Shi Changxing said calmly, “An alliance is possible, but Qi Zhe Tian must be excluded. You should know that between me and Qi Zhe Tian, only one can exist. If he’s in, I’m out, and vice versa.”
Lan Xiaobu took a sip of tea, thinking to himself that Shi Changxing, a Dao Venerable of the eighth step, served tea that tasted like mineral water from long ago—neither fragrant, refreshing, nor particularly notable.
“Dao Venerable Changxing, everyone in the Great Universe knows that the bad blood between you and Qi Zhe Tian stems from the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique, doesn’t it?”
Shi Changxing interrupted, “And the Seven-Mu Heavenly Star.”
Lan Xiaobu smiled faintly, “Qi Zhe Tian doesn’t even want the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique anymore. Who’d care about your Seven-Mu Heavenly Star?”
“You’re saying Qi Zhe Tian no longer wants the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique?” Shi Changxing looked at Lan Xiaobu with suspicion. Would someone who named themselves Qi Zhe Tian and became the Dao Ancestor of the Seven-Mu Heaven forgo the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique?
Lan Xiaobu chuckled, “Do you think I’d bother lying to you? With my and my friend’s persuasion, Qi Zhe Tian has decided to forge a new path and abandon the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique…”
As Lan Xiaobu spoke, he suddenly sensed something amiss. A faint, almost imperceptible aura began to spread, soon permeating every vein and bone in his body. He clearly felt his Great Dao solidify slightly, and not only that, his Longevity Dao principles became even clearer.
“Dao Venerable Changxing, what did you give me to drink?” Lan Xiaobu immediately thought of the tea he’d sipped, though he hadn’t noticed anything unusual when he drank it.
Shi Changxing, however, asked, “You just said Qi Zhe Tian doesn’t want the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique anymore?”
Lan Xiaobu nodded firmly, “That’s right. Qi Zhe Tian genuinely doesn’t want it. To be honest, only you treat the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique like some treasure.”
Shi Changxing wasn’t a fool. Though Lan Xiaobu didn’t spell it out, he roughly understood. What could make Qi Zhe Tian abandon the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique? It was likely that both Lan Xiaobu and his friend had pioneered their own Great Dao, convincing Qi Zhe Tian to do the same.
“You persuaded Qi Zhe Tian to create his own Great Dao technique?” Shi Changxing asked in astonishment.
“What else? Do you think a self-created Great Dao would be weaker than your Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique?” Lan Xiaobu said. The greatest advantage of a self-created Great Dao wasn’t that it was stronger than an Heaven-Opening Technique, but that it was perfectly suited to one’s own Dao body.
Once a cultivator embarked on the path of cultivation, their physical body became a Dao body. Only by continuously aligning with one’s Dao body could a top-tier Great Dao be cultivated.
Shi Changxing fell silent. Clearly, Qi Zhe Tian had agreed to forge his own Great Dao. With Lan Xiaobu and his friend, both pioneers of their own Great Dao, Qi Zhe Tian might actually succeed. If he did, who could stand against him?
At that moment, Shi Changxing suddenly felt that the Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique he’d fought for was no longer so appealing.
Sometimes, the line between gain and loss was hard to discern. Shi Changxing felt conflicted, unsure whether he should hope Qi Zhe Tian succeeded in creating a Longevity Great Dao or not.
But he soon set those thoughts aside and pointed to the teacup in front of Lan Xiaobu, saying, “Didn’t you ask what I gave you to drink? I’ll tell you now. You’ve heard of the Universe Tree, I presume?”
“Of course. It’s a rare treasure. I’ve heard Universe Dao Fruits can give one a chance to step into the ninth step of the Great Dao, though it’s just hearsay,” Lan Xiaobu replied.
Shi Changxing smiled, “You’re not wrong. What you drank was tea brewed from Universe Tree leaves. And not just any Universe Dao Fruit can lead to the ninth step—only a nine-patterned Universe Dao Fruit has that potential.”
“You’ve obtained Universe Tree leaves?” Lan Xiaobu asked in surprise.
Shi Changxing smirked, “Not only have I obtained Universe Tree leaves, I also know where the Universe Tree will appear next.”
“So you want to ally with me?” Lan Xiaobu immediately grasped Shi Changxing’s intent. It was clear Shi Changxing was keen to collaborate, or he wouldn’t have mentioned the Universe Tree.
Shi Changxing nodded, “Exactly. You, your friend, and I—together, we’re guaranteed to obtain Universe Dao Fruits and Universe Tree leaves. I don’t want anyone else involved.”
Lan Xiaobu smiled faintly, “Old Shi, listen to yourself. Mo Wuji and I are already allied with Qi Zhe Tian, and now I’m inviting you to join us. If we ditch Qi Zhe Tian when there’s gain to be had and only call on him when there’s a fight, do you think he’d ally with someone like me?”
