Joe Di felt an immense sense of relief. Ever since learning about the existence of the Fourth Step, he had been plagued by uncertainty and worry. The higher his cultivation grew, the more he realized how terrifying the Fourth Step truly was. He had no chance to step into that realm himself, and he knew he was no match for anyone who had.
Even though he had been preparing for a confrontation with Chi Yao and had gathered many like-minded allies, it was mostly a psychological comfort. Only today did Joe Di finally gain a sliver of confidence in facing the Fourth Step—at least, he had glimpsed a secret of Chi Yao's Grand Dao.
...
When Joe Di and Nick Ning arrived at Celestial Beyond, Destiny Sovereign, Jane Yan, Nora Xiu, and others were already waiting for them.
Seeing that Nora Xiu had already reached the early Unity Realm, Joe Di was overjoyed. He had thought it would take her some time to break through, even with her following him. Now, not only had Nora Xiu entered the Unity Realm, but she had also stabilized her cultivation at its early stage.
It seemed that, aside from talent, cultivation resources were truly essential for a cultivator's progress. The resources he had left for Nora Xiu were all top-tier Dao Fruits and Dao Pills, and even some supreme Divine Ley Lines. These were usually reserved for those advancing to the Third Step, but for Nora Xiu to use them to achieve the Unity Realm, it was only natural.
However, Joe Di had no way to speak to Nora Xiu at the moment, because he had spotted someone he wasn't very familiar with—King Leto. Among the Ten Dao Prodigies of the Dao Domain, King Leto was extremely famous and ranked third.
Of the Ten Dao Prodigies, Zhong You had been killed by him, and Jiang Dai had been chased into hiding. His friend Zhong Ao had not been seen since they parted ways. Unexpectedly, today he could see King Leto here. Their relationship was average, but King Leto's presence meant he surely had important news to deliver.
Joe Di exchanged a glance with Nora Xiu, nodded, and then turned to King Leto, asking, "Daoist Leto, it's been a long time. Congratulations on your cultivation progress."
King Leto's progress was indeed impressive; he had already reached the late Dao Fusion Realm.
King Leto bowed to Joe Di, "Thank you, Senior Di, for your contributions to the Dao Domain. The cosmic laws here are now ideal for cultivation—not just for me, but for everyone in the Dao Domain, progress has been rapid."
Although in terms of age, King Leto was far older than Joe Di, the cultivation universe is a place where strength reigns supreme. Years ago, King Leto had witnessed Joe Di's power firsthand. With the passage of time, Joe Di had only grown stronger, so he addressed him as 'Senior' without hesitation.
Not only had he seen Joe Di's might, but he had also met Joe Di back when he was just a minor figure—a mere Dao Shaping ant participating in a Condensation Pill contest. Back then, compared to King Leto, Joe Di was worlds apart and had no right to speak to him.
People—no matter if someone is a nobody looking up to you today, you never know how far they may grow in the future.
This made King Leto realize a truth: no matter who you face, always maintain kindness. You can't see the future—if others remain beneath you, your kindness today costs you nothing. But if they surpass you one day, that kindness may sow the seeds of a future opportunity.
Joe Di nodded, "Indeed. To come from the Dao Domain to Celestial Beyond, you are far above most Dao Domain cultivators."
King Leto, however, spoke with urgency, "Senior Di, I've come here to deliver news about Zhong Ao."
"You have news of Brother Zhong?" Joe Di asked in delight.
King Leto nodded, "After leaving the Dao Domain, I chanced upon an opportunity and entered the Chaos Realm..."
Though King Leto nodded, his heart was bitter. He and Zhong Ao were peers, and back then, he was ranked third among the Ten Dao Prodigies, while Zhong Ao was only fifth. Yet Joe Di called Zhong Ao 'Brother,' while he had to address Joe Di as 'Senior.'
Joe Di knew the Chaos Realm well. Many had once urged him to go there to achieve Dao Fusion, or even to break through to the Third Step. Thankfully, he hadn't chosen that path; otherwise, he would have had to sever his Dao and undergo nirvana again to re-enter the Third Step.
Achieving the Third Step in the Chaos Realm was powerful within the Five Elements Universe, but once you left—especially upon entering the Genesis Universe—you found yourself lacking. At the same cultivation level, you were always a step below others. Both Emperor Ye and Nick Ning had experienced this firsthand.
"I went to the Chaos Realm hoping to find an opportunity to reach the Third Step, but one day I encountered the King of the Chaos Realm..."
Joe Di interrupted King Leto, asking in confusion, "The King of the Chaos Realm? I've heard of the Chaos Realm many times, but this is the first I've heard of a king. Isn't that place supposed to be barren? Has it turned into a city of cultivators?"
King Leto shook his head. "No, actually, I have a bit of a connection with the King of the Chaos Realm—he also came from the Dao Domain."
Joe Di laughed, "King Leto, I know a little about the people in the Chaos Realm. You say someone from the Dao Domain became king there? Honestly, I find that hard to believe."
Joe Di truly didn't believe it. The Dao Domain was much better now than before; back then, its laws were incomplete and there weren't even Dao Fusion cultivators—those that were had come from elsewhere. To say someone from the Dao Domain could become king in the Chaos Realm, he simply couldn't accept it.
Not to mention others—he knew Lord Voidbreaker was mixing it up in the Chaos Realm. Plenty of cultivators on par with Lord Voidbreaker were there too, and since he had broken the Inner Realm of the Five Elements Universe, even more powerful cultivators were flocking to the Chaos Realm.
In a world teeming with powerful cultivators, what right would a Dao Domain cultivator have to claim kingship in the Chaos Realm?
King Leto sighed and said, "Senior Di..."