Neither Guan Chong nor Chong Ying stepped forward in response to Chen’s words, but Lan Xiaobu did. He looked at Guan Chong in the distance, chuckling, “Guan Chong, my friend Yi Qingshan was raped and killed by you. I’ll settle that debt with Zhenyanshengdao sooner or later.”
Though Lan Xiaobu spoke calmly, the extreme killing intent was felt even by the outermost cultivators.
Guan Chong’s face darkened. Had he known killing Yi Qingshan would lead to such consequences, he’d never have done something so foolish. As for his granddaughter Guan Yuxue, though Chen brought it up, he didn’t dare pursue it.
Fang Zhiqian took Guan Yuxue, and Lan Xiaobu likely killed her. Guan Chong could see Fang was Lan Xiaobu’s enforcer. If he spoke now, he’d only target Fang, a Seventh Step cultivator. Even if he and Chong Ying could suppress Fang together, did he dare?
“Zhenyanshengdao, such a grand name, yet secretly committing such vile acts. Pah!” Pei Qionghu stood up, spitting in disdain. He’d wondered why Lan Xiaobu kept targeting Zhenyanshengdao’s Holy Masters, now realizing their Holy Master had done something so despicable.
In truth, such acts weren’t uncommon among powerful figures or overlords like Guan Chong. The difference was that Lan Xiaobu had exposed Guan Chong’s deeds. Some things could be done but not said, others said but not done.
Lan Xiaobu clasped his fists toward Pei Qionghu but didn’t act. He knew if he struck now, with this justification, Pei Qionghu would back him, and even Ku Yichi could say little.
But Lan Xiaobu didn’t want to act yet. He intended to kill Guan Chong, but having just killed Jie Chuanqi, killing Guan Chong now, even with reason, would put him at a disadvantage. Otherwise, he’d have struck already.
Moreover, Lan Xiaobu didn’t just want Guan Chong—he aimed to uproot Zhenyanshengdao entirely.
“Holy Master Chong, I don’t think this fits Lan Xiaobu’s style. And that Qi Manwei, whom I captured for Zhenyanshengdao, is now with Lan Xiaobu. The enmity between us and him leaves no room for reconciliation, so he wouldn’t let this go so easily,” Guan Chong sent a message to Chong Ying.
Chong Ying nodded gravely. Lan Xiaobu’s style was always bold and direct. Mentioning Guan Chong’s crime against Yi Qingshan without pursuing it further was suspicious. With Pei Qionghu sure to support him if he pressed, Lan Xiaobu’s restraint was abnormal. Add to that Zhenyanshengdao’s capture of Qi Manwei, now at Lan Xiaobu’s side, and it was clear he wouldn’t let this go lightly.
Ku Yichi knew if the crowd lingered, more issues would arise. If Lan Xiaobu pursued the Zhenyanshengdao matter, another battle was likely.
He stepped forward, saying, “Everyone, Jinluo Tower is destroyed. Please leave its vicinity and wait briefly. Tower Master Che will repair it immediately to ensure everyone can continue staying here.”
The crowd dispersed, and Che Hongzi sighed in relief. He’d backed down before Lan Xiaobu to avoid immediate loss, as the situation was clearly against him. Once the crowd left, he spared no expense, hurling out a pile of top-grade materials. The onlookers watched Jinluo Tower restore itself at a visible pace, returning to its original state in just half an incense stick’s time. If not for seeing Che Hongzi’s actions, one might think Lan Xiaobu hadn’t touched it.
“Lord Bu, that old man’s move was impressive. I couldn’t pull that off,” Tai Chuan said, envious of Che Hongzi’s technique.
Qi Manwei smiled, “He didn’t need those materials. With his divine ability, the shattered tower could’ve been restored. But since Xiaobu destroyed those materials, the restored tower lacks its former grandeur, just an empty shell, unable to gather fortune or principles.”
Lan Xiaobu, meanwhile, thought Che Hongzi had plenty of good things. It was a pity he hadn’t opened Jie Chuanqi’s world earlier, or he’d have made a fortune.
After restoring Jinluo Tower, Che Hongzi stood in the void, clasping his fists, “Jinluo Tower is restored. Please enter and rest. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Ku Yichi added loudly, “Fellow daoists from across the Great Universe, please refrain from causing destruction in Anluo Heavenly City. If the Dao Ancestor holds me accountable, I, Ku Yichi, cannot bear it.”
He’d realized Lan Xiaobu wouldn’t heed him, so he invoked the Dao Ancestor.
