Compared to the desolation of the void plaza in the Hundred Zero Universe, the void plaza here was beyond crowded—it was a sea of people, all queuing to enter the Vast Abyss Universe.
In this vast expanse, mid-tier universes suitable for cultivation were rare. Most places, while viable for practice, carried the constant risk of attack or death. With Mengmu Great Evolution keeping a low profile, the Vast Abyss Universe became the obvious choice. It was not only safe for cultivation but also boasted clear heavenly rules and abundant cosmic vitality.
The crowd was due to rumors that the influx of cultivators had prompted powerful factions in the Vast Abyss Universe to plan a joint fee system. The fees were said to be exorbitant, far beyond ordinary charges. Some even claimed that once implemented, later arrivals would pay based on their desired stay duration.
In short, entering the Vast Abyss Universe would no longer be casual; it would require hefty payments. However, with so many powerful factions, negotiations were still unresolved.
But since the proposal existed, it would eventually be finalized. Thus, those who heard the news rushed to enter early.
Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji stood at the back, eyeing the long queue. Lan Xiaobu sighed, “We’ll probably be here a day. Though entry is free, the entrance is full of fees.”
His divine sense had already scanned the area. Mandatory fees included map jade slips and void plaza maintenance, alongside promotions for seclusion caves.
The map jade slip was essential to avoid trespassing on major sect territories. The maintenance fee covered the plaza’s vitality consumption from the crowds.
It was unclear who collected these fees, but they weren’t simple. Despite the charges, the queue was massive, suggesting future fees would be even higher.
The fees were secondary; the real issue was the time wasted.
Mo Wuji chuckled and sent a voice transmission, “The Vast Abyss Universe’s protective array is always open, so we can teleport in. When we’ve dealt with some Mengmu Great Evolution enforcers and need to leave, we’ll teleport out. I’ve set up void teleportation array patterns outside for a quick exit. If that fails, we’ll use your Seven Realms Stone.”
To them, the Seven Realms Stone was a last resort—exposing it could bring trouble.
To avoid attention, they queued for a day, paid the fees, and entered the Vast Abyss Universe.
The map jade slip was useful, letting them locate Mengmu Great Evolution without further inquiries.
Mengmu Great Evolution’s dojo was in the vitality-rich Great Thousand丈 Mountain.
This mountain was peculiar—all peaks appeared under a thousand 丈. From afar, aside from the main peak, the rest were low hills, with even the main peak below a thousand 丈.
Logically, Mengmu Great Evolution wouldn’t choose such a place, but assuming the peaks were truly so low was naive.
The view from outside was an illusion. Unless you were a Mengmu Great Evolution cultivator, you couldn’t reach any peak’s summit, even within their dojo.
The cosmic vitality was so dense it could be grasped, explaining why everyone coveted this place.
Add their rumored control over the Great Evolution Realm, and it was no surprise they attracted top disciples.
Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji stood outside Mengmu Great Evolution’s protective array. Despite its obstruction, they saw endless low peaks. Even without a divine sense-blocking array, their sense couldn’t cover the entire dojo.
“Xiaobu, I have an idea. If no fourth-step powerhouse intervenes, we may not uproot Mengmu Great Evolution, but we can take out a few key figures. If a fourth-step appears, we escape with the Seven Realms Stone. What do you think?” Mo Wuji said with a grin, eyeing the vitality-rich dojo, wondering if their actions would enrage it.
Lan Xiaobu frowned, silent for a while. “Why do I feel these dao principles are familiar? I’m sure I’ve never been here. Let me think…”
He racked his brain, certain he’d encountered this familiarity before.
After a long pause, his eyes lit up. “I remember! These dao principles are like those of a guy I killed, Lou Yiyi—”
“I know him, the Great Dream Sage,” Mo Wuji said. After Lan Xiaobu killed the Great Dream Sage at the Creation Market, Mo Wuji took out Qu Peng, the Great Cosmos cultivator, there too.
Lan Xiaobu muttered, “I’m certain Lou Yiyi came from here. What is Mengmu Great Evolution up to? No, the Great Dream Sage was cultivating countless dream demons in the Immortal and Cultivation Realms. If not for me, the Five Universe Immortal Realm, Great Desolate Universe, Rootless Universe, and more would’ve been devoured by those demonized dream fiends—”
The clearer his thoughts, the closer he felt to grasping something.
After half an incense stick’s time, he said, “I get it. Mengmu Great Evolution—doesn’t ‘Mengmu’ sound like ‘dream demon’? No wonder the strange name. The dream demons are condensed from dream fiends. This is their ancestral ground. Are they trying to dominate the cosmos?”
He asked, “Wuji, do you know the name of Mengmu Great Evolution’s fourth-step ancestor?”
Mo Wuji replied, “Zhuo Heng mentioned it—Lou Wuchen, I think.”
“Exactly! Lou Yiyi, Lou Wuchen… If there’s no connection, I wouldn’t believe it,” Lan Xiaobu said firmly.
He sensed he’d touched a vast conspiracy targeting the entire cosmos.
Mo Wuji’s heart sank, realizing this was a conspiratorial vortex. He also thought of the Burial Dao Abyss.
Taking a deep breath, he said gravely, “Xiaobu, remember the Burial Dao Abyss? I killed the Great Cosmos Sage, yet we saw him—or someone stronger—beneath that tomb. Great Cosmos, Great Dream… twice now. How can there not be a massive conspiracy?”
Lan Xiaobu grew solemn. “Wuji, let’s speculate. Could the Great Dream and Great Cosmos Sages be pawns sent by mid-tier universe powers? They corrupt and devour realms with dream demons to boost their strength… Could there be high-tier universes above? We’re like ants, trapped in an inescapable mire.”
They exchanged a glance, falling silent. They’d killed Lou Yiyi and Qu Peng, thinking they’d saved low-tier universes from destruction. Now, they realized they might have only eliminated pawns of colossal forces.
Lan Xiaobu nodded, “If we’re right, as long as I’m alive, I won’t let such filthy dojos exist.”
Mo Wuji echoed him. They smiled, the earlier heaviness easing.
Mo Wuji chuckled, “I planned to take out a few enforcers and grab materials and dao veins. Now, I want to wipe out Mengmu Great Evolution entirely, no matter if higher dojos exist. Today, it must fall.”
“Alright, let’s make it big,” Lan Xiaobu said, staring at the endless peaks, his voice resolute.
