"Netherghost Violet Orchid? That's one of the rarest things in the Netherworld now. In the past, these orchids were everywhere—anyone could get one. But nowadays, it's a real hassle. Still, since you need them, we'll do our best to get more for you. Right now, we've only got about ten or so in hand. If you don't mind, please take these first!" said the Yang Family Patriarch.
"Good. But there's no rush—I'll give you half a year to prepare. I hope you won't disappoint me. And don't worry, I'll make sure you're well rewarded. It's getting late, so go take care of your own affairs. Tomorrow, I'll go check out the City Lord's Mansion myself," Evan Chu said.
Then Evan Chu and Sean Xiao teleported away, leaving the crowd staring in shock. One patriarch muttered, "Old Yang, do you really think he'll let us off? I feel so humiliated living like this—my son was killed, and now I have to bow my head to him. I can't sleep or eat just thinking about it."
"Times have changed. Let's focus on staying alive first. If we die, what'll happen to our families? A real man knows when to yield and when to stand tall—don't get hung up on pride," said the Yang Family Patriarch.
The guest elders and retainers who'd come with Thomas Jia all looked helpless. They'd always enjoyed the best food and clothes at the City Lord's Mansion, but now, with the City Lord slain and powerless to resist, their futures were uncertain. Even though the youth had spared their lives, it was clear they couldn't stay—he hadn't spoken a single word to them from start to finish.
After Evan Chu and Sean Xiao returned, Evan went straight to Roxanne Lin's room. The two women were already awake but hadn't gotten out of bed yet. Thanks to Evan's 'torment,' both Ivy and Roxanne were so exhausted they could barely move. Seeing him enter, they struggled to sit up.
Princess Ivy was the first to lose her temper. "Evan, don't ever touch me again! You don't know how to treat a lady at all—I've had it with you!"
Evan Chu just laughed, "Oh? Who was the one begging me to go faster and harder? Who kept calling out, saying how good it felt? You got all the benefits and now you're playing innocent. I was half-dead from exhaustion, and you still complain—you're gonna kill me with your attitude!"
Hearing that, Princess Ivy nearly exploded. Her face burned as she stared at Evan Chu, unable to come up with a retort. She swore to herself not to let him touch her so easily in the future—he got all the perks and still talked like this, what a scoundrel!
Roxanne Lin spoke up with a gentle smile, "Evan, go easy on Ivy, will you? We know you're ridiculously strong—there's no way we can keep up with you. As your women, it's only right to serve you, but next time could you be a little gentler? I don't want to be stuck in bed half the day just to recover!"
"Who said I'd go along with him next time? Roxanne, you might agree, but I sure don't! I'm not letting that little thief off easy!" Princess Ivy declared.
Evan Chu grinned mischievously. "Heh, Ivy, you said it yourself, so don't regret it later. I think I'll spend a little more time with Roxanne right now. You'd better close your eyes and ears, unless you want me to take care of you too. If that happens, it'll be all up to my mood!"
"No way am I letting you get your way! Get out, Evan Chu! You're not welcome here!" Princess Ivy snapped.
Evan Chu just shrugged, "Looks like your princess temper is acting up again. For women like you, I've got two ways to handle it—either fight fire with fire, or just walk away. Honestly, I think the second option is safer—saves me a ton of trouble."
Princess Ivy was stunned. She hadn't expected Evan Chu to say something so heartless, like he didn't care about her at all. Tears welled up and spilled over—she started crying right in front of him.
Roxanne Lin felt a little bad and said, "Evan, that's enough! Look, you've made Ivy cry—aren't you going to comfort her? You know her temper, and she's changed so much for you. Why make a fuss over this?"
Evan Chu waved it off, "Relax, I was just joking. Ivy won't stay mad. Anyway, back to business—Skyspear City is under my control now. From today, it's the Shade Clan's second Nine-Shade City. I'll make sure the Shade Clan becomes the strongest race in the Netherworld."
Princess Ivy stopped crying but stayed silent, half-believing and half-doubting Evan Chu. She stared at him, trying to see if he was lying. Roxanne Lin chimed in, "Evan, you were gone so long—was it all to take care of this? To get Skyspear City, you had to deal with the City Lord first. Did you...?"
"That's right. Thomas Jia, Skyspear City's City Lord, has already been slain by me. The strongest clans have all submitted, so I'm basically the City Lord now. But I'll hand the position over to the Shade Lord—I'm not interested in the title at all," Evan Chu replied.
