The forgotten principles set by the Tianmeng Clan left Pei Qionghu and Ku Yichi with only a vague impression that such a clan might exist, though specifics eluded them.
Mo Wuji turned to Lan Xiaobu, “Xiaobu, should we first aid Ling Zhuzhen? There are only a few at the eighth step of the Great Dao, losing one is a great loss.”
Lan Xiaobu nodded, agreeing. Ling Zhuzhen had to be saved, their conflict with him was merely over interests, but facing the Tianmeng Clan was a matter of racial survival.
“Was the Dao city with the teleportation array still intact when you came?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
“Yes, those beasts shouldn’t break through Beixing Heavenly City soon,” Pei Qionghu replied promptly, still unclear on the Tianmeng Clan’s existence, calling them beasts for now. He knew why Lan Xiaobu asked, if Beixing Heavenly City was taken, teleporting there would be like walking into a trap.
“Then let’s go, teleport now,” Mo Wuji said decisively.
Ku Yichi quickly interjected, “Can I join to see?”
A race capable of wiping out a world worried Ku Yichi. As a Heavenly Emperor, with the Central World lacking a Dao Ancestor, he needed to understand what the Tianmeng Clan was if they reached the Central World.
The Central World wasn’t at the Great Universe’s core, it was only one world from Jicheng World.
Hearing Ku Yichi, Lan Xiaobu regarded him more highly, “Of course, if the Tianmeng Clan seeks to dominate the Great Universe, the human race must unite.”
“Exactly, as Daoist Lan says, no grudge matters before racial conflict,” Ku Yichi echoed.
Once eager to kill Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji, he no longer wished to feud with them, their strength so great even a Dao Ancestor lost their body. Racial disputes held little weight for him, only mattering if human extinction hindered his cultivation. His sense of racial conflict was far weaker than Lan Xiaobu’s and Mo Wuji’s.
The teleportation array activated. Despite reaching the seventh step of the Great Dao, Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji couldn’t extend their divine sense during such a vast spatial transfer.
Beixing Heavenly City, though less vibrant than Anluo Heavenly City, wasn’t far behind. Anluo’s prosperity stemmed largely from the Eternal Life Conference.
Exiting the teleportation array, Lan Xiaobu and the others noticed vast armies of cultivators mobilising, clearly, Jicheng World was at war unlike other places. Pei Qionghu had likely issued orders before seeking their aid.
“Ling Zhuzhen’s location,” Lan Xiaobu began, and Pei Qionghu handed him a directional jade slip.
Lan Xiaobu summoned the Seven Realms Stone, “Everyone, board, let’s go see.”
Indeed, the Seven Realms Stone, Pei Qionghu and Ku Yichi marvelled inwardly, one of the Great Universe’s finest flying treasures, able to cross planes easily. Ku Yichi coveted it, with it, even if the Great Universe fell, he could find his own cosmic world.
Previously, they might have schemed for it, now, aboard it, they felt only envy, daring no other thoughts.
At the seventh step of the Great Dao, Lan Xiaobu activated the Seven Realms Stone, which shot from Beixing Heavenly City like a teleport. Its speed, and Ling Zhuzhen’s trap not being too far, meant they reached Pei Qionghu’s principle coordinates in just over half a day.
The heavenly rules here were chaotic, shattered divine principles detectable everywhere, but the combatants were gone.
Panic flashed in Pei Qionghu’s eyes, if Dao Ancestor Ling Zhuzhen was dead, Jicheng World’s fall was inevitable. Bringing Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji was already immense luck, if Jicheng World fell after, who would aid? His Dao formed in Jicheng World, its loss would end his faint eighth-step hopes.
Mo Wuji stepped to the edge of the chaotic divine principles, casting hundreds of principles. Soon, clear combat traces appeared in the void.
Ku Yichi, watching, gasped, this was a Dao Ancestor-level battle site, yet Mo Wuji easily reconstructed the fight’s imagery and principle traces, how strong was he? Both at the seventh step, Mo Wuji outclassed him by a hundred worlds.
“Too late…” Pei Qionghu muttered.
Lan Xiaobu said calmly, “No, we’re not late.”
As he spoke, Mo Wuji threw out hundreds of array flags, then struck downward with a finger.
Though far, Pei Qionghu and Ku Yichi felt their souls tremble, as if this finger could split the Great Universe.
A boom, like the heavens opening, roared from the ground, revealing a black passage to the depths, its end unfathomable to divine sense.
“I sense the Dao Ancestor’s aura!” Pei Qionghu shouted excitedly.
He knew Jicheng World’s Dao Ancestor Ling Zhuzhen couldn’t fall, or all was lost. He needed Jicheng World for a slim eighth-step chance, leaving it meant none. Xing Ni had some potential for higher realms, but was only at the sixth step. Sadly, his son Pei Yidao was missing, else he’d have the best shot at Dao Ancestor level. But Pei Yidao’s Dao was rooted in his, making Jicheng World vital for him too.
Mo Wuji didn’t hesitate, stepping into the black passage he’d opened. Lan Xiaobu followed, then Pei Qionghu. Ku Yichi hesitated briefly but joined, having seen Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji’s strength and cunning, those near them followed without doubt.
Entering the passage, a powerful force swept them, accelerating their descent. Soon, their eyes lit up, the passage seeming to end.
“This is a new world…” Ju Mang gasped, knowing underground worlds like the Great Desolation Universe’s reincarnation realm, but here, they saw a sun star, more like a cosmos than an underground.
At a dried seabed, five fought, Ling Zhuzhen at the centre.
His principle aura was chaotic, burning essence and lifespan.
Though only at the seventh step, Pei Qionghu rushed forward with his treasure upon seeing the Dao Ancestor besieged. Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji paused.
Lan Xiaobu’s gaze left the seabed, turning to Mo Wuji, “Wuji, did you see those roots? Are they the Cosmic Tree we saw?”
Mo Wuji nodded, “You’re right, those are the Cosmic Tree’s roots.”
“With its roots here, could the Tianmeng Clan control the Cosmic Tree, causing the forgotten principles?” Lan Xiaobu frowned, the Cosmic Tree was the Great Universe’s survival foundation, its control by the Tianmeng was dire.
Mo Wuji smiled, “Control is impossible, if they did, they wouldn’t let the Cosmic Tree appear early, ending the Eternal Life Conference before it began. The Tianmeng chose a moment to invade to stop Dao Ancestors from emerging early. They can’t control the Cosmic Tree, but the forgotten principles are tied to it, showing they can merge their principles into the Great Universe via the tree.”
Pei Qionghu screamed, blasted back, clearly outmatched in this level of combat.
Lan Xiaobu and Mo Wuji charged, Lan Xiaobu wielding his Longevity Halberd as Mo Wuji struck with a finger.
They had to act, or they’d be collecting Ling Zhuzhen’s corpse.
