Hui Zhi knew Lan Xiaobu would never offer two items. Gritting his teeth, he took out a ring and said, “Here’s your item. One for one—I need the Primordial Chaos Seed.”
Lan Xiaobu also produced a ring. “Deal.”
Both completed the trade swiftly under the scrutiny of each other’s domains.
Despite the crowd, no one knew what Lan Xiaobu and Hui Zhi exchanged, as their transaction was shielded by restrictions.
As they emerged from the restriction, a handsome man approached, clasping his fists. “Lü Qiqian greets Dao Lord Lan. Since both Dao Lord Lan and Great Dream Dao Ancestor are here, though the Cosmic Tree is shrinking, I fear it might suddenly flee. We’ve no good method to seize it yet. Do Dao Lord Lan or Great Dream Dao Ancestor have any better ideas?”
On the surface, he sought advice, but in truth, he was showing respect to Lan Xiaobu and Hui Zhi. Otherwise, seizing the Cosmic Tree would be a free-for-all.
Lan Xiaobu’s gaze fell on Chang Yi, who quickly said, “Brother Lan, the Cosmic Tree is too vast. We’ve been suppressing it with arrays, which has worked to shrink it significantly, but it’s still immense. Unless it shrinks further, we can’t take it.”
Lan Xiaobu nodded, understanding. Their plan mirrored his own—to suppress the Cosmic Tree with formations and then claim it. Without shrinking it, even his Longevity Realm couldn’t contain it.
The Cosmic Tree, a rule-defining tree, could be vast or small. In the Great Cosmos, it could match the cosmos’s size or condense into a foot-high tree.
Lan Xiaobu nodded. “That’s a good plan. I support it. But I’ve been rushing and am a bit tired. I need to rest.”
“Hmph, we’ve all been working here, and you arrive, do nothing, and now rest? Will you also demand a share of the Cosmic Tree later?” A bearded man, whom Lan Xiaobu didn’t know but sensed was an Eighth-Step Great Dao powerhouse, spoke up.
This man, likely like Lü Qiqian, had been in secluded cultivation and only emerged for the Cosmic Tree, as the Great Cosmos was becoming uninhabitable.
Clearly less tactful than Lü Qiqian, he irked Lan Xiaobu, who replied calmly, “You’ve worked so hard—have you already claimed the Cosmic Tree? If you’re worried about losing out, you’re free to leave. No one’s forcing you to stay.”
With that, Lan Xiaobu walked to the side, set up a restriction, and entered his Longevity Realm.
With the Cosmic Tree here, more powerhouses would soon arrive, and Lan Xiaobu suspected Huan would come too. For now, everyone coexisted peacefully, but once the Cosmic Tree could be claimed, it’d be a life-or-death struggle.
Thus, he prioritized refining the Voidless Bow. With both the bow and Voidless Arrow, even Huan would have to tread carefully.
Having the Voidless Bow and not refining it, especially with a battle looming, wasn’t Lan Xiaobu’s style.
Only Hui Zhi knew Lan Xiaobu was refining the Voidless Bow, but Hui Zhi was helpless. Injured, he was no match for Lan Xiaobu.
Fortunately, he’d secured the Primordial Chaos Seed. After obtaining the Cosmic Tree, he could fully restore his body and aim for the Ninth Step.
Originally, with his arms destroyed by Lan Xiaobu and the Primordial Chaos Seed taken, reaching the Ninth Step was nearly impossible short-term. But the Cosmic Tree’s appearance gave him a chance. A piece of its trunk could not only restore his body but elevate it, and with the Primordial Chaos Seed, he was set for the Ninth Step.
As for Lan Xiaobu gaining the Voidless Bow and becoming stronger, there was nothing he could do. He’d underestimated Lan Xiaobu, leading to this predicament.
“Great Dream Dao Ancestor, we should set rules. Those who come here but don’t help suppress the Cosmic Tree—why should they get a share?” The bearded man spoke to Hui Zhi again.
He’d provoked Lan Xiaobu, hoping he’d act. A single step in the Great Dao realm was a vast gap, and he didn’t believe a Seventh-Step like Lan Xiaobu could challenge an Eighth-Step like him. Yet Lan Xiaobu, cowardly, retreated to cultivate instead of fighting.
Hui Zhi chuckled. “I agree. If Dao Friend Kui leads, I’ll stand with you.” Inwardly, he sneered. He knew this man, Kui Xishan, was strong, even rivaling Dao Ancestors. But challenging Lan Xiaobu? That was suicidal.
Like Lü Qiqian, Kui Xishan was an Eighth-Step powerhouse, secluded to reach the Ninth Step. He only emerged because the Cosmic Tree was disrupting the Great Cosmos’s rules.
“Good,” Kui Xishan said, turning to the others. “Any objections?”
No one responded. Kui Xishan laughed. “Then I assume everyone agrees. I’ll lead in breaking this person’s seclusion restriction, and we’ll act together.”
Chang Yi sneered inwardly. Challenging Lan Xiaobu? This fool, fresh from seclusion, hadn’t researched Lan Xiaobu’s background or grasped the situation. If Kui Xishan attacked Lan Xiaobu’s restriction, no one would join him. Chang Yi said calmly, “As far as I know, Dao Friend Lan is in seclusion and hasn’t claimed any share of the Cosmic Tree, so we won’t act.”
Kui Xishan frowned. “Dao Ancestor Chang Yi, you’re a world’s Dao Ancestor. Why so timid?”
Hui Zhi shook his head, bemused, learning Kui Xishan didn’t even know the Tianmeng Clan had destroyed Chang Yi’s Xiutuo World. This man was lucky to have stayed in seclusion, or he’d be dust by now. Then again, Hui Zhi reflected, wasn’t his own misjudgment of Lan Xiaobu’s strength due to seclusion?
Chang Yi chuckled. “My actions are my own. We’re all working on the Cosmic Tree, and I’ll claim my share based on my efforts. As for what Dao Friend Kui does, I can’t control or dare to. But not just anyone can dictate my actions.”
“Haha, what’s got Dao Friend Chang Yi so riled up?” A boisterous laugh rang out, followed by a streak of light landing.
The figure laughed again. “Brother Hui, you’re fast. I rushed here and still arrived a month late, yet you’re already here.”
Hui Zhi gave a forced smile. “Brother Huan, I just got lucky to be here.”
The newcomer was Great Cosmic Dao Ancestor Huan. Chang Yi might ignore others, but he dared not slight Huan, stepping forward to greet him. Others followed suit.
Though Hui Zhi’s injury wasn’t public, those present were sharp and sensed something off. Huan, however, exuded a powerful aura, clearly at his peak.
“Kui Xishan greets Great Cosmic Dao Ancestor,” Kui Xishan said, stepping forward alone. Seeing this, everyone knew he was about to tattle.
Sure enough, after Huan acknowledged him, Kui Xishan continued, “Dao Ancestor Chang Yi was upset because someone arrived, refused to help suppress the Cosmic Tree, and is resting instead. Yet he insists on a share later. That’s likely what angered Dao Ancestor Chang Yi.”
Huan had already noticed Lan Xiaobu’s concealed restriction. Hearing Kui Xishan’s complaint, he feigned surprise. “Someone like that? Does he think he’s the strongest in the vast expanse?”
Inwardly, Huan scorned Kui Xishan. He feared no one, but he wasn’t a tool for others to wield.
Kui Xishan quickly said, “Yes, someone named Lan Xiaobu, extremely arrogant.”
Lan Xiaobu? Huan paused, then laughed heartily. What a stroke of luck.