Princess Ivy couldn't help blurting out, "Evan, you really killed Skyspear City's City Lord? He was the strongest fighter in the city—everyone said he was Fifth-Layer Venerable Martial Realm! How is that even possible?"
Evan Chu grinned, "Your man is crazy strong—whether it's in bed or in a fight, I'm unstoppable. So you'd better treat me well, Ivy, because your princess attitude doesn't work on me. The Ghost King and Beast King are dead by my hand, and Thomas Jia from Skyspear City is gone too. You two rest up, I'm heading out to talk strategy with the Shade Lord. I'll come back to check on you later." With that, Evan walked straight out of the room.
When Evan Chu arrived, the Shade Lord was beaming with joy. "Evan, you really didn't let me down! You got Skyspear City so quickly. Ivy's incredibly lucky to have met you."
"You're too kind, Father-in-law. This is just what I ought to do. Tomorrow we'll go to the City Lord's Mansion and announce to everyone that Skyspear City officially belongs to the Shade Clan. We'll also get ready to take over the Beast Clan and Ghost Clan territories," Evan Chu replied.
Just as Evan Chu was almost fully recovered, he suddenly heard the Sword Spirit’s voice in his mind: "Evan, hurry and merge into the earth! I sense someone using a powerful divine sense to search for you! Move, now!"
"Evan, taking over the Beast Clan and Ghost Clan isn't as simple as you think. Every major race has spies in every big city. Now that the Ghost King, Beast King, and Skyspear City's City Lord are all dead, the Human King and Netherkin definitely know. They won't let the Shade Clan grow unchecked. If I'm right, they're already working to stop us or trying to seize the Beast and Ghost lands before we do. If that happens, we'll have done all the work just to hand it over to them," the Shade Lord said.
Evan Chu nodded. "Father-in-law, you don't need to worry. I've already thought about all that. The Human King Zander Xiang and the Netherkin won't dare make a move against us openly. If they do, I'll kill them too. From now on, the Shade Clan is number one in the Netherworld, and anyone who challenges us will be destroyed!"
The Shade Lord laughed, "Good! That's what I like to hear. Evan, with you around, I feel like the Shade Clan can finally rise to the top. We'll be the kings of the Netherworld!"
Evan Chu grinned, "Father-in-law, you should rest. I'll handle things. Tomorrow, we'll take over the City Lord's Mansion and officially announce our control over Skyspear City. After that, we'll set our sights on the Beast and Ghost Clans. With me leading the charge, the Shade Clan will dominate the Netherworld!"
The Shade Lord smiled and nodded, then left to rest. Evan Chu sat down, deep in thought. He knew that after killing the Ghost King, Beast King, and Thomas Jia, the Netherworld's balance of power had shifted. All the major races would be watching his every move.
Evan Chu was fearless. He'd always relied on his own strength to carve out a path. No matter how many enemies he faced, he would crush them all. The Shade Clan would rise to glory!
The next morning, Evan Chu led the Shade Clan elites to the City Lord's Mansion. The Yang, Lin, and Xiao Family Patriarchs, along with the remaining guest elders, were already waiting there, looking anxious.
Evan Chu strode into the main hall, his presence overwhelming. He glanced at the crowd and said, "From today on, Skyspear City belongs to the Shade Clan. Anyone with objections can step forward now—I'll deal with you myself!"
The crowd fell silent. No one dared to speak up—after all, Evan Chu had killed the City Lord and the strongest patriarchs. Who would risk their life now?
"Good! Since no one objects, I'll make things clear. The Shade Clan will take over Skyspear City and the City Lord's Mansion. If you cooperate, you'll be rewarded. If you don't, don't blame me for what happens next!" Evan Chu announced.
The Yang Family Patriarch quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Evan, we'll do whatever you say. Skyspear City is yours—just tell us what you need, and we'll get it done!"
The Lin and Xiao Family Patriarchs followed suit, swearing allegiance to Evan Chu. The guest elders and retainers also bowed, accepting Shade Clan rule.
Evan Chu nodded. "From now on, Skyspear City will be prosperous under the Shade Clan. I'll reward those who serve faithfully. Anyone who dares rebel will be destroyed!"
The crowd cheered, relieved to have survived the ordeal. The Shade Clan officially took over Skyspear City, and Evan Chu became the city's true ruler.
Later that day, Evan Chu and the Shade Lord gathered the Shade Clan elites to discuss their next move: conquering the Beast Clan and Ghost Clan territories.
With Evan Chu leading the charge, the Shade Clan was unstoppable. The Netherworld trembled at their rise.
The era of Evan Chu and the Shade Clan had truly begun.