When Joe Di left the Mountainview Forbidden Zone, he realized he had departed in such haste that he'd forgotten to ask Lord Voidbreaker about the whereabouts of the Soul Lotus. However, Lord Voidbreaker was unlikely to leave the Mountainview Forbidden Zone anytime soon, so he could inquire when the lord returned.
...
The Rule Escape Technique was undoubtedly the fastest movement art in this universe. With the help of teleportation arrays along the way, Joe Di arrived at the Taiji Realm just half a month after leaving the Mountainview Forbidden Zone.
For any other cultivator, reaching the Taiji Realm in such a short time would have been impossible, but Joe Di managed to accomplish it.
At the entrance to the Taiji Realm's protective array, the Void Grand Plaza was packed with people. Cultivators constantly boarded their ships and vanished into the void. Clearly, those leaving understood the Taiji Realm was about to collapse, and staying any longer was pointless.
Most cultivators were filled with uncertainty; not everyone could adapt to wandering the void for years. For them, the Taiji Realm was home. Once it vanished, they would have nowhere to go. Ultimately, drifting through the void meant only death.
Not every cultivator wished to roam the void and become a peerless powerhouse. Most simply hoped for a quiet life of cultivation and peace.
But such hopes had become extravagant. Now, except for sects far from the black mist, many sects and regions had already been swallowed. It was clear that soon, the Taiji Realm would be lost to the black mist forever.
In the Taiji Realm, if you failed to escape before the black mist arrived, you were doomed—no one could survive.
“Brother Di...” As soon as Joe Di landed on the Taiji Void Plaza, a delighted voice called out to him.
Joe Di immediately recognized the cultivator calling out to him—it was Jason Ren, the one who had once traded the Duality Blossom from his hands. Compared to before, Jason Ren now appeared gravely wounded, his face shadowed by a layer of gray haze.
“Brother Di, now that you are here, the Taiji Realm can be saved.” As Jason Ren spoke, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Joe Di.
Hearing Jason Ren’s words, nearly everyone turned their gaze toward Joe Di. Since disaster struck the Taiji Realm, this was the first time anyone had spoken of hope for its salvation.
The black mist in the Taiji Realm was so deadly that even late-stage Unity cultivators would never return if they entered. Only a Third Step expert could hope to save the realm.
“Senior Di, please save our Taiji Realm...” Before Joe Di could respond to Jason Ren, a sorrowful voice rang out, and a woman knelt before him.
“Are you Quinn Su from Winterhold Valley?” Joe Di immediately recognized the woman before him.
Joe Di doubted that Quinn Su would kneel out of pure devotion to the Taiji Realm.
“Yes, I am indeed your junior,” Quinn Su replied, her certainty unwavering. The Grand Elder Yale of Winterhold Valley had already been killed by Joe Di.
Joe Di was Winterhold Valley’s enemy, yet Quinn Su had no choice but to kneel and plead for help. In a few days, Winterhold Valley would be devoured by the black mist.
If Winterhold Valley were destroyed under her leadership, Quinn Su would be remembered as its eternal sinner—never at peace, even in death. Destroying a sect was easy; founding one took countless years of hardship.
Jason Ren quickly explained, “Brother Di, it’s because the black mist will consume Winterhold Valley in just a few days.”
So that’s how it was. Joe Di looked at Quinn Su and said coolly, “Stand up. My decision to save the Taiji Realm has nothing to do with you or Winterhold Valley.”
“Yes, yes.” Quinn Su dared not object, hurriedly rising and repeating her agreement.
Joe Di found he had nothing in common with the leader of Winterhold Valley, so he turned to Jason Ren and asked, “Is the Duality Blossom usable?”
Jason Ren replied gratefully, “Thank you, Brother Di. Without your Duality Blossom, my son would have perished. You not only saved my child, but you also saved me. I’ve never had the chance to thank you in person.”
