"I'm not trying to trap you. Just tell me where the Void Vortex is—the one that can take us out of here," Joe Di said, his tone calm but resolute.
Jade Vaughn let out a soft laugh. "You’re welcome to try trapping me, but I’m hardly a threat worth worrying about."
As he spoke, the Twilight Comb in Jade Vaughn’s hand shimmered, sending out threads of comb-light that wove a cage around him. Within those beams, his killing intent lay in wait—silent, but ready to strike at Joe Di in an instant.
Joe Di waved his hand dismissively. "Old Jade, we’ve already crossed blades. You can’t do anything to me, and I can’t overwhelm you. If we keep fighting, you’re just helping me hone my Time Dao technique. Here’s my offer: show me where the Void Vortex is, and when you reach the Creation Realm, I’ll owe you a favor—I’ll help you once."
Jade Vaughn’s sneer was tinged with bitterness. "So all the advantages fall to you. What do I get out of this? Not only do I have to give you the Void Vortex’s location, I have to escort you to the Creation Realm as well."
Joe Di spread his hands, his voice patient but firm. "Old Jade, look at it this way—even if you don’t take me to the Void Vortex, I’ll find it myself, and I’m faster than you. You can’t hide it from me. If you help me, you’ll earn a favor, and I’ll help you when you need it. What more do you want? If you refuse, you get nothing, and next time we meet, I might not be so friendly."
Though Jade Vaughn felt a surge of unwillingness, he couldn’t deny Joe Di’s logic. If he didn’t lead Joe Di, he’d gain nothing at all. But if he did, it seemed everything would be handed to Joe Di, and that stung even more.
Joe Di saw the conflict in Jade Vaughn’s eyes and laughed heartily. "Old Jade, how many years have you cultivated in the universe? Still so petty and calculating—how will you ever reach the true Supreme Dao? Helping others is helping yourself. Don’t you understand that? Why do things that harm others and bring yourself no benefit?"
Jade Vaughn felt himself persuaded—after so many years of cultivation, he knew he shouldn’t be so narrow-minded. Yet the bitterness lingered, and he found it hard to let go.
"Fine, I’ll do it," Jade Vaughn said at last, tossing Joe Di a communication bead and a jade slip. "The jade slip marks the Void Vortex’s location, and the bead is how you’ll reach me. When I need your help, I’ll send word. Farewell."
Jade Vaughn couldn’t help but feel that Joe Di was far too cunning, his rise in power relentless. In just a thousand years, the balance between them had flipped—a blow to his pride. If things kept going this way, how could he ever hope to match Joe Di again?
He’d encountered many prodigies with overwhelming strength, but those were either born long before him in the vast universe, or had obtained supreme Creation Treasures.
None, like him, had risen without primordial treasures or the legacy of ancient cultivators. Jade Vaughn had never met anyone stronger than himself—until now.
Watching Jade Vaughn depart, Joe Di felt indifferent. He’d helped Jade Vaughn only to secure a path to the Creation Realm—nothing more. The Creation Realm wasn’t just Jade Vaughn’s pursuit; Joe Di, too, desired to see its mysteries for himself.
Joe Di examined the jade slip—it was indeed a map of the Void Vortex’s location. This time, he trusted Jade Vaughn wouldn’t deceive him.
Just as he stored the jade slip away, Jade Vaughn reappeared. Joe Di immediately understood—Jade Vaughn had returned to try and refine this world.
"Fellow Daoist Di, I believe you’ve already finished with this chaotic world. I’d like to stay and cultivate here for a while," Jade Vaughn said, his intentions laid bare.
Joe Di chuckled. "I’m afraid that won’t be possible. You won’t be able to take this world with you."
Jade Vaughn’s face grew cold. He was, after all, an ancient powerhouse—Joe Di’s attitude was simply too much. If he had to perish today, he’d make sure Joe Di went down with him.
It wasn’t just that Jade Vaughn had found this universe first—even if he’d arrived later, he believed he was entitled to a share.
Jade Vaughn’s killing intent surged, ready to erupt. Joe Di raised his hand, "Old Jade, if you want a fight, I won’t back down. But I have no intention of claiming this chaotic world for myself. I doubt it holds much value for you now, and you’ve already taken plenty of treasures. This universe lacks Genesis Vitality and the laws of chaos—their essence has been sealed away in these hidden chaotic worlds."
"What exactly are you planning?" Jade Vaughn was stunned. He grasped Joe Di’s meaning, but how could the world contain someone like Joe Di?
Joe Di’s voice was serene. "Old Jade, you’ve already guessed my intention. I’ll shatter this world, letting its Chaos Essence and Genesis Dao resonance flow into the universe, so all may benefit. As an ancient cultivator, you know these Dao laws and Chaos Essence gather the universe’s fortune. To take it all would strip this cosmos of its destiny, leaving nothing for those who come after. Since we’ve gained so much already, why not return some, and leave a chance for others?"
Jade Vaughn stared at Joe Di in disbelief—he simply couldn’t fathom how such a person could exist in the world.
"You’ve just united with your Dao, and need these things most of all, yet you’re willing to break this chaotic world and let its essence scatter into the universe?" After a long silence, Jade Vaughn finally asked, incredulous.
Joe Di met Jade Vaughn’s gaze. "Old Jade, as you said: only by letting go can we gain. The universe is boundless, filled with treasures awaiting discovery. But we can’t take everything just because we arrived first—what about those who come after? We benefited first; why not give something back?"
Joe Di was deeply moved by the principle of letting go to gain. These words weren’t for show—they sprang from the depths of his experience.
Jade Vaughn murmured, "Only by letting go can we gain. We were the first to benefit—why not give some back…"
He sensed Joe Di’s words came from the heart, not as mere persuasion. After repeating them, Jade Vaughn sighed, "No wonder you’ve achieved so much. In this vast universe, how many truly understand this principle?"
Jade Vaughn wasn’t exaggerating. He knew that, faced with a chaotic world like this, few would choose Joe Di’s path. Most would do as he had planned—refine the domain and take it all away.
Indeed, true powerhouses cannot be measured by ordinary standards.
"Fellow Daoist Di, your words today have enlightened me. I’m willing to remain here and lend you my strength." Jade Vaughn, now clear in his Dao, let go of all petty concerns. He chose to stay, sensing this act would benefit his own path.
Joe Di mused, as expected of a true cultivator like Jade Vaughn—no need for endless persuasion. One word was enough for him to grasp the truth and act accordingly. He could both seize and let go.
"Watch my formation flags," Joe Di said, casting down four Five-Element Flags and revealing several foundation stones before Jade Vaughn. Jade Vaughn needed no further instruction; he tossed his own formation flags in perfect harmony. Together, the two cultivators set countless flags across the land.
Both Jade Vaughn and Joe Di were supreme formation masters. Their flags fell in perfect rhythm, and in just three days, their grand array enveloped the entire universe.
As Joe Di activated the flags, thunder rolled through the formation. The natural barrier of the chaotic world was torn asunder, and Chaos Essence and Genesis Dao resonance scattered as endless cosmic laws across the universe.