Shana Shan stood outside the Route Inn, hesitating for a minute before finally deciding to go and try to rescue Joe Di. At worst, she would be dragged back to the Shan Family. Though for her, being caught and returned home was nearly as bad as death, if she didn't go back, there would always be a thorn in her heart.
She practiced martial arts, unlike those peak experts who, after reaching the Half-Dan stage, could extend their lifespan by two or three hundred years. All she sought was to cultivate her martial path without attachments or regrets.
Once a thorn took root in her heart, not only would her martial path be cut short, but her future days would never be happy.
......
“That's right, I'm Joe Di.” As Joe Di spoke, he was already walking to the center of the hall.
“Seems you have some confidence. In that case, let me, Noah Shan, see if your words are as strong as your skills.” Noah Shan had naturally realized that Joe Di had killed the Shan Family members sent to capture him.
In his eyes, those sent to capture Joe Di were nothing but useless eaters. They could only deal with people far weaker than themselves; anyone slightly stronger was beyond their ability. Noah Shan could take on an Earth Stage beginner alone, but those sent after Joe Di—despite their Mystic Stage cultivation—were just a bunch of fools.
“Step back, Noah. You're not his match.” Eugene Shan stood up.
He saw things more clearly than Noah Shan. Last night, Shan Shitang had gone to capture Joe Di and was surely killed by him. Shan Shitang was a strong Earth Stage cultivator, not as powerful as Eugene, but if Joe Di could kill an Earth Stage expert, he must be one himself. Noah Shan, though talented, was not enough to face such a foe.
Before Noah Shan could respond, Joe Di had already raised his hand and hurled four fireballs.
Including Dan Beihe, all four were instantly reduced to ashes under Joe Di's fireball, without the slightest resistance.
Dan Youzhi's face twisted in terror as he witnessed Joe Di's methods. This was undoubtedly a Half-Dan level powerhouse; otherwise, how could he summon a fireball with just a wave of his hand?
Even though he was late Earth Stage, in front of a Half-Dan expert, he was nothing but an ant. The Dan family did have someone close to the Half-Dan rank, but that was only 'close'—they could never conjure a fireball so casually.
"Senior..." Dan Youzhi had just uttered two words before sensing something wrong with Joe Di.
Joe Di stood motionless, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his complexion tinged with a sinister black mist.
Was he injured? Dan Youzhi quickly realized Joe Di was wounded, and his heart surged with delight. He drew the long blade at his side and slashed wildly at Joe Di.
Joe Di remained rooted to the spot, watching as Dan Youzhi's blade descended. At this moment, he had no interest in dealing with Dan Youzhi; instead, he was desperately resisting the spread of the Toxic Rune within his body.
The saying 'the boat adds no burden, the burden adds no weight' perfectly described Joe Di's current predicament.
Earlier, when he stayed at the Roadside Inn, thanks to Dan Xiuqi's help, he had cultivated all night without any vigilance, not only suppressing the Toxic Rune that had once balanced with his Dao Law, but even peeling some of it away, allowing him to regain a trace of Spiritual Sense.
This effect was solely because he had devoted even the slightest bit of vigilance to expelling the Toxic Rune.