Joe Di understood what Jason Ren meant. If he hadn’t killed Grand Elder Yale of Winterhold Valley, Jason Ren might not have escaped Yale’s pursuit.
“Isabelle Shao of Heavenly Pill Sect greets Senior Di.” Another woman approached, bowing in respect.
Joe Di recognized the female cultivator. She was the one who had bet with him, letting him win Luna Fairchild’s Lunar Heart. Though somewhat stubborn, she was genuine.
Joe Di nodded to her, but before he could speak, the surrounding cultivators called out in unison, “Please, Senior Di, save the Taiji Realm!”
Even though Joe Di had left Winterhold Valley after obtaining the Lunar and Radiant Hearts, his legend had already spread among the cultivators who attended the gathering.
Even though Joe Di was not present in the Taiji Realm, his legend echoed everywhere. It was said that even Elder Yale, a Unity expert of Winterhold Valley, could not withstand a single move from Joe Di and was slain instantly. Others claimed that the most arrogant woman in the realm, Luna Fairchild, and her master had pursued Joe Di, only to be sent flying hundreds of miles with a single slap.
Those were rumors with some basis; as for the unfounded ones, there were even more.
With someone taking the lead, more and more people began to plead with Joe Di to save the Taiji Realm. The realm had never had a leading sect or champion—everyone minded their own business. Only after disaster struck did the homeless cultivators realize how scattered and divided they truly were.
At this moment, even if many doubted Joe Di could save the Taiji Realm, they would not miss any opportunity for salvation. If Joe Di fell, they would simply seek another savior.
Joe Di stepped into the void, cupped his fists, and declared loudly, “I have come to save the Taiji Realm. But as the saying goes, a name must be righteous for words to carry weight. The reason the Taiji Realm has fallen so low is its lack of unity. I have decided to establish a sect here, and under its banner, restore the realm’s former glory!”
If not for Lord Voidbreaker’s advice, Joe Di would not have founded a sect. Joe Di found his reasoning sound and decided to establish one here. Before he could finish speaking, voices of support rang out. At this moment, Joe Di could have claimed half the Taiji Realm, and as long as he could save it, everyone would support him.
“Senior Di, I am Darren Tan, an unaffiliated alchemist. If you establish a sect, I will be the first to join.” A young cultivator stepped forward excitedly.
Joe Di recognized him—this was the cultivator who had debated with Isabelle Shao about whether pill residue could elevate pill quality. Though a rogue cultivator, Darren Tan had achieved the rank of Prime Dao Pill Sage, an extraordinary feat.
“Very well, I accept you as my disciple.” Joe Di knew Darren Tan’s character was commendable and decided to take him in.
“Senior Di, I also wish to join your sect…”
With Darren Tan taking the lead, numerous cultivators rushed forward, eager to join Joe Di’s sect.
Joe Di waved his hand. “We’ll discuss disciples later. For now, we must save the Taiji Realm.”
Joe Di would not accept just anyone as his disciple—his cultivation method was not something to be casually shared.
“Congratulations, Sect Master Di, on founding your sect! May I ask its name?” Jason Ren was the first to offer congratulations and even presented a gift.
Joe Di did not accept Jason Ren’s gift and replied, “Let’s save that for the sect’s grand ceremony. My sect shall be called the Starblade Sect…”
Joe Di named it ‘Starblade Sect’ because his cultivation method had evolved from the Star River Art to the Starspace Art. Yet, after saying the name, he felt it didn’t quite fit and changed it again: “The sect I establish in the Taiji Realm shall be called the Starblade Sect!”
His signature weapon was the Azure Veil Blade, so Joe Di decided to rename the sect Starblade Sect.
Almost as soon as Joe Di uttered the words “Starblade Sect,” thunder rumbled in the void, and nine massive bolts of lightning crashed down toward him.
Everyone was stunned and retreated in shock. Never before had anyone seen a sect founded with a mere declaration, only for void lightning to strike.