Evan Chu and Rhea Yang ate slowly, savoring the dishes at Tang Inn. The chef here was truly skilled—the color, aroma, and flavor of every dish matched the standards of the imperial city's finest restaurants.
With a casual toss, Evan Chu rewarded the waiter with a high-grade Starstone, shocking everyone in the inn. Everyone knew the rule about not flaunting wealth, and already a few greedy eyes were watching Evan and Rhea.
After the meal, Evan Chu asked the waiter to lead them to their prepared room. Turning to Rhea Yang, he said, "Rhea, do you think someone will try to rob us tonight?"
"Someone definitely will. Didn’t you see how greedy those people looked at us just now? It’s your fault for tipping the waiter like that. I’m honestly annoyed—you really don’t know how to keep a low profile," Rhea Yang complained.
"I just want to see which idiots will come looking for death tonight. Looks like it'll be a sleepless night. Why don't you get some rest first?" Evan Chu said.
"Do you really think I'm a pig? It's not even late yet—how could you suggest that? Why don't you tell me what’s happened to you these past two years?" Rhea Yang replied.
Evan Chu then told Rhea Yang about the developments in Frostbane Sect, and matter-of-factly mentioned that he'd married Claire Ouyang, Serena Dream, and a few other women. Rhea listened, equal parts exasperated and amused.
"Evan, I really don't get why you have to marry so many women. Is it because of your special physique, or are you just a natural flirt?" Rhea Yang asked.
"Are you upset?" Evan Chu didn't answer directly, but asked her instead.
"Even if I am, what can I do about it? After you marry Lily Tang, I really hope you'll restrain yourself. Too many women will only cause jealousy and trouble, and that helps no one," Rhea Yang said helplessly. The deed was done, and she could only accept it.
"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. Why don’t you absorb some Stellar Power and push for a breakthrough to the ninth layer of the Earth Martial Realm? I’ll keep watch—and wait for tonight’s fools to come looking for death," Evan Chu said.
Rhea Yang nodded. She knew her strength was far too weak—if she wanted to stay by Evan Chu’s side, she had to improve quickly. She took out the Star Crystal Evan had given her and began slowly absorbing its energy.
The Stellar Power inside the Star Crystal was immense. In an instant, it completely filled her Earth Star Pellet—something she’d never experienced before. She looked at Evan Chu in shock.
Evan Chu understood Rhea’s reaction and explained, “That’s a Star Crystal—it’s worth a hundred million low-grade Starstones. Of course the Stellar Power inside is domineering. If you fully absorb it, you’ll break through to at least the fifth layer of the Heaven Martial Realm. Just clear your mind and absorb it.”
Rhea Yang’s emotions surged. She hadn’t expected Evan Chu to give her something so valuable. After steadying herself, she began absorbing the Star Crystal again.
Time passed slowly. Rhea Yang was still absorbing the Star Crystal, while Evan Chu sat with his eyes closed, resting. Before they knew it, midnight had arrived. Evan had already put out the candle, waiting for tonight’s would-be victims.
Soon, faint footsteps sounded outside the door. Evan Chu smiled—his targets had finally arrived.
Although the candle was out, Evan Chu’s eyesight let him see everything in the room clearly. He noticed a small hole had been made in the window—and then a wisp of white smoke drifted in.
Evan Chu found it amusing—they actually dared to use knockout smoke on him, clearly afraid of his strength. He gently woke Rhea Yang, who was still absorbing Stellar Power, and told her to hold her breath—the real show was about to begin.
After about half a stick of incense, the door opened—a sign of caution. Two people entered, both wearing black face veils.
"Boss, do you think those two are knocked out from the smoke?" one of the men whispered.
"Don’t worry—my knockout smoke is top-notch. Even Heaven Martial experts would be out cold. Those two were throwing Starstones around, so they must be loaded. We’ve hit the jackpot tonight," the other replied.
Hearing how effective the smoke was supposed to be, the first man lit a candle and moved to check Evan Chu and Rhea Yang’s belongings—only to find Evan sitting at the table, grinning at them.
"Y-you’re okay?" The man called 'boss' stared at Evan Chu as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Did you really think some cheap knockout smoke could affect me? Surprised?" Evan Chu said.
Only now did the two realize why Evan Chu and Rhea Yang weren’t lying in bed—they’d known an attack was coming and had waited at the table on purpose.
"Run!" the boss barked, darting for the door. But Evan Chu wasn't about to let him escape—after waiting so long, he deserved some fun.
With a wave of his hand, Evan Chu unleashed a powerful suction force. The boss found himself unable to move, involuntarily dragged backward, while the other thief, stunned, drew a longsword and slashed at Evan.
Evan Chu moved his other hand slightly, lifting the boss into the air—he floated, unable to move.
"Evan, what should we do with these two? Kill them or cripple them?" Rhea Yang asked.
"Lin Feng? Are you Evan Chu—the one from the Yang family's martial tournament?" one man asked in terror.
Evan Chu chuckled, "So you were at the Yang family's tournament, huh? Well, tell me your last words—I might just grant your wish."
"Spare me, Young Master Chu! I didn’t recognize greatness when I saw it. If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have come here for all the guts in the world!" the boss pleaded.
"If you want to live, you'll answer my questions. If I'm satisfied, you'll keep your lives—and I'll even throw in some Starstones. But I want the truth. Lie to me, and you know the consequences." Evan Chu let them down, conjuring a ball of five-colored flame.
"Ask anything, Young Master Chu—we'll answer honestly!" both men chorused.
Evan Chu glanced at them, a strange thought crossing his mind. "How long have you two been in this business?" he asked.
"Five years," one replied.
"Ever run into anything really strange or unusual?" Evan Chu asked.
The two thought for a moment, then shook their heads. Evan Chu was a little disappointed—he hadn’t really expected useful information from them.
"Young Master Chu, I remember a year ago, passing through a valley, I saw a fire-covered flying beast—does that count?" the boss said…