Evan Yang didn’t know why the Alliance Leader insisted on delaying things by a hundred years, and Evan’s refusal to accept the Alliance Leader’s offer made everyone else curious. But the Alliance Leader continued, “First place this time can’t just pass by like that. Here, take this token—once you have it, you can freely enter and leave Immortal Realm Alliance territory.”
His words crashed over the crowd like thunder. Only the four patriarchs could freely come and go, but now Evan had received the same token. The others were filled with envy and resentment. Evan caught the flying token and saw the word 'Alliance' engraved on it.
He didn’t know what it was really for, but he put it away and said, “Thank you.”
“Alright, if there’s nothing else, you can all head back. Come here again in a hundred years. I hope you spend that time healing and cultivating well.” The Alliance Leader spoke.
Everyone nodded, and each family leader led their people away.
The Fenn Family and Lynn Family were bitter about Evan winning first place and getting the token. Terry Yang was also unwilling to accept it. Even though it was just a token, it meant Evan’s status in the Immortal Realm Alliance and the Yang Clan had fundamentally changed.
Once back at the Yang Clan’s station, Ming Yang took everyone away. Terry Yang reported the Alliance Leader’s words and what happened to his parents. When they heard Evan had refused the Alliance Leader, they were shocked, unable to understand why Evan would give up such an opportunity.
Lydia Yang and the Wine Beggar were also surprised, never expecting Evan to turn down such a good chance. Ming Yang’s original plan had always been to send Evan into the Immortal Realm Alliance, but now Evan had refused.
Ming Yang didn’t say a word on the way back, just led everyone home and then called Evan aside. Terry Yang and the others wondered what was going on, but Ming Yang wouldn’t say, so they could only guess. “Damn it, he stole all the spotlight this time,” Terry Yang fumed. “Don’t worry, he’s offended plenty of people now, and his sharp edge is showing. A lot of folks won’t like it,” said Terry’s mother.
“And that token—what a waste. He doesn’t even want to join the Alliance, so what’s the point of having it? He shouldn’t have won first place at all,” Terry Yang grumbled, getting angrier as he spoke.
“Terry, stop thinking about it and go cultivate. I don’t think he cares about power,” Victor Yang said.
“Dad, what do you mean by that?” Terry asked curiously.
“After all this, I’ve realized he’s not interested in the Yang Clan at all. He doesn’t even call your grandfather ‘Patriarch,’ and now he’s refused the Alliance Leader. That proves he doesn’t care for power. So don’t worry—he won’t take over the Yang Clan. That means only you can inherit it,” Victor Yang said.
“Maybe, but people are still going to talk. Either way, I have to surpass Evan Yang. I’m going to cultivate.” Terry was deeply frustrated—Evan was becoming more terrifying, and even if he became Patriarch, he’d always be under Evan’s shadow. That was something he couldn’t accept.
After Terry left, his mother said, “Evan Yang will always be Terry’s heart-devil. No matter what, we can’t let him live.”
“Yes, I know. He has to be dealt with,” Victor Yang replied.
“I wonder what the Patriarch called Evan Yang for,” Terry’s mother wondered aloud.
Victor Yang answered, “No idea. Maybe it’s about him refusing the Alliance Leader.”
On the other side, Lydia Yang and the Wine Beggar were also anxious, worried that their father might do something out of anger over Evan’s decision. At this moment, Evan was in Ming Yang’s study.
Evan noticed that Ming Yang’s study was filled with all sorts of rare treasures.
Ming Yang came to the table, sat down, and looked at Evan. “Are you really set on this?”
“Yes. Right now, all I want is for my father to be released. I hope you won’t go back on your word,” Evan replied.
“Since you won, I won’t break my promise. But let me warn you—your father has been poisoned. It’s not something you can handle, and he’s showing signs of inner-devil and qi deviation. If he goes completely mad, he’ll lose all reason—even as his son, you’d be just another target. His strength will be far greater than before,” Ming Yang said.
“So what? Even if he tries to kill me, I want him released so I can try to heal him,” Evan said.
Seeing Evan’s stubbornness, Ming Yang sighed. “Alright then. I’ll make preparations and take you to the Star Sea to release your father.”
After speaking, Ming Yang took out several boxes from the room, put them away, and left with Evan.
About to see his father at last, Evan was overwhelmed with excitement. Led by Ming Yang, he quickly arrived at Blaze Mountain.
At that moment, beneath Blaze Mountain, a figure lay motionless—Liam Yang. No one knew how many years he’d been there, unmoving.
