Joe Di had already spotted the Wuji Apricot Banner that he had swept into his hand, and his heart leapt with joy. He had obtained the other four Five Direction Banners long ago, but this Wuji Apricot Banner had always eluded him. Now, with it finally in his grasp, his set of Five Direction Banners was complete.
Although his strength had improved and he used the Five Direction Banners less often, Joe Di knew very well that when combined, the Five Direction Banners were far more than ordinary treasures. Each individual banner might be equivalent to an innate artifact, but when all five were gathered together, they were anything but ordinary.
Jaden Dai had held onto the Five Direction Banners for so long without making any real progress. It could only mean he was too weak, or perhaps he simply used the banners in the wrong way.
Having finally killed Jaden Dai, whom he'd long wanted dead, and now united all Five Direction Banners, Joe Di was naturally in high spirits.
When Joe Di's gaze swept over, Xavier Huen instinctively shivered. Had he known Joe Di was this defiant against the heavens, it wouldn't have mattered if Voidmount truly belonged to the Huen family—he wouldn't have dared to come here and cause trouble for Joe Di.
"Senior Joe..." Xavier Huen knew that if Joe Di wanted to kill him, he wouldn't even need to finish a slap.
Joe Di snorted coldly. "Is Voidmount really yours, Xavier?"
"No, I spoke out of turn," Xavier Huen replied, feeling a chill run through him.
Joe Di said disdainfully, "Voidmount isn't yours, and even if it were, I obtained it through my own arduous efforts in the Two Realms. What does it have to do with your Huen family?"
"Yes, yes..." Xavier Huen broke out in a cold sweat.
"Get lost. If not for Xavier White's sake, I'd have slapped you to death." Joe Di spared Xavier Huen; at his current level, unless there was deep hatred, he rarely bothered to kill and eliminate future threats.
Upon hearing Joe Di wouldn't kill him, Xavier Huen quickly bowed in gratitude, then sped out of the green hall at top speed.
The others in the hall, seeing that Joe Di hadn't even killed Xavier Huen, realized that as bystanders, they were even less likely to be killed. These cultivators all stood up and bid farewell to Joe Di.
Joe Di then said, "In a few years, I will reopen the Gate of Destiny with a few friends. Those who wish to enter the Genesis Universe should begin preparing. Of course, let me be clear: this entry is for the cosmic war. If you're only seeking fortune and opportunity, and don't intend to fight for the Five Elements Universe, then don't bother preparing."
Upon hearing that Joe Di planned to reopen the Gate of Destiny, everyone was overjoyed. What is the purpose of cultivation, after all? Isn't it to pursue higher realms? Rumor had it that the laws of heaven and earth in the Genesis Universe were even more profound, filled with boundless Genesis essence, allowing cultivators to break into even greater heights.
With the Gate of Destiny opening, they naturally wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity. As for the cosmic war—well, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Any cultivator who had made it this far had walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. How could they fear a great war?
Once everyone had left, Joe Di turned his gaze to Emperor Xander. "Countless years ago, all universes originated from the Vast Chaos. That Vast Chaos was boundless, nothing but pure chaos. If you can achieve the Third Step in the Vast Chaos, it's far superior to doing so in this Chaos Realm. Because achieving the Third Step in the Vast Chaos, if you can comprehend the Grand Way, is almost akin to the creation of a universe itself."
Joe Di didn't need to spell it out. Those who could understand, would understand. After stepping into the Third Step, the first thing a cultivator does is construct their own world. If their world can be built as Joe Di described—akin to the creation of a universe—their strength would far surpass someone who merely reached the Third Step in any ordinary universe.
Emperor Xander understood, and so did Zhong Ao. After all, both had once ranked among the top ten Dao geniuses, with Emperor Xander having already reached the Third Step before.
"I thank Brother Joe for his mercy, and even more for his profound Dao insight. I truly wish to return to the Vast Chaos and achieve the Third Step once more. If Emperor Xander succeeds in the Vast Chaos, I will follow Brother Joe's lead in the coming cosmic war—there will be no refusal." As a true genius, Emperor Xander not only understood Joe Di's meaning, but also realized Joe Di hoped he would return to the Vast Chaos to breakthrough again and contribute in the cosmic war. Otherwise, why would Joe Di spare his life?
