Chapter 987

To capture Zhou Zhiruo, the Eastern Depot's elite and countless operatives had lain hidden in the woods of Mount Shaoshi, waiting for who knew how long.

During this time, they had fed every mosquito and insect on Mount Shaoshi, and had long grown impatient.

Now that the main target had appeared, not only Tiezhua Feiying, but all the Eastern Depot's elite were eager to strike immediately.

"Wait!"

Cao Zhengchun himself was also deeply agitated.

Since Zhou Zhiruo's disappearance last time, he had never stopped thinking about finding her.

Now that Zhou Zhiruo had suddenly appeared before him, he was overwhelmed with excitement.

But after observing from afar, he couldn't help feeling something was odd.

Zhou Zhiruo, chatting merrily with Master Yeyu and walking hand-in-hand up the mountain, looked utterly strange.

Only upon hearing Tiezhua Feiying's words did Cao Zhengchun snap to attention.

This Zhou Zhiruo was a master capable of fighting him to a standstill, and had even defeated him with that precious sword.

Yet the Zhou Zhiruo before him now moved with none of her former lightness—her steps were heavy instead.

Not even compared to him, she was clearly inferior to Master Yeyu.

What was going on?

Could this Zhou Zhiruo be an imposter?

"Supervisor, what are you waiting for?"

Tiezhua Feiying, confused, could only ask.

"Feiying, don't you see something odd about this Zhou Zhiruo?"

The one who answered Tiezhua Feiying was not Cao Zhengchun, but Luo Jusheng.

Of the Eastern Depot's eight top experts, Luo Jusheng had the sharpest eyes and was best at reading Cao Zhengchun's thoughts.

He had originally intended to strike immediately, but seeing Cao Zhengchun's expression, he paused, thought for a moment, and spotted the key issue.

"Zhou Zhiruo is a master who can defeat Master Yeyu—and you and me.

How then, on this mountain path, does she move no better than Master Yeyu?"

Luo Jusheng pointed out the problem directly.

"Huh? You're right!"

Tiezhua Feiying had truly been defeated by Zhou Zhiruo; now, with Luo Jusheng's hint, he instantly realized.

"Could this really be a fake?

Is this Zhou Zhiruo so powerful that she knew we were lying in wait for her?"

Tiezhua Feiying said, puzzled.

Cao Zhengchun frowned deeply, silently watching as Master Yeyu and Zhou Zhiruo swiftly passed the nearby Jiejian Hall and headed straight for Mount Shaoshi.

"Supervisor, perhaps Zhou Zhiruo was injured in her battle with you?"

At that moment, one of the Eastern Depot's experts suddenly spoke up.

"That makes sense! Supervisor, your divine cultivation is peerless, unmatched under heaven.

Last time you fought, the entire mountain was flattened.

How could Zhou Zhiruo, a delicate woman, have escaped unharmed?"

Hearing this, Tiezhua Feiying's eyes lit up, and he immediately began lavishly praising Cao Zhengchun.

"Maybe."

Cao Zhengchun did not believe this, saying,

"Enough! Since Zhou Zhiruo has appeared, there's no need to wait any longer.

Fayan, go summon the Tudao Assembly!

Luo Jusheng, Feiying—you two, with the other eight experts, keep a tight watch on this Zhou Zhiruo.

Once confirmed as the real Zhou Zhiruo, strike immediately."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Fayan, Luo Jusheng, Tiezhua Feiying, and others immediately accepted their orders.

"The rest of you, remain hidden and observe. Do not let any suspicious person escape."

Cao Zhengchun gave further orders to the other Eastern Depot operatives.

"Yes, Supervisor!"

The Eastern Depot operatives immediately obeyed with solemn discipline.

After making arrangements, Fayan immediately stepped out from behind the tree shadows, beaming.

He hurried toward the Shaolin Temple on the mountain.

Finally, he could summon the Tudao Assembly—once he killed Benefactor Guihai, his mission would be complete.

Even if his cultivation could not match Zhu Tie Dan or Cao Zhengchun,

in terms of martial prestige, he might well surpass them.

Shaolin would rise under his hand!

His name would be forever remembered in Shaolin.

Thinking of this, Fayan felt as if he were walking on air.

In a few steps, he entered the Shaolin Temple gates.

His appearance as Shaolinzhang Sect drew countless Zongmenzhang Sect leaders and elders to greet him.

Anticipating the glory to come, Fayan smiled warmly and chatted amiably with everyone who approached.

Turning around, he saw Master Yeyu and Zhou Zhiruo standing in the corner, conversing, utterly ignoring his arrival.

Liaofan felt a surge of anger within him.

The Emei Sect had always been inferior to Yunzhou Shaolin, and Master Yeyu had always followed his lead without question.

What spell did this Zhou Zhiruo cast, that not only did she rouse the entire Eastern Depot of Cao Zhengchun, delaying his own Tudao Assembly,

but even made Master Yeyu ignore him, here in front of everyone?

Truly hateful!

Thinking this, Liaofan stepped before Master Yeyu, chanted a Buddhist invocation, and said,

"Master Yeyu, we haven't met in days, yet this old monk somehow senses your cultivation has actually improved."

This remark was both pleasantry and truth.

Stepping closer, Liaofan noticed that for some unknown reason, Master Yeyu's divine light was drawn inward, her breath even and long.

No matter how he looked at it, her cultivation seemed to have advanced.

But it hadn't been long since their last battle in the wild valley—how could Master Yeyu have suddenly achieved such progress?

"Master Liaofan certainly has a keen eye."

Master Yeyu's face beamed with spring breeze, radiant with joy, and pointing to Zhou Zhiruo, she said to Liaofan,

"This Miss Zhou, I imagine the Master has already met her.

It was precisely Miss Zhou who taught me a set of Emei sword techniques, allowing my cultivation to advance.

Miss Zhou's kindness truly leaves this poor nun endlessly grateful!"

As she spoke, Master Yeyu even cupped her hands toward Zhou Zhiruo in thanks.

The moment these words fell, the Wu Lin folk nearby all erupted in an uproar.

Master Yeyu, are you out of your mind?

As the head of the Emei Sect, you actually received sword instruction from this delicate young Miss, and advanced your cultivation because of it?

What is this beauty's background?

777 Beautiful name, even more beautiful person

"Oh? Miss Zhou's mastery of Emei sword techniques runs this deep?"

Hearing this, Liaofan's brows twitched repeatedly.

He had never imagined that Zhou Zhiruo had already reached the level where she could instruct Master Yeyu?

And Master Yeyu was equally outrageous, publicly accepting Zhou Zhiruo's favor before everyone.

He feared that after today, this Miss Zhou Zhiruo's name would resound throughout the entire Wu Lin, and no one could suppress it any longer.

Zhou Zhiruo smiled confidently, heedless of the surrounding discussion, and said to Liaofan,

"Emei sword techniques—I only know a little of them.