"Both of them are just Second Stage ants." One of the cultivators blocking Gavin Strider spoke lazily.
After confirming that Joe Di and Gavin Strider were both Second Stage ants, the rest of the group lost interest. Second Stage cultivators were clearly newcomers; what good treasures could mere newcomers possibly have?
"Kid, let me take a look at your True Spirit World. If you really don’t have anything good, I won’t bother making things difficult for you." Master Julian, who was blocking Joe Di, also spoke lazily. Demanding to see Joe Di’s True Spirit World was clearly just looking for trouble.
On this massive boulder, aside from cultivating, there was little else to pass the time. Since they couldn’t cultivate now, they might as well look at Joe Di’s ring to kill some time. After all, these two were newcomers—who knows, maybe there was something good hidden in their rings?
"Master Julian, could it be that your Gavin ancestor..."
Joe Di interrupted Gavin Strider directly, "Gavin Strider, are you really trying to snatch your ancestor’s title?"
Sensing Joe Di’s annoyance, Gavin Strider chuckled and actually changed his tone, "Master Julian, have I really been gone so long that everyone’s forgotten me? How pitiful, how tragic. My Void Crescent Ring hasn’t tasted any nutritious fresh blood lately."
As he spoke, Gavin Strider extended his hand, and the Void Crescent Ring traced two beautiful crescent-shaped void flowers in front of him.
"Are you the infamous Gavin Strider, the Non-Saint?" Someone in the crowd finally recognized Gavin Strider and cried out in shock.
"Haha..." Gavin Strider laughed heartily. "Who told you that only those who obtain the Prime Law are considered saints? I, Gavin Strider, have no interest in the Prime Law."
The words "Non-Saint Gavin Strider" startled everyone. The two cultivators blocking Gavin Strider immediately retreated a long way. Clearly, Gavin Strider had once been overwhelmingly powerful, and his lingering prestige remained.
Master Julian, who had just tried to make Joe Di show his True Spirit World, quickly stepped back several paces when he realized it was Gavin Strider, greeting him from a distance.
Old Gavin, you do have some reputation. A few arrogant ants retreated just upon hearing your name. Haha... that's hilarious, truly hilarious." Joe Di laughed loudly, seemingly unaware that his words would provoke hostility, his tone somewhat biting.
Gavin Strider’s expression darkened. Back then, what was Master Julian to him? Did he really have the right to call him a fellow Daoist? What annoyed him even more was that Joe Di was drawing hostility toward him. His strength hadn’t even recovered one ten-thousandth—drawing attention here was like wishing for his death.
He had no choice but to reveal his name. Even if he didn’t speak up, people would find out soon enough. As soon as he made a move, everyone would know who he was. Since that was the case, announcing it himself made it clear that Gavin Strider feared no one.
Master Julian clearly realized that Gavin Strider was now only at the Second Stage, so he must have either reincarnated or been severely injured. There was nothing to fear—his earlier reaction was just subconscious. Thinking of this, he chuckled, "Daoist Gavin, looks like you’ve reincarnated once. I wonder if your Genesis Nest was taken by Du Mo?"
Gavin Strider was furious. Truly a dragon stranded on the beach! "Master Julian, if you want to know, it’s simple. I, Gavin Strider, will be waiting for you right here."
Joe Di quickly stepped aside. He was eager to see Gavin Strider beg for mercy after being beaten—at least then, Gavin Strider wouldn’t have the energy to harass him before they left the Five Elements Universe.
In that case, I, Master Julian, will challenge you.' Master Julian’s eyes flashed as he walked toward Gavin Strider.
Daoist Joe, it seems that today, many people covet both my Genesis Nest and your Prime Law.' Gavin Strider looked at Joe Di, his tone surprisingly relaxed.
Joe Di cursed inwardly—this bastard was truly despicable.
You have the Prime Law?' Master Julian, walking toward Gavin Strider, suddenly stopped and looked at Joe Di with burning eyes.
Compared to the Genesis Nest, the Prime Law was what he truly desired.
Master Julian, since you've chosen to spar with Daoist Gavin, don't let your mind wander. You're not the only one here.' A cold voice interrupted.
Master Julian shuddered inwardly. He knew he had gone too far. If he hadn’t stepped aside at first, there would have been no problem—he could have killed Joe Di and taken his possessions. But now that he intended to confront Gavin Strider head-on, he couldn’t focus on Joe Di anymore. Otherwise, his greed would be too obvious.
After Master Julian reluctantly stepped aside, a middle-aged cultivator immediately took his place, blocking Joe Di.
I am Percy Payne. I have been at the Celestial Knot for 1,070,000 years and haven’t had the pleasure of your name, Daoist.' The middle-aged man cupped his fist toward Joe Di, his tone polite.
Joe Di replied calmly, 'Ninth Universe Founder, Joe Di.'
Ninth Universe Founder? Everyone’s attention was already on Joe Di because of the Prime Law, but now, hearing that he was also the founder of a universe, their eyes filled with even greater shock.
Clearly, Joe Di, like Gavin Strider, had reincarnated.
Percy Payne paused slightly. He didn’t doubt Joe Di’s words—if Joe Di were just an ordinary person, how could he be with Gavin Strider?
As for whether the Ninth Universe really existed, no one doubted it. After all, they were walking the Cosmic Stairway, and beyond it lay countless universe planes—any kind of universe could exist.
Still, thinking of the Prime Law on Joe Di, Percy Payne spoke politely, 'I’ve never encountered the Prime Law and have always admired it. I wonder if Daoist Joe would let me borrow it for a few days to study?'
Joe Di replied sarcastically, 'What do you think?'
Percy Payne nodded. 'In that case, let me experience your great abilities, Daoist Joe.'
Before Percy Payne could make a move, Joe Di said, 'Let’s wait a bit. I want to see how Little Gavin fights first.'
If Percy Payne were the only one here, Joe Di wouldn’t mind fighting immediately. But there were simply too many strong cultivators present. Even if he killed Percy Payne, so what? This Celestial Knot was no ordinary place—only so much space, and if attacked by a group, he’d have to flee.
Right now, the last place he wanted to escape to was the outer void. Even with the Voidmount and World Tome as protection, it would be difficult to survive there for long.
Gavin Strider still wanted to mess with Joe Di, but Master Julian had already summoned a massive iron hammer and swung it at Gavin Strider.
Joe Di was speechless. Master Julian looked every bit the elegant immortal—if he pulled out a whisk, it would suit him perfectly. But instead, he produced a massive iron hammer, as if straight out of an abstract painting.
The iron hammer whipped up a void vortex, crashing toward Gavin Strider like a mountain of hammers. Even standing on the edge, Joe Di could clearly feel the terrifying killing intent, as if he were about to be dragged into the vortex himself.
Gavin Strider simultaneously summoned his Void Crescent Ring, unleashing two crescent blade vortexes. The two domains collided, and in the next moment, Dao resonance exploded in the void, rules intertwining.
The battle looked earth-shattering, but Joe Di sensed something was off. He knew Gavin Strider’s strength—at least, Gavin couldn’t do anything to him. Logically, Gavin shouldn’t be Master Julian’s match.
He didn’t know exactly who Master Julian was, only that he was at least an Open Heaven powerhouse. Master Julian had been here for countless years and was still at the Third Stage. With all that time spent cultivating on this giant boulder, his strength should have grown by leaps and bounds.
So why did it feel like Master Julian and Gavin Strider were evenly matched? In other words, their Dao techniques were about the same. Had Master Julian spent all these years cultivating in a pig’s body? Even so, that pig should still be able to beat Gavin Strider.