Chi Yao sneered, "Rivergate is nothing worth mentioning."
Zachary Zephyr replied coolly, "Rivergate is indeed insignificant. Yet some still hope to use the shattered universe he left behind to control the vast cosmos. Heh..."
With a faint chuckle, Zachary Zephyr pointed to the countless statues of the Sacred Lords behind him on the golden plaza. "Chi Yao, tell me, which of the Sacred Lords here gained dominion over the cosmos by relying on another's universe?"
Chi Yao's expression turned grim as he suppressed his fury. "Zachary Zephyr, I'll give you a chance. Assist me in mastering the new cosmic era and forging a universe of our own, and I will grant you a Sacred Lord's seat."
As he spoke, Chi Yao's hatred for Joe Di burned ever deeper. If not for Joe Di, would his Fourth Step Dao be incomplete? Would cracks have appeared?
It was precisely because of the existence of Joe Di and Emperor Ye that his Cycle of Rebirth Law faltered, preventing him from perfecting his Fourth Step. Now, he could only rely on the remnants of Rivergate's cosmic Dao.
Zachary Zephyr said calmly, "If I wished to become a Sacred Lord, I would have claimed my place here long ago. Why wait until today..."
Before Zachary Zephyr could finish, Chi Yao let out a sinister laugh and reached for him. "Since that's the case, help me suppress the Cycle of Rebirth Law..."
With a flick of his hand, Zachary Zephyr summoned the Creation Jade Disc.
Chi Yao was not surprised that Zachary Zephyr could summon a treasure here; had Zachary Zephyr lacked such ability, Chi Yao would never have sought his aid.
Fifteen Rivergate Pearls whirled around Chi Yao, about to form a star array, when he suddenly halted.
He sensed something amiss within the Ninefold Heaven—a feeling he couldn't quite describe, but knew was of utmost importance. Chi Yao trusted his instincts; having reached the Fourth Step, he could foresee fortune and calamity ahead of time.
What was happening?
Zachary Zephyr, who had planned to escape, now stared in astonishment at the misty expanse of Ninefold Heaven. He too sensed something was wrong.
......
At this moment, Joe Di stood in the void, witnessing the birth of a brand-new universe governed by new laws. From the sprouting of the first blade of grass to the emergence of the first nameless insect, all unfolded before his eyes.
With each refinement of the cosmic laws, his Grand Dao grew more complete. Now, he was in the late Realm Genesis Stage, soon to achieve domain fusion.
"Hahaha..." In the distance, Nick Ning's laughter echoed. In the next instant, Joe Di saw Nick Ning stride through the void to stand beside him.
"We did it." Joe Di could sense the transformation in Nick Ning's Grand Dao. Nick Ning's Dao now bore no trace of the Rivergate Universe—only the laws of the new cosmos remained.
At the same time, Emperor Ye descended with a hearty laugh. "Indeed, we've succeeded. Now I see—the Fourth Step is nothing special after all."
Joe Di and Nick Ning understood Emperor Ye's meaning: once their universe was fully perfected, they too would stand at the Fourth Step.
Yet this universe was created by the three of them, bound by Heaven-Earth Law. Thus, only three Fourth Step cultivators could exist at most. Unless new opportunities arose, a fourth would be constrained by the Unity Dao and reduced to dust, forced to start anew.
Nick Ning asked, "What should be done about those in the Rivergate Universe? Should they ascend, or enter the new universe through the Gate of Destiny?"
Joe Di shook his head. "No, I believe Worldweaving is the better way. The Rivergate Universe has endured countless eras and is now in ruins. Yet its foundation remains, with myriad planes and realms, countless lives, and even more ordinary mortals untouched by cultivation. Our universe is still young; to truly become vast and grand, who knows how many eras it will take."
After speaking, Joe Di looked to Nick Ning, and Emperor Ye did the same. The new universe's power of Worldweaving stemmed from Nick Ning's Dao.
All rules, energy, and vitality not belonging to the new universe...
Once permeated by the new universe, these would gradually evolve into part of it. Those unable to transform would be annihilated; those that could would be Worldwoven into the new cosmic laws.
Nick Ning nodded. "Yes, this is the best method."
All three had begun their cultivation on ordinary worlds. Only through Worldweaving could their original homes remain, their Heaven-Earth Law becoming that of the new universe.
"To Worldweave the entire Rivergate Universe, we must rely on Ninefold Heaven," Emperor Ye said.
"Is Ninefold Heaven Zachary Zephyr's domain? No, that's not quite right—it must be closely tied to him. Why don't we use Ninefold Heaven as a conduit, then Worldweave the entire Rivergate Universe?" Nick Ning suggested.
Joe Di immediately objected, "That won't do. I propose we Worldweave Ninefold Heaven as well. Ninefold Heaven now possesses Heaven-Earth Law we don't fully understand, which is why it has color. This law will eventually give rise to a new Sacred Lord. Rather than risk future trouble, let's Worldweave it now."
Emperor Ye and Nick Ning exchanged glances, both agreeing with Joe Di's proposal.
Now that a new universe existed, why cling to Ninefold Heaven?
Crack! As soon as the three finished speaking, the new universe seemed to break through its shell, and a fresh aura permeated within.
Was this Ninefold Heaven?
The gazes of all three fell upon it, and soon they understood—this was indeed Ninefold Heaven.
Back then, the three had used four Genesis artifacts and the Explosive Divine Array, combined with their full strength, to tear open a passage from Ninefold Heaven to true chaos—a process that took only a breath or two. Yet today, with mere conversation, the new universe split Ninefold Heaven open.
Sometimes, the Dao is just that simple.
"I see Chi Yao and Zachary Zephyr. Let's go meet them," Emperor Ye said with a smile.
Joe Di and Nick Ning also spotted Chi Yao and Zachary Zephyr.
In nearly a single step, the three arrived before Chi Yao, yet he seemed not to notice them—his gaze fixed in shock upon the misty expanse of Ninefold Heaven.
Ninefold Heaven was being Worldwoven by a new cosmic law—how could he not know? Who possessed such power to Worldweave its Heaven-Earth Law so easily? No, it was more accurate to ask: who was constructing new laws within Ninefold Heaven?
"What is going on?" Zachary Zephyr exclaimed, delighted as he looked at the trio. He too could sense Ninefold Heaven's laws evolving, and the formation of new Heaven-Earth Law at lightning speed.
"Was this your doing?" Chi Yao instantly realized, his eyes flashing with menace. He still didn't understand why Ninefold Heaven's law was being Worldwoven by a rule he had never encountered, but he knew he had to eliminate the trio at once to prevent this unfamiliar law from Worldweaving Ninefold Heaven.
Joe Di summoned the Tiansuo Blade into his palm and looked calmly at Chi Yao. "Since I began my path, I've never been defeated by a cultivator of my own realm. You are the exception. I once thought your talent was unparalleled, but now I understand—it wasn't that I was lacking, but that you stood atop countless ages and advantages. Today, my strength is far from restored; at best, I've just stepped into Realm Genesis. Let me face you as one newly entering the Third Step, against your Fourth Step."
Joe Di truly felt aggrieved by Chi Yao. Since the day he forged his own Dao, he had never lost to anyone of the same realm. Even those a realm above, he could still defeat. Only Chi Yao had ever suppressed him—even at the peak of the Creation Realm, he was no match.
Now, having just recovered to the Realm Genesis Stage, with his Dao no longer bound to the Rivergate Universe, he wanted to see how Chi Yao, at the Fourth Step, would fare against him in Realm Genesis.