Space began to distort, and boundless killing intent converged within this twist.
Sean Chen was trapped by this distortion; apart from forcibly striking out, he found himself unable to evade.
Trace Mark was forcibly unleashed. The twisted blade pattern of Emperor Ye suddenly paused, and the sweeping killing force began to show signs of dispersing.
Emperor Ye sighed, knowing that in his current state, he still could not defeat Sean Chen.
Boom! The twisted blade pattern collided with the Trace Mark. The blade pattern scattered, and the distorted void began to return to normal. After Sean Chen took a step back, he prepared to unleash Trace Mark again.
Naturally, Emperor Ye would not remain here and be dragged into another fierce battle by Sean Chen. Without hesitation, he retreated dozens of feet.
Emperor Ye, who had originally planned to escape, stopped in his tracks—a third person had arrived.
Sean Chen, who was about to attack again, also refrained from unleashing Trace Mark. He vigilantly watched in a certain direction, just like Emperor Ye, knowing a third person had arrived.
"Haha..." A hearty laugh rang out, followed by a voice saying, "Sean Chen, your great-grandfather wrongly accused you before, thinking you were plotting in the back. Now that I see you here, I can finally rest easy."
"Joe Di?" Sean Chen's eyes narrowed. If he hadn't been injured, Joe Di would mean nothing to him. Not just Joe Di—even that self-proclaimed formidable Zha he wouldn't take seriously.
Yet his foundation was gravely wounded by Chi Yao back then, and he still hasn't fully recovered. Spending so many years in Genesis City has been nothing short of a nightmare.
"Your eyesight is sharp—you must have arrived here earlier than I did." Joe Di chuckled and walked over.
Seeing Joe Di approach, Sean Chen subconsciously retreated a few steps.
Emperor Ye's expression shifted slightly; he vaguely sensed the presence of Serena Green. It was a sixth sense, indescribable.
But right now, he couldn't leave. Not to mention Sean Chen—even this newcomer, Joe Di, seemed peculiar, and even Sean Chen was wary of his strength.
"Fellow Daoist Di, we've both been ambushed. We shouldn't be enemies, but allies instead." Sean Chen cupped his fists, clearly wary of Joe Di.
Joe Di sneered, "You ambushed the strong cultivators of my Five Elements Universe, severed our Heaven-Earth Laws, and stole our treasure, the Chaos Gate. Now you claim we're allies—do you really think my intelligence is on par with yours?"
"You're also a cultivator of the Five Elements Universe?" Emperor Ye looked at Joe Di in shock. All these years, aside from meeting Nick Ning, he'd never seen such a stranger from the Five Elements Universe. Had more strong cultivators emerged while he was trapped in the Genesis Universe?
Joe Di didn't recognize Emperor Ye either, but upon hearing his words, he realized Emperor Ye was also from the Five Elements Universe.
"Joe Di, from the Five Elements Universe. Fellow Daoist, are you also from there?" Joe Di cupped his fists. Emperor Ye was clearly still recovering from serious injuries, yet Joe Di couldn't discern any trace of his Dao Rhyme—proof that Emperor Ye was no ordinary figure.
Emperor Ye laughed heartily and also cupped his fists, saying, "Ye Mo, indeed from the Five Elements Universe."
Sean Chen said nothing and didn't leave, surprised that Joe Di and Emperor Ye didn't know each other.
"So you're Ye Mo?" Joe Di exclaimed with delight. "I've saved a few people before, and they all know you. By the way, don't you have a daughter named Emily Ye?"
"You know Emily?" Emperor Ye was moved. The loss of Emily had always been a scar in his heart, something he could never get over. He only blamed his lack of strength; if he were stronger, he would even try to turn back time to bring Emily back.
Seeing Emperor Ye's expression, Joe Di immediately understood and waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry. I once saw a remnant of her soul and saved her. She's doing well now, and I heard she's with her friend Charlotte Ling."
