A somewhat frustrated Shi Changxing had just entered Jinluo Building when he saw Burial Qionghua, who was scolding Liu Li, hurriedly offer a respectful greeting. The title of Changxing Dao Venerable wasn’t just for show, he was second only to the Dao Ancestor, capable of wiping out the Burial Dao Sect, even under the protection of Emperor Chen, with a mere flick of his hand.
Shi Changxing was in a foul mood and paid no attention to Burial Qionghua disciplining a female disciple. As he was about to leave, a voice suddenly rang out, “Heh, isn’t your Burial Dao Sect a bit too overbearing? If someone doesn’t want to stay, can you really force them? My Jisheng World has never done such a thing, the ways of Fanhe World truly open my eyes.”
Burial Qionghua froze. Who was bold enough to meddle in her sect’s affairs? But when she saw the newcomer, her face darkened, “Emperor Pei, this is Burial Dao Sect business. Does your Jisheng Heavenly Court have authority over it?”
Pei Qionghu laughed heartily, “Burial Dao Sect business? Today, this emperor tells you, this is my brother Lan Xiaobu’s business. This fairy is my brother Lan Xiaobu’s friend, if she wants to leave your sect, she leaves. Try stopping her, and I guarantee you won’t even have time to regret it.”
Shi Changxing wasn’t fully aware of the relationship between Liu Li and Lan Xiaobu, but he understood the situation clearly.
“You…” Burial Qionghua was speechless, not daring to utter a single word, knowing that if she did, Pei Qionghu would kill her on the spot.
Her Burial Dao Sect and Jisheng Heavenly Court were sworn enemies. Years ago, her son Qu Peng killed Pei Qionghu’s daughter-in-law Rong Qianyun over the Universe Mill, a grudge Pei Qionghu had long wanted to settle. If not for Emperor Chen’s protection, Pei Qionghu would have already destroyed the Burial Dao Sect. But with Chen shielding them, Pei Qionghu held back, wary of sparking a war between the two worlds, which the Dao Ancestor strictly forbade. Attacking the Burial Dao Sect would give Chen an excuse to send an army against Jisheng World, putting Pei Qionghu in the wrong.
Burial Qionghua didn’t dare give Pei Qionghu the slightest pretext. Her face was ashen, but she remained vigilant, ready for him to strike at any moment.
Shi Changxing, standing to the side, was dumbfounded, his mind racing with frustration. He had been looking for a chance to curry favour with Lan Xiaobu, but this opportunity, right in front of him, was snatched by that upstart Pei Qionghu. No, if Pei Qionghu hadn’t shown up, he wouldn’t have known about Liu Li’s connection to Lan Xiaobu, and he wouldn’t have intervened in such a trivial matter.
At that moment, Shi Changxing waited eagerly, hoping Burial Qionghua would call for reinforcements, perhaps Emperor Chen or even Ku Yichi. If Pei Qionghu hesitated or backed down, he could step in, sternly reprimand Burial Qionghua, and declare his close ties with Lan Xiaobu.
Unfortunately, Burial Qionghua, cowed by Pei Qionghu’s rebuke, didn’t dare say a word, like a mouse before a cat. Pathetic, truly pathetic. How could such a spineless figure establish the Burial Dao Sect?
“Liu Li greets Emperor Pei, thank you for speaking up for justice, I’m deeply grateful,” Liu Li quickly bowed to Pei Qionghu. She knew that without him, she’d be dead. If Burial Qionghua took her back, survival would be a miracle, and her connection to Lan Xiaobu would surely be exposed through soul-searching.
Pei Qionghu handed her a jade token, “A small matter. This is my Heavenly Emperor Token. If you face trouble in the future, show it, and unless a Dao Ancestor acts, you’ll be safe.”
“Yes,” Liu Li hurriedly accepted, bowing again in thanks. She understood the token’s value, without it, even if she left Anluo Heavenly City, she’d be hunted. With it, the Burial Dao Sect wouldn’t dare touch her.
Pei Qionghu waved dismissively, “In my heart, Lan Xiaobu is my friend, closely tied to Xing Ni of my Jisheng Heavenly Court, so I’ll naturally help with his matters. If you don’t mind, you could take a position in our Jisheng Heavenly Court.”
Liu Li declined Pei Qionghu’s offer and swiftly left Jinluo Building. For her, the old Liu Li was dead, upon leaving Anluo Heavenly City, she would become someone new.
…
Shi Changxing returned to his room, displeased. His daughter, Shi Wanrong, greeted him immediately, “Father, you went out?”
