At this moment, Joe Di had already rushed onto the teleportation vortex, standing directly across from Henry Vaughn. The vortex was positioned squarely between the two of them.
Henry Vaughn stared at Joe Di. Although he wanted to crush Joe Di with his Dao Rhythmic Hand Seal, he dared not make a move right now. He held back because behind Joe Di lay the Vast Chaos.
He had witnessed Joe Di’s strength firsthand. As long as Joe Di’s escape technique and the power he had just displayed were not much different, Henry Vaughn knew he wouldn’t be able to catch Joe Di before he dashed into the Vast Chaos. He was well aware that his last grab, though not at full force, had utilized his full Dao Rhythmic power. For Joe Di to break free from his Dao Rhythmic technique and even counterattack—he was clearly no ordinary cultivator.
Especially Joe Di’s counterattack—the surging blade wave of his divine technique—each wave stronger than the last. This made Henry Vaughn realize that Joe Di’s technique was anything but ordinary, and he suspected Joe Di was still holding back.
“Where do you come from? What’s your name?” Henry Vaughn softened his tone, consciously refraining from using his oppressive aura to bear down on Joe Di, worried that Joe Di would flee at any moment.
Henry Vaughn assumed Joe Di might escape at any time, but in reality, Joe Di had no intention of running. It was true he couldn’t defeat this opponent, but Joe Di was confident he didn’t need to rush to escape just yet.
Joe Di chuckled, "Didn’t your teacher ever tell you that when you ask someone for information, you should first reveal your own background?"
“Ha! You’ve got nerve.” Henry Vaughn laughed loudly. “Henry Vaughn, Dao Master of the Trinity Universe. In truth, even if you didn’t say, I could guess. You must be the one who killed over a hundred of my Trinity Universe Convergence Realm cultivators, right? You’ve slaughtered so many in my Five Elements Universe—don’t you owe me an explanation?”
“Joe Di, just a humble cultivator from the Five Elements Universe.” Joe Di replied coolly. “As for your guess, you’re correct. The raiders you sent to invade my Five Elements Universe—I killed them all. And yes, I do owe you an explanation.”
“Good, then let’s see what explanation you can give me today.” As Henry Vaughn spoke, his aura surged violently, locking down the entire cosmic space.
At this moment, Henry Vaughn’s entire attention was focused on Joe Di. If Joe Di made even the slightest move, Henry would ignore the space itself and block Joe Di from charging into the Vast Chaos.
To his relief, Joe Di truly didn’t move. Whether he hadn’t reacted yet or was simply too confident, Henry Vaughn couldn’t tell. Since Joe Di hadn’t escaped after Henry locked down the space, there was no need for him to leave now.
Joe Di remained still, and Henry Vaughn couldn’t help but admire him. Usually, when cultivators of Joe Di’s level were enveloped by a Creation Realm spatial domain, their first instinct was to escape. But this Joe Di had real nerve—did he think that just because he survived Henry’s grab, he could afford to disregard him?
Joe Di’s own Dao Rhythmic domain unfolded as well. Not only did he not retreat, he even took a step forward, nearly standing at the edge of the teleportation vortex. In a cold voice, he said, "Henry Vaughn, you sent people to invade my Five Elements Universe and nearly wiped out all my people. If I, Joe Di, don’t settle this score with you, then all my years of cultivation would be for nothing."
“Let’s see what ability you have to settle the score with me…” Henry Vaughn sneered, and the third eye on his forehead opened. Joe Di saw that this third eye was actually a normal black color.
But in the next instant, Joe Di felt a chill run through his body. With his third eye open, Henry Vaughn seemed to transform into a crushing, endless mountain range. The pressure layered atop his Dao Rhythmic domain, instantly making Henry’s spatial domain more than twice as powerful.
Joe Di’s Dao Rhythmic domain began to crack and creak—this was the first time his domain had ever been crushed to the point of forming a fissure.
With a sigh, Joe Di knew he couldn’t wait any longer—he had to act first. He’d already attacked once; if he struck again, he would likely have to reveal his Seventh Blade.
Rather than exposing his Seventh Blade now, it would be better to wait until he reached the Convergence Realm before settling the score.
