Lan Xiaobu knew the situation was beyond salvaging. Even if he begged, True Derivation Saint Dao was set on killing him to avenge Chong Jiu. He chuckled, his gaze locking onto Chong Ying. “Am I your True Derivation Saint Master’s nanny? What’s it to me if your Saint Master got killed?”
Chong Ying had held back from attacking immediately, wary of Shi Changxing. If Shi intervened after he moved against Lan Xiaobu, it could spell trouble. But after probing and seeing no sign of Shi, he realized their relationship wasn’t as deep as feared.
“Haha!” A boisterous laugh interrupted Chong Ying’s calculations. A barefoot man stepped down from the void. “Is True Derivation Saint Dao so mighty? Three Saint Masters ganging up on a court overseer? Impressive, truly impressive!”
As the man landed, Lan Xiaobu felt the oppressive space around him ease, like a sealed room with a window suddenly opened.
Yet, Lan Xiaobu was puzzled. The man, burly with a commanding presence and rounded seventh-step dao rhythms, was clearly a seventh-step powerhouse. But Lan Xiaobu didn’t know him. Why risk offending three Saint Masters to help?
“Emperor Pei, you’re an emperor of a world. Are you meddling in True Derivation Saint Dao’s affairs?” Chong Ying’s voice was cold.
Cebai Huisheng messaged Lan Xiaobu, “This is Pei Qionghu, Emperor of Jicheng Heavenly Court, the one I mentioned. I didn’t expect him to speak up for us…”
After messaging, Cebai Huisheng stepped forward, clasping his fists. “Greetings, Brother Pei. Thank you for your righteous words.”
Pei Qionghu laughed. “Brother Cebai, you’re close to the seventh step, I bet. Some people, just because they reached it first, forget their own names, swaggering around. No wonder they die fast.”
Cebai Huisheng’s lips twitched bitterly. As an emperor yet to reach the seventh step, it was embarrassing. If he were seventh-step, neither today’s incident nor the Central Dao Hall confrontation would’ve happened. He silently vowed to break through this time.
Lan Xiaobu spotted Xing Ni in the distance and understood. Xing Ni must have told Pei Qionghu about him, prompting Pei’s aid.
This was Xing Ni’s third time helping him. Lan Xiaobu nodded to him, noting the debt.
“Heh, True Derivation Saint Dao’s tough, but this is Anluo Heavenly City. Planning to fight here? If Emperor Ku has no objections, I, Pei Qionghu, will take you all on. Come at me together—I’m not scared,” Pei Qionghu said, his aura surging, his saint domain blasting out unrestrained.
Chong Ying’s face darkened. He knew Pei Qionghu meant what he said.
As tensions rose, another laugh broke through. “Since you’re all in my Central World, you’re guests. If you don’t mind, join me at my Dibai Dao Pool.”
Even Pei Qionghu clasped his fists in greeting. The newcomer was Ku Yichi, Central Heavenly Court’s emperor, rumored to be second only to a Dao Ancestor.
“Emperor Ku, our Saint Master Chong Jiu was ambushed. We need a Dao Ancestor to give us answers. Otherwise, if True Derivation follows Central World’s laws while others don’t, it’s a grave injustice to us,” Chen Huangzi said gravely.
Ku Yichi sighed inwardly. Chong Jiu caused trouble even in death. She’d offended Shi Changxing before, and her killing might involve him.
But a seventh-step cultivator’s death warranted a Dao Ancestor’s attention. He nodded, clasping his fists. “I’ll report this. A Dao Ancestor will attend the Longevity Conference and likely address your concerns then.”
Chong Ying glanced at Lan Xiaobu, saying coolly, “We trust Emperor Ku’s words. True Derivation strives to uphold Central World’s order and hopes others do the same.”
Everyone, including Lan Xiaobu, heard the threat. True Derivation was signaling they might disregard Central World’s rules if Ku Yichi’s response—waiting decades for a Dao Ancestor’s “likely” resolution—was unsatisfactory. They wouldn’t touch Emperor Cebai Huisheng, fearing Moru’s Dao Ancestor, but Lan Xiaobu, Pang Jie, or Moru’s geniuses were fair game. If Moru had no geniuses left for the conference, it’d be a joke.
