Initially, Lan Xiaobu had little interest in the Time Tree. He’d obtained the Time Dao Scroll and proven the Time Great Dao. Given time, once his Time Dao Laws matured, he could halt time with a wave of his hand. Even reversing time wouldn’t be impossible for him in the future.
But after wiping out the Beast Soul Sect, he sensed something on Time Mountain that he needed.
This sensation was peculiar, and Lan Xiaobu knew it stemmed from his Longevity Great Dao, forged entirely from his own rules. Otherwise, with so many Ninth-Turn Sages around, why didn’t they feel it too?
It was this feeling that drove him to ascend Time Mountain.
Though the Time Tree had fled, the moment Lan Xiaobu set foot on the mountain, he still sensed a vast Charm of the Ages—a Dao Law that could easily erode a person’s vitality and Great Dao.
To him, however, this erosion was of little use. Moving swiftly, he reached the summit in the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
The peak of Time Mountain spanned barely a square mile. When the Time Tree stood here, its roots had nearly covered the entire summit. Zhi Yi had come close to the top, but before she could truly step onto it, the Time Tree escaped. She’d reached for it, failed to grasp it, and was briefly trapped at the summit’s edge before being abruptly teleported away.
After the Time Tree’s departure, the summit appeared as mere yellow dirt, nothing remarkable.
Lan Xiaobu walked to the centre, his divine sense probing downward. He detected a faint flow of ages—a lingering Time Dao Law left by the Time Tree.
This Time Dao Law differed from the one he’d sensed in the Time Dao Scroll. While both were about time, this one carried a stronger breath of weathered ages.
Though he’d acquired the Time Dao Scroll and proven the Time Great Dao, the Time Dao Law on his Longevity Dao Tree was entirely distinct from the scroll’s rules—it belonged solely to his Longevity Great Dao.
Closing his eyes, Lan Xiaobu focused his divine sense on his Longevity Dao Tree, seeking the difference between his Time Dao Law and the one here. His Great Dao was wholly self-created, but he understood that any rule, law, or principle he could integrate into it would benefit him.
Outside Time Mountain, time flowed on. At the summit, it seemed to freeze. Only the Charm of Time around Lan Xiaobu grew clearer, its aura strengthening.
After an unknown stretch, Lan Xiaobu’s eyes snapped open. The ring of Time Dao Law on his Longevity Dao Tree was now hundreds of times sharper. At his feet, a tender sprout had emerged.
Though just a bud, it carried a faint Charm of Time Flow.
Bending down, Lan Xiaobu cradled the sprout in his hands, marvelling inwardly. Though the Time Tree had fled, it hadn’t dismissed Zhi Yi outright—it had tested whether she had the fate to claim this sprout.
Had Zhi Yi stopped fixating on the escaped tree and used her understanding of the Time Great Dao to sense the lingering Time Dao Law here, she might’ve obtained it.
Sadly, she lacked that fortune—she hadn’t even noticed the Time Dao Law’s presence.
Lan Xiaobu planted the sprout in his Longevity Realm. Strictly speaking, it bore little relation to the original Time Tree. It was a fusion of his Longevity Great Dao’s Time Dao Law and the remnant Time Dao Law left here—something wholly his. Even if he left it behind, it wouldn’t acknowledge anyone else, belonging only to his Longevity Great Dao.
As he transferred it, all traces of the Charm of Time vanished from Time Mountain in an instant. Now, it was no different from an ordinary peak.
With one step, Lan Xiaobu descended from the summit to Time Mountain Plaza.
“Lord Lan, please join the other sect masters at my Li Zhou Palace,” Shan Bu’ang greeted him warmly the moment he landed. Clearly, while Lan Xiaobu was on the mountain, Shan Bu’ang had reached an understanding with the other three sects.
Da Xuanqiong and Zhen Changtian approached with beaming smiles, “Yes, Lord Lan, we could discuss the Dao together.”
The Yellow Spring Ancestor managed only an awkward chuckle, deeply wary of Lan Xiaobu.