Joe Di’s figure flickered, easily breaking free from Henry Vaughn’s domain suppression. Although his domain was currently no match for Henry’s, it didn’t mean Henry could easily bind and restrict his movements.
"Henry Vaughn, today Old Di is going to look for a few friends. Next time, Old Di will come to the Trinity Universe to settle scores with you..."
With those words, Joe Di’s figure began to fade, about to vanish into the Vast Chaos.
"Wait..." Henry Vaughn quickly called out to Joe Di, his heart heavy with concern.
He had thought it would take Joe Di several breaths to break free from his domain, but in reality, Joe Di did it as easily as taking a stroll. This clearly showed that, at least in terms of domain, even if Joe Di wasn’t quite his equal, their levels weren’t far apart.
With Joe Di’s level of strength, even if Henry Vaughn attacked by force, at most he would only manage to injure Joe Di.
At this point, Henry Vaughn would almost prefer Joe Di to be at the Convergence Realm, or even Realm Genesis. If Joe Di were truly at Realm Genesis now, then when he advanced to the Creation Realm, his power might rival Henry Vaughn’s own...
Deep down, Henry Vaughn knew that telling himself Joe Di’s future power would only equal his own was just self-comfort. With Joe Di’s current Realm Genesis strength, once he reached the Creation Realm, he’d likely surpass Henry Vaughn.
How could he possibly stop Joe Di’s strength from continuing to grow?
Joe Di did indeed stop. He looked at Henry Vaughn and said coolly, "Henry Vaughn, if you have something to say, say it. If you want to fight, I’ve already told you—give me some time and I’ll come to the Trinity Universe to find you."
Henry Vaughn took a breath, trying to soften his tone. "Joe Di, do you know about Genesis City?"
Joe Di chuckled, "Of course I know about it. I’ve even been there before."
Now it was Henry Vaughn’s turn to be shocked. He stared at Joe Di for a long moment before asking in disbelief, "Joe Di, you said you’ve been to Genesis City? And no one did anything to you?"
"Of course someone tried to attack me. Unfortunately for them, I taught Byron True, the City Lord, a lesson, and even took away the core of Genesis City’s protective formation. What do you think?" Joe Di replied.
Henry Vaughn, who had been quite shocked, now burst into loud laughter at Joe Di’s words. "Joe Di, you’re the first person who dares to claim he taught Byron True, the City Lord of Genesis City, a lesson. Impressive, truly impressive."
Joe Di sensed something was off. Even if he were slow, he could tell Henry Vaughn was being sarcastic. Frowning, he hesitated and asked, "Is the City Lord of Genesis City named Byron True?"
Now it was Henry Vaughn’s turn to be confused. Joe Di didn’t sound like he was bluffing or putting on airs. Frowning, Henry Vaughn asked in return, "Who is Byron True?"
At this point, Joe Di realized he’d made a mistake. The Genesis Dao City he had visited was definitely not the same as the one Henry Vaughn was talking about.
"I must have made a mistake. Please enlighten me, Dao Master Henry." Joe Di cupped his fists, his tone much more polite. Two cities with the same name couldn’t be a coincidence.
Henry Vaughn was eager for Joe Di to show interest. As long as Joe Di went with him, even if he couldn’t defeat Joe Di, he could at least prevent Joe Di from growing stronger. If he could trick Joe Di into going to Genesis Dao City, well—no matter how powerful Joe Di was, he’d be trapped and unable to cultivate.
Henry Vaughn deliberately made his tone more serious. "You may not know Genesis City, but you should know the Gate of Destiny, right? Since you’re from the Five Elements Universe, you must know that place."
Joe Di nodded, "That’s right, I do know the Gate of Destiny."
Good, Henry Vaughn thought coldly, though his voice grew even more solemn. "At the dawn of Vast Chaos, countless great universes split off—your Five Elements Universe, our Trinity Universe, all the same. But what you may not know is that these universes are merely low-level ones. There is only one true advanced universe: the Genesis Universe."
"Please, go on." Joe Di grew serious as well. He didn’t think Henry Vaughn was lying—there was no reason for him to deceive Joe Di.