The Treasure Hall was located right beside the Genesis City Lord's Manor, even connected to it, sharing the same protective array.
Before Joe Di even reached the entrance of the Treasure Hall, he could sense that its protective array was far beyond his ability to break—at least not in the short term. The array's level was terrifying; it was likely another naturally-formed, universe-grade grand array.
Most people build the palace first, then set up the array. But here, Joe Di could tell without asking—the array came first, and the palace was built afterward.
Although the array's spiritual source was Primordial Chaos Essence, even if he were to break the protective array of this part of the universe, it would still take time for the chaos essence here to dissipate.
Just as Joe Di was thinking this, a powerful aura swept over, nearly forcing him to summon his artifact. Joe Di instinctively stepped back several paces, suppressing the urge to bring out his weapon.
"Your name is Joe Di? Not bad." A hoarse voice sounded before him.
Standing before Joe Di was a tall, bamboo-like man. Dressed in white clothes and white boots, his hair was also snow-white. If not for the trace of blood in his skin, Joe Di would have suspected this fellow had just crawled out of hell.
That oppressive feeling just now was brought by this man—Joe Di was certain he did it on purpose.
"That's right, I'm Joe Di. What advice do you have?" Joe Di replied calmly, neither arrogant nor servile.
"You've got some skill. No wonder Quinn Yan couldn't catch you. But Quinn Yan will be coming here soon—good luck." The bamboo-like man smiled faintly. After speaking, his figure faded away, disappearing as if he'd never been there.
"What a powerful guy," Ray Lawson exclaimed in awe, clearly sensing he was a level below this man.
Benjamin Edge said in a low voice, "This man is Gavin Wu, Byron True's top subordinate and the second strongest cultivator in Genesis City."
Joe Di didn't speak. He knew very well that this guy had come here just to see him. As for the reason, Joe Di suspected it was because he'd held back during the earlier encounter, and this man had noticed.
No matter how domineering Genesis City was, Joe Di had to admit its generosity. Anyone who entered Genesis City could freely tour the Treasure Hall for one day.
As soon as the five of them entered the Treasure Hall, the first artifact they saw was a bell. Its body was ancient, with four ears around it. Even though Joe Di was still several feet away, the roaring sound of the bell echoed in his sea of consciousness.
A Dao law intent that tried to suppress his spiritual will swirled around. Joe Di attempted to use his own Dao rules to grasp it, but before his Dao intent could even touch the law, he nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
What a powerful artifact.
"Such a formidable artifact—what is it?" Cameron Yan asked for Joe Di, as it was his first time here as well.
There was no need for Benjamin Edge to answer. Joe Di and the others saw several words appear above the artifact: Oath Platform.
"This is the Oath Platform?" Cameron Yan exclaimed in shock.
Joe Di was thinking the same thing—was this really the Oath Platform? By its name, he had expected an altar or a table, not an ancient giant bell.
Benjamin Edge chuckled, "The Oath Platform is still locked by countless seals. Otherwise, just setting foot here would crush us under its powerful Dao intent and rules."
Joe Di remained silent. Taking the Oath Platform away would not be easy.
The five of them observed the Oath Platform for half an hour before Benjamin Edge finally said, "Let's go over there and have a look. There's a peerless divine sword on display."
Joe Di waved his hand, "The four of you go explore elsewhere. I want to take another look at the Oath Platform."
"Alright." Benjamin Edge patted Joe Di on the shoulder and, together with Cameron Yan and the others, went to view the rest of the treasures.
Once the others left, Joe Di began to inscribe Law Array Banners. He wasn't planning to come a second time—this first visit was just to see the treasures here. If he came too often, even a fool would know he had ulterior motives.
After stepping into the Third Step, Joe Di's Dao became fully integrated, and his Law Array Banners left no trace. With his mastery of the Seventy-Two Earthshade Illusion, which also harnessed cosmic rules, Joe Di was confident that even if the City Lord of Genesis City came, he wouldn't notice anything amiss—unless he knew to look for the banners and studied the area carefully.
The day passed quickly. Benjamin Edge and the others had toured the entire Treasure Hall and returned, only to find Joe Di still watching the Oath Platform.
"Brother Joe, it's time to go. Everyone is only allowed one day in the Treasure Hall. Any longer, and we might attract unnecessary trouble," Benjamin Edge whispered.
"Alright, let's go." Joe Di didn't hesitate. With his powerful divine sense, he'd spent the day inscribing Law Array Banners. When combined into a chained explosive divine array, he'd have a real chance of breaking the Treasure Hall's protective array.
"Brother Joe, there's a woman locked up over there. She should be from a universe outside the Chaos Gate, just like you," Woody Kee whispered in Joe Di's ear.
From a universe outside the Chaos Gate? Joe Di was astonished. Without a Rift Dao Token, no one should be able to enter this place. Who could have gotten in and ended up imprisoned?
"I'll go have a look." Without waiting for Benjamin Edge and the others to respond, Joe Di stepped inside.
As soon as Joe Di entered, the most striking sight wasn't the other artifacts bound by various seals, but a woman locked in place by restrictions. Her hair hung down, obscuring her face.
Joe Di didn't even need to scan her face with his divine sense—he knew who she was. Beneath her, several strands of Genesis Lotus Essence swirled, slowly merging with her own Dao resonance within the restriction.
It was clearly the Lotus Sage whom he had once saved. Now imprisoned here, the Genesis Lotus Essence was circling beneath her for a clear purpose: to force her fusion with the essence, transforming her into a living Genesis Lotus artifact.
The Lotus Sage cultivated a creation technique tied to the Genesis Lotus. With the Genesis Lotus Essence and the absorption of Chaos Essence here, there was a ninety percent chance she would revert into a Chaos Lotus. And this Chaos Lotus could continue to grow. In this continent filled with chaos energy, it was no surprise for the Chaos Lotus to develop into a Genesis Lotus.
How vicious.
Joe Di didn't know how the Lotus Sage had gotten in, but he had already decided to help her. After all, she had once given him a strand of Genesis Lotus Essence.
"Brother Joe, we really need to go. If we stay any longer, someone might come and urge us to leave," Woody Kee whispered nearby.
While inscribing Law Array Banners, Joe Di replied, "Just wait for half a stick of incense longer."
Before even half a stick of incense had burned, Joe Di saw a cultivator from the Boundary Realm approaching. But by then, Joe Di had finished inscribing the last Law Array Banner. "Let's go," he said.
Seeing Joe Di and the others leave, the Boundary Realm cultivator stopped in his tracks.
……
"Heh, Joe Di, you've really got guts." As soon as Joe Di stepped out of the Treasure Hall, a shrill voice called out. A short, stout middle-aged man appeared before Joe Di and his companions.
Not only was the man short and stout, but he also had a fat face, large ears, and enormous feet—each one nearly half a meter long.
Standing before him, Joe Di swept his divine sense over, but it was as if he encountered a boundless ocean—he couldn't sense the strength of the man's Dao resonance at all.
Joe Di sighed, "Quinn Yan, I can't believe you only showed up now. Old Grandpa Di has been waiting for you all day."