Just as Guang Ye Chang was about to be engulfed by the Palace Tone Kill, reduced to a mere note within its Charm of the Dao, Lan Xiaobu sensed something off.
Though Guang Ye Chang had urgently called for him to stop, it didn’t seem like a plea for mercy—there was little fear in his tone. Could his Palace Tone Kill fail to slay him? Impossible.
Regardless of whether it could kill him, Lan Xiaobu adjusted his approach. He restrained part of the Palace Tone Kill’s Charm from expanding, slowing the Eternal Life Halberd’s momentum, though he didn’t halt its follow-through.
While still unleashing the Palace Tone Kill with full force, Lan Xiaobu threw a punch—Feather Tone Kill, one of the Seven Tone Kill divine abilities. Danger or not, he’d strike first.
This was the first time he’d used both Palace Tone Kill and Feather Tone Kill simultaneously.
When he unleashed Feather Tone Kill, it was out of unease and caution, without a clear target. But the moment it erupted, he knew his instincts were right.
A vast, majestic killing intent surged toward him. Lan Xiaobu couldn’t fathom how it bypassed his domain and Palace Tone Kill, enveloping him in mere moments.
He had no time to ponder, only gratitude that he’d used Feather Tone Kill—and that it had locked onto his foe. Otherwise, he’d be in the same predicament as when he faced Guang Ye Chang, suppressed and beaten down.
Feather Tone Kill detonated fully, transforming the spatial realm into a desolate, mournful autumn. A grey haze of death blanketed the area.
Life was stripped away, leaving only death. Everything grew bleak, like a frozen river in winter, extinguishing all vitality. The chilling autumn wind, sharp as spatial blades, ravaged everything in its path.
*Fist stirs the autumn wind’s howl; when autumn fades, life wanes, grass and trees turn to frost!*
*Boom!* The murderous fist clashed with the overwhelming force bearing down on him. The Charm of the Dao exploded, fracturing space with visible cracks as the laws grew wildly unstable.
Now, Lan Xiaobu knew his attacker was the hunched-back figure. What shocked him was the man’s weapon—or lack thereof. He’d never imagined someone could use their own body as a treasure, yet here it was.
Lan Xiaobu had refined his body extensively; his Immortality Technique was at a high level, his physique far surpassing ordinary sages. Even so, he wouldn’t dare use his body as a weapon. This hunched man did—what kind of freak was he?
*Pfft!* The Eternal Life Halberd drew a spray of blood mist. Lan Xiaobu knew it had gravely wounded Guang Ye Chang. If he pressed the attack now, Guang Ye Chang might fall today.
But he didn’t dare. A powerful threat loomed. The hunched man’s strength clearly outstripped Guang Ye Chang’s—and he hadn’t even gone all out. Using his body as a weapon was unimaginable, yet it had an advantage: his divine abilities perfectly aligned with his Great Dao laws.
Worse, Lan Xiaobu sensed his Feather Tone Kill had missed its mark. It was an intent-based killing ability, yet it hadn’t affected the hunched man’s mind—only its raw killing momentum had held him at bay. This hunched man was like an emotionless weapon.
What puzzled Lan Xiaobu more was that after blocking him, the hunched man didn’t pursue. Evidently, his goal wasn’t to cripple Lan Xiaobu, just to save Guang Ye Chang.
Of course, that was only because Lan Xiaobu had unleashed Feather Tone Kill in time. Otherwise, the hunched man could’ve rescued Guang Ye Chang *and* crippled—or even killed—him.
Grand Severance might work once, but its effectiveness a second time was uncertain.
The hunched man stopped, and Lan Xiaobu did too. Though Guang Ye Chang was injured, if he teamed up with the hunched man, Lan Xiaobu would still be at a disadvantage. The problem was, these two were cunning—they wouldn’t enter his array.
Though he didn’t act, Lan Xiaobu wasn’t afraid. As long as he stayed put, they wouldn’t dare approach after witnessing his power.
Moments ago, Palace Tone Kill had nearly shredded half of Guang Ye Chang’s body. The hunched man’s interference had saved him, but Guang Ye Chang still lost an arm. Now, having reattached it, his aura remained weak.
“May I have the honor of knowing your name, Friend?” Guang Ye Chang asked politely, clasping his fists as if unbothered by the severed arm.
“Lan Xiaobu,” he replied flatly.
The two were too strong to kill quickly.
“Friend Lan, we were in the wrong earlier. I shouldn’t have coveted your cave. I, Guang Ye Chang, apologise here,” Guang Ye Chang said straightforwardly, bowing in contrition.
