"You're courting death!" Despite fighting Joe Di, he still managed to kill a Qi Family cultivator at the fourth level of the Nascent Soul, enraging the ninth-level Nascent Soul expert.
"Boom boom boom!" His Iron Tower finally collided with Joe Di's Mountain Peak Gathering, and surging true essence exploded everywhere. The entire Qi Family Commerce Building was leveled to the ground.
Ethan Qi spat out a mouthful of blood and retreated frantically. What shocked him most was that Joe Di's true essence and spiritual sense seemed even more refined than his own—how could that be possible?
He couldn't discern Joe Di's cultivation level, but by his estimation, Joe Di was at most at the first level of Soul Ancestor. How could a first-level Soul Ancestor cultivator have such dense true essence and condensed spiritual sense?
Joe Di paid no attention to the lives of the Qi Family Commerce Building's cultivators. He struck again with his blade—the Riftblade.
Blade patterns stretched endlessly, tearing through Ethan Qi's defenses. A sense of death washed over him, and his fighting spirit vanished—retreat was already on his mind.
He was certain he wasn't Joe Di's match. Since the start of their fight, he barely had the strength to retaliate. If Joe Di hadn't been intent on killing the Qi Family's fourth-level Nascent Soul cultivator, he would likely have been seriously injured already.
Go! As soon as the thought of fleeing arose in Ethan Qi's mind, it grew wildly. But before he could truly retreat, the Riftblade's patterns had already struck him.
Ethan Qi turned to flee, but after only dozens of feet, blade intent exploded inside him.
"Thud!" Ethan Qi, still airborne, fell to the ground. Before he even landed, his Iron Tower and ring were snatched away by Joe Di.
"Only you remain." Joe Di turned to the Nascent Soul second-level cultivator whose eyes were filled only with terror. This time, he didn't even bother with his blade—he simply threw a punch.
The Nascent Soul second-level cultivator didn't even try to block, only muttering, "The Qi Family is finished. I knew it long ago..."
"Bang!" The Nascent Soul second-level cultivator was once again reduced to a mist of blood as Joe Di charged into the Qi Trading House.
At this moment, the Qi Trading House had already been reduced to ruins under his Bleakwind Blade. But Joe Di showed no mercy to its contents, sweeping everything away.
The onlooking cultivators didn't dare to breathe loudly. Joe Di had forcefully killed the Qi Family's ninth-level Nascent Soul powerhouse, Ethan Qi, without suffering even the slightest injury. Such strength made it clear to everyone that the Qi Trading House would soon be history.
Indeed, it's best not to destroy other sects. As the saying goes, "Leave room for others." The Qi Trading House pushed things too far, and now it's their turn to pay the price.
After Joe Di left, more cultivators rushed into the Qi Trading House. Joe Di had taken only the valuable items; many worthless pills and artifacts were left in chaos, not even worth Joe Di's attention. If they didn't seize them now, when would they?
......
Half an incense stick later, at the teleportation array of Ruinsgate City.
Joe Di, carrying Tian Sa on his back, arrived here.
"Senior, may I ask where you wish to go?" Seeing Joe Di approach, the cultivator in charge of the teleportation array hurried forward and asked respectfully.
The other cultivators waiting for teleportation quickly stepped aside when they saw Joe Di coming.
Joe Di's restoration of Nightfall Starland and his destruction of the Qi Trading House had already spread throughout Ruinsgate City.
"Thornsea City. How many spirit stones?" Joe Di replied calmly.
"Yes, Senior, please step up. You have contributed to Nightfall Starland—how could we possibly ask you for spirit stones?" A Nascent Soul cultivator in charge hurried over and bowed.
Joe Di knew it wasn't because he had restored Nightfall Starland that he didn't need to pay, but because he had destroyed the Qi Trading House of Ruinsgate City. His fierce reputation preceded him, and the cultivator in charge feared he might lose his temper and seize the teleportation hall.
He couldn't be bothered with idle talk; he was racing against time, determined to annihilate the Qi Trading House completely before news reached its headquarters.
Only after Joe Di had teleported away did the Nascent Soul cultivator in charge wipe the cold sweat from his brow.
"The Qi Trading House is truly finished," sighed one of the onlookers.
Everyone knew exactly why Joe Di was heading to Thornsea City. Located in the Southern Domain, Thornsea City was the true headquarters of the Qi Trading House on Nightfall Starland. Compared to the Qi Trading House Joe Di destroyed in Northridge City, Thornsea City was the Qi Family's real stronghold.
Thornsea City, Qi Trading House headquarters, council hall. At this moment, nearly all of the Qi Family’s powerhouses were gathered here, including the two Void Spirit cultivators, Ezekiel Qi and Frederick Qi, and seven Nascent Soul experts. Simon Qi, whose severed arm had recovered, also sat among them—though his cultivation meant he could only take a seat toward the back.
The Qi Family’s elites were not assembled because of news that Joe Di had destroyed the Ruinsgate City branch of the Qi Trading House.
