“Where?” Guan Chong asked eagerly.
He was well aware of the True Derivation Holy Dao’s precarious position. Compared to other sects, it stood above most, but that lofty status was largely meaningless. Lesser sects wouldn’t dare challenge it regardless, but when crises arose, the True Derivation Holy Dao lacked the clout to pressure the Heavenly Court—or even hold its own against it. The root issue was the absence of a true powerhouse backing them.
A seventh-step Great Dao expert was a titan to ordinary sects or saints, but to the Heavenly Court, with its Dao Ancestor connections, the True Derivation Holy Dao was insignificant. The abduction of Guan Yuxue underscored this vulnerability, fueling their urgent need for an eighth- or even ninth-step Great Dao expert to anchor the sect.
“Xinghe Mo,” Zhong Jiu said, enunciating each word.
Guan Chong’s excitement faded instantly. He’d seen Xinghe Mo’s wanted posters countless times. Sighing, he said, “Countless people are hunting Xinghe Mo, and no one’s found him. Even if we did, he only has two top-grade Dao veins. Valuable, yes, but not enough to push someone from our sect to the eighth step.”
Zhong Jiu’s voice rasped, “You missed one thing. Besides the two top-grade Dao veins, he has a Chaos Nirvana Heart.”
Guan Chong nodded, “I know about the Chaos Nirvana Heart. It’s valuable, but it’s worlds apart from the Primordial Dao Seed you mentioned.”
Zhong Jiu gave a dry laugh, “You believe what they say? My investigation revealed that what Xinghe Mo took wasn’t a Chaos Nirvana Heart but a genuine Primordial Dao Seed. The Fanhe Heavenly Court didn’t dare admit the truth, so they called it a Chaos Nirvana Heart. If they revealed it was a Primordial Dao Seed, who’s to say a Dao Ancestor wouldn’t intervene?”
Guan Chong stared at Zhong Jiu, stunned. He’d been consumed with finding Guan Yuxue’s abductor, unaware of how Zhong Jiu had uncovered such details.
“But even so, we can’t find Xinghe Mo,” he said after a long pause.
Zhong Jiu smiled again, “If you were Xinghe Mo, with a Primordial Dao Seed and top-grade Dao veins, what would you do?”
“I’d go into seclusion,” Guan Chong answered honestly. “But I might not know the seed’s origin or use, so I’d focus on the Dao veins for cultivation.”
“I’ve inquired about Xinghe Mo,” Zhong Jiu said. “He hasn’t been at the fourth step for long. After getting those Dao veins, he’d almost certainly use them to push for the fifth step. Even if he knew the seed’s purpose, he wouldn’t use it before reaching the seventh step.”
Guan Chong snapped out of his fixation on his granddaughter. “Sister Zhong, I get it. If I’d just reached the fourth step and got two top-grade Dao veins, I’d want to aim for the fifth but wouldn’t rush. I’d first stabilize my fourth-step foundation and seek insights for the fifth. With the Immortality Conference approaching, I’d head to the Central World to attend. If I gained something there, I’d be nearly guaranteed to reach the fifth step.”
Zhong Jiu nodded, “Exactly. I estimate an eighty percent chance Xinghe Mo will come to Anluo Heavenly City for the Immortality Conference. My only concern is whether he can arrive within three hundred years.”
Guan Chong said firmly, “If he comes to Anluo Heavenly City, I’ll find out who he is.”
—
In the Great Universe, the Great Universe Valley was the most coveted destination for cultivators, yet it remained eerily quiet. Few visited, as entry was restricted to a select few with the right to cultivate there.
Even the Central World, as the host, had only ten slots. Other worlds typically received two to three, never more than five. These slots were tied to Heavenly Court tokens, granting access to the valley. The tokens were permanent—after one cultivator finished their seclusion, the token could be passed to another.
It took Lan Xiaobu nearly a month to reach the Great Universe Valley. In the vast Central World, this was a relatively short journey.
Standing outside, he saw the words “Great Universe Valley” floating in the void, formed by massive Dao principles. Below them was a small wooden door, clearly the entrance.
With his ability to create cosmic boundaries, Lan Xiaobu could tell at a glance that the door concealed a spatial array. The valley itself wasn’t necessarily here; the door likely teleported entrants to its true location.
Without hesitation, he approached, Heavenly Court token in hand.
As his hand touched the door, a voice called from afar, “Friend, wait! I have something important…”
Lan Xiaobu ignored it, opening the door. He knew no one here, and someone calling out as he entered the valley with a token was unlikely to have good intentions. Though unafraid, his sole focus was breaking through to the fifth step.
The moment he opened the door, a vortex of energy swept him away.
Seconds after he vanished, a man and woman landed outside the door.
“Aqian, did I see that right? Someone entered the Great Universe Valley?” the man, handsome and regretful, stared at the door, his eyes filled with frustration. He wasn’t seeking confirmation but lamenting their tardiness.
The woman, Aqian, said reluctantly, “Brother Fengqi, we were a step too late. That guy’s token seemed to be from Moru World. He’s only at the fourth step—a mere ant with such a treasure. We missed our chance.”
Fengqi frowned, silent. They represented the Dunyi World at the Immortality Conference, but with its postponement by centuries, they’d come to the Central World to seek opportunities. Today, they’d stumbled upon one—someone entering the Great Universe Valley with a token—but arrived too late to intercept.
“Brother Fengqi,” Aqian said, lowering her voice, “This person used a Moru World token, so he’s likely a favorite of their Heavenly Emperor and here for the Immortality Conference. Knowing it’s delayed, he’s cultivating in the valley. He’ll surely exit before the conference starts. Why don’t we wait here? When he emerges, we take him out quietly. Who’d know?”
Fengqi laughed, “Aqian, you’re right. Spending two or three centuries to get a Great Universe Valley token is a steal.”
He didn’t add that even if Moru Heavenly Court found out they’d killed the “ant,” what could they do?
—
When Lan Xiaobu landed, the surroundings left him awestruck.
The space was saturated with pure chaotic Dao principle energy, untainted by any stray principles. Exposed Dao veins radiated dense cosmic vitality. While none were top-grade, their sheer abundance, set in this pristine chaos, meant even sitting here for a century without cultivating could elevate one to immortality.
Lan Xiaobu marveled. While he and others scrambled to advance, Great Universe cultivators were already leagues ahead. Yet, the luckiest were those tied to Heavenly Court Emperors, who could enter the Great Universe Valley with a token—practically starting at the finish line.
The valley was vast, capable of hosting thousands without crowding. Why it was limited to so few, Lan Xiaobu didn’t know or care to.
He quickly moved from his landing spot, spending half a day to find a plain. Though Dao veins were plentiful, he planned to plant his own top-grade Dao vein and set up a seclusion boundary.
He needed to reach the fifth step as soon as possible. Top-grade Dao veins were meant to be used, not hoarded.
