Morgana Dreamhaven shook her head helplessly when she saw Palace Lord Rowan so confident. "He's extremely powerful—not something one or two people can resist. My advice is that for these three days, everyone should stay together."
"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? I think we should just forget it," Palace Lord Rowan said. The other palace lords also felt this was going a bit overboard.
Seeing that none of them agreed, Morgana had no choice but to let them stay in crowded areas, urging them not to go anywhere secluded.
But no matter what is said, there's always someone who won't listen. For example, Palace Lord Ridge—the Earth Temple's palace lord—was now walking alone in a forest, as if waiting for someone.
"You're here?" As soon as Palace Lord Ridge arrived, a voice sounded from behind him.
"Palace Lord Ignace, your move is truly silent and invisible," Ridge said with a smile.
"That's nothing. Let's get to business. So, will you help me?" Ignace said.
"If you can give me what I want, of course I'll help you," Ridge replied with a smile.
"Tell me, what do you want?" Ignace asked.
"I want Desolate Earth from the Northern Desolate Polar Region," Ridge said.
Ignace frowned. "That kind of earth is extremely hard to obtain. Plus, the Northern Desolate Polar Region—without Immortal Sovereign Solid cultivation, no one can enter. Isn't your demand a bit much?"
"But I just heard you fought eight people alone. With that kind of strength, if you really try, shouldn't you be able to match the Immortal Sovereign Solid realm?" Ridge replied with a smile.
"You really are cunning," Ignace said, smiling.
"Once these three days are over, you'll have no more chances. Right now, I'm the only one willing to stand with you. Think it over," Ridge said, smiling.
Ignace looked at Ridge and finally said, "Fine. After it's done, I'll get it for you, I swear on my soul."
"That's good. I hope you don't cheat me, Ignace. Otherwise, I won't let it go," Ridge said.
"Deal. It's up to you then. He's in a weakness period right now—just hand him over to me and your task is done," Ignace said.
Ridge nodded and left. Watching Ridge's departing figure, Ignace muttered, "I've always heard you're someone who values利益—profit. As expected, you're just as I thought. Now I've got you working for me. Worst case, I'll just get you that earth you want."
Evan Yang was resting in a guarded location, surrounded by eight powerful experts. Everything was quiet until Ridge arrived. He looked at Evan and said, "Evan Yang, hello." "Isn't that Palace Lord Ridge? What brings you here?" Evan replied with a smile.
"I heard you also cultivate earth attribute, so I came to test you. Let's see what kind of legendary figure you really are," Ridge said with a smile.
Evan smiled. "Palace Lord Ridge, you're too kind. In front of you, I'm really nothing special."
"Who says so?" Ridge replied with a smile.
"Isn't it obvious?" Evan said with a smile.
"Alright, let's not talk about that. Do you have time to take a walk with me?" Ridge asked.
"Sure," Evan replied.
Still, Evan was curious. He had little connection with Ridge, so why a private invitation? Though he spoke politely, internally he stayed calm and wary.
The eight guardians, of course, continued to protect Evan in secret. Ridge knew he had to shake them off, so he wandered with Evan until they stopped in a secluded spot. He secretly took out a bottle and released smoke from it.
The smoke instantly enveloped both Ridge and Evan. The eight guardians were alarmed, unaware of the truth, and thought Ridge and Evan were in danger.
They rushed to Ridge and Evan's location, only to find no one there—they had vanished without a trace. Shocked, they quickly contacted Morgana Dreamhaven. When Morgana arrived and heard the news, she was stunned and immediately ordered everyone to search everywhere.
As for Evan and Ridge, they were now in a new place, surrounded by earth on all sides, competing with earth attribute techniques.
"Palace Lord Ridge, why are you doing this?" Evan asked.
"No reason—just for利益—profit," Ridge replied.
"Profit? What do you mean by profit?" Evan asked with a smile.
"Someone wants your life. As long as I capture you, I can trade you for what I want," Ridge said.
"Palace Lord Ridge, is this really the character of the Earth Temple?" Evan asked. "No one will ever know I took you away. I just used displacement—a powerful earth attribute technique you probably don't understand yet," Ridge said with a smile.
Evan pondered. Ridge had used something unknown, his feet hadn't moved, but the surroundings shifted. When he regained clarity, they were in a new place. Hearing Ridge's explanation, Evan smiled. "So that's how it works. Thanks, Palace Lord Ridge."
"Glad you know. Though I doubt you'll ever reach this level—what a pity," Ridge said with a smile.
