Lord Voidbreaker said to Luna Fairchild, who was standing to the side, "Please wait outside for a moment. I have some matters to discuss with Joe Di."
"Yes," Luna Fairchild quickly bowed in response and retreated out of the room.
Even with her noble background, she had no status here at all.
As for Bolt, who was still in the room, Lord Voidbreaker acted as if he hadn't seen him, making no move to ask Bolt to leave. He knew Bolt was Joe Di's beast companion; asking him to leave would be disrespectful to Joe Di.
After Luna Fairchild left, Lord Voidbreaker raised his hand and cast a restriction before saying to Joe Di, "Joe, I only say these things because I don't see you as an outsider."
Joe Di nodded. He could tell that Lord Voidbreaker was deliberately trying to befriend him. More friends meant more opportunities; hadn't he also helped the Lotus Saint before? For the strong, making friends was always better than making enemies.
Lord Voidbreaker pointed upward and said, "I've seen a lot in my time, but you probably can't imagine it. Even if we've stepped into the Third Step, even reached the Realm Fusion stage, the Dao path remains endless. Every Dao is infinite; whether there's a Fourth or Fifth Step, I don't know. But I believe even if there isn't, the Third Step isn't the end of cultivation."
Joe Di was moved—this was exactly what he wanted to know but hadn't understood. He had encountered many things, but they were all scattered and disorganized, left for him to piece together on his own.
Lord Voidbreaker gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I've always had some confidence, and honestly, I've done well over the years. At the same time, I'm also a proud man. If this were years ago, even if I wasn't as good as you, I'd have tried everything to get rid of you..."
At this, Lord Voidbreaker paused. Joe Di understood what he meant: the old Voidbreaker would never have bothered to befriend him.
"Now I see things clearly. Though I'm not bad, in the vast cosmos, there are countless beings stronger than me. My achievements only allow me to act dominant in this small corner." Lord Voidbreaker's tone grew more serious as he looked at Joe Di. "Joe, let me tell you: every supreme cultivator, every true powerhouse, has a domain of their own. Every life within that domain regards them with pride..."
Joe Di interrupted Lord Voidbreaker in surprise, "Voidbreaker, do you mean that every cosmic powerhouse refines a domain as their private garden?"
If Voidbreaker wanted him to refine the Taiji Realm as Lord Nightshade had, he would rather not be a supreme cultivator—it went against his heart. Joe Di was satisfied with his current achievements and believed that if he persisted, he would eventually reach the Third Step.
Lord Voidbreaker chuckled, "Joe, do you think my ambitions are so small? If all it took was refining a domain, anyone could do it—as long as they're ruthless enough. But do you think ruthlessness can become the foundation of the Dao?"
"Dao Foundation?" Joe Di was even more confused.
Lord Voidbreaker nodded, "That's right—Dao Foundation. When every cultivator in a domain feels pride and honor because of you, their collective will provides you with support in the vast cosmos. You may not sense it, but it exists. Every worship, every respect, every admiration gives strength to your Dao. This is a kind of Dao Foundation."
"Before you step out of this universe, that power remains. Only when you are strong enough to transcend this universe and stand above it can you truly control everything. Few understand this principle; I do, not just because I've lived long, but because I've seen much."
Joe Di began to understand. He didn't think Voidbreaker's words were mysterious or empty. He cultivated the Dao of cosmic laws, so any change in rules would affect his Dao. As Lord Voidbreaker said, if he had a domain, the respect of countless lives within it would subtly alter the cosmic rules and, in turn, his Dao.
Perhaps this was only the most superficial understanding of Dao Foundation.
Lord Voidbreaker continued, "Do you think refining a domain and making all its countless lives exist because of you—able to erase them with a single thought—would earn you their genuine respect? It wouldn't. Only the most foolish cultivators do that. Lord Nightshade is no fool, and I don't know what he wants to do in the Taiji Realm."
"When I speak of possessing a realm, I don't mean refining it. You only need to give the realm a reason to respect you. You could simply establish a sect and let it become a symbol. Right now, the Taiji Realm is in desperate need of rescue—if you help, how will its cultivators see you?"
Joe Di said, "Voidbreaker, the respect you mention seems like incense worship. I've heard of such things—receiving offerings."
Lord Voidbreaker chuckled, "Incense worship can also make you a great power, but what I'm talking about is completely different. It goes beyond incense worship—it's an invisible force of cosmic rules."
Joe Di nodded, "In fact, I was planning to visit. After I leave, please help me look after Mountainview Tavern."
"I'll help you. Lord Nightshade is not easy to deal with," Lord Voidbreaker said.
Joe Di waved his hand, "No need. If I can't handle Lord Nightshade, there's no point in going to the Mountainview Forbidden Zone. I believe there are beings in the Mountainview Forbidden Zone stronger than Lord Nightshade. This will be a trial for me."
Lord Voidbreaker clearly understood Joe Di's intent. He nodded, "Alright, since that's the case, I'll wait here for you."
Joe Di glanced at Bolt. "You stay here. We'll talk when I return."
"Don't worry, Old Boss. I'll make sure Mountainview Tavern thrives!" Bolt was overjoyed. In fact, when Luna Fairchild came to seek help, Bolt had guessed this opportunity would come. With Joe Di gone, he would be the true master here—and now it was so.
...
Luna Fairchild never dreamed it would be so easy to invite Joe Di—he had promised her that he would go to the Taiji Realm immediately. Since he was going now, she would naturally go with him.
Her heart raced wildly. If Joe Di showed any interest in her on the way to the Taiji Realm, she wouldn't hesitate to throw herself at him. Even if Joe Di had no such intentions, returning with him would mean everyone in the Taiji Realm would know she was the one who brought him. That would be a huge advantage for her future control over the realm.
Seeing Luna Fairchild's blushing face, Joe Di didn't think much of it and simply said, "You're a bit slow. I'll head to the Taiji Realm first—you can follow after me."
After saying this, Joe Di didn't wait for Luna Fairchild's reply. He vanished in a flash. If it had been Ling Xiaoshuang, he would have brought her along, but for Luna Fairchild, he felt no such inclination.
As Joe Di disappeared, even Lord Voidbreaker's expression changed. He had thought that, even if he couldn't match Joe Di in the future, he could still escape from him with ease. Now he realized how unrealistic that idea was.
Joe Di's escape technique was something even the ancient Saints might not have possessed. What kind of technique was this? Lord Voidbreaker had seen much in his life but had never encountered such a terrifying escape method.
Luna Fairchild's face turned pale. She had never imagined that Joe Di wouldn't even bother to travel with her but would go to the Taiji Realm alone. With her strength, it would take years to get there—by then, she might be irrelevant.