Evan Chu glanced at the already sleeping Claire Owens and said softly, "I can't believe I was away for such a short time and you all managed to break through to a new realm. You really worked hard." Then he gently kissed her on the forehead.
Evan Chu's kiss instantly woke Claire Owens. She looked at Evan and said, "Evan, it's my fault—I couldn't satisfy you. You don't blame me, do you? I really can't go on anymore."
"Silly girl, how could I ever blame you? You know what my physique is like. If you could truly satisfy me, why would I need so many women? Stop beating yourself up," Evan said.
"I just feel so useless. As your woman, I can't help you carry your burdens. It hurts inside," Claire Owens said.
"Just sleep. Don't think about anything else. I know you've done your best," Evan Chu smiled.
The next morning, Evan Chu was up early. He hadn't actually slept that night—just lay quietly in bed, thinking about all the things that might happen.
Thanks to Evan Chu's Pure Yang Qi, Claire Owens recovered quickly. When Evan got up, she rose too. After washing up, they left their room together.
In the main hall, Selena (Dream Maiden), Heaven Ape, and the others had already arrived. Soon, everyone went straight to the teleportation array. Staring at it, Heaven Ape said, "It's been so long since I went back. I wonder what the Azure Tide Ruins look like now."
After passing through the teleportation array, Evan Chu and his group arrived at Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. The disciples there didn't say much, immediately reporting their arrival to Selena Yale.
Everyone was quickly ushered into the main hall. After glancing at the group Evan Chu had brought, Selena Yale smiled and said, "Evan, are these your friends? I wonder which of these ladies is my younger sister?"
Selena Yale spoke directly, her eyes darting between Claire Owens and Selena (Dream Maiden), finally settling on Selena (Dream Maiden). She sensed something unusual about her, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Evan Chu had already explained Selena Yale's situation to Claire Owens and the others—she was among the brides-to-be. Seeing how stunning Selena Yale was, both Selena (Dream Maiden) and Claire Owens smiled and greeted her, "Sister Selena!"
Selena Yale laughed, "Haha, I guessed it was you two. Evan, you really are something—every woman you bring is a peerless beauty. Your older sister is getting old and faded, it's almost embarrassing!"
"Sister, you're joking! You're just as beautiful as us, there's no such thing as 'old and faded,'" Selena (Dream Maiden) said.
"Alright, alright! Selena, you should start preparing for the wedding. We're heading back today, so just wait to become my bride!" Evan Chu said.
"You could leave tomorrow, you know. Why rush? My sisters are visiting Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion for the first time and haven't even had a cup of tea!" Selena Yale protested.
"There's plenty of time in the future. You know how chaotic things are right now. With neither of us guarding Frostbane Sect, I'm worried something might happen. Just remember what I said—keep an eye on the people around you," Evan Chu warned.
"Fine, then. When the wedding day comes, we'll drink till we drop!" Selena Yale said with a grin.
Evan Chu, Heaven Ape, and the others left Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion and flew toward Frostbane Sect. Along the way, Luna Chu kept chattering nonstop, especially about Evan's three women in the Azure Tide Ruins.
"Evan, all three of your women are so gorgeous? How did you win them over?" Luna Chu teased.
"Win them over? You really underestimate me! Your big brother has both strength and talent, and he's the master of one of the Nine Great Sects. If I just say the word, women throw themselves at me!" Evan Chu laughed.
"Yeah, right! If anyone actually believed you, they'd treat poison as food," Luna Chu retorted.
The others burst out laughing at their banter. The journey from Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion to Frostbane Sect was several thousand li, and with their flying speed, it took most of the day—mainly because Luna Chu and Skylar Yule's cultivations were still too weak.
Evan Chu had wanted to carry the two of them while flying, but they insisted on training their own flying skills. After two rest stops, they finally reached Frostbane Sect by dusk.
Evan Chu's group's arrival made Frostbane Sect even livelier. Heaven Ape was especially moved to see that the sect had more than doubled in size since he last visited.
Joan He immediately organized a banquet to welcome Claire Owens, Heaven Ape, and the others. The festivities lasted until midnight, and rooms had already been prepared—everyone stayed in the newly built West Courtyard, while the East Courtyard was reserved for the bridal chamber and couldn't be used yet.
Claire Owens shared a room with Evan Chu again, but this time they didn't do anything intense—Evan was worried her body couldn't handle it so soon.
Over the next few days, Evan Chu and his group quietly toured Frostbane Sect, circling the grounds several times and letting everyone feel the sect's growing strength.
As the wedding day approached, Frostbane Sect was decorated with lanterns and festive banners. The whole sect was filled with joy, and all of Azure Tide Ruins was buzzing about the grand marriage of Frostbane Sect's master.
Meanwhile, in a nondescript little town, inside a tavern, a young man sat drinking alone. Dozens of empty bottles crowded the table—his tolerance was clearly impressive.
"Evan Chu, you actually stole my Rina Dreamer! From now on, I'll be your sworn enemy. One day, I'll make Frostbane Sect vanish from the Azure Tide Ruins!" the young man declared bitterly.
"Hahaha! You think Frostbane Sect will disappear from the Azure Tide Ruins just because you drink yourself stupid? At this rate, you'll never do it. Anyone who only drowns his sorrows in booze is nothing but a useless waste. You've really disgraced the title 'Soaring Feather Young Lord.'" came an old, mocking voice from outside.
The drinker was none other than Soaring Feather Young Lord, who had left the Freewind Palace tournament in a huff after being humiliated by Evan Chu in front of everyone.
Soaring Feather Young Lord looked up at the newcomer, his head spinning from all the alcohol. He could only tell the man was middle-aged, his features a blur. "Who are you? Why talk to me like this?"
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is whether you can pull yourself together. If you truly want to wipe out Frostbane Sect, I'm willing to help you!" the middle-aged man said.
"And why would you help me? We're neither kin nor friends. Just state your real purpose. If you think I'm an easy mark just because I'm drunk, you're dead wrong," Soaring Feather Young Lord replied.