Benson Blue recounted his experience to Connor Hawke, including how he was chased by the Strange Fiend. As for what happened afterward, he had no idea.
Everyone listened closely to the story, finding it a bit unbelievable.
Benson Blue excused himself, leaving the scene. Naturally, the conversation shifted toward Evan Yang. Connor Hawke, sitting there, couldn't calm down for a long time. He muttered to himself, "Strange, he clearly went in—how did he survive in fragmented space?"
Connor Hawke wasn't the only one; many people were curious how Evan Yang survived. Now, everyone wanted to capture Evan and interrogate him.
Meanwhile, Benson Blue was secretly laughing. His goal was to make Evan Yang's life as difficult as possible, to cause him endless trouble. Once everyone knew Evan could survive in fragmented space, every faction would want to know his secret. After all, one of the greatest dangers in the Death Crystal Field is its fragile spatial structure and frequent cracks.
"The Blue Clan is truly despicable." Damon Li could see through Benson Blue's intentions, and Xin Jiang certainly noticed as well. Now, everyone around them was discussing Evan Yang—some even planned to capture him for questioning.
Xin Jiang didn't feel comfortable hearing this, but deep down she was thrilled—Evan Yang hadn't died in a spatial crack. That meant she would see him again someday.
It wasn't just the Shadowhand Guild—members of the Free Alliance were equally delighted. The Demon Sect, however, was suspicious and curious. As for Joel Qiao, he was glad Evan Yang was alive; it meant he could try to capture Evan and force him to reveal the whereabouts of Shadowhand's Spiral Shell.
The main hall was bound to erupt with drama. By evening, once most people had arrived, the Blue Clan had already assigned everyone their seats. The Blue Clan Patriarch stepped forward and said, "Thank you all for coming together to face a common enemy. The Blue Clan welcomes you."
"Blue Clan Patriarch, there's no need for pleasantries—just get to the point," someone laughed.
The rest of the hall quickly voiced agreement. The Blue Clan Patriarch smiled, "Very well. Next, let's discuss the procedure: we need to elect an alliance leader. Whoever takes this post will have the authority to organize everyone's actions and command the battle lines. What are your thoughts?"
"Agreed. I think the Blue Clan is the best choice—after all, they're the number one family on the continent. Isn't that right?" someone chimed in immediately. Whether this was a Blue Clan setup or just others trying to curry favor, it was hard to say.
The Blue Clan pretended to decline, saying they weren't fit for the role, but deep down, they knew they'd endured years of hardship guarding the sealed caves. No matter what, they were determined to secure this position.
The Demon Sect objected, but it didn't matter—most people disliked them. Their proposal was quickly shot down, leaving only the main clans.
Among the great clans, only the Hawke Clan had the confidence to speak up; the others were clearly outmatched and kept unusually quiet.
"Senior Hawke, what's your opinion?" A Spirit-Wandering expert, not from the Blue Clan, stepped forward and asked with a smile.
Connor Hawke was the continent's number two. Even if people didn't respect the Hawke Clan, they couldn't ignore him. No matter what, they had to consult Connor Hawke first.
Connor Hawke rarely involved himself in clan matters; he was only here to ensure the Hawke Clan wasn't bullied. He had no interest in being alliance leader—commanding everyone was a burden, and he preferred focusing on cultivation.
The Blue Clan was different—they had plenty of talent, some focused on cultivation, others on managing the clan. The Hawke Clan had capable people too, but couldn't match the Blue Clan's depth.
After thinking it over, Connor Hawke said calmly, "The Blue Clan is a solid choice. But I think we should also establish a few supervisor positions—major decisions should require both the leader's approval and votes from these supervisors."
Damon Li quietly nodded to Xin Jiang, then sent a report of the day's events back to Shadowhand Guild. When the elders there heard Evan Yang was still alive, their faces lit up with joy.
Evan Yang had no idea what was happening outside. At that moment, he was still unconscious, with Warren Dugald standing guard beside him.
Just like that, Evan stayed comatose inside the Sky-Piercing Tower for fifty years, while only a single year passed outside.
Over that year, the Salvation Alliance had both victories and setbacks. At first, things went well—they wiped out many powerful insect swarms. But soon, a terrifying monster appeared in the Death Crystal Field—the same Strange Fiend Benson Blue had seen chasing Evan.
Whenever the Strange Fiend showed up, he slaughtered Spirit-Wandering experts and gave the insects a chance to fight back.
Connor Hawke, seeing such a powerful enemy, challenged him right away. The two fought for days and nights, just like Connor's earlier duel with the Blue Clan's strongest ancestor.
