What puzzled Joe Di was that he had actually miscalculated.
Joe Di had arranged one Deathtrap Array after another in his residence. Although he was confident he could teach Cynthia Xing a lesson, he decided that once she arrived, she would not be able to leave.
Cynthia Xing gave him a very strange feeling. Even Jude Wan had ways to escape, and the sense she gave him was far stronger than Jude Wan's. He didn't believe Cynthia Xing lacked a means of escape.
So he set up the Deathtrap Arrays to ensure Cynthia Xing would have no way out once she came.
Unfortunately, Cynthia Xing never came, which made Joe Di's calculations go awry.
Due to his concerns about Cynthia Xing, Quinn Fang was somewhat anxious in the first few days. But after more than a month passed without seeing her, Quinn Fang gradually relaxed and began to focus on his cultivation. He knew very well that he could not follow Joe Di forever. The reason Cynthia Xing hadn't come was probably not because she feared Joe Di. Although his cultivation was stronger than hers, it was likely not by much. What Cynthia Xing truly feared was the people behind Joe Di, and also the fact that this was the Xian Family's territory.
As for whether Joe Di really had powerful backers, Quinn Fang had no doubt at all. If Joe Di didn't have strong support, would the Xian Family's steward have come out to greet him?
After Cynthia Xing didn't show up in the first few days, Joe Di realized she would not come at all, and at the same time, he gained a new understanding of her. This woman was definitely a cunning and crafty character, perhaps even aware that he had set up a web of traps here waiting for her.
As for why she didn't come, it was certainly not because she feared Joe Di, but rather because she was wary of the Xian Family. Or perhaps she didn't want to lose the chance to obtain Extreme Glaze Silver.
In fact, Joe Di had indeed arranged a powerful Trigger Divine Array, and only behind it did he set up the Deathtrap Array.
If Cynthia Xing comes, the whole world will know someone tried to sneak into Joe Di's courtyard. In that case, Joe Di could also take the opportunity to observe the Xian Family's strength.
If Cynthia Xing doesn't show up, Joe Di isn't bothered. She's only at the early Hunyuan stage—no matter how strong she is, what harm could a sneak attack do to him?
Another month passed. On this day, the restriction outside Joe Di's gate was suddenly triggered. Joe Di opened the restriction and saw Bing Cang standing at the door with a broad smile.
"Fellow Daoist Bing Cang, is the secret domain about to open?" Joe Di clasped his fists and asked with a smile.
Bing Cang quickly replied, "No, today is the day our Xian Family's young lady is getting engaged. We've invited friends from all sides to witness the ceremony. Of course, after the ceremony, the secret domain will soon open."
A cultivator like Joe Di, who hasn't even stepped into the second stage, normally wouldn't be qualified to receive such enthusiastic hospitality from Bing Cang. Most guests are greeted by Dao Nurturing or Dao Shaping cultivators.
The reason Bing Cang treats Joe Di so warmly is his own choice. Bing Cang had witnessed Joe Di's beast companion and flying shuttle. Not only that, when Bing Cang and another Dao Origin cultivator encountered Joe Di, he didn't run away. Instead, he openly activated his protective array and approached to speak.
Just from these things alone, it's clear Joe Di is anything but ordinary. Not only is Joe Di himself unusual, but the power behind him is likely extraordinary as well.
This time, the Xian Family's young lady's engagement ceremony only invited cultivators at the second stage, basically all Dao Origin and above. Joe Di shouldn't have been eligible to attend. Bing Cang instinctively felt Joe Di was special, so he took it upon himself to invite Joe Di, mainly to form a connection.
He reported Joe Di's situation, but the Xian Family elders thought Joe Di was just a mere Dao Transformation cultivator. No matter what power was behind him, it wasn't worth the Xian Family going out of their way. As for Joe Di possessing a top-grade artifact flying shuttle, the Xian Family didn't care much.
The Xian Family is wealthy enough to own a star, so even top-grade flying treasures aren't much of a concern to them.
"Alright then, please lead the way, Fellow Daoist Bing Cang." Naturally, Joe Di had no reason to refuse. His only purpose here was Extreme Glaze Silver, and he wanted the highest grade possible.
