After Evan Chu and Selena stepped out of the underground secret chamber, they saw Heaven Ape standing there, stiff as a board, his face full of anxious worry.
Right then, Heaven Ape spotted Evan and rushed over. "Master, you’ve finally recovered—thank the heavens! Are you really alright now?" His voice was thick with concern.
"I’m fine, Old Ape. How many times have I told you? Just call me Evan—no need for 'Master.' You’ve worked hard, guarding the chamber all this time. Come on, let’s head back to the main hall!" Evan said warmly.
News of Evan Chu’s emergence from seclusion swept through Frostbane Sect like wildfire. Every sect disciple gathered at the martial training field. Evan had planned to return to the main hall, but seeing the crowd, he stopped in his tracks.
Selena Yale, Serena Dream, and the other women hurried over as well. Seeing Evan restored to his usual self, they were overjoyed. But when they caught sight of Selena, the Dream Princess, the two experienced women immediately understood what had happened—after all, they’d been through it themselves and knew the signs all too well.
Selena Yale, especially, felt a deep empathy for Selena—it must have been tough for Dream Princess to lose her first time in such a cold, harsh place.
Joan He and the other elders and Protectors soon arrived. Once they saw Evan Chu safe and sound, they finally relaxed. Evan turned to address everyone: "This was just an accident—it won’t happen again. By now, you all know my true identity. That’s right: I am a descendant of the Divine Dragon Clan and the reincarnation of Lord Frostbane. You may treat me as your Ancestor Frostbane from now on."
At Evan’s words, many disciples who hadn’t known the truth were stunned—it was like a bolt from the blue. The idea that their current Sect Master was actually Ancestor Frostbane himself was something they’d never even imagined.
Evan continued, "This crisis showed everyone how the great sects treat Frostbane Sect. But today’s Frostbane Sect is no longer the old Frostbane Sect that had to bow and scrape before others. From now on, it’s others who will have to watch how they speak to us."
Here, you’ll have a much better cultivation environment, plenty of Starstones, and superior martial arts. Let me tell you some good news: any disciple who breaks through to the Fifth-Layer Heaven Martial Realm can now learn any mid- or low-tier Earth-grade martial art they wish.
Anyone below Fifth-Layer Divine Martial Realm can train in high-tier Earth-grade martial arts, while those at or above Fifth-Layer Divine Martial Realm may access Heaven-grade techniques. I’m confident that, in just a few short years, Frostbane Sect will become the number one sect in the Azure Tide Ruins—far surpassing Sacred Sword Sect and Freewind Palace," Evan declared, his voice ringing out to every disciple present.
In an instant, the entire training field erupted—martial arts techniques were always incredibly rare, especially high-grade ones. In the past, Frostbane Sect disciples could at best touch a few low-tier Earth-grade skills, and even then, only a handful qualified.
Even elders like Joan He had only ever learned mid-tier Earth-grade martial arts. As for Heaven-grade techniques? Those were the stuff of dreams—no one ever dared imagine touching them.
But now, thanks to Evan’s words, everyone could see hope: as long as they reached the required realm, Heaven-grade martial arts and a mountain of Starstones would no longer be a fantasy. It was simply the best news anyone could wish for.
“Long live the Sect Master! Long live the Sect Master!” The disciples on the training field couldn’t contain their excitement and began chanting at the top of their lungs.
“Alright, I’ll have extra copies of these martial arts manuals made. As long as you work hard, becoming a true powerhouse will no longer be just a dream. In the days ahead, I want every Frostbane Sect disciple to become a hero admired by all!” Evan encouraged them.
With that, Evan handed the martial arts manuals he’d brought up from the secret chamber to Joan He, instructing her to organize training for the disciples. He also produced several powerful weapons for the Grand Elder to distribute among the elders and Protectors who had contributed most to the sect.
Once everything was settled, Evan and his four women returned to the bridal chamber, while Heaven Ape withdrew to his own lodgings.
After a brief chat with Luna Chu and Skylar Yule, Evan watched them leave, and the sect soon returned to its usual calm. But now, every Frostbane Sect disciple was training harder than ever...
Back in the bridal chamber, Evan glanced at the wall adorned with the red wedding 'double happiness' character and grinned, joking, “So, who’s sleeping with me tonight?”
Selena Yale rolled her eyes at Evan and scolded, “Can’t you be serious for once? Everyone was worried sick about you, and you’re cracking jokes at a time like this.”
Evan shrugged, “I’m fine, aren’t I? What’s there to worry about? Honestly, this was a total accident—even I didn’t expect it. While I was in the secret chamber, did anything happen in the Azure Tide Ruins? Any movement from the dark organization?”
Selena Yale shot back, “I’m surprised you still remember to ask about those things. I thought you’d only care about your own affairs. The Azure Tide Ruins have been pretty calm lately; it’s like the dark organization vanished into thin air—no news at all.”
But according to rumors, a red-clothed youth about your age appeared near Hengcang Mountains. Over a dispute for a seat at a tavern, he massacred dozens of people in one strike—the strongest of them was at the Eighth-Layer Divine Martial Realm," Selena Yale continued.
Evan glanced at his four women, then turned to Serena Dream and asked, “Serena, if you had to kill an Eighth-Layer Divine Martial youth, how many moves would it take with your current strength?”
Serena Dream thought for a moment. “At least three moves, and I still might not be able to finish the job. I could probably inflict heavy injuries, though. Evan, why are you asking me this?”
“Lynne, what about you? How many moves would you need?” Evan asked Lynne Nie.
“Me? I’m nowhere near as strong as Serena. We used to be about equal, but now she’s left me in the dust—I’d probably need ten moves. Does that disappoint you?” Lynne Nie said softly, a bit self-deprecating.
Evan didn’t answer Lynne directly, instead turning to Selena Yale and asking, “Selena, how many moves would it take you?”
“One move should be enough, though with a child on the way, I can’t be completely sure,” Selena Yale replied. “Evan, do you already know that youth’s background or strength?”
“Not exactly. I don’t know his full background, but I’m certain he comes from an ancient hidden sect—one so old it hasn’t shown its face in the Azure Tide Ruins for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years,” Evan explained.
Because that youth already possesses Saint Martial Realm strength—at least Second-Layer Saint Martial. Anyone with power like that must have formidable backing. We need to investigate this seriously,” Evan added.
“But Hengcang Mountains are tens of thousands of miles away from Frostbane Sect. Why do you care about such distant events—are you just bored?” Selena Yale asked, puzzled.
Evan shook his head. “It’s not that. I just have a strong feeling this youth is connected to me somehow—a sense that comes from his red clothing…”