Zhi Yi spoke respectfully, “Twelve years ago, I comprehended a portion of time rules and ended my seclusion. Out of gratitude for the help Brother Lan gave me, I decided to go to Tai Xu Tomb to search for that divine beast for you…”
Gratitude for his help? Lan Xiaobu was puzzled. He’d only spared her because she hadn’t acted against Mo Xiaoxi and the others and had even pleaded for them—he hadn’t offered her any direct assistance.
Zhi Yi clearly understood his thoughts and said straightforwardly, “My main purpose in coming to Tai Xu Tomb was for the Time Dao Scroll. Though I didn’t obtain it, I cultivated near Brother Lan’s cave abode and comprehended time rules, refining my own time principles. For me, that’s the greatest gain from this trip to Tai Xu Tomb.”
So that’s how it was. Lan Xiaobu didn’t dwell on it. When he constructed his time principles, any cultivator practicing in the same space could clearly sense his understanding of time rules—Hu Qingjia being a prime example.
Saying this, Zhi Yi felt a flicker of unease, but seeing that Lan Xiaobu didn’t seem to mind, she relaxed and continued, “Because I benefited from Brother Lan’s kindness, I wanted to do something for you. So, before leaving, I decided to search for your divine beast. A year ago, in a ruined cave in Wind Kite Valley, I found a cultivator’s remains. Inside his ring, I discovered an image crystal ball…”
As she spoke, Zhi Yi handed the crystal ball to Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu activated it and found it recorded Tai Chuan. In Wind Kite Valley, Tai Chuan had gained an opportunity and was proving its dao. But at the critical moment, a woman and a young man ambushed it. The woman then restrained Tai Chuan and sealed it into her world. Afterward, she and the youth swiftly departed.
Lan Xiaobu was furious. This wretched pair. Clearly, they knew divine beasts like Tai Chuan well, striking at the precise moment it was proving its dao.
Zhi Yi cautiously added, “I suspect the fallen cultivator was seeking opportunities in Wind Kite Valley and happened to witness your divine beast proving its dao, so he recorded it with the crystal ball. The man and woman were so focused on the beast’s proving that they didn’t notice the cultivator nearby, nor did they realize their actions were being documented.”
Lan Xiaobu, however, disagreed, “I’m afraid that’s not the case. It’s more likely the pair noticed someone watching, so they struck a fatal blow. If I’m not mistaken, the remains you found were their doing—probably poisoned. But the cultivator who recorded this was shrewd about human nature. Using the ‘dark pool’ principle, he didn’t flee far but hid near Wind Kite Valley instead. As a result, he evaded their pursuit. Unfortunately, he couldn’t purge the poison and still fell to their hands in the end.”
As he explained, Lan Xiaobu frowned. Even if their theft of Tai Chuan wasn’t exposed, he doubted they’d remain in Tai Xu Tomb after succeeding.
The universe was vast, and Tai Chuan bore no mark from him. Where could he search?
Noticing his frown, Zhi Yi added, “Brother Lan, I might know something about their origins.”
“You know where they’re from?” Lan Xiaobu looked at Zhi Yi with delighted surprise.
Zhi Yi nodded, “Their clothing had a corner embroidered with a seven-legged cauldron—the mark of the Beast Soul Dao, also called the Second Great Dao.”
The Second Great Dao? Lan Xiaobu suddenly recalled his own Second Dao Canon.
Zhi Yi explained, “The founding ancestor of the Second Great Dao is said to be Luo Hou. Legend has it Luo Hou obtained an Origin Dao Scroll, rumored to be no less than the Time Dao Scroll, called the Second Dao Canon. But even cultivating it, Luo Hou met a fate of body and dao destroyed. It’s said that after rebirth, he revised the Second Dao Canon, believing it lacked slaughtering principles. To cultivate it, one needed a top-tier beast soul. He renamed his revised version the Second Great Dao, or Beast Soul Dao. Others, though, believe he lost the Second Dao Canon and created a new dao from scratch, calling it the Second Great Dao.”
“What does it mean that cultivating the Second Great Dao requires a beast soul?” Lan Xiaobu asked gravely.
