor.
If you want to take revenge, you need to target the right person; you can't just vent your anger on anyone.
True Person Zhihua said solemnly, "We can't really punish Lu Zhijing; that would be a slap in the face to our Northern Pole Sect."
"I discussed it with the abbot and we decided to have you go to the Cloud Dragon Lower Court to oversee the situation for a few months, stabilize the situation, and repair relations with all parties."
"You're from Yunyang, so you're very familiar with the area. With your current status and rank, you're more than capable of keeping Yunyang in check, not to mention your wisdom and methods; handling relationships with all sides won't be difficult for you—"
True Person Zhihua that she was going there to clean up Lu Zhijing's mess, a rather tricky matter, she unusually praised Zhou Wuji a few times.
Zhou Wuji also said solemnly, "The sect raised and taught me, and it is my honor to serve the sect. I will handle the matter in Yunyang well, please rest assured, True Person, please rest assured, Abbot."
True Person Zhihua couldn't help but smile, "Very good, you'll have to work hard this time."
" True Person, I would like to bring along Uncle Yizhen. He is from Yunyang and is more familiar with the situation on all sides—" Zhou Wuji knew this was an opportunity and made a small request.
Although True Person Zhihua was unrestrained and unconventional, she was extremely intelligent. She immediately understood that Zhou Wuji was trying to take the opportunity to elevate Daoist Yizhen to a higher position.
Zhihe has been at Cloud Dragon Lower Court for several years now, but he keeps getting into trouble. It's not Zhihe's fault.
The notes of Fu Tianji circulated everywhere, attracting a large number of Devil Cultivator cultivators.
This time, Lu Zhijing caused such a huge uproar, Zhihe also lost all prestige in Yunyang. It is only natural to transfer Zhihe back.
"Okay, we'll do it your way."
True Person Zhihua said, "Once you resolve Yunyang's troubles, you can let Daoist Yizhen temporarily take charge of the Cloud Dragon Lower Court."
"Thank you True Person." Zhou Wuji expressed his sincere gratitude.
He had some personal motives, but Daoist Yizhen was indeed very capable and familiar with Yunyang, making him a very suitable choice for host.
The only problem is that there are many Devil Cultivator in Yunyang, which will inevitably lead to various troubles.
Otherwise, the vast Cloud Dragon Lower Court would not have been available to Daoist Yizhen.
Zhou Wuji thought for a moment and then asked, "What if there's Third Rank Devil Cultivator?"
" Third Rank Devil Cultivator cultivators are extremely rare, and they all have impressive backgrounds and won't make a move easily."
True Person Zhihua said, "The methods of Devil Cultivator are insidious and can be suppressed by official energy and Dao energy. Even the human energy gathered in a large city can exert a certain degree of suppression on Devil Cultivator."
"The higher one's cultivation level, the greater the influence. Daoist temples, government offices, and cities can all suppress Devil Cultivator."
"The orthodox methods of Daoism are specifically effective against Devil Cultivator. With your Azure Cloud Treasure Robe, Tianshu Treasure Sword, and Pure Yang Lotus Crown, you won't be at too much of a disadvantage against Third Rank Devil Cultivator."
"You still have the Ten-Thousand-Li Divine Movement Talisman, so just run straight into the city. Or go back to the Cloud Dragon Lower Court. With the Lower Court's protective array, killing a Third Rank Devil Cultivator won't be difficult—"
True Person Zhihua concluded, "If you discover any trace of Third Rank Devil Cultivator, send me a message."
Zhou Wuji nodded, True Person Zhihua's arrangement was quite appropriate.
With the Ten-Thousand-Li Divine Movement Talisman a hundred-mile dash in an instant, coupled with his Tianquan Sword Evasion, he could always escape even if he couldn't defeat Third Rank Devil Cultivator.
Third Rank Yin Devil is easy to kill, but he is not the same as Third Rank Devil Cultivator. There is also a huge gap in level among Third Rank Devil Cultivator.
However, his Xiaoxiang Sword broke through to the Heaven Tier Rank, and in terms of Swordsmanship, he definitely reached the Third Rank, or even exceeded Third Rank.
If he had a divine sword, he could easily fight a Third Rank Devil Cultivator with his Sword Spirit god realm.
You could even try practicing Sky Silk Sword.
Zhou Wuji was only thinking about it; he was cautious by nature and wouldn't take risks easily.
However, with his Swordsmanship greatly improved, his confidence inevitably became somewhat inflated.
The matter was urgent, so Zhou Wuji set off the next day with Daoist Yizhen, Wuming, and Yang Tie Ying.
The four of them rode horses and traveled more than two hundred li during the day.
That evening, Zhou Wuji decided to take Wuming ahead and leave the two horses with Daoist Yizhen and Yang Tie Ying.
In early January, during the Lunar New Year, the weather was cold and the nights were long.
Zhou Wuji summoned the Vanishing Shadow Yin Dragon Steed, and with Wuming on board, they galloped away into the distance.
The Vanishing Shadow Yin Dragon Steed with the speed of an arrow released from a bow, disappearing into the dark night in two leaps.
When Daoist Yizhen first saw the Vanishing Shadow Yin Dragon Steed, he was quite surprised.
He knew the Flying Star Armored Horse Technique, but the armored horses he summoned were slow, even slower than ordinary steeds, their only advantage being their endurance.
This black steed was incredibly swift and its speed was unbelievable. Even with his full lightness Movement Method, he was still far inferior to this horse.
Daoist Yizhen asked Yang Tie Ying, "What is this?"
