A combat value of ninety—instantly, the entire crowd exploded! That number was astronomical, and all eyes locked onto Chase Chu. No one expected this guy to have such terrifying potential. It was so unbelievable, people could barely process it.
Chase’s pale face broke into a faint smile as he heard the score. “Dad, I did it! I really did it!”
“Of course you did, Chase! You’re my son—Evan Chu’s boy is born extraordinary. Hurry up and take the Jadeheart Lotus seed, it’ll help you recover!” Evan Chu stopped channeling Chaos Immortal Force and spoke warmly.
But in the crowd, several faces turned ugly. One was the purple-robed youth who’d just held first place, and another was King Grant Gu himself.
His own son was supposed to be the best, yet he’d been outshone right before everyone’s eyes. King Grant Gu’s pride couldn’t take it—he couldn’t blow up on the spot with so many people watching, but in his heart, he’d already sentenced Chase Chu to death.
King Victor Zhao, Princess Serene, and Princess Ivy were all visibly thrilled. Chase’s miracle had taken them by complete surprise. Princess Serene’s heart, in particular, was now fully tied to Chase—if it weren’t for her reputation, she’d have rushed over to check on him herself.
Evan Chu grabbed Chase and, in a flash, brought him straight back to the VIP stands. His speed was so fast he seemed to vanish and reappear. The other monarchs were stunned—not just by Evan’s speed, but by the fact that his son looked almost as young as they did.
“King Grant Gu, looks like things aren’t going your way. Need a brother to help you settle this?” King Warren Lin whispered slyly to King Gu.
“Let’s see who Princess Serene chooses. If she picks that kid, she’s giving me no face at all—then I’ll have to show them what happens when you insult a king. But now’s not the time. The Hidden Clans are still here, so we’d better keep a low profile and avoid leaving any evidence.” King Grant Gu replied coldly.
Chase’s ninety-point score was a miracle, leaving everyone in shock. The contestants who followed went berserk, attacking the Testing Screen with everything they had—most tried all three strikes, but ended up battered and bloody, with their last score often the lowest.
By evening, the testing was finally over. The elder on the arena announced, “This round of Literary and Martial Gate testing is complete. Fifty-six have passed—all fifty-six will become Serene Nether City’s core disciples and receive special treatment.”
“Also, Princess Serene’s future husband will be chosen from among these fifty-six. Six are women, so tomorrow, Princess Serene will make her choice. For now, everyone is dismissed!”
Those who passed were over the moon, while those who failed left dejected—some were so badly injured they limped away, bitter and unwilling to accept defeat.
Evan Chu escorted Chase back to his room. After using the Golden Dragon transformation and unleashing his strongest attack, Chase was badly hurt—Evan had to restore his son’s condition as soon as possible.
From the looks King Warren Lin and King Grant Gu gave each other, Evan Chu could tell they were plotting against Serene Nether City. Chase and himself were clearly their weak points. This time, Evan resolved to deliver a crushing blow—if they dared cross the line, he’d make sure none of them ever returned.
In a private room, four people gathered. The purple-robed youth was among them, his face dark with shame. “Father, I’m useless—I failed to take first place. Please punish me!”
“Don’t blame yourself, Gu’er. It’s not your fault—there’s always someone stronger out there. You did well, and I’m proud of your results. Don’t worry, I’ll help you get what you want. If King Victor Zhao refuses to give us face, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life.” King Grant Gu said reassuringly.
“Thank you, Father. That kid’s not actually that strong—I could kill him easily. Why not let me challenge him openly tomorrow and cut him down right on the arena? He’s first place, so he has to accept. I know he won’t refuse.” Grant Gu Jr. said confidently.
“You’re at Nether Emperor level, and he’s just a Nether General—he’s no match for you, not even a Nether King could stand against you. If you challenge him directly, he’ll probably refuse. We should attack from another angle: ruin his reputation and get King Victor Zhao to expel him from Serene Nether City.” King Grant Gu schemed.
“You mean his Golden Dragon transformation, right? Golden Dragons don’t exist in the Netherworld—they only appear in the Immortal Realm. Doesn’t that mean the kid’s an Immortal Realm cultivator? If an Immortal Realm guy shows up here, he’s our mortal enemy. We can slap any charge on him we want! Leave this framing to me.” King Warren Lin said with a sly grin.
“That’s perfect. And Evan Chu isn’t any better—let’s just kill him too. If King Victor Zhao loses such a powerful ally, he won’t dare act up. If he still refuses to marry Serene to my son, we’ll just wipe Serene Nether City off the map and show him what real power looks like.” King Grant Gu said coldly.
“Father! I’ll leave my marriage entirely in your hands!” Grant Gu Jr. said eagerly.
“Don’t worry, Gu’er. Uncle Lin and the others will help you settle this. Just wait to enter the bridal chamber with Serene—I expect you to give me a fat grandson soon!” King Grant Gu joked.
Meanwhile, in Princess Serene’s room, King Victor Zhao was speaking to her. “Serene, now that Chase has taken first place, King Grant Gu will definitely make things difficult for you. What’s your plan?”
“Father, I don’t care if it’s King Grant Gu or King Warren Lin—Chase won first place, so I’ll choose him. Even if his Golden Dragon form draws criticism, I’ll still pick him. No one even knows where the Immortal Realm entrance is, so even if they call him a spy, I’ll stand by him.” Serene declared resolutely.
“It’s your choice, and I’ll support you with everything I have. If those people really dare to cause trouble, your Uncle Evan won’t let it slide. Now, I’ll tell you a shocking secret—one you’ll learn sooner or later, but knowing it now will give you confidence.” King Victor Zhao said, his voice grave.
Seeing King Victor Zhao’s solemn expression, Princess Serene knew it had to be something huge. She asked, “Father, go ahead—what is it? Don’t worry, I’ll keep it secret!”
“This secret comes from Chase’s father, Evan Chu. You know how I once fought Evan Chu, right? Actually, I lost—and I lost badly. If he’d wanted to kill me, it would’ve been as easy as snapping his fingers. Do you know why?” King Victor Zhao said, voice full of awe.
“Why? Did he have some hidden reason for needing your help?” Princess Serene asked, stunned…