Evan Yang was startled when he heard this. These bugs were just too bizarre, but instead of feeling dread, his interest was piqued. At least hunting them would let him properly temper himself, instead of spending every day challenging fellow Ethereal Sanctuary disciples.
"So, how much longer until it starts?" Evan asked curiously.
"About half a month, give or take," Chris Lee replied.
"Alright, got it. I'll head back for now. See you next time," Evan said with a smile, then turned to leave. Watching Evan's departing figure, Chris Lee felt a surge of envy—if he had that kind of ability, he wouldn't be bullied so badly here.
"Next time? If Evan really comes with me next time, that would be amazing. I wouldn't have to worry about getting bullied by the others," Chris Lee thought, secretly delighted.
Evan's words really did mean he intended to go with Chris Lee next time—and to have him act as a guide, since Chris had been on the hunt many times before.
Back in his own room, Evan began using the Nature-Spirit Communion Art to summon Phantom Spirit Birds. Flocks of these translucent birds flew out from Evan's room every day, countless in number, all with the purpose of finding the person he was searching for as soon as possible.
Only Evan knew about these Phantom Spirit Birds; no one else in Ethereal Sanctuary could see them.
"Another ten thousand released today. I wonder if they'll find my father," Evan muttered to himself, hoping every day for a breakthrough in his search.
Just like that, Evan spent a few quiet days in his room. Then, Hugh Hu came to call him again—this time for real. The two of them stood together in the First Palace duel room, which was packed with spectators.
"I thought the Flameguard Robe would be ready to use anytime—damn it, it actually cost me several days to figure out. What a loss of face," Hugh Hu cursed inwardly.
"You called me here days ago, then left. What were you researching?" Evan asked with a curious smile.
"I was figuring out how to deal with your flames. This time, I'm going to make you lose!" Hugh Hu replied, grinning.
"Is that so? Everyone says that, but none of them ever end well," Evan said, smiling.
"You! Don't get cocky. You'll see soon enough," Hugh Hu sneered.
The crowd admired Evan Yang. Since his arrival as a newcomer, he'd already faced challenges from Neil Ning, ranked eleventh, then the tenth-ranked 'madman,' and now this was the third challenger. Everyone was watching—if Evan succeeded, it would prove that even if his points weren't top ten yet, his true strength definitely was.
"Alright, you two may begin," the steward announced. He was just as curious as the others about who would win—and what tricks Hugh Hu might use against Evan.
"Then I'll go all out," Hugh Hu said right from the start. He raised an earth shield—everyone could see he was using earth-attribute arts, but Evan showed no fear at all.
With a few waves of his hand, Hugh Hu conjured countless earth spikes that shot straight at Evan. If Evan didn't dodge, he'd be turned into a pincushion—but the spikes were so fast, how could he possibly avoid them?
Evan originally considered using water to counter earth, but decided against it. He didn't want everyone to know he had another attribute, so instead he let out a thunderous shout. To the audience, it seemed like a powerful sonic attack—sure enough, the earth spikes shattered into fragments and fell to the ground before him.
The crowd was stunned. That 'Lion's Roar' was certainly powerful, but none of them realized it wasn't a sonic art at all—Evan was just masking his real ability.
Evan had actually used earth-qi. He knew he could control earth, so he simply manipulated the spikes, countering earth with earth. No one noticed, and no one paid attention to the fact that Evan was using earth-attribute arts—the spikes collided and turned to dust right on impact.
Hugh Hu was shocked. He hadn't expected Evan to use such a trick—it caught him completely off guard. Hugh snorted, "Kid, I refuse to believe I can't kill you!"
Suddenly, a small mountain appeared above Evan's head, dropping straight down. At the last moment, Evan could only dodge with uncanny speed—he slipped away just in time.
"If you've got guts, stop dodging!" Hugh Hu snorted after Evan avoided the attack.
"If my limbs were still intact, I wouldn't need to dodge—I could smash it head-on. But right now, that's not an option," Evan replied with a wry smile.
"Coward," Hugh Hu snorted.
"Enough chit-chat, let's get on with it," Evan said, smiling.
"Fine, I'll destroy you," Hugh Hu snorted. He formed earthen walls all around Evan, trapping him in a corner. The spectators could see Evan inside the enclosure, while Evan himself was plunged into darkness—surrounded by walls that slowly pressed in, threatening to crush him.
Seeing Evan unmoving, Hugh Hu laughed, "Let's see if you can survive this!"
The spectators couldn't see what was happening inside, so they stared intently, wondering what Evan was facing within the enclosure.
Evan activated his Night Vision and saw the walls closing in, thickening as they pressed together from both sides, threatening to crush him.
