Hearing Lan Xiaobu’s words, disappointment flickered in Qi Manwei’s eyes. She wanted to say she didn’t mind, even willing to call his Dao companion “sister,” but her feminine reserve kept her silent.
His eyes held appreciation, but his words were a clear rejection.
Seeing Qi Manwei’s silence, Lan Xiaobu repeated, “Speak. If you just want the Light Dao Scroll, I might consider it. But not now—at least not until I’ve proven the Light Dao.”
Qi Manwei snapped back, quickly saying, “I do want the Light Dao Scroll. It’s my master’s, and I’ll need to return it to him someday.”
In truth, she hadn’t planned to trade herself for anything, but her admiration for Lan Xiaobu grew. In the cultivation world, even Nine-Turn Saints would be tempted by a Chaos Dao Body at the Derivation Realm. Yet he remained unmoved. Perhaps only he, and maybe Mo Wuji, could be such a figure.
“Fine. Give me your blank Light Dao Scroll. After I prove the Dao, I’ll return it,” Lan Xiaobu said.
“Alright.” Qi Manwei, distracted, handed over the blank Light Dao Scroll.
Lan Xiaobu took it and instinctively used his Cosmic Dimension Model to analyze it, intending to restore its Heaven-Opening contents.
But as the model formed, he froze. He sensed two distinct Dao charms not native to the Light Dao Scroll.
One was familiar—Qi Manwei’s divine ability trace.
The other was a Dao charm closely resembling the Light Dao’s principles, almost a subset of it.
Even without proving the Light Dao, Lan Xiaobu knew that restoring the scroll’s contents would erase this charm, leaving it undetectable. Proving the Light Dao with this scroll could carry hidden risks.
His gaze shifted to Qi Manwei. Could this seemingly innocent woman be so cunning? Was she setting him up?
“Brother Lan, if it’s too difficult, I can tell my master I lost the scroll due to my own mistake,” Qi Manwei said, her voice tinged with bitterness. She lowered her head, not even thinking about her injuries.
Lan Xiaobu smiled faintly. “Do you cultivate the Light Dao? Have you proven it?”
Qi Manwei shook her head. “Though the scroll is my master’s, I haven’t studied or proven the Light Dao. I cultivate the Space Dao. I have a special talent and keen sensitivity to all Daos, but it’s best not to pursue multiple paths. After my father got the Space Dao Scroll, I focused on the Space Dao and proved Eternal Life with it.”
“Then why study under your master?” Lan Xiaobu asked, puzzled.
“My master was my father’s close friend, always looking out for him. His understanding of the Dao far exceeds most, and he traveled widely. I stayed with my parents, lacking experience. My father sent me to my master to guide me on the Dao and broaden my perspective through travel,” Qi Manwei explained, her mind replaying her earlier talk with Lan Xiaobu about being Dao companions.
“Does your master cultivate the Light Dao?” Lan Xiaobu pressed.
Qi Manwei hesitated. “Not initially. He was at Derivation Realm when he obtained the Light Dao Scroll. By then, he couldn’t cultivate or prove it. So he left to seek opportunities, giving me the scroll before he went.”
Lan Xiaobu understood. Not everyone, like him, had their own Dao and Dao Tree. Without them, proving multiple Daos was nearly impossible, restricted by conditions.
The second Dao’s principles couldn’t surpass the primary Dao’s, or success was unlikely.
Lan Xiaobu didn’t know what Qi Manwei’s master cultivated, but he guessed its principles were inferior to the Light Dao’s.
If the Light Dao Scroll had no issues, he wouldn’t have probed. But the trace left by her master raised concerns.
The likely scenario: her master wanted Qi Manwei to cultivate the Light Dao Scroll, letting his trace subtly infiltrate her Dao. Upon his rebirth, he could easily become her Dao companion.
Pairing with a Chaos Dao Body had immense benefits, but coercion differed from consent. Her master likely couldn’t propose companionship directly, so he used this roundabout method, also aiming to recultivate the Light Dao to reach Creation Saint.
“Your Light Dao Scroll has a Dao charm trace,” Lan Xiaobu began.
Before he finished, Qi Manwei bowed. “I’m sorry, Brother Lan. That’s my trace. I used it to ambush you. I was too reckless.”
Lan Xiaobu waved it off. “Not yours. Another trace, from someone cultivating the Light Dao Scroll, but not proficiently. You might not sense it, but I did. If I’m right, it’s your master’s.”
“What?” Qi Manwei looked at him, confused.
Lan Xiaobu explained, “Your master likely wants you as his Dao companion but can’t say it due to propriety and other issues.”
“Impossible. My master is kind and caring,” Qi Manwei trailed off, feeling no need to justify to Lan Xiaobu. She knew her master.
Lan Xiaobu didn’t bother explaining further. He now saw Qi Manwei’s genuine kindness. Hesitating, he said, “You suggested dual cultivation earlier. I have a proposal. What do you think?”
Qi Manwei’s eyes lit up with joy, believing no one else could match Lan Xiaobu.
He continued, “When you prove Creation Saint, we can revisit this. Until then, avoid other men.”
He left it at that, knowing she’d understand.
When she reached Creation Saint, he’d give her the Light Dao Scroll, and she’d see the truth. Explaining now was futile—they’d just met, while she’d known her master far longer.
Lan Xiaobu was certain that without his warning, Qi Manwei would be manipulated by her master, even helping him unwittingly. Her kindness made him want to help.
He was baffled by her father’s choice of friends—Ji Congkong and this master—what terrible allies.
“I may lack experience, but I understand loyalty. You don’t need to say it,” Qi Manwei said softly, head lowered, warmed by his words despite their bluntness.
Lan Xiaobu clarified, “I mean, if you still feel the same after proving Creation Saint, we can discuss this. It’s not settled now.”
It wasn’t clear if Qi Manwei understood. She said, “Brother Lan, keep the Light Dao Scroll. Can I borrow the Space Dao Scroll? It’ll help me recover faster.”
Lan Xiaobu handed her three scrolls. “Space and Time Dao Scrolls. Proving Space without Time weakens your strength.”
Qi Manwei took them, overjoyed. She knew he kept the Light Dao Scroll to protect her from her master’s schemes. Though she doubted it, she trusted Lan Xiaobu. With the Space and Time Scrolls, her confidence in reaching Creation Saint soared.
