“Who are they?” the disciple on the left asked coldly, glancing at Xu Zimo and the others.

“We’re from the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground,” Xia Wanqing replied.

At her words, Lin Yunhen froze.

This whole journey, he had only known their names. He had never dared ask about their origins.

Good thing he had never spoken ill of the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground.

“The Martial Heaven Sacred Ground?” The two gatekeeping disciples looked stunned, then gave the pair a once-over.

“But doesn’t the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground only have one quota? Where did the second person come from?”

“I only came to accompany her,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “Once she’s settled, I’ll leave.”

“You may enter,” the disciples said to Lin Yunhen. “But the ones from the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground must wait.”

“Why should we wait?” Xu Zimo asked.

“When we tell you to wait, you wait. Where’s all this nonsense coming from?” the left disciple snapped impatiently.

“You, come with us.”

He led Lin Yunhen toward the Dao Court.

But just as he turned around, it was as if an unseen force gave him a hard kick in the butt, and he went tumbling down all 11,111 steps outside the Dao Court.

“Brother Cheng!” the disciple on the right cried out in alarm.

“Let’s go in,” Xu Zimo said, stepping into the Dao Court without hesitation.

“Isn’t this… bad? Isn’t this trespassing?” Xia Wanqing asked hesitantly.

“Didn’t you see how hostile they were? Why bother being polite with a bunch of douchebags?” Xu Zimo waved it off.

Only once they stepped inside did the true scale of the Outer Court come into view.

One word described it: vast.

Before their eyes, millions of divine bodhi trees lined the Celestial Avenue, each one emanating clarity of mind and enlightenment.

Above, thousands of floating islands hovered; jade palaces hung suspended in the sky.

God beasts hauled mountains across the heavens. Disciples absorbed the very essence of sun and moon.

Immortals, immortal trees, immortal radiance.

A single breath drew in spiritforce like a whale swallowing an ocean.

Xia Wanqing felt her stagnant cultivation almost break through on the spot.

“Brother Xu,” Lin Yunhen whispered nervously, having followed inside. “Shouldn’t we find an elder first? If we’re caught, it’ll be over.”

“No problem. I know someone here,” Xu Zimo replied casually.

“Oh? If Brother Xu has acquaintances here, that makes things much easier,” Lin Yunhen said with relief.

“When did you ever meet someone in Thousand-Ox Dao Court?” Xia Wanqing whispered.

“Xiao Buhui, remember?” Xu Zimo said lightly.

Her face stiffened. She followed silently, dazed.

Walking down the Celestial Avenue, they soon encountered other disciples.

“Where’s Buhui?” Xu Zimo asked, grabbing one at random.

“Who are you to call Senior Brother Xiao by name?” the disciple asked coldly.

“I’m core disciple Xu Zimo. You don’t know me?” Xu Zimo answered flatly.

“Fool. Ever heard of the Thirty Thousand Immortal Mountains? I live on the Mountain No. 12765.”

The Dao Court was massive, with disciples numbering in the hundreds of billions.

No way they could know everyone by heart.

The disciple blinked, caught off guard. The name sounded unfamiliar, but…

Better to believe than to risk offending a core disciple.

If he was telling the truth, he could be in deep trouble otherwise.

“Oh, so it’s Senior Brother Xu! Forgive me!” The disciple quickly bowed.

“I am Chen Xing. I was blind not to recognize you. Please don’t take offense.”

“Take me to Xiao Buhui,” Xu Zimo ordered with a wave of his hand.

“Yes, Senior Brother. Senior Brother Xiao usually resides on Lonely Cloud Mountain,” Chen Xing replied quickly.

Lin Yunhen and Xia Wanqing were both pale with nerves.

So bold a bluff! If discovered, the punishment would be severe.

“Senior Brother, you look unfamiliar,” Chen Xing said politely as they walked.

“I usually keep to myself, focused on cultivation,” Xu Zimo replied coolly. “Competition among the Thirty Thousand Immortal Mountains is fierce, as you know.”

“I see, I see,” Chen Xing nodded quickly.

Soon they reached a towering mountain, piercing into the clouds, covered in gray pines and cypresses.

“This is Lonely Cloud Mountain,” Chen Xing said.

“Got it. You can go,” Xu Zimo dismissed him.

“Senior Brother, my name is Chen Xing. If you need anything in the future, just call on me,” the disciple said hurriedly, introducing himself before retreating.

Xu Zimo turned to the others. “Let’s find Xiao Buhui. Then we’ll have him take us to the Dao Source.”

“That’s not right,” Lin Yunhen said. “The Dao Source isn’t a place just anyone can go.”

“I came here to cause trouble and kick ass. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” Xu Zimo answered bluntly.

Lin Yunhen froze on the spot.

“W-wait, Brother Xu, you’re joking, right...?” he said quickly.

“Huh? Do my actions look like a joke to you?” Xu Zimo shot back.

He strode straight up Lonely Cloud Mountain, leaving Lin Yunhen standing there with a shattered expression.

The peak was beautiful, cloaked in clouds and filled with boundless immortal essence.

“Wait for me, Brother Xu!” Lin Yunhen shouted, rushing after him.

“What? You’re coming too?” Xu Zimo asked with a grin.

“If we’ve already walked this dark road, we might as well see it through,” Lin Yunhen said firmly. “And besides, I don’t believe you’re the type to throw your life away.”

Xu Zimo shook his head with a laugh.

At the mid-slope of the peak, they spotted a courtyard.

It wasn’t extravagant, but had the refined air of an immortal residence.

Walls built of green bricks and tiles, uniform and neat.

At its center stood an ancient bodhi tree, beside it a statue of an old man.

“Xiao Buhui! Are you here?” Xu Zimo shouted.

Footsteps sounded.

A young man in green robes stepped out, hair bound neatly with a band.

“Who dares call my name?”

“Long time no see,” Xu Zimo said with a faint smile.

Seeing them, Xiao Buhui’s face darkened. “Who allowed you onto my peak? Get out!”

“Come on, don’t be so angry. We only came to see you,” Xu Zimo chuckled.

He raised his hand.

A mighty force descended, shattering the void as a colossal hand pressed down from the heavens.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Xiao Buhui roared, unleashing his own power to resist.

But with a deafening boom, the entire Lonely Cloud Mountain shook violently.

Dust billowed.

And Xiao Buhui’s body was forced down, kneeling on the ground, unable to move.

“Remember what I said? The name Xu Zimo will be your nightmare from now on,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“You’ve got some nerve, daring to commit violence within Thousand-Ox Dao Court!” Xiao Buhui bellowed.