Joe Di instantly felt countless heated gazes upon him, even Winston Xian’s eyes grew fervent. He understood perfectly well why—everyone had come here for Extreme Glaze Silver. And what was the purpose of Extreme Glaze Silver? Wasn’t it for crafting protective armor?
For Joe Di to give away a half-supreme artifact skycar, it was clear he either knew a Saint Artificer or a top-tier artifact master. The most likely explanation was that Joe Di himself was a master of artifact refinement. Otherwise, who would casually gift such a precious half-supreme flying artifact?
If one knows a Saint Artificer or a top artifact master, then Extreme Glaze Silver in Joe Di’s hands becomes truly valuable.
If not for the need to respect the Xian Family’s customs, many people would have already crowded around Joe Di to get acquainted. Knowing Joe Di meant Extreme Glaze Silver could be turned into the finest armor.
There was another point Joe Di did not realize: the Xian Family’s generosity in distributing jade tokens for entering the secret domain was not just to collect gifts. The Xian Family also had a top-tier artifact master capable of refining half-supreme artifacts. In rare cases, he could even produce supreme artifacts. Top-tier artifact masters were exceedingly rare; after obtaining Extreme Glaze Silver, some would choose to stay and wait for the Xian Family’s help with artifact refinement.
The success rate for refining supreme artifacts was extremely low, and the process was slow. Thus, the Xian Family’s artifact master had yet to reach the rank of Saint Artificer.
Even if the Xian Family’s artifact master advanced to Saint Artificer, Joe Di would still be someone many sought to befriend. First, the Xian Family’s master could never help so many people craft all sorts of Extreme Glaze Silver armor. Second, the Xian Family’s artifact refinement fees were exorbitant.
Most importantly, Joe Di’s cultivation was quite low. Befriending a cultivator of modest rank raised no psychological barriers.
"Here are your jade tokens." The maid, after accepting Joe Di’s gift, respectfully handed him two jade tokens.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Brother." Moira Xian stepped before Joe Di and bowed courteously.
Yet her voice sounded like a cracked gong, hardly befitting a young woman.
Just as Joe Di was about to wave her off, a faintly fragrant jade pendant dropped into his hand. At the same time, Moira Xian’s gong-like voice sounded in his ear, "This jade pendant has accompanied me for years, Brother, please accept it."
Leon Xiao, who had intended to offer his thanks, suddenly grew sharp-eyed.
Joe Di shivered unconsciously—not because of Leon Xiao, but because of the jade pendant Moira Xian had carried for years.
Judging by Moira Xian’s demeanor, this matter was far from over. Joe Di shook his head, troubled. He couldn’t tell if this was Moira Xian’s intention or Winston Xian’s. Either way, he couldn’t just toss the gift back—doing so would be far too discouraging.
The gift-giving finally came to an end, and the Xian Family had made a tidy profit. Joe Di thought they would now discuss the secret domain, but to his surprise, the Xian Family began the Dao Exchange Gathering.
The cultivators gathered here were all wealthy, and the items exchanged were highly valuable. Once again, the Xian Family brought out jade tokens for the secret domain, trading them away. Those who hadn’t obtained a token were desperate to get one, even at great cost. As Joe Di had predicted, the price of tokens during the exchange far exceeded the cost of the gifts. One couldn’t help but marvel—the Xian Family truly knew how to do business, and yet they weren’t particularly annoying about it.
The Dao Exchange Gathering lasted nearly a full day, yet Joe Di didn’t make a single trade. None of the items interested him. Several cultivators hinted at wanting to trade for flying artifacts, but Joe Di pretended not to hear. As a Prime Dao Pill Saint and a Saint Artificer, there were very few things that could move him.
When the Dao Exchange Gathering ended, Winston Xian stepped forward and announced, "Friends, the natural forbidden array of Xianhai has now loosened. Those with jade tokens, please follow me over..."
Except for the few who hadn’t obtained jade tokens, most cultivators stood up, preparing to follow Winston Xian toward the secret domain.