Frederick Qi, the family head, swept his gaze over the others and spoke calmly, “Our Qi Family has obtained great fortune this time—two more Void Spirit cultivators, and four more Nascent Soul experts. Now we have ten Nascent Soul powerhouses and two Void Spirits. It’s a pity Ethan failed to break through to the Void Spirit stage. I’ve decided to step down as family head and pass the position to Ethan. Soon, Ethan will leave Ruinsgate City and return to Thornsea City.”
Everyone understood Frederick’s words. Advancing to the Void Spirit stage was exceedingly difficult. Ethan Qi had used a Void Nexus Pill but failed his breakthrough; it seemed he would remain at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm for life. Given that, Ethan was the most suitable candidate for the family head.
Frederick continued, “Besides the change in leadership, there are other matters. First, after the closure of the Skyveil, some sects obtained numerous treasures, and it’s likely that more Void Spirit cultivators will emerge soon—which is not good news for our Qi Family. Second, a mysterious powerhouse has appeared on Nightfall Starland, whose cultivation far surpasses even late-stage Riftsea experts. This person isn’t friendly to our family. Despite our recent gains, becoming the overlord of Nightfall Starland is still a distant dream.”
He paused before adding, “Third, there’s the matter of the World Tome. Someone took the Skyveil’s World Tome, which bodes ill for us. Also, Ezekiel’s attack on the Starstream School was somewhat rushed. We’ll discuss these matters one by one.”
Ezekiel Qi snorted, “Starstream disciples looted several Qi Trading House branches and killed direct descendants of our family, even severed Simon’s arm. I, Ezekiel Qi, am no coward—I cannot tolerate such things.”
Frederick Qi sighed, “It’s not that we shouldn’t destroy Starstream School, but we must consider how. Starstream acted wisely—they expelled Joe Di and Geng Ji from their sect first. But you attacked without justification, which has stirred public outrage and violated unspoken rules. Starstream can’t retaliate against us, but our actions have given other sects a reason to fear and resent us. Our Qi Family has been too impatient lately, not just with Starstream School. I’ll address this further later.”
“Of course, since Starstream School has been dealt with, we must eliminate any remaining survivors—especially that Geng Ji. Joe Di died in the Skyveil, but Geng Ji should still be alive.”
A streak of red sword light flashed in, landing in Frederick Qi’s hand.
“Hm? Nightfall Ruins are merging again…” Frederick Qi exclaimed in surprise.
“Ah…” Upon hearing that Nightfall Ruins were merging again, nearly everyone stood up. Every merger brought forth immense spirit veins and spirit stones. Now, with a single order from the family head, they would rush to seize these cultivation resources.
Frederick waved them down, signaling everyone to sit. He then said, “There was no warning for this merger, and it’s far too soon since the last one. Even if we hurry now, we won’t make it in time. Fortunately, Ethan is already there—he should be able to handle things. Now, I want to speak about the most important matter of this council…”
Everyone sat up straight, knowing that what came next was the true reason for this Qi Family high council.
Frederick’s voice grew solemn. “During our exploration of the ruins, we acquired some valuable treasures. More importantly, we learned of the existence of the Minor Central World. Previously, we only knew that when the Skyveil opened, cultivators from Nightfall Starland could enter—but not how to reach other continents. Now, we’ve obtained the secret to entering the Minor Central World. For our Qi Family, this is a matter of utmost importance.”
“Our cultivation level on Nightfall Starland is low, but the Minor Central World is the highest realm of cultivation. I’ve heard that reaching the True Transformation stage is commonplace there, and if one attains the peak, they can even leave this domain for higher star realms.”
“Family head…” Simon Qi couldn’t help but speak up.
He’d been gravely wounded at the fourth level of Nascent Soul, and though his arm was reattached, his Dao body was damaged. To reach higher realms, he’d have to endure far more hardship than others. Thus, the news of the Minor Central World was especially urgent for him.
Frederick Qi raised a hand to stop Simon, “This time, Ezekiel and I will each leave one person behind in Nightfall Starland. The rest will go—half of you first…”
At that moment, Joe Di stood outside the Qi Trading House. He didn’t act immediately; he knew there were Void Spirit cultivators present. This time, he would not allow a single Qi Trading House powerhouse to escape—he intended to wipe them all out.
After observing briefly, Joe Di began to set out his array flags. These flags, all refined by Qian Fenghua, were perfect for deploying a seventh-grade killing array.
One flag after another was cast down by Joe Di, and in moments, the strangling array was complete. Afterward, he set up an entrapment array as well.
Joe Di didn’t know that all the Qi Trading House elites had gathered here to discuss traveling to the Minor Central World. But he did know that the headquarters harbored the greatest number of Qi Family powerhouses. With all their cultivation caves here, he had no intention of letting a single direct descendant escape.
As long as he destroyed the Qi Trading House headquarters, any stragglers would be of no concern.