"Everyone, please return and focus on your cultivation. I will reestablish the protective array of Celestial Beyond. Just as before, Celestial Beyond will abide by the laws of cultivators—there will never again be disgusting incidents like those in Thunder Sound Valley." Joe Di clasped his fists and announced loudly to the gathering cultivators.
This was something Joe Di could guarantee. Although his array mastery was still at the level of Ninth-Grade Divine Array Sovereign, his techniques had evolved far beyond what they once were.
Unless one could comprehend his Grand Dao rules, even a Ninth-Grade Divine Array Sovereign from the Five Elements Universe would find it nearly impossible to break through his defensive or killing arrays.
If only he could have set up such a top-tier killing array before leaving, then even with Yu Xiangbing's weaker cultivation, no one would have been able to touch her.
"Thank you, Grandmaster Di. We will strictly follow your command." The many cultivators of Celestial Beyond had escaped death and now held Joe Di in the highest esteem.
Compared to the lively days of old, Celestial Beyond was quiet now, but order had been fully restored.
An elderly cultivator nodded in admiration. "It seems Celestial Beyond will soon regain its former glory."
Some of the newer cultivators nearby hurriedly asked, "Senior, what was Celestial Beyond's glory in the past?"
"Heh, you don't know, do you?" Another old cultivator chuckled. "Back then, Celestial Beyond had Lord Ye and Damian Ning. In those days, the realm flourished. Speaking of the Gate Domain, several of their top experts once came here—do you know what happened? Just like today, they were utterly defeated by Lords Ye and Ning, running for their lives, dead or wounded, tails between their legs. For all these years, why haven't strong cultivators from the Gate Domain, Triad Realm, Sky Realms, or Seven Saha come here? Because they're afraid!"
The first elderly cultivator waved his hand. "Exactly. That's the point. Now, Grandmaster Di is just like those two Lords—unyielding and vigilant. From now on, who would dare act arrogantly in Celestial Beyond? We can cultivate in peace."
......
"Brother Di, have you stepped into the Third Step?" Once everyone had left, Shelby Young finally had a chance to ask Joe Di. She was deeply impressed by his rapid cultivation progress.
There are always some people in the universe—just like Ning City before, and now Joe Di. You can't judge them by ordinary cultivator standards, because they were born to stand at the very peak of the universe.
Joe Di sighed, "I haven't stepped into the Third Step yet. For me, reaching the Third Step may be very difficult, and I need to consult some friends. By the way, I had a friend named Ethan North—has he been here?"
Shelby Young nodded. "Ethan North was here. He waited for you for a while, but when you didn't show up, something urgent seemed to come up, and he left Celestial Beyond in a hurry."
Joe Di nodded, just about to speak when a look of joy appeared on his face. Suddenly, a void passage manifested before him.
Nora Xiu stepped out from the void passage. At this moment, she was already a Dao Forging cultivator, her Dao resonance solid and her cultivation far stronger than before.
Shelby Young was momentarily stunned to see Nora Xiu emerge from the Ninth World.
Joe Di quickly said, "Xiuqi, this is my friend Shelby Young. Shelby, this is my wife, Nora Xiu."
Shelby Young hurried forward and greeted her, "Shelby Young greets Sister Xiuqi."
Her cultivation was much higher than Nora Xiu's, but since Nora Xiu was Joe Di's wife, it was only proper for her to address her as 'Sister.'
Nora Xiu quickly returned the greeting, and after exchanging a few words with Shelby Young, she happily said to Joe Di, "After stepping into Dao Nurturing, my strength has increased greatly, and I've even fused with my own treasure."
Joe Di knew that Nora Xiu was referring to the Way-Nurturing Pearl. Anyone who obtained such a treasure would be extraordinary. Not only had Nora Xiu acquired the Way-Nurturing Pearl, but after surviving a deadly ordeal, she gained insight into the existence of the Third Step world. Her understanding of the Grand Dao naturally surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
"Xiuqi, since you've made such progress, why not continue your secluded cultivation?" Joe Di knew well how much Nora Xiu cared about her cultivation. Realizing the growing gap in their cultivation levels, she had devoted nearly all her free time to training.
