Upon hearing Joe Di's words, the imprisoned cultivator let out another chuckle. "Do you know what grade the Deathtrap Array outside is? Do you realize that besides the Deathtrap Array and this Silent Abyssal Magma, there are countless fragments of top-tier natural law prohibitions here? What amuses me the most is that you don't even know who captured you."
"What are top-tier natural law prohibition fragments?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
The imprisoned cultivator replied speechlessly, "You don't even know that, and you still want to get out?"
Joe Di said calmly, "At least I'm not the one locked up—you are. Maybe I can break your cage and let you out, who knows. And as for who captured me? At least I can move freely right now. You're the one who's truly caught; I'm just trapped."
The imprisoned cultivator showed no sign of being affected by Joe Di's words and continued unhurriedly, "Does it make any difference? Never mind, let me tell you what natural law prohibition fragments are. These fragments are everywhere in the Silent Abyssal Magma. It's easy to get in, but once you try to leave, these fragments can instantly form a top-tier Ninth-Tier Deathtrap Array and trap you.
Even if you have heaven-defying abilities and break this Deathtrap Array, another one will immediately form within the Silent Abyssal Magma. Even if you keep attacking for a lifetime, you probably won't break through the prohibitions and escape. I just can't figure out why someone would use this place to trap a small fry like you."
Joe Di ignored the man's sarcasm and continued to ask, "So you're saying the prohibition fragments in the Silent Abyssal Magma are like array patterns? They can form endless arrays at any time?"
The trapped cultivator replied indifferently, "You could say that, but array patterns are nothing compared to these prohibition fragments. This place is a natural prison. No matter who comes, they probably won't be able to get out. The fact that you're not dead already is impressive."
"Are you sure that nobody could escape from here?" Joe Di pressed.
The imprisoned cultivator hesitated before saying, "Except for a very rare few, almost every cultivator who comes here is doomed."
"Who are those rare few?" Joe Di pressed, keeping his composure.
The imprisoned cultivator shook his head, unwilling to answer Joe Di's question.
Joe Di didn't mind. He walked over to the iron cage and said, "Let's get acquainted. My name is Joe Di. My cultivation isn't high, but I'm fairly strong. I've been traveling through the void for a few years, and aside from being ambushed this time, I haven't really met any formidable opponents. Seeing you locked in Voidfire yet so at ease, you must be quite the powerhouse, right?"
The imprisoned cultivator sighed at Joe Di's introduction. "You're still cheerful now, but perhaps in a while, you won't be. It doesn't matter if we get acquainted. My name is Ethan North, and my Dao title is Lord Taiyi."
Ethan North? Joe Di repeated the name, then shook his head. "Never heard of you, though your name sounds impressive—Lord Taiyi, huh? I've heard of someone called Emperor Easton. Are you related to him?"
"You know Emperor Easton?" Ethan North exclaimed in astonishment, staring intently at Joe Di as if trying to judge whether he was telling the truth.
Joe Di looked at Lord Taiyi in surprise. He had only mentioned Emperor Easton casually; that was a figure from Chinese mythology, impossible to appear here. Was Ethan North crazy? Emperor Easton...
Wait, if Emperor Easton really is a figure from Chinese mythology, how would Ethan North know about him?
Joe Di suddenly felt a sense of unreality, even wanting to pinch his own arm to see if it hurt. Was he dreaming all this time? But his cultivation, insights, and everything he'd gained weren't fake.
Joe Di shook his head, forcibly pushing aside these unrealistic thoughts. Seeing Ethan North's eager gaze, he could only say, "First tell me why you're locked up here, then I'll tell you who Emperor Easton is."
"Alright." Ethan North replied without hesitation, "I'm locked up here because I befriended a great brother—Winston Shaw. I believe you must have heard of him; he is the Supreme Ease..."
Joe Di interrupted Ethan North before he could finish. "Sorry, I've really never heard of Winston Shaw. Is he that remarkable?"
"You don't know Winston Shaw?" This time, Ethan North was stunned. In his mind, Winston Shaw should be ruling the Fivefold Realm and gathering the Seven Heavenly Tomes by now.
Joe Di shrugged. "I truly don't know who Winston Shaw is."
"Impossible, that's impossible..." Ethan North muttered to himself several times before sighing, choosing not to continue talking about Winston Shaw and falling silent.
Joe Di gleaned a bit from Ethan North's words, but didn't bother with the gossip. Instead, he said, "As for Emperor Easton, I only know his treasure is the Easton Bell... Uh, and I've heard he fell in a great battle against the Wu Clan. Whether that's true or not, I have no idea."
This is all Chinese mythology, so of course Joe Di didn't know if it was true.
"Was the Wu Clan really that powerful?" Ethan North murmured, as if lost in ancient memories.
Joe Di could tell he wouldn't get any more answers, so he simply stepped aside and began studying how to escape this place.
He had made quite a few enemies in the void, but not many could plot against him—and it was Vera Tang who'd helped set him up. Thinking it over, Joe Di could only suspect Nora.
Joe Di circled the bottom of the Silent Abyssal Magma several times, carving out a multitude of law array banners. After a few rounds, Joe Di understood that Ethan North hadn't exaggerated—escaping from here was truly difficult.
Still, Joe Di believed he could get out, provided he could attain the rank of Ninth-Tier Array Emperor. For others, even reaching that rank might not be enough to escape. But Joe Di was confident because he had a unique method: law array banners.
Though the prohibition fragments in the Silent Abyssal Magma were numerous, they only targeted other cultivators—not him. If he carved out endless law array banners and became a Ninth-Tier Array Emperor, he could use the banners to continuously set up counter-prohibitions as he broke out.
"Eh? You can carve law array banners with your divine sense?" As Joe Di was still sketching out the banners, Ethan North's astonished voice rang out.
Clearly, he was shocked by Joe Di's actions. To carve law array banners with divine sense was simply too defiant of the natural order.
Joe Di was inwardly startled. No one had ever discovered his ability to carve law array banners before, yet Ethan North noticed—even in his crippled state. Just how powerful had Ethan North been before being disabled?
Fortunately, Ethan North only realized he could carve banners with divine sense, not that he could also use intent to carve law array banners. If the other party knew about his intent-carving ability, some of his greatest secrets might be exposed.
"That's right, I really can carve law array banners with divine sense. So? I think I can get out of here, right?" Joe Di chuckled and said casually.
Ethan North shook his head. "Your array skills are too low. If I'm not mistaken, you can only set up seventh-grade arrays."
"That's no problem. I can keep studying array techniques. I believe I'll soon advance to Ninth-Tier Array Emperor. Once I reach that level, everything else will be easy, right?" Joe Di said carelessly.
Ethan North was stunned by Joe Di's words. After a long moment, he finally sighed, "I've seen many geniuses in my life, even the most arrogant ones. But someone like you—this is the first time I've seen or heard of it."
Even the most arrogant genius wouldn't claim their array skills were lacking and that they'd simply advance soon. If ordinary advancement were enough, that would be one thing—but this was advancing to Ninth-Tier Array Emperor. If it were so easy, it wouldn't be so rare, and Ethan North wouldn't have been trapped here for countless years.
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)