With this punch, Chaos shattered, and the embryonic form of Joe Di's world began to take shape. Though the mountains and rivers were only outlines, the vast momentum could already be seen.
The surging Chaos Dao Resonance was swept away by Joe Di, then transformed into his circulating Dao Resonance and world laws.
The Lethe Bridge beneath Joe Di's feet still stretched across the Chaos, but Joe Di opened his eyes. He could now, with a mere gesture, grasp anything within the newly condensed realm he had just created.
Feeling the surging Dao Resonance and cultivation momentum within himself, Joe Di let out a long breath. He had achieved Realm Genesis—today, Joe Di finally stepped into the Third Step. With this step, he had gained control over his own fate and was no longer a mere ant, hiding from Dominic Du's relentless pursuit.
With a thought, Joe Di was already within his own realm, every detail of this world clear to him. He could distinctly sense every law and rule within his world—something he never had when he possessed the Ninth World.
"So that's how it is!" Joe Di murmured to himself. He finally understood the difference between himself, Dominic Du, the fat old man, and even Gavin Strider.
Though he could easily defeat Realm Genesis experts while at the Prime Realm, Joe Di knew those realms were mere False Realms, or small realms created by borrowing the power of the Five Elements Universe.
Now, the realm he had created was a true realm—a genuine Third Step.
When he achieved Prime Realm Perfection, it seemed he could still suppress Gavin Strider. But Joe Di was certain that once Gavin Strider achieved Realm Genesis, even if Joe Di was at Prime Realm Perfection, Gavin Strider could easily crush him. Gavin Strider's Realm Genesis was different from that of ordinary cultivators—it could be considered a true realm.
Once Gavin Strider achieved Realm Genesis, his strength would be countless times greater than when he was at the Prime Realm.
With a wave of his hand, Joe Di drew out countless fragments of Dao Principles, which rapidly fused together in his palm, transforming into complete laws that floated before him. With another gesture, a shattered Sacred Yin Pearl appeared in his hand.
Joe Di sighed inwardly—this was the true Dao, the true mastery. Back then, when the Ninth Prime Law contended with him, it was shattered into countless Dao Principles. Now, he could easily fuse those fragmented principles back together, restoring the Ninth Prime Law. Because this world was one he completely and utterly controlled. If he had attempted Realm Genesis within the Five Elements Universe, he would never have managed this, as his Dao could not surpass the Ninth Prime Law. Without that, how could he ever fuse it again?
Unfortunately, the Sacred Yin Pearl was broken, and with his current abilities, Joe Di could not restore it.
"You..." As the Ninth Prime Law regained a trace of autonomy, it was instantly stunned by Joe Di's cultivation.
Joe Di sighed, "I never expected that after you were shattered and became part of my world, I would one day be able to restore you."
The Ninth Prime Law finally understood, "You actually achieved Realm Genesis—and not just any realm, but a supreme one..."
The Ninth Prime Law did not continue; it realized it had greatly underestimated Joe Di. It had once attached itself to him solely because of a Cosmic Membrane Fragment. Once the Cosmic Membrane shattered, it left.
"That's right, I did achieve Realm Genesis. Unfortunately, my Sacred Yin Pearl was broken by your schemes. I can restore your law, but not perfect the Sacred Yin Pearl." Joe Di sighed and put away the Sacred Yin Pearl. Perhaps when his cultivation advanced further, he could repair it again.
"What do you intend to do with me?" The Ninth Prime Law knew it could no longer threaten Joe Di; now, Joe Di could easily crush it.
Joe Di replied calmly, "I have no intention of dealing with you. Go on—this is the vast Chaos; Dominic Du shouldn't be able to find this place."
"What?" Hearing that this was the vast Chaos, the Ninth Prime Law was completely shocked. Back then, it had struggled bitterly just to escape to Chaos, but it never had the ability. Now, it was as if it had awakened only to find itself in the boundless Chaos.
Wait, Joe Di just mentioned Dominic Du by name—how did Joe Di know about Dominic Du?
"You know the Cosmos Lord is Dominic Du?" The Ninth Prime Law was astonished; it remembered never telling Joe Di who the Cosmos Lord was.
Joe Di sneered, "Cosmos Lord? Dominic Du isn't qualified even if his behind were whiter. He only managed to snatch a few Prime Laws ahead of others during the opening of the Five Elements Universe—nothing more."
After speaking, Joe Di swept his divine sense outward. Beyond lay the realm he had shattered; this world would gradually form a new universe. If Joe Di claimed to be the Cosmos Lord of this universe, it would be justified. Dominic Du, on the other hand, merely seized things in a chaotic realm created by others—how could he call himself Cosmos Lord?
What puzzled Joe Di was that after breaking open a realm of Chaos and creating the Genesis Spark, he hadn’t found any Prime Laws or Genesis Treasures within the shattered realm.
The Ninth Prime Law fell silent for a long time before finally sending a message, "You do have the right to speak about Dominic Du this way. Also, why are you letting me go?"
Back then, it had schemed against Joe Di, and to this day, Joe Di's Sacred Yin Pearl still hadn't been repaired.
Joe Di replied calmly, "Because my Dao was enlightened by you. In a way, you were my first teacher. If you hadn't schemed against me, I wouldn't have fused you into my world. Today, I've constructed a realm truly my own and restored you, settling the debt between us. By bringing you into the vast Chaos, it's as if you once guided me along the path of law, granting me fortune. Now, I grant you a chance—whether you seize it is up to you."
Finishing his words, Joe Di waved his hand, directly taking the Ninth Prime Law out of his world and placing it in the shattered realm outside.
"Is this the newly opened realm of Chaos?" The Ninth Prime Law was no stranger to such things; as soon as it emerged, it sensed the endless aura of Chaos.
Joe Di nodded, "That's right. By breaking open a realm of Chaos, I stepped into the Third Step and created my own world."
The Ninth Prime Law drew a sharp breath—this was something even Dominic Du hadn't accomplished, yet Joe Di had done it. No wonder Joe Di no longer feared Dominic Du. But after all these years of struggle, how would it fare against Dominic Du in the future?
Joe Di said, "Before I send you away, I have a question. Who created the Five Elements Universe back then? Why did Dominic Du get to reap the benefits?"
"I don't know. All I know is that the person was tall and possessed giant divine powers." The Ninth Prime Law suddenly felt a bit ashamed.
Joe Di waved his hand, "You can go now. This is a realm I created—I'll send you out. By the way, I advise you not to seek out Dominic Du. With your strength, you'd just be delivering yourself to him."
"I understand. Thank you." The Ninth Prime Law was quite dejected. It had watched Joe Di grow, and now Joe Di could challenge Dominic Du, while it was still struggling for its own fate.
Deep down, it was grateful to Joe Di. Without him, it might never have regained its freedom.
After sending off the Ninth Prime Law, Joe Di did not remain in the newly opened realm of Chaos. If he wished, he could cultivate this realm into a second Five Elements Universe. But he had no interest in that. He vaguely suspected that after opening this realm of Chaos, its essence had already been absorbed by his cultivation, strengthening himself and helping him construct his own world.
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)