Shi Changxing sighed, “That Lan Xiaobu didn’t fall to Chen Huangzi, he even killed him. I knew he was no ordinary man. I wanted to befriend him, but I’ve missed several chances. Just now at Jinluo Building, his friend was being bullied by the Burial Dao Sect, and that Pei Qionghu stole the moment.”
Shi Wanrong, however, saw things clearly. Her father, the foremost below the Dao Ancestor, perhaps even equal to one, needed to befriend someone like Lan Xiaobu? It was only because he worried for her.
After this Eternal Life Conference, her father would likely return to his dao field for long-term seclusion, while she would roam the great universe. Having a resourceful, high-potential friend like Lan Xiaobu would give her an extra layer of security.
Indeed–
Shi Changxing’s intent to befriend Lan Xiaobu was entirely for Shi Wanrong’s sake. He once thought his name alone would protect her from harm in the great universe. The Great Ice Palace incident made him realise that no reputation held up against absolute gain. Even if he later found out who harmed his daughter and destroyed them, it would be too late.
That Lan Xiaobu could kill a Seventh Step Great Dao cultivator, his future achievements might rival Shi Changxing’s own.
“Father, even if I can’t reach the Seventh Step this time, I’ll perfect my dao while roaming the great universe. Brother Lan is indeed strong, with great potential, and he saved my life, but the path to perfecting one’s dao is fraught with crises. I must overcome them myself, and I believe I can,” Shi Wanrong said earnestly to Shi Changxing.
Though deeply grateful for Lan Xiaobu’s lifesaving grace, she didn’t want her father seeking opportunities to befriend him. As Changxing Dao Venerable, even emperors bowed to him, she didn’t want her father to feel compromised. She never thought she’d fully repaid Lan Xiaobu’s debt, she’d return the favour when the chance came, but she kept this from her father.
“You’re right,” Shi Changxing nodded.
Shi Wanrong added, “Father is such a figure, why bother with trivial matters? Don’t dwell on today’s events.”
Shi Changxing paused, suddenly realising something. If he, like Lan Xiaobu, had intervened in an injustice, where would Pei Qionghu’s chance have been? If Lan Xiaobu hadn’t stepped in for justice, would his daughter even be alive?
…
In the Great Universe Valley, as Lan Xiaobu continuously refined his sixth dao branch, Ce Kuhui Sheng’s Great Dao principles surged like mighty rivers, ceaselessly rolling.
The Chaos Nirvana Heart merged with vitality principles, under chaotic energy, constantly shedding outdated principles while forming new Great Dao principles under the heart’s influence. As new principles were refined one by one, Ce Kuhui Sheng felt his strength climbing, as if he were on the verge of breaking through this realm for a transformation.
Yet no matter how hard he tried, he was just short of that final step.
Time flowed like a torrent, and as the Chaos Nirvana Heart’s principles began to weaken, Ce Kuhui Sheng, still unable to take that last step, grew anxious. He knew if the heart’s principles fully dissipated, this attempt at the Seventh Step would fail completely.
Failing this time, another attempt would be far off. Ce Kuhui Sheng understood that once the heart’s principles vanished, no amount of effort would help. Breaking through to the Seventh Step required not just abundant resources but the ability to comprehend its principles.
His foundation was still lacking, Ce Kuhui Sheng was unwilling to accept it. He circulated his Great Dao fully again, striving to grasp that elusive trace of the Great Dao’s aura.
To his delight, as he attempted the Seventh Step again, the universal rules suddenly became clear. In the Great Universe Valley, as long as one didn’t attempt the Seventh Step, the rules were always clear, making it ideal for cultivators below that level, but not for breaking through to it.
When attempting the Seventh Step, the universal principles would blur, the main reason Ce Kuhui Sheng couldn’t touch the Seventh Step.
Now, the rules in his space were suddenly clear, a heaven-sent surprise for Ce Kuhui Sheng.
As he sensed the clear universal principles containing time, space, and even the Five Elements, yet different from those in ordinary spaces, he realised Lan Xiaobu was attempting the Sixth Step, making the rules in this space abruptly clear.
Ce Kuhui Sheng inwardly admired, just attempting the Sixth Step, yet allowing him to sense clear Seventh Step principles, Lan Xiaobu’s dao was truly formidable.
Though he knew that relying on Lan Xiaobu’s principles to reach the Seventh Step might cap his future achievements below Lan Xiaobu’s, he felt no pressure. In his eyes, Lan Xiaobu’s talent destined him to rival a Dao Ancestor.
Using Lan Xiaobu’s principles to comprehend his own Seventh Step rules, what pressure could there be? Reaching the Seventh Step was an unparalleled opportunity for him.
