After Dominic Bai left, the four Stormtower Protectors by Lena Zhong’s side also took their leave from Blue-Shade God-Venerable. As her secret guardians, they couldn’t stay out in the open for too long. Now, only Evan Chu, Lena, and Blue-Shade remained in the sky.
“So your name is Evan? You’re heading to Rainbow Court for the auction too?” Blue-Shade God-Venerable asked Evan.
“Evan greets Blue-Shade God-Venerable. I did come to Rainbow Court to see the excitement, but I never imagined things would turn out like this. If not for your help, the consequences would have been unimaginable!” Evan replied immediately.
“Not bad. It’s rare to meet such outstanding talent in the God Realm. I’m heading to Rainbow Court myself to buy a few things—why not travel together?” Blue-Shade God-Venerable said, glancing at Lena Zhong as he spoke.
“Having a senior like Blue-Shade as company is a blessing. Evan, you’d better agree—plenty of people would kill for the chance,” Lena suddenly chimed in.
“Thank you for your kindness, senior, but I’d rather not draw too much attention right now. I’ve already messed up today, so I’d prefer to keep a low profile. The God Realm is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and with my current strength, I can’t protect myself at all. Meeting a God-Venerable like you today is sheer luck—for all I know, if I hadn’t, I’d be dead by now. I think we all understand that,” Evan said.
Lena shot Evan a glare. This guy was such a blockhead—saying things like that in front of Blue-Shade God-Venerable, he might as well be begging to get killed. Still acting all high and mighty—she was honestly speechless.
But Blue-Shade God-Venerable just laughed. “I’ll call you Evan, then. Your personality reminds me of an old friend—never liked owing people favors. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to recruit you for Shadow Divine Palace, even though we need talents like you. I sincerely want to be friends.”
Evan knew what he’d said was a bit contradictory, but he wasn’t about to take it back. Still, he hadn’t expected Blue-Shade God-Venerable to think that way—it caught him off guard.
“For someone as weak as me to be acknowledged by a senior like you is honestly overwhelming. I’m not one for false modesty—if you want to be friends, I’ll gladly accept, though I worry I’ll bring you unnecessary trouble,” Evan said.
“Trouble? I’ve never been afraid of trouble. And quit calling me ‘senior’—it sounds weird. Just call me old brother, and I’ll call you little brother. Sure, you’re weak now, but I believe you’ll carve out a spot among the God Realm’s top experts one day,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable said.
“Congratulations, Evan! To become friends with Blue-Shade God-Venerable is something countless powerhouses in the God Realm dream of, and yet it’s happened to an early-stage God-Lord like you. It’s honestly shocking,” Lena said.
“Little brother, since you want to keep a low profile, I’ll respect that. I’ll head to Rainbow Court first and look around. Don’t worry—Stormtower will protect you on the way, so nothing should go wrong. Once you arrive, we’ll meet again. With your old brother there, I doubt anyone will dare mess with you,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable said.
After speaking, Blue-Shade God-Venerable took out a pure snow-white longsword from his storage ring. “Little brother, this is my meeting gift to you—the Snowbound Divine Sword, my weapon from my early years. It’s not quite on par with Lord Frostbane’s Frostbane Divine Sword, but it’s still one of the most renowned divine swords in the God Realm.
With this sword, even fewer people will dare target you. It’s an invisible shield for you, so don’t refuse.”
Evan was dumbfounded. Who knew that casually accepting an older brother would earn him such a meeting gift—his luck really was off the charts. But the Snowbound Divine Sword was so valuable he felt awkward accepting it. If he ever regained his true identity, things might get a little embarrassing.
Seeing Evan hesitate, Lena said, “Hurry up and take it! Treasures like this are rarer than a lantern-lit search. You really are a blockhead.”
Evan knew that refusing would be an insult. Joking aside, Blue-Shade God-Venerable could obliterate him with a flick of a finger—turning down the gift would be suicidal.
“Then thank you, old brother. One day I’ll return this sword to you, and as for the reason, I can’t say yet—but you’ll understand in time!” Evan said.
As soon as Evan took the Snowbound Divine Sword, a powerful chill surged into his body, but was quickly absorbed by his cultivation. The sword was clearly ice-attribute—if Serena Frost were here, it would definitely boost her power.
“Little brother, I’ve temporarily sealed the sword spirit inside the Snowbound Divine Sword. Its frost qi is too powerful for you right now. When you reach the God-King Realm, try breaking the seal—then you’ll see its true might,” Blue-Shade God-Venerable said.
“I’ll remember, old brother. Then let’s meet at Rainbow Court! When the time comes, we’ll have a proper drink together!” Evan said, storing the Snowbound Divine Sword in his ring.
Blue-Shade God-Venerable said nothing more—his figure flashed and vanished before Evan and Lena. The events of today had come so quickly that both of them were left a bit dazed.
“Evan, we should get out of here. Now that Blue-Shade God-Venerable is gone, I’m worried Dominic Bai will come looking for trouble. It’s better to play it safe and not linger,” Lena said.
“You’re right—Dominic Bai probably sent people to watch us as soon as he got back. With Blue-Shade gone, he could strike at any time. No point waiting, let’s head to Rainbow Court,” Evan said.
Not long after Evan and Lena left, a middle-aged man in white appeared in the sky. “Now that you two little dolls don’t have that old bastard Blue-Shade’s protection, let’s see where you run!”
He immediately flew in the direction Evan and Lena had gone. The two of them had no idea someone was behind them. In fact, this was Elder Li—the same man who’d checked Victor Bai’s injuries earlier, sent by Dominic Bai to investigate. Now, seeing Blue-Shade gone, he judged it the perfect time to make his move.
Evan and Lena flew quickly for nearly half an hour, reaching a mountaintop. “Evan, I feel like someone’s chasing us. Could it be someone Dominic Bai sent?” Lena asked.
“You’re sure? I don’t sense anyone within a hundred miles,” Evan said, puzzled, though he still trusted Lena’s instincts.
“I can’t explain it, it’s just a feeling. Either way, let’s not stop—let’s head straight for Rainbow Court. If you hadn’t turned down Blue-Shade’s escort, we wouldn’t have to worry,” Lena said.
Evan was about to retort when a voice echoed in the sky, laughing: “Trying to leave now? I’m afraid it’s already too late!”