Joe Di let out a long breath and rose from the Ninth World. The Black Banner Monk's dark banner was truly formidable—it had taken him a full year to recover.
That murderous aura's invasion—if he hadn't cultivated the Path of Laws, even a year wouldn't have been enough to strip it away. Fortunately, he had the Ninth World; otherwise, before he could rid himself of the killing intent, his foe would have tracked him down again by its lingering presence.
Only now did Joe Di realize just how lucky he'd been. He had actually thought he could use a few Grade Three Killing Arrays and a surprise attack to take down a Prime Realm expert—ignorance truly is fearless.
After what happened this time, even if Serena Yu hadn't invited him to the Grand Ruins, he would have gone anyway. But now, months had passed since her invitation, and he didn't know if Serena Yu was still waiting for him in Clearhaven City.
Regardless, since he'd promised Serena Yu, Joe Di planned to head to Clearhaven City first, then make his way to the Grand Ruins.
If he were on his own, reaching the Grand Ruins would be far more troublesome.
......
As soon as Serena Yu emerged from Grandridge, she learned about Dean Carter and Joe Di. A chill ran through her—she had nearly skipped the inspection array herself. Thankfully, her temperament was gentle, and knowing that Jiang Dai had once destroyed the Azure Saint Pill Sect, she forced herself to endure the discomfort and passed through the inspection array.
Now, Great Buddha Mountain had sealed its gates, Dean Carter's fate was unknown, and as for Joe Di, she had no idea where he was.
No matter what, since she had an agreement with Joe Di, she had to make a trip to Clearhaven City.
When Serena Yu arrived in Clearhaven City, she discovered wanted posters for both Joe Di and Dean Carter plastered everywhere. She breathed a small sigh of relief; clearly, neither Joe Di nor Dean Carter had been captured by Jaden Dai.
After waiting in Clearhaven City for two months, Serena Yu still hadn't seen Joe Di. She decided to return to her sect for now.
When Joe Di arrived in Clearhaven City, the first thing he saw was a giant Warrant Notice outside the city gates, and among those wanted, his own name stood out.
Joe Di cursed inwardly. That bastard Jaden Dai—once he stepped into the Second Step, the first thing he'd do was tear down Jaden Dai's lair.
Serena Yu kept her head down as she left Clearhaven City, about to summon her magical relic when a voice transmission reached her ears: "Junior Sister Yu, it's me, Joe Di. Didn't we agree to go to the Grand Ruins together? I was delayed by some matters, but if you're still willing, we can leave now."
Serena Yu was stunned. She spun around and immediately spotted Joe Di not far away.
At that moment, Joe Di had disguised himself as an ordinary middle-aged rogue cultivator. His aura didn't need any masking; he exuded the weariness of someone who'd spent years seeking cultivation resources.
Serena Yu couldn't fathom how Joe Di dared to show up in Clearhaven City with Jaden Dai hunting him. He was practically risking his life. But Joe Di's disguise was so masterful—even though they'd cultivated together before, she couldn't sense a trace of familiarity from him.
"Let's leave right away," Serena Yu said decisively. She knew that now Joe Di had appeared, they couldn't afford to linger in Clearhaven City.
......