Zhi Yi replied, “The Beast Soul Dao evolved from the Second Dao Canon, but it’s more fearsome. Cultivators of this dao, when proving first-rank sainthood, can vastly outmatch typical proving cultivators in combat if they secure a top-tier divine beast as their dao beast soul. The stronger the beast, the more powerful their Beast Soul Dao and their own strength become. Moreover, with a top-tier beast soul, proving ninth-rank sainthood becomes far easier, even offering a shot at eternal sainthood.”
Lan Xiaobu’s face darkened. They intended to use Tai Chuan as a proving cultivator’s beast soul.
Zhi Yi continued, “Brother Lan, your divine beast has already proven its dao—such a beast is the ultimate soul for the Beast Soul Dao. If you want to retrieve your companion, you must act quickly. Once they strip its soul for proving, it’ll be too late.”
“Thank you, Friend Zhi. Do you know where the Beast Soul Dao is?” Lan Xiaobu clasped his fists, asking with gratitude.
Zhi Yi nodded, “I do. The Beast Soul Dao isn’t in this plane, but it’s in the same plane as my Li Zhou Palace. I’m heading back there now. If Brother Lan wants to go, you can come with me.”
“Thank you, Friend Zhi. I’ll go with you,” Lan Xiaobu said without hesitation.
Zhi Yi wasn’t surprised—she was certain he’d join her. With the might he’d shown destroying Tai Xu Hall, he’d hardly fear the Beast Soul Dao. Of course, she didn’t know how strong they truly were, only that they weren’t weaker than Li Zhou Palace.
“Then let’s leave now. I need to return quickly too,” Zhi Yi said.
Lan Xiaobu produced several array flags, setting up a defensive array for Hu Qingjia and the others in seclusion, then summoned the Reincarnation Pot, “Friend Zhi, come aboard. My ship is fast.”
“Thank you, Brother Lan,” Zhi Yi stepped onto the Reincarnation Pot without delay, handing him another crystal ball.
The pot activated, transforming into a shadow that vanished from the spot.
Lan Xiaobu’s divine sense probed the crystal ball, which clearly detailed a void coordinate.
Zhi Yi explained, “Brother Lan, to reach my plane, we must pass through the Void Mirror Plane Gate—a natural plane array gate. You need a Plane-Breaking Talisman to wrap yourself, or you’ll be shredded entering it. This crystal ball shows the coordinates to the Void Mirror Plane Gate. I have a talisman—Brother Lan, you can follow me and activate yours.”
As she spoke, she offered him a Plane-Breaking Talisman.
Lan Xiaobu waved it off, “I have one. Just lead the way when we get there.”
Back when Ting Mu gave him a Plane-Breaking Talisman, he’d claimed they were plentiful in Tai Xu Tomb—dozens could be found at once. But after arriving, Lan Xiaobu realized the man was exaggerating. Someone might’ve gotten dozens once, but it was a rare fluke. Even after slaying Tai Xu Hall’s elite, he’d only obtained seven.
Far stronger than her, Lan Xiaobu declined her talisman, and Zhi Yi withdrew it. Such talismans were precious to her—she only had two. Without one, she couldn’t return to Li Zhou Palace.
Instead, Lan Xiaobu handed her a jade slip and a dao scroll, “Thank you for all your help. This is a small token in return. The scroll is a copy of the Time Dao Scroll, and the slip contains my insights into the time Great Dao. I hope they assist you.”
“Ah…” Seeing Lan Xiaobu offer what she most desired, Zhi Yi’s hands trembled with excitement.
Even a copy of the Time Dao Scroll, paired with his insights, was no less valuable than the original.
“Thank you, Brother Lan. This means too much to me—I can’t refuse,” Zhi Yi said, knowing she couldn’t turn it down.
Lan Xiaobu smiled, “Go comprehend the time Great Dao. I’ll steer the Reincarnation Pot and call you when we arrive.”
“Alright,” Zhi Yi replied, knowing now wasn’t the time for pleasantries. Upon returning to Li Zhou Palace, she’d vie for the Time Tree. With this chance before her, how could she let it slip?
