Shi Changxing was surprised by Lan Xiaobu’s visit but quickly welcomed him inside.
“Brother Xiaobu, your friend really shocked me, daring to kill an eight-star cosmic powerhouse from the Weiju World. That’s like poking the heavens!” Shi Changxing’s first words referenced Mo Wuji’s killing of Fang Can.
Lan Xiaobu chuckled, “Killed him, so be it. That Fang Can was so arrogant, blasting our residence. If we didn’t kill him now, should we wait for the New Year?”
Shi Changxing said seriously, “You should worry about the Weiju World’s retaliation. They might use cosmic rule cannons to bombard Anluo Heavenly City.”
“They wouldn’t, would they? If the Weiju World did that, wouldn’t it offend all the Dao Ancestors? Or rather, try to kill them all?” Lan Xiaobu said, feigning surprise with a sincere expression.
Shi Changxing sneered, “The Weiju World is mysterious. Their rule cannons and Rule-Breaking Swords seem powerful, yet Mo Wuji killed one of theirs, didn’t he? So, their cannons might level Anluo Heavenly City, but killing Dao Ancestors? Forget it. Even those at the Seventh Step of the Great Dao can’t be killed by their cannons, only injured at most. Otherwise, do you think the Dao Ancestors wouldn’t have foreseen this? Would they stay calmly in Anluo?”
Lan Xiaobu thought to himself that Mo Wuji killed Fang Can because he cultivated his own Great Dao, immune to the Rule-Breaking Sword’s suppression. But he also felt Shi Changxing’s point made sense. Those who became Dao Ancestors or Heavenly Emperors would lack basic danger awareness if they didn’t anticipate this, which seemed unrealistic.
Since they stayed in Anluo despite the risk, they likely believed the Weiju World wouldn’t use rule cannons, or even if they did, the cannons couldn’t kill them.
“As long as the Weiju World’s Dao Ancestor isn’t brain-dead, they won’t attack Anluo. If they do, it means the Weiju World will be erased from the Great Cosmos,” Shi Changxing added.
Lan Xiaobu asked, puzzled, “Isn’t the Weiju World supposed to be strong? They wiped out the Xingfan World. Who could erase them? Not to mention, their Rule-Breaking Sword can’t be countered, can it?”
Shi Changxing replied, “I know you and your friend likely cultivate something akin to your own Great Dao, but the Great Cosmos is full of powerhouses and countless treasures. If a fight breaks out, who knows the outcome? Besides, how the Xingfan World was destroyed is a secret, not necessarily by the Weiju World’s rule cannons.”
Lan Xiaobu fell silent, realising the truth. He had the Cosmic Dimension Model but kept it hidden. Who’s to say other Dao Ancestors didn’t have similar treasures? If they did and could counter the Weiju World’s cannons and swords without revealing them, the outcome was indeed uncertain.
Anyway, he and Mo Wuji had already set up a defensive barrier outside Anluo. If the Weiju World dared to act, they’d be courting death.
Lan Xiaobu set aside thoughts of the Weiju World and said with a grin, “Old Shi, a few days ago, someone approached me, saying his name was Kong Xinjian…”
“The Dao Ancestor of the Bucheng World?” Shi Changxing exclaimed, then frowned slightly.
Lan Xiaobu nodded, “Yes, that Kong Xinjian. He told me about the Cosmic Tree, which you already mentioned. Moreover, he said he’s willing to join our team to secretly take down Di Lan and the others.”
At this, Shi Changxing fell into a long silence. Lan Xiaobu didn’t rush him, waiting patiently for his response.
After several minutes, Shi Changxing sighed deeply, “Brother Xiaobu, ever since you took Guan Chong’s granddaughter from the True Derivation Holy Dao, I knew you weren’t ordinary. Your friend Mo Wuji is the same, destined to be a peerless powerhouse. I genuinely wanted to ally with you, not just for myself but for my granddaughter. The Great Cosmos is in turmoil, with even the Weiju World vying for a share, signaling a shift in its structure. No one can stay uninvolved.”
Lan Xiaobu didn’t interrupt, knowing Shi Changxing’s intent.
Sure enough, Shi Changxing continued, “I know why you came today—to see if I’ve joined Kong Xinjian. I can tell you clearly: Kong Xinjian approached me, but I didn’t join him. I was hesitating, wondering whether to commit to one side or wait and act based on the situation.”
Lan Xiaobu sneered inwardly. Wait and act based on the situation? In a major conflict, if you don’t pick a side and leave, or try to play both sides for profit, that’s suicidal.
