Everyone was stunned, then all eyes turned to Joe Di in disbelief. Most people wondered: How has this man managed to survive until today?
Sean Yu's face turned pale in an instant. He had thought Joe Di had a decent character and wasn't one for scheming, which was why he was willing to associate with him—even bringing Joe Di to the exchange meeting.
Who could have guessed Joe Di would be so bold, daring to speak like this at an exchange meeting filled with powerful cultivators? If Joe Di didn't care for his own life, so be it—but this time, Sean Yu was certain he'd be dragged down as well.
It wasn't just a slight against the cultivators making offers—even Brandon Feng was being openly disrespected. Who was Brandon Feng? He was at the half-step Dao Origin Realm; in terms of true combat ability, even several late-stage Transformation Realm cultivators were no match for him.
Burt Su, who had originally planned to teach Joe Di a lesson later, suddenly abandoned the idea. He knew Joe Di was doomed. He was also thinking: How could someone with this kind of emotional intelligence possibly survive until now?
"It's truly a miracle you've made it this far." Burt Su chuckled, then fell silent.
Brandon Feng stared coldly at Joe Di, his tone slow and chilling: "Do you even know what you're saying?"
Killing intent surged throughout the hall, so intense that even those seated at the farthest corners could feel it clearly.
Joe Di took a step back, leaving his seat. He stared right at Brandon Feng and said, "You captured my friend. Did you think I was just making empty threats?"
"Brother Quinn, I apologize, but today I must break the rule of no fighting at the exchange meeting." Brandon Feng no longer looked at Joe Di, instead cupping his fist toward Quinn Huang.
Quinn Huang let out a hearty laugh, "Brother Feng, go ahead. Trash like this can be killed at will—it doesn't count as breaking the rules. This arrogant fool, even if you didn't act, I wouldn't let him live past half a stick of incense."
"Alright." Brandon Feng replied, and with a flick of his hand, a thunderous shovel appeared in his grip.
Joe Di remained utterly calm and said, "Whether this pair of Azure Peacocks has anything to do with me, you know it yourself. I left a ring with them—inside the ring is a pile of God Origin Pills."
God Origin Pills? At the mention of those words, everyone's eyes lit up—even Quinn Huang was tempted to take action. How could this ant Joe Di possess such a treasure? If he really had God Origin Pills, letting Brandon Feng have him would be a waste.
Brandon Feng was startled, then a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. Joe Di was right—when he captured the pair of Lostlake Peacocks, there had indeed been a ring, and inside were many God Origin Pills. Not only were these pills of excellent quality, but their medicinal aura was exceptionally rich.
This ant actually had God Origin Pills on him? Brandon Feng was delighted—this could help him reach the next level. "Ant, everyone wants good things. But just as Burt Su said, before you get what you want, I want to know how you've managed to survive until now."
As soon as Brandon Feng finished speaking, the thunderous shovel in his hand transformed into streams of lightning, locking Joe Di in place. Without any pretense, Brandon Feng lunged straight into Joe Di's domain, intending to crush him and then demand to know the source of his confidence.
Boom! Violent lightning exploded, and all anyone could see was Joe Di enveloped by Brandon Feng's thunderous light, with no way out.
The people around weren't fools; from Brandon Feng's earlier expressions and movements, some had already guessed that Joe Di was telling the truth—the pair of Lostlake Peacocks really did belong to him. Still, the whole thing was too unbelievable. Now, whether the birds were Joe Di's or not no longer mattered.
Joe Di shook his head—this guy was actually a fake lightning-type cultivator. If it were another attribute, he might have bothered to block it, but against this kind of lightning technique, he didn't even care to resist. Letting the thunder strike him, Joe Di summoned his Azure Veil Blade and threw a punch at the same time.
Peaks gathered like waves in fury—Joe Di's punch transformed into mountain-like fists, colliding with Brandon Feng's thunderous shovel.
Brandon Feng didn't use his strongest technique against Joe Di, whom he considered an ant; his Thunderblossom Cataclysm was enough. This technique locked the opponent in a lightning domain, where countless thunder blossoms would tear the victim to shreds.
