Whatever transpires between the Dayan Sage and the Heavenly Poison Sage within the Dayan Realm is of no concern to Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji, for they have already returned to the Hundred Zero Universe.
The chaotic dregs’ aura emanating from the Hundred Zero Universe has grown increasingly severe. Now, even the void plaza of the Hundred Zero Universe is uninhabitable, and no life exists in the surrounding void.
“Wuji, I have an idea. We could model the protective array of our Hundred Zero Universe after the cosmic barrier outside the Dayan Realm. Though we can’t create a barrier of the same calibre, we can achieve something similar,” Lan Xiaobu said, gazing at the vast Hundred Zero Star with a fervent desire to establish a cosmic barrier. Who could breach such a thing?
Mo Wuji’s eyes lit up at Lan Xiaobu’s words. Indeed, while they couldn’t construct a top-tier cosmic barrier, the Cosmic Dimension Model had once built a dimension model structure of a cosmic barrier. By referencing it, he and Lan Xiaobu could at least manage a low-level cosmic barrier.
Even a subpar cosmic barrier would surpass a standard protective array.
“Alright, let’s do it! If we pull off a cosmic barrier, even a Fourth Step powerhouse wouldn’t get in without permission,” Mo Wuji responded eagerly.
With a goal in mind, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji abandoned their work on a defensive array. They referenced the Cosmic Dimension Model’s previous cosmic barrier structure while having it construct a dimension model of the Hundred Zero Universe, simulating a cosmic barrier for it.
Initially, they planned to merely copy the model, but they soon realised that wouldn’t work. They began studying the barrier’s composition, noting that while array flags could form part of it, it primarily relied on various spacetime Dao principles.
Both were already skilled in array mastery, and with the Cosmic Dimension Model to clarify structures and a Heaven-Opening Array Dao Scroll for reference, their array skills advanced rapidly while working on the Hundred Zero Universe’s barrier.
Fortunately, their haul of materials from Mengmu Dayan allowed them to craft top-tier array flags without restraint.
After amassing a pile of array flags, they began attempting to construct the cosmic barrier. Had anyone knowledgeable about cosmic barriers been present, they would’ve been dumbfounded. Two Derivation Realm ants daring to build a cosmic barrier? Was this ignorance or audacity?
A century later, the prototype of the Hundred Zero Universe’s barrier took shape, though it was barely a protective array structure. By then, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji’s array mastery had far surpassed their level from a hundred years prior. They scrapped their initial efforts and started anew.
Another century passed, and through their relentless efforts, the Hundred Zero Universe gained a wholly new barrier.
Though not as formidable as the natural cosmic barrier outside the Dayan Realm, it exceeded their initial expectations. With the Indestructible Hammer as the barrier’s core, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji believed that even a Fifth Step powerhouse might not breach it.
Over two hundred years, their cultivation hadn’t progressed much, but their array mastery had undergone a qualitative leap.
Array mastery has its tiers. Before entering the path of arrays, one creates mere illusions. Upon entering, one crafts tangible restrictions, followed by arrays, and finally barriers.
When an array master can construct barriers, they stand at the pinnacle of their field.
By chance, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji encountered a cosmic barrier. Coupled with the Heaven-Opening Array Dao Scroll and the Cosmic Dimension Model—which had even modelled the barrier they’d encountered—their array mastery naturally advanced to the barrier level.
Once the barrier activated, the entire Hundred Zero Star vanished from the void, as if it had never existed. Attacking its protective array was impossible when finding it was a challenge.
With the barrier complete, they returned to the Hundred Zero Star to set up a Dao-guiding array.
Originally part of their plans and easily achievable, the Dao-guiding array became even simpler with their vastly improved array skills.
To expedite the absorption of the Hundred Zero Star’s chaotic dregs, they placed the Dao-guiding array within the barrier. As it activated, endless chaotic dregs’ Dao principles were swept into the barrier.
“Xiaobu, let’s keep these chaotic dregs’ Dao principles in the barrier. If some fool tries to break it, they can sleep with these dregs,” Mo Wuji said with a chuckle, watching the dregs being whisked away.
Lan Xiaobu agreed. Aside from Taichuan, no one could use these chaotic dregs’ Dao principles. The Hundred Zero Star had an excess, more than Taichuan could handle.
“Wuji, what level do you think we need to reach for our world to advance to a mid-tier universe like the Hundred Zero Star?” Lan Xiaobu asked, gazing at the star’s clear cosmic rules and dense vitality.
Mo Wuji sighed, “I used to think reaching the Sage Realm was the universe’s pinnacle. Later, I realised my Sage Realm wasn’t even the beginning of the Dao. The stronger you become, the more you feel your shortcomings. For our world to become a mid-tier universe, I estimate we’d need to reach at least the Seventh Step of the Great Dao.”
Both fell silent after his words.
Despite their immense opportunities, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji had endured countless trials, teetering on the edge of life and death to reach their current level. Yet, by the Great Dao’s measure, they’d barely stepped into the Second Step.
Reaching the Seventh Step required not only a Dao strong enough to support such cultivation but also opportunities and sufficiently advanced cosmic Dao principles. In this place, no matter how fast they progressed, the Seventh Step would remain out of reach.
After a long pause, Lan Xiaobu let out a breath, “Back when I left a mortal planet, I never imagined I’d reach this point. Who can predict the future? Perhaps when the time comes, the Seventh Step won’t seem so unattainable. Let’s deal with what’s ahead later. For now, the Hundred Zero Universe is under our control—a mid-tier universe. Since we’ve claimed it, why not rename it?”
“Good idea. How about…” Mo Wuji said, pondering.
“Mo Lan Star, what do you think?” Lan Xiaobu blurted out.
“Perfect. It’s fitting after all our hard work,” Mo Wuji immediately agreed.
With their new home named, both were elated.
But amidst the joy, dangers needed addressing.
“We need to find a place to seclude ourselves quickly. Establishing a Dao field can wait. Mo Lan Star is safe for now, but I’m worried the Heavenly Poison Sage and the Dayan Sage might team up to break the cosmic barrier and come for us. Wuji, your thoughts?” Lan Xiaobu said, looking at Mo Wuji.
Mo Wuji nodded, “Besides those two, I’m more concerned about Mengmu Dayan’s people. That faction is no trifling matter. They could find this vast expanse someday and destroy the Hao Yuan Universe.”
Both knew the root issue: their strength was too weak. If they were stronger, why fear the Dayan Sage, the Heavenly Poison Sage, or Mengmu Dayan?
“Let’s go back to the void beyond Star Sky for seclusion,” Lan Xiaobu said decisively.
They returned to the void beyond Star Sky, still blanketed in snow. Unlike before, the skies no longer snowed, and the Great Dao of the cosmos fostered mutual generation. With the Dao-guiding array drawing Mo Lan Star’s chaotic dregs’ Dao principles into the barrier, and the remaining dregs sealed by Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji, there was no need for snow to mask them.
Moreover, the colour beneath the snow had shifted from black to grey. In time, the snow would likely turn pure white.
Qi Manwei and the others were still in seclusion. Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji’s brief journey hadn’t prompted their emergence, but the aura from their caves indicated rapid strength gains.
Naturally, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji didn’t disturb them. They chose their own seclusion spots and began frantically boosting their strength.
