Joe Di looked at the wooden fish in Sawyer Walker's hand. It was dull and gray, yet had been given such a grand name—Pathless Relic.
Sawyer Walker was clearly displeased with Joe Di's skeptical gaze. He snorted and said, "Daoist Di, if you don't believe me, let's give it a try first."
"Alright, let's give it a try." Joe Di nodded. Of course he wanted to test it—this was a matter of life and death for him.
If the Dao Master discovered him and the Deathtrap Array on the Chaotic Continent was locked, he really would have nowhere to run.
Joe Di's figure gradually faded, and not only that, the Dao rules around him also weakened until he was nearly indistinguishable from the void.
Sawyer Walker stared wide-eyed at Joe Di's vanishing body, watching as it merged with the surrounding void and cosmic rules. He was deeply shocked. He knew Joe Di's techniques favored concealment, but he had never imagined Joe Di could reach this level.
After half a stick of incense, although Sawyer Walker could still barely sense Joe Di's presence, that sense was so faint that with just a moment's inattention, he would lose track of Joe Di entirely, mistaking his location for empty void.
Sawyer Walker was filled with admiration. He was once a Boundary Fusion Realm powerhouse—the very peak of cultivators. Joe Di had only just stepped into the Third Step, yet could hide himself so well. If Joe Di ever reached Boundary Fusion Realm, Sawyer Walker was certain he would never be able to detect Joe Di's presence.
"Sawyer, go ahead," Joe Di said.
Sawyer Walker nodded, stepped closer to Joe Di, and the wooden fish in his hand began to fade as well, merging with the surrounding void. The Dao rules spread outward, seemingly dissolving Sawyer Walker himself, until he, too, vanished. The spreading rules gradually melted into the space where Joe Di was, until not a single trace of him remained. This patch of void became indistinguishable from the rest.
There truly wasn't a trace, at least on the surface.
“Impressive, isn't it? With this concealment technique, I believe we can slip through unnoticed.” Sawyer Walker's figure reappeared, the Pathless Relic materializing in his hand from nothing.
Joe Di remained silent, saying nothing.
“What is it, Fellow Daoist Joe? Do you think this still isn't enough?” Sawyer Walker looked at Joe Di, puzzled.
Joe Di nodded, “It's not that it isn't enough—it's definitely not enough.”
“Why?” Sawyer Walker frowned.
Joe Di let out a cold laugh, “Why? You know the answer yourself—why ask me?”
Sawyer Walker did know. If the Pathless Relic belonged to Joe Di, then their concealment would truly be flawless—even the Dao Lord of this continent wouldn't be able to detect them. Unfortunately, the Pathless Relic was Sawyer's. Joe Di's rule-concealing technique was advanced, and Sawyer's Pathless Relic was powerful too, but the two couldn't fully harmonize. There would always be a slight flaw. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't notice, but that doesn't mean the Dao Lord couldn't.
Sawyer Walker said, “According to my mental feedback, the Dao Lord should have already left. Those remaining at the site are merely the Dao Lord's subordinates.”
Joe Di replied coolly, “Unless absolutely necessary, I never gamble my life on mere possibilities. If I get used to this kind of risk, sooner or later I’ll stumble and fall.”
Hearing Joe Di’s words, Sawyer Walker shook his head. “Impossible. I won’t let you refine my relic. I don’t trust you.”
If Sawyer Walker handed the Pathless Relic over for Joe Di to refine, then true undetectable concealment could be achieved. Unfortunately, Sawyer Walker simply didn’t trust Joe Di.
Joe Di understood Sawyer’s meaning and didn’t waste words. He simply said, “I plan to go train in the void of this universe for a while. Perhaps after some time, I’ll be able to return.”
With that, Joe Di didn’t hesitate to leave. He knew that entering the Chaotic Continent was the best place to cultivate, but the truth was he didn’t have the ability yet. Since he lacked the means, he’d work to harmonize his rule-path with the cosmic void of this universe.
“Wait…” Seeing Joe Di about to depart, Sawyer Walker hurriedly called out to him. He couldn’t let Joe Di leave like this. If Joe Di went to train in the cosmic void, he might truly slip into the Chaotic Continent without a sound—while Sawyer could not.
His Pathless Relic was indeed a supreme treasure, and his strength was no less than Joe Di’s. Unfortunately, his concealment skills were far inferior. Joe Di combined with the Pathless Relic could be flawless, but Sawyer’s own concealment, even with the relic, left traces everywhere.
“Oh?” Joe Di stopped and looked at Sawyer Walker. “Does that mean you’re willing to let me refine the Pathless Relic?”
Joe Di was genuinely expectant. He hadn’t even touched the Pathless Relic, but Sawyer Walker’s demonstration had convinced him—it was a peerless treasure. If he could refine it, his understanding of the Dao would reach new heights, an immense boon.
Sawyer Walker sneered, “I’ve already said, that’s impossible. I’d rather not enter this continent than let you refine the Pathless Relic.”
“Then why did you call me back?” Joe Di’s expression grew impatient.
Sawyer Walker hesitated for a long while before sighing, “Actually, I have a top-tier divine ability. Unfortunately, I’m not suited to cultivate it. Though I’ve tried, it always feels awkward when I use it. I’m certain if I pass it to you, you’ll be able to conceal yourself perfectly.”
“You have such a divine ability? Let me see it.” Joe Di said in surprise.
Sawyer Walker’s expression grew solemn. “Fellow Daoist Joe, to be honest, this divine ability is no less valuable than my Pathless Relic. I hope to exchange it for something of equal worth.”
“Just tell me what it is.” Joe Di grew impatient.
Sawyer Walker produced an ancient carapace. “This divine ability is inscribed on this carapace, and it’s called Earthshade Illusion. Once mastered, it allows you to transform into anything contained within the seventy-two cosmic rules.”
“The seventy-two transformations?” Joe Di drew a sharp breath, exclaiming aloud.
Sawyer Walker must be out of his mind, right? Joe Di had cultivated for so long—his divine abilities grew ever stronger, his lifespan ever longer, and he could soar through the heavens and burrow through the earth. But he had truly never heard of the seventy-two transformations, a power from myth and legend…
Joe Di’s thoughts came to a sudden halt—myth and legend? Hadn’t he seen enough in the Five Elements Universe? The Heaven-Opening Brush, the River Diagram. Not to mention the Lu Clan he destroyed, rumored to have inherited the legacy of Lu Ya.
Each of these was the stuff of myth and legend—and he had witnessed them all.
Sawyer Walker’s eyes lit up. “That’s a good name—far better than Earthshade Illusion. You’re right, my divine ability is the seventy-two transformations. Tell me, is it precious or not?”
Joe Di finally calmed down. If such a divine ability truly existed, he would do whatever it took to trade for it.
He didn’t hesitate, simply stating, “Sawyer, if this really is the Earthshade Transformation, it’s indeed a treasure. Tell me—what do you want in exchange?”
“What can you offer?” This divine ability was precious to Joe Di, but in truth, Sawyer Walker didn’t much care for it. It didn’t suit his Dao, so it always felt awkward to use.
If not for its immense value, he would’ve discarded it long ago. Now that he was offering it to Joe Di, it certainly wouldn’t be for free.
(Fellow Daoists, if you were Joe Di, what would you offer to exchange for Sawyer Walker’s divine ability? Heh.)