No one paid him mind. The Moru Heavenly Court incident had already cost Ku Yichi his authority, his words carrying little weight. Had Moru remained sealed by Jie Chuanqi, it might’ve been fine. But Moru broke the seal, destroyed Jinluo Tower, and killed Jie, proving Ku Yichi couldn’t restrain anyone—neither Poxu Holy Path nor Moru Heavenly Court.
In the distance, a red-haired man spotted Qi Manwei, quickly lowered his head, and cautiously retreated. He was Qian Yun, former Path Master of Shengjian Palace, who knew Qi Manwei. She’d been sold by Zhenyanshengdao to Shengjian Palace, which was then attacked, and Qi Manwei was rescued. Now seeing her with Lan Xiaobu, even a fool would know Lan Xiaobu was the one who attacked Shengjian Palace.
Before, seeing Lan Xiaobu and Qi Manwei together, Qian Yun would’ve acted and sought Emperor Ku’s help. Now, he didn’t dare make a sound, knowing no one would stand up for him. In the end, Lan Xiaobu would likely kill him, with Che Hongzi as a cautionary tale.
For now, his only thought was to flee Anluo Heavenly City and skip the Eternal Life Conference.
…
At Moru Heavenly Court’s stronghold, Pang Jie and Gu Changjian were thrilled. Moru had arrived as the weakest, yet now was the strongest. Not only had their Heavenly Emperor reached the Seventh Step, but Lan Xiaobu was a powerhouse nearly equal to it, and Fang Zhiqian was another ally. Who would dare seal Moru’s stronghold again?
Ceku Huisheng was still elated. He hadn’t expected Lan Xiaobu to have another Seventh Step ally, no wonder he didn’t fear Zhenyanshengdao.
Looking at the hundred-plus Moru geniuses before him, Ceku Huisheng declared loudly, “You are the future of Moru Heavenly Court, its pillars. After this Eternal Life Conference, many of you will join the Heavenly Court directly, adding strength to Moru World…”
“Emperor, that’s not certain. When our stronghold was sealed by Jie Chuanqi, I called for a do-or-die stand against him. Heh, only thirty joined me and Changjian. Most not only refused but said Moru Heavenly Court constrained them, vowing to leave once the seal was broken,” Pang Jie interjected, revealing the earlier events.
Ceku Huisheng’s face darkened. He’d fought to restore Moru’s dignity, only to learn its face had already been lost. When Ku Yichi questioned him, only Gu Changjian had rallied to his side, while none of the other Moru attendees in Jinluo Tower answered his call.
Taking a deep breath, Ceku Huisheng turned to Lan Xiaobu, “Brother Xiaobu, if you were in my position and faced such people, what would you do?”
Lan Xiaobu said flatly, “If they won’t fight for the family, the family doesn’t need them.”
Ceku Huisheng nodded, addressing the crowd calmly, “To the thirty Moru geniuses who stood with Holy Minister Pang and Changjian, thank you for preserving Moru Heavenly Court’s dignity, our Dao Ancestor’s face, my honor as Heavenly Emperor, and Moru World’s pride. After the Eternal Life Conference, you may each draw a strand of the World-Suppressing Dao Pulse to your sect. Holy Minister Pang will assist you.”
The thirty were overjoyed, stepping forward to thank the Heavenly Emperor for his great favor.
Every world had a World-Suppressing Dao Pulse, not the finest but deeper and longer-lasting than top-grade pulses. It stabilized spirits, cleared distractions, solidified the Great Path, and enhanced potential.
A cultivator with only Fifth Step potential could, with prolonged cultivation under the pulse, aim for the Sixth Step.
Only sects with great contributions to a world could draw a strand of its pulse. For Ceku to offer this was beyond generous.
As the crowd quieted, Ceku Huisheng continued, “As for those who didn’t answer Holy Minister Pang’s call and even threatened to leave Moru World, leave Jinluo Tower’s Moru Heavenly Court stronghold now. You are no longer tied to Moru Heavenly Court.”
“But we’re here with quotas from our sects for the Eternal Life Conference,” a genius protested, implying Ceku had no right to expel them.
Ceku Huisheng said coldly, “You think your sects secured true Eternal Life Conference quotas? Those quotas come from my Heavenly Court, granted by the Dao Ancestor’s favor. Immediately send word to your sects: they are no longer permitted to remain in Moru World and must leave at once.”
What?
The attending geniuses thought they’d misheard. Expelled from Moru World? Their personal actions had led to their sects’ banishment—an unthinkable escalation.
Before they could recover from the shock, Ceku Huisheng added coldly, “From now, anyone still in Moru Heavenly Court’s stronghold after ten breaths will be killed without mercy.”
