Ninth In the World

Chapter 642: The First Business

Di Jiu was in extreme turmoil, as he had always thought that the Dao Master of the Universe was someone who had surpassed the second-step Dao Validation. To be on equal footing with the Dao Master of the Universe, one had to surpass the perfected second step.

Di Jiu did not think that he could challenge the Master of the Universe just because he had attained the perfected second step, neither would he arrogantly assume that his strength could overpower the Master of the Universe. Indeed, he could effortlessly fight against cultivators at a higher cultivation realm and eliminate those at the same cultivation level easily. However, these cultivators could not be compared with the Master of the Universe.

The Ninth Dao Law had contributed significantly to Di Jiu’s great achievements that day. However, the Ninth Dao Law was considered a Dao law that the Master of the Universe did not want. The issue here was not whether the Master of the Universe saw things wrong or could not tolerate the all-consuming nature of the Ninth Dao Law. It was not hard to imagine that the Master of the Universe possessed a number of items in the same league as the Ninth Dao Law.

“Yes, there are indeed existences that have attained the third step. I have heard more than one person tell me this information,” affirmed Ji Lu.

Di Jiu’s face turned solemn. After slowly sitting down, he asked, “Are there many such existences? Or is there only one who has attained the third step?”

He wanted to confirm if the person who had attained the third step was the Master of the Universe. If there was only one person, it might really be the Master of the Universe. On the other hand, if there were many such people, it would mean that the Master of the Universe had advanced from the third step and attained the fourth-step Dao Validation or even more.

Ji Lu shook his head. “I do not know exactly how many people have attained the third step. However, there is one thing I’m certain of: There is definitely more than one true expert who has attained the third step.”

Di Jiu sighed. This confirmed his guess that the Master of the Universe had surpassed the third step. Even though Di Jiu had attained the Dao Transformation Realm, he was still really small and he remained at the mercy of others.

“May I know how I can go to the Void City, City Lord Ji?” Di Jiu knew that Ji Lu’s knowledge of the third-step Dao Validation was limited. He might have merely heard of the term before. There were two matters Ji Lu wanted to talk to him about. One, the arrest warrant. Two, the Void City.

Ji Lu replied, “That is what I wanted to talk about as well. The name ‘Void Ocean’ originates from the numerous islets scattered around that produce high-level divine spirit herbs and high-level divine materials. However, with the increasing number of cultivators flooding the Void Ocean, the number of quality items available is decreasing. In a few years, this place will most likely lose its liveliness.”

“In truth, almost all the experts in the Void Ocean went to the Void City. While most headed over for the Dao Fruit Pagoda, some most likely went over to search for a way out. It is meaningless to remain in the Void Ocean any longer. If one wants to improve their cultivation or explore new sights, they need to seek new horizons.”

Di Jiu finally cleared his doubts. After all, no matter how many Dao fruits there were in the Dao Fruit Pagoda, it could not have caused all the experts to head over. Now, he finally understood. The cultivating resources in the Void Ocean most likely had been dwindling when he’d come to the Void Ocean.

Ji Lu then said, “It is actually quite arduous to go to the Void City, as it is surrounded by many races. It is also a cultivation city in the void. Rumor has it that many years ago, the various races were fighting for the right to survive and the human race was not really on the winning end. What made it even harder was the fact that the Void City is not located in the same plane where we are currently. One must use a top-notch Plane Rift Talisman in order to head to the Void City. The cultivators of the Void Ocean have obtained a top-notch Plane Rift Talisman, which is why they are heading to the Void City.”

Di Jiu asked another question. “City Lord Ji, do you happen to know where Jiang Dai went?”

Ji Lu smiled. “Ji Lu headed to the Void City as well. He is very powerful, so no one stopped him.”

“Thank you for telling me all this, City Lord Ji.” Di Jiu was very grateful.

After gaining this knowledge, he felt secure and sure that he could enter reclusive cultivation for as long as he desired in the Dark Red Sacred Dao City so long as no Primordial Chaos experts came over.

Ji Lu stood up and said, “Daoist Di, I shall take my leave first.”

He had two objectives for going there. First, he wanted to know Di Jiu’s motive and future plans, an objective that had already been achieved. He was now certain that Di Jiu had come to the Void Ocean with no ulterior motives in mind. Second, he wanted to befriend Di Jiu, an objective that should be considered accomplished.