Ku Yichi caught the threat but sneered inwardly. As long as they didn’t fight in Anluo Heavenly City, they could slaughter each other for all he cared. Central World had seen worse—Saint Sword Palace and Great Ice Palace were destroyed, and no Dao Ancestor intervened. True Derivation losing a seventh-step Saint Master was their own fault for lacking strength. Expecting a Dao Ancestor? Dream on.
Lan Xiaobu ignored the departing True Derivation Saint Masters, his gaze landing on a short, fat man in the crowd. Despite the disguise, Lan Xiaobu recognized Fang Zhiqian instantly. The man had escaped True Derivation and Central Heavenly Court’s pursuit and now appeared openly in Anluo Heavenly City.
Did he think reaching the seventh step made him unrecognizable?
Lan Xiaobu had sensed him the moment he arrived, thanks to a dao intent mark he’d placed—not just a mark, but a dao law capable of shredding soul and spirit. A free curse dao seed was that effective.
Fang Zhiqian’s luck was remarkable, using the seed to reach the seventh step, explaining his boldness. At seventh-step, even if True Derivation or Central Heavenly Court recognized him, they couldn’t touch him.
As Lan Xiaobu prepared to greet Xing Ni, he sensed something amiss. His dao sense locked onto a subtle mark on himself, cleverly placed not directly on him but attached to his dao rhythm after a step. Only his expertise in marks and barriers, plus his fifth-step cultivation, let him detect it.
Tracing the mark’s aura and origin, he confirmed Chen Huangzi had placed it. Once he left Anluo Heavenly City, Chen Huangzi would know.
“Thank you, Brother Xing, for your help,” Lan Xiaobu said sincerely, clasping his fists.
Xing Ni smiled. “A trifle, not worth mentioning.”
Lan Xiaobu knew it was no trifle. Without Pei Qionghu, Ku Yichi would’ve only appeared after True Derivation’s Saint Masters took or killed him.
After thanking Xing Ni, Lan Xiaobu saluted Pei Qionghu.
Pei Qionghu laughed. “Overseer Lan, Xing Ni’s mentioned you several times. You didn’t disappoint. I’ll chat with Brother Ku now, but come to Jicheng Heavenly Court’s residence anytime.”
“Thank you, Emperor Pei. I’ll visit,” Lan Xiaobu replied, clasping his fists.
As Pei Qionghu and Xing Ni left with Ku Yichi, Lan Xiaobu turned to Cebai Huisheng. “Brother Cebai, head to the auction. I have something to handle and will join you later.”
Cebai Huisheng messaged, “Be careful, especially about leaving Anluo Heavenly City. True Derivation’s Saint Masters are watching. If you leave, they’ll follow.”
“I know,” Lan Xiaobu replied, not mentioning his plan to leave.
With the spectacle over, the crowd dispersed. Lan Xiaobu strolled briefly before heading out of Anluo Heavenly City. He was certain Chen Huangzi would follow, and Fang Zhiqian would too.
From a distance, a man watched Lan Xiaobu leave, muttering disdainfully, “Clueless.”
“Father, who’s clueless?” Shi Wanrong appeared.
“Nothing, just a reckless ant who escaped once but isn’t satisfied and insists on offering his head,” Shi Changxing said coolly.
He marveled inwardly. He’d seen bold people, but Lan Xiaobu’s audacity was unmatched.
…
As Lan Xiaobu exited Anluo Heavenly City, he sensed Fang Zhiqian following. He knew why Fang was so eager—the man feared the mark Lan Xiaobu had placed, unable to remove it, and now desperately sought to confront him and demand its removal.
But if Fang Zhiqian thought reaching the seventh step could intimidate Lan Xiaobu, he was tragically mistaken.
Not wanting to fight near Anluo Heavenly City, Lan Xiaobu summoned his flying treasure and sped away. If Fang Zhiqian caught up first, he’d teach him a lesson in humility.
