“Du Bu, your cultivation is a bit low, so go with Qi Zhe Tian to the Seven Realms Heaven and find a place to enter seclusion. Strive to reach the Seventh Step of the Great Dao soon,” Lan Xiaobu said, glancing at Du Bu. Du Bu’s cultivation was somewhat weak, and following them would not only be unhelpful but also delay his seclusion time.
“Yes, I’ll definitely strive to reach the Seventh Step of the Great Dao as soon as possible to assist Brother Lan,” Du Bu responded immediately. He knew his cultivation was lacking. With the significant gains from this trip, he was fully confident in reaching the Sixth Step of the Great Dao after some time in seclusion. As for the Seventh Step, that would depend on opportunities.
“Brother Mo, is True Star still alright?” Zhuang Xiyue asked, knowing she would soon part ways with Mo Wuji and the others. She felt reluctant, but she understood that even Du Bu, at the Fifth Step of the Great Dao, was a burden, let alone herself, who had just reached the Fourth Step.
She recalled leaving True Star because of Mo Wuji’s rejection. Years later, when she thought she had far surpassed him, she realised it was she who had been left far behind. Her question wasn’t really about True Star but about Mo Wuji’s past. Deep down, she hoped he might ask about her own experiences over the years.
Mo Wuji sighed, “I heard from Xiaobu that True Star has suffered some damage but hasn’t shattered and is still there.”
After a pause, he asked, “How did you end up in the Great Cosmos? Have you been alright these years?”
Hearing Mo Wuji’s words, Zhuang Xiyue’s eyes reddened. Since leaving True Star, she had frantically sought cultivation resources, casting aside everything unrelated to her practice. One day, she obtained a Chaos Divinity, which propelled her cultivation to soar, even developing a Chaos Dao Body.
In her relentless pursuit of advancing her cultivation, she had indeed forgotten her past, even why she left True Star.
From Zhuang Xiyue’s expression, Mo Wuji could sense the difficulties she had faced. He also understood her feelings, but there would never be romantic affection between them.
“I’m fine. These years haven’t been easy, but I’ve made it through. Thank you, Brother Mo, for saving my life. The Great Cosmos is full of strong cultivators, so please be careful,” Zhuang Xiyue broke the silence, knowing she had no right to say more.
Mo Wuji sensed that Zhuang Xiyue was preparing to take her leave. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Friend Qi Zhe Tian, Zhuang Xiyue is my friend. Xiaobu and I are heading to the Great Desolation Cosmos. Could she stay in the Seven Realms Heaven to cultivate, and I’ll take her with me when I return?”
Mo Wuji knew that for someone with Zhuang Xiyue’s ordinary strength and Chaos Dao Body, travelling in the Great Cosmos was far too dangerous.
Hearing Mo Wuji’s words, Zhuang Xiyue looked up in surprise.
Qi Zhe Tian laughed heartily, “Friend Wuji, why so formal between us? Rest assured, unless I’m killed, the Seven Realms Heaven will be absolutely safe for her. I guarantee it.”
As a Dao Ancestor, even with several others like Di Lan heavily injured, no one would dare to easily challenge his Seven Realms Heaven World.
Mo Wuji nodded and turned to Zhuang Xiyue. “The Great Cosmos might be our future home. I have a Mortal Realm where many people from True Star reside. Once Xiaobu and I establish ourselves in the Great Cosmos, I’ll integrate the Mortal Realm into it, and we’ll all live happily in one world.”
“Thank you, Brother Mo,” Zhuang Xiyue said gratefully. Though it wasn’t what she had hoped for, she was still thankful. Having cultivated and wandered alone for years, she was accustomed to solitude. To see old friends from True Star again, what more could she regret?
“Friend Qi Zhe Tian, earlier there was a fellow named Qi Yiren. Do you know who he is?” Lan Xiaobu suddenly asked.
He brought up Qi Yiren because this person was likely invited by Kong Xinjian. Yet, Qi Yiren managed to extort a Ten-Patterned Cosmic Dao Fruit from Kong Xinjian. That wasn’t the main reason for Lan Xiaobu’s interest, though. He was more intrigued because he sensed a faintly familiar Dao charm on Qi Yiren.
Qi Zhe Tian replied, “I know of him. I heard he’s now aligned with Yang Tian. But before that, this person was no simple figure…”
Qi Zhe Tian’s words trailed off, and he frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Lan Xiaobu asked, puzzled.
Qi Zhe Tian, still frowning, looked confused. “It’s strange. I know Qi Yiren is no ordinary person, but I can’t recall what remarkable things he’s done.”
The Principle of Forgetting? Mo Wuji and Lan Xiaobu thought of this simultaneously, exchanging glances. They realised this person might indeed be connected to Hongjun.
“Manwei, why don’t you stay in the Seven Realms Heaven World? I have a bad feeling about this trip to the Great Desolation World,” Lan Xiaobu said, a vague unease stirring in his heart.
