"What do you mean?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
After witnessing Nick Ning's punch, Zach became even more convinced of his choice. In fact, before Joe Di returned, Zach had taken a risk by helping Joe Di secure territory here. Although his strength was considered top-tier in this place, when the true Cosmic Grand Debate arrived, his power would hardly be worth mentioning.
Even Joe Di wasn't someone he was optimistic about. Everyone who came here had their own universe; who could he join on a whim? The strongest was likely Chi Yao—should he join Chi Yao? If Chi Yao gained control of everything, he would just become a powerless puppet under Chi Yao's rule.
After much hesitation, he still chose to stay and help Joe Di secure the territory. If Joe Di didn't return, he could leave at any time.
Now that Joe Di had returned, and with such a powerful ally by his side, it proved that his choice was correct.
Since he was determined to follow Joe Di, Zach spoke candidly, "The Cosmic Seat is formed by the vastness itself, not something any cultivator can change. Even stepping into the Fourth Step can't alter that. So whether one can compete for a Cosmic Seat in the future determines whether one can attain immortality, or even avoid having their fate controlled by others."
Joe Di's expression grew solemn. Zach had mentioned this to him before, so he was already quite aware.
"Why do so few strong cultivators come to the Genesis Universe? Because the Genesis Universe isn't suitable for cultivation or perfecting one's Grand Way. That's why those powerhouses would rather stay in their own universes, or at the Genesis Nest, or somewhere else to refine their Dao..."
Hearing Zach say this, Joe Di couldn't help but feel a little resigned. When he first arrived in the Genesis Universe, he thought all the strongest cultivators from every universe had gathered here. Only now did he realize that the true powerhouses had no desire to come.
Still, the Genesis Universe truly wasn't suitable for cultivation or perfecting the Grand Way. He knew that from the moment he arrived.
"Now that the Cosmic Seat contest is about to begin, the powerful universes within the vastness will naturally send their strongest cultivators here. The first step in competing for a Cosmic Seat is the Dao Debate, and the rankings of the Dao Debate are determined at the Cosmic Seat Plaza. It can't be changed by personal will at all."
When Zach mentioned the Saint Seat Plaza, he subconsciously glanced at Nick Ning in the distance and said, "Brother Di, your friend is very strong—perhaps not beneath you. With a single punch, he killed a Supreme Sage-level cultivator. He is qualified to obtain a Cosmic Seat. I suggest they give it a try, and go to the Saint Seat Plaza to inscribe their names first..."
"Is it necessary to inscribe one's name to participate in the Cosmic Seat contest?" Joe Di immediately asked.
Zach nodded. "Yes, it's necessary. It's said that only those who have inscribed their names are qualified to seek a Cosmic Seat; otherwise, they lack even the basic qualification."
Joe Di looked at the many powerful cultivators surrounding the white mist space and asked in puzzlement, "All these people are here—have they all inscribed their names at the Saint Seat Plaza?"
Zach smiled slightly. "Of course not. As long as someone from their universe has left the universe's name at the Saint Seat Plaza, they can also seek a Cosmic Seat. But their chance will be much smaller."
"Alright, go on," Joe Di said, deciding to tell Nick Ning and Ye Mo later so they could inscribe their names too.
"For the Dao Debate, you also need territory. If we come here and don't even have a place to stand, we won't qualify for the Dao Debate either. I stayed here precisely to secure a territory for you, Brother Di."
As Zach spoke, he pointed to the ever-expanding white mist space and said, "Look at that white mist space—eventually, it will become the battleground for the Cosmic Dao Debate. It's still spreading, and soon the outer city of Genesis City will disappear. After that, even the inner city of Genesis City will vanish. When this white mist is gone and the Saint Seat Stele appears at the Cosmic Seat Plaza, that's when the Cosmic Grand Debate begins."
"How much longer will it be?" Joe Di asked urgently.
Zach shook his head. "I'm not sure. It could start in a hundred years, or maybe not even after ten thousand years. It all depends on how fast the Cosmic Seat Plaza expands."
"I heard that Genesis City once held a Cosmic Dao Debate," Joe Di asked. He had indeed heard of this.
Zach chuckled, "That was just a simulation of this Grand Debate, put on by some minor Daos that don't really matter. This time, it's the true Vastness Debate, and nearly every powerful universe will join in. But, Brother Di, you can't stay here. It's best to head to the Genesis Cradle right away."
