Evan Chu glanced at Selena Yale, then pulled her close and said hotly, "Even if it costs me my life, I won't let you take that risk—let alone lose you. For you, I'd die without even blinking. This is how it should be, you know? My silly woman."
Maybe only Evan Chu would dare talk to Selena Yale like this—the woman whose cold ruthlessness was famous throughout the Azure Tide Ruins. But in front of Evan, she was helpless, just a little bird relying on his broad, safe arms, soaking in this rare warmth she hadn't felt in so long.
Evan stroked her hair, breathing in its faint fragrance. "My strength is still way too weak," he said. "If the Demon Generals really revive, I might not be able to protect any of you. I have to get stronger—much stronger."
"With your current power, even the Freewind Palace Lord or Sacred Sword Sect Master can't do anything to you, right? So what are you still afraid of?" Selena asked, genuinely confused.
"Selena, you're thinking too simply. If a Demon General really recovers their full strength, even all of us together couldn't beat one. A Seventh- or Eighth-Layer Saint Martial Realm expert could wipe out a city in an instant—just like I split that mountain before."
Compared to them, my destructive power isn't even worthy to carry their shoes. That's why I have to get stronger—so I can protect all of you. And you need to go into seclusion too, raise your cultivation." Evan said, his tone deadly serious.
"Evan, you can't just level up overnight. Even with your talent, it takes time. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Just let things happen naturally." Selena said softly.
"It's fine, our wedding day is still far off. You don't blame me for adding two more sisters to your life, do you?" Evan joked, his eyes twinkling.
"What do you think? What woman wants her man to have a bunch of other women? But you're different—I can understand. You're just too strong in that way, I can't satisfy you alone!" Selena muttered, her cheeks burning.
Evan released Selena and turned serious. "This time, I'm going to cultivate a heaven-defying martial technique. If I succeed, I'll be nearly immortal—no Demon General will scare me. But it's insanely hard to practice, and I need help from someone powerful."
"Just tell me how you want me to help—don't beat around the bush. I'm your woman, aren't I? Why are you still hesitating?" Selena said, her face a little aggrieved.
Evan looked at her and smiled, "If I can't trust you, who else can I trust? What I'm about to ask is cruel, but you have to go all out."
Evan's words left Selena a bit baffled, feeling strangely at a loss. She asked, "Don't worry, I can handle some suffering. Just say it straight!"
"I need you to beat me half to death—so badly hurt I'm one step from dying. Only then can I practice this technique. I know it's hard for you, but there's no other way." Evan said.
Selena froze, staring at Evan in shock. "Evan, you're joking, right? How could there be such a martial technique in this world?"
Evan laughed, "No pain, no gain. It's called 'being placed in a dead-end and then reborn.' That's the only way I can master this technique. Will you help me or not?"
Selena was clearly struggling. After a long pause, she finally said, "Hurting my own man feels worse than dying. I really can't do it... Isn't there any other way?"
"No, this is the only way—the most direct way. I even thought about provoking the Sacred Sword Sect Master or the Freewind Palace Lord, but in the end I held back. If they went all out while I was seriously injured, it'd be too risky—even if I have ways to escape." Evan said.
Selena Yale frowned, then said helplessly, "Evan, let me think about it, okay? I really can't give you an answer right now."
"Alright, I'll give you two days. Let's go check out Frostbane Sect. This is my first time entering as sect master, and honestly, I'm pretty excited." Evan said, taking Selena's hand and heading toward the sect gate.
When they were still dozens of meters from the sect gate, Evan stopped and let go of Selena's hand. A sect master had to keep up appearances—being seen by the disciples holding hands wouldn't be proper.
From afar, Evan spotted the three ancient characters for 'Frostbane Sect' above the gate. The calligraphy was bold and weathered, full of history. He had a gut feeling Lord Frostbane himself had written them.
Soon, a few disciples hurried out. When they saw Evan, they bowed respectfully. "Sect Master, you're finally back! The elders are all waiting for you in the main hall!"
"Alright, everyone keep a close eye on the sect surroundings. Too many weird things have happened lately—we can't afford any carelessness." Evan instructed.
The disciples nodded and immediately began keeping watch, while Evan and Selena walked straight inside.
The Frostbane Sect's main hall looked ancient—clearly rebuilt countless times over the years. Evan knew it wasn't the original hall from Lord Frostbane's era, just endlessly renovated.
Evan didn't bother with the details and headed straight into the hall. Over a dozen elders stood quietly on either side, waiting.
Joan He saw Evan and Selena enter and immediately said, "Sect Master, we've been waiting for you for ages. Please, take your seat!"
Evan glanced at the special seat at the front of the hall and smiled. "I've been here for days—this is just my first time in the main hall. No need for ceremony, Elder Joan. Everyone, sit!"
Everyone respectfully greeted Evan, "Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Pavilion Master Selena Yale!"
"Haha, we're all family here—don't be so formal. Now that I'm back at Frostbane Sect, this is my home. If we're going to rise again, it'll take everyone's effort!" Evan said with a smile, then walked up with Selena.
Just as Evan was about to sit down, he noticed an old, yellowed scroll hanging above the hall. He walked closer and saw that the painting was of a middle-aged man who looked exactly like him.
He knew this was Lord Frostbane, the founding sect master of Frostbane Sect. Selena glanced at the portrait and teased, "Who would've thought you used to be so handsome? Just looking at that face, you'd never guess he was a peerless powerhouse."
"Haha, since I've returned, that means the ancient powerhouse has returned too. Back then, Frostbane Sect became the greatest sect in the Azure Tide Ruins—now I'll lead it to that height again. That's my promise to all of you!" Evan declared.
"As long as Sect Master is here, Frostbane Sect can definitely do it—we all believe you'll make us a super-sect once again..."