Hearing this, Saint Pavilion furrowed his brow slightly but paid no heed to the Quasi-Saint who spoke. His information was that Lan Xiaobu had arrived outside the Primordial Chaos Law with four cultivators, forcibly driving away disciples from other saint sects.
Based on his understanding of Lan Xiaobu, those accompanying him should include two Pseudo-Saints, two Quasi-Saints, and two Harmony Gods, one of whom was Xuanhui, a traitor from Taihan Saint Mountain. Now, only four were present—perhaps some had perished.
However, judging by the sophistication of this grand array, it was beyond the capabilities of Lan Xiaobu’s group. It was precisely because he sensed this ninth-rank divine array that Saint Pavilion had ceased his assault, for even Lan Xiaobu couldn’t construct such a formation. He didn’t fear the Pseudo-Saints Qianzhi and Buyi, but if stronger foes arrived, he reckoned he’d wait for reinforcements from other sects.
As Saint Pavilion mulled this over, the defensive array opened. His gaze immediately settled on Lan Xiaobu, whom he recognised as the Dao Lord of the Great Desolation Dao Court. But then it shifted to Saint Tifo, whose strength he couldn’t discern, though he vaguely felt Tifo posed the greatest threat.
“Fellow Daoist, are you a First-Turn Saint? Did you set up this defensive array?” Saint Pavilion’s eyes narrowed as he spoke. When he suggested Tifo was a First-Turn Saint, he grew more certain of his guess—this man was indeed one.
Tifo chuckled, “You’re spot on, I did set up this array. But I don’t take kindly to people tampering with my work. You’ve got some nerve touching what this Saint crafted. Heh, and I’m not a First-Turn Saint…”
Seeing Tifo step forward to act, Lan Xiaobu interjected, “Friend Tifo, no need to intervene, why trouble yourself with this insect?”
Divine Emperor Pu He seized the moment, stepping forward, the God-Slaying Whip appearing in his hand with a flick. “You’ve got guts, kid, daring to meddle with an array set by this Saint and Saint Tifo. Let’s see what you’re made of today.”
As he spoke, Pu He’s whip lashed out without a moment’s pause, golden light flooding the sky, instantly ensnaring Saint Pavilion.
As Pu He’s formidable domain crushed Saint Pavilion’s, producing cracking sounds, Pavilion’s expression changed. He could tell Pu He was a Pseudo-Saint, yet this Pseudo-Saint’s domain overpowered his—utterly astonishing.
Though a Pseudo-Saint himself, Saint Pavilion knew his own prowess, he ranked among the mightiest below First-Turn Saints, confident he’d soon attempt that breakthrough. That’s why he didn’t fear Qianzhi or Buyi by Lan Xiaobu’s side.
But now, Lan Xiaobu’s Pseudo-Saint wasn’t Qianzhi or Buyi, and this one far outstripped Qianzhi. Lan Xiaobu, a Dao Lord, couldn’t even return to the Great Desolation Divine Realm—how had he amassed such powerhouses?
Divine Emperor Pu He knew this was his chance to shine, his golden whip’s killing domain surged, stacking relentlessly, forcing Saint Pavilion into a defensive struggle.
None of the Twelve Divine Emperors were pushovers. Though he couldn’t unleash his full might before Lan Xiaobu, facing Saint Pavilion instead was a different story.
The clash of two Pseudo-Saints’ rule-based powers erupted, Great Dao rhythms crisscrossing, divine essence exploding, scattering onlookers.
Some had already slipped away, spooked by Saint Pavilion’s earlier claim that Tifo was a First-Turn Saint. A First-Turn Saint here, plus Pu He’s formidable Pseudo-Saint strength, meant a terrifying battle loomed once the Eternal Life Realm’s top saints arrived.
In a saintly clash, collateral death was all too common, so they fled before more First-Turn Saints showed up.
Pu He could suppress Saint Pavilion, but killing him seemed to take time—or might not even happen. Pavilion was outmatched but could still escape.
Lan Xiaobu, lacking patience, wasn’t one for martial honour, he unleashed several soul-piercing strikes without hesitation.
