"It's good you're back. Time is short—just one month left. Then I'll take you to the tournament site to get familiar with it," Ming Yang said.
"Mm, understood," Evan Yang replied.
After Ming Yang finished speaking, he turned and left, taking Steward Lewis Yang with him. Once Ming Yang was gone, the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang turned to Evan. Lydia asked, "You're not afraid of him?"
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Evan said.
"That's gutsy," the Wine Beggar laughed.
"Not bad, that's how it should be," Lydia Yang smiled.
"You two, enough with the one-liners," Evan said helplessly.
Evan thought it was fine, so he agreed. He started touring the Yang Clan with the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang. Meanwhile, Patriarch Raymond Yang was still giving instructions to Lewis Li.
"Just one month left. Do you think he has what it takes to win first place?" Raymond Yang asked Lewis Li curiously.
"I can't say for sure, but I heard he's reached the first tier of the Immortal Lord Realm. He might be stronger than before. As for Terry Yang, I doubt he could beat Evan now," Lewis Li replied.
Evan Yang smiled. "I was lucky enough to break through to the first tier of the Immortal Lord Realm."
"Immortal Lord Realm? Then how many tiers of the Emperor Realm could you handle?" Lydia Yang asked curiously.
"That depends on the situation—it's hard to say. But I'm confident I can take first place. Only then can I get my father released. Plus, I have an agreement with the Water Clan: I must take first and challenge them in my father's stead," Evan said.
"Just be careful. No matter what, your safety comes first—even if you don't get first place, don't give up." The Wine Beggar knew that getting first wasn't easy, especially since all four Heaven-Battling Clans were sending their most promising talents.
"Alright, go on. Don't let those two start fighting before the tournament even begins," Raymond Yang said.
Lewis Li nodded and left, leaving Raymond Yang muttering to himself, "Evan, don't let me down. I've basically withdrawn Terry, so if you take first place, I'll hand the Yang Clan over to you."
"Good, as long as you understand. There's still a month left, so come walk around the Yang Clan with us," the Wine Beggar said with a smile.
Evan felt there was no harm, so he agreed. He started touring the Yang Clan with the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang. Meanwhile, the Yang Patriarch was still giving some instructions to Steward Lewis Yang.
"Just one month left. Do you think he has what it takes to win first place?" Raymond Yang asked Lewis Li curiously.
"I can't say for sure, but I heard he's reached the first tier of the Immortal Lord Realm. He might be stronger than before. As for Terry Yang, I doubt he could beat Evan now," Lewis Li replied.
"How's Terry Yang doing?" Raymond Yang asked after a moment's thought.
"He seems angrier than before, looks like he's been provoked quite a bit," Lewis Li said.
"Sigh, if Evan Yang hadn't appeared, Terry would definitely be my pick. But you've seen Evan's potential—I can't give him up. Still, Terry is my grandson too; I can't just let him run wild. If possible, try to keep them from clashing," Raymond Yang said.
"I'll remember your instructions, Patriarch. I'll do my best to keep them from clashing," Lewis Li said.
"Alright, go on. Don't let those two start fighting before the tournament even begins," Raymond Yang said.
Lewis Li nodded and left, leaving Raymond Yang muttering to himself, "Evan, don't let me down. I've basically withdrawn Terry, so if you take first place, I'll hand the Yang Clan over to you."
In Raymond Yang's eyes, this tournament was clearly meant for Evan to shine: first, to boost his strength, and second, to choose a successor who could win everyone's respect. If Evan won, he'd have a strong chance of becoming the next patriarch.
Evan Yang followed the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang, while Terry Yang was cultivating. But he couldn't calm down, so he left his training grounds and headed into the city to drink and unwind.
"Lord Terry, what's there to be angry about? That bastard is definitely not your match. The Patriarch will surely give you the seat in the end." At this moment, Terry was drinking in a luxurious private room, with a waiter pouring his wine and flattering him.
"Tell me, what's so great about Evan Yang?" The more Terry thought about it, the more annoyed he became, slamming his cup down on the table.
"Uh..." The waiter didn't know how to keep making excuses.
Terry Yang looked at his cup, then tossed it aside and said, "Go, bring me your best wine—the kind that takes ten thousand years to brew. Don't try to fool me with anything else."
"Yes, Lord Terry. I'll go right away," the waiter said, then hurried out of the private room. He happened to see Evan Yang, the Wine Beggar, and Lydia Yang entering another private room, which shocked him. He quickly slipped back inside.
"Why are you back again? Didn't I tell you to get the wine?" Terry Yang said, annoyed.
"Lord Terry, n-no, something bad's happened—that guy is here," the waiter said.
"Who's here? Why are you so nervous?" Terry Yang asked curiously.
"Evan Yang—he's here with your aunt and uncle, in the room next door," the waiter said.
When Terry heard this, he exploded in anger. "What? I'm drinking alone in misery, but they're all drinking together? What kind of world is this? Am I not their nephew too? Damn it, I'm going to go settle this!"
Fueled by alcohol, Terry Yang stood up in a foul mood, and the waiter hurried ahead to lead the way.
As for Evan Yang, he had only come here on the Wine Beggar's recommendation. The Wine Beggar claimed this place had the best wine in the Yang Clan—far better than anywhere else—so Evan was curious to see what kind of wine it was.