"Fellow Daoist, are you heading to Thunder Sound Valley in the Gate Domain?" As soon as Joe Di stepped onto the Void Plaza outside the Celestial Beyond, a brown-robed man cupped his fists and asked.
Joe Di was momentarily stunned, looking at the brown-robed man before him in confusion. The man's Dao aura was solid and refined, his presence ancient and profound. Clearly, he was a veteran Third Step cultivator, perhaps even at the Boundary Fusion Realm.
Could this man be Ethan Feng? Joe Di immediately made his own judgment.
The brown-robed man chuckled, "You guessed right, fellow Daoist. I am indeed Ethan Feng. However, I am not from Thunder Sound Valley, and it's been countless years since I last visited the Gate Domain. The golden talisman I received was my only remaining Feng Family blood-essence message token, left behind when I departed the Gate Domain long ago. If I were to leave now, I wouldn't leave such a token behind."
It was as if Ethan Feng could read Joe Di's mind. Before Joe Di could finish speaking, Ethan laughed and confirmed Joe Di's guess.
"So you stopped me here because you want to kill me before I leave?" Joe Di said. He couldn't sense any killing intent from Ethan Feng, but why else would Ethan intercept him? He had no ties with Ethan, and in fact, he had a deep grudge against the Feng Family of Thunder Sound Valley.
Ethan Feng shook his head. "No. Although my cultivation is far above yours and I could easily crush you, I have no intention of killing you. It's not that I've become enlightened, but my ambitions are no longer tied to any sect or clan. I stopped you here today not for Thunder Sound Valley, but for the message talisman I left behind years ago. Since I left a Feng Family blood-essence token, I must answer when summoned. This is not only related to my pursuit, but also to the Dao I cultivate."
In fact, when Ethan Feng said it wasn't for Thunder Sound Valley and that his ambitions no longer lay with any sect or clan, Joe Di already understood. At their level, others might not grasp such words, but Joe Di did. However, when Ethan said it was related to his cultivation method, Joe Di truly couldn't comprehend. As for Ethan's claim of being much stronger, Joe Di simply ignored it.
Ethan Feng continued, "Back then, when I realized my cultivation path was worthless, I searched everywhere for a method that suited me. Once I found it, I immediately destroyed my Dao foundation and began cultivating anew. Over the years, I've made some progress. My current cultivation is far from my peak, but I am certain that I am now much stronger than before. The reason is my new cultivation method."
The stronger I become, the more I realize my own shortcomings, and the more I see there are others stronger than me..."
Joe Di vaguely sensed something was off with Ethan Feng's cultivation method. Whether or not his words were true, the stronger one’s power, the greater their confidence should be. Yet, according to Ethan Feng, the stronger he became, the less confident he felt. Just like earlier, when Ethan Feng claimed he could easily crush him, but didn’t intend to make a move—perhaps it was a kind of unspoken apprehension buried deep within.
"May I ask what cultivation method you practice?" Joe Di couldn’t help but inquire, though he knew Ethan Feng was unlikely to answer.
To Joe Di's surprise, Ethan Feng replied without hesitation, "I cultivate the Karmic Way. Years ago, I met the Karmic Sage and became his disciple, obtaining the teachings of the Karmic Way. I immediately abandoned my previous Dao foundation and entered seclusion to pursue the Karmic Way. Up to now, I have achieved some minor success."
At this, Ethan Feng cupped his fists toward Joe Di once more. "The events of the past are like drifting clouds. I sincerely ask that you, fellow Daoist, consider that the culprit has already received due punishment, and spare Thunder Sound Valley."
Upon hearing Ethan Feng's words, Joe Di realized that his plea was no longer for Thunder Sound Valley, nor for the Feng Family, but for his own Dao.
Joe Di sighed inwardly. People truly are pragmatic. At this moment, he felt no interest in visiting Thunder Sound Valley.
Ethan Feng seemed to have grasped the true Dao, but this path was not one Joe Di desired.
