Evan Lin had his foot planted on Brian Guang's head, leaving him bloodied and dazed.
Brian could only groan in pain, unable to even spit out a single threat.
Off to the side, May Xia and Lily Zhou were trembling, never expecting Evan would actually make a move.
Everyone was watching, but no one dared step up and get involved.
Those who had been waiting to see Evan mocked and then beaten up by Brian's crew were now all silent, faces pale.
This was no ordinary student—his strike was clean, ruthless, and decisive. The guy looked like a total madman!
"Now that's got some guts. Satisfying!" Warren Wang grinned, thoroughly enjoying the scene.
Zane Wang gave a bitter smile and let out a sigh. After a moment of hesitation, he finally made up his mind, stepped forward, and respectfully greeted Evan: "Hello, little brother. Thanks for what you did back at Thornridge Mountain! If not for you, we would've been in serious trouble."
As soon as Zane Wang spoke, plenty of eyes turned to Warren Wang.
Warren was famous for his brute strength, and people were wary of him. Since Zane and Warren had arrived together, everyone started speculating.
"This guy probably dares to step on Brian Guang's head because he's got Warren Wang backing him, right?"
That was what some people were thinking.
If Warren Wang and Zack Guang really fought, who knows who would win.
Besides, Warren looked even more fierce and intimidating than Zack Guang. If Evan really had someone like that as his backer, it would make sense for him to act so bold.
"It's nothing worth mentioning."
Evan glanced at Zane Wang, his tone flat and expressionless, not giving him any warmth.
Zane gave an awkward smile and sneaked a look at Bella Xiao.
The two exchanged glances, both wondering why this terrifying youth had shown up here.
Before they could figure it out, Drake Yu, with his back to the crowd, spoke coldly: "So it was you who injured my junior, Zack Zhao, and broke his Misty Rain Sword?"
Drake's voice was steely and deliberate. Even though he hadn't turned around, the invisible pressure he radiated made the crowd tense up instantly.
"What?"
Zane Wang and Bella Xiao were both stunned at those words.
The identity of the guy who beat Zack Zhao was still a mystery. Even those who saw the fight yesterday couldn’t say for sure who he was, much less his name or background.
Now, with Drake Yu's words, everyone’s faces changed. All eyes turned to the young man standing on Brian Guang’s head!
The youth turned his head, looked at Drake Yu’s back, and replied in a cold voice: “I crippled his cultivation, broke his Misty Rain Sword, and spared his life. That’s already mercy. If you want to stand up for him, go ahead and try.”
The moment he finished speaking, everyone felt a surge of excitement and agitation.
If you want to stand up for him, go ahead and try!
Such arrogant words, and he was saying them to Drake Yu of the Southriver Sword Sect!
Did this kid really have no fear of death?
Or was he so confident that even Drake Yu didn’t matter to him?
"You really don’t know your place! Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?" Hank Yue’s face darkened as he glared at Evan.
"Just because you beat Zack Zhao, you really think you’re invincible now?" Bill Bi, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes and spoke with a harsh tone.
The Southriver Sword Sect disciples all looked at Evan Lin with unfriendly eyes.
Colin Su coughed, gave Evan a deep look, and then glanced at Bob Moore and the others standing at the front.
Bob Moore hesitated, seeing both sides ready to draw swords at any moment. He finally spoke up: "Let’s all calm down. Even if you want to fight, you’ll have to wait until after the ninth day’s tournament."
"Everyone came here for Melissa Mu and the Moore Family Sword. As for personal grudges, please don’t settle them here."
Bob Moore spoke with a steady voice.
Drake Yu’s tone was icy: "Don’t worry. During the tournament, I’ll keep things in check. But once it’s over, life and death will be left to fate."
The whole time he spoke, Drake Yu never once looked directly at Evan Lin.
As soon as Drake Yu finished, May Xia and Lily Zhou’s faces went completely pale, drained of all color.
Though May Xia and Lily Zhou didn’t quite understand everything being said, they knew one thing: Drake Yu was the most formidable figure here.
If Evan Lin dared provoke someone like that and didn’t seem fazed at all, what kind of trump card was he hiding?
All they could do was hope Zack Guang would hurry out of those woods. Once he showed up, he’d surely avenge Brian Guang!
Evan Lin looked toward the woods. The dirt-and-stone path stretched forward, only winding off at the very end.
That side of the woods was eerily quiet—not a sound of birds or insects, not the slightest movement.
It had already been fifteen minutes since Zack Guang entered.
"He’s still not back. Should we send in the next person?" Martin Mu asked Bob Moore.
There was danger in those woods; they were far less peaceful than they appeared.
Zack Guang had gone in, but his odds didn’t look good.
"Wait another fifteen minutes," Bob Moore said gravely.
As he spoke, Bob Moore glanced toward Evan Lin, his eyes flickering with thought before he finally sighed inwardly.
Earlier, Sword Master Eric Cui from the Southriver Sword Sect was crippled, then the Misty Rain Sword was broken, and Zack Zhao’s cultivation was damaged. It looked like this kid was nothing but trouble. If our Moore family took him in, who knows what kind of mess we’d be inviting?
Bob Moore pondered, his mind racing.
Beside him, Melissa Mu kept staring at Evan Lin, her gaze fixed and dazed.
She couldn’t help but recall that day in Zhaoyu Town, when she’d stripped off all her clothes but still couldn’t get the youth to spare her a glance. For someone as proud of her beauty as Melissa Mu, it was a heavy blow to her self-esteem.
Five minutes later.
At last, a thunderous crash echoed from the silent woods.
The crowd was instantly startled.
Everyone turned to look. A battered, staggering figure emerged from the end of the path, heading their way.
His steps were unsteady, his clothes tattered, his face covered in dirt, and his body full of wounds. Gone was the calm and graceful demeanor he’d had when entering the woods.
"He’s out!"
"Did he fail?"
Seeing Zack Guang stumble out, empty-handed and in such a sorry state, it was clear he hadn’t succeeded.
He barely made it a few steps before his head spun and he collapsed, unconscious.
May Xia and Lily Zhou were terrified by the sight. They looked over at Brian Guang and Zhiwei Xu—one was still crying out in pain, the other lay on the ground like a dead fish, out cold.
As for Evan Lin, who still had his foot on Brian Guang’s head, he watched Zack Guang’s pitiful state with no emotion at all.