Not wanting others to know you're alive? What does that mean? Evan Yang looked curiously at Emperor Lin Yu.
"Enough, you'll understand in the future. When you reach Emperor level, it will all make sense." Emperor Lin Yu said.
Evan Yang guessed this was probably a North Sect secret, so he didn't ask further. Instead, he said, "Senior, have you all really stayed here without leaving?"
"That's right. Only successive sect masters know about this secret. I hope you won't reveal it either. Otherwise, no matter where you run, none of us will let you off." Emperor Lin Yu said.
Of course Evan would never say anything, and besides, he wasn't that kind of person. North Sect trusted him and even taught him their arts. If he betrayed them, he'd be ashamed before everyone. He answered decisively, "Senior, rest assured. Even if I die, I won't tell."
"Good, not bad. Now go on, I wish you to reach Emperor level soon." Emperor Lin Yu said.
Evan Yang nodded and left the cave. Outside, Immortal Lord Xavier was waiting. When he saw Evan come out, he smiled and said, "Let's go."
Evan followed Immortal Lord Xavier away, but the scene from earlier kept weighing on his mind.
When they reached the surface, the sect master said to Evan, "You've been in the sect for over twenty years now and are a new-generation disciple. So I have a difficult request."
"Oh? Please, sect master, go ahead." Evan was curious.
"You've reached the seventh tier, which makes you one of North Sect's elites. So I'm planning to send you somewhere for further training. No matter what happens in the future, I hope you'll always help North Sect." Immortal Lord Xavier said.
"Oh? May I ask where, sect master?" Evan asked, curious.
Immortal Lord Xavier replied, "Ethereal Sanctuary in the Earth-Immortal Newcomer Star System."
"What kind of place is that?" Evan asked, puzzled.
"It's a cruel place, but it's actually perfect for tempering Earth-Immortals. Ethereal Sanctuary is huge, and in the Earth-Immortal Newcomer Star System, it's just a branch." Immortal Lord Xavier explained.
"Cruel? Tempering?" Evan wasn't afraid when he heard this. Instead, he felt a bit excited. After all, only by constantly tempering oneself can you get stronger, and it's the most direct way to break through.
"Alright, I'll give you some time to think about it. If you decide to go, just let me know." Immortal Lord Xavier said.
Evan answered decisively, "Sect master, take me there."
"You're sure?" Immortal Lord Xavier didn't expect Evan to agree without even thinking.
Evan nodded. Seeing that Evan didn't even hesitate, Immortal Lord Xavier said, "Alright. From now on, when you enter, you'll represent North Sect. You might face a lot of discrimination, maybe even contempt, but I sincerely hope you can endure it. That place really suits you for growth."
"No problem," Evan replied.
"Alright, I'll make preparations. Come find me here at this time tomorrow," Immortal Lord Xavier said.
Evan answered, "Okay," then left the sect master's place. Outside the cave, Leonard Lee asked curiously, "Why did it take so long?"
Evan replied, "We talked about Ethereal Sanctuary." He didn't mention the stone statues underground.
Leonard Lee was shocked. "Ethereal Sanctuary? Why did the sect master tell you about that?"
Seeing his fearful expression, Evan just smiled. "He asked if I wanted to go."
"What? So how did you answer?" Leonard Lee exclaimed.
"Of course I'm willing to go. It's a place for tempering," Evan said with a smile.
"You—you... Did the sect master tell you how dangerous that place is?" Leonard Lee asked, alarmed.
"He did. He said it's dangerous, but it's a good place to temper yourself," Evan replied.
"It's not just dangerous—it's extremely dangerous. North Sect has sent many so-called elite disciples there, but do you know how many died?" Leonard Lee said.
"How many died?" Evan asked, confused.
"More than half died. The survivors were either crippled or so traumatized they never dared go back. Some survived but couldn't meet the requirements to leave, so they had to wait there for death," Leonard Lee explained.
"Isn't that a bit exaggerated?" Evan laughed.
"I'm not lying. There are quite a few disabled people in the sect now. Those who survived are mentally unstable and were sent away. I really don't know why the sect master wants you to go. Is he sending you to die?" Leonard Lee said, baffled.
"Maybe the sect master means well," Evan said with a smile.
"No matter what, I'm going to find the sect master and ask him to reconsider. If you're going there, it's better to just cultivate quietly here," Leonard Lee said.
"Senior Leonard, thanks for your concern. But I really do want to go," Evan said.
"You!" Leonard Lee found it hard to believe Evan was so decisive, as if nothing he said could change Evan's mind.
"Senior Leonard, thank you for looking after me. Even though I haven't been in North Sect for long, even if I go to Ethereal Sanctuary, I'll still be a North Sect disciple," Evan said.
"Sigh, why are you so stubborn?" Leonard Lee said helplessly.
Evan smiled. "If you want to improve, you have to take risks, right?"
"Even so, that place is basically a man-eater," Leonard Lee sighed.
"If it's a man-eater, so be it. I trust I won't get eaten that quickly," Evan said with a smile.
"Alright, then tomorrow I'll go with the sect master to see you off," Leonard Lee said.
"Thank you," Evan said gratefully.
Evan went back, but Leonard Lee still felt uneasy, so he found the sect master and asked, "Sect master, why are you sending him to Ethereal Sanctuary?"
"He might be the most promising disciple in recent years, so I want to try one more time," Immortal Lord Xavier sighed.
"Try one more time? Try what?" Leonard Lee asked, confused.
"You don't need to know for now. You'll understand eventually," Immortal Lord Xavier said.
"But what if he ends up like the others? Then our sect will just keep losing people," Leonard Lee said.
"Leonard, I know you care about your junior, but so do I. It's hard to improve here—no challenge, no pressure. Everyone just goes into seclusion, and if they leave, they're not strong enough and die anyway. But Evan isn't someone who wants to live like that, so I told him about Ethereal Sanctuary, and he didn't hesitate at all," Immortal Lord Xavier said.
"Living is always good, so why risk it?" Leonard Lee sighed.
"Did you notice he's already Earth-Immortal fourth tier?" Immortal Lord Xavier suddenly said. "What? How did I not notice?" Leonard Lee exclaimed.
"I only found out after checking carefully. When I realized it, I was shocked—he broke through two realms in just over twenty years," Immortal Lord Xavier said.
"He's truly a genius. So that's why you suggested Ethereal Sanctuary?" Leonard Lee asked.
"Yes, only this way can he grow faster. He might even surpass those who come from the strongest world-realms," Immortal Lord Xavier said.
"I really didn't expect him to have such potential," Leonard Lee said, unable to believe it.
"So do you really want to see such a talent buried in North Sect, continuing to be looked down upon?" Immortal Lord Xavier said.