Is this an eleventh-level Spiritual Sea, or a golden first-level one? Regardless, Joe Di knew that his divine sense had undergone a qualitative leap compared to before.
The Lightning Tribulation continued, and Joe Di wanted to absorb more spiritual energy to break through to the second layer of the Transforming True Stage.
But it was as if the Lightning Tribulation sensed Joe Di’s intentions. As soon as his Transforming True Stage cultivation stabilized, the tribulation vanished instantly.
With the Lightning Tribulation gone, and only the thunder arcs attracted by the Primordial Thunderstone remaining, Joe Di knew his cultivation would not advance further in the short term.
Joe Di calculated that it was almost time to leave Minor Central Star. He left the Primordial Thunderstone behind, using a transfer array to move it directly into his own small world. This Primordial Thunderstone was truly a supreme treasure, but his current Dao Fire could not yet melt it.
As soon as Joe Di took away the Primordial Thunderstone, the thunder arcs in the sky instantly dissipated. His divine sense immediately swept toward Garrett in the distance, and upon seeing Garrett’s cultivation, he was overjoyed.
It had taken him nearly seven years, relying on Thunder Valley and the golden Dao principle in his Spiritual Sea, to cultivate from the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage to the first layer of the Transforming True Stage, fulfilling his expectations.
But during these seven years, Garrett had cultivated from the first layer of the Seabreaker Stage to the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage. In terms of progress, Garrett’s advancement was even greater than his own.
"Brother Joe, I’ve reached the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage!" Garrett’s figure flashed and landed in front of Joe Di, his voice brimming with excitement and exhilaration.
He had spent these years in frenzied cultivation, fully aware that he had offended those he should not have. With the top-tier pills, supreme spirit veins, and endless thunder sources provided by Joe Di, his progress was astonishingly fast. What he was most grateful for was the Thunderstream Vein Joe Di had given him.
"Not bad, you’ve advanced two major stages. Your Spirit Shift technique is coming along well too. How far have you gotten in body cultivation?" Joe Di was very pleased with Garrett’s progress.
Garrett had just flashed in front of him, clearly having mastered the Spirit Shift technique to a certain level.
Garrett scratched his head, "I’ve cultivated to the Soul Realm of the Tri-King Realm. I feel this body refinement technique is tailor-made for me. If I hadn’t focused so much on advancing my cultivation, I might have already stepped into the King Realm."
"Body refinement takes time, there’s no need to rush. Over these years, I deciphered the divine ability on that Thunder Hammer, called the Primordial Thunder Sigil. Here’s my Memory Stone with insights from cultivating it—take a look." Joe Di handed Garrett a Memory Stone containing his Primordial Thunder Sigil cultivation notes.
Garrett didn’t take it. "Brother Joe, I continued to comprehend the divine ability on that Thunder Hammer myself. Following the diagrams is what suits me best. If I changed my cultivation method, it might not feel as smooth as it does now…"
Joe Di’s heart stirred. The octagonal bronze hammer was actually a Thunder Hammer, but he didn’t know who had left it behind. He simply believed that combining graphic symbols and script was the right way to cultivate, but Garrett’s words made sense too—what suits you is best.
"Alright, then cultivate as you see fit. I’ll forge a giant axe for you now—gather all the Heavenly Purple Thunderstones here." Joe Di didn’t try to persuade Garrett further.
"Heavenly Purple Thunderstone?" Garrett looked at Joe Di in confusion.
Joe Di pointed to the purple thunderstones scattered all over the ground. "Those are Heavenly Purple Thunderstones. Soon, I’ll use them together with Earthvein Gold to refine a top-grade spirit weapon for you."
"Alright." Garrett didn’t recognize the Heavenly Purple Thunderstones, but he trusted Joe Di unconditionally.
A few days later, Joe Di forged a giant axe over twelve feet long for Garrett. The axe was entirely purple, its blade etched with intricate sigils—clearly a top-tier spirit weapon.
Garrett didn’t need to carry the Azure Veil Blade on his back like Joe Di. The giant axe was larger, and when activated, its aura was even more imposing.
"Great axe!" Garrett instantly took a liking to it as soon as he grabbed it. He handed Joe Di a ring filled with Heavenly Purple Thunderstones and eagerly went to test the axe.
Just watching Garrett swing the axe once, Joe Di knew the axe truly suited him. He had originally considered suggesting Garrett try the octagonal Thunder Hammer, but since Garrett was so attuned to the axe, there was no need to change his weapon.
"Brother Joe, help me name this axe. With it, I’d dare to challenge even the first layer of the Transforming True Stage!" Garrett was even more delighted after testing the axe.
"Don’t try fighting those at the Transforming True Stage yet—the difference between Transforming True and Tribulation King is vast. Even with a Star River Meridian, you should wait until the late Tribulation King Stage before challenging Transforming True. This axe is forged from Earthvein Gold and Heavenly Purple Thunderstone; let’s call it the Stormsigil Axe." Joe Di cautioned Garrett.
Having advanced from the Tribulation King Stage, Joe Di naturally understood the vast difference between Tribulation King and Transforming True.
"Alright, Stormsigil Axe it is." Garrett reluctantly put away his axe, but still held it in his hand.
Joe Di estimated that Minor World Star was about to close, so he and Garrett stayed in Thunder Valley to discuss cultivation techniques. He also took out some Firegod Herb for Garrett, teaching him how to enhance his Spiritual Sea.
With the strength of the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage, Garrett’s Spiritual Sea had reached the eighth level. Even with the aid of the Soul Tempering Technique, he was already a genius among cultivators.
More than a month passed quickly. When the time came for Starlight Nexus to close, Joe Di and Garrett were swept up by multicolored light and deposited onto Nexus Plaza below.
There were even more people on Nexus Plaza than when Starlight Nexus first opened, with all kinds of merchant banners set up. Everyone in the Central Realm knew that whenever Starlight Nexus closed, countless top-grade spirit herbs would appear.
"Joe Di, how did it go?" Miles Phantom and Sean Zell landed beside Joe Di at once, both asking the question simultaneously.
Joe Di’s progress on Little Central Star would directly impact their plans. If he didn’t advance enough here, he might not get a chance to participate in the True Domain Prodigy Trials.
"Huh, this kid actually reached the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage…" Sean Zell stared at Garrett as if he’d discovered a new continent.
When Garrett entered Little Central Star, Sean Zell clearly remembered he was only at the initial Void Spirit Stage. In just a short time, Garrett had reached the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage—truly extraordinary!
Miles Phantom was just as stunned as Sean Zell. He’d always thought highly of Joe Di, but now realized there was someone even more talented—Garrett, who had reached the fourth layer of the Tribulation King Stage after ten years on Little Central Star.
"You must participate in the True Domain Prodigy Trials!" Miles Phantom grabbed Garrett, exclaiming with excitement.
Garrett muttered, "Whether I go or not, I’ll listen to Brother Joe."