"Why?" Joe Di asked.
Zach's tone grew serious. "It's because of the Cosmic Dao Vein. The Cosmic Seat is directly related to the Cosmic Dao Vein. If you can obtain one, it's the greatest advantage. Since the Cosmic Seat contest is about to begin, many Cosmic Dao Veins have appeared in the Genesis Cradle. The strongest cultivators are leaving people here to hold territory, but most have gone to the Genesis Cradle to compete for the Dao Vein."
Joe Di had already planned to go to the Genesis Cradle to compete for a Dao Vein. Zach's words only made him more determined to go as soon as possible.
"Zach, I had a few friends who were supposed to come here. Haven't they arrived yet?" Joe Di quickly asked about Sterling Night, Damon Tai, and the others.
Zach replied, "They did come, but Soulfall Sovereign and Quinn Young were killed, and Sterling Night and Damon Tai escaped. Their whereabouts are unknown."
Joe Di's expression darkened. "Who killed them?"
Zach explained, "It was Cosmos Lord Ji Pu from Yin Heng Universe. Back then, the Cosmic Seat Plaza had just started expanding, and after I secured territory, Soulfall Sovereign tried to claim another spot. Since we were right in Genesis City, our territory was prime. The strong cultivators from Yin Heng Universe arrived late, and by the time they got here, all the good spots were already taken."
"So they wanted to forcibly take Soulfall Sovereign's territory?" Joe Di had already figured it out.
Zach nodded. "Yes, Soulfall Sovereign naturally refused. Ji Pu acted without hesitation, and Soulfall Sovereign's body was destroyed in the chaos. Sterling Night, Damon Tai, and Quinn Young stepped up to help, but even together, they weren't a match for Ji Pu. Quinn Young was killed, and Sterling Night and Damon Tai escaped. I didn't intervene because I was busy securing territory. Honestly, even if I had, I couldn't have saved them—Ji Pu is simply too powerful."
Joe Di clenched his fists, his gaze sweeping over the cultivators occupying territory nearby. No matter where Cosmos Lord Ji Pu from Yin Heng Universe was, he had to kill that man.
"Ji Pu wanted to attack me too, but with all the top cultivators rushing to the Genesis Cradle, he hurriedly handed his territory over to River Phantom from Yin Heng Universe. He must have gone to the Genesis Cradle to seek a Cosmic Dao Vein."
"Which territory belongs to Yin Heng Universe?" Joe Di asked with a snort.
Zach pointed to a spot not far away. "That's the one. The man in red is River Phantom."
River Phantom was clearly wary of Joe Di. When he saw Joe Di looking his way, he immediately readied his artifact.
"Yin Heng Universe has taken my territory, and Ji Pu killed my friends?" Joe Di stepped in front of River Phantom. The Guardian Array River Phantom had set up was as flimsy as paper to Joe Di.
Seeing his Guardian Array fall instantly before Joe Di, River Phantom's eyes narrowed and his voice grew hoarse. "I'm just holding the territory. I didn't kill your friends. It was Dao Lord Ji Pu. You'd better go after him directly."
He realized just how vast the gap was between himself and Joe Di. He'd seen Joe Di kill Howard Yu with a single punch. He'd thought he could rely on the Guardian Array to stall Joe Di, but now it was clear—even in arraycraft, he was far inferior to Joe Di.
Seeing Joe Di land on Yin Heng Universe's territory, everyone watched in silence. They all knew why Joe Di was confronting River Phantom—Ji Pu had killed two of Joe Di's friends, and now that Joe Di had returned, it would be strange if he didn't seek revenge.
Joe Di nodded. "You're right. I should go after Ji Pu."
River Phantom hadn't even had time to relax when Joe Di's massive fist mountain came crashing toward him. The violent Dao rhythm instantly tore apart his protective Dao laws. In that moment, River Phantom felt like a lone boat in a raging sea.
It wasn't just that he couldn't win against Joe Di—the difference between them was like heaven and earth.
"But before that, I need to collect some interest..." As Joe Di spoke, there was a muffled sound—blood mist exploded. River Phantom didn't even have a chance to resist before he was reduced to ashes by Joe Di's punch.