“Don’t underestimate Kong Xinjian. He’s likely allied with Yang Tian, the Dao Ancestor of the Great Desolation Cosmos. If Yang Tian joins the fight for the Cosmic Tree at the Longevity Conference, their chances surpass both yours and Di Lan’s. That’s why I hesitated. Now that you’re here, I know I must choose…”
Shi Changxing looked at Lan Xiaobu earnestly, “I choose to ally with you. Your and your friend’s strength may not be the greatest in this Cosmic Tree struggle, but I believe the Great Cosmos’ divisions won’t end here. And I’m certain you and Mo Wuji will survive this conflict.”
Lan Xiaobu smiled, “That puts my mind at ease. I won’t disturb your cultivation, Dao Venerable Changxing.”
Sensing Lan Xiaobu’s slight displeasure, Shi Changxing quickly said, “I, Shi Changxing, swear on my Great Dao: if my words about allying with Lan Xiaobu are false in any way, may my Great Dao collapse and my soul be annihilated.”
He raised his hand, sending out a Great Dao rule that etched his oath into his Dao, forming a binding imprint.
Lan Xiaobu laughed, “Now that’s the spirit, Old Shi. Since we’re allies, we hold nothing back.”
If Shi Changxing had only spoken without swearing on his Dao, Lan Xiaobu would have excluded him. He hadn’t tampered with Shi Changxing’s Dao foundation, so without the oath, who’d dare trust him?
Shi Changxing showed no displeasure. If Lan Xiaobu had trusted him without the oath, he’d have found the alliance unreliable. He knew Lan Xiaobu far better than Di Lan and others. If Lan Xiaobu only allied with him and Qi Zhe Tian, that wouldn’t be the Lan Xiaobu he respected. Though he didn’t ask, he was certain Lan Xiaobu had a backup plan.
Returning to his residence, Lan Xiaobu saw Ce Ku Huiyi visiting.
“I thought you were stabilising your cultivation, so I didn’t dare disturb you,” Lan Xiaobu laughed, warmly inviting Ce Ku Huiyi inside.
Ce Ku Huiyi gave a wry smile, “I came to ask if you still have any Chaos Rule Essence.”
“Is it for the Dao Ancestor?” Lan Xiaobu asked, knowing it was likely for Xing Jia.
Ce Ku Huiyi nodded, “With the Longevity Conference nearing, the Dao Ancestor wants to advance further, but Chaos Rule Essence is too rare, so I had to come.”
If Ce Ku Huiyi needed it himself, he wouldn’t have come, knowing Lan Xiaobu well enough to trust that if he had it, he’d have sent it already.
For himself, Lan Xiaobu would’ve handed over a large bottle. For Xing Jia? He could only say, dream on. Sighing, he said, “There’s a bit left, but Wuji plans to use it to advance at the Longevity Conference. Since he said that, I can’t ask him for it. How about after the conference? I’ll ensure you get some then.”
Hearing this, Ce Ku Huiyi knew that was the best he’d get. He understood the Chaos Rule Essence wasn’t Lan Xiaobu’s. If it were, Lan Xiaobu’s generosity would’ve ensured it was already offered.
“Is Brother Lan here? Xing Ni’s come to visit,” a voice called from outside.
As Lan Xiaobu was about to respond, a series of muffled booms echoed through the void. His divine sense swept out, and he was stunned by what he saw.
Multicoloured beams rained down, accompanied by continuous explosive roars from afar, all detonating in the space around Anluo Heavenly City.
The multicoloured blasts came one after another, linking into sheets, layer upon layer, enveloping the entire city.
“It’s the Weiju World’s Rule-Breaking Cannons and Cosmic Ripple Attacks…” Everyone in Anluo realised instantly.
Though most knew the Weiju World could level the city, many believed they wouldn’t dare.
Yet the reality was undeniable: the Weiju World had acted, launching thunderous cannon and ripple attacks, clearly aiming to destroy Anluo and kill everyone in the shortest time.
“No, Anluo’s protected by a cosmic barrier…” The city’s cultivators, no ordinary bunch, saw the endless multicoloured rule cannons fall without affecting Anluo, realising a barrier shielded it.
“What barrier? It can block the Weiju World’s Rule-Breaking Cannons?”
“Could it be a powerhouse beyond Dao Ancestor level?”
Knowing the city was protected, the cultivators calmed down, even debating who set up the barrier.