He never considered that Joe Di would be able to withstand his Thunderblossom Cataclysm. Not only Brandon Feng—even the other cultivators hadn't considered it.
Everyone here knew how formidable Brandon Feng was. If Quinn Huang hadn't arrived first and reached the half-step Dao Origin Realm before him, the leader here might not be Quinn Huang. Years ago, a peak Transformation Realm expert was dissatisfied when Brandon Feng seized a Stormsigil Axe, and was immediately killed by Thunderblossom Cataclysm—without any chance to resist.
Now that Joe Di was locked in the Thunderblossom Cataclysm, surviving would be nothing short of a miracle.
"Sean Yu, you've got some nerve—bringing trash like this here." Burt Su stared at Sean Yu with a sneer, his aura already locked onto him. He was waiting for Brandon Feng to kill Joe Di, so he could take the opportunity to strike at Sean Yu. That way, he'd please Brandon Feng and gain Sean Yu's territory—a prize he'd coveted for ages but never had the chance to claim.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The raging fist winds and thunder blossoms clashed, erupting into a sky filled with lightning.
God Origin energy burst forth, causing the space to tremble violently. Every cultivator present had to summon defensive artifacts to withstand the shockwaves.
But Brandon Feng felt a chill in his heart—his lightning technique struck Joe Di as if hitting cotton, with no effect at all.
That lightning technique didn't even ruffle Joe Di's clothes, let alone injure him.
This man was definitely not just a Dao Nurturing cultivator. In fact, it wasn't about courage—his opponent's strength was at least equal, if not greater... No, not just possibly greater—definitely greater.
Just as Brandon Feng realized this, a deathly chill swept over him—a terrifying blade intent locked down his entire space, even his soul was seized by killing intent.
"Stop—!" Brandon Feng screamed. If Joe Di stopped now, he'd flee as far as he could. This was no Dao Nurturing cultivator—Brandon Feng suspected Joe Di was a Prime Realm cultivator in disguise.
But stopping was out of the question. Joe Di's blade intent had locked onto Brandon Feng, and the Azure Veil Blade swept down in a single slash.
Brandon Feng frantically burned his essence blood, trying to escape the killing intent. Yet all his efforts were futile—perhaps he managed a small effect, as Joe Di's Azure Veil Blade finally didn't strike his brow.
Pfft! The Azure Veil Blade swept up a mist of blood, cleaving through Brandon Feng's shoulder and taking away nearly half his body.
"Brother Quinn, save me—!" Brandon Feng cried out in terror, screaming for help.
"Friend, stop!" Quinn Huang was shocked, suddenly standing up and shouting loudly.
Pfft! The Azure Veil Blade swept down again, its killing force locking onto Brandon Feng—this time, he had no chance to struggle.
Joe Di's voice rang out: "Now do you understand how I've survived until today? Because trash like you all end up as scraps beneath my blade."
Pfft! Blood exploded—Brandon Feng was instantly reduced to a mist by Joe Di's Azure Veil Blade.
Joe Di put away his ring, then slapped his hand—Brandon Feng's cage was smashed to pieces, and the restrictions on the pair of Lostlake Peacocks were dispelled.
The two Lostlake Peacocks chirped clearly and landed beside Joe Di. He looked at them and said, "If you're not in a hurry, wait until I've finished my business here and we'll leave together."
It was as if the pair understood Joe Di's words—they both nodded and flew up to perch on the stone roof.
At this moment, everyone believed—the pair of Lostlake Peacocks really belonged to Joe Di.
"Daoist Di, impressive skills indeed." Quinn Huang felt his throat go dry and spoke with difficulty.
Not only Quinn Huang, but all the other cultivators were stunned. What kind of strength was this? In just two slashes, Joe Di had killed the half-step Prime Realm Brandon Feng. From the fight, Brandon Feng attacked first, but never got a chance to retaliate.
But Joe Di didn't put away his Azure Veil Blade. Instead, he walked toward Quinn Huang. "Yes, I have impressive skills. Unfortunately, your luck isn't so good."
(On my public WeChat, many friends have shared remedies or advice for treating coughs. I sincerely thank you all—though I can't reply to each message, I truly feel your concern. Thank you again, palms together!)