Henry Vaughn had made up his mind to befriend Joe Di. Speaking sincerely, he said, "The Vast Chaos is the source of all cosmic laws. Here, a universe can be born, even one that surpasses the Genesis Universe. But this place isn't suitable for advancing to the Creation Realm, because you've already stepped into the Third Step within the Vast Chaos. Even if you break through to the Creation Realm here, you'll be limited by your current understanding of the Grand Way, unable to surpass what you presently comprehend or perceive."
Fellow Daoist Di, I've witnessed your growth with my own eyes. I believe your future achievements may reach entirely new heights, perhaps even claiming one of the strongest Saint Seats."
"Thank you, Daoist Vaughn." Joe Di stood up and cupped his fists in sincere gratitude.
In truth, Joe Di had already understood Vaughn's meaning from his very first words. At his level, some things only needed a slight hint for him to grasp them. To be honest, he hadn't thought much of Vaughn before—Vaughn had great ambition but lacked boldness. That's why he'd spent so many years holed up in the Trinity Universe, and even after arriving at Genesis Saint City, he remained cautious and reserved.
Now Joe Di realized his view was mistaken. Any universe lord, no matter how low their cultivation, was never a simple existence. Some things Vaughn didn't ignore—he simply knew his own fate and abilities set his limits.
The saying goes, 'Of three who walk together, one can be my teacher.' It's true. Maybe his strength now far surpassed Vaughn's, but his understanding of the Vast Universe might not be deeper than Vaughn's.
Vaughn was quite pleased with Joe Di's attitude. Clearly, Joe Di respected his words and acknowledged his worth. Vaughn knew better than anyone that to truly befriend someone like Joe Di, mere effort wasn't enough. He needed something of his own—at the very least, he had to make Joe Di understand Vaughn's value.
"Fellow Daoist Di, if you wish to attain the Creation Realm, I do have a suggestion. When the Genesis Universe first emerged, there was a place where the Nirvana Grand Way could be found, called the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift. Almost every cultivator who entered there met certain death. Over countless years, countless powerhouses have tried to refine their Grand Way there, only to perish. That place will shatter your Grand Way. But the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift leads to a critical destination known as the Genesis Nest..."
Vaughn paused, but Joe Di was already filled with excitement. He'd never heard of these things before. Maybe Zane Han and the others knew, but only Vaughn would share such secrets with him.
"Daoist Vaughn, I still have much to learn." Joe Di cupped his fists again in respect.
Vaughn nodded, "It's said that while entering the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift means certain death, it's the best place for a Grand Way to undergo nirvana. If you can survive the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift and find the direction of your Grand Way, you might just achieve nirvana and break through like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon."
Joe Di asked in confusion, "But my Grand Way doesn't require nirvana. It seems the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift wouldn't benefit me much."
Vaughn shook his head. "If you go to the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, it's not for nirvana. In the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, as long as you achieve nirvana or manage to survive and your strength reaches a certain level, you can tear open the boundaries of the Rift and travel to other universes. But there's another secret, known to very few. If, after entering the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, you don't tear open its boundaries but instead keep going deeper, once you pass through it, you'll eventually arrive at the Genesis Nest."
"Genesis Nest?" Joe Di repeated, unsure how Vaughn knew of this place, but he sensed it was anything but ordinary.
"Yes, legend says the Genesis Nest is where the Genesis Universe was hatched. That place holds countless top-tier treasures, and many of the artifacts wielded by powerhouses in Genesis Saint City come from the Genesis Nest. If Zane Edge truly left Genesis Saint City due to damage to his Grand Way, as you said, then he likely went to the Genesis Nest to perfect his Grand Way."
Fellow Daoist Di, you come from the Five Elements Universe, so you should know how many top treasures have appeared there. The Genesis Universe is even a bit higher in level than the Five Elements Universe—imagine how many treasures it holds," Vaughn said.
"So you're telling me not to tear open the void boundary at the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, but to pass through it and enter the Genesis Nest to seek the Creation Realm?" Joe Di asked.
Vaughn nodded. "Yes, if you can truly pass through the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, then my suggestion is the best. Nearly all the top-tier artifacts of the Genesis Universe are in the Genesis Nest. But the Genesis Nest is also crowded with powerhouses, all searching and plundering year after year..."
