Evan Yang nodded to Gavin White and said, "Mm."
Gavin White clasped her hands together, and instantly the surrounding space lit up. Evan Yang immediately used countless strands of Divine Sense to locate the abnormal spots among the stones. Sure enough, he spotted a pair of tiny eyes in a crevice. Though the eyes weren't obvious among the rocks, Evan's Divine Sense locked onto them.
He gripped the Soul-Devouring Divine Sword, pierced through space, and appeared before those eyes, stabbing forcefully. As he stabbed, Evan seemed to hit something extremely hard, so he increased his strength. Even then, he only managed to pierce a little—showing that even the eyes were so tough, the creature's body must be even more terrifying.
Before Evan could continue, a furious roar erupted and the surrounding space opened up. The Stoneback, now blind in one eye but glaring with the other, angrily shouted at the two, "Despicable! You're dead! Today I'll crush you beneath this mountain, and you'll never rise again!"
Gavin White was shocked by these words and exclaimed, "Run!"
Evan Yang quickly retreated, following Gavin White. But countless stones rained down from above, each unimaginably heavy. Neither Evan nor Gavin could withstand the crushing force, and at the critical moment, Evan grabbed Gavin and ducked into the Strange Spiral Shell. The shell was then buried under a mountain.
These stones were no ordinary rocks. The Stoneback fused itself completely into the mountain, becoming one with it.
Inside the Strange Spiral Shell, Evan Yang asked curiously, "What exactly is Stoneback? Why is it so terrifying?"
Gavin White explained, "Stoneback is a terrifying creature found only in the Heavenly Dao Realm. There are only a few in the entire realm, and I never expected we'd encounter one. The stones on its body are extremely dense and tough—even Heavenly Dao experts need powerful artifacts to break through. Otherwise, it's impossible to harm it. Now that we're trapped under these stones, getting out will be extremely difficult."
After hearing Gavin's explanation, Evan Yang pondered, "Maybe I can find a way to dig a tunnel up from beneath the mountain."
"Dig a tunnel? Even if you were an earth-attribute Heavenly Dao expert, it would be impossible," Gavin White said helplessly, shaking her head.
"How about this—I'll let you use my Soul-Devouring Divine Sword. Attack with your full strength and see what happens," Evan Yang suggested, deciding to lend his artifact to Gavin White.
"But we're inside your artifact. How can we attack? We can't even get out!" Gavin White replied, frustrated.
Evan Yang pondered for a moment, then took out the Limitless Spear. "I almost forgot about this artifact," he said.
"What kind of spear is this? Why does it feel so strange to me?" Gavin White asked suspiciously.
"Are you saying it's a Heavenly Dao artifact too?" Evan Yang asked, curious.
"Yeah, what is it?" Gavin White asked curiously. Evan Yang explained, "This is the Limitless Spear. It has five prongs, representing five attributes. Although it's not as terrifying as the Soul-Devouring Divine Sword, it can freely change size."
After hearing Evan's explanation, Gavin White was shocked. "The Five God Spear!"
"Five God Spear?" Evan Yang asked, puzzled. It was his first time hearing the name. Gavin White explained, "There was once someone who wielded this spear and defeated many Heavenly Dao experts."
"Really? I see. So how did the Five God Spear disappear afterward?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"It's said that the Heavenly Dao expert who once possessed it left with the spear and disappeared. No one knows where he went," Gavin White said.
"Well, in that case, I'll make full use of it." Evan Yang shrank the Limitless Spear and threw it outside the Strange Spiral Shell. Under his control, the spear gradually grew larger. No matter how tough the stones were, they couldn't withstand the power of the Limitless Spear.
The Limitless Spear slowly drilled up to the mountain's summit, finally opening a hole. Evan Yang brought the Strange Spiral Shell through the tunnel and escaped the mountain. At that moment, Stoneback emerged from the mountain, furious, and shouted, "How dare you attack my rear!"
Evan Yang and Gavin White exited the Strange Spiral Shell, put away the Limitless Spear, and saw a hole in Stoneback's rear. Remembering how Stoneback had merged with the mountain, Evan laughed, "You deserved it."
"You—just wait and see how I'll deal with you!" Stoneback fumed. Knowing the Limitless Spear could restrain him, Evan Yang sneered, "Go ahead, try it."
With the Limitless Spear in hand, Evan Yang extended and retracted it at will. The stones were useless against the spear. Stoneback soon realized how extraordinary it was, staring at it for a while in shock. "It's actually the Five God Spear!"
"Didn't expect you to recognize it," Evan Yang said with a smile when Stoneback named the spear.
"Of course. It's an artifact of Five Gods Hall. I can't believe you possess it. I've been in the Heavenly Dao Realm for so long, and this is my first time seeing it. Since that's the case, you won't be leaving today. I want that spear," Stoneback said, angry and greedy.
"That depends on whether you have what it takes to take it." With that, Evan Yang had Gavin White handle Stoneback while he looked for a chance to attack with the Limitless Spear.
