Post-Mythical Era: I don't want to die in the third reincarnation

Ding Huan was preparing to summon the Cosmic Pot when his Divine Will perceived a man rapidly approaching.

Ding Huan knew this man; he was the one from the Great Wheel workshop, a Quasi-Saint barely a step away from becoming a First Transformation Saint.

Ding Huan ceased his actions, certain this fellow had a purpose in coming.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist." The male cultivator cupped his fists in respect as he stood before Ding Huan.

Ding Huan returned the gesture, "Do you need something from me, friend?"

He did not sense any intent to kill in this man.

Though his physique seemed somewhat asymmetrical.

It was like an overly muscular bodybuilder; the upper body appeared normal, but his chest was broad, his abdomen round, and his limbs were extremely robust.

Ding Huan had just killed members of the Qu Family at the Great Wheel workshop and was very wary of everyone appearing here.

Even if the opponent was a Quasi-Saint, or a Divine Monarch, he would still be cautious.

After all, the Qu Family had established the Qu's Dao Court here.

"My name is Zai Na, and the workshop is actually my purchase..." As Zai Na spoke, he felt Ding Huan's Divine Will observing him.

He did not protest, continuing, "I came here solely to find a Seven Leaf Reincarnation Grass, which is only found in the Great Wheel Mountain.

However, the Qu Family is too domineering, and I live in constant fear. You killed members of the Qu Family; you might soon face their endless pursuit."

Ding Huan withdrew his Divine Will from Zai Na.

He was certain that Zai Na was not of the Human Tribe.

He was incredibly sensitive to Heaven and Earth Rules and the Law of All Things, and if Zai Na were a Human Clan Cultivator, he would have noticed immediately.

Zai Na's Daoist Rhythm bore no relation to the Human Tribe.

That was nothing unusual, in the Vast Universe, there were many from the Demon Clan or other races who, after refining their cultivation, actively shaped a Dao Body.

While the Human Tribe's innate talents lagged behind many races,

it couldn't be denied that humans possessed the most perfect Dao Body.

When one's cultivation is low, this might not seem important, but to elevate one's Great Dao to higher levels, a perfect Dao Body is essential.

"Thank you, Daoist Zai."

Ding Huan only offered a word of thanks, suspecting the Seven Leaf Reincarnation Grass Zai Na sought was what he had found at the summit of the Great Wheel Mountain.

He had no intention of presenting it.

"May I ask where you intend to go?" Zai Na inquired once again.

Ding Huan became alert.

He had no acquaintance with this fellow; earlier, a reminder could be explained as making a good connection, but querying his destination was a bit invasive.

"I have no fixed destination, just wandering. I've been in seclusion for quite some time, so I'm not very familiar with the Little Heavenly Ruins. Perhaps Daoist Zai has a Direction Ball for the Little Heavenly Ruins?" Ding Huan said casually.

Zai Na pulled out a Direction Ball and handed it to Ding Huan, "I only have the Direction Ball for the Great Wheel Dao Court; other places I seldom visit."

Ding Huan took the Direction Ball without hesitation, "Then thank you, Daoist Zai."

Zai Na interjected, "May I ask your name and where you plan to go?"

This was the second time he asked Ding Huan where he was headed.

"My name is Ding Huan, and I'm heading to Tianyuan Dao City." Ding Huan had no intention of befriending Zai Na, but since the other had just given him the Direction Ball,

it would seem unfriendly to ignore him completely.

At worst, he'd just change locations.

For him, cultivating in seclusion could take place anywhere suitable; it didn't necessarily have to be Tianyuan Dao City.

Zai Na smiled, "Mr. Ding, I happen to be without a destination myself, so I might as well accompany you to Tianyuan Dao City.

Tianyuan Dao City is under the Great Wheel Dao Court's domain, and while the Qu Family is arrogant, they must show some restraint. Once we reach Tianyuan Dao City, we should be safe."

Ding Huan looked at Zai Na in surprise, "Aren't you afraid of getting implicated by following me?"

Zai Na replied helplessly, "I got implicated the moment you killed Qu Huaiyang at the Great Wheel workshop."

Ding Huan acknowledged this reasoning; knowing the arrogance and domineering nature of the Qu Family,

the fact that Qu Huaiyang was killed in Zai Na's workshop meant the Qu Family would surely blame Zai Na.

"Alright then, let's go to Tianyuan Dao City together." Realizing he had implicated Zai Na, Ding Huan did not continue to refuse him.

Zai Na was delighted, "We can first head to Qianyu Divine City, and then use the Teleportation Array from there to reach Tianyuan Dao City."

Ding Huan nodded; traveling with someone familiar would indeed save a lot of time.

Seeing Zai Na summon a top-grade Flying Divine Artifact, Ding Huan unceremoniously settled onto Zai Na's Flying Treasure.

Zai Na noticed Ding Huan had not hesitated to step onto his Flying Treasure and became even more convinced that Ding Huan's abilities were perhaps stronger than he had previously assumed.

Otherwise, Ding Huan would not dare board it.

From his observations, Ding Huan had likely been in seclusion at the Great Wheel Mountain.

If Ding Huan could cultivate at the Great Wheel Mountain, he surely knew of the Seven Leaf Reincarnation Grass, and might even possess it.

But having just met Ding Huan, Zai Na did not wish to inquire directly.

Since they were traveling together, Ding Huan did not hesitate to ask, "Daoist Zai, you're not a Human Clan Cultivator, are you?"

