Returning to Longevity Sage Dao City, Lan Xiaobu found most residents in seclusion, except for Shi Yi and Sage Tifo. Thanks to Lan Xiaobu, the Great Desolate Divine Realm had perfected its heavenly rules, brimming with dense destiny and clear dao principles. The city’s spiritual energy was so thick it seemed tangible. Cultivating here brought daily progress—only a fool would waste time wandering instead of training.
Seeing Lan Xiaobu, Tifo hurried to pledge his loyalty, marveling at his own foresight. Had he not aligned with Lan Xiaobu years ago, he wouldn’t be where he was now. The Great Desolate Divine Realm was the ultimate cultivation haven in the vast cosmos. In just a few years, he’d reached Third Turn Sage, with Fourth Turn only a matter of time.
“Long time no see, Dao Lord. Your Great Dao has ascended again—I’m truly envious,” Tifo said, approaching with Shi Yi.
Shi Yi was only at Unified Spirit Realm, but Tifo knew he was one of Lan Xiaobu’s earliest allies, far closer than Tifo himself.
With a sweep of his divine sense, Lan Xiaobu confirmed the city was fine. Luo Caishi and Su Cen were in seclusion. To his surprise, Sage Tiangang had progressed rapidly, already a Sixth Turn Sage, with dao rhythms suggesting Seventh Turn was imminent.
As if sensing Lan Xiaobu, Luo Caishi, Su Cen, and Tiangang emerged from seclusion. Within moments, over ten sages gathered in the Great Desolate Dao Court.
The realm’s cultivation environment was ideal. Jun Wu had proven First Turn Sage, and even Pu He was Second Turn. Lan Xiaobu didn’t see Kong Fusheng, likely still en route, as he lacked the Reincarnation Pot’s speed.
“Xiaobu…” Luo Caishi’s eyes lit with joy as she approached with Su Cen.
Lan Xiaobu was delighted to see Luo Caishi had reached First Turn Sage. Su Cen, despite her talent, remained at Unified Spirit Realm after years.
Luo Caishi’s rapid progress was expected. The Great Desolate Divine Realm, shaped by Lan Xiaobu’s dao, resonated with her Longevity Dao practice, doubling her efficiency. Su Cen’s Indestructible Dao, though top-tier, progressed slower here.
“Dao Lord, someone attacked our realm’s protective array recently,” Pu He reported quietly before Lan Xiaobu could ask.
Lan Xiaobu was stunned. An attack on the protective array that he didn’t sense? Unlikely.
Tiangang clarified, “Not exactly an attack. A man, Mo Nianyan, and a woman, Dai Feirao, tried to enter. Our realm’s new access rules make entry tough for outsiders. Blocked, they grew furious, injured the array guards, and threatened the array itself. I went out, killed the woman, and gravely wounded the man, who fled.”
Lan Xiaobu nearly asked about Wen Keshu but recalled even Mo Xiaoxi didn’t know, so others likely wouldn’t either.
“Junior Brother Xiaobu, I doubt he’ll let this go. He’ll return,” Xi Nianmo said worriedly. Having spent time in the city, she’d heard of Mo Nianyan.
Lan Xiaobu knew Mo Nianyan would come back but couldn’t stay indefinitely. He asked, “Friend Tiangang, what’s Mo Nianyan’s realm?”
“Likely Fourth Turn Sage, very strong. I disciplined him, but killing him was beyond me,” Tiangang replied.
Checking the Cosmic Dimensional Model, Lan Xiaobu saw Jiao Qingxu’s injuries had slightly improved. He messaged Jiao, explaining the situation and asking if he’d stay to heal in the Great Desolate Divine Realm.
Jiao Qingxu agreed without hesitation.
When Lan Xiaobu summoned him, everyone felt the overwhelming pressure of a Ninth Turn Sage, amplified by Jiao’s injured state leaking aura.
