Dora Du and Gavin White stood off to the side as Evan Yang’s soul entered Wen Chun’s body. With Evan’s powerful soul, he no longer needed Gavin’s assistance. He approached Wen Chun’s soul, took out the soul fragment he’d brought back from the Spirit Prison Realm, and began merging it with Wen Chun’s main soul.
Evan then withdrew from Wen Chun’s body and returned to his own.
Seeing Evan withdraw, Dora Du asked curiously, “How is it?”
“Mm, it went well. He should wake up soon.” Evan smiled. Dora Du nodded, watching the man expectantly. Under everyone’s gaze, the man gradually regained consciousness.
When the man woke up, Dora Du was overjoyed, but she could only keep one eye closed, and her body couldn’t return to its original form. Even so, she was happy. The man was startled, exclaiming, “Who are you?”
Hearing that the man didn’t recognize her, Dora Du felt a sharp pain in her heart. She said softly, “It’s me, your wife.”
Hearing the familiar voice but seeing Dora Du’s changed appearance, the man said, “You’re Siniang?”
“Yes, it’s really me.” Dora Du replied excitedly.
“What happened? Why are you like this?” the man asked angrily, wanting to know who had harmed Dora Du. Dora shook her head helplessly and explained the whole story.
After hearing everything, the man couldn’t help but burst into tears. “It’s all my fault. I’m the one who hurt you.”
Seeing the two pouring out their sorrows, Evan Yang and Gavin White exchanged helpless looks. At that moment, Dora Du said, "I'm going to abolish all my cultivation."
"What?" the man exclaimed in shock. Evan Yang and Gavin White also raised their eyebrows in curiosity.
"My body still carries the Serpent Lord's poison. Only by abolishing my cultivation can I completely purge it. Once it's gone, I can regain my original appearance," Dora Du said with a smile.
"But doing that will put your life in danger," the man said.
"I don't care. With this body, all I do is frighten people and can't accomplish anything. I'd rather just be an ordinary person," Dora Du said.
Seeing Dora Du make such a decision, Evan Yang and Gavin White couldn't help but admire her.
The man couldn't help but cry again. Seeing him like this, Dora Du turned to Evan Yang and asked, "Can you help me?"
"I'm not sure what kind of help you need, but just tell me," Evan Yang replied.
"I know you can refine pills. Please help me make one that will extend my lifespan and keep me from dying of illness, so I can spend many years with him," Dora Du said.
Hearing this, Evan Yang hesitated. When he didn't immediately agree, Dora Du knelt and pleaded, "I'm begging you."
Wen Chun still didn't want Dora Du to take the risk. He said softly, "Forget it. No matter what, I love you just as you are."
"No, I want you to see the best version of me, not this ugly side," Dora Du insisted.
Seeing the two of them like this, Evan Yang nodded gently. "Alright," he said.
Evan hesitated for a moment, then decided to search the Divine Pill Chapter for a pill that could preserve appearance and extend lifespan.
After finding the right formula, Evan had Dora gather the necessary herbs and began refining the pill, with Gavin White watching intently at his side. A few days later, the pill was ready.
Dora Du and Wen Chun’s emotional moment paused. With everyone watching, Dora began abolishing her cultivation. The self-destructive process made even Evan and Gavin wince.
Just as Dora was about to purge all her power, a massive tornado formed in the distance, threatening to sweep everything away.
"What is that?" Evan Yang asked, eyes narrowed at the strange tornado. Dora Du’s face changed. "It’s the Serpent Lord!"
"Serpent Lord?" Evan echoed, puzzled.
"Yes. Years ago, I sought him out. He’s the one who turned me into this. I never thought he’d show up here," Dora Du said, frowning.
"Why is he here?" Evan asked, suspicion in his voice.
"I made a deal with him once. If I ever willingly abolished my cultivation, I’d owe him my heart. I never thought he’d actually come to collect," Dora said, her brow furrowed.
Wen Chun immediately stepped forward, standing between Dora and danger. "No one is taking your life," he declared.
Evan glanced at Gavin. "Looks like I’ll need your help this time."
"Don’t worry. I want to see what the Serpent Lord is really capable of," said Gavin White, brimming with power from the Sky-Nine Divine Fruits.
The Serpent Lord arrived soon after—a snake’s head atop a human body, the reverse of Dora Du’s former appearance.
Seeing Dora had regained her human form, the Serpent Lord said coldly, "You’ve abolished your cultivation. I’m here to take your heart."
Evan eyed the man who’d once made Dora so powerful. "If you want her heart, you’ll have to go through us first," he said.
"And who are you, kid?" the Serpent Lord sneered.
"I’m not just some kid. I’m here to stop you. Today, we’re protecting her," Evan said firmly.
