The roar faded, leaving only the drifting debris of the shattered Jinluo Tower, the scene enveloped in silence.
As the crowd of onlookers grew, the quieter it became.
Everyone’s thoughts differed: some were still reeling from Ceku Huisheng’s ascent to the Seventh Step, others from the audacity of destroying Jinluo Tower. But most eyes were on Lan Xiaobu, the one who had just killed Jie Chuanqi.
Killing in Anluo Heavenly City violated Central World’s laws and clashed with the Great Universe’s harmony. Moreover, the victim was Poxu Holy Path’s Third Path Master, Jie Chuanqi, and the destruction of Jinluo Tower followed.
Jinluo Tower was renowned, a place even Dao Ancestors stayed. Its protective arrays, set by Central World’s Dao Ancestor Di Lan, made its ruin unthinkable.
Gu Jin, sect master of Daqiong Silent Path, instinctively stepped back, unable to hide his apprehension. He regretted agreeing to join Zhenyanshengdao against Lan Xiaobu. No, he had to tell the Heavenly Emperor they couldn’t afford to oppose him.
Others would deal with Lan Xiaobu; Dunyi World and Daqiong Silent Path needn’t get involved. Glancing at Dunyi Heavenly Court’s Emperor Wan Xinhua, who had just snapped out of his shock and met Gu Jin’s gaze, he nodded, clearly understanding. For now, Dunyi Heavenly Court would withdraw from the alliance against Lan Xiaobu.
With its limited strength, Dunyi Heavenly Court couldn’t challenge Moru World and Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu stood in the void, gripping his Longevity Halberd, outwardly calm but inwardly stirred.
He’d been in the Great Universe for years. When he first arrived, he couldn’t even resist a Seventh Step cultivator. Today, he’d finally killed one.
Though Ceku Huisheng had severely wounded Jie Chuanqi, and Jie’s retreat had cost him the initiative, giving Lan Xiaobu the chance, this was still a new beginning. His only regret was not seizing Jie’s world in time.
“Hahaha…” Ceku Huisheng was the first to laugh, then with a wave of his hand, he tore the already broken seal to shreds.
“Heavenly Emperor…” Pang Jie and Gu Changjian stepped out of the seal’s remnants, their voices trembling with excitement.
They didn’t care about the consequences now. This battle had fully preserved Moru Heavenly Court’s dignity. Even if they died, they’d die with honour, not as cowards sealed by a sect.
In the distance, Guan Chong’s fists were clenched white. The battle was brief, leaving him no chance to act. With Ceku Huisheng now at the Seventh Step, could Zhenyanshengdao really kill Lan Xiaobu for revenge? The image of Lan Xiaobu’s halberd slaying Jie Chuanqi lingered in his mind, indelible.
“Emperor Ceku, your Moru Heavenly Court destroyed Jinluo Tower in Anluo Heavenly City and killed a Seventh Step powerhouse just before the Eternal Life Conference. Is Moru World challenging the Great Universe’s rules and order?” Ku Yichi finally arrived, stunned to see Jinluo Tower split in two, Anluo Heavenly City’s symbol and Central World’s premier tower, ruined.
Even more shocking was learning Ceku Huisheng and Lan Xiaobu had together killed Jie Chuanqi.
The tower’s destruction angered and stunned him, but Jie’s death was utterly unbelievable.
Jie Chuanqi’s strength was no less than his own. Known for slaughter, he’d killed countless stronger foes, earning the name “Legend,” which he kept. Yet now, this legend was slain in Anluo Heavenly City by someone Ku Yichi saw as an ant, a reality he couldn’t accept. If Lan Xiaobu could kill Jie, he could threaten Ku Yichi too.
Ceku Huisheng said coldly, “Emperor Ku, Moru Heavenly Court came representing Moru World, yet our stronghold was sealed in Jinluo Tower. Are we not allowed to resist? Must we endure such bullying?”
“You still shouldn’t have destroyed Jinluo Tower or openly killed a Seventh Step powerhouse there,” came an icy voice as Fanhe Heavenly Court’s Emperor Chen approached.
Staring at Lan Xiaobu, Chen continued, “A mere ant, sneaking an attack when Path Master Jie was wounded and weakened, committing such despicable acts, deserves death. Emperor Ceku’s matter will be dealt with by the Dao Ancestor, but you, a petty ant, daring to sneak attack and kill a Seventh Step Path Master in Anluo Heavenly City—what crime should you bear?”
Everyone saw clearly whether it was a sneak attack. Even if it was, killing Jie Chuanqi wasn’t easy. Lan Xiaobu’s strength, if not at the Seventh Step, was close.
