After returning to Freewind Palace, Soaring Feather Young Lord was immediately summoned to the main hall by the Freewind Palace Lord. "Ethan, you finally came back. Do you even remember this place? Where have you been these past days?"
The Freewind Palace Lord's tone was obviously off, so Ethan quickly replied, "Master, after suffering defeat at the tournament and having Serena Dream taken away by Evan Chu, I felt miserable and wandered around for a while. Now that Serena's wedding is about to happen, I had to rush back last night. I hope you can forgive me."
The Freewind Palace Lord glanced at Ethan and said, "Some things need to be let go. Obsessing over them will only hinder your cultivation. Go see Serena. After all, she's getting married tomorrow—maybe there are things she wants to say to you."
Ethan nodded and left the main hall. At this moment, Freewind Palace was also decorated with lanterns and streamers, just like Frostbane Sect—everywhere was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Ethan arrived outside Serena Dream's room, knocked on the door, and said, "Serena, can I come in?"
"Come in. Senior brother, you finally came back. I thought you wouldn't attend my wedding." Serena replied softly from inside the room.
Ethan pushed open the door and saw Serena sitting at her dressing table, facing the mirror and fixing her hair. The once ugly face had vanished, replaced by a beauty unrivaled in the world.
Ethan couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen Serena's real face—he only knew that the first time he did, he was stunned, and from that moment decided she had to be his woman.
It should've been a sure thing, but then Evan Chu appeared out of nowhere and shattered his dream. The more Ethan thought about it, the angrier he became.
Now Serena was even more beautiful than before, which only made Ethan's unwillingness and hatred toward Evan Chu grow deeper.
Back in his own room, Ethan ordered a few dishes and some wine. Right now, the only thing he could do was numb himself with alcohol.
After several cups, Ethan suddenly felt a scorching heat in his abdomen. At first, he thought it was just the alcohol, but soon he realized things were not as simple as he imagined.
A fierce pain erupted in his belly—this was no ordinary pain. He vaguely felt as if his Divine Star Core was about to shatter. Sweat the size of beans broke out on his forehead, and he couldn’t hold on any longer, groaning in agony.
The feeling lasted for nearly half a quarter-hour before vanishing suddenly. Ethan was left as if nothing had happened, but his clothes were soaked through, his face deathly pale, as if he'd just survived a fierce battle.
"What’s going on? Why would this happen? Was I poisoned?" Ethan muttered to himself, panic creeping into his voice.
"That’s right, you’ve been poisoned. How does it feel—pretty nice, isn’t it? Want to try it again?" A familiar yet strange voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
The sudden voice made Ethan jump. "Who are you? Show yourself!" he shouted, alarmed and indignant.
"Young Lord Ethan, you really do forget people easily. We just had drinks together and you don’t remember me?" the voice mocked.
Now Ethan was sure—the voice belonged to the middle-aged man from the tavern. But why was it echoing inside his head?
"I have no grudge against you. Why would you do this to me? Did you plant gu on me?" Ethan asked, his voice trembling with shock.
Ethan knew a bit about gu poison—some types allowed the controller to speak directly into the victim’s mind. Now he was living proof of that.
"Ethan, if you want to live, you’d better do as I say. Otherwise, next time I trigger the gu inside you, the pain will be far worse—worse than death. It’s quite a marvelous sensation." The middle-aged man’s voice was cold and threatening.
Ethan was stunned. He had no idea when the gu was planted—this man’s gu arts were terrifyingly subtle.
Being poisoned by gu meant being controlled—his body was no longer his own. "What do you want me to do?" Ethan asked bitterly, frustration and resignation clear in his voice.
"Smart people know when to adapt, Ethan. Go to the river thirty li outside Freewind Palace—someone there will give you something. When you get it, I’ll tell you what to do next..." the voice instructed, low and ominous.
Ethan’s heart sank. He knew he was now nothing but a pawn, caught in someone else’s scheme.
Outside, the Frostbane Sect and Freewind Palace were ablaze with red lanterns and wedding decorations, but Ethan’s world had turned cold and dark.
His unresolved love for Serena Dream, his wounded pride, and the hidden Heaven-Silkworm Gu inside him had turned him into a key piece in a plot to sabotage Evan Chu’s alliances and strike at him through those he loved.
On the eve of Evan’s grand wedding, as the Azure Tide Ruins buzzed with celebration, a darker current coiled around Ethan, setting the stage for chaos and deepening the looming conflict.
"I have no grudge against you. Why do this to me? Did you plant gu on me?" Ethan asked, shocked.
Ethan knew a little about gu poison—some types let the controller speak directly into the victim’s mind. Now he was living proof.
"Ethan, if you want to live, you’d better do as I say. Otherwise, the next time I activate the gu in your body, the pain will be far worse—worse than death. It’s quite a marvelous feeling." the middle-aged man’s voice continued, cold and threatening.
Ethan was stunned. He had no idea when the gu was planted—this man’s gu arts were terrifyingly subtle.
Being poisoned by gu meant being controlled—his body was no longer his own. "What do you want me to do?" Ethan asked bitterly.
"Smart people know when to adapt, Ethan. Head to the river thirty li outside Freewind Palace—someone there will give you something. Then I’ll tell you what to do next..." the voice instructed, low and ominous.