All eyes turned to the speaker—a wizened old woman. Her hair was snow-white, and the wrinkles on her face looked like the uneven folds of a poorly made bun, deep and shallow, making her appear astonishingly ugly.
"Daoist Ming, I intend to trade a hundred Third Step Dao Fruits for your Genesis Loam. What do you think?" The old woman's voice was as grating as a crow with a ruined throat, making everyone extremely uncomfortable.
Joe Di thought to himself, is this old hag out of her mind? A hundred Third Step Dao Fruits would be priceless in the outside world, practically impossible to obtain. But this is the Chaotic Continent! Here, not to mention a hundred Third Step Dao Fruits—even a thousand wouldn't be worth much.
He had only just arrived here, and most of his time had been spent cultivating. Along the way, he had picked up over a dozen Third Step Dao Fruits. Though they didn't look impressive—perhaps discarded by others—they were still Third Step Dao Fruits.
Trading a hundred Third Step Dao Fruits for Genesis Loam here? That's just madness.
Sure enough, Quentin Ming chuckled, "Queenie Shaw, my apologies, but I've decided to trade with Daoist Zi Mo instead."
As he spoke, Quentin Ming handed Joe Di a jade box sealed with restrictive spells.
Joe Di nearly burst out laughing. This old tree bark was called 'Queenie Shaw'? Was that genuine or just a joke?
Though he found it funny, Joe Di still took the jade box at lightning speed.
"Brother Di, wait..." Almost at the same moment Joe Di grabbed the jade box, he received a voice transmission from Benjamin Edge.
At this moment, Joe Di's divine sense had already penetrated the jade box. He could feel the earth-origin energy, lively and primordial—it was unmistakably Genesis Loam.
No matter why Benjamin Edge told him to wait, he wasn't going to slow down. This treasure was rare and hard to come by—if he missed it today, where else could he find one?
After handing over the flames and cosmic rules to Quentin Ming, Joe Di stowed away the Genesis Loam, then sent a puzzled voice transmission to Benjamin Edge: "Brother Edge, why should I wait? This item is crucial for our future path."
Benjamin Edge sighed. "You'll find out soon enough. But rest assured—even if that old woman snatches your Genesis Loam, we'll get it back on the road."
Joe Di frowned. Snatch his Genesis Loam? Was his stuff so easy to take? Besides, they were still in the manor. Did Dustin Ping really have no shame?
Everyone's gaze fell on Joe Di, some even tinged with sympathy.
"Daoist Zi Mo, Queenie Shaw wishes to trade ten Third Step Dao Fruits for your Genesis Loam. What do you say?" The old woman, her face creased with bun-like wrinkles, smiled sweetly at Joe Di. Her tone, feigning gentleness, was enough to make anyone nauseous.
Joe Di ignored her completely, settling down with peace of mind. Still calling herself 'Shaw'? How could there be such a repulsive old hag in the world?
"Daoist Zi Mo, you have two choices: trade with Queenie Shaw, or challenge her to a duel." Dustin Ping suddenly interjected.
Joe Di's expression darkened, just as he was about to speak, Dustin Ping continued, "There is another rule at our Cedarwood Manor Dao Exchange: when a veteran client of over a million years requests an item from a newcomer, the newcomer cannot refuse. Refusal means a life-and-death duel at the Dueling Platform. Queenie Shaw has been a client here for three million years. Daoist Zi Mo, this is your first visit, so you must trade with Queenie Shaw."
Joe Di felt as if he were trying to reason with a dog—what a ridiculous rule.
Benjamin Edge suddenly stood up. "Master Dustin, I'll fight the duel on behalf of my friend."
Dustin Ping smiled faintly. "Of course you can, but you know the rules. If you fight in your friend's place, you must first destroy one arm and seal two-tenths of your cultivation."
Fully understanding the situation, Joe Di stood up to stop Benjamin Edge from speaking further. He glared coldly at Dustin Ping. "It's remarkable your manor hasn't gone bankrupt yet—you must have incredible luck."
Dustin Ping snorted coldly, Dao resonance swirling around him as his aura surged.
"If you want to duel, then duel. If not, hand over your item and get out of Cedarwood Manor. My manor has stood to this day despite countless challengers, but all those who dared to provoke us have long turned to dust." Dustin Ping's voice was saturated with deathly intent—he was truly enraged.
Joe Di was certain—even if he handed over the item now, it would be hard to leave Cedarwood Manor alive.
"Zi Mo, don't be reckless!" Benjamin Edge called out urgently. They've already angered Quinn Yan; if they provoke Dustin Ping as well, they might truly have no way out.
Joe Di laughed heartily. With a casual grasp at the air, an ordinary long blade appeared in his hand. "I'm not handing anything over today. What can you do about it? If you want to fight, then fight. I said your manor was lucky, but that luck ends today. Dustin Ping, are you coming up alone, or with this old hag? Let me see if either of you can even touch a hair on me."
Since a fight was inevitable, there was no point hiding his name—let them fight. Besides, Joe Di suspected Quinn Yan hadn't reached the Creation Realm yet. As long as no one here had, he had nothing to fear from Quinn Yan, the so-called Supreme Sage.
Everyone was stunned. Most thought Joe Di would ultimately choose to duel Queenie Shaw—perhaps even survive, if he lost.
But no one expected Joe Di's eyes would tolerate not a speck of dust—he went straight to provoking the manor lord of Cedarwood Manor.
"Hahahaha... In all my years, I've never seen anyone so bold, daring to act so arrogantly in my Cedarwood Manor. Kill him!" Dustin Ping laughed, but his voice held no mirth—only icy killing intent.
Benjamin Edge and the others simultaneously summoned their treasures and stood with Joe Di. Clearly, everyone knew this battle was unavoidable.
Joe Di waved his hand. "Brothers, thank you, but I don't need your help for this fight. Just cover me—watch how I flatten this wretched manor."
(This chapter is not over yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the exciting content!)
With the treasure in hand, Joe Di was eager for a big fight—to test the strength of the cultivators here. Since Dustin Ping was giving him the chance, why hold back?
"Brother Di..." Benjamin Edge exclaimed in surprise, about to say something.
Joe Di waved him off, stopping Benjamin Edge. "Brother Edge, trust me. If it really comes to it, then you can step in. My attacks are a bit heavy right now—my cultivation isn't refined enough, so I can't control my strength."
After saying this, Joe Di addressed the other cultivators: "Fellow Daoists, today Cedarwood Manor has crossed the line with me, Joe Di. So today, I will flatten Cedarwood Manor. If you want to oppose me, stand on the other side. If you don't wish to get involved, please step aside."
Joe Di simply went all in—this time, he even announced his own name, his aura soaring.
Why should he hide his name just because of Quinn Yan, a mere Boundary Realm cultivator? Joe Di wanted to make his mark on this continent with his own name, then openly shatter the grand array here. If anyone was unhappy, they could come at him—he wasn't afraid.
After saying this, Joe Di felt a wave of relief wash over him. In that instant, it was as if his strength had risen several levels, and invisible shackles around him broke and fell away.
Joe Di let out a long howl—this was his Dao. Hesitation and fear only weakened his momentum. If not for obtaining the Earth Fiend Seventy-Two Phantom Dao, he would have regretted hiding from Quinn Yan for years.
"Kill him." Dustin Ping's voice grew even lower, his killing intent nearly tangible, filling the void around them.
As Dustin Ping finished speaking, four Boundary Realm cultivators stepped out of the void, their various treasures locking down Joe Di's space. Queenie Shaw followed behind them, also summoning her treasure.