Joe Di was in a rather good mood. Although he still couldn't figure out the rule left behind by Chi Yao, at least he had gained a new subordinate.
To Joe Di, whether Gavin Strider would fully obey him was of little concern. As long as Gavin helped him deal with Chi Yao in the future, that was enough. With Gavin's Third Step strength, proven in the Vast Chaos, and after returning to the Five Elements Universe to perfect his own Dao, his future power would certainly rival the top experts of Genesis City.
Moreover, Gavin had sworn to gather all the powerful cultivators from the Five Elements Universe who could lend a hand.
Thus, after Joe Di and Gavin Strider returned to the Five Elements Universe, they immediately parted ways. Gavin went to seek like-minded allies, while Joe Di prepared to claim the Eclipse Gate and Oath Platform.
The Five Elements Universe had now restored its Heaven-Earth Law. Once he obtained these two items, he would take Nora Xiu and head to the Genesis Universe.
After all, if they couldn't defeat Chi Yao in the future, no matter where Nora Xiu went, it would still be a dead end. Since that was the case, it was better to face it together—even if they lost, at least they would die side by side.
Joe Di arrived at the location of the Eclipse Gate in just a few steps. Before he could act, a voice called out from nearby, "Is that Fellow Daoist Joe Di?"
Joe Di was startled. He hadn't paid much attention just now, certain that nothing in the Five Elements Universe could threaten him. But that voice clearly belonged to someone who could—and he hadn't sensed it at all.
"Indeed, I am Joe Di. May I ask who you are?" Joe Di stopped and focused his gaze on a spot in the void.
A faint figure appeared in the void, gradually becoming solid—a young man, as youthful as Joe Di himself.
This man's Dao actually lay outside the Five Elements Universe? Joe Di's gaze twitched—he could instantly tell that this young man's Dao, like his own, had surpassed this universe and formed its own cosmos.
"Haha, it really is you. My name is Nick Ning—I've heard of your fame for a long time. I must also thank you for saving several of my friends!" The newcomer was indeed Nick Ning. After speaking, he cupped his fists to Joe Di from afar.
From a distance, he could see that Joe Di's strength was definitely not inferior to his own. Both had transcended the Five Elements Universe and forged their own cosmic Dao.
Upon hearing it was Nick Ning, Joe Di's vigilance vanished. He quickly cupped his fists in return, saying, "So it's Brother Ning—I've heard much about your deeds as well. Meeting you today truly shows me that there's always a higher mountain."
Joe Di had heard many stories about Nick Ning—a straightforward and upright man who would never resort to underhanded tricks.
Joe Di was certain that Nick Ning's power had multiplied since his time in Genesis City, much like Ye Mo whom he'd met on the Divine Extension Continent—both had perfected their own cosmic Dao. If anyone claimed that Nick Ning was being hunted by trash like Lie You in the Genesis Universe now, Joe Di would probably spit in their face.
Nick Ning laughed again, "Joe Di, let's just call each other by name. You came here for the Eclipse Gate, right? I have some matters to discuss with you. How about we meet later in the Celestial Beyond to negotiate?"
"Agreed, that's exactly what I wanted." Joe Di admired him greatly. With Nick Ning's strength, he had clearly noticed the Eclipse Gate long ago. The fact that it remained untouched was obviously because Nick Ning hadn't claimed it yet. It seemed Joe Di's information was correct—Nick Ning was indeed a forthright person.
Joe Di stepped into the Eclipse Gate, swept it away with a gesture, and then noticed a silver-white pearl floating above the Oath Platform. He reached out and grabbed it, feeling a surge of joy—it was a supreme innate treasure, the Soul Pearl.
This pearl must have been left behind after Kiana Yin's fall. That woman was as venomous as a scorpion, but her intelligence was far inferior to Quinn Yan and Byron True. She naively thought she could escape him—did she really believe that by not guarding the Eclipse Gate, Joe Di wouldn't be able to deal with her?
......
Seeing Joe Di emerge after collecting the Eclipse Gate, Nick Ning called out from afar with a smile, "Congratulations, Joe Di—another treasure gained."
Joe Di laughed as well, "That's only because I ran into someone like you, Nick Ning. Otherwise, the Eclipse Gate might not have waited for me to claim it."
Nick Ning waved his hand, "Joe Di, you and I have both surpassed the universal laws established by the Vast Chaos. If I'm not mistaken, you've sensed the existence of the Fourth Step too, haven't you?"
When Nick Ning mentioned the Fourth Step, Joe Di's expression grew serious. He nodded and said, "That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you. I have indeed sensed the Fourth Step—and I know who is capable of crossing into it."
"Who is it?" Nick Ning asked in surprise.
Since this matter concerned everyone's future, the two couldn't even wait to return to the Celestial Beyond to discuss it.
Joe Di raised his hand and constructed a series of rule formations, enveloping the space around himself and Nick Ning.
Seeing the formation Joe Di had built, Nick Ning was immediately moved. "Joe Di, your array Dao is already a complete system! Wait—have you pioneered a new path of arraycraft?"
Joe Di nodded, "It's related to the Grand Way I cultivate. The being who has reached the Fourth Step is simply too powerful. However, I believe that with his current strength, he still can't penetrate my concealment formation."
Joe Di was indeed confident—unless Chi Yao crossed into the Fourth Step, he couldn't possibly see through Joe's array Dao. Even if Chi Yao had once reached the Fourth Step, it would still be impossible. Joe's array Dao was built from his own rules; what right did Chi Yao have to pry into it?
Nick Ning nodded. Only after reaching a certain level of strength would new information become available. Now, there were only a handful of people with whom he could share such news. For Nick Ning, sharing information with Joe Di was truly a major event.
Joe Di pointed to where he'd just emerged, "This region is called the Five Elements Chaos Domain, also known as the Inner Realm of the Five Elements Universe. The one who severed this chaos from the rest..."
"I've heard it was Sean Chen, right?" Nick Ning had heard some things about the Five Elements Universe during his years in the Genesis Universe.
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The Heaven-Earth Law of the Five Elements Universe was incomplete, so he naturally sought information on this topic. According to what he'd heard, Sean Chen and many powerful cultivators had joined forces to attack the Five Elements Universe's top experts, then divided its Heaven-Earth Law.
Joe Di sighed, "I used to think it was Sean Chen too, but later I realized the news we heard was only the surface. The one who truly severed this domain wasn't someone else—it was a fellow from our own Five Elements Universe. He was also besieged by Sean Chen and others; his name is Chi Yao..."
Joe Di didn't hide a single detail from Nick Ning. He shared everything he knew, including meeting Emperor Ye on the Divine Continent, then striking against Sean Chen and severely injuring him. He even recounted how, while Emperor Ye went to find friends, Joe was ambushed by Chi Yao, who had not yet entered the Fourth Step.
Since everyone would need to join forces in the future, these details had to be shared.
Hearing that Emperor Ye was safe, Nick Ning was overjoyed. But learning of Chi Yao's power, a shadow crept into his heart. That shadow was both the challenge of facing Chi Yao in the future, and worry for Emperor Ye. With Emperor Ye alone on the Divine Continent, and Chi Yao likely seeking Serena Green, a meeting between them seemed inevitable.