With the Dao Exchange Gathering over, everyone was free to move about. Many cultivators came to exchange commspheres with Joe Di, and he accepted them all. If he had time, he’d help others refine some armor; if not, so be it.
"Brother Joe, the Grand Elder invites you for a chat." As Joe Di was surrounded by cultivators exchanging commspheres, Cason Xian approached.
Joe Di looked at Cason Xian in surprise. "Friend Xian, I was just about to head to the secret domain. How about I visit after I return?"
Joe Di genuinely liked Cason Xian. If it had been another member of the Xian Family inviting him, he would have refused without hesitation.
He knew exactly why the Xian Family wanted him, but right now he simply didn’t have time to go.
Cason Xian smiled awkwardly. "Don’t worry, my friend, it won’t delay your entry to the secret domain. It’s just a cup of tea and a brief chat. The concealed forbidden array still needs time to open, so if you go now, you’d only be waiting around anyway."
From Cason Xian’s perspective, Joe Di’s cultivation was low, so he wouldn’t be much help in breaking arrays.
"Alright." Not wanting to embarrass Cason Xian, Joe Di agreed to the invitation.
Cason Xian glanced at Quinn Fang, who was following Joe Di, and hesitated but ultimately didn’t ask Quinn Fang to stay behind. In truth, even if he had, Joe Di wouldn’t have let Quinn Fang remain.
Cynthia Xing was a terrifying woman, and Joe Di didn’t believe the Xian Family truly had her under control. If he wasn’t by Quinn Fang’s side, Cynthia Xing might kill him in the next instant. As for the Xian Family, Joe Di was certain they wouldn’t stand up for Quinn Fang.
Cason Xian led Joe Di and Quinn Fang to a refined wooden cabin in the Xian Family’s rear garden. "Friend Di, please go inside. Quinn Fang and I will wait here for you."
Joe Di smiled and said, "Quinn Fang will come in with me. It’s just a brief conversation, and we’ll be right out."
(Skip this line as it is an irrelevant web prompt for readers, not part of the novel.)
Cason Xian was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. The Grand Elder had specifically requested to see Joe Di—why would he bring along someone unrelated?
Just then, a hearty laugh sounded from inside the cabin. "Let them both come in."
Hearing the laughter, Joe Di immediately understood: this Grand Elder must be the strongest person in the Xian Family, and definitely beyond the Prime Realm.
Naturally, Joe Di didn’t hesitate and led Quinn Fang into the cabin.
Inside the cabin sat a middle-aged man who didn’t look very old. His face was pale with a short beard, his hair black and not very long.
The man’s Dao Rhyme was completely concealed, but in Joe Di’s eyes, his cultivation was clearly beyond the Prime Realm.
"Please, both of you, have a seat..." The man paused mid-sentence, as Joe Di had already sat down before he finished speaking.
Truth be told, it had been many years since the elder had seen a young cultivator who dared to sit down so casually before him.
Seeing Joe Di seated, Quinn Fang naturally sat down without hesitation.
"Not bad. You should know who I am, right? I am Barnett Xian, the Grand Elder of the Xian Family." Barnett Xian smiled at Joe Di, making no attempt to suppress the space with his cultivation.
Joe Di sighed inwardly—why did those with higher cultivation always speak with such condescension?
"Elder Xian, may I ask what you called me here for?" Joe Di didn’t bother with small talk and got straight to the point. He’d obtained two jade tokens for the secret domain in exchange for flying artifacts.
"You gifted Moira a half-supreme flying artifact, and I’ve heard you have a supreme flying artifact as well. Do you know an artifact master, or are you one yourself?" Barnett Xian saw that Joe Di was unwilling to waste time, so he asked directly.
Artifact masters do have a chance to refine supreme artifacts, but the odds are extremely low.
As he spoke, Barnett Xian’s divine sense was already probing the Dao Rhyme fluctuations around Joe Di. No matter how Joe Di concealed his cultivation, Barnett Xian was certain he could see through it.
"Wrong. I don’t know any artifact master, nor am I one myself. I am a Saint Artificer." Joe Di replied without the slightest hesitation.