This time, Lan Xiaobu didn’t even address him as Friend Shi. Having said his piece, he was ready to leave. If Shi Changxing wouldn’t join, so be it. Asking him to betray Qi Zhe Tian, who allied with him first, to team up with Shi Changxing instead? Hah, was Shi Changxing’s character somehow nobler? Honestly, if he had to choose, Lan Xiaobu would pick Qi Zhe Tian over Shi Changxing.
Shi Changxing understood Lan Xiaobu’s stance. After a brief pause, he said, “Fine. As long as Qi Zhe Tian no longer covets my Seven-Mu Heaven-Opening Technique, I’m willing to ally with him.”
“That’s more like it,” Lan Xiaobu said, delighted.
“Be wary of Lei Yunhan,” Shi Changxing cautioned.
Lan Xiaobu chuckled, “I’d be more worried if he didn’t show up.”
With that, Lan Xiaobu stood, uninterested in bringing up the Universe Tree unless Shi Changxing did.
Before Lan Xiaobu could take his leave, Shi Changxing said, “If I’m not mistaken, this Longevity Conference is about forcing the Universe Tree to appear so the Dao Ancestors can vie for its Dao Fruits. The Universe Tree is everywhere, yet few can see it. Why? Because its myriad leaves blend into the rules of heaven and earth, even into your own Dao charm, but you just can’t sense it.”
“Please enlighten me,” Lan Xiaobu said, clasping his fist.
Shi Changxing nodded, “This Longevity Conference has gathered over half of the Great Universe’s powerhouses, with nearly seventy percent of the Dao Ancestors and Heavenly Emperors present. If, during the Dao discussions, a chaotic Dao body is used as a sacrifice and everyone exerts their Great Dao to pressure it, do you think the Universe Tree might reveal itself?”
The Universe Tree existed for longevity, and since everyone cultivated the Longevity Great Dao, collectively exerting their Dao to pressure it might indeed force the Tree to appear. Though Lan Xiaobu didn’t understand why a chaotic Dao body was needed for the sacrifice or why the Longevity Great Dao had to be used, Shi Changxing’s information wasn’t baseless.
“How do you know this?” Lan Xiaobu asked, eyeing Shi Changxing sceptically.
Logically, if the Dao Ancestors were plotting this, Qi Zhe Tian would be more likely to know. So why was Shi Changxing aware while Qi Zhe Tian wasn’t?
Shi Changxing smiled faintly, “That’s my business, but I’m certain my information is solid. If I’m right, after you heavily injured Quan, if Di Lan, feeling threatened, reveals the Universe Tree plan, any neutral Dao Ancestors will surely lean towards him. So, watch your back for hidden arrows.”
Lan Xiaobu shivered instinctively. Shi Changxing was clearly referring to Moru World’s Dao Ancestor. If Shi Changxing hadn’t said this, and Moru’s Dao Master Xing Jia approached him proposing an alliance, would he believe him or not?
Lan Xiaobu estimated there was over a ninety percent chance he’d trust Xing Jia. They shared common interests, both hailing from Moru World, and he’d previously allied with Moru Heavenly Court’s Heavenly Emperor Ce Ku Huiyi.
“If so, why hasn’t Di Lan invited you to join them?” Lan Xiaobu asked, staring at Shi Changxing.
Shi Changxing gave a self-deprecating smile, “They’re worried I’d leak the news to you. They don’t trust me, that’s all.”
*One Sword Sovereign*
Lan Xiaobu nodded. He and Shi Changxing had always been close. If Di Lan felt his side was strong enough, he might not need to invite Shi Changxing. If Shi Changxing leaked even a hint to them, they’d be on guard. The only question was, if Shi Changxing knew the Dao Ancestors would unite, why was he confident their small group could secure Universe Dao Fruits?
“Alright, I’ll discuss it with Wuji,” Lan Xiaobu said. The appearance of the Universe Tree was no small matter—it couldn’t be claimed. Obtaining one or two Universe Dao Fruits would be an unparalleled temptation for any Dao Ancestor.
“Where’s Qi Zhe Tian?” Lan Xiaobu returned to find only Mo Wuji, with no sign of Qi Zhe Tian.
Mo Wuji looked puzzled, “Qi Zhe Tian got a message and left. His expression was a bit odd when he went. I suspect he might’ve been invited by Di Lan. We should be cautious about our alliance with him.”
Lan Xiaobu raised his hand, setting up a restriction, “Wuji, I just got word that this Longevity Conference has another purpose—likely the Universe Tree. If Di Lan uses Universe Dao Fruits to tempt Qi Zhe Tian, it’s hard to guarantee he won’t betray us. We need to be careful.”
“What’s going on?” Mo Wuji asked, confused.
Lan Xiaobu quickly recounted Shi Changxing’s words. Mo Wuji was silent for a while before asking, “Is Shi Changxing reliable?”
Lan Xiaobu hesitated, then shook his head, “I’m not entirely sure if he’s trustworthy. If he isn’t, this information might’ve been deliberately fed to me.”