Looking at the mountain, Evan felt indescribable emotions. Ming Yang was even more troubled—after all, it was his own son pinned beneath it. If released, Liam might go completely mad, and returning to normal would be nearly impossible. But Ming had promised Evan, so he could only try his luck.
He told Evan, “I’ll release him in a moment, but you must immediately give him these three pills.”
After speaking, Ming Yang handed Evan the three boxes he’d taken earlier. Evan opened them and found a pill in each, with a strong scent. He asked, “What are these pills?”
“These pills are for temporary paralysis. With them, after your father is released, he’ll stay unconscious for three days. But within those three days, you must stabilize his condition—otherwise, I’ll seal him under Blaze Mountain again without hesitation,” Ming Yang said.
Evan understood Ming Yang was only worried Liam Yang might go mad, so he nodded. “Got it.”
“Alright, I’ll begin. Once you see the barrier around Blaze Mountain fade, act quickly. You must give him the pills before he wakes up,” Ming Yang instructed.
“Okay.” Evan nodded firmly.
Ming Yang took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began channeling his power. The barrier around Blaze Mountain grew weaker, until finally an opening appeared before Evan.
Evan didn’t dare hesitate. In a flash, he appeared beneath Blaze Mountain. Seeing that familiar face, his tears fell uncontrollably. Heart trembling, he whispered, “Father.”
“Hurry!” Ming Yang urged, seeing Evan frozen.
Evan snapped out of it and quickly fed Liam Yang the three pills. Soon, Liam lay there as if in a deep sleep.
Following Ming Yang’s instructions, Evan carried Liam Yang out.
Watching Liam Yang and Evan, Ming Yang felt miserable but could only endure it. “Alright, come with me,” he said.
Afterward, Ming Yang left the Star Sea with Evan and Liam Yang, quickly returning to his study.
Seeing Evan’s excitement, Ming Yang felt especially pained, but he had to endure it and not let anyone see his inner wounds. “Alright, he’s yours now. You have three days to figure it out,” he said.
“Three days? Fine. Give me a quiet place,” Evan said.
“What are you planning?” Ming Yang asked curiously.
“First, I’ll detoxify him,” Evan replied.
“You have a way?” Ming Yang asked skeptically.
“Not sure yet. But I’ve found a lot of poison and other unknown things in my father’s body. I need to clear those out first,” Evan said.
“I’ve seen those poisons and unknown things too. To resolve them, there are only a few things that can help, but those are all in the Immortal Realm Alliance, and the Alliance Leader isn’t easy to approach,” Ming Yang said.
“Let’s talk about that later. I’ll see if I can handle it myself first,” Evan said.
“Alright, my study has a cultivation chamber behind it. Go ahead.” Ming Yang opened the bookshelf, revealing a secret room for Evan.
Evan carried Liam Yang inside, and the bookshelf closed behind him.
Activating Night Eyes, Evan placed Liam Yang on a stone slab and checked him over. He tried infusing Heavenly Cold Qi—inside, it was like a cauldron, with various forces tangled together.
“Damn it, after so many treatments, there’s still so much residue.” Evan found that besides some things Liam was born with, many had appeared later.
Faced with this, Evan could only clear them out first. So he began battling the poisons with Heavenly Cold Qi.
Meanwhile, the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang waited anxiously. When Ming Yang entered the main hall, the Wine Beggar didn’t see Evan and asked, “Where’s Evan?”
“What, are you afraid I’d do something to him?” Ming Yang replied, seeing Wine Beggar’s concern.
“He refused the Alliance Leader, so yes, I am,” said Wine Beggar.
Ming Yang said, “Don’t worry. He won first place, so I’ll honor my promise and release Liam Yang.”
“Second Brother’s out?” Wine Beggar asked excitedly.
“Yes, he’s out. Evan’s handling things now, but I’m only giving him three days. If he can’t solve it, I’ll seal Liam Yang again,” Ming Yang replied.
Wine Beggar was shocked. “Three days? Only three? That’s not fair.”
“The medicine only lasts three days. If it’s not resolved by then, you know what’ll happen when your Second Brother wakes. You should understand,” Ming Yang said.
Wine Beggar understood and could only sigh. “Is there any chance to solve it in three days?”
“It’s difficult. Evan’s a strange one—though he’s my grandson, I see him as a rare genius in the Immortal Realm,” Ming Yang replied.
Wine Beggar nodded, and Lydia Yang said, “I believe he can do it.”
“I hope so too. I hope Second Brother wakes up—he’s been unconscious too long,” Ming Yang sighed.
“What about the Alliance Leader?” Wine Beggar asked curiously.
“You’re always worried the Alliance Leader will be upset? You underestimate him—he’s already accounted for everything,” Ming Yang said, sounding strange.