"Are you really going to force both of us into a dead end?"
The Rowe Patriarch saw Evan Lin step forward, his expression suddenly shifting as he barked sharply, "You'd better think this through!"
"If I really use that technique, it'll be a fight to the death between us!"
"Even if your name as Master Lin of Seacrest becomes famous after today, so what?"
"When you die and your cultivation is wiped out, you won't gain a thing!"
"If you want fame, I can make sure everyone knows you dared to enter the Rowe clan alone. In terms of courage, you're a one-of-a-kind young hero. In terms of strength, you're extraordinary—truly a monster!"
"If you want money, just name your price—I'll have it prepared for you right away!"
The Rowe Patriarch shouted angrily again and again, his attitude wavering as he prepared to risk everything against Evan Lin. But he knew clearly—if it really came to that, win or lose, he would never keep his cultivation as Rowe Patriarch.
From sealing Second Elder Rowe in the trees, to turning the rocks from First Elder Rowe into his own weapon...
That's why, when First Elder Rowe and Second Elder Rowe fought Evan Lin earlier, the Patriarch didn't join them right away.
Hearing these words, the Rowe clan members who'd just gotten fired up were left dumbfounded again.
One by one, they looked at the Rowe Patriarch, feeling as if he was suddenly a stranger to them.
The elders all sacrificed themselves for the clan, and yet the Patriarch is still hesitating?
The four longswords are already pointed at his face, and he's still trying to negotiate?
Where's that supposed aura of dominance?
"Sorry, I'm really not interested in anything you've said."
Evan Lin shook his head. "Honestly, I was planning to wipe out your Rowe clan, but now I find it rather dull."
"As for the way you're acting right now, I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed."
Evan Lin sighed, his foot already stepping onto the ground.
The ground, once warped and uneven from First Elder Rowe's techniques, now appeared even more intimidating.
As Evan Lin stomped his foot, the once uneven ground quickly smoothed out before everyone's eyes.
Earth and stone swirled, forming a ten-meter-wide circular field centered on Evan Lin.
Inside this field, there was no visible inner strength, but the heavy pressure in the air grew even more intense.
The Rowe Patriarch had focused all his attention on the Four-Directions Sword Array in front of him, wary of a sudden attack. But at this moment, he finally seemed to understand.
The youth's real focus wasn't on the sword array at all—it was just a way to force him to take a stand. The true attack wasn't there.
At least for now, the four longswords led by Dustleave only radiated sharpness, with no hint of killing intent.
"Have you really thought this through?"
The Rowe Patriarch grew more and more anxious, scanning his surroundings and staying on high alert. Evan Lin's methods were becoming harder and harder to read—and even harder to understand.
From sealing Rowe Two in the trees, to turning the rocks of Rowe One into his own weapon...
One mysterious move after another—this Master Lin of Seacrest was becoming impossible for the Rowe Patriarch to predict.
"That would be a fight to the death!"
"I'm a first-grade Pointing-to-Mystery expert—at the very peak!"
The Rowe Patriarch looked at the ten-meter-wide circle of smooth ground beside Evan Lin, cold sweat breaking out on his back.
His eyes flickered, torn with hesitation.
Either he risked his life, or he begged for mercy.
But neither option was what the Rowe Patriarch wanted to see.
He was thinking more about regaining his strength later and then coming after this kid for revenge.
But looking at the youth standing there, seeing the ten-meter circle—plain and spotless, not a speck of dust—yet that subtle, overwhelming pressure made the Patriarch deeply uneasy.
He kept speaking, but Master Lin of Seacrest just ignored him.
Evan Lin only watched him with an amused smile.
That look in his eyes was like watching a clown.
"You're pushing me too far!"
The Rowe Patriarch couldn't hold back anymore, anger boiling inside him. He hesitated again and again—if the price weren't so steep, threatening his very foundation, he would've already used his technique, restored his strength, and charged at Evan Lin for a direct showdown.
"Can't hold it in anymore?"
Evan Lin looked at him. "Or maybe wait a bit longer, give it some more thought?"
"Or are you planning to let me give it a try now?"
Evan Lin wasn't in a hurry. Sometimes a cat plays with a mouse for fun, not just to eat it.
The Rowe Patriarch's anxious state looked downright ridiculous to everyone watching.
The Rowe clan members had fallen silent, and so had Daniel Ward and the others.
Everyone just watched in silence as everything unfolded before them.
Master Lin of Seacrest just stood there, barely moving, while the Rowe Patriarch—who claimed to be at the peak of Pointing-to-Mystery—was like an ant on a hot pan, stomping in frustration.
The difference was obvious at a glance.
"You—!"
The Rowe Patriarch pointed at Evan Lin, his arm trembling, face red with fury, gritting his teeth but unable to say a single word.
"Without an unwavering, rock-solid heart of courage, it's honestly surprising you've come this far in the martial path."
Evan Lin shook his head and sighed, "I gave you time to think, but you didn't value it."
"The Ancient-Martial Rowe clan, in my eyes, is just a tiny speck in the secular world—not worth mentioning."
"And your so-called peak of Pointing-to-Mystery is honestly laughable to me."
Evan Lin looked at him, his calm words making the Rowe Patriarch clench his fists even tighter.
Exactly because reaching the peak of Pointing-to-Mystery was so difficult, the Rowe Patriarch valued his cultivation and life even more.
They say the barefoot aren't afraid of those wearing shoes, but the Rowe Patriarch now was definitely wearing shoes—he wasn't as carefree or fearless as he was in his youth, when he had nothing and his cultivation was weak.
"Are you really going to force me into mutual destruction with you?"
The Rowe Patriarch's face twitched. He took a deep breath, and his mood suddenly stabilized.
"This choice should be yours to make."
Evan Lin shook his head, then slowly lifted the foot he'd placed on the ground.
In everyone's eyes, the youth standing there looked indifferent, his gaze piercing through dust and light, staring at the furious Rowe Patriarch who might go all out at any moment.
He spoke a single sentence.
Before the Rowe Patriarch could respond...
His expression suddenly changed.
A thunderous roar exploded out of nowhere.
The sound rolled like waves, echoing in everyone's ears and shaking their souls.
Everyone looked forward.
With a single glance, everyone's face turned pale.