What others dream of, Evan Lin actually refuses in disguise. This shocked everyone—one by one, they looked at Evan Lin, some with eyes that seemed ready to kill.
Rainbow Court Mistress Rainveil's face was extremely ugly at this moment. She stared at Evan Lin and said, "If I don't agree, are you planning to refuse this marriage? What do you take my daughter for?"
"Mistress, please don't be angry. I know what I'm doing is a bit much, but I really have no choice. My cultivation realm isn't enough—I truly feel unworthy of Miss Zoe, and the pressure on my heart is huge. I beg Mistress to allow it." Evan Lin said, glancing at Blue-Shade God-Venerable, hoping he'd help persuade Mistress Rainveil.
"You—you are simply too much! My Qiner picked you herself, but now you keep making excuses, saying you'll marry after seclusion? How am I supposed to arrange things for these friends and guests? Where do you expect Rainbow Court's face to go?" Mistress Rainveil raged.
Nobody expected things to turn out like this. Those who thought they had no chance suddenly saw hope again—one by one, they stared at Evan Lin like hungry tigers, itching to confront him.
"Mother, I accept his condition. He must have his reasons for doing this. If we're not holding a banquet now, we can wait until after his seclusion. Please, Mother, let it be." Zoe Rainveil said at this moment.
As soon as she said this, it was like a bucket of cold water splashed over everyone—the hope that had just flared up was instantly extinguished. No one understood what was so special about Evan Lin that Zoe would actually speak up for him.
At this moment, Blue-Shade God-Venerable opened his eyes and his lips moved slightly. Instantly, Mistress Rainveil's face turned pale, and she nearly lost her balance. For a late-stage God-Venerable to react this way was highly unusual—most people thought Zoe had simply angered her mother.
But she quickly recovered, glanced at Evan Lin, and said, "Since Qiner has spoken, as her mother, I won't say any more. This Marriage Tournament ends here—sorry to all our friends."
Rainbow Court will still prepare a modest banquet to host everyone, as an apology from me to you all."
Although Mistress Rainveil said this, very few people actually stayed. Before long, more than half the guests had left, which was only natural—since there was no wedding banquet, what was the point in staying?
Only a few thousand people remained. Vice Sect Master Shangguan naturally felt it was awkward to stay any longer—he and the Heavenblade Sect people were eager to leave. Still, as they departed, he exchanged some polite words, saying that when the real wedding is held, he must be invited.
Master Wan saw Lena Zhong’s sorrowful expression and didn’t want to stay either. He said to Evan Chu, “Stormtower’s doors are always open for you. Even if you never join us, I hope we can be lifelong friends. As for Lena, I’ll try to talk to her—don’t take it to heart.”
“Thank you, Master Wan. I’ll remember your words, and please take care of Lena Zhong for me.” Evan Chu replied calmly.
Lena Zhong wanted to say something to Evan Chu, but hesitated. In this situation, she truly didn’t know what to say—her heart was full of sorrow, and tears nearly spilled from her eyes.
Evan Chu’s heart was bitter as well. He immediately voice-transmitted secretly to her: “Lena, don’t be sad. I’ll fulfill your wish. I have my own burdens, but trust me—wait for me!”
A single sentence made Lena Zhong’s heart tremble. She was clever, and instantly understood—Evan Chu had no intention of marrying Zoe. By asking her to wait, he was choosing her.
That feeling of soaring from hell to heaven in an instant isn’t something everyone can handle. Some might go mad, some might get overly emotional, or even rush up to Evan Chu to ask if it’s true, if he’s just comforting her, if he’s lying.
But Lena Zhong didn’t do any of that. She simply smiled, walked up to Evan Chu, and said, “Take care of yourself—I will.”
Evan Chu wanted to say more, but stopped himself. Although he hadn’t spent much time with Lena Zhong, her silhouette was already etched deep in his heart. But his mission was too great—he had no choice but to bury these feelings deep within.
Then Evan Chu and Blue-Shade God-Venerable returned to the manor. The banquet was already prepared, but Evan Chu had no appetite—his exposed identity weighed heavily on him, and he felt a looming crisis he had to avoid.
Although Blue-Shade God-Venerable was an old brother who helped him greatly, Evan Chu didn’t dare trust anyone easily before regaining Lord Frostbane’s memories—he feared even a friend now might have been an enemy in his past life.
Mistress Rainveil needed to play host to those who stayed. Zoe Rainveil had already returned to her room, deeply embarrassed by Evan Chu’s actions, but as a gentle and understanding woman, she could only bear it alone.
After Evan Chu returned to his room, Blue-Shade God-Venerable soon followed. Evan Chu knew he must have many questions, and was thinking about how to answer—one wrong answer could mean instant disaster.
But when Blue-Shade God-Venerable entered, he didn’t ask about Evan Chu’s identity. Instead, he said, “Brother, your performance today was truly astonishing. I never expected you to unleash the fifth form of the Wind-God Sword Art at your current level—that’s just unbelievable!”
“You flatter me, Brother. I learned the fifth form thanks to the Ninefold Divine Sovereign’s technique. I haven’t mastered it yet, but I have a solid foundation. The Wind-God Sword Art is all about speed and wind blades, and I’ve already understood the wind element and learned Windshift, so even with my low realm, I can use it,” Evan Chu replied calmly.
“Let’s not talk about this for now. Mistress Rainveil is outside entertaining guests, so let’s drink and chat here. I’ve already arranged for food and wine—they should be here soon,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable said with a smile.
Evan Chu didn’t know what Blue-Shade God-Venerable really meant, but since he didn’t mention identity, that was for the best. “I really have to thank you for this wine, Brother. If not for your Snowbound Divine Sword and Wind-God Sword Art, I’d already be dust,” Evan Chu said.
“You exaggerate, Brother. Meeting you is fate—no need to take it to heart,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable replied. Just then, the door opened and a maid brought in food and wine.
Blue-Shade God-Venerable could only sigh inwardly: “Frostbane, Frostbane, since you’ve returned, why won’t you acknowledge me? How many secrets are you still hiding...?”