Master Shaw shot Evan Chu a cold look. "Why are you getting involved? This is Crescent Moon Sect's business. I'll handle it myself. Sect Master Chu, you'd best take your leave. Let’s just forget today ever happened. As far as I'm concerned, you were never here!"
Evan Chu replied, his voice steady but sharp, "Heh, are you trying to fool yourself, or do you just not believe me? Crescent Moon Sect might be hidden from the world, but everyone knows it stands for justice. Now that the dark forces are running wild, all of us righteous cultivators should stand together, not suspect each other. Master Shaw, you're a smart man—you know exactly what I mean."
Master Shaw hesitated, then said, "Let me think. There's a secret chamber next door—Sect Master Chu, why don't you wait there for news? If what you say is true, I'll definitely need your help! Come with me."
Evan Chu followed Master Shaw into the secret chamber. It wasn't big—about the size of Frostbane Sect's Martial Arts Vault—but it was packed with supplies and cultivation tools.
Evan Chu glanced around, then grinned. "Master Shaw, this place must be your personal cultivation retreat, huh? With all these resources, you could lock yourself away for years without a problem."
Master Shaw nodded. "Sect Master Chu, you're right. This is my closed-door cultivation chamber, but I haven't secluded myself in years. I'm stuck at a bottleneck—breaking through isn't something that happens overnight. Sorry for the inconvenience. Once I've figured out what's really going on, I'll throw a banquet to make up for it!"
Evan Chu waved it off. "You’re too polite, Master Shaw. Your disciple should be arriving soon, right? Just remember what I said—there’ll be action in two days. Be careful not to get caught off guard. If I’m left fighting alone, things could get ugly."
Master Shaw nodded and shut the stone door. The chamber was so finely built that from outside, no one would ever guess a hidden door—or a secret room—was there.
With nothing else to do, Evan Chu pulled a martial technique manual from his storage ring and started reading. More skills never hurt—and it was a good way to kill time.
Not long after, Lucas Young returned, carrying a plate of brightly colored spicy chicken. He bowed to Master Shaw. "Master, I brought you some spicy chicken from outside. Please, have a taste."
Master Shaw glanced at the spicy chicken in Lucas Young’s hands. "You’re thoughtful, Lucas. Leave it here—I’ll try it later. The Azure Tide Ruins have changed; go patrol outside the sect and keep an eye out for trouble."
Lucas Young wanted to see Master Shaw eat the spicy chicken right away, but he held his tongue—pushing too hard would only make Master Shaw suspicious. "I’ll go patrol, then. When you’re done, just leave the dish here. I’ll send someone to clean up later."
After Lucas Young left, Master Shaw examined the spicy chicken. It was a whole chicken, covered in peppers and sesame, mouthwatering in both scent and appearance. If Evan Chu hadn’t warned him about the poison, he might really have eaten it.
He tore off a chicken leg, then used his Stellar Power to strip the meat, leaving just the bone. He disturbed a few other spots to make it look convincingly eaten, and only stopped when the illusion was flawless.
Soon, the subordinate Lucas Young had sent returned. Spotting the half-eaten spicy chicken, he asked Master Shaw, "Master, do you need any more food? If not, I’ll take this away."
Master Shaw praised the dish. "The spicy chicken was delicious—Lucas was very thoughtful. Take it away. I’m going into seclusion for a while, so don’t disturb me unless it’s urgent."
Once the subordinate left with the spicy chicken, Master Shaw gathered earth element around himself and, much like Evan Chu’s Earthshift, merged into the ground. His technique was slower, but it worked—he tunneled underground to eavesdrop on his disciples.
Master Shaw’s earth-element technique was similar to Evan Chu’s Earthshift, just not as fast. He burrowed through the soil, ready to overhear his disciples’ conversation.
“Lucas, Master has already eaten the spicy chicken you brought—look, there’s only bones left!” the disciple announced.
Lucas Young glanced at the plate. "Did Master say anything else?"
“No, just that you were thoughtful and he’s going into seclusion for two days. He doesn’t want to be disturbed,” the disciple replied.
“Alright, you can go. Stay sharp—things are chaotic right now. The sect can’t afford any mistakes!” Lucas Young ordered.
Master Shaw was taken aback. Could Lucas Young really be as Evan Chu described? He seemed genuinely worried for the sect—maybe there was no poison after all?
But as soon as the disciple left, Lucas Young muttered to himself, "Master, I never thought you’d actually eat it. Don’t blame me—I was forced into this. Once you’re gone, I’ll make sure you have plenty more spicy chicken!"
Master Shaw shuddered—there really was poison! Evan Chu was right. A wave of bitter disappointment surged in his chest.
Lucas Young was the disciple Master Shaw trusted most—honest, loyal, dependable. Now, even if Lucas had his reasons, betraying the sect for survival was unforgivable. For a moment, Master Shaw almost wanted to burst out and cut him down, but he remembered Evan Chu’s warning and forced himself to endure.
Back in his room, Master Shaw brooded over Evan Chu’s words. He didn’t know how strong the dark organization really was, but Evan’s tone made it clear—they were dangerous. All he could do now was wait for the right moment to strike…
Lucas Young slipped out of Crescent Moon Sect, found a secluded spot, and lit a concealed tube. A dazzling seven-colored firework exploded in the sky—a signal to the dark organization that the mission was complete, and the final act would begin in two days.
Two days flashed by. Evan Chu and Master Shaw spent the time talking in secret, and Master Shaw’s gratitude for Evan only grew deeper.
That night, the darkness was deep and absolute—as if disaster was destined. Suddenly, dozens of masked figures surged up from the foot of West Moon Mountain, racing straight for Crescent Moon Sect’s gates…