Though Joe Di suspected Charlotte Ling's advice might have some flaws—after all, the Chaos Realm had been open for countless years. Perhaps it was no better than the Grandway Abyss now; if that were true, seeking Prime Realm Ascension in the Chaos Realm would be a joke. Yet aside from the Chaos Realm, he truly had nowhere else suitable for his ascension.
Footnote: Chaos Realm is a mysterious and perilous realm famed for rare opportunities and breakthroughs in cultivation. Prime Realm Ascension refers to achieving union with the Dao, a major cultivation breakthrough.
Lord Voidbreaker quickly shook his head. "Don't even think that way—I'm certain you won't be able to get out. Even if you manage to rescue us, you won't escape. The one who captured Bolt is Harold Yu, also known as Lord Icewind. Back when the ancient Dao Lords still roamed, Icewind was already a renowned figure. He masters the laws of ice and wind, and his escape techniques are top-tier—almost no one can catch him. That's why, despite offending so many, he still lives freely today."
Footnote: Lord Icewind is a legendary cultivator skilled in ice and wind law techniques. Bolt is Joe Di's companion, a mutated descendant of the Kunpeng (Leviathan).
Joe Di frowned and asked in confusion, "Friend Voidbreaker, what do you mean by that?"
Voidbreaker looked at Joe Di with utmost seriousness and said, "Brother Joe, you clearly haven't reached the Prime Realm. Yet you can still contend with me, who is nearly at Prime Realm Perfection. In all my years, I've never encountered a supreme cultivator like you..."
Voidbreaker added, "Every so often, a trading event is held here—everyone comes to exchange goods. I suspect Icewind will bring your Bolt to the trade. Bolt would never recognize him as master, but there are top-tier beast tamers here who might force Bolt to submit."
Footnote: Beast tamers are cultivators specializing in taming and controlling spirit beasts.
Had she known Joe Di hadn't reached the Prime Realm, Mandy Chu would never have dared to persuade him to come to this place.
Joe Di understood Voidbreaker's words; he knew Voidbreaker was right. If he tried to ascend here, while it wouldn't be a trivial path, it would certainly fall short of the Grand Way he truly sought.
He planned to rent a Cultivation Abode and wait for the trade to begin. If he couldn't obtain the Soul Lotus, he'd take action by force.
Footnote: Cultivation Abode is a personal sanctuary refined by cultivators for training and rest. Soul Lotus is a rare spiritual treasure sought for breakthroughs.
In fact, long ago, Joe Di had planned to ascend in the Chaos Realm. He'd taken Charlotte Ling's advice—only in the Chaos Realm could he hope to achieve a true Prime Realm Ascension.
Footnote: Chaos Realm is a mysterious and perilous realm famed for rare opportunities and breakthroughs in cultivation.
Though Joe Di suspected Charlotte Ling's advice might have some flaws—after all, the Chaos Realm had been open for countless years. Perhaps it was no better than the Grandway Abyss now; if that were true, seeking Prime Realm Ascension in the Chaos Realm would be a joke. Yet aside from the Chaos Realm, he truly had nowhere else suitable for his ascension.
Lord Voidbreaker quickly shook his head. "Don't even think that way—I'm certain you won't be able to get out. Even if you manage to rescue us, you won't escape. The one who captured Bolt is Harold Yu, also known as Lord Icewind. Back when the ancient Dao Lords still roamed, Icewind was already a renowned figure. He masters the laws of ice and wind, and his escape techniques are top-tier—almost no one can catch him. That's why, despite offending so many, he still lives freely today."
Hearing Voidbreaker say that Harold Yu was hard to catch, Mandy Chu instinctively glanced at Joe Di. In her experience, no one's speed could rival Joe Di's.
Joe Di felt helpless. He knew Voidbreaker was right, but what other choice did he have? Should he try reasoning with the old monsters here? That was laughable.
Voidbreaker added, "Every so often, a trading event is held here—everyone comes to exchange goods. I suspect Icewind will bring your Bolt to the trade. Bolt would never recognize him as master, but there are top-tier beast tamers here who might force Bolt to submit."