It wasn't just because Joe Di hoped for it—even if Joe Di hadn't said a word, once Emperor Xander learned of such a perfect place to achieve the Third Step, he'd do whatever it took to get there.
Zhong Ao's eyes lit up as well, and he quickly said, "Brother Joe, I want to go to such a wonderful place too!"
Joe Di smiled. "Old Zhong, I was just about to recommend you go there to achieve the Third Step. It's just that your current strength is still a bit lacking..."
Joe Di knew well that it wasn't that Zhong Ao was inferior to Jaden Dai and the others, but that Zhong Ao had been severely tricked by Zach You and imprisoned for years inside the River Mountain Vessel, so his cultivation speed lagged behind Jaden Dai's.
"Haha..." Zhong Ao laughed heartily. "Brother Joe, you know what kind of person I am. There's no need for more words."
Zhong Ao's character matched his name—he had a pride that ran deep to his bones. If he knew others could achieve the Third Step in the Vast Chaos and he couldn't, he'd be extremely frustrated.
Joe Di laughed as well, taking out a ring and handing it to Zhong Ao. "Old Zhong, that's exactly what I was waiting to hear. Your cultivation is a bit behind, so inside this ring are resources to help you break through to the Third Step."
After saying this, Joe Di produced two Direction Spheres, giving one each to Zhong Ao and Emperor Xander. "These spheres explain how to reach the Vast Chaos via the Stellar Stairway. But let me warn you—entering the Stellar Stairway is extremely dangerous. Some people spend hundreds of thousands or millions of years inside and never reach the Vast Chaos. Others make it in just a hundred years or so. It all depends on your fate."
"This time, I won't stand on ceremony." Zhong Ao accepted Joe Di's gifts, knowing that with Joe Di's strength, these cultivation resources were of little use to him, but for Zhong Ao, they might save countless years of hard work. The cosmic war Joe Di mentioned was something Zhong Ao longed to join. With weak cultivation, how could he hope to participate?
"Thank you, Brother Joe." Emperor Xander excitedly accepted the Direction Sphere from Joe Di. If he'd known there was a better place for cultivation than the Chaos Realm, he would have left long ago, instead of wasting years there.
"Brother Joe, I'd like to go and see it too," Garrett said, rubbing his hair with a bashful voice.
"Your cultivation is far too weak," Joe Di replied without hesitation.
Garrett replied earnestly, "I know, so I plan to cultivate in the Chaos Realm for a while before heading to the Vast Chaos."
"You're not coming with me?" Joe Di looked at Garrett in confusion, thinking that if Garrett followed him, he'd quickly reach the Dao Integration Realm, and then Joe Di could take him to the Vast Chaos to achieve the Third Step.
Garrett looked at Joe Di seriously. "Brother Joe, you told me long ago that only by relying on myself can I become truly strong. Following you has let my cultivation improve quickly, but what about the future? These years, Blackfire, Sprout, and I have wandered together. Though I haven't reached the Second Step yet, I believe I won't fear ordinary Dao Origin cultivators."
Garrett didn't say more, but Joe Di understood his meaning. Garrett meant that one day he would have to leave Joe Di's side; only by facing challenges alone could he truly temper himself.
"That's right, Brother, I think Garrett is right. I actually want to see the Vast Chaos too, and wonder if I can achieve the Third Step there." Blackfire chimed in, recalling how he, Garrett, and Sprout had survived countless dangers together, their strength forged through endless trials of life and death.
Sprout hesitated, but in the end didn't dare say he wanted to go too. His strength was embarrassingly low, and his talent was lacking. If he went, he'd only be a burden to the others.
Joe Di thought of Lightning, who was still in the Vast Chaos, and knew Garrett and Blackfire were right. Only strength forged through life-and-death trials was true capital. Cultivating at home only improved one's realm a little.
"Alright, we'll meet again in the Genesis Universe." Joe Di took out several rings and handed them to his friends.
As for whether they could reach the Vast Chaos, or survive it, that would all come down to fate.
Just as Joe Di was about to leave, Emperor Xander suddenly remembered something, cupped his fists and said, "Brother Joe, I've met two women with the surname Di—one named Debbie Di and the other Faye Dee. Are they related to you?"
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)