In just two months, Dean Carter discovered that discussing the Dao alongside Joe Di brought him deeper insights than years of solitary cultivation.
Every Dao concept, once it reached Joe Di, seemed to naturally find its perfect explanation, as if water flowing into its destined course.
Joe Di held nothing back. Whenever Dean Carter had doubts, Joe Di would answer them all. To Joe Di, there was nothing worth concealing. Dean Carter’s presence only meant he could comprehend Dao insights years ahead of schedule.
One day, as the two were discussing the Dao, waves of spatial fluctuations erupted in the void, rippling even to Joe Di’s flying vessel.
"Someone’s fighting," Dean Carter quickly stood up.
Joe Di slowed the vessel, having already noticed the battle. Since leaving the Dao Domain and entering this stretch of void, this was only the second time Joe Di had encountered other cultivators.
The first time, two women tried to rob them, only to deliver a Starspace Direction Stone. Not only that, Joe Di even made them use up a top-tier Spatial Escape Talisman.
This time, it was a man and a woman fighting. By sensing the spatial ripples from their clash, Joe Di immediately knew both were at the late stage of the Transformation Realm—perhaps even at its very peak.
The two combatants noticed Joe Di’s vessel approaching and ceased their fight.
If he hadn’t already obtained the Void Market’s spatial coordinates, Joe Di might have questioned them. But now, knowing the way, he had no reason to ask. He slowed the vessel simply to avoid taking a detour.
"Are you heading to the Void Market, friend?" Seeing that Joe Di's vessel only slowed but didn't stop, the male cultivator took the initiative to ask.
What puzzled Joe Di was that, although Lance Wen asked him, the female cultivator Jade Lin showed no intention of leaving. Moreover, when Lance Wen questioned him, he seemed completely unconcerned about Jade Lin, not even extending his domain—a detail that felt off to Joe Di.
Joe Di decided to stop the vessel. Even if they were both peak Transformation Realm, or even peak Unity Realm, he had no need to flee in panic.
"That's right, I'm heading to the Void Market," Joe Di cupped his fists, openly stating his destination.
The male cultivator asked again, "Is this your first time visiting the Void Market, fellow Daoist?"
Joe Di wondered why this stranger was probing him. He chuckled, "Yes, it is my first time at the Void Market. Do you have any advice, fellow Daoist?"
Lance Wen sighed, "I’m sure you’re from the Sacred Dao Domain, just like us. Though it’s easier to reach the Void Market now, for us lone cultivators, it still costs nearly everything we’ve accumulated. Rumor has it that breakthroughs come easily there and Pill Saints are everywhere. If you go, don’t casually show your treasures or ask others to refine pills. It’s hard for us to gather any valuables…"
"Jade Lin, what’s your problem? It’s just an Origin Fruit! Can’t you let it go?" The woman shouted angrily at Lance Wen, her aura surging again as if ready to attack.
Jade Lin was already strikingly heroic; her anger only made her presence more formidable.
Lance Wen sighed, "Jade Lin, if you want to fight, just do it. I'm truly tired of this. I’m leaving."
With that, Lance Wen turned to leave.
"Wait..." Joe Di quickly called out to Lance Wen. "Friend, I know nothing about the Void Market. If you don’t mind, would you join me for a chat?"
As Joe Di spoke, he lifted the restrictions, openly revealing his own cultivation—also at the peak of the Transformation Realm.
The woman, who had been about to attack Lance Wen, immediately became wary, blocking Lance Wen behind her and glaring at Joe Di. "What do you mean by this? He was helping you, just so you wouldn’t be deceived like others."
Joe Di understood her meaning: they were complete strangers, and his sudden invitation to board his vessel was rather odd.
Joe Di hurriedly explained, "Please, don’t misunderstand. I truly wish to learn from you both. If you’re uncomfortable, I can visit your vessel instead."
Whether Lance Wen was unafraid of Joe Di or simply exasperated by Jade Lin, he stepped straight onto Joe Di’s vessel. "Haha, thank you for the invitation! I’ll take you up on it. Hm, this spirit beast seems extraordinary..."
