As the momentum of the blade surged forth, Gavin Strider dared not think of anything else; he summoned the Void Crescent Ring as well. Previously, he had dismissed Joe Di as nothing more than insignificant, but now he realized just how laughable that notion was.
The Void Crescent Ring transformed into two domains of blinding white, one above and one below, astonishingly locking down Joe Di's blade momentum.
Boom! The ruined planet beneath them exploded with violent Dao resonance. Joe Di's blade momentum scattered in an instant, and at the same time, the two domains of the Void Crescent Ring were torn to shreds.
Joe Di was equally astonished. He had never imagined someone at a similar cultivation level could leave him with no advantage at all. Who exactly was Gavin Strider? To be suppressed by the Lethe Bridge, left with only a remnant soul?
Joe Di was shocked, but Gavin Strider was even more appalled. After just one probing exchange, Gavin Strider knew he could not kill Joe Di. If Joe Di were stronger, perhaps he could kill him, but Gavin was certain Joe Di was not stronger—maybe even weaker. Where did this terrifying man come from? He, after all, was Gavin Strider.
Joe Di did not consider himself weaker than Gavin Strider; he knew he could not kill Gavin today. But after being hunted for so long, even if he could not kill him, he would not let the old bastard off easily.
Just as Joe Di prepared to unleash the Creation Brush and his blade formation, Gavin Strider suddenly retreated, even putting away the Void Crescent Ring. He clasped his fists to Joe Di and said, "Daoist Di, I cannot kill you, and you cannot kill me. There is no point in continuing this fight."
Joe Di laughed heartily, "Old bastard, you’ve chased your Old Master for so long, and now you want to call it meaningless? Your miserable life was saved by your Old Master, and not only do you refuse to show gratitude, you even dare to bite at my heels."
Gavin Strider’s face grew grim, but he knew well who his true enemy was—not Joe Di before him, but Dubu.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation and anger, and tried to speak more calmly: "Daoist Di, you are wrong. The Lethe Bridge was originally mine; I was merely residing there temporarily."
Joe Di clicked his tongue, wiggling his pinky as he spoke, "Impressive, impressive. Gavin Strider, could you teach me how to use my own artifact to suppress myself, turn myself into a remnant soul, and then wait for someone to save me with a Reminiscent Bodhi Seed? I really can't master that technique—one wrong move and your Old Master's life would be forfeit."
Joe Di's insults were harsh, but Gavin Strider knew he had been too eager for the Lethe Bridge. Even a fool wouldn't use their own artifact to suppress themselves, nearly erasing their soul in the process.
Gavin Strider clasped his fists, "Daoist Di, I truly wish to befriend you. And I haven't been entirely useless to you—if Dominic Du hadn't been chasing me, would you have escaped? I lured Dominic Du away, giving you a chance at life. If not for him, I would have fully merged with my original Dao by now, already stepping into the Third Step rather than just Dao Fusion. In short, we both benefit if we cooperate, but if we separate, we face destruction."
"You've never met Dominic Du, have you? If you had, you wouldn't be standing here talking to me. I'm not boasting—I've managed to escape him, but you definitely couldn't."
This time, Joe Di did not mock Gavin Strider; he knew Gavin was right. Alone, either of them would be doomed against Dominic Du. Working together, they might stand a chance.
Seeing Joe Di refrain from sarcasm, Gavin Strider smiled slightly and said, "Daoist Di, even together, we are no match for Dominic Du. But I intend to find a place to break through to the Third Step, and I see you are at peak Dao Fusion as well. Why not join me, and we can advance together?"
Without waiting for Joe Di's reply, Gavin continued, "Daoist Di, as a newcomer, you may not know how crucial the Third Step is for a cultivator. Dominic Du won't give you the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed unless you have something he desperately needs. You may not know him well—he claims to be the strongest in the Five Elements Universe. Of course, I disagree. He once possessed all the Prime Laws of the Creation Universe and knows the rules of the Five Elements Universe inside out. If you break through to the Third Step here, you'll only be crushed by Dominic Du in the end..."
Dominic Du obtained all the Prime Laws? Gavin Strider's words might convince others, but Joe Di was sure Dominic Du hadn't acquired them all—at least the Vanished One Law was unrelated to him. Still, Gavin finally spoke sense: one should not advance to the Third Step within the Five Elements Universe, and Joe Di agreed with that.
"Old Gavin, look at you! I was just about to head to the Chaos Realm to make my breakthrough, and now you’re spoiling my mood." Joe Di laughed, stepping forward to slap Gavin Strider on the shoulder.
Gavin Strider dared not let Joe Di get close and quickly stepped aside, cursing inwardly at how quickly Joe Di could change his demeanor. But he had to join forces with Joe Di; without the Lethe Bridge, he would never give up. If Joe Di left, he would recall the mark Gavin had left on the Lethe Bridge, and finding Joe Di again would be nearly impossible.
The second reason Gavin Strider wanted to stick with Joe Di was just as he’d said before. If they encountered Dominic Du, Gavin would be safe—not because they could fight him together, but because Gavin would immediately flee. He was certain Dominic Du would only chase Joe Di, not him.
No one understood the importance of the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed better than Gavin Strider. Such a vital item, left for Joe Di’s cycle of reincarnation, would never be so easily relinquished. It would be a miracle if Dominic Du gave up on it.
"Daoist Di, though I don’t know what the Chaos Realm is, I truly wouldn’t deceive you. If you attempt to reach the Third Step within the Five Elements Universe, it’s nothing but a death sentence," Gavin said sincerely.
It was the first time he had ever spoken so honestly with another person. Normally, he’d simply kill them outright—patience had never been his strength.
Joe Di frowned, hesitating for a moment before reluctantly agreeing, "Alright, I’ll trust you just this once, Old Gavin. My master always said I’m too kind and honest for my own good, easily tricked by others. I hope you won’t let me down."
Thunder boomed in Gavin Strider’s mind. He was ruthless—usually, any annoyance was dealt with by a slap. But he’d never met anyone as shameless as Joe Di. Kind and honest? If that were true, there wouldn’t be a single unkind soul under heaven.
Still, Gavin did not doubt that Joe Di was unaware of the dangers of breaking through within the Five Elements Universe. Only by obtaining the Prime Laws, or a Dao that transcended the universe’s rules, could one truly understand. Joe Di had always cultivated here, so it was no surprise he didn’t grasp this principle.
Gavin forced a smile. "I still don’t know how to address you, Daoist friend?"
Gavin knew Joe Di’s surname because Joe Di called himself Old Master Di. After reincarnating with the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed, Gavin hadn’t looked elsewhere and didn’t know Joe Di’s full reputation.
"My name is Joe Di, and I like to call myself Old Master. Call me whatever you like. So, when are we heading off to break through to the Third Step?" Joe Di grinned, knowing Gavin was scheming for his Lethe Bridge. If not for the need to leave the Five Elements Universe for his breakthrough, he’d never team up with such a devious character.
Gavin Strider stared speechlessly at Joe Di—he actually wanted Gavin to call him Old Master. How had this guy cultivated to such a level?
No matter how annoyed he was, Gavin could only say, "Daoist Di, achieving the Third Step is no simple task. We..."
Before Gavin could finish, Joe Di suddenly clapped his hands and pointed at him, "Well, Old Gavin, you actually tried to scheme against your Old Master!"
Gavin Strider seethed inwardly, barely restraining his fury. "Daoist Di, how did I scheme against you?"
Joe Di replied coldly, "Old Gavin, you reincarnated using the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed—Dominic Du probably knows your location at all times. Now you’re keeping me here; if that’s not scheming against your Old Master, what is?"
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)