If he just sat there, he'd be crushed. But Evan wasn't about to wait for death. Seeing that no one could witness what was happening inside, he once again let out a thunderous shout, then used earth-qi to counter the walls. The audience only heard his voice and the sounds of impact.
"That's powerful," the crowd thought, stunned. Hugh Hu felt a twinge of worry but forced a smile, "Break out? No way!"
Evan continued his thunderous shouts. Just as the walls were about to crush him, they suddenly shattered—rocks exploded everywhere, and the spectators scattered. Those who weren't quick enough were struck by debris, some injured, others coughing up blood.
"You—you—impossible!" Hugh Hu couldn't believe it. Evan had shattered his technique.
"Alright, time's short—now it's my turn," Evan said. He'd done what he needed; now it was time to finish the fight. Flames erupted, his signature move, surging straight for Hugh Hu.
Hugh Hu knew his tricks couldn't stop Evan, but at least his defense would hold. He activated the Flameguard Robe—a gentle ripple of water-light enveloped him.
Anyone with sharp eyes could tell what it was. Evan learned from the crowd's reactions and chatter that this was a magic treasure—one designed specifically to counter flames.
Called the Flameguard Robe, anyone who owned one could easily withstand fire attacks. Right now, Hugh Hu was relying on the treasure to defend himself.
At first, Hugh Hu was full of confidence. The crowd saw that the flames had little effect on him, but Evan wasn't so sure—he kept manipulating the fire.
Hugh Hu kept launching earth spikes at Evan, who dodged while directing his flames. Then, the crowd saw something unbelievable—the Flameguard Robe's glow was fading.
Evan noticed Hugh Hu's alarm and muttered to himself, "Looks like I might even be able to melt it."
No one could have guessed what Evan was thinking—he actually intended to melt Hugh Hu's Flameguard Robe. It seemed unbelievable, but the evidence was clear: the robe was weakening bit by bit. Hugh Hu panicked, thinking he hadn't infused enough power, but no matter what he did, the robe kept fading until, with a crack, it split apart and its glow vanished. Hugh Hu screamed in despair.
Just like what happened to the 'madman' before—when the flames receded, only ash remained, along with some scraps of metal. In fact, those were the remains of Hugh Hu's Flameguard Robe, melted by Evan's fire.
With Evan's victory, he earned three hundred points, confirming his top-ten strength in the First Palace.
Evan left, and the crowd erupted into commentary. Neil Ning hurried over to help Hugh Hu up. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'll get my revenge," Hugh Hu said, staring at Evan's retreating figure.
Neil Ning had tried three times to bring Evan down, but failed each time. He was losing confidence, so he helped Hugh Hu off for healing. The crowd was stunned, but their admiration and fear of Evan rose to a new level.
Back in his room, Evan reflected on his control of earth-qi, gaining new insights and studying them carefully.
Hugh Hu was carried back to rest and heal, but before he'd even settled in, a furious voice rang out from outside. Hearing it, Hugh Hu paled—he knew exactly who it was and struggled to his feet.
He opened the door to see the fifth-ranked disciple. Hugh Hu tried to explain, but the newcomer tossed him inside and demanded, "Where's my magic treasure?"
"It's broken," Hugh Hu replied awkwardly, handing over the pile of scrap metal.
When the fifth-ranked disciple saw his once-pristine magic treasure reduced to scrap, his expression darkened. He vented his anger, "You—you useless fool! I lent you my treasure, and you ruined it!"
"His flames were too strange—even the robe couldn't withstand them," Hugh Hu explained.
Brother Bi knew the flames were powerful, but he refused to admit it. He couldn't believe his treasure could be destroyed by fire—after all, he'd painstakingly forged the Flameguard Robe, and it should withstand nearly any flame in the world. Yet today, it had failed, leaving him deeply shaken.
"Impossible! That thing is nearly impossible to forge—how could flames destroy it?" Brother Bi raged.
"It's true. Ask anyone—I've got no reason to hide it," Hugh Hu said, frustrated. Injured and humiliated, he blamed Evan for everything, his hatred reaching new heights.
Brother Bi snorted, grabbed the scraps and threw Hugh Hu aside. "If it weren't for the Ning family, I'd cripple you!"
What could Hugh Hu say? Injured, anyone could berate him—no matter how strong they were.
Brother Bi stormed out, furious—not only at Hugh Hu, but also determined to find trouble with Evan. Yet he knew Evan's flames were extraordinary, and for now, no one could defeat him.
Evan had no idea he'd attracted new enemies—no one had challenged him yet, but it wouldn't be long before someone did.