Henry Vaughn said, "There is only one way to enter the Genesis Universe, and that is through the Gate of Destiny. Each major universe facing the Genesis Universe has its own Gate of Destiny. The opening of this gate depends on the number of powerful beings in that universe. Once the aura of strong cultivators reaches a sufficient level, the gate from that universe to the Genesis Universe will open. When the Gate of Destiny opens, every cultivator at the Convergence Realm and above must go to the gate and compete for their universe's place."
"What do you mean?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
Henry Vaughn chuckled, "I haven’t actually been to the Gate of Destiny myself, so I’m not entirely sure what it means. But I can point you in a direction so you can figure it out for yourself."
Of course, he didn’t want Joe Di to enter Vast Chaos to cultivate, so how could he reveal everything to him? He wasn’t explaining for Joe Di’s benefit, but rather to lure him to Genesis City.
"I ask that Lord Vaughn speak plainly," Joe Di cupped his fists and said politely. He knew Henry Vaughn was not so kind as to reveal so much, but whatever Vaughn meant, Joe Di needed to inquire about these things he had never encountered before.
Henry Vaughn nodded and said, "Before the countless major universes of Vast Chaos were formed, the Genesis Universe was created first. Then, for each new major universe, the Genesis Universe produced another Gate of Destiny. At that time, the cosmic laws of each universe hadn’t fully taken shape, because the rules of life were first born in Vast Chaos. Countless Grand Way experts emerged as the universes were established."
Back then, the cosmic laws of each major universe hadn’t yet formed, but all those Grand Way experts knew that the Genesis Universe was where they truly belonged—and they had to go there. Later, the Dao sound from Vast Chaos made it clear that the Genesis Universe was the central hub controlling all the major universes. Whoever wanted to control their own existence and destiny had to obtain a cosmic position within the Genesis Universe..."
Joe Di interrupted Vaughn with a chuckle, "Lord Vaughn, you must be an Opening Heaven expert, right?"
Henry Vaughn shook his head. "If you’re talking about those who rose after the universes were formed, then yes, I’m an Opening Heaven expert. But I’m not a Grand Way expert, because I wasn’t born from the life Dao resonance of Vast Chaos—I was born from the life Grand Way of the Trinity Universe. Compared to those Grand Way experts of Vast Chaos, I don’t rank among them."
Joe Di vaguely understood. Whether it was the experts he had seen in the Lost Dao Realm before, or the Opening Heaven experts separated by the Chaos Gate in the Five Elements Universe’s Vastbound Continent, they were all the same as Vaughn—born with the formation of the Five Elements Universe, accompanying its Grand Way, and thus called Opening Heaven cultivators.
Genesis Pioneers are a tier below the true Grand Way Sovereigns who were born alongside the Way of Life in Vast Chaos. Those Grand Way Sovereigns were the ones truly born with the universes, the real cosmic prodigies.
"But I’m a bit better than many Genesis Pioneers, since I didn’t appear too early or too late. I witnessed the great battles among the strongest in the universes, and I was even fortunate enough to see the first true Genesis War. Those experts seized treasures from other universes and tried to take over the Genesis Universe..." Henry Vaughn said, sounding somewhat wistful.
Joe Di chuckled, "I have to ask you something—who took the treasures from our Five Elements Universe?"
Henry Vaughn shook his head. "I don’t know about that."
Of course, that was a lie. Not only did he know, he was well aware that the Five Elements Universe had been sealed by the Chaos Gate. He had even witnessed Sean Chen, a Grand Way Sovereign from the Octa-elemental Universe, use the Oath Platform, the supreme treasure of his universe, to suppress the chaos essence of the Five Elements Universe and split its cosmic laws.
He had not only seen it happen, but had even run errands for Sean Chen at his command. If Sean Chen hadn’t been ambushed by another expert, Henry Vaughn would likely have been erased by him long ago.
The reason he didn’t dare go to Genesis City was precisely because he feared Sean Chen. But this was also the source of his boasting—his subordinates all knew a little about it, which only boosted his reputation. No one dared challenge him, a top Genesis Pioneer.
Even though he was far from being a Grand Way Sovereign born with Vast Chaos, nobody would ever know the truth about that.
"No wonder there are so few treasures in our Five Elements Universe—they were all snatched away by these people." Joe Di felt a bit disgruntled.
Henry Vaughn chuckled, "Joe Di, although this isn’t really my business, I’ll speak a fair word. The true treasures of the Five Elements Universe—none of those experts actually took any. What they seized were the supreme treasures of Vast Chaos before the Five Elements Universe was formed, the very highest Genesis Treasures."
Seeing Joe Di’s disdainful expression, Henry Vaughn had to explain further, "The supreme treasures formed during the perfection of cosmic laws in each universe are called Genesis Artifacts. These artifacts are condensed as the universe’s rules become complete, so their power is immense. The Grand Way Sovereigns of Vast Chaos entered the Gate of Destiny for war before the cosmic laws of each universe were fully formed. Once they entered the gate, they could never return. How could they seize the Genesis Artifacts of each universe?"
Joe Di asked, "So, before the cosmic laws of the countless universes born from Vast Chaos were perfected, those Grand Way Sovereigns could roam freely in all universes. But once the laws were fully formed, even they couldn’t travel as they pleased?"
Henry Vaughn said, "To be precise, once the cosmic laws of a universe were more than fifty percent complete, the universes became fully separated. Any Grand Way Sovereign who hadn’t reached the Third Step could only watch helplessly and absolutely could not tear open a universe’s dimension."
Joe Di, now you should understand what kind of treasures those Grand Way Sovereigns who joined the Genesis War wielded. Any artifact in their hands was beyond the Genesis Artifacts of the universes—each was a Creation Treasure of the highest order."
"But what does that have to do with me? Do you think I can snatch them away from those people? Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t know where to find them." Joe Di replied deliberately, feigning ignorance—he was starting to see through Henry Vaughn’s intentions.
It seemed Henry Vaughn realized he was being arrogant, so he was digging a hole for himself.
Henry Vaughn waved his hand, "Your strength is impressive, but compared to those Grand Way Sovereigns born with the infinite universes, you’re still lacking. But you’re young—surpassing them is simple enough."
"And how simple is that?" Joe Di asked.
Henry Vaughn grinned, "Just go to Genesis City. After the great battle among those Grand Way Sovereigns, none of them truly stood atop the Genesis Universe. They all gathered in Genesis City, waiting for the next frenzy of war."
"You want me to go to Genesis City?" Joe Di stared at Henry Vaughn with contempt—did he really look that naïve and foolish?
Henry Vaughn waved his hand, "You must think I’m trying to harm you. True, we have our differences, but compared to the Creation Realm, that’s nothing. Honestly, I don’t even know if I’ve stepped into the Creation Realm yet. But I’m sure that if I go to Genesis City, my power will soar to a whole new level.
There’s a rule in Genesis City—once inside, no one is allowed to kill. Your strength has my respect. I hope we can team up and enter Genesis City together. Joe Di, if you don’t win a cosmic position, no matter how strong you become, you’re still an ant. In the end, the vast universe will take your life, because you’ll never have control over your own destiny or future."
Joe Di frowned, genuinely tempted. He knew how hard it had been to reach Realm Genesis, and without better cultivation conditions, progressing further seemed nearly impossible.
Genesis City...
While Joe Di was still pondering, Henry Vaughn continued, "Genesis City is filled with Creation Resonance. Even those with poor aptitude will advance rapidly under its influence. Joe Di, your strength is on par with mine—entering Genesis City together would be perfect."
(This chapter is quite long. There’s only one update today—good night, friends!)