After sending Ji Lu off, Di Jiu decided to enter seclusion for some time.

He intended to do as he wished since there were no Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors here. Thus, he planted a supreme-grade Dao meridian that he would cultivate on top of. He guessed that no one believed that he could really refine Dao pills, which was why there were no customers.

When he entered seclusion, he decided to invite Ding Chi along. After all, Ding Chi was not that bad a person, being a responsible man and all.

...

“Greetings, City Lord Ji.” A Dao Birth cultivator who was pacing back and forth outside Di Jiu’s Alchemy and Weapon Pavilion saw Ji Lu walking out of the building.

Ji Lu was in a good mood, so he nodded at this Dao Birth cultivator.

Seizing this opportunity, the Dao Birth cultivator hastily inquired, “City Lord Ji, is Alchemy Master Di really able to refine Dao pills?”

Ji Lu found the idea that Di Jiu could refine Dao pills atrocious, for only a fool would believe that. Given Di Jiu’s strength, he could lord over the Dark Red Sacred Dao City. Therefore, no one could do anything to Di Jiu when he made such claims. Even if Di Jiu annexed the Dao fruit, no one would dare to say anything when he claimed that the refinement of the pill was a failure.

Besides, no alchemist could guarantee a 100-percent success rate.

“That’s right, Alchemy Saint Di can indeed refine Dao pills.” Ji Lu helped Di Jiu out without hesitation.

He did not care whether Di Jiu could really refine Dao pills. He was now helping Di Jiu garner business so that Di Jiu would be grateful upon obtaining the Dao fruit. An insignificant matter like the Dao Birth cultivator suffering a loss was not Ji Lu’s concern.

“Thank you, City Lord Ji,” said the Dao Birth cultivator excitedly. Then, he scurried into Di Jiu’s Alchemy and Weapon Pavilion. It appeared that he believed deeply in City Lord Ji Lu’s words.

The reason was simple: City Lord Ji Lu was currently the only person of authority in the Dark Red Sacred Dao City. Therefore, such a person would naturally not sabotage the cultivators of the Dark Red Sacred Dao City.

The spectating cultivators who were standing a fair distance away were speechless and incredulous when they saw the Dao Birth cultivator really enter the Alchemy and Weapon Pavilion.

No one spoke up, however, for Di Jiu was simply too powerful. Speaking their thoughts would directly or indirectly interfere with Di Jiu’s business, and no one was willing to provoke Di Jiu’s wrath.

“Brother Di, someone wants your help with refining pills.” Ding Chi, who was handling the counter outside, hastily sent a voice transmission to Di Jiu excitedly when he saw someone walking into the shop.

Ding Chi had willingly offered his services to Di Jiu. Nonetheless, despite opening the shop half a day earlier, there had been no customers, which was a situation that disheartened him. He was naturally happy to see that they had their first customer.

Di Jiu also saw Lu Zhifan, who had entered the shop. He had intended to enter reclusive cultivation, as he had not expected someone to really ask his help to refine pills.

“Senior, I have obtained a Dao fruit and I wish to ask you to help me refine a cauldron of Dao pills...” requested Lu Zhifan in a respectful tone as he bowed deferentially.

“Which Dao pill do you have in mind?” Di Jiu looked at Lu Zhifan, who was at the perfected Dao Birth Realm. The latter most likely needed the Purple Heaven Pill the most, although such a treasure could not be obtained easily. Di Jiu himself had obtained a Purple Heaven Fruit in the Vast Ruins, all thanks to Yu Qianxi.

Lu Zhifan lifted his hand, took out a jade box and passed it to Di Jiu. “Sir...”

Di Jiu nodded his head, took the jade box, and casually opened it. He almost exclaimed in surprise when he saw the item within, which was sparkling with starlight.

He knew with certainty that this item was more valuable than all the Dao fruits he had combined.

Inside the jade box was a Nine-Star Bamboo, which was a Primordial Dao fruit, a treasure that could be used to refine Starry Dao Pills.

Lu Zhifan stared at Di Jiu anxiously. There was nothing he could do if Di Jiu decided to seize his Dao fruit.