Lan Xiaobu didn’t budge. He wanted to know what Guang Ye Chang was after—such flexibility intrigued him.
“Friend Lan, you’re aware of what lies beyond sagehood, yes?” Guang Ye Chang’s tone grew earnest.
Lan Xiaobu nodded. “Yes.”
Guang Ye Chang’s spirits lifted. “I hope to collaborate with you, Friend Lan, so we can all ascend beyond sagehood together.”
Lan Xiaobu’s expression didn’t flicker. Ascend beyond sagehood together? *Heh, is your brain broken, or mine?* Guang Ye Chang spoke of it like it was as easy as picking cabbage.
Noticing Lan Xiaobu’s indifference, Guang Ye Chang grew more sincere. “Friend Lan, in all my years, you’re the strongest second-turn sage I’ve met—your talent is astonishing. I believe once you reach third turn, I won’t be your match. But you may not know this: to ascend to Eternal Life Sage, the laws here can’t withstand it. Whether you can reach that level or not, you can’t achieve it in this divine realm.”
“You know this?” Lan Xiaobu asked.
He knew some of what Guang Ye Chang spoke of and could tell he wasn’t bluffing.
Guang Ye Chang nodded. “I do. And I can guide you there. This is the Eternal Life Realm, capable of supporting sages up to the ninth turn. With enough resources and comprehension, you could reach ninth turn. The higher you go, the harder it gets, of course. But in the vast cosmos, Eternal Life Sages are a fixed number. If you’re late, even finding the place to ascend won’t help—you’ll miss your chance. To become an Eternal Life Sage, you need allies of matching strength and shared ambition.”
He gestured to the hunched man. “This is my friend, Luo. He doesn’t talk much. Like me, he was gravely wounded by treachery. You’ve seen his skill—if he’d pressed his attack, even if he couldn’t defeat you, he could’ve injured you severely.”
Lan Xiaobu didn’t argue. Severe injury might be an exaggeration, but harm was likely. He’d assumed Guang Ye Chang didn’t know Luo’s strength, but he’d misjudged—Luo was just reserved, not a lackey.
“If the three of us join forces and all ascend to Eternal Life Sage, what would we have to fear?” Guang Ye Chang’s tone grew increasingly earnest.
Lan Xiaobu said, “I’ve heard that finding the Seven Realms Stone lets you reach the place to ascend to Eternal Life Sage. So whether I team up with you or not doesn’t matter—I’ll just find the Seven Realms Stone.”
Guang Ye Chang smiled faintly. “You’re gravely mistaken, Friend Lan. After the world-ending calamity, the Seven Realms Stone vanished. Even if you found it, the laws are shattered, and the void’s rules are chaotic—it can’t transport you anymore. Unless you find all seven boundary flags, which is impossible.
“In this cosmic void, few can locate the path to Eternal Life Sagehood—I’m one of them. And if you still fancy Xi’e, I can introduce you later.”
“Friend Guang, all this flattery makes me feel overwhelmed,” Lan Xiaobu said coolly, unmoved. If anyone in the vast cosmos could find the Seven Realms Boundary Flags, it was him.
He never believed in free gifts. Why would Guang Ye Chang help him out of the blue—especially after he’d refused to yield the cave?
Guang Ye Chang softened his tone. “Friend Lan, I do need your help with something. But only after you ascend to Eternal Life Sage—if you don’t, I won’t ask. I have a treasure, the God-Slaying Diagram…”
Before he could finish, Lan Xiaobu cut in. “Friend Guang, since it’s after I ascend, let’s talk then. It’s pointless now.”
Guang Ye Chang didn’t need to say it—Lan Xiaobu could guess. The God-Slaying Diagram had been stolen; otherwise, he’d have used it earlier. With it, Lan Xiaobu might’ve been in real danger.
Whoever took it from Guang Ye Chang was terrifyingly strong.
*Heh, I’m not an idiot to stick my neck out for Guang Ye Chang against someone like that. Who is he to me?*
“Fine, as you wish, Friend Lan. Let’s exchange communication beads. We’ll cultivate here for a while—don’t worry, we won’t approach your cave,” Guang Ye Chang said, seeing Lan Xiaobu’s reluctance to chat.
He wasn’t fazed. At a certain level, all cultivators sought the Eternal Life Dao. Lan Xiaobu’s current aloofness stemmed from not yet reaching that stage. Once he did, he’d seek Guang Ye Chang out himself.
Lan Xiaobu smiled faintly. “No problem.”
He produced his communication bead. As long as they didn’t interfere with his seclusion, he was fine. He’d hesitated about ascending to third-turn sage, but now he resolved not to emerge until he did.
