With one powerhouse already backing Evan Lin, Hector Vaughn and Xander Xuan were terrified. Now, with Loveless Sword Tomb stepping in too, both sides represented forces so overwhelmingly strong that offending either could mean total annihilation. The color drained from their faces in an instant.
"Thanks for your kindness, Sect Master. If I ever need your help, I’ll ask for it. But today’s business is personal—just me and these two old geezers. Best you all stay out of it. I want them to learn that some people aren’t to be messed with, especially those fools who look down on others. They need a real lesson." Evan Lin said, voice cold.
The two elders flushed with embarrassment. "Kid, you said it yourself! Since you’re so cocky, let’s see if you’ve really got the guts to back up your big talk!"
Luna leaned close and whispered to Evan, "Evan, Hector Vaughn’s holding my mother hostage. That’s why I had to agree to this farce of a marriage. If you’re really going to fight him, promise me you’ll make him release her first—otherwise, he could use her against you."
"Got it. So that old bastard’s still up to his dirty tricks, and your father’s actually siding with him? Has he lost his mind, making deals with the devil? Or does he just not care about your mother’s safety at all?" Evan shot back, voice full of scorn.
Luna’s eyes darkened. "My father only cares about Solarion Palace. If keeping the palace means sacrificing me and my mother, he wouldn’t blink. I’ve lost all hope in him. If he weren’t my father, I’d want you to just kill him and be done with it. But that’s not how things are."
"Don’t worry, Luna. I know exactly what to do. Go stand by Domain Lord Nolan Nangong—I can go all out against Hector Vaughn that way, and I’ll make sure your mother is released." Evan Lin said, his tone reassuring but steely.
Luna walked straight over to Nolan Nangong. No one dared stop her; they could only watch helplessly. Meanwhile, Logan Vaughn was practically gnashing his teeth at Evan Lin, wishing he could swallow him whole—but he just didn’t have the strength.
Evan Lin sneered, "Hector Vaughn, you scumbag—using Luna’s mother to threaten her into marrying your idiot son? If you’re a real man, let her go. Or, if you’d rather be the laughingstock of the whole Immortal Realm, keep holding her hostage. I guarantee this will be all over the realm in no time."
Xander Xuan snapped, "Kid, what do you know? My wife’s business is none of yours. She’s just feeling unwell and getting treatment from Lord Vaughn. Don’t go making wild accusations!"
Evan could only give a helpless laugh—he’d seen shameless people before, but this was next level. If Xander Xuan weren’t Luna’s father, Evan wouldn’t hesitate to cut him down right here.
"Living like this just to protect your sect’s interests? Willing to sacrifice your own wife and child? You’re no better than a beast." Evan Lin spat, his words sharp as knives.
Evan shot Hector Vaughn a cold look. "So you’re a coward too. Fine—if you won’t let her go, I’ll beat you until you do!" His voice suddenly turned icy, and a wave of killing intent exploded from him.
Evan Lin had killed more than he could count, so the murderous aura rolling off him was terrifying. Right then, a few elders and guardians at Hector Vaughn’s side stepped forward. One old man barked at Evan, "Kid, you’re way too arrogant! There’s always someone stronger out there. You think you can turn the world upside down with your little tricks? I’ll show you what real power looks like!"
"You old bastard, you’re not even qualified to fight me!" Evan Lin shot back coldly. Behind him, Goldwing suddenly transformed into a middle-aged man and stepped up to Evan’s side.
"Old Goldwing, take this guy out for me! I want every last Skyshade Hall dog dead! Today, we wipe Skyshade Hall off the map together!" Evan Lin roared.
Goldwing nodded and charged straight at the elder. This elder was Skyshade Hall’s Grand Elder, a mid-stage Immortal Emperor famous across the Immortal Realm. His name was Loren Luo—a ruthless character.
Seeing Goldwing coming for him, Loren Luo flashed into the sky. In a heartbeat, the two were already locked in aerial combat.
The other elders and guardians rushed Evan Lin. Among them, one was an early-stage Immortal Emperor, the rest late-stage Arch-Immortals—all strong, but to Evan, they weren’t even a threat.
Evan Lin shot into the sky, Chaos Immortal Force surging madly. He unleashed a full-powered Star-Cleave—one strike killed two Arch-Immortals and badly wounded another. The sheer force of the attack stunned everyone below.
Nolan Nangong couldn’t help exclaiming, "Damn, this kid’s attacks are insane! Killing Arch-Immortals in a single blow after just a hundred years in the Immortal Realm? That’s unheard of—he’s a total monster."
The Sect Master of Loveless Sword Tomb nodded. "No kidding—he’s a once-in-a-generation genius. That’s why we’re all betting on him. Still, I wonder if he can really handle Hector Vaughn and Xander Xuan. That’s what worries me."
Zane Zuo stood silently to the side, secretly hoping Evan Lin would kill both of them. Then Coldshroud Imperial Palace could swallow up Solarion Palace, and Skyshade Hall would be his for the taking.
Nolan Nangong said, "If Evan Lin’s really in danger, of course I’ll step in. But not yet. Besides, he wouldn’t want our help right now. Geniuses like him have too much pride—you only help at the most critical moment if you want to be a real friend."
"True. His talent is beyond anything we can understand. All we can do is watch and see what happens next."
Up in the sky, Goldwing and Loren Luo were locked in a fierce battle. Suddenly, a deafening bird cry burst from Goldwing’s mouth, and his form blurred—transforming into a mountain-sized golden giant bird.
With a mighty flap of his wings, Goldwing unleashed several streams of black Glasswind into the air. Dozens of golden feathers, sharp as blades, shot off and sped straight toward Loren Luo.
Everyone was stunned. No one had ever seen such a terrifying flying beast. All eyes were locked on the sky—the clash between Goldwing and Skyshade Hall’s Grand Elder was even more thrilling than Evan Lin’s own fight.
Nolan Nangong blurted out, barely believing his own words, "That giant bird—isn’t it the legendary Golden-Winged Roc? No way, that’s impossible!"