Joe Di watched Lucas Infinity calmly. He could tell Lucas Infinity and Zane Fate were on different sides. Now that Zane Fate had been killed by him, unless Lucas Infinity was a fool, he wouldn't try a direct assault.
Lucas Infinity noticed Joe Di's gaze fall on him, and all the sect masters behind him were also looking his way. He knew he had to make a choice.
If he didn't enter, he could stay outside Starhaven City. But that would mean losing the chance to get to know City Lord Di. Such an opportunity might never come again.
If he went in, he might end up like Zane Fate.
Lucas Infinity was, after all, the sect master of Infinity Sword Path—what was there to fear? If City Lord Di wanted to kill him, with his terrifying arraycraft, Lucas Infinity wouldn't be safe even outside Starhaven City. As for running far away, that would cut off Infinity Sword Path's future and disappoint those who followed him.
Having thought it through, Lucas Infinity strode toward the passage lined with corpses on both sides.
Joe Di looked at Lucas Infinity in surprise; he hadn't expected Lucas Infinity to have such courage. Since Lucas Infinity hadn't attacked the auxiliary city, Joe Di wouldn't kill him. But that was just him—any other cultivator wouldn't let such a chance slip by.
However, Joe Di saw that none of the sect masters behind Lucas Infinity moved. He understood: even if Lucas Infinity was killed after entering, there were still plenty of strong cultivators behind him. That wasn't what Joe Di wanted. If you want to play tricks with him, it won't work. This is his territory—try tricks, and you're out.
To Joe Di's surprise, after Lucas Infinity entered the passage and saw that his people hadn't followed, he stopped, turned, and said to everyone behind him, "If you're willing to enter the city with me, come along. If you have doubts, listen to me: it's best to leave this place."
These sect masters were all clever. As soon as Lucas Infinity spoke, they understood what was going on.
This was done for Joe Di to see—they were putting their lives on the line, gambling on City Lord Di's character. If someone didn't want to follow, it meant they doubted Joe Di and were wary of him.
By stepping into the trap array set by Joe Di, they were essentially entrusting their lives to him. The implication was clear: as long as they survived, Joe Di would remain city lord, and they were simply seeking a place to settle. They would follow City Lord Di's lead and not cause trouble.
Tamor Grand, master of Grand Origin Palace, was the first to walk toward Lucas Infinity. He didn't know Joe Di or his character, but he trusted Loraine Puregate. Since Loraine Puregate stayed by Joe Di's side, Tamor Grand believed Joe Di was trustworthy. Otherwise, someone like Loraine Puregate would never follow Joe Di just to survive.
Once Tamor Grand moved forward, the other sect masters followed suit.
They had no choice. Entering Starhaven City's auxiliary city might be a dead end, but leaving was just as hopeless. At least by entering, they had a chance; leaving meant giving up all hope.
Except for Starhaven City, even Sanctuary Domain was on the verge of decline. Where could they go after leaving here? To say they trusted Joe Di's character and were willing to risk death was less accurate than saying they simply had no other options.
Joe Di nodded and turned to Loraine Puregate, saying, "Sect Master Puregate, I thought Lucas Infinity would ask your opinion before coming in."
Loraine Puregate smiled slightly. "Lucas Infinity is the current master of Infinity Sword Path—he wouldn't fail to understand something so basic."
If Lucas Infinity had asked Loraine Puregate, it would have meant putting Joe Di in second place. Just like when he first came here and greeted Sect Master Puregate, he did so because he didn't know Joe Di's strength and thought Loraine Puregate controlled Starhaven City, so he sought her help for a place to settle.
After Joe Di killed Zane Fate and thousands of others, if Lucas Infinity still thought Loraine Puregate was in charge, he'd be harming Infinity Sword Path by leading it. Clearly, Loraine Puregate now follows Joe Di.
Though Lucas Infinity led many people into the passage, he was just as nervous and anxious inside. The bloodstains and piled corpses on both sides showed that City Lord Di could kill him at any moment. Once he stepped into this passage, his life was no longer his own.
He was stronger than Zane Fate, but in terms of arraycraft, he was far inferior. Zane Fate was killed; if Joe Di activated the Deathtrap Immortal Array, Lucas Infinity would be doomed.
He kept walking until he was nearly before Joe Di, but the Deathtrap Immortal Array still hadn’t been triggered. Lucas Infinity breathed a little easier. He stopped a few meters from Joe Di, cupped his fists, and said, "Lucas Infinity, Sect Master of Infinity Sword Path, greets City Lord Di and Sect Master Puregate."
