So Lan Xiaobu has returned.

Ding Huan was overjoyed, "May I ask if Fellow Daoist Lan Xiaobu is still in Ducheng?"

Yi Ju hurriedly replied, "He left for something, but I don't know where he went. However, Fellow Daoist Qi Manwei, who was previously with Fellow Daoist Nian Huan, left with him."

Upon hearing this, Ding Huan finally understood why Qi Manwei was no longer in Ducheng. It turned out she had left with Lan Xiaobu.

This didn't surprise Ding Huan, as Qi Manwei and Lan Xiaobu both originated from the Great Universe, and they likely knew each other well, possibly even as Dao companions.

Nian Huan's own cultivation had reached the Sixth Step of the Great Dao, the True Saint level, and he remained safe in Ducheng.

It made sense that Qi Manwei no longer needed to stay with Nian Huan.

Initially, he planned to discuss forming an alliance with Lan Xiaobu, but since Lan Xiaobu had left, he needed to find Qu Yi. They could discuss it when they met again next time.

Bidding farewell to Yi Ju, Ding Huan swiftly arrived outside Nian Huan's cave mansion.

"Father..." Nian Huan opened the cave mansion restriction, delighted to see Ding Huan standing outside.

She planned to enter secluded cultivation here, waiting for Ding Huan to arrive, and she didn't expect it to happen so soon.

Previously, she'd been worried about lacking cultivation resources and making little progress. Now that her father was here, she would definitely follow him.

"Senior..." Shi Wanrong quickly came over to pay respects.

Ding Huan handed a Five Elements World to Nian Huan, "Nian Huan, I'm planning to search for your mother now, and I'm not sure when I'll return.

You need to continue secluded cultivation here. Inside, there are some resources and a Dao Principle for you to use to advance to the Seventh Step.

Remember, cultivating the Great Universe Technique involves using your Dao thoughts to derive the Law of All Things. Don't think about easily relying on the Heaven and Earth Laws of the universe you're in; that won't benefit you..."

During Ding Huan's battle with Xin Changkong, if he had relied on the Heaven and Earth Laws of the World of Gods, he would have long been submerged in the river of fate controlled by Xin Changkong.

Nian Huan's eyes reddened, "But Father, there's no direction in the Void where we were separated, and I don't have any recollection of it. How will you search..."

"Don't worry, I'll find her. Focus on your cultivation; only by enhancing your cultivation and strength can you ensure your safety in this world."

After saying this, Ding Huan turned to Shi Wanrong, "Wanrong, you have cultivation resources on you, and you've reached the Seventh Step. Once your cultivation stabilizes, you can go to the Fog Realm to find your father."

He then handed Shi Wanrong a Jade Scroll, "Here are a few Divine Skills for you to study."

Shi Wanrong had been through a lot, cultivating the Chaos Dao Technique, so self-preservation wasn't an issue.

What she lacked was only Taoist Divine Power, which Ding Huan provided her with several today.

"Yes." Grateful, Shi Wanrong accepted the ring and bowed in thanks. She had longed to find her father.

Her father had always protected her, and now that her path was established, she could protect him.

She came here today intending to inform Nian Huan of this and then leave Ducheng.

Ding Huan reminded her again, "If you don't find your father, don't worry. I'll help you when I return."

...

The entrance to the World of Gods barrier.

A man in plain clothes and an exceptionally beautiful woman stopped here.

"Oh, the entrance to the World of Gods' barrier is still torn and hasn't been repaired yet. How could that guy allow such a thing?"

The woman immediately said, "It must have been Ding Huan. He'd mentioned tearing the barrier entrance open. I heard he was hunted by a hand seal when he tried to smash the barrier back then."

Evidently, the man and woman were Lan Xiaobu and Qi Manwei, who had just arrived from the Fog Realm.

Lan Xiaobu laughed heartily, "Ding Huan is quite interesting. I must find a chance to meet him. Let's go, we should take another look at the World of Gods."

Lan Xiaobu wasn't unfamiliar with the World of Gods. After coming out of the Endless Void, he and Mo Wuji had visited the World of Gods and even its Chaos center.

Back then, he had torn open the World of Gods' barrier and had battled with Pang Bozi because of it.

At that time, Pang Bozi couldn't do anything to him and Mo Wuji working together anymore.

It was no longer like when Pang Bozi chased them when they first entered the World of Gods.

However, at that time, his Great Dao was not fully perfected, so he and Mo Wuji couldn't do anything to Pang Bozi either.

It was after that battle he realized the shortcomings of his Longevity Great Dao—his Dao thoughts contained Longevity but lacked Dao.

He later sought to improve his own Great Dao independently.

Qi Manwei felt equally nostalgic.

Back then, she and Nian Huan passed by here many times, yet they couldn't set foot in the World of Gods.

Now, the World of Gods was like everyone's vegetable garden—anyone could enter and exit freely at any time.

That's the way it should be.

As soon as Qi Manwei entered the World of Gods with Lan Xiaobu, she felt a discomfort, as if a caterpillar was staring at her, making her whole body extremely uneasy.

She looked up to see a tall man blocking her and Lan Xiaobu's path.

This man's presence felt like a cosmic torrent, inducing a terrifying Dao pressure just by standing there.

The torrent seemed ready to drown her at any moment.