Ku Yichi turned to Lan Xiaobu, familiar with him, having once tested his strength. Though he hadn’t seen Lan Xiaobu act, he was certain Lan’s strength had risen further. With Ceku at the Seventh Step, Ku Yichi wondered if the Great Universe Valley truly enabled Sixth Step cultivators to reach the Seventh.
Lan Xiaobu smiled at Chen, “Calm down. When Lord Bu speaks, if you dare interrupt, I’ll send you to meet your son sooner.”
Zang Qionghua and Chen were lovers. Lan Xiaobu guessed Zang would eventually learn he and Mo Wuji killed Qu Peng. Since a confrontation with Zang was inevitable, and Chen would surely intervene, there was no need for courtesy with a certain enemy.
Before Chen could respond, Lan Xiaobu turned to Ku Yichi, “Emperor Ku, when Poxu Holy Path’s Path Master sealed Moru Heavenly Court’s stronghold, why didn’t anyone speak for us? Now that our Heavenly Emperor broke the seal, you step forward. I’m puzzled—whose side are you on, Emperor Ku, as a Great Universe Heavenly Emperor? Poxu Holy Path or the other Heavenly Courts?”
Ku Yichi knew this was his oversight. He hadn’t stopped Jie Chuanqi’s sealing of Moru’s stronghold, nor had he aided Moru when they sought help. Now, Lan Xiaobu’s words left him momentarily speechless.
He couldn’t be blamed entirely. He’d assumed the matter wouldn’t escalate, as even if Ceku returned, he couldn’t challenge Jie. Who could’ve predicted Ceku would act decisively and, with Lan Xiaobu, kill Jie? This wouldn’t end with Jie’s death; it would only grow bigger.
Lan Xiaobu continued, “Poxu Holy Path’s Path Master sealing Moru Heavenly Court’s stronghold insults the Great Universe’s dignity. If a Great Universe Heavenly Court can be sealed by a sect, what dignity remains? It also insults Moru World and our Dao Ancestor Xing Jia. If you can bear that responsibility, Emperor Ku, keep siding with Poxu Holy Path.”
Ku Yichi faltered. Lan Xiaobu’s words were heavy. Not stopping Poxu’s sealing was one thing—if it didn’t escalate, it was fine. But now, with it blown out of proportion and involving a Dao Ancestor’s dignity, he couldn’t bear the consequences.
“Lan Xiaobu, I, Che Hongzi, don’t care about your grudge with Poxu Holy Path, but you destroyed my Jinluo Tower. You can’t afford to compensate for it today,” said a brown-robed man stepping into the void, his powerful Saint Path aura locking onto Lan Xiaobu.
This was undoubtedly a Seventh Step powerhouse. Ceku Huisheng, worried for Lan Xiaobu, stepped forward, but Ku Yichi stopped him, “Emperor Ceku, Lan Xiaobu destroyed Jinluo Tower. You can’t interfere. Friend Che will only take Lan Xiaobu to discuss compensation.”
Seeing Che Hongzi’s domain lock onto Lan Xiaobu, Chen saw his chance and stepped forward, ready to seal Lan Xiaobu’s space first.
But before he could act, a deathly aura swept over him. He stopped, his face icy, and said, “Pei Qionghu, what’s your meaning?”
Pei Qionghu replied calmly, “I have some old scores to settle with you. Since everyone’s here today, I won’t pick another day. My Qian Yun was schemed against—likely with your involvement.”
“Pei Qionghu, don’t speak recklessly, or even a Dao Ancestor won’t save you,” Chen’s heart skipped, but he retorted sharply.
No one paid attention to Pei Qionghu and Chen now; all eyes were on Che Hongzi and Lan Xiaobu.
Though Che Hongzi rarely appeared, his role as Jinluo Tower’s master was significant, and he was a top-tier Seventh Step powerhouse. Otherwise, would a Dao Ancestor have set the tower’s arrays?
Now, Che Hongzi’s Saint Domain fully locked Lan Xiaobu, intent on forcibly taking him. Not only was his reason for taking Lan Xiaobu justified, but even without one, no one would speak for Lan Xiaobu now.
Though Lan Xiaobu had killed Jie Chuanqi, everyone knew the circumstances. His strength was formidable but not at the Seventh Step.
Just when everyone thought Lan Xiaobu would use words to outmanoeuvre Che Hongzi, he defied expectations. His Longevity Halberd swept up, directly and brutally enveloping Che Hongzi.
For Lan Xiaobu, when he could fight, he never wasted words. He only talked when he couldn’t win.
Amid disbelieving gazes, a grey-clad figure rushed out, throwing themselves at Che Hongzi.
Who was this, daring to back Lan Xiaobu so boldly at such a moment?