"You’re overestimating yourself," the Serpent Lord scoffed. As he spoke, his snake head shot out, covered in venomous bubbles. Evan reacted instantly, slamming his palm into the oncoming head and knocking it back.
"How’s that? Not so fun now, is it?" Evan grinned.
The Serpent Lord didn’t get angry. Instead, he laughed. "Kid, do you know what I’m most famous for?"
"Enlighten me," Evan said, genuinely curious.
"Venom. My poison can kill even a mighty divine beast. And you just touched me with your bare hand—you’re already dead." The Serpent Lord sneered, certain of his victory. But Evan just smiled. "Sorry to disappoint you. I may not have many tricks, but poison doesn’t work on me."
"Immune to poison? That’s impossible! Who do you think you are?" the Serpent Lord demanded, disbelief written all over his face.
Evan just chuckled. "Don’t believe me? Watch and see."
He stood there, completely calm. Dora Du, knowing how deadly the Serpent Lord’s poison was, looked on in worry—one drop could mean instant death.
But Evan was still standing, totally unharmed. Gavin White, at his side, couldn’t help but laugh. "Stop showing off," she teased.
Evan grinned. "Told you, poison doesn’t bother me." Gavin burst out laughing, but the Serpent Lord’s face darkened—he’d never been so humiliated. "You’re dead meat!" he snarled.
"Coming for more?" Evan taunted as the Serpent Lord flicked his tongue again.
"Die!" the Serpent Lord roared, power surging in his palm. Gavin White stepped in, meeting him head-on.
Neither side gained the upper hand—their strengths were evenly matched. The Serpent Lord frowned, realizing Gavin was a powerhouse. "No wonder you’re so cocky. There’s another strong one here," he muttered.
"Now you know, you can just leave," Evan said calmly.
"I never break my word. Today, I’m taking her heart," the Serpent Lord said, voice icy.
Right after, the area swarmed with snakes—countless, writhing, venomous. Evan laughed. "So you’re going to use these snakes against me?"
"Why not?" the Serpent Lord retorted, his eyes gleaming.
Evan recognized these snakes—Dora Du had once used them against Stone Freak and Mark Howe.
Seeing the strange snakes, Evan frowned. Dora urged, "Quick, hide!"
But there was nowhere to run. As crisis loomed, a bizarre army suddenly appeared around Evan—a swarm of insects under his command.
The insects surged forward, clashing with the snakes. The Serpent Lord was stunned. "You have this many insects?"
"You’ve got snakes, I’ve got insects. Let’s see how long this lasts," Evan said, grinning.
"Hmph, looks like I’ll have to use my ultimate move," the Serpent Lord growled. He pulled out a bead, poured his power into it, and summoned another raging tornado.
As the tornado raged, Evan gathered everyone close. He turned to Gavin White. "Can you handle it?"
"If I can knock that strange bead from his hand, the storm will stop," Gavin replied.
"Alright, I’ll back you up," Evan said.
The Serpent Lord and the others watched as Evan sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. Gavin knew he was sending his soul out of his body, planning to use his soul advantage to strike at the bead.
The Serpent Lord kept a close eye on Evan. When he sensed a strange spiritual force emerging, he frowned and focused his attention.
As the force approached, aiming for the bead, the Serpent Lord snorted, "Paranoid."
He punched at the invisible force, but Evan’s soul, empowered by Soul Battle Will, met him head-on.
The Serpent Lord staggered back several steps, furious. "Damn it!" he snarled.
Before he could recover, Evan’s soul force darted to the Serpent Lord’s hand, snatching the bead away.
With the bead gone, the tornado vanished. The Tempest Bead flew straight into Gavin White’s hand. Evan opened his eyes, but his face was pale.
"What’s wrong?" Gavin asked, concern in her voice.
Evan took a shaky breath. "Soul projection in the real world isn’t like the Spirit Prison Realm. The longer I stay out, the weaker my body gets."
Gavin White frowned. "Don’t do that again. If you ever get trapped, it’ll be real trouble."
"I’ll be careful," Evan promised.
The Serpent Lord, furious at losing his bead, roared, "You dare steal my Tempest Bead? You’re all dead!"
He charged at Evan, intent on a fight. Gavin intercepted him, launching into a fierce aerial battle. Evan watched, worried for the pregnant Gavin.
Above, Gavin and the Serpent Lord fought furiously. Below, snakes and insects clashed—a battlefield of venom and chitin. Evan turned to Dora Du. "Take this pill. It’ll help keep your body strong now that you’re mortal."
Dora Du hesitated, worry in her eyes. "But..."
"Go ahead and take it. Leave the rest to us," Evan reassured her.