Liu Li? Lan Xiaobu froze. How could Liu Li be in the Great Cosmos? No matter how he thought about it, it seemed impossible. The journey from the Great Wilderness Universe to the Great Cosmos was not something Liu Li could traverse.
No matter her talent, reaching the Longevity Realm—now the Great Wilderness Universe under his control—was already remarkable. How could she reach the Great Cosmos?
“Where is she?” Lan Xiaobu asked urgently.
Before Taichuan could answer, a thought struck Lan Xiaobu. If Liu Li was in a world controlled by Ancestor Hongjun, and Hongjun brought that world to the Great Cosmos, wouldn’t Liu Li, along with others from the Great Wilderness Universe, have come along? If so, she’d likely be representing the Great Wilderness World at the Longevity Conference.
“I heard someone call her name. She’s probably at Tianhuan Cloud Hall, invited by Lady Tianhuan,” Taichuan said.
Lan Xiaobu knew of Tianhuan Cloud Hall, a renowned place in Anluo Heavenly City, Lady Tianhuan’s residence. Though not exceptionally powerful, Lady Tianhuan held high status as Emperor Ku Yichi’s senior sister.
“Is she representing the Great Wilderness Heavenly Court?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
Taichuan shook his head. “No, I heard she’s with a group from a Burial Dao Sect in the Fanhe World…”
At the mention of Burial Dao Sect, Lan Xiaobu’s face darkened. He’d killed Qu Peng, a Burial Dao cultivator, likely from that sect. He’d vowed to destroy that wretched sect someday. How did Liu Li end up with them?
Having spent time in the Great Cosmos, Lan Xiaobu knew of major sects. Burial Dao Sect was a top sect in Fanhe World. He wasn’t sure if they had seventh-step cultivators, but their backer was reportedly formidable.
As they left Jinluo Tower, Lan Xiaobu was still thinking about Liu Li. He owed her greatly—without her, he wouldn’t have obtained the Seven-Sound Halberd. She nearly died helping him get it, surviving by sheer luck. Though broken, the halberd had saved him countless times in his weaker days, beheading numerous foes.
“Lord Bu, about that Liu Li…” Taichuan, trailing behind, spoke up, seeing Lan Xiaobu’s silence.
Lan Xiaobu waved it off. “Let’s get auction tickets first. Other matters can wait.”
Since Liu Li was representing Fanhe Heavenly Court at the Longevity Conference, she was free. As long as she was in Anluo Heavenly City, he’d meet her eventually. For now, she was at Lady Tianhuan’s residence, inaccessible to him.
He could storm Chong Jiu’s residence with Shi Changxing, but he couldn’t barge into Lady Tianhuan’s.
…
The auction, co-hosted by Qixing Saint Dao and Yongyi Saint Dao merchant houses, was held on Yongyi’s top floor.
Perhaps due to the abundance of treasures, the crowd buying tickets was massive, the line spilling onto the street. Lan Xiaobu wished for scalpers to sell tickets at a premium, but there were none—not even anyone transferring theirs.
Buying a ticket through the line was nearly impossible. He’d have to find someone. If that failed, he’d seek the azure-robed woman from Qixing Saint Dao, to whom he’d given the Heavenly Poison Heart for a teleportation ticket.
“Overseer Lan…” Cebai Huisheng’s voice called out.
Turning, Lan Xiaobu saw the emperor waving from nearby. A thought struck him—Cebai Huisheng, as Moru’s emperor, might have sway. Qixing Saint Dao, being Moru-based, would likely respect him.
“Brother Cebai,” Lan Xiaobu greeted, approaching with Taichuan.
Cebai Huisheng smiled. “Here for the auction? Need a ticket?”
Lan Xiaobu nodded. “Yes, but they’re hard to come by.”
“I have a private booth jade token. It’s yours,” Cebai Huisheng said, handing over an exquisite jade token.
Lan Xiaobu, elated, took it. “Thank you, Brother Cebai. Were you waiting for me?”
“Indeed, I have things to discuss. Let’s go to Jinluo Tower’s guest hall,” Cebai Huisheng replied, confirming he’d sought Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu agreed. As they left Yongyi’s merchant house, he casually asked, “Brother Cebai, do you know anyone from Fanhe World? I have questions about their sects.”
Cebai Huisheng laughed. “You’re asking the right person. As an emperor, I know the rise and fall of most major sects across the worlds.”
They entered Jinluo Tower, which had two sections: the residential Breath Tower and the guest-oriented Guest Tower for discussions.
In a quiet room, before Cebai Huisheng could set restrictions, Lan Xiaobu proactively applied soundproof and shielding barriers.
Cebai Huisheng sighed. “Brother Lan, your array skills are astonishing. Why not truly serve as Moru’s Overseer or even First Court Pillar?”
Lan Xiaobu waved it off. “I’m not one for staying put, and I have many matters to handle. Sorry. Are you here to ask about my clash with Chong Jiu?”
Though expecting Lan Xiaobu’s refusal, Cebai Huisheng was disappointed. He shifted focus. “Exactly. I didn’t expect you to convince Shi Changxing to back you. He must cherish his daughter. But after handling Chong Jiu, I thought you’d go for Great Vault Silence Dao. Why didn’t you?
“I suggest avoiding them for now. Fanhe Heavenly Court’s Emperor Yan and Chaos One’s Wan Xunhua are close. Yan’s likely visiting Wan now. If you go, they might catch you.”
Cebai Huisheng knew Lan Xiaobu saved Shi Wanrong, which likely swayed Shi Changxing.
Lan Xiaobu thought, *That was close.* Yan must have just arrived, possibly with Liu Li. If he’d gone to Gu Jin later, Gu Jin might have relied on Yan’s strength to attack. Shi Changxing wouldn’t help again, and without him, Lan Xiaobu couldn’t face a seventh-step cultivator.
“It’s over. I want to ask about Burial Dao Sect. Can you tell me about it?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
Cebai Huisheng laughed. “You’re asking the right person. I know that sect well. Its founder, Zang Qionghua, is remarkable. She created Burial Dao. Before that, she cultivated the Great Cosmos Technique, a top-tier art.
“She didn’t have the full technique scroll, deriving much from fragments. Before founding Burial Dao Sect, she developed Burial Dao from the Great Cosmos Technique, perfecting it after establishing the sect.”
“Zang Qionghua? Not surnamed Qu?” Lan Xiaobu asked instinctively.
Cebai Huisheng explained, “You’ve heard some rumors. Before founding Burial Dao Sect, Zang Qionghua was dao partners with Qu Beige. They were inseparable, but later fell out for unknown reasons. Zang founded Burial Dao Sect, and Qu Beige created Datong Cosmic Dao. Don’t underestimate it—many say Qu Beige is sixth-step, but he’s likely seventh-step, very discreet.”
Pausing, he continued, “Zang Qionghua’s likely at the sixth step, but no one dares provoke Burial Dao Sect, a top sect in Fanhe World.”
“Why? Because of Qu Beige?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
Cebai Huisheng shook his head. “Few know the real reason, but I do. Her true backer isn’t Qu Beige but Emperor Yan of Fanhe Heavenly Court, a solid seventh-step cultivator.”
“Wasn’t his son killed?” Lan Xiaobu recalled.
Cebai Huisheng nodded. “Yes, the Great Cosmos is abuzz with bounties for his son’s killer. His son, Yin Yuan, was slain, and his supreme dao vein taken. Yan’s nearly mad, arriving late to Anluo Heavenly City because he’s been hunting the culprit. Not sure if he’s caught them.”
