"That's right, I am Violet Zane. The Celestia Auction Ticket you need—I can get it for you. The condition is that you personally teach me your blade technique." Violet Zane's tone was calm and measured.
"Before we make a deal, I have a question. Can you answer it?" Joe Di felt curious upon seeing Violet Zane.
Violet Zane paid no mind to Joe Di's curiosity and replied, "Go ahead and ask. If I can answer, I will."
"Alright," Joe Di said. "Just over a month ago, a white-haired man surnamed Luo arrived at Yanda Martial Arts Department. He was incredibly powerful, rumored to have inherited a Dao legacy from Celestia. He could conjure fireballs with a mere gesture. I'm sure you've heard of this. Logically, Senior Luo came here seeking a successor for his teachings. Why didn't he choose you, but instead chose another woman?"
A trace of gloom and disappointment flickered in Violet Zane's eyes. With Joe Di at Qi Training Level Two, he easily noticed the sadness in her gaze.
After a moment, she finally answered, "Senior Luo actually came specifically to see me, but I didn't meet his requirements."
Joe Di could clearly sense Violet Zane's emotional turmoil. Evidently, she was deeply disappointed that the white-haired man hadn't chosen her.
"That's his loss. Your talent far surpasses Lydia Lu's. You can tell just by looking at her character—she's nowhere near your level. You're prettier, more capable... hmm, and much more pleasant to look at." Hearing that Violet Zane lost her spot to Lydia Lu, Joe Di couldn't help but feel indignant.
Even though he hadn't made a deal with Violet Zane yet, Joe Di had already compared Lydia Lu and Violet Zane in his mind.
Violet Zane's previously forlorn expression grew cold. Her voice became detached as she said, "I don't like talking about people behind their backs, nor do I appreciate others speaking ill of them in front of me. That's a matter of character."
Joe Di chuckled indifferently and said, "My character was never that great, you'll find out soon enough. So don't expect me to meet your standards. If you don't like it, you don't have to make a deal with me."
In Joe Di's mind, Lydia Lu was nothing but trouble. If that white-haired man hadn't shown up, he might have actually fallen for her tricks. For anyone who tried to kill him, Joe Di had nothing good to say—whether behind their back or to their face. When he was strong enough, he'd curse them to their face just the same.
Besides, Joe Di didn't feel he was wronging Lydia Lu. She'd clearly been sent by The Unfalsifiable to capture him, and the moment the white-haired man accepted her as a disciple, she tossed The Unfalsifiable's orders aside. That just proved what he'd said—her character was lacking. As for his own character, he couldn't care less. Back in Pearl City, when people mentioned Old Joe Di, did anyone think he had good character?
"I heard Lydia Lu was your girlfriend. It's only been a month since she left, and you're already talking about her behind her back. Honestly, if it weren't for our deal, I'd have left long ago." Violet Zane's words grew even more detached.
Joe Di laughed heartily, "That woman was secretly involved with who knows how many men. I dumped her ages ago—anyone who wants her can have her. She has nothing to do with me. If you keep her around, you'll be walking under a field of green grass wherever you go."
"I agree with you, Brother Joe. That woman is trouble—it's good you ditched her." Echo Young immediately chimed in.
In truth, he'd never even met Lydia Lu. But since she came after Joe Di, she was naturally his enemy too. Principles didn't matter much when it came to enemies—neither he nor Joe Di were the principled type. Talking behind someone's back? For Echo Young, that was just everyday life.
Violet Zane's expression grew even colder. She had her principles and disliked talking about people behind their backs. If she didn't desperately want Joe Di's blade technique, she'd have left already.
"Let's drop the subject. What do you think of my proposal?" Violet Zane took the initiative to change the topic.
"I thought you'd leave, but here you are. Since you've got some nerve, you're qualified to make a deal with me." Joe Di slapped the chair beside him, gesturing for Violet Zane to sit and talk.
Violet Zane didn't move, simply watching Joe Di and waiting for his answer.
"My Di Family blade technique has four moves. The first move trades for one Celestia Auction Ticket, the second move for one hundred million Federation Coins. If you have more money to spare, we'll discuss how to trade for the third move." Joe Di laid out the terms he'd prepared for the Ji family.
Normally, these auctions used Federation Coins. Federation Coins were introduced by the Earth Federation after the discovery of Celestia—a new global currency. One Federation Coin could be exchanged for two Huaxia Coins.
"I don't have that much money." Violet Zane felt a wave of helplessness. No matter how wealthy her family was, she couldn't just pull out a hundred million Federation Coins. As Joe Di had just said, she'd soon learn what kind of character he had.
"No money, then we can only trade one move for the Celestia Auction Ticket." Joe Di was not one to pity beauty. The Di Family Seven Blades were his family's legacy—if his father Shawn Di were still alive, he'd probably go mad seeing Joe Di teach them to others so freely.
After witnessing Dao cultivation techniques and reading the Secrets of the Martial King, the Di Family Seven Blades no longer held the same status in Joe Di's heart. Besides, according to his ancestor Ethan Di, the Di Family Seven Blades weren't originally from the Di family.
"Fine. Teach me the first move now. As soon as I master it, I'll give you the ticket." Violet Zane was straightforward and didn't haggle with Joe Di.
"Let's go." Joe Di grabbed the steel blade beside him and stood up.
He didn't want to waste any more time. If Echo Young hadn't shown up, he'd already be on his way to the Lethe Mountains.
......
On the training grounds, Joe Di carefully demonstrated the Di Family Seven Blades: First Blade twice, explaining each step in detail every time.
It had to be said, Violet Zane's comprehension was exceptional. After watching Joe Di perform the move twice, she could execute the First Blade herself and asked numerous insightful questions. For this alone, Violet Zane was superior to Echo Young.
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Joe Di held nothing back—not only did he teach Violet Zane the First Blade, but he also shared all the breathing and energy circulation techniques that accompanied it.
If she combined it with certain medicinal herbs, Joe Di was confident Violet Zane could master the First Blade in just a week. Such talent was truly first-rate. That white-haired man actually thought Violet Zane's aptitude was inferior to Lydia Lu's—Joe Di couldn't fathom his reasoning.
"Thank you." Several hours later, Violet Zane put away her blade, cupped her fists in gratitude to Joe Di, and handed him an auction ticket.
She could tell that Joe Di had taught her the First Blade with complete sincerity, holding nothing back.
After several twists and turns, Joe Di finally got the ticket. He was just as pleased—now all he needed was to scrape together enough money.
"Wait a minute... Why isn't there an address on this ticket?" Joe Di examined the ticket and realized something was off. It only mentioned the Celestia Auction and the time, but there was no location listed at all.
Violet Zane replied calmly, "All Celestia Auction tickets are like this. But when the time comes, I'll know where to go..."
"Will you take me there?" Joe Di asked quickly, a sense of unease rising in his heart.
"Second Blade." This time, Violet Zane uttered just three words.
Just as he expected, Joe Di put away the auction ticket and said to Violet Zane, "Not bad, you're even more thick-skinned than I thought. Your character matches mine—deal. When the day comes, I'll wait for you at my place in the academy. Once you take me to the auction location, I'll teach you the Second Blade."
He had underestimated this woman—she'd managed to get two blade techniques from him with just one ticket.
"Deal." Violet Zane's cheeks flushed slightly—she'd played a small trick. Since Joe Di said her character matched his, she had nothing to refute. So she simply said two words and turned to leave. As for getting closer to Joe Di, she had no intention at all.
(Still recommending Lao Wu's 'The Strongest Abandoned Young Master.' If you've already read it, skip the recommendation. If not, fellow Daoists, please check it out.)