Whenever Stoneback fought Gavin White, Evan Yang would use the Limitless Spear to harass him, enraging Stoneback and driving him mad, smashing stones everywhere. But Evan, armed with the spear, wasn't afraid at all.
Stoneback, furious, realized this couldn't go on. He decided to retreat, but before leaving, he warned Evan Yang and Gavin White, "Just wait. Next time we meet, it'll be your death!"
With that, Stoneback vanished in a flash, moving incredibly fast. Evan Yang and Gavin White were both shocked, but Stoneback's escape speed was impossible to match.
"What do we do now?" Gavin White asked, frowning.
"Looks like he got away this time. We'll just have to catch him next time we get the chance," Evan Yang replied.
Gavin White nodded and left the area with Evan Yang. Stoneback, still angry, reappeared on a mountaintop and called down, "Big Brother, come out."
There was movement below the mountain, and another Stoneback emerged, frowning at the battered Third Brother. "Third Brother, what happened to you?"
"Big Brother, don't even ask. Bad luck today—I ran into someone wielding the Five God Spear," Third Brother said.
(Irrelevant system message skipped.)
"Five God Spear? Are you sure?" Big Brother asked, shocked and suspicious.
"Absolutely. I saw it clearly, there's no mistake," Third Brother replied.
Big Brother said, "Don't worry. I'll take you to meet some people—they'll be very interested in your news."
Third Brother nodded. He couldn't let go of the grudge over his rear. Following Big Brother, they arrived at a large manor.
The manor was huge, with a plaque reading 'Zhou Manor.' Two creatures appeared at the entrance, and a group of guards surrounded them. Big Brother said, "Tell your Clan Chief Zhou to come out. I have important business with him."
The guards exchanged glances, then one hurried off to report. Soon, a man with a handlebar mustache and a cross-shaped scar on his face appeared—this was Zhou Tai, the master of Zhou Manor. Seeing the two Stonebacks, he smiled and said, "What brings the distinguished Stonebacks here today?"
"Interested in a deal?" Stoneback asked.
"Of course," Zhou Tai replied.
"Then make sure the room is soundproof. What I have to say this time is important," Big Brother said.
Zhou Tai immediately led the two Stonebacks into a nearby room and then down into a basement. The lighting was dim, but it was enough for these Heavenly Dao experts.
Zhou Tai smiled and said, "Go ahead."
"Go back and tell your chieftain—we've seen the Five God Spear. If you have the guts, go take it. Once it's done, we want the spear's owner. You can keep the artifact," Big Brother Stoneback said.
"What? The Five God Spear? Impossible—it's been missing for years. Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?" Zhou Tai's smile faded and he asked suspiciously.
"No mistake at all. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. We'll be leaving now," Big Brother Stoneback said.
"Don't get upset—I never said I don't believe you. If that's the case, we might as well cooperate. Tell me, what does that person look like, where did you spot him, and how strong is he?" Zhou Tai asked.
Big Brother Stoneback looked at Third Brother, who explained where Evan Yang was found and his strength. After hearing the information, Zhou Tai smiled. "Alright, if the Five God Spear really exists, we'll definitely seize it and give you what you want."
"Good. I'll wait for your news," Big Brother Stoneback said, then left with Third Brother.
Watching them leave, Zhou Tai immediately went off to handle his own affairs.
After leaving, Third Brother asked curiously, "Big Brother, why did you seek him out? Is he powerful?"
"He's not powerful, but the force behind him is a famous bandit gang in the Heavenly Dao Realm. They have people everywhere, so if we want to find the person you mentioned, they're the best choice. Plus, we get benefits—it's a win-win," Big Brother Stoneback explained.
Third Brother nodded. "Yeah, I have to get revenge on that guy for messing with my rear. Damn him for daring to mess with me."
Back at the White family manor, Evan Yang and Gavin White had no idea Stoneback would seek out the bandit gang, nor did they realize they'd already been targeted.
After this experience, Evan Yang and Gavin White didn't dare wander around. They stayed in the manor, spending time with the Yang family.
Several times, Evan Yang wanted to go out, but Gavin White stopped him, worried for his safety. Evan had no choice but to stay put until Bai Zhan returned.
Bai Zhan smiled at Evan Yang and Gavin White. "I've spread your news around. My friends will be coming soon."
"That's great," Gavin White said, smiling.
"Yes, and since I have some free time now, I'll take you to Heavenly Dao Academy, a famous place in the Heavenly Dao Realm," Bai Zhan said with a smile.
"Heavenly Dao Academy? Dad, what kind of place is that? Why have I never heard of it?" Gavin White asked curiously.
"It's a magical mansion in the Heavenly Dao Realm, said to be dedicated to cultivating talent. I have several friends there, and they insist on meeting you. If I don't, they say I'll be disrespecting them, so I had no choice but to come back for you," Bai Zhan sighed.
After hearing Bai Zhan's words, Evan Yang and Gavin White exchanged glances. Evan was excited—he could finally leave the manor. He'd wanted to visit the Heavenly Dao Realm before, and now he could; only here could he truly temper himself.