What puzzled Joe Di was that the Third Stage of the Stellar Stairway consisted of three stones, each a different color: black, white, and gray.
"Old Gavin, how do we proceed?" Joe Di asked Gavin Strider with a look of confusion.
Gavin Strider chuckled, "This is where Old Gavin outshines the rest. Most people would choose the black stone at this point. But let me tell you, we're taking the gray one."
Joe Di kept calling him Old Gavin, and Gavin Strider subconsciously started referring to himself that way too.
"Is there a difference?" Joe Di asked.
Gavin Strider explained, "There's a big difference. To be precise, all three stones are paths leading out of the Five Elements Universe via the Stellar Stairway. But the time required varies: if you take the black stone, you might walk for a million years; I only need a hundred years, or even just one year. Let's go, I'll explain as we walk."
With that, Gavin Strider dashed toward the gray stone without hesitation.
This time, Joe Di didn't hesitate either and followed after him.
As soon as they entered the void, terrifying space arrows tore through the air. At the same moment, a powerful corrosive Dao rhythm began to seep into Joe Di's armor.
Joe Di let out a breath of relief—thankfully, he had added the World Tome. Its defensive capabilities were truly formidable; several space arrows shredded his armor but were blocked by the World Tome. As for Dao fire, the final barrier, it didn't even need to come into play.