"Move aside!" Ancestor Colin Pineson barked, shoving Winter Lu out of the way. The difference in cultivation between them was a whole major realm. If the other Spirit-Wandering experts weren't focused on searching for Evan Yang, they wouldn't just stand by and watch this happen.
One of the Spirit-Wandering experts said, "People of Heavensnow Sect, just let us go inside and search."
Then the group stepped past Winter Lu and headed inside. The Spirit-Wandering experts' divine sense was so powerful they could quickly tell which caves were sealed and which were open. Their speed was impressive, but there were still many caves, and at each location the group had to pause and discuss before continuing their search.
Outside the cave, Winter Lu cursed Colin Pineson inwardly for using this as an excuse to teach her a lesson.
Colin Pineson had wanted to discipline Winter Lu for a long time, but never had the right excuse. This time, he came under the pretext of searching for Evan Yang, and if possible, also planned to track down Heavensnow Sect's master.
But after the group entered, all they found were disciples of Heavensnow Mountain—no one else. Colin Pineson frowned, grabbed a disciple, and asked, "Did you see a beggar come in?"
"No." The disciples here were all trained and only Heavensnow Mountain's elite could enter this place, so the answer was firm and decisive.
"Really no?" Colin Pineson pressed again.
"No!" the disciple replied through gritted teeth.
"Damn it!" Colin Pineson wanted to throw her out, but another Spirit-Wandering expert stopped him. "Colin, we're here to catch the beggar. As for your feud with Heavensnow Mountain, settle it on your own time."
"Got it." After glancing at the others, Colin Pineson let go of the disciple and the group continued searching.
Colin Pineson cursed inwardly, frustrated that he couldn't go on a rampage with other Spirit-Wandering experts present. As for the person he was actually looking for, there was still no sign of her.
Just as Colin Pineson was getting annoyed, someone said, "There's another path here. Not sure where it leads."
The group quickly headed that way. When they reappeared, it was at another cave entrance, hidden in a remote corner of Heavensnow Mountain—almost impossible to find.
Evan Yang and Summer Lu had just parted ways when several Spirit-Wandering projections suddenly appeared, moving to capture Evan.
Evan Yang and Summer Lu were shocked. Even with three heads and six arms, Evan couldn't withstand this. Just as Summer thought Evan was doomed, a strange creature flew to his side.
Evan Yang smiled at the group and said, "So, you're the Ancestor of Snowpoint Sect, huh?"
"Kid, come over here, or I'll kill her." Summer Lu was close to the cave entrance and was quickly immobilized by Colin Pineson. Evan Yang, standing on the Firebird, didn't immediately flee but frowned.
The other Spirit-Wandering experts noticed the strange, translucent bird under Evan's feet. They locked onto it, ready to attack at any moment if it tried to escape.
Seeing that Evan Yang didn't move, Colin Pineson was certain he had him in the bag and laughed. "Kid, I'm Ancestor Colin Pineson of Snowpoint Sect. Today, you have to tell us where Mad Wolf is, or you're dead." With that, he tossed Summer Lu aside.
Summer Lu, terrified, clung to Colin Pineson's leg and shouted, "Evan, run!"
"Evan Yang? Isn't his name Evan Hale?" The group was confused.
But there was no time to clarify. Evan Yang frowned; he didn't want to drag others into disaster because of him.
"Evan, I'm fine. They won't dare do anything to me—after all, I'm a Heavensnow Sect disciple." Summer Lu knew Evan wouldn't leave because of her, which meant he was doomed. She didn't understand what grudge Evan had with Snowpoint Sect to attract so many Spirit-Wandering experts, but she was determined to make Evan escape, even at the cost of her life.
"Move aside!" Colin Pineson kicked Summer Lu, making her faint.
After that, the group surrounded Evan Yang, ready to attack at any moment.
Colin Pineson was confident he could capture Evan Yang. After all, he was only seven or eight steps away—half a breath, and he'd have him.
"Whether you're Evan Hale or Evan Yang, just tell us where Mad Wolf is and we'll let you go." Colin Pineson pretended to be magnanimous.
The other Spirit-Wandering experts agreed with this approach.
After checking that Summer Lu was only unconscious, Evan Yang said, "Colin Pineson, is it? Is this how you treat Heavensnow Sect disciples? Or is it just for your own selfish desires? Are you after Heavensnow Sect's master and the thing in her hands?"
Evan Yang's words made the high and mighty Spirit-Wandering experts pause. They had suspected this before, but couldn't confirm it. Now, with Evan's accusation, everyone began to wonder if Colin Pineson really had spent years attacking Heavensnow Mountain just to steal something.
Colin Pineson would never admit it now. He snorted, "Madman! Just like Mad Wolf, spouting nonsense. Let's capture you first!"
