The Rising Sun Sect was in chaos. The disciples who had been present all woke up to find Sect Master Damon Duan tied naked to a pillar. Because Damon was closer to Evan Yang, the effects of the pill were stronger, so he remained unconscious longer than the others.
The disciples who woke up early stared in disbelief, then whispered to their neighbors, "Is that really the sect master?"
"Looks like it," another disciple muttered, shaking his head, still not quite believing it.
"So what now? Why don't you go see if he's still alive?" a timid disciple whispered.
"No way, you go!"
After some back-and-forth, a braver disciple finally stepped forward and shook Damon Duan. Damon groggily opened his eyes, saw everyone staring at him in shock, and was about to ask what happened—then he realized his whole body felt chilly, like something was missing. He looked down, his anger exploded, and he snapped the ropes apart, roaring, "Evan Yang, get out here now!"
After cursing, Damon Duan rushed into the main hall, put on some clothes, and came back out. "You'd better forget what you just saw. If I find out anyone spreads this, you'll die."
He then stormed off, flying into the sky in anger.
Some disciples who secretly hated the sect master were thrilled—they got to see Damon Duan completely exposed. They started gossiping, passing the story around in whispers, and before long almost everyone in the sect knew.
The news spread like wildfire through the Rising Sun Sect: Evan Yang had come back after more than a year and stripped the sect master naked. At first, some people didn't believe it, but once the story checked out, everyone started looking at Evan Yang differently.
Damon Duan was so furious that he avoided seeing anyone for days, making excuses while searching everywhere for Evan Yang's whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Evan Yang was happily leading Tiger Sun away from the Rising Sun Sect.
Nearly a day after leaving, Tiger Sun asked, "Evan, where are we headed?"
"I'm taking you somewhere. He should be willing to take you in," Evan Yang replied after thinking for a moment.
"Who?" Tiger Sun asked curiously.
"You'll see when we get there. Even if the sect master or the Wong Clan finds out you're there, they won't dare touch you." Evan Yang felt that this person was strong enough to protect Tiger Sun.
Tiger Sun naturally trusted Evan Yang and followed him. Along the way, they talked about everything that had happened over the past year.
Soon, Evan Yang and Tiger Sun arrived at White Slope City—the place Evan had planned to visit. He quickly led Tiger Sun to the entrance of the City Lord's Manor.
Standing at the entrance, Tiger Sun asked, "Evan, why did you bring me here?" "Relax, you'll understand once we go inside," Evan Yang said with a smile, patting Tiger Sun on the shoulder.
Soon a messenger came out and led Evan Yang and Tiger Sun inside. Tiger Sun, who had never been to the City Lord's Manor before, looked around curiously until they reached a main hall, where a bold voice laughed, "Kid, I didn't expect you to show up here."
"City Lord Tu, sorry to bother you," Evan Yang said, cupping his hands with a smile.
"What bother? I'm glad you came!" Brandon Tu greeted Evan Yang like an old friend, while Tiger Sun stood by, puzzled at how Evan knew a city lord.
"City Lord Tu, I'm afraid I have a favor to ask this time," Evan Yang said, a bit embarrassed.
Brandon Tu laughed, "Kid, why so formal? Just say it. If I can help, I absolutely will."
Tiger Sun was baffled by how familiar Brandon Tu and Evan Yang were with each other. How could their relationship be so close?
Evan Yang nodded and explained his purpose for coming. Brandon Tu looked at Tiger Sun and said, "Don't worry, this young brother's name is Tiger Sun, right?"
"I am Tiger Sun. Greetings, City Lord," Tiger Sun said respectfully.
"No need to be so polite. Since you're Evan's friend, you're my friend too. You can stay here for now—if you need anything, just let me know," Brandon Tu said cheerfully.
"Thank you, City Lord," Tiger Sun replied, overwhelmed by the hospitality.
Evan Yang smiled and politely said, "Thank you for your help, City Lord."
"Kid, I've heard all about what you've done in the Free Cultivators' Alliance," Brandon Tu said, turning his gaze from Tiger Sun to Evan Yang.
"I didn't expect even City Lord Tu to know," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"How could I not know? And I never thought your cultivation was so high," Brandon Tu said. When he learned Evan Yang had cultivation, he could hardly believe it and had been wanting to ask in person.
"About my cultivation, I hope you'll forgive me, City Lord. I didn't want to reveal it before, so I never told you," Evan Yang said, a bit embarrassed.
"See, you're doing it again! No need to be so polite. Last time, with everything going on, it made sense for you to keep it secret. Now things have changed—a genius alchemist has appeared on the Eastern Continent, and his cultivation talent is just as impressive," Brandon Tu said directly.
Tiger Sun listened to Evan Yang's explanation and naturally learned that Evan was an alchemist. The first time he heard others mention it, he was curious how Evan could be so skilled and so famous across the Eastern Continent.
Evan Yang didn't get carried away. Instead, he asked, "City Lord Tu, I have a favor to ask."
"Oh? Go ahead," Brandon Tu asked, curious after seeing Evan Yang's serious expression.
"I want you to help me find Jax Jia, my friend," Evan Yang said. Ever since leaving the space, he'd worried that Jax might have been killed by monsters inside.
"Jax Jia? The kid who was always by your side in the Free Cultivators' Alliance?" Brandon Tu had heard about Evan Yang's story and guessed right away.