Sterling Night, who had been about to unleash a forbidden technique, watched in shock as Joe Di's time-space Dao-rhythm arrow pinned Jack Quill in the void. A chill ran down his spine.
Sterling Night did not continue his attack, nor did he flee. He knew that even if he tried, he could do nothing to Joe Di—Joe Di's power had surpassed all his expectations. He suspected that even the most supreme cultivators within Genesis Cradle might not be a match for Joe Di.
Though Sterling Night would not claim to be the strongest, he had never feared any expert in Genesis Cradle. Yet, standing before Joe Di, he felt a sense of helplessness.
Trying to escape now would only cause Joe Di's Arrow of Ages to lock onto him, making him the next to be nailed dead in the void.
Sterling Night was certain that if he had chosen to flee at the very beginning, he would have been the one pinned where Jack Quill now lay.
Joe Di had already prepared his Azure Veil Blade to lock onto Sterling Night, but to his surprise, Sterling Night did not attack. Without a moment's hesitation, Joe Di let Sterling Night go and swept the Azure Veil Blade in a curtain of blades toward the Soulfall Sovereign.
The Soulfall Sovereign's third Soulfall Strike descended, but his heart was ice-cold—he knew he was finished.
Joe Di's strength far exceeded his imagination. Today, four people had joined forces against Joe Di. Together, they would be peerless in Genesis Cradle. Yet Joe Di had driven away the nameless one and pinned Jack Quill dead. If he had come alone, he probably wouldn't even have had a chance to act.
A suffocating aura of death swept over him. The Soulfall Sovereign cried out urgently, "Daoist Joe, spare me! I am willing to do anything for you..."
Before he could finish his plea, the Soulfall Sovereign froze, horrified to find that Joe Di's attention was not on him. In the next moment, he was stunned by the intricate Dao-rhythm hand seals Joe Di conjured.
Not only was the Soulfall Sovereign stunned, but the others were as well. They watched in disbelief as Joe Di opened Jack Quill's realm and swept away everything within it.
Sterling Night, Damon Tai, and Quinn Young all gasped. To open Jack Quill's realm? Who else in Genesis Cradle could do such a thing? Yet they saw Joe Di do it and take everything from within.
How profound must one's understanding of the rules of heaven and earth be for this? No, how deep must one's grasp of the cosmic Dao itself be?
The Soulfall Sovereign quickly realized this was his chance to escape. He instantly withdrew his Soulfall Lock and, nearly desperate, struck out at the incoming Azure Veil Blade.
Boom! The Azure Veil Blade was blasted aside by the Soulfall Lock. The Soulfall Sovereign hurriedly retreated to the side, letting out a sigh of relief, but did not dare to flee.
With Joe Di's terrifying Arrow of Ages, fleeing was nothing short of courting death.
"Do you think you can escape today?" The Soulfall Sovereign was about to beg for mercy again when Joe Di appeared before him.
"Daoist Joe, your power far surpasses ours. I am willing to swear upon the Dao itself to serve you faithfully. If I ever defy your wishes, may my Dao collapse, my foundation shatter, my mind be consumed by demons, and my soul be destroyed..." the Soulfall Sovereign bowed humbly.
At this moment, he left his back exposed to Joe Di, without the slightest thought of defense. Joe Di could easily obliterate him with a single blow.
Against a powerhouse like Joe Di, any defense was pointless. If Joe Di still wanted him dead after such an oath, then it was simply fate.
Joe Di's gaze fell upon the Soulfall Lock in the Soulfall Sovereign's hands. Before Joe Di could speak, the Soulfall Sovereign gripped the Soulfall Lock and offered it to him, saying, "Brother Joe, if you like this artifact, I am willing to gift it to you."
As he spoke, the Soulfall Sovereign's heart bled. All his powers and cultivated Dao were tied to the Soulfall Lock; to lose it was to lose half his life.
Joe Di smiled lightly. "No need. Since I won't kill you, I won't take your belongings. Since you are willing to swear loyalty, come with me when I leave here. By the way, do you know how to exit Genesis Cradle?"
