Evan Chu's sudden move caught Roxanne Lin off guard. Instinctively, she turned her head away, but quickly realized what was happening, and her stunning face flushed deep red.
Seeing Roxanne's reaction, Evan couldn't help but chuckle to himself. After all these years, she still hadn't completely opened up—but soon, the atmosphere between them grew heated and intense.
After a long time, Evan finally let go of Roxanne. This was, after all, the Vermilion Bird Clan's secret chamber—even if he was impatient, he couldn't get carried away here. Seeing her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms, he said, "I've come this time to take you away. Are you surprised?"
"Not surprised at all—not even a little. Since you've appeared here, I've already decided to leave with you. It doesn't matter who objects. For three years, I've missed you every single day, to the point my heart nearly broke. This time, I won't ever leave you again. Evan, promise me you'll never abandon me, okay?" Roxanne looked at him with pleading, hopeful eyes, making Evan's heart soften almost enough to agree.
But reason told him he couldn't promise her that, because heading to the Netherworld meant they'd have to be apart for a while. He couldn't let her follow him into such danger.
"Roxanne, the place I'm going this time is extremely dangerous, so I can't promise you that. But you can stay with the other sisters. Once I return from the Netherworld, I'll never leave you all again—is that alright?" Evan said helplessly.
Disappointment immediately appeared on Roxanne's face. "Evan, I'm already at the third layer of the Saint Martial Realm. I should be able to help you, right? Why are you refusing me? Maybe my current strength is even greater than yours."
"Heh, Roxanne, you think your Temple Master is strong? I can tell you that I could finish him in one move. So what do you think of my strength? But even with that level of power, going to the Netherworld could still mean death for me. If you followed, what do you think would happen?" Evan said.
"You could defeat the Temple Master in one move? That's impossible! Evan, ever since I left you, I've been cultivating bitterly just to see you again. If what you say is true, your progress is terrifying. What layer of the Saint Martial Realm are you at now? Could it be you've already broken through to the sixth layer?" Roxanne asked in shock.
"I haven't broken through to the Saint Martial Realm yet. If I had, why would I need to go to the Netherworld? You should know about the Netherghost Violet Orchid—I'm going there precisely for that. Not just for me; everyone in my sect needs it," Evan said.
Thinking back on Evan's heaven-defying feats, Roxanne felt it was only natural for him to have such strength—though 'natural' here was downright terrifying. "Evan, do you need my help to enter the Netherworld?"
"That's right. I need help from the Four Divine Beasts—you, me, Ryan Ouyang, and the Obsidian Tortoise from the Azure Tide Ruins. By combining the power of the Four Divine Beasts and evoking the force of heaven and earth, I can enter the Netherworld," Evan answered honestly. Toward his first woman, he felt a special emotion.
"Evan, are you one of the Four Divine Beasts too? Which one are you—could it be the Divine Dragon?" Roxanne, ever quick-witted, immediately caught on.
"I'm a golden dragon of the Divine Dragon Clan, but very few people know about my true identity—though in the Azure Tide Ruins, almost everyone knows, since I accidentally revealed my true form there. Can you transform into a Scarlet Phoenix now?" Evan asked.
"That shouldn't be hard, but I prefer my current appearance. So, when are we leaving? I miss Jenny Sima and the others too," Roxanne said.
"They miss you just as much, Roxanne. Let's head out now—I bet Jenny and the others will be overjoyed to see you," Evan replied.
With that, the two of them left the secret chamber and walked toward the Vermilion Bird Temple. At that moment, the middle-aged woman sat at the head of the great hall. Seeing Evan and Roxanne enter, she immediately smiled and said, "Roxanne, you've finally broken through—congratulations!"
"Roxanne greets the Clan Chief! Greetings to all elders and guardians!" Roxanne said to everyone present.
"Saintess, you're too polite! Come, have a seat!" said the middle-aged woman—the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief.
As Roxanne walked up, everyone respectfully called out to her, "Greetings, Saintess! Greetings, Senior Lord Frostbane!"
Evan also realized that the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief had actually told everyone about his identity. But thinking about it, it made sense—without such a special status, maybe these people wouldn’t give him any face at all.
After glancing at everyone, Evan said, "I know my visit to the Vermilion Bird Temple caused some misunderstandings, but don't worry, I'll make it up to you. The real reason I'm here is to take the Saintess away. I'm sure your Clan Chief has already explained things, so there's no need for extra talk. When I return, I'll bring you all a big surprise!"
"Lord Frostbane, you’re not leaving right this moment, are you?" the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief asked.
"I am thinking about it, but if you insist on making me stay for a drink, I'd be more than happy to—leaving tomorrow instead is just fine," Evan said with a smile.
"I knew you loved your wine—I've already prepared food and drinks! Tonight, let's all drink freely in honor of our honored guest, Lord Frostbane, the true ancient powerhouse. Nobody leaves sober!" said the Vermilion Bird Clan Chief.
Naturally, everyone toasted Evan, and he accepted every cup. The banquet lasted until very late, and because Roxanne was Evan's fiancée, the clan arranged for the two of them to share a room that night.
Roxanne couldn't hold her liquor and left early. Evan, escorted by a maid, arrived at her room last. When he opened the door, Roxanne wasn't resting—she was quietly sitting at the table, waiting for him.
After the maid left, Evan glanced around Roxanne's room—it was much like Selena Yale's, spacious and even had its own separate bathing chamber.
"Evan, go take a bath, or I won't let you sleep here tonight. You reek of alcohol!" Roxanne said.
"A bath? I’d love to—but only if you wash me. As my future wife, you should serve your husband, right?" Evan joked, his eyes openly fixed on Roxanne’s ample assets.
Roxanne blushed furiously at Evan’s words, her heartbeat speeding up. "Don’t make things difficult for me, okay? I’m a little unused to this!"
Her voice was very soft, but Evan heard her clearly. "Heh, you'll get used to it soon. Come on! Let me see what kind of 'handiwork' my little beauty has." With that, he strode over and scooped Roxanne up into his arms...