Phantom Dock was already crowded with cultivators.
Earlier that day, a cultivator named Sean Yu was thrown into the Void Sea by Angus Oak of Surging Alchemy Hall, and forbidden from returning to shore. After half an hour of hellish torment, Sean Yu vanished into the Void Sea.
Half an hour later, Sean Yu’s friend arrived. This friend was truly ruthless—he not only cleaved the wanted notice for himself outside Crimson Sanctuary, but also destroyed Surging Alchemy Hall, killed its Dao Origin powerhouse Haim, and then dragged the Young Guildmaster Angus Oak to Phantom Dock.
Even a fool could see it now—Joe Di was here to avenge his friend Sean Yu. Whatever Angus Oak did to Sean Yu, Joe Di was about to do to him.
Retribution truly comes swiftly; this was karma at its fastest.
"Brother Di, Angus Oak forced Brother Sean into the Void Sea right here," Dean Carter said, pointing to the edge of Phantom Dock.
Joe Di nodded and, with a casual toss, threw Angus Oak straight into the Void Sea.
The moment he entered the Void Sea, Angus Oak’s heart sank. Joe Di stood on Phantom Dock, making it clear he had no intention of letting Angus Oak return to shore.
Just a few hours ago, he had done the exact same thing to Joe Di. He never imagined he would be in this position so soon.
Regret was now useless. The seawater was icy cold, seemingly no different from any other sea, yet Angus Oak felt utterly ill at ease.
He finally couldn’t bear this torment of waiting for death. As a Prime Realm cultivator, his father was supposed to return soon with an Origin Fruit, and his breakthrough to Prime Realm was within reach. To die now, especially in such a helpless way—how could Angus Oak accept it?
Many cultivators gathered at the shore to watch the spectacle. Angus Oak had thrown countless people into the Void Sea; today, it was finally his turn. Some cultivators were quietly discussing Joe Di, wondering who this newcomer really was. Honestly, there had never been another like Joe Di—someone so brazen on his first arrival in Crimson Sanctuary.
But Joe Di’s luck was extraordinary. This time, nearly all the Unity Realm Emperors and half-step Unity Realm experts in Crimson Sanctuary had gone to the Dao Fruit Tower in the Void Market. Otherwise, how could a newcomer at the Prime Realm act so arrogantly?
Suddenly, Angus Oak shouted, "Lord Sid Lu, please save me! You’re friends with my father, as well as the Grand Guildmaster and Second Guildmaster of Surging Alchemy Hall… If you help me now, my father won’t forget your kindness when he returns from the Void Market!"
Joe Di ignored Angus Oak’s cries, not even flinching.
In Crimson Sanctuary, if his life was ever threatened, he would sense it immediately. But right now, there was no danger—he was safe here.
......
In a cave residence beside the City Lord’s estate in Crimson Sanctuary, a tall, lean man frowned. He was Sid Lu, Deputy City Lord of Crimson Sanctuary and the one Angus Oak was calling for help. Sid Lu naturally heard Angus Oak’s pleas, but he had no intention of intervening.
He still didn’t know Joe Di’s background, but anyone wanted by Jaden Dai and still alive couldn’t be simple. Sid Lu knew all about the bounty issued by Jaden Dai—it had been approved by City Lord Dao Chuanxun.
According to the City Lord, Jaden Dai was ruthless and had limitless potential. Now, Sid Lu felt the City Lord might have made a mistake in this matter.
He didn’t know if Jaden Dai was truly ruthless or had great potential. But this Joe Di was definitely a ruthless man, and his potential was anything but low.
Just listening to his words and watching his actions made it clear: outside Crimson Sanctuary, he had destroyed his own wanted notice with a single slash. He even claimed to have wiped out Jaden Dai’s stronghold and waited for him outside the city. Would someone like this fear Jaden Dai? Not at all—and he definitely wouldn’t fear Surging Alchemy Hall, either.
He didn’t know how powerful Jaden Dai really was, but he was certain Surging Alchemy Hall couldn’t compete with him.
Angus Oak’s cries continued, but Sid Lu stood up. He wasn’t planning to save Angus Oak; he’d decided to meet Joe Di instead. The three Guildmasters of Surging Alchemy Hall wouldn’t return from the Void Market for at least a century—he’d have plenty to say by then.
Half an hour quickly passed, and everyone watched as Angus Oak vanished into the Void Sea, leaving no trace behind.
Seeing Angus Oak disappear into the Void Sea, Joe Di finally felt a bit of relief. He stepped forward, clasped his fists, and announced, "Fellow Daoists, I plan to refine pills at the Void Sea for some time. If anyone needs artifacts refined, you can also seek me out. I only refine Divine Pills and Dao Pills above the Transformation Realm. I won’t accept commissions for Divine Pills below the Transformation Realm—unless you offer something that truly satisfies me. As for artifacts, I only refine mid-grade Divine Artifacts and above."