"If I go now, I probably wouldn't even get a taste of the soup, would I?" Joe Di asked, puzzled.
Vaughn chuckled. "Brother Di, you've seen your share of grand occasions. Any top-tier treasure will choose its own master. Some do find opportunities, but many treasures remain hidden, waiting for someone worthy. Besides, Brother Di, seeking treasures is just a side quest for you—your true goal is to attain the Creation Realm. But let me remind you, whether it's the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift or the Genesis Nest, entering means facing death at every turn."
After speaking, Vaughn looked at Joe Di with anticipation. Acquiring this information hadn't been easy. If Joe Di gave up the opportunity, Vaughn would feel regret, thinking he'd chosen the wrong person. But if Joe Di entered the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift without hesitation, seeking the Genesis Nest and the Creation Realm, then as long as Joe Di survived, he would become a king in his own right. In that case, Vaughn's gains would be greatest as well.
Through the years, Vaughn had seen things clearly. Sometimes, success didn't mean sitting on the highest Saint Seat. If he could ally himself with the one who did, that was success too.
As for Joe Di falling in the Genesis Nest or the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift, that would simply mean his luck ran out—and it wouldn't cost Vaughn much.
Naturally, Joe Di understood Vaughn's meaning. He was still grateful to Vaughn. "Daoist Vaughn, I accept your friendship. If I return, we'll talk again. If I don't, it just means fate wasn't on my side. Farewell. As for a way to leave the Genesis Universe, I don't need it."
Vaughn wanted to befriend him, even to support him, but that required Joe Di to have real strength and courage. If he lacked those, why would Vaughn bother? There are many kinds of friends, but Vaughn's friendship was one of mutual benefit.
As for going to the Five Elements Universe, Joe Di believed that if he attained the Creation Realm in the Genesis Nest, he could tear open the boundary and return directly—he wouldn't need Vaughn's help. And if he fell in the Ruin Dao Wheel Rift or the Genesis Nest, what difference would a way home make?
...
"Is this the place?" A voidship hovered at the edge of the endless void of the Five Elements Universe. On its deck stood a man and a woman—the question came from the woman.
The man nodded, "This is it. If I'm not mistaken, the Five Elements Universe was forcibly damaged back then. Someone used a top-tier artifact to forcibly divide its cosmic laws and sealed its greatest resources in a remote corner."
"So how did someone break this place and restore the cosmic laws of the Five Elements Universe?" the woman asked, puzzled.
The man smiled slightly. "The Five Elements Universe is full of powerhouses, with talents emerging one after another. It must have been after the Genesis War that another powerhouse appeared here—someone even stronger than me, Ye Mo, or Senior Zixiao. He was the first to notice the problem, broke this place, and used an artifact to seal it."
"What artifact was it? Was it very high-grade?" the woman asked eagerly.
The man nodded, "It's something on par with my Primeval Pearl. He didn't take it away—it's still suppressing this place. Clearly, this person truly wanted to restore the cosmic laws of the Five Elements Universe. He deserves my respect."
The man was Nick Ning, and the woman with him was Jane Yan.
Jane Yan smiled sweetly. "You certainly won't take that treasure for yourself."
Nick Ning laughed heartily. "Though I could take it with a wave of my hand, of course I won't. It's not mine. This Daoist suppressed his treasure here for the sake of the Five Elements Universe. Even though it no longer needs to be suppressed, I wouldn't take what's his."
"Should we go take a look?"
Jane Yan had just spoken when a wild laugh echoed, "Nick Ning, you ignored the road to heaven and walked right into hell. I, Lyle Yew, left the Genesis Universe and still managed to catch you, you ant. There's no Ruin Dao Wheel Rift here—let's see where you run now!"
As the voice faded, a tall, golden-haired Lyle Yew landed before Nick Ning. Driven out of Genesis Saint City, he'd planned to return to the Kaihe Universe to seek his Grand Way. But he hadn't made it back—instead, he'd arrived in the Five Elements Universe and encountered Nick Ning.
In Lyle Yew's eyes, Nick Ning's cultivation was average, but he had plenty of valuable treasures.
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)