The day after the Xian Family's young lady's engagement is when the secret domain opens. How could he not go?
...
Joe Di and Quinn Fang followed Bing Cang to the Xian Family's guest hall, where only a few people had arrived. The whole hall was octagonal, with eight directions.
Except for the top row, each direction had two rows of seats. If each row could seat twenty people, the hall could easily accommodate more than three hundred guests.
The first row was clearly reserved for the most important guests, with a tea table beside each seat, topped with spiritual herbs and fruits. The second row was much less prestigious, offering only a seat.
Bing Cang apologized to Joe Di, "I'm only a steward, so I can only arrange for you to sit in the second row. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Joe Di."
Joe Di smiled, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Bing Cang. It's already great to be here for the ceremony. Why worry about sitting in the first or second row?"
"Fellow Daoist Joe Di, I need to greet other guests, so I won't keep you company here." Bing Cang felt reassured; he hadn't misjudged Joe Di. His invitation was partly a test—if Joe Di fussed over seating, he wouldn't be worth befriending.
Joe Di replied casually, "Go ahead, Bing Cang. I'm fine here."
Before leaving, Bing Cang lowered his voice and sent a message to Joe Di, "Fellow Daoist Joe Di, the woman who had some conflict with you before is a Hunyuan cultivator. She probably snatched her invitation, most likely to enter the secret domain. It's best not to clash with her. If there's nothing urgent, you can stay in Xianhai a while longer."
After saying this, Bing Cang left before Joe Di could respond.
Joe Di felt quite favorable toward Bing Cang; the Xian Family's way of handling things was unique. They knew Cynthia Xing had stolen another guest's invitation, yet still treated her as a guest. Clearly, though, the Xian Family didn't take Cynthia Xing seriously. To them, she was just an early Hunyuan, someone they could crush at any time.
This showed the Xian Family still had some moral boundaries. If they didn't, they'd have killed Cynthia Xing outright. Cynthia Xing probably knew this too, which is why she hadn't attacked Joe Di—she didn't want to give the Xian Family any excuse.
"Big Brother, when the secret domain opens, can I go in with you?" Quinn Fang sat beside Joe Di and asked in a low voice.
"Of course we'll go in together," Joe Di replied. He was certain—if Quinn Fang dared not enter with him, Cynthia Xing would surely kill Quinn Fang before entering the secret domain herself. Even though he hadn't fought this woman yet, Joe Di knew she wasn't reckless.
While Joe Di and Quinn Fang talked, more guests filed into the hall. Joe Di didn't need to scan with his spiritual sense to know Bing Cang genuinely wanted to befriend him. Among the incoming cultivators, aside from a few Dao Transformation ones, most were Dao Origin and Hunyuan stage. There were even a few at the Dao Integration stage.
"That woman is here," Quinn Fang whispered again.
Joe Di didn't need Quinn Fang to point it out; he saw Cynthia Xing enter. She acted as if she hadn't noticed Joe Di and Quinn Fang at all, and with a maid's guidance, she went straight to a seat in the front row.
Joe Di clearly sensed Cynthia Xing's spiritual awareness; just now, she had scanned him and Quinn Fang.
After a short while, the hall gradually filled up, and seats around Joe Di were also occupied. The second row was mostly Dao Origin cultivators, while the first row was all Hunyuan stage.
Some Dao Integration cultivators sat at the top left and right sides.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with long black hair and a robust build walked to the front. He bowed with the Immortal Chief's salute to all the cultivators in the hall, then spoke loudly, "Most friends here know me, but there are some first-time guests. Let me introduce myself—my name is Xian Wuxun, and I am the current head of the Xian Family. First, on behalf of my family, I welcome all Daoist friends from far and wide. Since so many have come, if the Xian Family has neglected anyone, I, Xian Wuxun, apologize in advance."
After speaking, Xian Wuxun bowed deeply.
Joe Di knew for certain that Xian Wuxun was not the one who had suppressed Cynthia Xing with spiritual awareness before, nor was his cultivation as high as that person's. At best, Xian Wuxun was at mid-stage Dao Integration; the one who suppressed Cynthia Xing was likely late-stage Dao Integration, maybe even perfected.
The Xian Family truly has some hidden depth.