Serena Dream shot Evan Chu a glance, her eyes sharp beneath the veil. "Young Lord Peak, is beauty really that important to you?"
"Not entirely. Everyone likes good looks, sure, but it's what's inside that really matters. If a woman is gorgeous but has a heart like a viper—sorry, but that's just disgusting to me," Evan said, his tone frank.
With no warning, Serena Dream slowly lifted her veil. Evan Chu had braced himself for a stunning beauty, but what he saw made his heart jolt—a face so marred he almost flinched. It was, hands down, the most jarring sight he'd ever encountered.
A huge, dark birthmark sprawled across nearly half her face, completely ruining what little beauty she might've had.
Serena Dream gave a cold little smile. "Shocked? They all say the Saintess is the prettiest woman around, but Freewind Palace's Saintess actually looks like this. You said you wanted to chase me—now you've seen my real face, do you still want to?"
Evan Chu stood there, stunned for ages. But then Luna's words echoed in his mind—Serena Dream had the Gold Yin Constitution. For the Gold Spirit Pearl, even if she looked worse, he'd have to accept it.
"You really underestimate me. Even if you were a hundred times uglier, I'd still go after you. Love's a weird thing—some people fall for a voice, some for a face, some for status. Me? I'm interested in you as a person, all of you," Evan said, voice steady.
Doesn't matter if you're beautiful or not, doesn't matter what your background is—I'll pursue you. Even if you already have someone in your heart, I won't give up. That's how I am: once I set my mind on something, I'll fight for it even if I'm left battered and bleeding," Evan said, deadly serious.
Serena Dream's body trembled. She hadn't expected this handsome youth to be so stubbornly sincere. If she hadn't met Young Lord Ethan first, maybe Evan Chu really would be a good catch. But with her engagement already set in stone, all she could do now was let him down.
"I'm sorry, Young Lord Peak. If we'd met sooner, maybe things would've been different. But now, I can only let you down. Still, Lynne Nie's also a Saintess—you might as well consider her," Serena Dream said softly.
"Serena, why are you dragging me into this? I didn't do anything to you," Lynne Nie protested, her cheeks instantly turning red. Even in the faint moonlight, Evan could see her embarrassment.
Evan Chu couldn't deny Lynne Nie's beauty made his heart race, but with nothing settled, how could he just switch targets? He grinned, "Lynne, you're stunning enough to make any guy lose his mind. But if Serena Dream can't be mine, I won't just settle for someone else. If you really care about your friend's happiness, you should think this through."
"You want both of us? Young Lord Peak, did I hear you right? Aren't you just a little too full of yourself?" Serena Dream blurted out, shocked.
"Too full of myself? When I stand at the top of the world one day, you won't think that. Anyway, it's late—let's get back. As for you, Serena, I'm not giving up. And Lynne, once Serena's my woman, I'll make you mine too," Evan said, his confidence utterly unshaken.
Direct, decisive, and domineering—that was Evan Chu all over. Hearing this, both girls had complicated feelings. Lynne Nie especially wanted to smack him for being so overbearing, as if she was just waiting around to be married off. But deep down, his willingness to take responsibility for both of them gave her a tiny bit of comfort she couldn't quite admit.
The three of them returned to Golden Ram Tower. It was still a while before dawn, so they each went back to their rooms. Evan Chu was more than satisfied with tonight—not only had both Saintesses followed him out, he'd also gotten a glimpse of their true selves.
"Evan, Serena Dream's definitely wearing a disguise. Her real looks shouldn't be any less than Lynne Nie's. From her tone, you can tell she's got some feelings for you. With your Pure Yang Constitution and her Gold Yin Constitution, you'll win her heart eventually. But you'll need to break her engagement with Young Lord Ethan—so keep your eyes open for an opening," Luna's voice echoed in his mind.
Evan Chu chuckled, "Didn't know you were such a love guru, Luna. I agree—no way she's really that ugly. Her disguise technique is top-notch. No wonder she saw through mine so fast."
Evan sat quietly at his desk, closed his eyes, and rested for a bit. As the sky started to lighten, he freshened up and decided to see what the Azure Tide Ruins' grand auction was like compared to those in the Heavenly Dragon Empire.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Evan Chu opened it and was surprised to see Young Lord Ethan standing outside. What was Ethan doing here so early?
"Young Lord Ethan, what brings you here so early?" Evan asked, a little wary. Was Ethan here to call him out over grilling fish with his women last night?
Even as he thought that, Evan kept his face surprised. Young Lord Ethan handed him a red jade token. "Young Lord Peak, this is the entry token for the auction. Only those with a token can get inside. I figure you'll have plenty you want to bid for."
With that, Young Lord Ethan passed Evan Chu the red jade token without another word.
"Thanks, Young Lord Ethan. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known I needed this to get in," Evan said as he took the token.
"Freewind Palace is hosting the auction, and you're such an outstanding talent—it'd be wrong not to give you a token. This one's second-tier, and there aren't many. Take care of it." With that, Young Lord Ethan turned and left.
"Second-tier? I thought he'd be generous enough to hand me a first-tier. Stingy, for a host!" Evan Chu muttered to himself once Ethan was gone.
"What are you mumbling about, Evan? Talking to yourself first thing in the morning?" Young Lord Wenqin called out, amused.
"Nothing much. Young Lord Ethan just gave me a token for the auction, but it's only second-tier. Feels like he's looking down on me," Evan replied, half-joking.
Young Lord Wenqin burst out laughing. "You have no idea how rare those second-tier tokens are! There are only nine first-tier tokens—one for each of the Nine Great Sects. Of course you couldn't get one. Second-tier tokens are for the real big shots in those sects. You just scored big, man."
"People from second-rate sects can only get third-tier tokens, tops. You get what that means now?" Young Lord Wenqin grinned.
"So that's how it is. But you didn't come this early just to chat, did you? What's up?" Evan Chu asked, curious.
"Honestly, I was going to ask you to be my shill at the auction, but turns out you're hiding some serious strength. Forget it—if we both want the same item, let's compete fair and square. I won't hold back," Young Lord Wenqin said, grinning.
"We'll see if there's anything I actually need," Evan Chu replied with a laugh.
Soon enough, everyone came out of their rooms. Serena Dream and Lynne Nie still had their veils up, faces hidden. "Let's go. Today's auction is going to be wild—hope you all get what you're after," Young Lord Ethan announced.
With that, the seven of them left Golden Ram Tower and made for the biggest auction house in Golden Ram City—the Golden Ram Auction House.