"Thank you, thank you..." Emperor Ye murmured. At this moment, he felt not only gratitude but also that an invisible chasm in his heart had finally been bridged.
In just a short time, Emperor Ye's injuries rapidly faded, and his Dao Rhyme surged upward.
Sean Chen's eyes twitched in shock. He was certain that if he fought Emperor Ye now, he wouldn't have the upper hand.
Joe Di remained silent, knowing Emperor Ye was still recovering and overwhelmed by joy.
Sure enough, after a long while, Emperor Ye finally composed himself and cupped his fists to Joe Di again. "Brother, thank you. Let's talk more later."
After speaking, both men turned to look at Sean Chen.
Sean Chen sighed, "If you join forces to kill me, it would be meaningless. We really shouldn't be fighting, because we share a common enemy. You may not believe me, but this person truly is our greatest foe."
Emperor Ye said nothing; he did sense a certain restriction. He believed he had a major enemy, but that enemy was certainly not some city lord of Genesis City, nor did Sean Chen qualify as his true nemesis.
At this moment, Sean Chen dared not hide anything—he knew escape was impossible. He'd heard of Joe Di's escape technique, but even more terrifying was Joe Di's Arrow of Time and Space. If that arrow was unleashed, where could he run?
"Have you two ever heard of the Fourth Step?" Sean Chen's tone grew serious.
Both Joe Di and Emperor Ye nodded—they had heard of it. After acquiring the Lawless Cradle, Joe Di had a clearer understanding of the Fourth Step. Emperor Ye had yet to find Serena Green and perfect his own Dao, so his knowledge was more superficial.
"There is a Fourth Step powerhouse in our Vast Chaos. One day, we will all be mere ants in his palm..."
"Wait..." Joe Di interrupted Sean Chen. "City Lord Chen, are you saying that Fourth Step powerhouse is in our Vast Chaos, and not in a higher realm?"
Sean Chen nodded. "Yes, this person is definitely in our Vast Chaos. Until he perfects his Dao, the higher realm has yet to be opened. Once his Dao is complete, our fate... heh..."
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
Joe Di recalled the suspected Fourth Step powerhouse who forced Miles Gray in the Genesis Cradle, and asked again, "City Lord Chen, is there truly only one Fourth Step?"
Sean Chen replied calmly, "I swear on my Dao foundation, there is only one Fourth Step, and there can only be one. If two appeared, our Vast Chaos would collapse under the unbearable pressure of their vast Dao. Let me put it this way: when a cultivator steps into the Third Step, it's a transformation from quantity to quality—a change you can still sense.
But the leap from Third Step to Fourth Step is true Dao nirvana, completely transcending the Dao itself. Everything bows beneath the Fourth Step. Even looking up to the Fourth Step is a luxury for those below, let alone opposing them..."
At this, Sean Chen swept his gaze over both men. "You two are destined to stand at the pinnacle of Vast Chaos, so you naturally understand the threat the Fourth Step poses to us."
"Do you know who this Fourth Step is, or where they are?" Emperor Ye's tone grew solemn. Even after finding Serena Green, all he could do was perfect his Dao—he had no clue how to step into the Fourth Step.
Sean Chen shook his head. "I don't know. I only have a suspicion. I suspect that person is still in the nirvana of Dao. Otherwise, just mentioning the Fourth Step would draw their attention, and we'd be annihilated instantly."
A flash of realization struck Joe Di—he finally understood something he'd been unable to recall ever since Miles Gray's self-destruction. Deep down, he knew it was vitally important.
Now he finally understood: the Fourth Step truly exists. But as Sean Chen said, that person is still in Dao nirvana. Otherwise, why would they need to use other means to coerce Miles Gray? Wouldn't a direct confrontation suffice?
Joe Di let out a long breath. He had to find this person before their nirvana was complete and they stabilized at the Fourth Step—otherwise, no matter how many allies he had, they would stand no chance.
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)