Barnett Xian suddenly stood up, disbelief in his voice as he asked, "You say you're a Saint Artificer? Capable of refining Supreme Artifacts?"
Joe Di's words were so astonishing that Barnett Xian momentarily forgot to continue observing Joe Di's actual cultivation level.
Joe Di patted the Azure Veil Blade on his back, "That's right. See this blade? I refined it myself. Impressive, isn't it?"
After Joe Di reforged the Azure Veil Blade, even Barnett Xian couldn't discern any differences. Yet, as soon as Joe Di patted it, Barnett Xian immediately sensed its uniqueness. This was definitely a Supreme Artifact of the highest caliber—his own treasure might not even compare to Joe Di's blade.
"Excellent blade." Even though the Azure Veil Blade remained sheathed, Barnett Xian couldn't help but praise it.
Barnett Xian quickly composed himself, sat down again, and spoke with renewed warmth, "I truly didn't expect Brother Joe to be a Saint Artificer. In this vast universe, there are indeed prodigies of the highest order."
Barnett Xian, who had previously addressed Joe Di as 'young friend,' now placed Joe Di on equal footing with himself. In fact, from a certain perspective, Joe Di's status was even more distinguished. Barnett was barely a Realm Creator, and even that was self-proclaimed, since he had no peers at the same level to verify it—he could only temporarily consider himself one.
Since the great battle of fortune years ago, Realm Creators had vanished from the universe. Even most Dao Fusion cultivators had only advanced in recent years. So regarding the legitimacy of his own Realm Creator status, Barnett Xian himself wasn't certain.
Joe Di stood up. "If Elder Xian has nothing else, I need to head to the secret domain. My purpose in coming to Xianhai this time is for Extreme Glaze Silver."
He had long noticed that, besides Barnett Xian, there was another powerful cultivator here—someone secretly observing him from the shadows.
Joe Di wasn't concerned at all. Truthfully, although Barnett Xian was formidable, in Joe's eyes, he posed less of a threat than Cynthia Xing. Cynthia's cultivation was far beneath his, yet she gave him a subtle sense of danger—that was what truly made her someone to be wary of.
"Alright, go ahead. After the secret domain ends, I hope you'll help the Xian Family forge some armor with Extreme Glaze Silver." Barnett Xian stood up as well, his tone very polite, making no effort to keep Joe Di any longer.
"Barnett, why not simply keep him here? A Supreme flying artifact isn't worth the Xian Family making a move, but a Saint Artificer definitely is." After Joe Di and Quinn Fang left, a blond-haired man stepped out.
Barnett Xian looked toward the door and said slowly, "You're right. The Xian Family doesn't lack a Supreme flying artifact, but a Saint Artificer absolutely cannot be allowed to leave us. The reason the Xian Family has stood firm in Xianhai for so many years, aside from our strength, is that we don't go overboard. Many people saw Joe Di come here; if he were to disappear now, our reputation would be ruined."
"Then should we act in the secret domain?" the blond-haired man asked.
Barnett Xian hesitated, then said again, "Whether we can act in the secret domain depends on what it's like inside. If it's dangerous, then we can make our move there. If there's no danger, we'll wait until he leaves Xianhai. By the way, that woman Cynthia Xing also seems rather mysterious."
"Did you see through his cultivation?" the blond-haired man asked again. As for Cynthia Xing, who was only at the early Genesis Realm, he didn't pay her any mind.
Barnett Xian was momentarily stunned, then frowned. After a long pause, he finally said, "It's truly strange."
"What is it?" the blond-haired man asked urgently.
Barnett Xian replied with confusion, "When I was checking his cultivation, it felt as vast and unfathomable as a mountain range—I simply couldn't see through it. Later, when he revealed he was a Saint Artificer, I was so shocked that I didn't continue probing his cultivation."
As vast as a mountain range? The blond-haired man furrowed his brow; as top experts, they naturally understood what this meant.
If there really were a technique that could conceal one's cultivation to such an extent, then that concealment method would be truly terrifying.
If it wasn't a concealment technique... The blond-haired man glanced at Barnett Xian, and the two of them almost spoke in unison, 'Is his cultivation higher than ours?'
'That's impossible.' The blond-haired man quickly came to his senses and spoke without hesitation.
Barnett Xian fell silent, and only after a dozen breaths did he say, 'His cultivation may not be stronger than ours, but if his divine abilities or Way Intent are superior, or if his God Origin is stronger, we still wouldn't be able to see through him.'
The blond-haired man drew a sharp breath. If Joe Di was truly that formidable, the Xian Family seeking him out would be the prelude to their own destruction.
He quickly realized, his voice trembling, 'Barnett, this might really be true. Joe Di is definitely not just a Dao Fusion cultivator on the surface—he's a true powerhouse. Think about it, since he arrived, has he shown the slightest nervousness? Not only that, he gifted a semi-Supreme flying artifact, declared himself a Saint Artificer to your face, and openly demonstrated the strength of his blade...'
The blond-haired man stopped short, even suspecting that Joe Di had already discovered his presence.
Barnett Xian understood what he meant; if Joe Di were truly such a reckless and naive youth, he wouldn't still be standing here talking. Such people wouldn't be able to move about so freely, even if they survived.
After a long silence, Barnett Xian finally sighed, 'I had planned to assign a Prime Realm and two Genesis Realm cultivators to follow him, but let's drop it. I may have acted rashly this time. Before he left, I placed a divine sense mark on him. If our deductions are correct, he should already know about it.'
The blond-haired man also sighed. 'Barnett, since he didn't attack us on the spot, it means he too has some misgivings about us. As long as we don't provoke him further, I believe he won't make a move. But that woman, Cynthia Xing, who dared to provoke Joe Di, is probably not an easy character either.'
Barnett Xian shook his head. 'I've checked Cynthia Xing—she's indeed at the early Genesis Realm. I can't be mistaken.'
When Joe Di and Quinn Fang entered the teleportation array under the guidance of Cason Xian, most people had already been teleported away.
Cason Xian didn't accompany Joe Di to the secret domain; he simply escorted Joe Di and Quinn Fang to the teleportation array before taking his leave.
When Joe Di and Quinn Fang emerged from the teleportation array, they found themselves on a massive reef island. Many cultivators were present, and several miles away, dozens of Genesis and Prime Realm powerhouses were attacking a location on Xianhai with all their might.
'Big brother, I was scared—I thought the Xian Family would force you to stay. I never expected you were a Saint Artificer.' Seeing other cultivators on the reef island, Quinn Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
When Quinn Fang learned Joe Di was a Saint Artificer, cold sweat broke out on his back. He thought, 'Big brother, even if you're a Saint Artificer, you shouldn't just announce it like that.' Fortunately, the Xian Family hadn't made a move against them yet.
'They're rather timid,' Joe Di replied, sneering inwardly. The Xian Family must care about their reputation. Placing a mark on him—such recklessness.'
'Daoist Friend Joe!' Several cultivators who recognized Joe Di hurried over to greet him as he emerged from the teleportation array. More and more cultivators gathered, all extremely enthusiastic.
While the formation was still being broken, a late Dao Origin Realm cultivator couldn't hold back and asked, 'Daoist Friend Joe, are you really a Grandmaster Artificer?'
Joe Di understood their meaning and simply announced, 'My artifact refinement skills are indeed quite good. After the secret domain ends, if anyone wants my help refining artifacts, I'll be at the plaza outside Xianhai, where I'll refine artifacts for a day.'
Joe Di hadn't yet seen what top-grade Extreme Glaze Silver was, but if it was truly valuable, he wouldn't mind helping others refine artifacts for a day—he could also get familiar with the material.