"If I'm not mistaken, Morris Zhou should be at the Morrison Clan," Shelby Young said gravely.
Joe Di hesitated upon hearing that Morris Zhou was still with the Morrison Clan. With his current Prime Realm strength, he had little to fear from most Dao Integration cultivators. But a Third Step...
"Although I still don't know your name, I'll never forget your saving grace, big brother. The Morrison Clan may appear low-key, but in the Sanctuary Realm, they're the most powerful force." Shelby Young had already sensed some of Joe Di's intentions.
Continuously asking about the Morrison Clan and daring to save her showed that Joe Di was very likely planning to visit the Morrison Clan again.
Joe Di did not hide it. "My name is Joe Di. The Morrison Clan took something of mine, so I must go back there. I rescued you because I wanted to learn more about the Morrison Clan. Now that you say Morris Zhou is still there, that's a bit of trouble."
Hearing Joe Di's apprehension about Morris Zhou, Shelby Young immediately said, "Big brother Joe, you don't need to worry about Morris Zhou. If his cultivation was intact, I'd advise you to leave the Sanctuary Realm right away. An uninjured Morris Zhou is simply..."
Shelby Young seemed unwilling to recall just how terrifying Morris Zhou truly was and did not finish her sentence.
"You mean Morris Zhou's injuries haven't healed yet?" Joe Di immediately caught Shelby Young's meaning and asked in surprise.
Shelby Young nodded, "Yes. Years ago, Morris Zhou lost half his body to Damian Ning and was ambushed by my Dao-Splitting Flame. Even if he could fully recover, it would take at least a million years. Morris Zhou isn't dead, but he's at the Morrison Clan, and his cultivation is at best equivalent to a Prime Realm cultivator. He doesn't dare act rashly."
"Thank you, this news is very helpful. Are you certain?" Joe Di was overjoyed; it was enough that Morris Zhou's cultivation hadn't recovered.
The fact that Morris Zhou hasn't recovered is no trivial matter—Joe Di must confirm this. If he goes to the Morrison Clan only to find Morris Zhou's cultivation restored, he might not be able to escape.
Shelby Young immediately replied, "I'm sure Morris Zhou can't recover. But the Morrison Clan still has two Dao Integration experts: their patriarch, Martin Yun, who is at the early Dao Integration stage, and an elder named Martin Jiao, at the mid-stage. I've been pinned in Morrison Clan Plaza all these years, and though I was constantly tormented by soul fire, I could sense that the Morrison Clan absolutely doesn't have a third Dao Integration expert."
Two Dao Integration experts? Joe Di nodded. If that's really the case, he had nothing to fear.
"Thank you. I'm planning to visit the Morrison Clan. What are your plans?" Joe Di looked at Shelby Young.
Shelby Young knew that staying with Joe Di would only bring him trouble. Her cultivation was far too weak to help him. She bowed deeply to Joe Di, "Big brother Joe, the Morrison Clan is simply too powerful—I can't help much. If you come out safely and leave the Sanctuary Realm, please take me with you. Otherwise, as long as I have a chance in this lifetime, I will avenge you."
Joe Di waved his hand, "Don't worry. As long as the Morrison Clan doesn't have a Third Step cultivator, even if I don't gain the upper hand, I'll be able to leave safely. Just wait here for me. When I leave the Sanctuary Realm, I'll take you with me."
With that, Joe Di took out a ring and handed it to Shelby Young. "I see you don't have anything with you. Take this ring as a gift."
...
At Morrison Clan Plaza, the area was now crowded with cultivators.
Since the Morrison Clan became the dominant force in the Sanctuary Realm, nothing this major had ever happened before. Someone had rescued the Morrison Clan's mortal enemy, Shelby Young, right from Morrison Clan Plaza. Not only that, but no one from the Morrison Clan had noticed.
The plaza was filled with hushed discussions; everyone found the situation unbelievable. The Dao Nurturing cultivators Joe Di had questioned earlier looked especially pale.
