"Fellow Joe, I've heard of you. You defeated Lyle Yew and even seized his Heaven's Dominion Altar. Your strength surely ranks among the top ten in all of Genesis City. But I advise you not to act—the City Lord isn't targeting you, but Genesis City itself. If you join us and lend Zane Edge your aid, perhaps the Grand Elemental Universe could secure a place here." To Kira Ji's surprise, Gavin Ford did not attack immediately, but instead tried to persuade Joe Di.
Kira Ji understood—Gavin Ford was wary. Whatever he feared, she knew the Grand Elemental Universe would never truly have a foothold in Genesis City. Even if Joe Di became Zane Edge's right hand, it would not stop Zane Edge from targeting the Grand Elemental Universe.
Gavin Ford was indeed apprehensive, and what he feared was the longbow in Joe Di's hand—Fate's Loom. Had he not seen this bow, he would have attacked without hesitation. So what if Joe Di crushed Lyle Yew? Killing Keith Searle demands retribution.
Now, however, Gavin Ford was awed by Fate's Loom, the longbow Joe Di wielded. It wasn't cowardice—his intuition had always been exceptionally sharp. In the Seven Realms Universe, there were many with greater talent than Gavin Ford, so why was he second only to Zane Edge?
It was because of his intuition, his keen sense of life and death. Today, Fate's Loom in Joe Di's hand gave him a feeling of mortal dread—a premonition that if he fought Joe Di, he would likely suffer under that bow, and there was even a faint chance of perishing.
He had never doubted his own intuition. What puzzled him was why he hadn't sensed danger when he first arrived, but only when Joe Di appeared. No, it was a few days ago that he felt a faint sense of crisis. That was why he had suggested leaving this place.
He hadn't expected that before he could leave, Joe Di would emerge. Fate's Loom in Joe Di's hand made it clear why he had wanted to depart.
Most likely, Fate's Loom had only just appeared in the world a few days ago. That was why he hadn't sensed any danger when he first arrived.
Joe Di sneered, "Where I go, I don't need anyone's approval. Did you come here because I killed Keith Searle? If so, then make your move." As he spoke, Joe Di remained motionless—he didn't even summon any artifacts.
Today, he was here to consecrate Fate's Loom, and this man and woman seemed the perfect targets.
Gavin Ford's expression darkened. Even if Joe Di had uttered a few pleasantries and everyone went their separate ways, it would have been fine. But Joe Di deliberately mentioned Keith Searle—Gavin Ford was here for vengeance. Now, with Joe Di openly admitting to killing Keith Searle and Gavin Ford not daring to fight, his reputation would be ruined forever.
"Kira Ji, attack..." As Gavin Ford spoke, his domain surged toward Joe Di, and he simultaneously summoned a colossal axe—his Seven Realms Axe.
The moment the Seven Realms Axe appeared, a savage killing intent swept across the void, as if the entire universe could be shattered to dust beneath its blow.
Anything standing in this expanse of void would be obliterated by the Seven Realms Axe. If even cosmic domains couldn't withstand its strike, what could possibly endure?
Kira Ji was startled. She had always thought herself only slightly inferior to Gavin Ford. But seeing the Seven Realms Axe unleashed, she knew that facing Gavin Ford meant certain death. It seemed this was his primary artifact—the Seven Realms Axe.
She quickly concealed her disappointment and summoned her own Bloodspire Tower. Though she appeared gentle and reserved, her artifact was notorious for its brutality throughout Genesis City.
Her Bloodspire Tower had devoured the flesh, blood, and Dao resonance of countless powerful cultivators, and seized innumerable primordial souls.
Even if she couldn't sense how dangerous Joe Di's longbow was, Gavin Ford's gaze fixed upon it made her aware of his wariness. Now that Gavin Ford had immediately summoned the Seven Realms Axe, it proved that Joe Di's bow was truly terrifying.
Her Bloodspire Tower combined with Gavin Ford's Seven Realms Axe—no matter how strong Joe Di was, he would likely have to dodge and would be unable to consecrate the bow.
As long as Joe Di started evading, Kira Ji believed he wouldn't escape unscathed from Gavin Ford's Seven Realms Axe. With her Bloodspire Tower supporting the axe, Joe Di's life would almost certainly end here today.
Joe Di stared in awe at the colossal axe that seemed capable of rending even the domains of the Genesis Universe. He wondered—could this be the very axe used by Pangu to split heaven and earth?
A terrifying aura of death pressed down. Joe Di's domain was one of rules, and after his insights into new array and artifact paths, his rule domain had grown stronger—yet even now, it was being shattered inch by inch by the Seven Realms Axe.
So powerful! Joe Di was secretly shaken. The reason he hadn't acted immediately was to test the gap between himself and the other universe's elite cultivators of Genesis City, now that his strength and cultivation had risen with his new insights into array and artifact arts.
This blow made it clear—without those insights, he wouldn't have been a match for the man before him, who was even more formidable than Lyle Yew. Worse, this opponent had a powerful ally. In such a situation, his only option was to escape using rule evasion techniques.
Though Gavin Ford was powerful enough to defeat him, stopping his escape was another matter—even with Kira Ji's help, it couldn't be done.
Now that his Dao had advanced, even without Fate's Loom, he could defeat both Gavin Ford and Kira Ji with his Azure Veil Blade. Defeat, yes—but killing them would be difficult, perhaps even impossible.
But right now, Joe Di hadn't summoned the Azure Veil Blade. His Fate's Loom had just been completed, and this was the moment to consecrate the bow.
The Seven Realms Axe tore apart all the rules within the space, shattering Joe Di's domain and protective Dao resonance. The Bloodspire Tower further sealed his escape, and at this moment, Joe Di even felt his flesh and soul being drawn into the tower.
If not for Fate's Loom, Joe Di would have had to counterattack immediately—otherwise, he would soon lose even the chance to fight back.
Under the Bloodspire Tower's shroud, it was nearly impossible for him to remain unscathed beneath the Seven Realms Axe.
Seeing both himself and Kira Ji attack, yet Joe Di still unmoving, Gavin Ford felt no joy—only a sinking feeling. He didn't believe Joe Di was truly intimidated into inaction.
What he didn't understand was that after the Seven Realms Axe tore apart all rule domains and sealed Joe Di's vitality, Joe Di wouldn't even have the chance to consecrate the bow. Whatever Joe Di was planning, Gavin Ford began to burn his own blood essence to further fuel the Seven Realms Axe. Just a tenth of a breath—no, even less—and he could fully lock Joe Di's vitality...
Suddenly, Gavin Ford's eyes narrowed. Though he hadn't seen Joe Di move the bow, and his Seven Realms Axe hadn't yet fully locked Joe Di's vitality, Joe Di's bow was already drawn.
A faint, almost imperceptible arrow was nocked upon the bow...
Gavin Ford's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Even if Joe Di managed to fire that arrow, Gavin Ford was certain he could seriously wound—or even kill—Joe Di first.
Die! Seven Realms Axe, kill!
Yet as Gavin Ford frantically drove the Seven Realms Axe, terror overtook his face—he sensed time itself had stalled in this space. He was sure his axe would kill, and that Joe Di couldn't possibly dodge in such a short distance. He even saw blood welling from Joe Di's brow—but...
In that instant, time froze—everything, even the flow of nature, came to a halt...
Perhaps there was one thing still moving: the longbow in Joe Di's hands continued to draw, its killing intent not fierce, but as a basin of clear water poured into a cup of pitch-black ink—the water instantly stained black.