"Not a pity at all, since I'll keep growing. As for your so-called profit, you can trade for it yourself—I'm not interested," Evan said, then turned to leave in the opposite direction.
Ridge sneered. "Trying to escape? No way." The earth beneath Evan suddenly shifted, instantly dragging him back to Ridge's side.
Evan was shocked—he hadn't expected displacement to be so powerful. He tried to dodge again, but Ridge kept moving him back. Evan sneered, "The ground won't work, so I'll try the sky. Can you do the same up there, Palace Lord Ridge?"
"The sky? Not really, but I can attack you up there," Ridge said. As Evan flew upward, Ridge launched countless stone spike weapons after him.
Those stones locked directly onto Evan as their target.
Evan quickly spun around, countering each stone. His Limitless Spear unleashed powerful earth attribute energy.
"Combining artifact and attribute—not a bad choice. But you haven't fully brought out its power yet. With just this level, you want to challenge me? Kid, you're overestimating yourself. You'd better just come quietly," Ridge said.
"If you want me to go with you, catch me first. No more pointless talk," Evan replied with a smile.
Ridge snorted coldly. "You don't know what's good for you."
With that, Ridge launched another barrage of attacks at Evan. Evan dodged each one, looking for a chance to break free, refusing to stay on the defensive.
After several exchanges, Ridge still couldn't subdue Evan. He frowned. "You're pretty slippery, kid. No wonder he couldn't catch you."
"That's because none of you have the skills," Evan said with a smile.
"Damn it, you're asking for trouble! Take this!" Ridge yelled, throwing a small stone at Evan. Evan didn't know what it was, but it was definitely not ordinary.
Sure enough, the stone suddenly exploded, releasing powerful energy. Evan was blasted back by a wave of heat, the attack carrying tremendous force. He quickly blocked it and used his Sacred Ice to shield himself.
First, it helped dissipate the heat; second, it blocked the attack.
Seeing Evan unharmed, Ridge was shocked. "You actually came out unscathed?"
"What is it you want to know, Palace Lord Ridge?" Evan asked.
"Damn it! If I want to know, I'll ask myself—no need for your chatter! Take this!" Ridge threw another stone, just as powerful, but Evan dodged it again.
Ridge saw his ultimate moves dodged again and frowned. "You're like a mudfish."
"Thanks for the compliment," Evan said with a smile.
"Damn it, let's see how I capture you!" Ridge snorted, then threw ten more stones, much larger than before.
The explosions were so big they drew the attention of those searching for Evan.
Ridge noticed others approaching and was alarmed, so he used displacement again, shifting them to a new location.
The people who arrived found no one there and frowned. "Strange, they were just here—what happened so suddenly?"
Meanwhile, Ridge and Evan were battling in another location, but Ridge just couldn't deal with Evan.
Evan gradually escaped Ridge's control over the area. As he got farther away, he finally disappeared. Ridge cursed Evan, realizing that Evan's escape meant his own identity was exposed.
After calming himself, Ridge immediately headed to the Water Temple's main hall.
In the Water Temple's main hall, everyone was worried. News from the Water Temple people quickly reached Palace Lord Yun.
In the hall, Palace Lord Yun was furious. "What is going on? What happened to Ridge? Has he gone mad?"
Palace Lord Wood and the other palace lords frowned. If Ridge had betrayed them, it would be trouble. Just then, Ridge returned, smiling. "What's wrong, everyone? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Everyone was shocked. Ridge had left with Evan, so why was he back alone? Some people started to suspect Ridge.
"Palace Lord Ridge, where's Evan?" Palace Lord Yun asked.
"You mean him? How would I know? I've never met him," Ridge replied.
"How could you not know? The others said that before Evan disappeared, he was with you. Are you really saying you came back and he didn't?" Palace Lord Yun pressed.
"I have no idea. You keep investigating. I'm leaving," Ridge said.
Seeing Ridge about to leave, Palace Lord Yun said, "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing much. It's simple—Evan's situation has nothing to do with me," Ridge replied.
"Nothing to do with you? If it weren't for you, would he be in this mess?" Palace Lord Yun pressed, not backing down.
"Palace Lord Yun, some things aren't yours to question. Since Evan already has Immortal Sovereign strength, he can make his own choices," Ridge said.
"Palace Lord Ridge, if you can't give a reason in a few days, don't blame us for being rude," Palace Lord Yun said. "What do you mean? Is the Water Temple going to become enemies with the Earth Temple too?" Ridge frowned, feeling bullied.
Palace Lord Yun didn't expect Ridge to say that and looked shocked.