The Immortal Infant, trapped in Blazefire's spatial domain, started yelling, "Blazefire, you can't do this! We're friends, aren't we? If you kill me, how are you going to explain this to the City Lord of Pengzhou?"
"Friends? With you? If you want an explanation, go ask the Martial Spirit Dominion Lord—if he's got the guts! Enough nonsense, die!" Blazefire barked.
Evan watched from afar as a burst of flame exploded in midair, instantly swallowing up the fleeing Immortal Infant. In just a few breaths, the Immortal Infant was gone. Blazefire hopped off his Celestial Vulture and strode over.
"Sorry about earlier, bro. My temper gets the best of me sometimes. Just call me Blazefire!" Blazefire said, face serious, his whole attitude flipped from before.
Evan shot him a look. "Pretty sure I don't know you. Why'd you help me kill that Immortal Infant? Trying to make me owe you one?"
"You got it wrong, bro. I had no clue you were the guy our Dominion Lord is after. If I'd known, I wouldn't have dared mouth off to you, even if I had a hundred lives!" Blazefire grumbled.
"Dominion Lord? The Immortal Emperor of Martial Spirit Dominion? Never met him. How does he even know about me?" Evan shot back, though he'd already guessed the connection.
"You made waves in Coldriver City—the Dominion Lord heard all about you. He wants you in Martial Spirit Dominion. The resources there are off the charts, perfect for leveling up fast." Blazefire explained.
Evan blinked, sizing Blazefire up. "Why would he help me out? I don't even know the guy."
Honestly, Evan was itching to go. His power in the Immortal Realm was still way too low—he needed a real backer. Luna had told him to join Martial Spirit Dominion if he ever got the chance, and now it was right in front of him.
But he kept his true feelings hidden, putting on a reluctant face.
Blazefire was stunned by Evan's attitude. "You do know Martial Spirit Dominion is the biggest force among the Six Great Powers, right? Tons of people would kill to get in, but they can't. This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot!"
"Yeah? What if I just don't want to go?" Evan shot back.
Blazefire nearly lost it. "Are you crazy? People would tear each other apart for this! Getting picked by the Dominion Lord is every immortal's dream. How can you even think like that?"
"I like my freedom. Hate being tied down. If you don't have anything else, you can go. Still, thanks for taking care of that Immortal Infant—saved me a lot of hassle." Evan said, cool as ever.
"If you won't go, I'll just tie you up and drag you there. Trust me, I've got the power. Don't push me." Blazefire threatened, out of options.
"I don't take threats. Try it, and I'll kill myself right in front of you. Good luck explaining that to the Dominion Lord—he'll have your head." Evan grinned.
Evan had Blazefire right where he wanted him. He knew he'd have to join Martial Spirit Dominion eventually, but first he wanted to roam the Immortal Realm—and see Luna at Solarion Palace. He missed her like crazy.
Blazefire's face darkened. He was half amused, half helpless—who would've thought a late Immortal Lord could get stumped by a kid? He stared at Evan, totally at a loss:
"Bro, what do I have to do to get you to Martial Spirit Dominion? You know I can't lay a finger on you, so don't make my life miserable."
"I never said I wouldn't go—just not right now. How about you travel the Immortal Realm with me first? I barely know my way around. Coldriver City was my first stop after ascending." Evan laughed.
Blazefire stared at Evan for a long moment, then asked, "You haven't shown up anywhere else in the Immortal Realm? How long have you been here? Judging by your power, you're late Ninth-Heaven Arch-Immortal—how haven't you gone anywhere else?"
Evan grinned, "Been here about five years. Since you're here, let's head back to Coldriver City—I got a friend there who needs rescuing. That's why I came in the first place.
Never thought I'd stir things up so much even the Dominion Lord took notice. Talk about unexpected.
Blazefire stared at Evan like he'd seen a ghost, almost falling out of the sky. After a long pause, he finally blurted:
"You mean you've only been in the Immortal Realm less than five years? And already this strong? That's insane!"
"Quit freaking out. I'm a once-in-a-generation genius—why else would the Dominion Lord want me? You're Blazefire, right? I'll call you Old Blazefire from now on. I'm Evan Lin—call me Evan, or maybe even boss." Evan grinned.
"Old Blazefire? Boss? Why should I call you boss?" Blazefire was floored. This kid was something else.
"I've only been here five years and I can already kill mid-stage Immortal Lords. Give me ten or a hundred years—think you'll still be my match? You'll be calling me boss for sure." Evan laughed.
Blazefire had to admit Evan made sense. But calling a kid 'boss'—that stung his pride. Still, with Evan's freakish speed and talent, he'd be a big shot soon enough.
Calling him 'boss' wasn't a loss. Little did Blazefire know, that word would someday make him the legendary Blazefire Immortal Emperor.
Years later, every time he remembered meeting Evan, Blazefire would crack up—and thank his lucky stars for making the right call.
"What, you don't want to? I'm only taking you as my little brother because you're a straight shooter. Don't miss your chance—when I'm even stronger, you'll regret it if you don't!" Evan said.
Blazefire hesitated, then clenched his teeth and bowed. "Blazefire greets the Boss!"
"Nice! Very nice! Today I officially take you as my little brother!" Evan laughed.
Taking a late Immortal Lord as his little brother—only a freak like Evan could pull that off. Evan glanced at the sky and said:
"Blazefire, let's head back to Coldriver City. Your immortal bird's pretty fast."
"This is one of the most famous immortal birds in the Immortal Realm—Celestial Vulture. Hop on, Boss! I'll show you real speed!" Blazefire said.
The two of them hopped onto the Celestial Vulture and vanished into the sky...