Joe Di had no intention of returning to the Mortal Realm. He had set up defensive arrays there, so even if Zane Edge came personally, he wouldn't be able to break in easily. If Zane Edge were trapped by his Lawlock Array, and if Lucas Pearl and Zane Han could lend a hand, then Zane Edge would be walking into certain death.
Joe Di had already made plans—if he wanted to reach the Creation Realm, he should head to the Vast Chaos. Once he achieved the Creation Realm there, he would immediately return to the Five Elements Universe. The Oath Platform and Chaos Gate left behind in the Five Elements Universe, he intended to take with him as well.
Sean Chen knew that the Chaos Gate had been used by him. If that guy returned to the Five Elements Universe, it could only be described as disastrous.
At present, Joe Di still didn't have the ability to tear open the void boundary of the Genesis Universe. The only person he could turn to was Henry Vaughn. Henry claimed that after coming to the Genesis Universe, he couldn't return to the Trinity Universe, but Joe Di didn't quite believe it. Someone as cunning as Henry Vaughn would surely leave himself an escape route.
The Trinity Universe was Henry Vaughn's foundation, and Henry was still the Cosmos Lord of the Trinity Universe—a figure whose word was law there. Could someone like that truly abandon the Trinity Universe and come to the Genesis Universe without leaving himself a way back?
......
Ever since Henry Vaughn learned that universe crystals were the true treasures of the Genesis Universe, he had been in seclusion, refusing to come out. Not only did he want to improve his own Dao, but he also wanted to minimize the chances of his possessions being discovered.
With the Trinity Universe being so average in strength, Henry Vaughn had no right to obtain a residence in the inner city of Genesis City. His current dwelling was only in the central area of the outer city, and even that had cost him considerable effort to acquire.
What Henry Vaughn feared most was someone breaking into his residence while he was in seclusion. Fortunately, during this period, his dwelling had remained quiet and undisturbed, which gradually eased his worries.
Just as Henry Vaughn was about to let go of his guard and truly begin deducing his divine abilities, the restriction on his residence was disturbed by someone. Startled, Henry shuddered instinctively.
He might be the strongest in the Trinity Universe, but he knew better than anyone that in Genesis City of the Genesis Universe, he was nothing. At best, he was a bit wealthier than others, but even that wealth couldn't be leaked in the slightest—if it was, he'd be courting disaster.
He had clearly written 'Do not disturb, in seclusion' outside his residence, yet someone was knocking on his restriction. If it was anything good, that would be a miracle.
Someone was knocking on his restriction, and not only did Henry Vaughn not dare to get angry, he had to open it as cautiously as a grandson, asking what the matter was. He didn't even dare to scan the intruder with his divine sense, lest the other party take offense. Henry sighed inwardly, unsure if coming to the Genesis Universe had been the right choice. But he also knew that if he hadn't come, his situation wouldn't be much better than it was now.
The Trinity Universe was still an independent universe for now, but after the Saint Seat battle, it might not even be a bystander. By coming to Genesis City, if he was lucky, perhaps he could latch onto a powerful backer and protect the Trinity Universe.
"Joe Di?" Henry Vaughn opened the restriction and saw Joe Di standing outside. He was surprised, but also relieved. As for blaming Joe Di for suddenly disturbing his restriction, or getting angry at him—such thoughts never crossed his mind.
Henry Vaughn felt relieved because he had come to Genesis City together with Joe Di and knew a little about Joe Di's ways.
But why would Joe Di come looking for him? By rights, Joe Di should have enough trouble of his own. There were far too many people in Genesis City who wanted him dead, so how could he be strolling around the outer city so casually?
Henry Vaughn had been in seclusion, so he was unaware of Joe Di's feat of leaving his name at the Saint Seat Plaza and shaking the entire Genesis City. No matter what happened outside, as long as it didn't involve him, Henry preferred to remain ignorant. As for the city being destroyed, that had never crossed his mind. With so many experts in Genesis City, if even this place could be destroyed, knowing about it wouldn't help him anyway.
"Joe Di, I'm in seclusion right now, you see how things are..." Henry Vaughn said awkwardly.
Joe Di smiled slightly. "Cosmos Lord Henry, I have something I wanted to discuss with you. May I come in for a chat?"
Henry Vaughn guessed that Joe Di was probably here to borrow universe crystals from him. Although he still had some left, he absolutely couldn't lend any to Joe Di. But he couldn't refuse outright, so he could only say, "Joe Di, I heard City Lord Zane Edge is investigating you. You still dare to come to Genesis City?"