Neither side could win, so they both retreated.
Next time they fought, Connor realized the Strange Fiend had gotten even stronger, and the advantage was shifting in his favor.
After several more battles, Connor Hawke no longer dared to take him head-on. The main hall fell into an awkward silence—even the continent's second strongest couldn't beat the Strange Fiend, so sending anyone else would be suicide.
So, a year later, Connor Hawke sat with the others at the Free Alliance headquarters, discussing the Strange Fiend's identity.
The Shadowhand Guild, hearing how terrifying the Strange Fiend was, started worrying about Evan's chances of survival.
The Free Alliance felt the same. Their Vice Alliance Master, who once pinned huge hopes on Evan, now sat with a furrowed brow, listening to the debate.
"It's been a year—they've already taken over more than ten cities on the Eastern Continent. If this keeps up, the whole continent will fall," the Blue Clan Patriarch said, frowning.
Everyone understood the seriousness, but there was nothing they could do. When asked when the Blue Clan's strongest elder would come out to fight the Strange Fiend, the Blues always made excuses—he was in critical cultivation, not suited to leave.
This slowly wore down everyone's confidence. Even Connor Hawke grew impatient and bluntly asked, "When is he coming out of seclusion?"
"We don't know either," the Blue Clan Patriarch replied, shaking his head and secretly praying their elder would appear soon. Otherwise, nobody here might be able to face the Strange Fiend.
Strangely enough, the Strange Fiend only showed up when the Salvation Alliance launched big sweeps—at other times, he was nowhere to be seen.
This made everyone wonder what the Strange Fiend was really after.
What they didn't know was that the Strange Fiend was only an avatar. Again and again, he'd tried to merge with his true body, but every time the Blue Clan's strongest elder blocked him.
Xin Jiang sighed, "As long as Evan's alive, that's good enough. We thought he was dead and Shadowhand had lost hope, but now, as long as he's out there, we'll keep going until he comes back."
Damon Li understood what Xin Jiang meant, so he nodded quietly. Then he sent a report of today's events back to Shadowhand Guild. When the elders heard Evan was still alive, their faces brightened with joy.
Evan Yang had no clue what was happening outside. He was still unconscious, with Warren Dugald keeping watch beside him.
So Evan stayed in a coma inside the tower for fifty years, while only one year passed outside.
During that year, the Salvation Alliance had its ups and downs. At first, things went smoothly and they wiped out a bunch of powerful insects. But soon, a terrifying monster showed up in the Death Crystal Field—the same Strange Fiend Benson Blue saw chasing Evan.
When the Strange Fiend appeared, he killed many Spirit-Wandering experts and gave the insects a chance to fight back.
Connor Hawke saw the powerful newcomer and immediately challenged him. They fought for days and nights, just like Connor's earlier battle with the Blue Clan's top ancestor.
Neither could win, so both sides withdrew.
The next time they fought, Connor realized the enemy had gotten much stronger and was slowly gaining the upper hand.
After several more battles, Connor Hawke didn't dare take him head-on anymore. The main hall fell into awkward silence—even the continent's second strongest couldn't beat the Strange Fiend, so sending anyone else would be suicide.
So, a year later, Connor Hawke sat with the others at the Free Alliance headquarters, discussing the Strange Fiend's identity.
When the Shadowhand Guild heard how terrifying the Strange Fiend was, they started worrying about Evan's chances of survival.
The Free Alliance felt the same. Their Vice Alliance Master, who once pinned huge hopes on Evan, now sat with a furrowed brow, listening to the debate.
"It's been a year—they've already taken over more than ten cities on the Eastern Continent. If this keeps up, the whole continent will fall," the Blue Clan Patriarch said, frowning.
Everyone understood the seriousness, but there was nothing they could do. Whenever someone asked when the Blue Clan's strongest elder would come out to fight the Strange Fiend, the Blues always made excuses—he was in critical cultivation, not suited to leave.
This slowly wore down everyone's confidence. Even Connor Hawke grew impatient and bluntly asked, "When is he coming out of seclusion?"
"We don't know either," the Blue Clan Patriarch replied, shaking his head and secretly praying their elder would appear soon. Otherwise, nobody here might be able to face the Strange Fiend.
Strangely enough, the Strange Fiend only showed up when the Salvation Alliance launched big sweeps—at other times, he was nowhere to be seen.
This made everyone wonder what the Strange Fiend was really after.
What they didn't know was that the Strange Fiend was only an avatar. Again and again, he'd tried to merge with his true body, but every time the Blue Clan's strongest elder blocked him.