“This is Greenwood Sage Jiao Qingxu. If issues arise while I’m away, consult him. In my absence, he oversees the realm’s safety,” Lan Xiaobu declared.
He trusted Jiao Qingxu’s integrity, finding him more reliable than early allies like Tifo or Tiangang.
With or without Lan Xiaobu’s endorsement, Jiao’s Ninth Turn strength commanded respect. In this plane, Ninth Turn Sages were legendary peak powers.
To Pu He, Lan Xiaobu said, “Pu He, find Jiao a prime cave abode for seclusion.”
“Yes,” Pu He responded, leading Jiao away.
Lan Xiaobu greeted everyone individually as they dispersed, leaving time for Luo Caishi and Su Cen.
Only then did he notice Gu Dao, who’d left with Luo Caishi and Su Cen but lingered, looking aggrieved. Lan Xiaobu recalled Gu Dao calling him earlier, distracted by Mo Nianyan’s issue. Waving him over, he teased, “Gu Dao, your progress is lackluster.”
Gu Dao, about to complain, was cut off as Lan Xiaobu summoned Tai Chuan. “Gu Dao, this is Tai Chuan. Show him around the city. For cultivation advice, ask him.”
Luo Caishi’s gaze fell curiously on the chaos unicorn. She knew the original Tai Chuan had perished—why another?
Lan Xiaobu, sensing her thoughts, took her hand. “Tai Chuan and Gu Dao came from Qinling. Losing them left a void. I found this unicorn in a secret realm, bonded with it, and named it Tai Chuan.”
Luo Caishi nodded, understanding he didn’t want her to feel regret.
“Boss, it’s a proven sage beast?” Gu Dao’s eyes widened, sensing Tai Chuan’s difference.
Lan Xiaobu said, “Tai Chuan’s younger than you, yet a Third Turn proven. You’re not even a ninth-grade divine beast. Slacking further, you won’t see his tail.”
Gu Dao’s calm shattered. He realized why Lan Xiaobu rarely brought him along—his cultivation was too weak. Determined, he vowed to learn Tai Chuan’s secrets and reach sage beast status soon.
“Junior Brother Tai Chuan, follow me. I’ll show you the city,” Gu Dao said, eager to bond away from prying ears.
As they left, Lan Xiaobu led Luo Caishi and Su Cen to the Dao Lord Mansion.
“Xiaobu, are you leaving again?” Luo Caishi, perceptive, sensed his intent. He wouldn’t return unless planning a long journey.
She didn’t want him to go but understood his drive. Cultivation had taught her that without his relentless pursuit, they wouldn’t be safely cultivating here—they’d be adrift, or worse, dead.
Su Cen, fearing Luo Caishi’s reluctance, said, “Sister Caishi, only when Xiaobu proves Eternal Realm can we live securely. Otherwise, this realm will fall.”
Luo Caishi sighed, “I know, so I cultivate desperately. But the path to Eternal is so long.”
She left unsaid that even Eternal Realm wasn’t the peak—stronger foes existed, a truth Tiangang had shared.
Lan Xiaobu briefly considered taking them into his world to leave the realm, but the thought faded. In this plane, none could breach his Longevity Realm, but in the Eternal Lands, many could. Staying here was better for their cultivation.
“Caishi, I’ve refined my Longevity Dao. Let me pass it to you…”
He trailed off, seeing longing in Luo Caishi’s eyes, not wanting to discuss else. Su Cen sensed the mood, blushing, about to excuse herself, when Lan Xiaobu pulled both into his arms.
He didn’t voice it, but he knew to fetch Zuo Wanyin, he needed Luo Caishi and Su Cen at ease, despite having explained Wanyin before.
…
“Brother Tai Chuan, how long have you been with the boss to hit Third Turn Sage Beast so fast? Got any cultivation secrets? We’re brothers—share the good stuff,” Gu Dao asked eagerly the moment they left the mansion, acting like lifelong friends.
