This was a level of dominance that utterly annihilated him. Zane Wu, once considered a supreme Immortal Emperor in the Wymu Immortal Realm, now felt like a child just learning to walk—ridiculous compared to Joe Di.
Both were Immortal Emperors, but the difference between them was immeasurable.
"Brother Zi Mo..."
Zane Wu had only spoken three words when Joe Di pointed ahead and said, "More insects are coming. Let's continue."
As soon as Joe Di finished speaking, nearly a hundred more insects surged forward. These were clearly stronger than those Joe Di had slain before. The largest stood over three meters tall, its head crowned with spiked horns, and its gaping, foul-smelling maw lunged at Joe Di like a black hole.
To call these insects was almost an understatement—they were more like demonic beasts.
"That's a Sawtooth Bug. Its attack power is said to be extremely strong..."
Zane Wu's words abruptly stopped. There was no need to continue, for Joe Di once again swept a blinding blade curtain across the field. The incoming swarm, just like before, posed no threat—they were instantly annihilated by Joe Di.
Zane Wu had once been a notable figure in the Immortal Realm, but here, he felt like nothing more than a bystander.
The next wave of insects was scattered and weak. Joe Di didn't even need to intervene; Zane Wu dispatched them with ease.
Joe Di had already collected nearly ninety percent of the insects. Once Zane Wu finished off the last two stragglers, Joe Di gestured for him to gather the remaining ones.
If Joe Di's strength was anywhere near his own, Zane Wu would have refused. But knowing Joe Di's true power, he saw no reason to object. With strength like Joe Di's, guarding not just three meters but the entire Wormhole Gate would be no problem at all.
Joe Di had slain so many insects, yet from start to finish, Zane Wu had only seen him use his blade twice—both times with the same technique, forming a curtain of blades. Of course, Zane Wu didn't believe Joe Di only had one technique; even he had several.
In other words, to defend three meters of the Wormhole Gate, Joe Di didn't even need to use his true strength.
Joe Di and Zane Wu had cleared their defensive sector in record time. The other sectors weren't so fortunate—everywhere, the air reeked of blood and rot, cultivators were injured, and insects were slain. Any stray insects that wandered into Joe Di's sector were left for Zane Wu to handle; Joe Di didn't even bother.
After Zane Wu killed a three-legged red-backed bug, he finally sensed something was off. He glanced around in confusion, then circulated his spiritual energy for a cycle before turning to Joe Di, puzzled. "Brother Zi Mo, why does it feel like there's almost no poisonous mist in our area?"
That couldn't be right. When they first arrived, he had sensed the poisonous mist and even taken an antidote pill. Now, after killing so many insects, there were no signs of poisoning at all. It was completely abnormal. The only explanation was that Joe Di had done something.
Joe Di smiled, "I've set up a small detoxification array here. Don't worry, the poison won't reach us."
"Brother Zi Mo, I really was a frog in a well. I thought my array skills..." Zane Wu recalled how he had volunteered to set up the protective array at Lake Defiance, and now felt deeply embarrassed.
Joe Di knew what Zane Wu was trying to say. Zane Wu had thought his array skills were impressive and had volunteered to set up the defenses at the edge of Lake Defiance.
He waved his hand. "We'll be here for a while. It doesn't matter who sets up the protective array, as long as it works."
Zane Wu was open-minded about it. Seeing Joe Di's attitude, he didn't argue further and simply held his position.
This wave of insects was considerable. Over a thousand cultivators fought them for more than an hour before the remaining bugs finally retreated.
Joe Di glanced around. This wave had cost their sector five defenders.
Maya Mu was covered in blood of all colors. Instinctively, she looked at the positions guarded by Joe Di and Zane Wu, surprised to find both men calm and collected, as if they hadn't fought at all. Was it possible that the insects hadn't concentrated on the corners this time?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. She called out, "We've had bad luck—the insects were much denser this time. We've lost five comrades. Losing five in the first fight of the day is a serious blow..."
Joe Di paid little attention to Maya Mu's words. He had just harvested materials from a hundred and fifty insects. These weren't particularly valuable to him—he could trade them all for merit points. Even Zane Wu had collected nearly thirty sets of insect materials.
"Greetings, friends. My name is Kan Yiwei, from the Strive Dao Sect." A dark-faced, beardless young cultivator approached Joe Di, cupping his fists respectfully.
Joe Di returned the gesture. "I'm Simon, and this is my friend Zane Wu. It's our first time here."
Kan Yiwei replied with deep respect, "Brother Simon, your strength is the greatest I've ever seen. It's an honor to meet you. I'm from the Ji Yue Immortal Realm and have been stationed here for over three hundred years."
Although Joe Di's two strikes had been brief, many cultivators had witnessed them. As Kan Yiwei greeted Joe Di, a few others also approached, hoping to make his acquaintance. With strength like his, befriending him could only bring benefits.
Joe Di was about to ask Kan Yiwei about Nora Xiu when he suddenly saw the protective array being opened.
Joe Di was puzzled. Hadn't Maya Mu said the array wouldn't open until the next shift? It was only the first day—why was it being opened now?
Once the array opened, a very young, fair-skinned man walked in. Only after he entered did the array close again behind him.
As soon as the young man entered, Maya Mu hurried over and bowed deeply. "Maya Mu greets Chairman Ni."
The young man smiled faintly and nodded casually. "Well done. I'm just here for a few days of training—you needn't bother with me."
"Yes, sir." Maya Mu bowed again and withdrew.
Kan Yiwei was eager to befriend Joe Di. After the young man entered, he sent a voice transmission to Joe Di. "Brother Simon, that's Ryan Ni, the deputy chairman of the Qian Yuan Trading Guild in Coldmoon Sacred City. He's a big deal—comes here to train every so often."
Joe Di looked at Kan Yiwei in confusion. "Kan, his cultivation seems about the same as ours. How did he become vice chairman of such a major guild?"
Joe Di was sure the Qian Yuan Trading Guild wasn't ordinary. If it were, how could someone enter the Wormhole Gate defense so casually?
Kan Yiwei chuckled and sent another voice transmission, "You don't know, Brother Simon. It's not him—it's his father, Richard Ni, who's the chairman of the Qian Yuan Trading Guild."
"That explains it," Joe Di finally understood. The guy was just a second-generation heir.
Kan Yiwei continued, "Don't compete with him for insects, Brother Simon. He's quick to kill. Last time, a woman killed a two-horned dragon beast bug, and he wanted it—so he kicked her straight into the Wormhole Gate. Absolutely shameless..."
"What was her name?" Joe Di asked instinctively, suddenly feeling anxious.
"I only know her name had 'Qi' in it. I'm not sure of the full name..." Kan Yiwei replied casually.
Joe Di's mind buzzed—could it be Nora Xiu?
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)