Lan Xiaobu laughed heartily, “Good, then I’ll impose on Palace Master Shan.”
Delighted, Shan Bu’ang replied, “No imposition at all. Hosting Lord Lan and the sect masters is Li Zhou Palace’s honour. Please, follow me.”
Turning to Zhi Yi, Lan Xiaobu said, “Zhi Yi, your progress is impressive. It’s clear you’ve gained new insights into your Great Dao—congratulations.”
“Thanks to you, Brother Lan. Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have advanced so quickly. And without your rescue, who knows how many of us the Beast Soul Sect would’ve killed,” Zhi Yi replied. She wasn’t naive—Lan Xiaobu addressing her directly by name signalled to everyone their close tie.
It deepened her shame. She knew why he did it—her status in Li Zhou Palace was too low to even invite him herself. He was bolstering her standing.
He knew she didn’t just mean the Beast Soul Sect, but with the other three sects now reconciled with Li Zhou Palace, he couldn’t drag them in. Smiling, he said, “We’re friends—of course I’d help.”
After he left, Li Zhou Palace disciples swarmed Zhi Yi, calling her “Elder Zhi” with newfound warmth. No one dared mention her old nickname, “Cowardly Sage.”
Cai Guyuan approached, all smiles, “Sister Zhi Yi, how did you meet Brother Lan?”
Zhi Yi might lack social finesse and emotional savvy, but she wasn’t stupid. Despite Cai Guyuan’s beaming face, she likely wished to tear Zhi Yi apart. In Cai Guyuan’s mind, befriending powerhouses was her prerogative—not something for a despised “Cowardly Sage.”
Zhi Yi smiled faintly, ignoring the question. She disliked this woman from the core and saw no need to feign courtesy.
A young man stepped forward, admiration in his eyes, “Senior Sister Zhi Yi, I thought my grasp of time laws surpassed yours. Now I see I’m a frog in a well. Your insight into the Time Great Dao far exceeds mine—even the Palace Master and Second Master might not compare.”
Everyone recognised him—Chen Manxing, Li Zhou Palace’s top prodigy and the prime candidate for future Palace Master.
Zhi Yi knew his admiration was genuine. Smiling, she said, “I used to obsess over secluded training. Leaving this plane showed me that the Great Dao isn’t always proven in isolation—sometimes, stepping out reveals a vaster cosmos.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister. I’d love to seek your guidance on the Time Great Dao sometime,” Chen Manxing bowed sincerely.
“Of course. We can all explore the Dao together,” Zhi Yi nodded.
Cai Guyuan’s face darkened. She resolved to befriend Lan Xiaobu. In looks, she outshone Zhi Yi by leagues. In comprehension, Zhi Yi couldn’t hold a candle to her. If someone like Zhi Yi could connect with Lan Xiaobu, it proved he was kind and open to friendships. With contact, she’d easily win him over.
Had she witnessed Lan Xiaobu lock everyone in his killing array—leaving even the Palace Master不敢动弹—and warn the Yellow Spring Ancestor, she might’ve thought twice.
—
Li Zhou Palace’s guest hall was extravagantly lavish. Seated to discuss the Dao were Shan Bu’ang and Chen Jiutian of Li Zhou Palace, alongside the Yellow Spring Ancestor, Da Xuanqiong, and Zhen Changtian. Chen Jiutian barely qualified but shamelessly joined as a host.
No sooner had they sat than graceful maids brought in top-tier Dao fruits and Li Zhou Star’s finest wine, Star Inquiry.
Though the fruits and wine were exquisite, Lan Xiaobu wasn’t impressed. His realm boasted over a dozen top Dao fruit orchards, including Five-Needle Pine and Jialan Dao fruits—such fare didn’t faze him.
Once the maids withdrew, he took the lead, “You’re all Ninth-Turn powerhouses. What are your thoughts on proving the Eternal Dao, or any insights to share?”
Others might hesitate, but with strength arguably topping everyone here, Lan Xiaobu spoke freely. This, after all, was why he’d gathered them.