The Soulfall Sovereign's Triple Soulfall Strike was no ordinary technique. Joe Di intended to bring him to Genesis City. There would surely be more than just Zane Edge there, and Joe Di wanted to prepare for facing Supreme Sovereigns.
With a powerhouse like the Soulfall Sovereign assisting him, should he ever face a Supreme Sovereign, even a bit of distraction from Soulfall Sovereign might give Joe Di a chance.
"I know how to leave Genesis Cradle," Sterling Night, who had not fled, suddenly cupped his fists and spoke.
Seeing Joe Di's gaze sweep over, Sterling Night hurriedly cupped his fists again. "Daoist Joe, I, Sterling Night, was reckless to attack you. I am willing to make amends. If you must take my life, I will not resist."
He knew he was no match for Joe Di, but he truly did not wish to swear an oath. Even though the oath would mean nothing so long as he did not go against Joe Di, Sterling Night had never been forced to swear by anyone in all his years of cultivation.
Joe Di let out a chuckle. "In that case, you can die."
Force Sterling Night to swear? Joe Di only laughed. He had no interest in coercing others into oaths. Though he thought better of Sterling Night than the Soulfall Sovereign, that did not mean he would tolerate someone trying to kill him and let them go out of magnanimity.
Even the Soulfall Sovereign had sworn of his own accord—otherwise, only his corpse would remain now.
The Azure Veil Blade gathered its momentum, and a violent killing intent instantly filled the space. Sterling Night's expression changed; he had thought Joe Di would spare him, but Joe Di did not utter a single word before attacking.
In desperation, Sterling Night summoned his Void Shears and declared, "Brother Joe, I too swear upon my Dao to serve you faithfully. If I ever defy your wishes, may my Dao collapse, my foundation shatter, my mind be consumed by demons, and my soul be destroyed..."
In his haste, Sterling Night simply copied the Soulfall Sovereign's oath.
Compared to his own life, what did a mere oath matter? There's a first time for everything.
Joe Di's Azure Veil Blade halted a few inches from Sterling Night's brow, and the endless killing intent gradually dissipated.
Sterling Night was indeed formidable, especially with his Void Shears—they would be a great asset to Joe Di in the future. Since Sterling Night had sworn loyalty, Joe Di decided not to kill him. Besides, Sterling Night knew how to leave Genesis Cradle.
Damon Tai, who had been in a state of shock, finally snapped out of it. While he was secretly grateful, he was also awed by Joe Di's strength.
Seeing Joe Di make a move, Damon Tai hurriedly cupped his fists and said, "I have offended you before, Daoist Joe. Please forgive me."
Joe Di smiled and waved his hand. "It's nothing. But as for this Lawless Cradle, it was indeed sold to me by my friend, the Karmic Sage."
After speaking, Joe Di produced the crystal ball he had used to purchase the Lawless Cradle from the Karmic Sage.
Damon Tai couldn't help but sigh inwardly—this was truly flawless conduct.
After saluting Joe Di, Quinn Young glanced at Damon Tai, cold sweat trailing down his back. If he hadn't listened to Damon Tai, he might have ended up like Jack Quill. He didn't possess the unique skills of the Soulfall Sovereign or Sterling Night to earn Joe Di's favor—his arraycraft meant nothing in Joe Di's eyes. It was laughable that he once thought Damon Tai had lost his fighting spirit.
"Daoist Joe, if you ever need my help, I, Damon Tai, will never refuse." Damon Tai had also realized why Joe Di had spared the Soulfall Sovereign and Sterling Night.
Joe Di nodded. "I want to know, who is the strongest in Genesis Cradle?"
Joe Di asked about the strongest cultivator, wanting to learn whether anyone had reached the Fourth Step, and if so, who it was.
Sterling Night stepped forward and said, "Brother Joe, that's exactly what I wanted to say. There are many experts in Genesis Cradle, but one person is universally acknowledged as the strongest. Moreover, anyone who wishes to leave must get this person's permission."
"Who?" Joe Di asked immediately.
(That's all for today's update, friends. Good night!)