Waving his hand, Joe Di said, "Since that’s the case, let us part ways here. Out of respect for you, I won’t go to Thunder Sound Valley anymore."
In truth, Joe Di hadn’t intended to destroy Thunder Sound Valley, but to deal with Ethan Feng. Seeing him like this, Joe Di had already lost interest.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Ethan Feng remained calm, showing neither surprise nor disappointment. After expressing his gratitude, he asked again, "By any chance, do you know a friend named Joe Di?"
He’s asking about me? Joe Di was briefly stunned, then responded, "I am Joe Di. What do you want with me?"
"You are Joe Di?" Ethan Feng was even more surprised, then asked, "Joe, are you familiar with the Chaos Realm?"
Joe Di nodded, "I know that place. Why do you ask?"
He had originally planned to achieve Dao Fusion in the Chaos Realm, but succeeded in Mountainview instead, so he never went to the Chaos Realm.
Ethan Feng said, "I met an ancient powerhouse in the Chaos Realm named Lord Voidbreaker. Lord Voidbreaker said he was your friend and asked me to deliver a message to you."
Mentioning Lord Voidbreaker, Ethan Feng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. In the past, even with equal cultivation, he was but an ant before Lord Voidbreaker. Now, however, he could stand as an equal, without the slightest fear—all thanks to cultivating the Karmic Way.
Still, Ethan Feng was surprised at Joe Di’s close relationship with Lord Voidbreaker, though it made sense. Joe Di had easily slain Finn Brooks of the Feng Family, so his strength was undeniable. With so few powerhouses left in the Five Elements Universe, it was no wonder Joe Di could be acquainted with Lord Voidbreaker...
Suddenly, Ethan Feng paused. Lord Voidbreaker's attitude toward Joe Di seemed unusually respectful... How could that be? Who was Lord Voidbreaker? He had once ranked among the Ten Dao Lords, though he later fell from the list. Thanks to the Primordial Voidshatter Finger, his name was renowned throughout the Vast Universe. Such a proud powerhouse would never show respect to a junior—so why did he treat Joe Di differently?
No, the reason he returned was what Lord Voidbreaker had mentioned: someone had killed more than a dozen Feng Family experts, and the family used his gold talisman to summon him. The Feng Family had Finn Brooks, who had stepped into the Third Step—how many people could possibly kill Finn Brooks? Lord Voidbreaker was familiar with Joe Di, so he must have guessed that Joe Di was responsible.
If Lord Voidbreaker guessed it was Joe Di, yet still asked him to deliver a message, it clearly meant he knew Joe Di did not fear him, and could even easily crush him.
Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out on Ethan Feng’s back. If he had recklessly attacked, what would the outcome have been?
"Joe, may I ask you something?" Ethan Feng did not answer Joe Di's question, but instead politely sought his advice.
Joe Di replied coolly, "If you have something to say, just say it. No need to beat around the bush."
He wasn’t one to waste time on idle chatter with Ethan Feng.
"If I were to duel you, how much chance would I have of winning?" Ethan Feng tried to keep his tone calm and even.
Suddenly, Joe Di’s Rule Domain unfurled, powerful laws locking down the space around them.
Ethan Feng’s expression changed. Within Joe Di’s Rule Domain, he was at a complete loss. In other words, if they fought, by the time he broke free from Joe Di’s domain, he would likely already be gravely injured. It wasn’t that he could crush Joe Di—Joe Di could easily crush him.
A Second Step cultivator this powerful in the universe—unbelievable...
"Earlier, a Boundary Fusion Realm cultivator named Jade Vaughn tried to take something from me. I taught him a lesson. How much chance do you think you have against me?" Joe Di’s voice grew cold.
Ethan Feng’s face turned pale. Jade Vaughn was the Mountainview Dao Lord. How many weaklings could earn the title of Dao Lord? And yet, he’d thought he could crush Joe Di. Quickly, he bowed respectfully to Joe Di, "Against you, I have no chance at all. Thank you for showing mercy."