Evan Chu shot the old man a glare and said coldly, "If you want answers, fine—but you have to let my friends go and guarantee their safe departure. Otherwise, even if we all die here, I won't say a single word. Anyone who dares step into the Azure Tide Ruins long ago put life and death behind them!"
"You've got guts, but it means nothing in front of me. Killing you all would be as easy as squashing ants. Don't test my patience," the Vice Hall Master said coldly.
"Even ants have their dignity! I don't believe the Vice Hall Master would slaughter those he sees as ants for no reason. I've said my piece—if you want to fight or kill, do as you please!" Evan Chu replied, utterly fearless.
"What's your name? Which sect are you from? Why did you come to the Monster Beast Forest?" The Vice Hall Master's tone shifted as he pressed on.
"I've already told you plenty of times—we were accidentally teleported into the Monster Beast Forest. This is our first time in the Azure Tide Ruins. If you don't believe me, that's your problem. My name is Evan Chu." Evan Chu's tone grew impatient.
"Evan Chu? Why does that name sound so familiar..." the Vice Hall Master muttered, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Vice Hall Master, why not just kill these people? They're clearly not from any major sect, so why hesitate? Allow me to handle it!" A burly, bearded man stepped forward, his voice brimming with menace.
"Kill them! The Monster Beast Forest isn't a place for humans to barge in as they please!" another beast clan member shouted, full of hostility.
In an instant, the entire hall erupted—everyone clamored for Evan Chu and his companions to be executed. The Vice Hall Master hesitated, recalling that the Hall Lord had once prophesied that a youth would appear in the Monster Beast Forest who must be treated as an honored guest. Yet Evan Chu's group had all arrived at once, making things far more complicated.
Just then, a voice rang out from outside the hall: "The Hall Lord is here!"
Instantly, everyone in the hall shot to their feet. The Hall Lord had been secluded for ages—his sudden appearance was beyond strange, and everyone knew it must be because of the newcomers.
An old man slowly walked in from outside, but Evan Chu didn't even bother to look at this so-called Hall Lord. His mind was racing, searching for a way to get his people out alive—even if the odds were slim, he had to try.
"I heard there were humans at my Western Beast King Hall, so I came to see for myself. Why is it that, before I even arrive, I hear talk of killing them?" The Hall Lord's voice echoed through the hall as he strode in.
The Vice Hall Master glanced at the old man and said respectfully, "These humans refuse to reveal their identities or backgrounds, so everyone wants them executed. I was hesitating, but now that you're here, I'll let you decide, big brother."
Selena and Claire Ouyang didn't even turn their heads. If they were going to die, they'd die standing tall—no way would they grovel or kneel. Even in death, dignity comes first.
"Just these few? Their strength seems ordinary. How did they end up in the Monster Beast Forest?" The Hall Lord asked, skepticism clear in his voice.
"They say they were teleported here from the sea region—it's their first time in the Azure Tide Ruins. We're still half-convinced, half-doubtful," the Vice Hall Master explained.
The Hall Lord sized up the bound Skylar Yule, Luna Chu, and Goldwing. "Anyone who can use a flying beast like Goldwing for a mount must have serious backing," he remarked.
He then walked up to Evan Chu, Selena, and Claire, scrutinizing the two women. Selena gave him a vague, mysterious feeling—as if some invisible power was hiding her true identity.
But when his gaze landed on Evan Chu, the Hall Lord's face changed instantly. His whole demeanor became excited, and what happened next would leave everyone in the hall dumbfounded.
Right in front of the crowd, the Hall Lord dropped to one knee before Evan Chu, voice trembling with emotion: "Heaven Ape greets his master! Please forgive Heaven Ape for not recognizing you sooner!"
The reversal was colossal—everyone in the hall was utterly stunned. The mighty Hall Lord of the Western Beast King Hall was kneeling to a mere human youth, calling him 'master.' It was like a wild fantasy come to life.
Evan Chu was dumbstruck for a moment, then looked closely at the old man and suddenly understood—this was the giant ape he’d once rescued from a mountain cave.
He quickly said, "Old Ape, get up! This is way too unexpected—even for me!"
Selena and Claire Ouyang stared at Evan Chu, faces full of confusion. This sudden reversal was unreal—like being dragged from hell straight into heaven.
The other beast elders were just as baffled. One of them blurted out, "Hall Lord, why are you calling this human 'master'? What in the world is going on?"
The Hall Lord burst out laughing. "Didn't I tell you? If any human from the Heavenly Dragon Empire ever arrived in the Monster Beast Forest, you must treat him as an honored guest—because he might be my former master!
The man you see before you is indeed my master from years ago. After the Divine Battlefield, he vanished, and I only met him again by chance. What are you waiting for? Release his friends at once!" the Hall Lord commanded.
Naturally, the elders obeyed the Hall Lord. Skylar Yule and the others were freed immediately, and the entire hall’s attitude flipped from hostility to respect.
Luna Chu walked up to Evan Chu and said, "Evan, I really can't figure you out anymore. Are you even the same Evan Chu I grew up with? Every secret you reveal is more earth-shattering than the last!"
Evan Chu smiled, "Of course I'm still the same Evan Chu. Luna, no matter what my identity is, you'll always be the little sister I grew up with. That will never change!"
"Master, please take the seat of honor. I thought it would take you decades to reach the Azure Tide Ruins, but you arrived so quickly—it's truly astonishing!" Heaven Ape said, full of respect.
Evan Chu laughed, "You're way too formal, Old Ape. I never imagined you'd be the Hall Lord of the Western Beast King Hall. If I'd known, we wouldn't have ended up in this mess!"
The Vice Hall Master's attitude shifted completely. "I never dreamed you were the Hall Lord's master. Back then, the Hall Lord was unstoppable fighting alongside you. But I don't get it—why does your cultivation seem so low now?" he asked, respect and curiosity in his voice.
Evan Chu gave a wry smile. "I was badly wounded on the Divine Battlefield. To fully crush Venerable Solus's schemes, I had no choice but to reincarnate—and that took ten thousand years. So I've had to rebuild my strength from scratch."
With Evan Chu's explanation, everyone finally understood. Few knew who the Hall Lord's master was, but anyone who could fight on the Divine Battlefield had to be a Saint Martial expert. The Hall Lord, once Seventh-Layer Saint Martial, had willingly served a human master—just how terrifying must Evan Chu have been back then?
"Please forgive our earlier disrespect. On behalf of everyone here, I apologize. We'll hold a grand banquet, and I'll punish myself with three cups of wine!" the Vice Hall Master declared formally.
Some still felt uneasy about Evan Chu, but with both the Hall Lord and Vice Hall Master showing such respect, no one dared voice any complaints.
Evan Chu stood and addressed the hall, "Since I've come to the Western Beast King Hall, there's no need for ceremony. Treat me as an ordinary human! Fate brought us together, and in this world where the strong prey on the weak, only unity and shared resolve can make us truly powerful!
If anyone still holds a grudge against me, let it go. I swear to you all, one day I'll make the entire Azure Tide Ruins revere the Western Beast King Hall!"