The moment he boarded, Lance Wen spotted Bolt.
Seeing Lance Wen board Joe Di's vessel, Jade Lin's expression changed and she quickly followed.
Joe Di didn’t activate any restrictions. He simply brought out a pot of spirit wine, pouring a cup each for the man and woman, and refilling Dean Carter’s cup as well. "My name is Joe Di. This wine is my own brew—I think it’s decent. Please, have a taste."
Joe Di could tell that the relationship between this man and woman was far from ordinary. As for their fight, it was likely due to internal conflict.
"Thank you." Lance Wen raised his cup. "My name is Lance Wen, and this is my Dao companion, Jade Lin. We left the Void Market not long ago."
After a brief introduction, Lance Wen drained his cup in one go, as if trying to wash away all his frustration at once.
Dean Carter had enjoyed Joe Di's wine more than once, so it was nothing new to him. But after Lance Wen finished his drink, he froze in astonishment.
Seeing Lance Wen stunned, Jade Lin suddenly stood up, but before she could speak, Lance Wen exclaimed, "Amazing wine! Brother Joe, is this spirit wine brewed from Dao Fruits?"
In that moment, he felt his Dao resonance flowing even more smoothly.
Joe Di replied, "Yes. Not long ago, I acquired a few Dao Fruits and decided to use them for brewing."
Upon hearing Lance Wen's words, Jade Lin sat down awkwardly. She’d thought there was something wrong with the wine. Now, realizing its value, her cheeks flushed. After all, not everyone would use Dao Fruit wine to entertain guests.
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Lance Wen gave Jade Lin a reproachful look before turning to Joe Di. "Brother Joe, thank you for sharing such excellent wine."
It was their first meeting, yet Joe Di had already served Dao Fruit wine—something Lance Wen had never encountered before.
Joe Di refilled Lance Wen’s cup and asked, "Lance, you’re truly warm-hearted, warning me about the Void Market. This wine is nothing compared to that."
Lance Wen laughed, "Brother Joe, you’re a man of true character. We both hail from the Sacred Dao Domain. Back when Sage Emperor Ye restored the Sacred Dao Domain, our Human Clan became more united than ever. I was only offering a little advice, nothing more."
Joe Di replied awkwardly, "Lance, I’m actually not from the Sacred Dao Domain, but from somewhere else."
Lance Wen looked at Joe Di in surprise. "But you’re Human Clan, aren’t you?"
Before Joe Di could answer, Lance Wen slapped his own forehead. "Look at me—do I think all Human Clan live in the Sacred Dao Domain? Brother Joe, many cultivators visiting the Sacred Dao Domain for the first time are seeking Dao Pills. Just like us—we finally obtained an Origin Fruit in the Divine Tomb Secret Realm, but when we reached the Sacred Dao Domain, we were swindled…"
Joe Di asked in surprise, "You were swindled out of your Origin Fruit?"
Lance Wen was genuine, but losing an Origin Fruit that way was hard to believe.
Lance Wen sighed, "There are a few Pill Saints in the Void Market, but true Dao Yuan Pill Saints are extremely rare—maybe nonexistent. Jade Lin befriended someone there who claimed to know a top Dao Yuan Pill Saint. She insisted on giving our only Origin Fruit to them for refining an Origin Dao Pill. I tried to stop her, but couldn’t…"
Joe Di glanced at Jade Lin, who hung her head. How had she reached the peak of the Transformation Realm? Someone claimed they could refine an Origin Dao Pill, and she handed over their only Origin Fruit?
But that thought passed quickly—he understood Jade Lin’s choice. The torment of possessing Dao Fruits but being unable to refine Dao Pills was something only a Pill Saint could ignore. It was like when he first opened the Pill & Artifact Pavilion and no one came for pill refinement, until that Dao Shaper cultivator was recommended by Ji Lu.
At the same time, Joe Di realized what had happened: Lance Wen must have criticized Jade Lin, which left her regretful and upset—leading to their fight.