But the two were quickly stunned again, staring at Cassie Cao in disbelief. They'd seen plenty of celebrities and surgically enhanced beauties, but never someone as naturally flawless as Cassie. Was she a celestial maiden? Could such beauty truly exist in this world?
Joe Di snorted, snapping the two out of their trance—realizing just how rude they'd been.
"No idea..." the tall, thin man replied in a hurry. But as soon as he said it, he realized how foolish he sounded. His surprise was obvious—claiming not to know Joe Di was just embarrassing himself.
The middle-aged man behind the tall one cupped his fists to Joe Di and said, "It's true, we don't know you personally. But right now, many people outside are searching for you. We've only seen you in portraits and missing person notices."
He could tell—anyone living openly here, calmly making a fire and cooking, must be extraordinary. Judging by the surroundings, Joe Di clearly hadn't just arrived. Are the Dire Beasts of Tianhuang District blind or do they have broken noses? Obviously not. The only explanation: Joe Di's martial prowess is terrifying. Every beast that came here must've been defeated; now, not even Dire Beasts dare approach.
"Oh?" Joe Di responded coolly. "Who exactly is looking for me?"
The long-haired man quickly answered, "Almost every major figure in Tianhuang City is searching for you: Martin Grandwild, leader of the Grandwild Alliance; Cai Tian of Tianhuang City; Director Yu Youpin of Tianhuang Martial Hospital; Professor Peck, the world's leading detoxification expert... Oh, and I hear the Zeng Family of Jinhai is looking for you too."
"Why are they looking for me?" Joe Di asked.
The long-haired man didn't hide anything. "Professor Peck and Director Yu want you for your unparalleled medical skills. As for Martin Grandwild and Zeng He, I hear their children have contracted a rare illness that only you can cure."
"Nieyuan Disease?" Joe Di immediately understood. Previously, he only knew it as Nieyuan Disease, but now he realized it wasn't truly an illness. The so-called disease stemmed from overly powerful spiritual roots—absorbing spiritual energy even without cultivation, and once cultivating, devouring it even more voraciously.
A person unable to cultivate and lacking a foundation, if absorbing too much spiritual energy, can't digest it through their meridians nor open their Spiritual Sea—so their body inevitably collapses.
"You really know what this disease is..." the long-haired man exclaimed in shock. He knew just how terrifying this illness was. Few people in the world suffered from it, but for those who did, it was always fatal.
Originally, the rarity of this disease wouldn't be a big deal, but the key is that nearly all sufferers are descendants of the world's top experts or powerful families. Now, with Joe Di able to cure it, if that's proven true, the whole world will be thrown into chaos.
What puzzled him was this: with Joe Di's strength and ability to cure such a disease, he should be highly respected everywhere—people vying for his favor. So why hide out here in seclusion?
But when his gaze landed on Cassie Cao again, he understood. No matter how strong Joe Di was, with such a beautiful wife, peace would always be out of reach. There are far too many powerful lechers in the martial world—if a ruthless one came along, Joe Di might have to watch helplessly as his wife was snatched away. Not to mention Martin Grandwild, who is infamous for his lust.
Nieyuan Disease is caused by having an exceptionally strong Spiritual Root, yet being too weak to handle supplements—leading to the body's collapse. The descendants of great families or top martial artists naturally have better Spiritual Roots, plus access to cultivation techniques and Celestial Relics. It's almost inevitable they'd get this disease.
Joe Di chuckled, "Of course I know—otherwise, how could I cure it? If there's nothing else, I won't keep you any longer."
The two martial artists quickly took their leave after hearing Joe Di's words.
Facing someone as powerful as Joe Di, they didn't dare have any thoughts of their own. They wouldn't even consider leaking news about Joe Di after leaving—there was no benefit in doing so.
"Huh!" As soon as the two martial artists left, Joe Di uttered a surprised sound. Cassie Cao looked at him in confusion. "Joe, what's wrong now?"
"No one came all year, and now two groups show up in one day. Wait—that's Andy Hou..." Joe Di said, immediately heading over.
Cassie Cao heard Andy Hou had arrived and grew excited, hurrying after Joe Di.
Andy Hou moved quietly, peeking around cautiously. When Joe Di and Cassie Cao suddenly appeared before him, he was so startled he couldn't even react.
"Andy, what's wrong? Where are Marlon Mao and Luna Cui?" Cassie Cao asked, puzzled.
When Andy Hou realized it was Joe Di and Cassie Cao, he rushed forward. "Cassie, Joe, it's really you! You're safe—that's wonderful."
"What happened to you? Weren't Marlon Mao and Luna Cui with you?" Cassie noticed Andy Hou's disheveled hair, filthy clothes, and even a fishy stench.
Andy Hou's eyes reddened, then he cursed, "That wretch Luna Cui is truly heartless! Cassie, after you left, the three of us discovered a Tianhuang Ruins. There were all sorts of treasures inside—martial arts techniques, pills, weapons. We were thrilled and planned to study them together, maybe even save some for you and Joe. But then..."
Cassie Cao's heart sank; she sensed something was wrong. She, Marlon Mao, Andy Hou, and Luna Cui had struggled for survival together on the outskirts of Huangyuan City, like siblings. If anything happened to one of them, it hurt her deeply.
Andy Hou gritted his teeth. "That wretch Luna Cui ambushed Marlon Mao and me while we were sorting the loot. Marlon was gravely wounded and collapsed on the spot; I was badly hurt too. Before dying, Marlon clung to Luna Cui's leg and told me to escape, to find you and warn you not to trust her..."
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Andy Hou wiped his tears, sobbing, "Marlon Mao gave his life so I could escape. I've been hiding and barely surviving in Tianhuang District ever since. I never imagined I'd see Cassie and Joe again today."
Cassie Cao's eyes reddened too. She instinctively shook her head, "Luna Cui would never do such a thing. I've lived with her for years—I know her character. She just wouldn't... she couldn't..."
Cassie's voice grew softer, but her tone more resolute. Even now, she still firmly believed Luna Cui wasn't that kind of person.
Andy Hou stomped his foot in frustration. "Cassie, I lived through it myself—why would I lie to you? Luna Cui really did ambush Marlon Mao and me. I still have the scar to prove it..."
After speaking, Andy Hou turned around. Sure enough, from the back of his head to his spine was a knife scar—healed, but still visible. One could imagine: if that strike had gone any deeper, his head might have been cleaved in two.
Joe Di suddenly asked, "Andy, you said at first you three were happy, planning to study those treasures together. But then Luna Cui changed her mind and ambushed you and Marlon?"
Andy Hou didn't notice Joe Di's implication, just nodded. "That's right. Honestly, if she'd wanted it all for herself, she could've just said so—Marlon and I wouldn't have fought her for it."
Joe Di frowned. He trusted Cassie Cao's judgment—if Cassie said Luna Cui wasn't that kind of person, then she wasn't.
The three fell silent, until Joe Di finally spoke. "Here's what we'll do: let's check out the place you mentioned. If they're not there, we'll figure out a way to leave Tianhuang District."
(That's all for today's update—good night, friends!)