"Fellow Daoist Joe, that's why our interests align. With our combined strength, if we join forces, we can establish ourselves in Genesis City. Of course, as for how to get to Genesis City, I, Henry Vaughn, believe I can manage it." Henry Vaughn was nearly parched from all his talking.
Joe Di hesitated for a long moment, then suddenly stood up and cupped his fists toward Henry Vaughn, saying, "Lord Vaughn, your words make sense. Together, we both benefit; divided, we both lose."
Henry Vaughn clapped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Joe, you truly understand the principle. I'll make some preparations on my end, and then we can set off—how does that sound?"
Joe Di looked troubled. "Fellow Vaughn, you should know that I currently lack a good artifact. You see the blade on my back? After some time, it will diminish somewhat. So I hope to obtain a handy artifact."
Henry Vaughn looked at the Azure Veil Blade on Joe Di's back with puzzlement. He hadn't witnessed the blade's full power, but the terrifying blade aura it radiated earlier was clear as day. Would such a treasure really weaken over time?
"This blade of mine was once shattered and hasn't fully recovered yet," Joe Di continued. He said the blade would diminish over time, meaning it was slowly getting shorter. The shorter and more refined the blade, the greater its power. Still, Joe Di was sure Vaughn would misunderstand when he said 'diminish.'
Either way, he wasn't lying.
"Fellow Joe, innate treasures are quite rare. As for top-grade artifacts, I..."
Before Vaughn could finish, Joe Di hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I wouldn't dare ask for a truly precious treasure. I heard there's an iron pillar in the Trinity Universe—I'd like to use it to forge an artifact..."
"You want the Trinity Universe's Trinity String?" Vaughn immediately understood.
Joe Di rubbed his hands together. "Is it the Trinity String? I heard it doesn't serve much purpose here—why not lend it to me so I can forge an artifact?"
Henry Vaughn's expression darkened. He shook his head, saying, "Fellow Daoist Joe, I'm afraid I can't agree to this. Although the Trinity String hasn't been used in ages, it dates back to the creation of the Trinity Universe, and I don't have the authority to give it to you."
Joe Di chuckled and stood up. "If that's the case, I'll find my own artifact first, then discuss other matters with Lord Vaughn."
In Joe Di's view, even Destiny Sovereign, who was just passing by, knew about the Trinity String. Perhaps it's stored somewhere.
Henry Vaughn stood up as well, speaking warmly, "Fellow Daoist Joe, even if I gave it to you, you couldn't take it. The Trinity String floats deep within the Royun Void, unreachable by anyone—let alone refining or forging with it."
Hearing Vaughn's explanation, Joe Di realized he'd made a miscalculation. If the Trinity String was just floating outside, he should have tried to take it himself instead of mentioning it to Vaughn.
"So that's how it is," Joe Di sighed. "In that case, I'll think of another way. Lord Vaughn, please find me a place to seclude myself for a while. Once you've figured out how to open the Genesis Gate, we can head to Genesis City together. How does that sound?"
As he spoke, Joe Di had already decided to go to the void and try to take the Trinity String. If he couldn't, so be it.
"Alright, it's settled then," Henry Vaughn said happily.
...