"Why he's called Venerable Solus, I really can't say. That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself in time. Right now, your top priority is to get the Fire Spirit Pearl as soon as possible—you've got plenty of tasks ahead, and you can't afford to wait." Luna, the Sword Spirit, said.
Evan Chu understood Luna's meaning perfectly—he had to get the Fire Spirit Pearl quickly, then leave the Royal Capital and go farther afield to seek out other Spirit Pearls and raise his strength.
"Evan, what are you thinking about? Why so quiet?" Selena, the Dream Maiden, noticed Evan spacing out and couldn't help but ask.
Evan managed a bitter smile. "Selena, I'm just wondering how to get the Fire Spirit Pearl. I don't know if Skylar will really give it to me."
Selena chuckled, "Don't worry—Skylar Yule will definitely give it to you. You're his sworn brother now, and you've done the Heavenly Dragon Empire a huge favor. Besides, he's not stingy at all."
"Later, let's ask him if he has any medicine for soul-sea injuries. I want to go home for a bit—I've been away so long, and I have no idea how my dad and the others are doing. I wonder if the recent wanted order affected them." Evan said.
"If you want to go home, just go. Otherwise, once you head for the Sea Domain, who knows when you'll get another chance? Take care of what you need to, so you don't have regrets," Selena said with a smile.
Just then, a maid walked over and respectfully said to Evan and Selena, "Your Highness, the Second Prince requests your presence in the main hall. He's waiting for you there."
Evan and Selena exchanged a glance. "Let's go see what he wants," Evan said.
When they entered the hall, Skylar Yule was brewing tea. Seeing them arrive, he smiled and said, "Come, try some tea I made myself. You don't get this chance often."
After sitting down, Evan asked, "Skylar, if you have something to say, just say it. If it's something we can do, we'll do it without hesitation."
Skylar poured two cups of tea and handed them over. "It's nothing major. You two can stay here for now. Your princely residence is still being built, so you'll have to put up with some inconvenience."
"That's all you wanted to say? I honestly don't care about the prince's mansion. You've already done more than enough," Evan laughed.
"Evan, I know your ambitions aren't in the Royal Capital. What are your plans for the future?" Skylar asked with a smile.
Evan realized they'd finally gotten to the real topic. After taking a sip of tea, he said, "That's right, I do plan to leave for a while. Actually, I need your help with something important—I'm just afraid you'll be unwilling to part with it."
Skylar looked surprised, glanced at both of them, then said, "Whatever it is, just ask. If I can do it, I will. No need to stand on ceremony."
Selena spoke up, "Evan is cultivating a powerful technique and needs your Fire Spirit Pearl. We were wondering if the Second Prince would be willing."
"Fire Spirit Pearl? You want the Fire Spirit Pearl?" Skylar put on a look of surprise.
"That's right. My whole reason for coming to the Royal Capital was for the Fire Spirit Pearl. It's crucial for me. If you really can't bear to part with it, I'll have to find another way," Evan said seriously.
Skylar laughed out loud, "It's just a Fire Spirit Pearl—why make it sound so dramatic? It's just an external object, how could it ever compare to the bond between brothers?"
"So you're willing to give it to me?" Evan's heart leapt with joy as he asked.
Skylar moved his hand and a flame-red bead appeared—about the same size as the Earth Spirit Pearl Gavin once brought, with faint energy fluctuations radiating from it.
"Take it. I hope it'll help you. If you can grow stronger, that'll make me very happy too," Skylar said.
Evan accepted the Fire Spirit Pearl and immediately stored it in his ring. Then he said, "There's one more thing—Selena was injured in her fight with Yuetian Wu and suffered a soul-sea wound. Could you check if the palace has medicine for that?"
Skylar glanced at Selena. "You were hurt? Why didn't you say so earlier? I don't have that kind of medicine here, but my father the Emperor should. I'll go to the palace tomorrow and get it for you."
"Thank you, Second Prince. I'm truly grateful!" Selena said with a smile.
"Alright, that's all for now. Get some rest—everyone's tired. Your rooms are ready, on the east side," Skylar said. "Someone, take His Highness and the Princess Consort to their suite!"
A maid came over and said to Evan and Selena, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, please follow me."
Evan felt a sweatdrop slide down his forehead—the title 'Prince' he could accept, but 'Princess Consort' seemed way too sudden. He wanted to protest, but before he could, he felt a sharp pinch—Selena had twisted his arm.
Evan could only shake his head helplessly. "Skylar, we'll head out then. Sorry to trouble you with Selena's medicine."
Soon, Evan and Selena were led by the maid to a private courtyard. There was a small bridge over running water, rare flowers and exotic plants everywhere—the environment was beautiful.
"Your Highness, Princess Consort, this suite was specially prepared for you by the Second Prince. Everything inside is ready—if you need anything else, just let me know and I'll take care of it right away," the maid said.
"That's all, you can go now," Evan said, then walked inside.
The courtyard wasn't large, but it was peaceful. Evan walked around the room twice, then sighed, "That brat really knows how to mess with people—there's only one bed. How are we supposed to sleep?"
"Of course we'll sleep together. Don't forget, you're the Prince and I'm the Princess Consort—it's only natural. It's getting late, Your Highness, let me help you get ready for bed," Selena said sweetly.
"No way—don't take it seriously! It'll hurt your reputation. How about you take the bed and I'll just sleep somewhere else?" Evan said hurriedly.
Selena laughed, "I'm just teasing you! Why so nervous—are you afraid I'll eat you alive?" With that, she went into the room and sprawled out on the bed.
Evan sat down on a chair near the bed, took out the Fire Spirit Pearl, and examined it closely. He sent a trace of his spiritual sense inside and found it was filled with pure fire-element energy—so dense it was unimaginable.
"Evan, you've finally got the Fire Spirit Pearl. Now you can cultivate Fireshift, the first transformation of Ninefold Stellar Transformation. But I advise you not to rush. Wait until you've broken through to the Fourth Layer of Starforge Body; it'll save you a lot of pain," Luna's voice sounded in his mind.
"Why do I have to wait for the Fourth Layer? Didn't you say I could start now?" Evan asked.
"The energy inside the Fire Spirit Pearl is immense. Your current physical resistance is barely enough. The pain would be unbearable. Once you break through to the Fourth Layer of Starforge Body, it'll be much easier," Luna explained.
Evan felt a bit frustrated—the Fourth Layer wasn't something he could just break through at will, and the pain Luna described sounded inhuman.
Sensing Evan's worries, Luna said, "Did you forget the first trial in the Training Field? That's the best place for your Fourth Layer breakthrough. You might even have a shot at reaching the Heaven Martial Realm."
Evan suddenly remembered the Gravity Chamber—that time he'd nearly broken through to the Fourth Layer. Since Luna said so, there must be a reason. "Alright, I'll go to the Training Field tomorrow. Hope I succeed!"
Just then, Selena called out from the bed, "Your Highness, why aren't you coming over? How long are you going to keep your consort waiting...?"