The other sect masters following Lucas Infinity did the same, cupping their fists and greeting City Lord Di and Sect Master Puregate.
Joe Di said calmly, "All of you are sect masters of the Immortal Realm. To come to Starhaven City is an honor for us, and your presence will bring vitality and prosperity. As City Lord of Starhaven, I warmly welcome you..."
Hearing Joe Di’s words, Lucas Infinity and the others were overjoyed. That was all they needed to hear—it meant Joe Di wasn’t planning to kill them right away.
"Thank you, City Lord Di," Lucas Infinity said, taking the lead in expressing gratitude.
Joe Di waved his hand. "I’m not finished yet."
Once everyone quieted down, Joe Di continued, "The reason the Immortal Realm is in decline is that the treasure that suppresses its fortune was stolen. Because of selfish and greedy trash like that, the Immortal Realm is dying. As immortals, you don’t even have a place to live. Now you need someone like me, who just came from the Cultivation Realm, to build a city for you to survive. I can only say this is ironic—ironic for all those selfish people living in the Immortal Realm."
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Joe Di's words made many people look ashamed. They were all sect masters, yet when the Immortal Realm began to decline, their only thought was to escape and find a place to survive.
They were lucky to find Sanctuary Domain. Now that even Sanctuary Domain is about to fall, they've returned to the same mindset—desperately looking for a new refuge.
Joe Di paid no attention to their guilt and continued, "Take Fatesurge Sect for example—trash like them. Their first thought upon arriving here was to slaughter us like ants and take over Starhaven City. So, I had to kill them. I can't guarantee there aren't others among you who are just as rotten, but unlike Zane Fate, my principle is to kill those who deserve it, not those who might deserve it."
The entire auxiliary city, inside and out, was silent. Joe Di's meaning couldn't be clearer: no matter who you are, unless you do something worthy of death, he won't kill you. Unlike Zane Fate, who wanted to massacre all of Starhaven City from the start.
"Starhaven City is the second source of fortune for the Immortal Realm. That's why the Immortal Realm will one day regain its glory..."
Joe Di's words excited everyone. They had suspected this place was the second origin of the Immortal Realm's fortune, and now Joe Di had confirmed it himself. What could be more thrilling?
Once Lucas Infinity and the others quieted down, Joe Di continued, "To prevent the Immortal Realm from collapsing again, anyone who dares touch the second source of the realm's fortune will be executed without mercy."
Lucas Infinity spoke up this time. "City Lord Di is right. If anyone dares touch the second source of the Immortal Realm's fortune, I'll be the first to kill them."
The others voiced their agreement as well.
Joe Di didn't doubt these sect masters. As long as there wasn't some supreme treasure to steal, only a madman would provoke the source of the Immortal Realm's fortune.
"All sect masters who wish to settle in Starhaven City, or establish a sect residence here, must abide by the following rules..."
Lucas Infinity replied without hesitation, "Please go ahead, Sect Master Di. If we feel we can't comply, I will leave on my own."
Lucas Infinity showed some responsibility. Joe Di softened his tone and said, "First, Starhaven City does not allow any killing, bullying, or market monopolies. All cultivators living here must obey the laws of Starhaven City. No one is exempt, including myself as city lord."
Second, not just anyone can enter Starhaven City. You must have enough contribution points to settle here.
Third, sects may establish protective arrays around Starhaven City, but anyone who does so must also abide by its laws.
Fourth..."
Joe Di listed more than ten rules in a row, and no one raised any objections.
Although some sect masters felt uncomfortable—after all, Joe Di was just an ant from the Cultivation Realm—what could they do? Joe Di was now the master here, and when it comes to strength, who could break through his arrays? In both the Cultivation Realm and the Immortal Realm, power is what counts.
Lucas Infinity spoke again, "Sect Master Di's requirements are reasonable and not aimed at anyone in particular. After experiencing the decline of the Immortal Realm, everyone should treasure this hard-won second origin of fortune. My Infinity Sword Path swears to uphold all the laws and regulations of Starhaven City."
"My Grand Origin Palace..."
"My Grand Array Guild will obey..."
No one objected. Joe Di was satisfied and said, "Today, most of you here are sect masters. Since everyone is willing to abide by the rules, as city lord of Starhaven City, I permit all sect masters to settle first in the auxiliary city. Whether you can move into Starhaven City itself depends on your sect's contribution points. Sect masters, please follow me into the city lord's mansion to discuss important matters."