Gavin Strider sneered inwardly. This was one of his goals all along—if he didn’t drag Dominic Du along, then once he took the Lethe Bridge, who would Dominic Du vent his anger on?
Though that was his true thought, he said aloud, "Joe Di, you really do misunderstand me. I told you before—once Dominic Du arrives, at least we’ll have each other’s support. Besides, do you think Dominic Du can’t find you? The only reason Dominic Du hasn’t chased you yet..."
Suddenly, Gavin Strider paused, wondering why Dominic Du hadn’t caught up. Dominic Du had always been after him, never managing to catch him—thanks to Gavin’s vigilance and foresight. But now, Dominic Du definitely hadn’t caught up, because Gavin felt no trace of him.
Originally, Gavin Strider’s plan wasn’t really to take Joe Di out of the Five Elements Universe to achieve the Third Stage. He’d meant to keep Joe Di around within the Five Elements Universe for a while—so long as he stayed, Dominic Du would keep chasing him.
Joe Di staying by his side for long would mean Gavin could eventually get rid of him. And even if he couldn’t, he could still take the Lethe Bridge from Joe Di. As for Joe Di, he’d just leave him for Dominic Du to kill. Gavin could use Dominic Du’s attack on Joe Di as a distraction, then slip away from the Five Elements Universe. Once he was gone, even if the aura of the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed lingered on him, Dominic Du wouldn’t be able to find him right away.
But now, Dominic Du hadn’t caught up. That was far too strange.
By rights, Dominic Du shouldn’t be giving him any breathing room—unless something urgent had come up.
Whatever the emergency, Gavin Strider was sure Dominic Du wouldn’t give him much time. Originally, Gavin hadn’t planned to leave the Five Elements Universe just yet—he’d wanted to take advantage of Dominic Du’s pursuit a bit longer. But now, with this rare respite, he had to seize the chance and get out.
Gavin Strider naturally didn’t know that Dominic Du was currently questioning the Immeasura Palace Lord about an even more pressing matter. As soon as Dominic Du finished, he’d be right back on Gavin’s trail.
"Farewell!" Joe Di didn’t hesitate to turn and leave. Although he hadn’t sensed any immediate danger from Dominic Du, sticking close to someone who’d used the Reminiscent Bodhi Seed was bound to lead to trouble. If Gavin really wanted what Joe Di had, he’d have to show him the way right now—otherwise, Joe Di would truly walk away.
"Joe Di, if you don’t believe me, let’s leave the Five Elements Universe right now…" Gavin Strider said urgently, seeing Joe Di about to go.
Joe Di was the fat sheep he’d marked for himself—how could he just let him walk away? Gavin was sure Joe Di understood this too, but for the sake of reaching the Third Stage, someone like Joe Di would definitely follow him. If Joe Di didn’t dare, he wouldn’t have gotten this far.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Joe Di snorted.
"Let’s go." Gavin Strider nodded, his figure stretching out and vanishing into a shadow so faint even divine sense could barely detect it—his speed was nearly a match for Joe Di’s.
No matter how fast Gavin Strider was, Joe Di could still keep up.
Joe Di didn’t say a word. If Gavin Strider couldn’t find a way out of the Five Elements Universe within a day, Joe Di wouldn’t even bother asking—he’d just leave.
Clearly, Gavin Strider wanted to seize the chance to leave the Five Elements Universe before Dominic Du caught on. He still didn’t know what had delayed Dominic Du, but this was Gavin’s opportunity—one he couldn’t afford to miss.
It didn’t even take a day—just seven hours later, Gavin Strider stopped. In front of him and Joe Di was a Void Vortex.
Truth be told, Void Vortices like this were scattered all throughout the vast cosmic void. The two of them had already seen countless ones along the way.
"Old Gavin, you’re not telling me that entering this Void Vortex is the way out of the Five Elements Universe, are you?" Joe Di’s tone was less than friendly.