" The Vanishing Shadow Yin Dragon Steed was tamed and refined by my master from a high-level demon spirit. It is as fast as the wind and can travel two thousand miles at night."
Yang Tie Ying was beaming with pride, as if the horse were his own.
Daoist Yizhen knew this boy's character and didn't pay much attention to it, only clicking his tongue in admiration.
Riding on horseback, Wuming felt the swift, cold wind rushing towards her, making her hair fly and her clothes flutter loudly.
She hugged her senior brother tightly, but she still felt lightheaded, as if she would be thrown off by the fast horse at any moment.
Zhou Wuji sensed Wuming's nervousness. He grasped Wuming's delicate hand that was wrapped around his waist and smiled as he cautioned, "Hold on tight, don't fall!"
Wuming could speak, the cold wind made it impossible for her to open her mouth. She had no choice but to shrink behind Zhou Wuji and shout, "I'm fine!"
Riding on the black dragon steed, she and her senior brother sped through the night. She was shivering with cold and her heart was pounding with fear of falling.
Zhou Wuji was still considerate of Wuming. When he noticed that her hands were icy cold, he immediately activated the Pure Yang Lotus Crown, which released Pure Yang Qi to cover Wuming and block the cold wind rushing towards her.
Wuming was no longer cold, and his mood relaxed. He felt that riding so intimately with his senior brother, it was as if the whole world consisted only of him.
The two of them were both happy and joyful, wishing they could stay like this forever.
As dawn approached, Wuming saw the familiar gate of Cloud Dragon Lower Court, and she was actually a little disappointed—they had arrived so quickly!
Zhou Wuji didn't dismount; he went to the tightly closed gate and knocked on the door knocker.
He could have just gone in, but as a True Person Hongde, he had to make a high profile since he was returning to the Cloud Dragon Lower Court to clean up the mess.
The loud knocking broke the tranquility of Cloud Dragon Lower Court. The young Daoist priest living in the gatehouse heard the noise and hurriedly ran out from the side door, where he saw Zhou Wuji and Wuming riding on a black dragon steed.
The Pure Yang Lotus Crown on Zhou Wuji's head shone with a faint golden light, illuminating Zhou Wuji face.
The young Daoist had seen Zhou Wuji before and recognized the True Person Hongde at a glance.
In the past two years, Zhou Wuji has become famous Jingyang, and the cultivators of Cloud Dragon Lower Court are all proud of him. After all, Zhou Wuji comes from the Lower Court, and everyone highly regards him.
The young Daoist, both surprised and delighted, bowed and greeted the Venerable Hongde: "This disciple pays respects to the True Person Hongde."
Zhou Wuji nodded to the young Daoist: "Go and call the guest master to open the door and inform True Person Zhijing Zhihe Abbot Zhihe."
The young Daoist was very clever; after bowing, he hurriedly ran inside to find the person.
After a while, the two large doors suddenly swung open, and the middle-aged Daoist priest, accompanied by several other Daoist priests, quickly came out to greet them.
When the middle-aged Daoist saw Zhou Wuji on horseback, he was somewhat prepared, but his heart still trembled.
He came forward, bowed, and greeted the Venerable Hongde: "This disciple greets the True Person Hongde."
Zhou Wuji sneered, "Three years ago, I was a lowly Eighth Rank Daoist priest, and you were a guest master. Three years later, I am the True Person Hongde, so why are you still a guest master?"
He remembered clearly that after his master's accident, he went to see his uncle Daoist Yiping, and it was this very person who gave him a hard time.
He had always remembered this incident, and now he finally had a chance to vent his anger.
The middle-aged Daoist priest looked embarrassed and lowered his head, saying, " The True Person Man's talent is extraordinary; how can we mortals compare?"
"Haha, you're not a very good person, but you're good with a mouth."
Zhou Wuji laughed loudly. Given his current status, it was impossible for him to do anything to this person over such a trivial matter.
He ignored the man and rode directly to the Heavenly Pivot Hall.
Without needing anyone to guide him, he could see Lu Zhijing's aura Third Rank True Person from afar.
In the Heavenly Pivot Hall, Zhou Wuji dismounted with Wuming and put away the Vanishing Shadow Yin Dragon Steed.
At this moment, the eastern sky was beginning to lighten, and it was almost dawn.
Lu Zhijing remained seated in the main hall, unmoved, Daoist Zhihe came out to greet him.
Seeing Zhou Wuji wearing a lotus-shaped golden crown and flowing blue robes, the old Daoist Zhihe Zhihe's face was also full of emotion.
Back then, Zhou Wuji was just a junior in his eyes and had to try his best to please him.
In just two years, Zhou Wuji had already Third Rank of True Person Hongde. Although he was the abbot of the Lower Court and two generations higher than Zhou Wuji, he still had to greet this young Daoist in his twenties with courtesy.
Zhou Wuji bowed respectfully, saying, "This junior greets the abbot."
He had always thought that Daoist Zhihe was a decent person, fair in his dealings, and quite capable. It was a pity that he was dragged down by Lu Zhijing.
The Daoist Zhihe formally returned the greeting, saying, " True Person, please."
Upon entering the Heavenly Pivot Hall, Lu Zhijing sat on a futon and coldly sized up Zhou Wuji: "What are you doing here?"
"By order of the abbot, I have come here to take over the Cloud Dragon Lower Court."
Zhou Wuji took out the abbot's signed edict and handed it directly to Lu Zhijing.
Lu Zhijing opened the edict, glanced at it twice, and tossed it aside. He coldly said, " Wuyuan cannot die in vain. I will not leave until the murderer is brought to justice!"