Colin Pineson struck. Just as everyone thought Evan Yang would be hit, Evan vanished in a flash, appearing in midair. His speed was even greater than Colin's—everyone was shocked.
"Colin Pineson, are you hiding something?" Evan Yang continued to mock him. He knew that if he made the other Spirit-Wandering experts suspicious, Heavensnow Mountain would be safer. Their hesitation was exactly what Evan wanted—if they protected the mountain, he could escape.
"Nonsense! No matter what tricks you try, you're dead today!" Colin Pineson didn't want Evan to say more, knowing it would hurt his position. He leaped forward, reaching Evan, hand outstretched. But Evan just sneered, "Colin Pineson, what you've done to Heavensnow Sect today, I'll repay someday. And to the other seniors—if you want to be manipulated, go ahead. But the disciples of Heavensnow Sect are innocent."
With that, the Firebird sped away, carrying Evan Yang. Colin Pineson's attack struck only empty air, and he raged in frustration.
The others exchanged glances. Finally, one couldn't help but ask, "Colin, was what he said true?"
"What do you mean? Why would I need to lie to everyone?" Colin Pineson replied, face unchanged, stepping back.
"So you're saying you treated everyone from Heavensnow Mountain fairly today? And the elders—are you telling us they knew that kid was coming?" another expert pressed.
Colin Pineson hadn't expected this. He'd wanted Elder Lance Shaw and others to testify, but now they couldn't speak, and all the questions landed on him. The more he tried to explain, the worse it got. He snorted, "Believe it or not, I'm leaving with my people. Next time you hear about that kid, don't call me!"
Furious, Colin Pineson stormed back into the cave. When he reappeared before Elder Lance Shaw and the others, he couldn't hide his anger. "Damn it," he muttered.
The other Spirit-Wandering experts handed Summer Lu over to Winter Lu.
Seeing that Summer Lu was only unconscious, Winter Lu said, "Thank you, seniors."
"We'll stay out of your business with Snowpoint Sect. But if you hear anything about that kid, let us know—and tell him we mean no harm. Mad Wolf is just dangerous." one expert told Winter Lu.
Winter Lu nodded, while Colin Pineson, now treated like a villain, angrily prepared to take the elders away.
"Colin, wait a moment," someone said, stepping forward to block him.
Colin Pineson scowled. "What is it?"
"I want to check something." The man examined everyone, then said seriously, "It seems he really is from Snowflake Sect."
"Impossible!" Colin Pineson knew Evan Yang had claimed to be from Snowflake Sect before, but he refused to believe it was true.
"It's all a kind of seal—someone sealed their whole bodies. In Northsource, only Snowflake Sect can do that. Have you heard of them?" the man mused.
These were all old monsters—of course they knew. Reminded like this, they all stepped forward to check. When they found traces of tampering, everyone looked shocked.
Now, even Colin Pineson had to believe it. He snorted, "Snowflake Sect hasn't shown themselves in years. Aren't they fighting the Three Snow Eccentrics lately?"
"Yes, Snowflake Sect is indeed a hidden sect," another replied.
"So how did someone like him show up? He appeared over ten years ago, and his cultivation wasn't high back then." Colin Pineson wouldn't stop badmouthing Evan Yang.
"That is strange," everyone agreed, frowning.
"Whatever the case, I'm going to Snowflake Sect. Otherwise, my people will stay crippled." Colin Pineson could only hope the Snowflake Sect could wake them—and also wanted to confirm if Evan Yang was really from there.
The other Spirit-Wandering experts thought for a moment, then said, "The Three Snow Eccentrics aren't good people either. Let's help Snowflake Sect—and maybe they can undo your people's seals."
With others joining him, Colin Pineson relaxed. He gathered the sealed elders and said, "Let's go."
Everyone left, leaving Winter Lu holding the unconscious Summer Lu, lost in thought.
As for Evan Yang, he'd already left Heavensnow Mountain, but didn't go far—afraid the people there might suffer because of him.
So, after staying outside for two days, Evan Yang tried to return to Heavensnow Mountain to see how things were.
This time, Evan Yang was extra cautious. He returned to the cave, saw nothing unusual, and followed his memory inside. Soon, he saw the Heavensnow Sect disciples again. They were startled at first, but then watched curiously as Evan headed down another tunnel.
There, he saw Winter Lu treating Summer Lu's injuries.
"What's wrong?" Evan Yang exclaimed, seeing Summer Lu still unconscious.
Winter Lu, who was treating Summer Lu, was shocked to see Evan Yang return. "Why are you back?"
"I was worried Colin Pineson of Snowpoint Sect would harm you," Evan Yang said anxiously.
"Don't worry. With other Spirit-Wandering experts around, he doesn't have the guts. Besides, he's gone with the others to Snowflake Sect—he won't bother us for now," Winter Lu reassured Evan Yang.