Joe Di chuckled. "Don't worry, Zane Edge doesn't dare to come here now. He tried to kill me and ended up wounded, leaving Genesis City. I reckon he's off somewhere licking his wounds."
What Joe Di meant was that Zane Edge had been cuckolded by his own woman, which damaged his Dao, so he was off trying to perfect it somewhere. Joe Di spoke vaguely because he knew Henry Vaughn's personality; this guy would surely assume Zane Edge was wounded by him and had fled.
As long as Henry Vaughn believed that, it would be even easier for Joe Di to ask to borrow something later.
Henry Vaughn was stunned. Joe Di had injured Zane Edge? His eyelid twitched a few times. He'd seen firsthand how quickly Joe Di's strength had grown. If Joe Di had gained some opportunities in the Genesis Universe and managed to injure Zane Edge, it wasn't impossible.
Besides, if Joe Di hadn't injured Zane Edge, would he dare to brazenly come here and knock on his restriction? Zane Edge wouldn't let Joe Di stroll around Genesis City so freely.
"Congratulations, Joe Di, on advancing your Dao further." Henry Vaughn suppressed his shock, cupped his fists to Joe Di, and then invited him in. "Please, come inside and let's talk."
After leading Joe Di into his residence, Henry Vaughn personally poured him a cup of spirit tea and then probed, "Joe Di, did you really injure Zane Edge?"
Joe Di waved his hand. "It's absolutely true, no doubt about it. And not long ago, the fifth vice city lord of Genesis City, Jason Key, was also taught a lesson by me. Now he's holed up at home, afraid to come out."
Hearing this, Henry Vaughn truly believed Joe Di wasn't lying. Jason Key was Zane Edge's attack dog; whenever Zane Edge wanted to deal with someone, he'd send Jason Key. Now that even Jason Key had been taught a lesson by Joe Di, how could Henry Vaughn still see Joe Di as just some outsider rejected by Genesis City?
Henry Vaughn didn't feel comfortable asking Joe Di directly, so he simply said, "Joe Di, what brings you here today?"
If Joe Di could injure Zane Edge, then even if Joe Di wanted to borrow universe crystals now, Henry Vaughn would accept it. As long as it wasn't an excessive amount, it would be a good investment.
Joe Di cupped his fists and said, "Cosmos Lord Henry, I have some matters that require me to leave the Genesis Universe for a while, so I wanted to borrow a few things from you."
As soon as Joe Di said this, Henry Vaughn understood. Clearly, Joe Di didn't believe he couldn't leave the Genesis Universe. Not that Joe Di didn't believe it—even Henry himself wouldn't believe it.
"Joe Di..." Henry Vaughn called out with a bitter expression, starting to suspect that Joe Di was being chased by Zane Edge and wanted to escape the Genesis Universe.
Joe Di didn't wait for Henry Vaughn to finish and waved his hand, "Cosmos Lord Henry, I know you're worried about Zane Edge. We came to the Genesis Universe together, and I used the Genesis Gate of your Trinity Universe. We're friends on the same side—I'd never set you up. In fact, the person I fear isn't Zane Edge; compared to this person, Zane Edge is just an obstacle. Right now, I'm not afraid of Zane Edge, but I'm still not a match for that other person. I hope to go to the Vast Chaos and reach the Genesis Realm..."
There was no need for Joe Di to say more; he believed Henry Vaughn would understand. Once Joe Di reached the Genesis Realm and established himself, he wouldn't forget Henry Vaughn. Moreover, when his strength increased, he'd know Henry Vaughn personally—unlike the big shots of Genesis City, who barely knew Henry. If Henry Vaughn wanted to make connections, he wouldn't be able to.
"You're going to reach the Genesis Realm?" Henry Vaughn looked at Joe Di in shock.
"That's right, I'm indeed aiming for the Genesis Realm. Cosmos Lord Henry, don't worry about anyone causing you trouble for befriending me—I'll leave you two jade talismans. These are summoning talismans for two powerhouses in Genesis City, each no weaker than Zane Edge. If anyone tries to harm you, just crush the talisman and help will come." Joe Di added. If this couldn't convince Henry Vaughn, he wouldn't bother saying more. He didn't believe Henry Vaughn was the only one who could leave the Genesis Universe.
Henry Vaughn was stirred by Joe Di's words, but quickly replied, "Joe Di, you've misunderstood me. I do have a way to leave the Genesis Universe, and I'll tell you how in a moment. What I wanted to say is that seeking the Genesis Realm in the Vast Chaos isn't necessarily the best choice."
"Why?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
(That's all for today, friends. Good night!)