Joe Di’s words were like a bomb dropped into the crowd. To refine pills, and only Divine Pills and Dao Pills above the Transformation Realm—how terrifying was that?
Crimson Sanctuary often saw rare treasures appear, but even with so many treasures, the scarcity of alchemists meant few could be turned into pills.
The strongest alchemist in Crimson Sanctuary could only refine Prime Realm Divine Pills. As for Dao Pills, there was only one Dao Nurturing Pill Saint in the city. As for a Transformation Pill Saint—no one had even heard of such a figure.
Joe Di’s announcement sparked widespread discussion among the cultivators, and soon a consensus formed: Joe Di was a fraud, clearly out to swindle everyone’s top-grade spirit herbs and artifact materials.
Never mind that a Transformation Pill Saint is nothing but a legend—just Joe Di claiming he could refine mid-grade Divine Artifacts was sheer nonsense.
A Transformation Realm Pill Saint and a Divine Artifact Master? Who’d believe that? Besides, Joe Di had a history—before destroying Surging Alchemy Hall, he’d extorted two Origin Fruits from them.
Origin Fruit is a Prime Realm Dao Fruit, a treasure used to refine Origin Dao Pills. Even one is enough to shake the world—let alone two. Clearly, Joe Di just wanted an excuse to kill Angus Oak.
Now Joe Di was calling himself a top-tier Pill Saint and Divine Artifact Master—just like when he dealt with Angus Oak. If Joe Di says he’ll kill someone, he does it. Who would dare go against him?
Joe Di didn’t realize that his offhand remarks about Angus Oak had now become obstacles to opening his Pill & Artifact Pavilion.
He had already leveled Surging Alchemy Hall and opened a Pill & Artifact Pavilion on its former site. Joe Di thought that once his Pavilion opened, cultivators would flock to him for pills and artifacts.
To Joe Di’s disappointment and confusion, his Pavilion had been open for an hour or two, yet not a single person had come. Did cultivators by the Void Sea truly lack for Divine Pills, Dao Pills, or artifacts? Too many people had heard his words, after all.
"Brother Di, Sid Lu, the City Lord of Crimson Sanctuary, has come to visit." Just as Joe Di was puzzling over his lack of business, Dean Carter came in to announce the City Lord’s arrival.
Joe Di swept out with his divine sense and immediately spotted Sid Lu—a late Prime Realm Emperor, no threat to him.
Since the City Lord had come in person, Joe Di couldn’t afford to be rude. He stepped out of the Pavilion, cupped his fists to Sid Lu at the door, and said, "City Lord Sid, your personal visit leaves me humbled. Please, come in and take the seat of honor."
Though he said he was humbled, Joe Di didn’t show a hint of humility on his face.
Sid Lu seemed completely unfazed by Joe Di’s words, nor did he care that this place used to belong to Surging Alchemy Hall. He laughed heartily, cupped his fists, and said, "Fellow Daoist Di, your talent is extraordinary—you’re one of the most gifted cultivators I’ve ever met. Others may doubt you’re a Pill Saint, but I, Sid Lu, believe it completely."
Joe Di thought to himself, If you really believe it, then bring out some Dao Fruits and let me refine pills for you. Anyone can talk.
Joe Di had no desire to waste words with Sid Lu. If no one came to seek pills, he’d just use the Void Sea to go into seclusion for a while. At the very least, he’d wait until he reached late Transformation Realm before leaving.
He’d heard that the experts who went to the Void Market wouldn’t return for decades. There was no need to worry—improving his strength was his top priority now.
Sid Lu wasn’t shy. After sitting down, he said, "Fellow Daoist Di, I’m here for two things. First, Jaden Dai posted your wanted notice in Crimson Sanctuary—it really had nothing to do with me…"
Joe Di smiled faintly and said nothing. Whether Sid Lu was involved or not, he didn’t care. As long as Sid Lu hadn’t joined Jaden Dai in attacking him, it didn’t matter. Before this, Sid Lu hadn’t even known who Joe Di was.
Seeing Joe Di’s calm and unruffled expression, Sid Lu realized just how pragmatic he was. Sid Lu continued, "You should know that the Guildmasters of Surging Alchemy Hall and some of Crimson Sanctuary’s top experts have all gone to the Void Market. Compared to the Void Sea, the Void Market is the real treasure trove. It’s full of powerful cultivators, and rumor has it that for us cultivators, the ultimate isn’t just Unity Realm—there’s even a Third Step…"
"The Third Step?" Joe Di suddenly stood up. He’d been striving just to reach the Second Step, Prime Realm—right now, he was still only at the First Step, Transformation Realm. He hadn’t even reached Prime Realm, yet now he’d heard there was a Third Step.
(That’s all for today’s update. Good night, friends!)