So this was Jamie Redriver’s senior sister. This woman truly had no sense of courtesy. Yet the powerful aura she exuded, in Joe Di’s eyes, was at least that of a Cauldron Ascendant.
Although the Fivefold Plaza meant he didn’t have to worry about being killed, Joe Di still remained vigilant and chose not to respond to the woman’s words.
“Senior Sister Cynthia, it’s him. If it weren’t for his kick, I would never have been sent out at the Ninetieth Tier. Even now, I still can’t figure out how he managed that.” Jamie Redriver had already walked over.
Jamie Redriver wasn’t looking for his senior sister to stand up for him—Joe Di was beneath his notice. What he couldn’t understand was how Joe Di’s kick had landed on his face. Moreover, he hadn’t completed his sect’s mission to reach the Hundredth Tier, so he needed a reasonable explanation.
The woman’s expression remained calm; she wasn’t angered by Joe Di’s disregard. Instead, she spoke again, “Throw away your blade. From now on, you’re forbidden to use one. Remember, only Jamie Redriver is qualified to carry a blade on his back. And show me that kick of yours.”
Joe Di couldn’t help but laugh—he’d never met such an odd woman. Remaining guarded, he spread his hands and said, “I know where you’re from now. You must be sent by the Monkey King, right? I’ve heard of his great name—the Sage Equal to Heaven. I also know your surname is Bai, and the Monkey King beat you three times.”
Monkey King? Cynthia Winters frowned and replied coolly, “I don’t know any monkey, and my surname isn’t Bai…”
As she spoke, a hand seal tore through space and shot straight for Joe Di.
Joe Di’s divine sense had long been monitoring the spatial fluctuations around him. The moment Cynthia Winters formed her hand seal, his Azure Veil Blade was already in his hand, and he slashed out with a single stroke.
A blue arc ripped through space, but the slash was stopped by a massive hand seal. The wild true essence had nowhere to go and, along with the blade intent, rebounded directly back at Joe Di.
The blue arc of the blade vanished into thin air. Joe Di spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered back more than ten steps.
This woman was incredibly strong. Sensing another powerful figure approaching, Joe Di hurriedly slung his Azure Veil Blade across his back once more.
"Hmm!" The woman in purple seemed surprised that someone as insignificant as Joe Di—a mere Void Spirit Stage ant—could escape her hand seal. That blade strike, too, clearly carried a formidable blade intent.
Although she had easily forced Joe Di back and shattered his blade intent, it was only because her strength far surpassed his. This didn't quite match what her master had said—that cultivators outside were all weaklings.
"Cynthia Winters, please refrain from taking action in the Fivefold Plaza." A gray-robed steward landed beside Joe Di, his tone polite as he cupped his fists to the woman.
Joe Di understood now. No wonder when Jamie Redriver reached the ninetieth floor, no one came to question him—the guy clearly had powerful backing. As for Joe, who had none, not only was he summoned for a talk, but he wasn't even offered tea.
What surprised Joe Di was that after Charles Ping respectfully asked Cynthia Winters not to act, he then turned and scolded Joe Di, "How dare you draw your blade in the Fivefold Plaza! Come with me to the Enforcement Office of the Fivefold Dao Gathering."
Joe Di was stunned. So the weak really don't matter here. It was clearly the woman who struck first, and he only drew his blade in self-defense. Was Charles Ping blind?
"I want to take a look at his blade," Jamie Redriver suddenly said.
Charles Ping hurriedly cupped his fists again, "Rest assured, Young Master Jamie. Since this man drew his blade in the Fivefold Plaza, I will confiscate it at once."
The last part went unsaid, but Joe Di could tell—once the blade was confiscated, it would end up with Jamie Redriver.
Joe Di sighed inwardly. Was he going to have to flee Fivefold City just after arriving? He'd just rented a cave abode in the Fivefold Pavilion for a whole year.
A bronze-faced, long-haired man appeared in Joe Di's line of sight. Joe Di flashed forward, taking several steps to stand beside the long-haired man, bowed, and greeted, "Joe Di greets the Sect Master."
Seeing Joe Di dare to attempt escape right in front of him, Charles Ping was furious. But before he could act, he also saw the long-haired man and instantly tensed, hurrying over to bow, "Charles Ping, steward of Fivefold Dao Gathering Plaza, greets Sect Master Mason Keys."
The long-haired man's gaze swept over Charles Ping, then landed on Joe Di. "So it's you. Not bad, not bad—your cultivation has improved again. But your strength is still lacking, and don't draw your blade in the Fivefold Plaza unless absolutely necessary."
"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master. I promise that unless someone attacks me first, I won't draw my blade." Joe Di quickly replied.
Hearing Joe Di's answer, the long-haired man revealed a trace of surprise in his eyes, then nodded, "You may step back now."
"Yes, sir." Joe Di breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he was right—the Sect Master of Violet Thunder Sect had indeed spoken up for him.
Just as Joe Di retreated, the long-haired man sent him a voice transmission: "That woman just now is Cynthia Winters, an inheritor from the True Domain. Don't provoke her, whether you have a reason or not."
Charles Ping's heart trembled. He hadn't expected that someone who seemed as insignificant as Joe Di would actually know Mason Keys, the Sect Master of Violet Thunder Sect.