The thought of Bolt being forced to accept a new master made a flash of killing intent cross Joe Di's face, but it quickly faded. He sighed, "Even if I were wealthy, I couldn't compare to the old monsters here. Every one of them is ridiculously rich. I've only picked up some things in the cosmos that others missed."
Even Voidbreaker had to admit Joe Di was right. In truth, Voidbreaker probably had far more treasures than Joe Di. Over countless ages, the treasures of the vast cosmos had been nearly picked clean. In this universe, being born late was truly a disadvantage.
Seeing that Voidbreaker had no better ideas, Joe Di could only say, "Then I'll wait. Once the trading event starts, we'll see. I came here to trade a few items anyway."
He planned to rent a Cloudspire Sanctuary and wait for the trade to begin. If he couldn't obtain the Soul Lotus, he'd take action by force.
"What are you planning to trade?" Voidbreaker asked in confusion.
Joe Di gestured to Mandy Chu beside him. "I'm looking to trade for two Soul Lotus. Aside from Friend Chu, I have another friend who also needs a Soul Lotus."
"How do you know there's Soul Lotus here?" Voidbreaker asked Joe Di, puzzled.
Mandy Chu hurriedly replied, "Mandy Chu greets Senior Voidbreaker. I only heard it from others..."
Voidbreaker could tell from Mandy Chu's tone that she had heard of him. "Not bad. If you've heard of me, you must have lived quite a few years. The Soul Lotus isn't anything extraordinary—if it's available here, Brother Joe will surely be able to trade for it."
After thanking him, Mandy Chu added, "Senior Voidbreaker, the reason I know of you is because I have a very close friend who once witnessed your Primordial Voidshatter Finger. He was exceptionally talented, and by borrowing from your technique, he created his own Lawbreak Finger."
"Was my Primordial Voidshatter Codex stolen by your friend? Is your friend named Nick Ning?" Voidbreaker's voice grew cold.
Mandy Chu looked at Voidbreaker in surprise, then said, "My friend is indeed Nick Ning, but he doesn't care about the Primordial Voidshatter Codex—his own cultivation method is far superior. As for that codex, I heard it was taken by someone named Min Husheng."
Voidbreaker's words had been somewhat rude, so Mandy Chu's reply lost its earlier respect.
"Heh, how many cultivation methods can compare to my Primordial Voidshatter Codex? It's the same source as the Power Codex. Don't make wild claims if you haven't seen the world." Voidbreaker was immediately furious at Mandy Chu's suggestion that Nick Ning's technique surpassed his own.
Mandy Chu retorted, "Back then, even Lord Power was defeated by my friend. Don't say the Power Codex can compare to my friend's technique."
Voidbreaker had heard of Nick Ning's strength but didn't know that Lord Power wasn't his match. What he'd learned was that Nick Ning participated in the Second Creation War, and his Dao partner fell in that war. Now, hearing that even Lord Power wasn't Nick Ning's equal, Voidbreaker frowned slightly. If Lord Power couldn't defeat Nick Ning, then Nick Ning truly wouldn't care about his Primordial Voidshatter Codex.
"What about my Primordial Voidshatter Stele?" Voidbreaker pressed.
Mandy Chu answered slowly, "My friend doesn't care about your Primordial Voidshatter Stele. I heard Lord Power took it. As for your Primordial Voidshatter Codex, though Min Husheng took it, it ultimately ended up in Lord Power's hands."
Hearing Mandy Chu's words, Voidbreaker fell silent. Lord Power's strength was far beyond his own—even with Joe Di's help, he couldn't hope to contend. If Nick Ning could defeat Lord Power, seeking him out would be suicide.
After a long silence, Voidbreaker finally sighed. "Brother Joe, do you know who has the Soul Lotus? If you do, I suggest you trade with him directly and leave this place."
Hearing Lord Power's name, Voidbreaker felt a wave of discouragement.
"I heard his name is Eugene Yi," Joe Di replied. He couldn't comfort Voidbreaker—if you can't beat someone, that's just how it is; effort alone won't change it.
"What?" Voidbreaker stared wide-eyed at Joe Di.