They were suspicious of Joe Di for two reasons: he had just arrived, and he had sought them out to ask about Shelby Young.
If Joe Di was the one who rescued Shelby Young, they might be implicated.
As these Dao Nurturing cultivators trembled with fear, a gold-robed man suddenly descended from the void above Morrison Clan Plaza.
The entire plaza fell silent. The gold-robed cultivator swept his gaze around the plaza for over a dozen breaths before speaking in a calm voice. "I'm Martin Shane. Many of you may know who I am. Last night, something most unpleasant occurred at Morrison Clan Plaza—someone rescued the demoness Shelby Young. For tens of thousands of years, Shelby Young has been pinned here as a warning to others. Now, she has suddenly been rescued. Even though she is still doomed, this incident is a slap in the face to the Morrison Clan."
The plaza was utterly silent. Martin Shane's words made it clear he was furious; someone would surely be held responsible.
As expected, Martin Shane continued, "Yesterday, an outsider arrived at Morrison Clan Plaza and questioned some of you about Shelby Young. I hope those cultivators who were questioned will come forward and explain. The Morrison Clan may be friendly and maintain stability in the Sanctuary Realm, but we are not to be trifled with."
The Dao Nurturing cultivators who had answered Joe Di's questions yesterday were now trembling; they knew they were doomed.
"Ha!" A hearty laugh echoed, stunning everyone in the plaza.
For someone to laugh openly while Elder Martin Shane was speaking—did they have a death wish, or did they think dying would be too easy?
Everyone turned to look at the source of the laughter. A young man in pale blue starry cultivator robes walked into the plaza, even heading toward Martin Shane.
The Dao Nurturing cultivators turned even paler when they saw Joe Di approaching—it really was him.
"Who are you?" Martin Shane's domain surged, a wave of murderous intent sweeping toward Joe Di.
Joe Di waved his hand. "Don't stand so high up—if you fall, you might break your legs. Besides, your Grandpa Di doesn't like people talking to him from above."
Thud! Crack!
Everyone clearly saw that as Joe Di waved his hand, Martin Shane fell from the void, his legs audibly snapping as he hit the ground—clearly broken.
"See? I told you so. A grown man still playing at climbing high, and now you've really broken your legs." Joe Di said this as he walked up to Martin Shane.
Martin Shane looked up at Joe Di in terror. He was at least a Prime Realm expert, but when his domain struck Joe Di, it was as if it vanished into the sea—no ripple at all. With a wave of the young man's hand, his domain instantly collapsed, and before he could react, he was yanked to the ground, his legs breaking without warning.
Martin Shane was stunned, and the surrounding cultivators were utterly silent. Martin Shane was an elder of the Morrison Clan, rumored to be at the mid-stage Prime Realm. Yet in front of this young man, he couldn't even stand in the void, showing just how terrifying the youth was.
"Who are you, friend? Why do you oppose the Morrison Clan?" Martin Shane spoke as he sent out a warning signal.
Joe Di looked at Martin Shane in surprise. "I'm here to visit the Morrison Clan—why say I'm opposing you? Yesterday when I arrived, your clan blocked me at the array gate. I didn't press the issue, so I came again today to try my luck."
"So you are an honored guest—please, come with me to the main hall and take a seat." Martin Shane stood up, clasped his fist to Joe Di, and spoke politely.
Joe Di had only broken his legs and had not taken further action. As long as Joe Di did nothing more, recovering from the broken legs would not be a problem for Martin Shane.
Joe Di patted Martin Shane on the shoulder. "See, you understand. Yesterday, the guard stubbornly kept me outside and wouldn't let me in."
Crack! With a slap from Joe Di, Martin Shane's shoulder bone shattered again.
Martin Shane suppressed his anger and forced a smile. "In that case, friend, please follow me inside."
"Lead the way." Joe Di slapped Martin Shane's other shoulder, and another crack sounded.