A flicker of shock flashed across Dr. Neverdie's face. His beady little eyes stared straight at Evan Chu, hoping his guess was right. But Evan just smiled, totally unfazed.
"Old man, you’re not that dumb, but tell me—do you have the guts to bet? Aren’t you supposed to be the number one healer in the Netherworld? Or do you just not trust your own skills?" Evan Chu said, his tone full of challenge.
"Even if you’re the Prince Consort, so what? Your father-in-law still has to show me some respect! What does a punk like you know about medicine? And ten million Netherstones—do you really think you can just cough up that kind of cash? If you’ve got nothing else to say, get out and let me think if there’s any other way to save her." Dr. Neverdie rolled his eyes at Evan Chu, clearly unimpressed.
In his eyes, Evan Chu was just some pretty-faced nobody—sure, he had some strength, but it was nothing special. The Netherworld was full of so-called genius youths, so what made this one any different? Now he actually wanted to bet with Dr. Neverdie, acting like he didn’t even care. If Dr. Neverdie couldn’t cure her, how could this kid possibly manage it?
"Old man, you really think your so-called 'legendary healing' is all that? I’ll give you half an hour—Roxanne Lin will wake up, get out of bed, and walk. Can you do that? This bet is just me giving you face. Otherwise, your ‘number one healer’ reputation is done for—think carefully!" Evan Chu shot back, not caring one bit that Dr. Neverdie looked ready to explode.
"Kid, since you’re so confident, don’t regret it later! Today I’ll see how you plan to heal her. If you’re willing to hand over ten million Netherstones, I won’t refuse—just don’t come crying when you lose!" Dr. Neverdie snapped.
Evan Chu didn’t reply. Instead, he glanced at the Shade Lord. Right now, only the Shade Lord’s word really mattered. Even if he didn’t know Evan’s healing methods, seeing that determined look in Evan’s eyes, the Shade Lord realized Dr. Neverdie was about to get humiliated.
To describe Evan Chu, he could only use one word: monster! "Dr. Neverdie, someone’s willing to give you ten million Netherstones—don’t tell me you don’t want them? Or are you too attached to your Netherghost Violet Orchids, or just scared Evan will smash your reputation for good? Roxanne Lin is my daughter-in-law, so of course we have the stones. But do you dare bet with him?" the Shade Lord said, his voice full of confidence.
"What’s there to be afraid of? Today I’ll see what this kid can really do—daring to boast and bet against me! If he can actually cure that girl, I’ll hand over twenty Netherghost Violet Orchids myself," Dr. Neverdie declared.
But inside, he was deeply shocked. How did this youth know he had twenty Netherghost Violet Orchids? No one else was supposed to know! This was seriously unsettling.
Evan Chu saw that Dr. Neverdie had agreed, and he was pretty pleased. "Since Dr. Neverdie is in, let's have my father-in-law act as witness. If I lose, you'll get your ten million Netherstones, no problem. But for now, everyone out—come back in half an hour, I'm about to start treating her."
Princess Ivy's face was full of doubt. "Evan, are you really sure you can heal Roxy? This isn't a joke—her life is on the line. You’d better think this through. Maybe let Dr. Neverdie try again instead!"
Evan Chu smiled at Princess Ivy. "Ivy, you really don’t trust me? Who is Roxy to me—how could I ever gamble with her life? Now go on, step outside!"
Princess Ivy nodded. If there was anyone in this world she trusted most, it was Evan Chu. With that, the Shade Lord, Sean Xiao, and the others left the room—but Dr. Neverdie stayed behind.
"Old man, why aren’t you leaving? You want to watch me heal her, or are you just trying to steal my secret techniques?" Evan Chu asked, grinning.
"Steal your techniques? Kid, you haven’t even grown all your hair and you’re accusing me of stealing? I’m staying to see if you actually know how to heal, or if you’re just bluffing and fooling everyone." Dr. Neverdie scoffed.
"Old man, what I’ve got is a unique secret art—I don’t want anyone peeking. You’d better get your Netherghost Violet Orchids ready for me! Now get out, I’m starting the treatment!" Evan Chu said, totally unfazed.
Dr. Neverdie stomped out, grumbling at the door, "Kid, you’d better not go back on your word. Ten million Netherstones can buy a lot of things!"
Then Evan Chu walked over to Roxanne Lin, gently helped her up, and unleashed his wood element at full blast. He pressed his palm to her back, pouring pure wood element straight into her body without pause.
With his Fifth-Layer Saint Martial cultivation, Evan Chu’s wood element was vast and powerful. In no time, the wood element wrapped around Roxanne Lin’s shattered heart-meridian. Seeing her injuries up close, even Evan was startled.
If she weren’t from the Vermilion Bird Clan, she’d already be dead. That flame inside her was actually Phoenix Nirvana Fire—she just needed the right catalyst to trigger her first Nirvana Rebirth, and Evan knew that meant Divine Parasol Tree Wood.
Wood element was the element of life itself, vital for all things. Especially for healing, its effects were miraculous. In moments, Roxanne Lin’s broken heart-meridian began to mend rapidly, and her other wounds healed as Evan Chu’s wood element kept pouring in.
Just then, Roxanne Lin’s eyes fluttered open. She couldn’t see Evan Chu, but she felt a warm, powerful hand on her back, sending a mysterious energy into her. "Evan, is that you? Is it really you?" she cried, voice trembling with excitement.
"Roxy, don’t talk—just circulate your wood element and finish healing yourself. We’ll talk in a minute!" Evan Chu urged.
Outside, the four waited anxiously. Dr. Neverdie was especially nervous—seeing how much the others trusted Evan Chu, he had a bad feeling he’d lose this time. If that kid could really heal a severed heart-meridian, it meant his skills far surpassed Dr. Neverdie’s own. But he still thought the odds were slim.
"Father, do you really think Evan can heal Roxy? What if he fails? That’s ten million Netherstones!" Princess Ivy fretted. Evan had sounded so confident, but it was hard not to worry now.
"Don’t worry. Evan’s not the reckless type—he wouldn’t do this unless he was sure. You’ll see soon enough. He really is a monster, the kind you can’t even imagine," the Shade Lord replied.
At that moment, Evan Chu stopped channeling wood element into Roxanne Lin. Her wounds were fully healed, and she looked much more energetic. She pulled out a clean set of clothes and changed right in front of Evan.
Watching Roxanne Lin’s stunning figure, Evan Chu felt a surge of heat in his lower belly. He wanted nothing more than to spend hours with her right now—but he knew it was impossible. There were still four people waiting outside, and if they barged in now, things would get seriously awkward.
Afterward, the two sat down at the table. Roxanne Lin poured Evan Chu a cup of tea and said, "Evan, thank you! Seeing you again makes me so happy. I really thought I was going to die this time—the enemy was just too strong, I couldn’t fight back at all. But it’s finally over, and I’m so glad!"
"You’re my woman—I’d never let you leave me. But there’s something even better you’re about to find out." Evan Chu smiled at Roxanne Lin, then called toward the door: "You can all come in now!"