Evan Chu glanced at the Freewind Palace Lord and said, "I think you already understand why I'm here. Just tell me straight—will you recognize me or not? I don't want to waste words. If you agree, I guarantee I can kill him. If not, then there's nothing I can do."
"You want to take Serena Dream? Even as Palace Lord, I can't make that decision alone. Matters of the heart require both sides. Serena and Ethan Feng grew up together—their bond is deep, childhood sweethearts. I don't need to explain how strong that kind of feeling is. You should understand." said the Freewind Palace Lord.
"Serena Dream's situation can wait. What I need is your Gold Spirit Pearl—a rare treasure that can stabilize and enhance certain constitutions. Only with the Gold Spirit Pearl do I have confidence to kill a Saint Martial Realm expert, a cultivator at the highest stage below Sainthood. Rest assured, Frostbane Sect will never make trouble for Freewind Palace. Consider this a huge favor my sect owes yours." Evan laid his cards on the table.
"I can give you the Gold Spirit Pearl, but you must agree to one condition. If you can't accept it, that's the end of this discussion. You need to know—the Gold Spirit Pearl is Serena's dowry. She was born with the Gold Yin Constitution and desperately needs it." The Freewind Palace Lord glanced at Evan Chu as she spoke.
"Since you already know Serena has the Gold Yin Constitution, why insist on marrying her to Ethan Feng? Isn't that just dooming him? Let me tell you—my physique is a Pure Yang Constitution by birth."
If Serena Dream follows me, she'll only gain immense benefits, not harm. The stronger her power, the heavier her yin energy. If Serena really marries Ethan Feng, I guarantee he'll die on their wedding night." Evan said seriously.
The Freewind Palace Lord looked at Evan Chu in confusion and asked, "You really have a Pure Yang Constitution? That's a one-in-ten-thousand chance. Do you know the consequences if you lie to me? Not only will you die, but every member of Frostbane Sect will die too."
"Heh, you can have someone verify it for you if you want. Right now, I just need to know—what condition do I have to agree to for you to hand over the Gold Spirit Pearl?" Evan pressed, knowing that with the Gold Spirit Pearl, his strength would skyrocket. Once he mastered the Fivefold Transformation—a cultivation technique that fuses five elemental powers—he'd be nearly immortal.
"My condition is simple for you. During the tournament, I want you to kill the young representative from Dark Sanctuary—and at the end, you must lose to Ethan Feng, letting him take first place in the sect competition." The Freewind Palace Lord said sternly.
"That's it? I can do that! I have zero interest in being first. Maybe Ethan Feng is the top of the Four Young Lords, and Freewind Palace can't afford to lose face, right? Don't worry, I won't breathe a word of this to anyone else." Evan replied immediately.
"How can I trust your word? What if you go back on your promise?" the Freewind Palace Lord asked.
Her eyes stared straight at Evan Chu, as if she could see through his soul. For anyone weaker, her gaze alone would be enough to terrify them half to death.
"How do you want me to prove it? I, Evan Chu, act openly and honestly. If I promise something, I’ll see it through even at the cost of my life," Evan said.
The Freewind Palace Lord produced a green porcelain bottle in her palm, glanced at Evan Chu, and said, "This is an eighth-grade pill called Heart-Piercing Tear. Whoever takes it feels like their whole body is burning, because its medicinal properties are extremely fierce. The person will briefly lose consciousness, and an invisible, stabbing pain will pierce their heart."
This pain isn’t ordinary—it’s a soul-wrenching agony that makes life worse than death.
But there is a rare spiritual medicine that counteracts Heart-Piercing Tear: Gloomspring Elixir. The Gloomspring Elixir can relieve the suffering. If you can swallow Heart-Piercing Tear, then I'll believe you."
Evan Chu looked at the Freewind Palace Lord in confusion. He’d never even heard of Heart-Piercing Tear or Gloomspring Elixir, and he didn’t dare ask Luna now. If he hesitated too long, it would show he wasn’t sincere—and getting the Gold Spirit Pearl would be even harder.
"Since the Palace Lord wants me to do this, I have no choice. I just hope you’ll give me the antidote when the time comes. I know Gloomspring Elixir must be extremely rare, or you wouldn’t bother telling me its name!" Evan said.
The Freewind Palace Lord poured out a red pill from the bottle and said, "This is Heart-Piercing Tear. If you trust me, take it now!"
Evan Chu picked up the pill and swallowed it directly. He looked at the Freewind Palace Lord and said, "I’ve taken your pill. Or maybe I should say I’m already under your control. I hope you’ll give me the Gold Spirit Pearl—only then can I complete your mission."
After Evan Chu finished speaking, a wave of warmth immediately surged in his abdomen. He knew this was the medicinal power of Heart-Piercing Tear taking effect. Sure enough, a familiar stabbing pain spread from his heart—just like the agony he endured when breaking through the fourth layer of the Starforge Body.
Evan Chu gritted his teeth and endured. Sweat poured from his face onto the ground, and he nearly cried out from the pain.
The Freewind Palace Lord then took out a golden bead from her storage ring and said, "This is the Gold Spirit Pearl. This pain will flare every ten days, three times a month, so be prepared. Once you complete my mission, I’ll give you the Gloomspring Elixir. It’s not that I don’t trust you—I just need a backup plan."
If you don’t take the antidote within two months, the pain will become more frequent. At that point, even the antidote won’t work, so don’t even think about escaping.
You haven’t fainted yet—that’s something few can manage. I hope you succeed. As for you and Serena Dream, I can’t answer for now. We’ll talk after the tournament.
Evan Chu took the Gold Spirit Pearl from the Freewind Palace Lord and placed it in his storage ring. Finally, he couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground.
When he woke up, he found himself in a refined room, his head spinning. A letter on the table caught Evan Chu’s attention. He picked it up and learned he was in the Freewind Palace Lord’s personal cultivation chamber.
The Palace Lord told him to rest and cultivate in this chamber. Next door was a secret room filled with powerful Stellar Power—a compensation for enduring the Heart-Piercing Tear.
Evan Chu understood the Palace Lord’s intention. Leaving now would be extremely difficult. He cleared his mind and made up his mind to break through to the fifth layer of the Divine Martial Realm.
[Omitted: Author’s note wishing readers a happy new year.]