Qi Manwei shook her head firmly. “No way. You said you’d marry me after I reached the Creation Realm. Now I’m at the Seventh Step of the Great Dao, but you still haven’t married me, and you won’t even let me go with you.”
Qi Manwei was straightforward, bold in love and hate. To her, there was nothing she couldn’t say.
Lan Xiaobu’s face showed embarrassment. In terms of beauty, the two most stunning women he’d seen were Wen Keshu from the Great Desolation Divine Horn and Qi Manwei before him. Moreover, Qi Manwei had a Chaos Dao Body. Marrying her would bring him nothing but benefits.
Yet, Luo Caisi’s face always lingered in his mind. While Su Cen and Zuo Wanyin wouldn’t mind if he married Qi Manwei, he knew Luo Caisi would feel uneasy.
Qi Zhe Tian laughed, “Friend Xiaobu, Friend Wuji, how about this? Take a little time and come to my Seven Realms Heaven World. I’ll host a grand wedding banquet for Friend Xiaobu and Friend Manwei, as well as Friend Wuji and Friend Xiyue. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
Zhuang Xiyue’s eyes lit up, a flicker of hope rising in her heart.
Mo Wuji gave a wry smile. “Qi Zhe Tian, don’t play matchmaker. Xiyue and I are just old acquaintances, not what you’re imagining.”
Qi Zhe Tian, seasoned and perceptive, saw Zhuang Xiyue’s expression and knew it was a case of unrequited love. Unable to press further, he gave a few dry laughs.
Lan Xiaobu transmitted a message to Qi Manwei. “Sister Manwei, with how you’ve treated me, I already see you as my wife. But our marriage needs Caisi’s presence to be complete. I already feel I’ve let Caisi down too much.”
Qi Manwei nodded, showing no dissatisfaction. She knew she was the latecomer, and Lan Xiaobu had mentioned Luo Caisi to her more than once. While she had reached the Seventh Step of the Great Dao by staying with Lan Xiaobu, Luo Caisi might only be at the Creation Realm. This felt somewhat unfair to Luo Caisi. She also understood that without Luo Caisi, Lan Xiaobu wouldn’t have delayed their marriage like this.
Just as Qi Zhe Tian was about to say something to ease the awkwardness, a beam of light rapidly approached from the distance.
The rules in the void fluctuated violently, and space itself churned.
“It’s Old Shi,” Lan Xiaobu recognised Shi Changxing rushing toward them, immediately summoning his Longevity Halberd. Mo Wuji also recognised Shi Changxing and summoned his Mortal Halberd.
Shi Changxing was holding someone, unclear if they were alive or dead. From the bloodstains and chaotic aura fluctuations on Shi Changxing, it was evident he had just fought and was at a disadvantage.
“Friend Xiaobu, Friend Wuji, quickly help me block…” Shi Changxing’s words were cut off as Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji stepped forward, their Longevity Halberd and Mortal Halberd unleashing distinct killing Dao principles.
Boom! Several divine ability rules exploded in the void, and a beast-bodied, human-faced creature was blocked by Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji’s combined efforts. This creature was massive, standing a zhang tall, with a thick chain wrapped around its arm.
“Ninth Step of the Great Dao?” Qi Zhe Tian exclaimed in shock.
Shi Changxing exhaled, shaking his head. “Not the Ninth Step, but this creature’s cultivation technique is very strange, carrying a devouring Dao principle. I wasn’t its match.”
“It’s not human, just a monster,” Lan Xiaobu sneered, his Longevity Halberd striking again.
The beast-bodied monster swung the thick chain on its arm toward Lan Xiaobu, but at the same time, Mo Wuji’s Mortal Halberd unleashed billions of killing intents, locking the creature within his Mortal Domain.
Boom! Before the chain could clash with Lan Xiaobu’s halberd, the void’s rules shattered continuously. Mo Wuji followed with a fist strike.
Bound by Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji’s domains and engaged in combat with Lan Xiaobu, the creature took Mo Wuji’s fist strike head-on. A piercing scream rang out as the beast-bodied creature tore through their combined domains and fled, vanishing instantly.
“Xiaobu, doesn’t this thing feel familiar?” Mo Wuji didn’t pursue but said gravely.
“The white bones from the Burial Dao Great Plain?” Lan Xiaobu sensed it too. The white bones from the Burial Dao Great Plain were definitely of the same kind as this creature.
“This thing is formidable. I saw it killing this person. I sensed traces of your refining work on his treasure, Wuji, so I intervened,” Shi Changxing said, setting down the man he was holding. The man was unconscious, his Dao principles in chaos, and severely injured.
“Ou Ping?” Lan Xiaobu finally recognised the battered, barely human figure. It was Ou Ping, who had escaped with him and Mo Wuji. Unexpectedly, Ou Ping had also reached the Great Cosmos, yet was so gravely wounded.