Gavin Strider chuckled, "It may not be entirely accurate, but there's some truth to it. If you want to leave the Five Elements Universe, you must enter this place."
Before Joe Di could respond, Gavin Strider waved his hand, "Joe Di, I know you say this is just an ordinary Void Vortex, but let me tell you, the only one who truly knows how to leave the Five Elements Universe through the Void Vortex is me, Gavin Strider. I don't know if Dominic Du has a way out, but even if he does, it won't be the same method as mine."
"Explain." Joe Di said coolly.
Gavin Strider replied sincerely, "Joe Di, I'll explain everything to you, but now is not the time. I don't know why Dominic Du hasn't caught up with me, but I can assure you, every moment we have now is precious. Once we leave the Five Elements Universe, we'll have all the time we need for explanations."
"Alright, you lead the way." Joe Di showed no fear. His physical body had long surpassed the Sacred Body; he refused to believe Gavin Strider's body could be stronger than his own.
Gavin Strider took out a pearl and handed it to Joe Di. "This is a Pathfinder Pearl. We'll use it to stay in contact. You must follow me closely, and the distance between us can't be too great. If you fall too far behind, you'll lose track of me."
Gavin Strider was confident Joe Di could keep up. Joe Di's Lawstride was unlike anything he'd ever seen—so powerful that losing track seemed impossible. At worst, Joe Di might suffer some injuries in the Void Vortex, but that was beyond Gavin's concern; in fact, he'd be glad to see Joe Di hurt. The real challenge lay ahead. If Joe Di couldn't overcome what was to come, Gavin would have to reassess him.
After speaking, Gavin Strider charged straight into the Void Vortex. Joe Di followed him without hesitation. The swirling Voidblade swept over them, enveloping both.
If a weaker cultivator were here, forget about escaping—they'd be shredded to bits by the Voidblade in an instant. Besides the Voidblade, the area was riddled with all kinds of void fissures and spatial dislocations. Survival depended entirely on one's reflexes; a moment's hesitation and the spatial dislocation would tear you apart.
After an hour, Joe Di clearly sensed Gavin Strider shift direction in the Void Vortex, veering toward the side. Joe Di followed immediately, not lagging behind in the slightest.
Gavin Strider secretly marveled—he had no idea where Joe Di had come from, but his strength was terrifying. If someone like Joe Di ever reached the Third Step, he'd be a true calamity. Now that Dominic Du couldn't catch up, Gavin couldn't just let Joe Di reach the Third Step unimpeded.
As soon as Joe Di turned in, he was struck by an extreme, chilling cold that seemed to penetrate to his very core, threatening to strip away his Primordial Soul. The void fissures, Voidblade, and spatial dislocations had all vanished.
While memorizing the rules of this place, Joe Di dodged the bone-chilling cold. Fortunately, he had refined the Lethe Frost Crystal before, so he had ways to withstand this sinister cold.
After another two hours, Gavin Strider changed direction again. This time, when Joe Di followed, he was met by a terrible, scorching heat—its intensity rivaled the level of his own Cosmic Flame. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't survive here; they'd be incinerated instantly. Gavin Strider seemed unfazed by the flames, moving at full speed.
Joe Di was certain: if he were killed by these flames, Gavin Strider would be the first to come—not to save him, but to strip him of everything he owned.
But Joe Di was clearly going to disappoint Gavin Strider. Not only was his speed increasing, he seemed completely unaffected. The Cosmic Flame had already formed a protective shield around his body, and with his formidable physique, these flames couldn't harm him at all.
Gavin Strider grew even more wary. He realized that the terrifying conditions between these cosmic planes hadn't harmed Joe Di in the slightest. Just what kind of cultivation had Joe Di achieved?
Two more hours passed. After crossing the blazing layer, Gavin Strider shifted direction once more, leading Joe Di into the true spatial dislocation zone.
Compared to the spatial dislocation here, the scattered bits of spatial chaos in the Void Vortex before were nothing at all.