Zai Na smiled awkwardly, "Indeed, I'm not of the Human Tribe, but of the Tian Meng Clan."

He wasn't sure if anyone else had noticed he wasn't human, but Ding Huan was the first to ask him directly.

The Tian Meng Clan?

Zai Na decided to reveal more, "In my homeland, our Tian Meng Clan and the Human Tribe had some conflicts and struggled for a period. But eventually, a Calamity arose..."

Zai Na sighed, "In the face of the universe calamity, no matter the race, there's no road but death. My survival was sheer luck, a fortunate escape."

"What sparked the conflict?"

Ding Huan wouldn't be brushed off with just a few words from Zai Na.

He came from Earth and understood well the principle that those not of our kind must have differing hearts.

Don't be fooled by how brotherly and pleasant things seemed between him and Zai Na; it was merely a facade.

Zai Na sighed again, "What else could it be? Territory. Both the Human Tribe and the Tian Meng Clan want that place, leading to endless scheming against each other..."

Ding Huan sneered inwardly, understanding Zai Na's simplification was far from reality.

Territory? In essence, it's all about survival grounds.

Who would willingly give up their survival ground? It's not a trivial dispute but a matter of life and death.

Clearly, without the calamity, one side would have to be wiped out to cease the conflict.

Yet Ding Huan didn't believe the Tian Meng Clan could contend with the Human Tribe, whose strong cultivators arise in large numbers. What could the Tian Meng Clan use against them?

This sort of thing is better left unasked, perhaps trapping Zai Na in an awkward position.

"A place capable of inducing a dispute between the two clans must be extraordinary, right?"

Ding Huan continued to inquire.

Zai Na truly wished to veer away from the topic; however, newly acquainted with Ding Huan, he couldn't avoid the probing.

Ding Huan questioned, and he simply replied, "Yes, it is a high-level universe where the Eighth Step of Dao can be born, perhaps even the Ninth Step."

Luckily, Ding Huan didn't delve into the outcomes of the clash between the Human Tribe and the Tian Meng Clan, which he wouldn't readily disclose.

Were it not for a sudden turn of events, the Human Tribe in the Great Universe might have indeed been exterminated by the Tian Meng Clan.

Ding Huan inhaled sharply, realizing this was precisely the place he desired.

"Brother Zai, where is it?"

"The Great Universe."

Ding Huan froze upon hearing the Great Universe, having heard of this place before.

Many had mentioned the Great Universe to him; indeed, it was a high-level universe.

At that time, he was situated in a lower-level cosmic plane, and those who spoke of it didn't know how to reach a high-level universe.

Now he must be in the middle-level universe and, given Zai Na's knowledge of the high-level universe, likely knows how to get there.

Ding Huan cupped his fist, "Brother Zai, I wish to see the Great Universe; do you have a way?"

Zai Na shook his head, "I indeed know how to go, but going there wouldn't help.

This calamity originated in the Great Universe; you should know the middle-level cosmic plane, lacking intact Star Lands.

The existence of Little Heavenly Ruins is due to the protection of the Cosmic Wall. Without it, they would've been wasted long ago.

Thus, you can imagine, the Great Universe must be thoroughly obliterated."

Ding Huan smiled, "I am merely curious, please enlighten me, Brother Zai."

While speaking, Ding Huan considered trading a stalk of seven-leaf reincarnation grass with Zai Na.

No matter how severely shattered the Heaven and Earth Rules in the Great Universe, it made no difference to Ding Huan.

As long as a high-level universe's broken rules exist, it suffices.

Beyond fragmented rules, the Great Universe's Law World should be even more advanced.

Zai Na showed reluctance, though he spoke dismissively of minor disputes between the Human Tribe and the Tian Meng Clan, his understanding was deeper than anyone else's: their conflict was irreconcilable.

Although the Great Universe was wrecked by the universe calamity,

its formation and proximity were familiar to him.

The Great Universe was linked to the genuine vast chaos.

No matter how daunting the calamity, it couldn't destroy the truly boundless chaos.

When the universe calamity struck, Human Clan cultivators and the Tian Meng Clan made starkly different choices.

Human Clan cultivators chose to abandon the Great Universe to seek higher levels, or rather universes more suited for human survival.

The Tian Meng Clan advised each disciple fleeing the Great Universe to remember, once capable, they must return.

They knew as long as chaos existed, the Great Universe would reform into a high-level star land.

The reformation of the Great Universe into a high-level star land would afford them the chance to thrive.

Thus, each Tian Meng Clan disciple knew a method and way to return to the Great Universe.

Zai Na could not possibly disclose this secret to a Human Clan cultivator.

While he was framing his refusal, the four characters "Qianyu Divine City" appeared within his Divine Will.

"Mr. Ding, we've arrived at Qianyu Divine City; from Qianyu Divine City, you can take the teleportation array straight to Tianyuan Tao City," Zai Na deflected.

Without mentioning anything about the Great Universe.

Ding Huan sneered inwardly, spotting it clearly despite Zai Na's blindness.

Outside Qianyu Divine City, two Qu Family's powerful figures had long awaited.

One had reached the Second Transformation Saint Realm, the other the Third Transformation Saint Realm.

The hem of their clothing bore an embroidered "Qu" character.

No doubt, they sought trouble with him.

Given their intent against him, they'd surely trouble Zai Na too.

He planned to see how Zai Na extricated himself.