“Dao Master Changxing? He’s at Jinluo Tower,” Cebai Huisheng answered promptly, puzzled why Lan Xiaobu asked about Shi Changxing. Shi had once aided True Derivation Saint Dao in tracking Lan Xiaobu, hardly showing friendliness.
“That’s great, saves me the trouble of searching,” Lan Xiaobu said, delighted.
In truth, even without asking Cebai Huisheng, everyone in Anluo Heavenly City knew Shi Changxing resided at Jinluo Tower—except, perhaps, Lan Xiaobu. Back at the tower, a quick inquiry led him to Shi’s cave residence.
As Lan Xiaobu approached, he noticed a tower attendant standing guard outside.
“This is Dao Master Changxing’s residence. Please stop,” the attendant blocked him.
Lan Xiaobu thought to himself, fame makes a difference. Jinluo Tower had countless rooms, never filling up, yet who else had a personal guard?
“I’m an old friend of Dao Master Changxing. Step aside,” Lan Xiaobu waved, signaling the attendant to move.
The attendant frowned. Though Shi Changxing hadn’t requested a guard, disturbing his rest could spell trouble for the tower. As he hesitated, Shi’s voice came from within: “Let him in.”
The residence’s restrictions opened.
The attendant bowed hastily, letting Lan Xiaobu pass, surprised he was truly Shi’s acquaintance.
Entering, the restrictions closed automatically. Before stepping fully inside, Lan Xiaobu saw Shi Changxing and Shi Wanrong seated, as if waiting for him.
“Your knack for causing trouble and surviving is impressive. Hmm…” Shi Changxing stopped mid-sentence, noticing Lan Xiaobu’s strength at the fifth step of the Great Dao, his dao so refined it didn’t seem newly achieved.
How little time had passed, yet he’d reached the fifth step?
Lan Xiaobu knew, even with his true appearance restored, Shi Changxing would see through him.
“You’re the Brother Lan who saved me?” Shi Wanrong realized, recognizing Lan Xiaobu’s current look as his true form, unlike the disguised Shang Wei.
“Indeed, I had to disguise myself due to some trouble. Congratulations on restoring your dao, Immortal Wanrong,” Lan Xiaobu said.
Shi Wanrong beamed. Though her father had been reluctant to help Lan Xiaobu, seeing him safe thrilled her.
“I thought you’d been caught by Great Vault Silence Dao. You’re not only free but thriving,” Shi Changxing said coolly.
Lan Xiaobu clasped his fists. “I’m here to ask Dao Master Changxing for a favor.”
Shi Changxing replied indifferently, “I know what you want. Sorry, with the Longevity Conference nearing, the Chaos Dao Body, though held by Great Vault Silence Dao, concerns the entire Great Cosmos. Even a Dao Ancestor can’t interfere now. I can’t help.”
He assumed Lan Xiaobu sought to rescue the Chaos Dao Body woman.
Lan Xiaobu said calmly, “You’ve misunderstood, Dao Master. I’m not targeting Great Vault Silence Dao. I want you to accompany me to True Derivation Saint Dao’s residence. I dislike their Saint Master Chong Jiu—she injured my friend. I want to confront her, but my strength is lacking, so I’d like you to back me up. If you’re unwilling, that’s fine. I won’t bother you again.”
Shi Wanrong looked at her father expectantly. Lan Xiaobu had saved her life; if her father refused his request now, she’d feel ashamed.
Shi Changxing sneered inwardly. Lan Xiaobu was leveraging his status for repayment, and boldly so. If it were anyone else, Shi might refuse, annoyed by the tactic. But he’d long disliked Chong Jiu, who once disrespected him. He’d ignored her due to his status, but now, with Lan Xiaobu’s request, he could teach her a lesson.
Though willing, Shi didn’t answer directly, instead eyeing Taichuan behind Lan Xiaobu. “This must be the Chaos Unicorn. Impressive progress—fourth-step sacred beast in such a short time. I’ve seen few fourth-step beasts.”
Lan Xiaobu was startled. Despite his precautions, even Ku Yichi hadn’t noticed Taichuan’s identity, yet Shi Changxing saw through it instantly.
As Lan Xiaobu pondered a response, Shi stood. “Since it’s about disciplining a feathered beast, let’s go. But after this, we’re even.”
Lan Xiaobu thought, *Who wants ties with someone like you?* But who was the “feathered beast”? Could it be Chong Jiu?
“Is Chong Jiu a demon cultivator?” Lan Xiaobu asked as they left the residence.
Shi Changxing replied coolly, “Just a Moon Falcon who attained the dao.”
Lan Xiaobu understood, chuckling inwardly at her low wit, indeed a “feathered beast.”
…
Jinluo Tower’s greatest advantage was gathering all sects and courts in one place, so Lan Xiaobu and Shi Changxing easily found True Derivation Saint Dao’s residence.
Guan Chong and Chong Jiu, the sect’s two Saint Masters, had the largest residences. With Guan Chong absent, Lan Xiaobu went straight to Chong Jiu’s.
Shi Changxing didn’t act, curious to see how Lan Xiaobu would handle the restrictions.
To his surprise, Lan Xiaobu didn’t knock. He summoned his Longevity Halberd and struck, tearing open Chong Jiu’s residence restrictions with one blow. The excessive force exposed her to everyone’s view.
“Courting death!” Chong Jiu was furious. She’d thought Lan Xiaobu’s threats were empty bravado, yet here he was, violently breaching her restrictions.
“Who dares break Jinluo Tower’s residence restrictions?” An enforcer appeared instantly.
Lan Xiaobu said coldly, “This is between Moru Heavenly Court and True Derivation Saint Dao. Is Jinluo Tower sure it wants to interfere?”
Before the enforcer could respond, a stern voice echoed in his ear: “Get back. This isn’t your concern.”
The enforcer shivered—it was the tower’s Dao Master, aware of the issue’s gravity. Spotting Shi Changxing behind Lan Xiaobu, he bowed and retreated swiftly.
“Dao Master Changxing, what’s your meaning here?” Chong Jiu, about to attack Lan Xiaobu, froze upon seeing Shi Changxing.
Shi ignored her. Lan Xiaobu, however, unleashed his Longevity Halberd toward her, messaging Shi Changxing: “Dao Master, when I strike, bind her with your saint domain to limit her to fourth or fifth-step strength. I can handle her then.”
Lan Xiaobu knew Shi wouldn’t act directly, so he didn’t ask. He was certain Shi would use his domain to restrain Chong Jiu—otherwise, he wouldn’t have come.
Seeing Lan Xiaobu attack without hesitation, Chong Jiu was enraged. Not bothering with a treasure, she reached for him. A mere fifth-step cultivator didn’t warrant her weapon.
When Ku Yichi tested Lan Xiaobu, he used three to four tenths of his strength, but Chong Jiu held nothing back, fully activating her Moon Derivation dao laws. To her, no matter how strong Lan Xiaobu was, below the sixth step, she could easily subdue this reckless fool.
But as she struck, cold sweat broke out. A terrifying suppression hit her—an extreme domain pressure. Though she could still use her divine abilities and saint aura, under this domain, she was reduced to a tenth or two of her power.