So strong, was Qi Manwei's only thought.

Xin Changkong's eyes also lit up at the sight of Qi Manwei.

He found Qi Manwei very beautiful, but that was secondary.

He had seen many beautiful women.

Qi Manwei was not only beautiful but had every quality matching his aesthetic preference.

This was not the most important point.

The key was, amazingly, he sensed an Origin Dao Principle emanating from her.

He was seriously injured and needed to quickly recover by going back to seclusion to fortify his Tao Foundation.

The faint Origin Dao Principle flowing around Qi Manwei was perfectly aligned with his Furnace Tripod requirements.

"You can follow me," said Xin Changkong, feeling much better after saying this.

The frustration of encountering Ding Huan dissipated considerably at this moment.

The response he received was a violent sweep of a powerful domain.

Originally indifferent to Lan Xiaobu, Xin Changkong's expression changed instantly. This domain...

No matter how much he wanted to ignore everything, he couldn't disregard such a domain.

As he launched his own domain, he also summoned the Destiny Wheel.

At the same time, the Destiny Wheel released rings of Destiny Dao Rhythm.

He couldn't afford to waste a single breath here.

After seeing Qi Manwei, he never imagined that this linen-robed cultivator with Qi Manwei was also a very strong individual.

If he got entangled with this linen-robed cultivator, and if Ding Huan arrived later, even if he could leave, it wouldn't be without cost.

The reason he hadn't left the World of Gods until now was to avoid encountering Ding Huan.

Though he didn't fear Ding Huan, he preferred to eliminate Ding Huan after his injuries were fully healed.

Now encountering a seemingly not weak guy, he definitely did not want to see Ding Huan here again.

If Ding Huan arrived now, he would suffer greatly.

And with the commotion between them, Ding Huan was very likely to arrive.

So, Xin Changkong's strike was ruthless, using the Destiny Ring.

As long as someone was caught by his Destiny Ring, their Dao destiny would be seized.

In Xin Changkong's mind, capturing Lan Xiaobu's Dao destiny was not difficult.

A powerhouse like Ding Huan was definitely a rarity.

No matter how strong this linen-robed cultivator was, he couldn't be as outrageous as Ding Huan.

As long as his domain suppressed the opponent's domain, the Destiny Wheel could seize the opponent's Dao destiny.

Lan Xiaobu was amused by Xin Changkong's arrogance.

This guy wanted to seize his Dao destiny with a magical treasure; who gave him such confidence?

The opponent's magical treasure was indeed a Chaos Treasure.

But to seize another's Dao destiny, merely having a Chaos Treasure was not enough. At the very least, one must surpass two levels in the Dao.

What made Xin Changkong think he could crush him by several levels in the Dao?

Boom!

Their domains clashed violently.

Space Laws shattered like eggshells, and void black holes appeared before Xin Changkong.

Xin Changkong's face changed.

This domain wasn't just strong; even if uninjured, he couldn't use his domain to suppress the opponent, let alone in his heavily injured state.

What on earth had happened during his years of seclusion?

Why did he encounter one powerhouse after another upon coming out?

Before he could recover from this shock, a halberd light, tearing through the universe, locked onto all of his vitality.

Xin Changkong felt death closing in on him.

At this moment, he could no longer care that his injuries hadn't healed; he frantically burned his Dao Rhythm and Essence Blood, using the Destiny Wheel not to seize the opponent's Dao destiny, but to lock onto the opponent's halberd light.

Boom!

Divine Communication Techniques exploded again in the void.

The ten-thousand-zhang halberd light extended, and the Killing Dao Rhythm burst open.

The previously torn void black holes grew larger, and endless void ferocity and blade light erupted, casting a shadow over what was once the calm World of Gods.

Xin Changkong coughed up a Blood Arrow, worsening his injuries.

He didn't dare linger for even a breath, grabbing the Destiny Wheel, his entire body plunged into the void black hole that had just been blasted open.

By rights, he shouldn't enter a void black hole.

He should break out of the World of Gods and retreat to his lair to heal and perfect his Tao Foundation.

This void black hole was blasted open by the Divine Communication Techniques between him and Lan Xiaobu; once inside, there were no coordinates and no idea where it would lead.

But his Dao Heart had cracked.

Hit repeatedly, he was filled with dread.

He feared Lan Xiaobu would relentlessly pursue him, and also feared Ding Huan would suddenly appear.

Only by escaping into the void black hole would no one be able to chase him, nor know where he went.

Of course, he himself had no idea where he was headed.

Returning to the World of Gods might take countless eons.

"This person is very strong." Qi Manwei, although she hadn't made a move, had keen insight.

She knew Xin Changkong was formidable.

Lan Xiaobu nodded, "Yes, he is indeed very strong. If not for his serious injuries and the cracks in his Dao Heart, it wouldn't have been so easy to defeat him."

"I wonder who is so powerful that they could injure Xin Changkong."

Qi Manwei knew Lan Xiaobu's strength; for Lan Xiaobu to think Xin Changkong wasn't inferior indicated just how formidable the person who injured Xin Changkong was.

Lan Xiaobu said solemnly, "This is the World of Gods. In the chaos center of the World of Gods, there are strong individuals. We must be cautious, complete our task, and leave.

Once my cultivation advances another level, I'll find Wu Ji, and we'll join forces here again."