Nora Xiu sighed. "There are many things in your world that I can't comprehend—it's too pure. As a cultivator, I've reached Dao Nurturing because I've faced so much hardship and adversity, and I can clearly sense the direction of my Grand Dao. If I continue secluded cultivation inside, I fear my future achievements will be much weaker."
Joe Di was suddenly struck by realization and said apologetically, "Xiuqi, I'm sorry. I didn't consider all that."
His Dao grew stronger not through secluded contemplation, but through repeated trials of life and death. For Nora Xiu, it was the same.
Nora Xiu came from Earth, so she was naturally more forthright than other women. She reached out and hugged Joe Di's arm, softly saying, "You just don't want me to get hurt. But indoor flowers will never be as resilient or vital as wild grass in the wind and rain."
"Xiuqi, you want to go out and temper yourself?" Joe Di was startled. He didn't oppose Nora Xiu venturing out to train, but her cultivation was still too weak.
Besides, anything could happen in the void. Not just Nora Xiu—even he couldn't guarantee absolute safety at all times.
Nora Xiu smiled gently. "I don’t intend to go out and temper myself. I just want to cultivate by your side..."
"Sister Xiuqi, why don’t you just cultivate here in Celestial Beyond? With Brother Di here, no one would dare cause trouble," Shelby Young said hurriedly.
Joe Di nodded. "Yes, Xiuqi, cultivating here is indeed a good choice. I will set up a grand array here. You and Shelby will each have a Five Element Array Banner to control. Even if I am away, you’ll both be safe here."
"Brother Di, are you leaving?" Shelby Young asked anxiously.
Before Joe Di could reply, Nora Xiu looked at him and said, "During my recent secluded cultivation, I felt uneasy the whole time. I’m worried about Lethe and Autumn Waters..."
In truth, Joe Di knew very well that even if he made Celestial Beyond as secure as iron, he still could not break through to the Third Step here. If he wanted to advance, he had to leave. Hearing Nora Xiu’s words, he understood immediately and said, "Don’t worry, Xiuqi. I also plan to go look for them again. Hopefully this time I’ll find them."
Though Nora Xiu was reluctant for Joe Di to leave, she understood that unless Lethe and Autumn Waters were found, she could not find peace. Even her cultivation could not be calm.
......
Once again, Joe Di easily defeated more than a dozen experts from Thunder Sound Valley of the Gate Domain, his reputation in Celestial Beyond unmatched. Compared to the days when several powerful families stood side by side, now Joe Di’s name alone suppressed all others.
The first thing Joe Di did was to arrange a protective array in Celestial Beyond. This place was far too important. Even if he would not always reside here, he could not allow the Feng Family or Nora to occupy it. He had to keep it under his control.
This time, the killing and protective arrays he set up would allow Nora Xiu and Shelby Young to defend themselves, even if Thunder Sound Valley’s cultivators returned. Moreover, he left behind four Five Element Array Banners.
After spending some time together with Nora Xiu, Joe Di knew he had to depart. Besides searching for Lethe and Autumn Waters, he had other crucial matters to attend to.
Baker Wynn was still recovering in the Divine Spirit Realm, but the news he brought kept Joe Di constantly vigilant. He had to reach the Third Step as soon as possible. Without it, any attempt to vie for treasures in the Creation World would be nothing but wishful thinking.
But before leaving Celestial Beyond to search for his children and an opportunity to advance, he had to make one more trip to the Gate Domain.
Ethan Feng should have received Feng Zhi’s hexagonal gold talisman message by now, but so far, Joe Di had not heard anything from Feng Zhi. If he left and Feng Zhi came to Celestial Beyond, it would be troublesome to keep running back and forth. So, before departing, he had to resolve the Thunder Sound Valley matter.
......
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)