Saint Pavilion had planned to flee, knowing he couldn’t beat Pu He. But before he could activate his escape technique, a terrifying deathly aura slammed into his consciousness.
His face paled, he knew he’d been ambushed, too late for words, he frantically tried to burn his essence blood. Yet the next moment, a soul-tearing agony hit, his consciousness starting to crumble.
What a fearsome soul attack!
Pu He, already dominating, seized the opening, his whip morphing into a space-rending golden beam, striking Pavilion’s brow.
Splat! Blood sprayed.
Despair flashed in Saint Pavilion’s eyes, fading fast. At that moment, Lan Xiaobu stepped forward, hands weaving countless seals.
Spatial laws churned violently, the dying Saint Pavilion glared at Lan Xiaobu in fury, unwilling to accept this. He was about to fall, and they still tore open his world?
Though unspoken in the cultivation realm, there was an unwritten rule: killing was fine, but cracking someone’s world was too far. Few could do it, so most assumed their worlds were safe.
Yet he’d met the dishonourable Lan Xiaobu, who not only had his subordinate kill him but ambushed and personally ripped open his world.
Seeing Lan Xiaobu’s spatial seals, Pu He tactfully stepped back, knowing Lan Xiaobu never left a feather unplucked—this was world-tearing time.
Sure enough, in less than half an incense stick, a void gate tore open, and Lan Xiaobu swept away countless treasures.
The Eternal Life Realm’s refined rules and surging destiny meant every high-level cultivator amassed wealth, Lan Xiaobu had snagged the Five-Needle Pine near Buzhou Mountain, and Saint Pavilion, Silver Void Sect’s top saint, surely held unimaginable riches.
Meteor, watching from afar, twitched his lips, Lan Xiaobu’s world-ripping skill was getting slicker, soon he might not need half an incense stick—just a few breaths to crack a Pseudo-Saint’s world.
He regretted letting Pu He act, he should’ve stepped up. If he’d killed Pavilion, that world would’ve been his, he was here to help, surely Lan Xiaobu wouldn’t snatch his spoils.
“Dao Lord Lan, in a bit, First or even Second-Turn Saints might arrive, I need to add more array flags,” Saint Tifo approached, whispering.
This outer defensive array used basic materials, now, seeking Lan Xiaobu’s favour, he wanted to refine the base and core.
Lan Xiaobu waved him off, “No need, I’ll see how strong these saints are.”
He knew adding flags now was too late, stronger foes would arrive within an hour or two.
With that, he drew his Destiny Dao Lord Seal, stepped into the void, and declared loudly, “I, Lan Xiaobu, in the name of the Great Desolation Dao Court’s Dao Lord, proclaim:
From this day, the Great Desolation Divine Realm acknowledges the Eternal Life Realm as part of it, no longer named separately. I suppress this realm’s destiny with my Destiny Dao Lord Seal, fostering its Great Dao laws.
From this day, any saint sect daring to wage war in the Great Desolation Divine Realm will not be tolerated by the Dao Court, it will be crushed.
From this day, I establish the second Dao Court Holy City of the Great Desolation Divine Realm here, named the Eternal Life Holy Dao City, open to all Daoists willing to contribute to the realm.
From this day, all sects and divine courts bearing the Eternal Life name are abolished.
From this day, all saint courts and sects in the Great Desolation Divine Realm must be recognised by the Dao Court, or they’ll lack Heavenly Dao protection…”
Lan Xiaobu’s proclamation echoed through the void, stunning all onlookers. Was he mad? Issuing such a decree?
Such a proclamation meant an unending feud, and without Heavenly Dao approval, Lan Xiaobu would have no footing left.
But how could it gain approval? When the Eternal Life Realm’s destiny surged, its saint courts and dojos formed with Heavenly Dao consent. Now, Lan Xiaobu’s decree demanded a redo, overwriting past approvals—a perilous move.
Saint Tifo, though, trembled with excitement, his prayer beads spinning.
He’d nudged Lan Xiaobu toward this, if it gained Heavenly Dao approval, he’d commit to following him, if not, he’d seek another path.
Still, he wouldn’t cross Lan Xiaobu, he’d help now, deciding later whether to fully align.
