Before Pa Sheng could speak, a calm voice drifted over. "City Lord Nie, I arrived a few days late. I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Following the voice, a young man dressed in blue walked in on his own accord.
"It's you..." Pa Sheng uttered in astonishment, then immediately glanced toward the entrance of Neil Payne's residence.
Neil Payne was already standing at the entrance of his residence almost instantly. After two breaths, he fixed his gaze on Joe Di and asked, "Daoist Di, how did you enter my residence?"
He had personally set up the protective array around his residence, including top-tier killing formations and hidden chain arrays. Without his permission, who could possibly approach the entrance so easily?
If entering and leaving his residence was so simple, how could Neil Payne dare to continue cultivating here?
Neil Payne's strength might not be the greatest among the city lords of Genesis City, but he was far from the weakest. However, when it came to artifact mastery, he was undoubtedly the number one in Genesis City. How could an artifact master have weak array skills?
Joe Di replied calmly, "City Lord Nie, how I entered is not important. What matters is that I've returned, and I've come in. Are you inviting me here with sincerity, or do you secretly intend to plot against me? If that's the case, I'm afraid I can't stay and will have to leave."
"Not at all, not at all. I simply didn't expect Daoist Di to come at this moment. Please, take a seat in the guest hall." Neil Payne instantly recovered his smile, his tone warm and enthusiastic, as if Joe Di's arrival genuinely delighted him.
But deep down, Neil Payne understood what Joe Di meant. Lieu You had failed to stop Joe Di from returning, and the fact that Joe Di could freely enter and exit his residence meant Neil Payne's life was under constant threat.
This also sent a message to Neil Payne: every scheme aimed at Joe Di's friends was crystal clear to him. Precisely because he understood, Joe Di displayed his strength. By showing his power without making a move, he was signaling that cooperation could continue. Otherwise, the consequences would be severe.
Understanding this, Neil Payne calmed down. He also needed an ally, and if Joe Di's strength could overwhelm Lyle Yew, such an alliance would be invaluable.
Of course, Joe Di heard Neil Payne's words. The reason he returned to Genesis City before fully recovering was his concern that Neil Payne might take action. Joe Di knew all too well the nature of these old foxes—there was no real friendship, only mutual interests.
Having just arrived in Genesis City, Joe Di needed a powerful ally, and Neil Payne was exactly the person he was looking for.
Pretending nothing had happened, the two of them walked into the guest hall.
Neil Payne personally poured Joe Di a cup of top-grade Divine Spirit Tea, then smiled and said, "I've been waiting eagerly. Daoist Di, you've finally arrived. By the way, did you have any important matters to attend to these past few days?"
Joe Di smiled faintly. "Nothing much, just wandered around the surroundings. In the end, I found this place to be the best, so I came back."
Neil Payne was trying to probe for news about Lyle Yew, but of course Joe Di would not tell him.
"Daoist Di, are you comfortable living in Sanctuary Eleven?" Neil Payne asked with a smile. He knew Joe Di wanted to cooperate. After calming down, he was no longer worried. This was his turf—no matter how strong Joe Di's array skills were, as long as he was prepared, Joe Di wouldn't dare make a move here. So the premise of cooperation was that Joe Di would follow his lead.
Joe Di immediately straightened up and cupped his fists. "I was just about to trouble you, City Lord Nie. I feel the difference in Genesis aura between the outer city and the inner city is immense, and the clarity of the rules is lacking. I wonder if City Lord Nie could help me and a few friends find some residences in the inner city?"
Neil Payne sneered inwardly, but outwardly he looked troubled and said, "Daoist Di, you're from the Five Elements Universe, aren't you?"
Joe Di nodded. "That's right. Is there a problem with that?"
Neil Payne sighed and said, "Cultivators from the Five Elements Universe aren't welcome here. Do you know why no one has made a move against you yet?"
Joe Di replied coolly, "Who said no one's made a move? Since coming here, I've faced death countless times."
Neil Payne said, "When I say no one's made a move, I mean the true powerhouses of Genesis City haven't paid you any attention yet. If they did, do you think you'd still be sitting here safely? Do you know why they haven't acted against you?"
"Why?" Joe Di asked in confusion.
Since arriving, he always thought cultivators from the Five Elements Universe couldn't survive here because of Lyle Yew and his companion Zhu Sui Buling. But now, it seemed Neil Payne's words hinted at another reason.
"It's because you don't carry any cosmic rank aura. In other words, you don't hold a Saint Seat or any Cosmic Baron title. There's no benefit in targeting you—who wants trouble? I heard the Five Elements Universe produced a few strong cultivators: one named Nick Ning, another Emperor Ye. If either of them came here, they'd be besieged before even reaching the outer district of Genesis City." Neil Payne's tone was calm.
Joe Di fell silent. Only now did he truly understand why no one from the Five Elements Universe could survive here.
He'd also heard about the opening of the Gate of Destiny in the Five Elements Universe, and that five Saint Seats and many Cosmic Barons had emerged. As for ranks below Cosmic Baron, he wasn't sure.
But those who obtain a Saint Seat or Cosmic Baron title are clearly top-tier powerhouses. If they come to Genesis City, they'll be eliminated immediately.
Since the powerhouses don't dare come to Genesis City, those with weaker cultivation who arrive in the outer district are crushed by cultivators from other universes long before the city's true elites need to act.
Originally, Joe Di planned to settle in Genesis City, comprehend the Creation Resonance, and strive to reach the Creation Realm before the struggle for the Cosmic Throne began. Now, it seemed he'd been too optimistic.
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He could come to Genesis City, but he absolutely couldn't stay here long-term.
He was alone and indeed held no cosmic rank, but he came from the Five Elements Universe. The powerhouses would never allow such a hidden threat to remain before the struggle for the Cosmic Throne began. The only reason they hadn't acted yet was that they didn't know his true strength. It wasn't that they wouldn't deal with him—they simply didn't see him as a threat yet.
Not only did he have to leave, but he had to do so as quickly as possible.
Seeing Joe Di's troubled expression, Neil Payne was quite satisfied. Only by intimidating Joe Di could he make him useful.
"Daoist Di, ten years ago a Genesis Planet appeared in the Genesis Universe. When it was opened, countless top-tier treasures were revealed. Many of those treasures will be up for auction tonight. If you're interested, you could take a look." Neil Payne knew he couldn't just threaten Joe Di; he needed Joe Di to understand that following him meant there was still a chance for good fortune.
Joe Di understood Neil Payne's intentions clearly—Neil Payne was trying to scare him. But Joe Di also knew that Neil Payne hadn't exaggerated at all; this was the truth.
No longer in the mood to stay, Joe Di stood up and cupped his fists. "City Lord Nie, I've just arrived in Genesis City and am flat broke. How could I have a chance to attend the auction?"
Seeing Joe Di uninterested, Neil Payne knew he'd managed to intimidate him, but didn't mind. In the Genesis Universe, if Joe Di wanted to advance further, he could only stay here. As long as Joe Di remained, Neil Payne would have plenty of chances to recruit him as his subordinate.
After chatting a while longer, Joe Di took the initiative to bid farewell. He had no mood to continue talking with Neil Payne—he needed to leave Genesis City and find a new place to settle.