After exchanging information, Evan Yang left the Hundred-Secrets Hall. Howling Wolf sighed regretfully, "You spent so many Dark Spirit Stones just for something from tens of thousands of years ago? That's really not worth it."
"This is the last bit of information I have. If even this doesn't help, it'll be even harder to find her." Evan Yang knew the clue was ancient, but he had to give it a try.
Howling Wolf looked at Evan Yang's persistent gaze and could only sigh, "Well, good luck to you."
"Alright, looks like we'll be parting ways here. Hope we meet again someday." Evan Yang knew Howling Wolf had finished helping him and could head back—after all, he was still worried about the woman he loved.
"If I have time, I'll definitely help you look for her." Howling Wolf said awkwardly.
"No need to say it—I already know. We wouldn't have met if we hadn't fought first." Evan Yang smiled.
"If we hadn't fought, I never would've gotten here." Howling Wolf recalled Evan Yang's explosive strength—he was lucky Evan didn't go all out.
Evan Yang smiled, then said goodbye to Howling Wolf and left. He wasn't familiar with this place, so he followed the rough map Howling Wolf had given him, searching for his destination along the marked route.
"Dragonhorn Grotto... Why did she show up there back then?" Evan Yang muttered curiously to himself, then set off toward Dragonhorn Grotto.
Dragonhorn Grotto was a cavern, and outside its entrance lay a marsh called Blackreed Marsh.
These black reeds could instantly grow longer, wrapping around anyone and dragging them into the marsh. Besides that, the marsh itself was corrosive—anyone pulled under usually wouldn't survive half a day before being dissolved, body and soul alike.
Seeing such a strange place, Evan Yang frowned and decided to try flying across.
He could only let a clone attempt it. Evan Yang's clone flew out, heading over Blackreed Marsh. After just a few meters, several black tendrils suddenly shot up and grabbed the clone's feet, dragging it down.
Once pulled under, the clone was overwhelmed by corrosive energy. Its body was slowly devoured, and even its soul felt a stabbing pain. Evan Yang quickly cut off his connection and recalled the clone.
"Definitely dangerous," Evan Yang muttered to himself.
Evan Yang stood beside the marsh, pondering how to get across. If he tried to hack his way through, it would burn a ton of energy—the marsh was just too wide.
"Freeze the marsh? That might work." Evan Yang decided to try freezing the marsh and stepping across on ice.
Whenever he tried to leap across and the marsh plants rose up, he'd stop and land on a spot, then freeze it. The marsh only attacked things in the air; anything on solid ground was ignored. Evan Yang wasn't sure why, but decided to test this method anyway.
Each time he leapt forward and the marsh reacted, he'd immediately land, freeze the spot beneath his feet, and wait for the plants to retreat. Then he'd flash ahead again and repeat the process. This stop-and-go advance took most of the day, showing just how vast Blackreed Marsh really was.
"Whew, finally made it," Evan Yang sighed.
But as soon as he landed, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd of strange beasts.
"Huh? More spirit beasts?" Evan Yang wondered, seeing all kinds of bizarre creatures.
No matter what Evan Yang did, the beasts rushed at him as if trying to tear him apart. With a wave of his hand, he sent them scattering with flames. When they touched the high-temperature fire, they instantly retreated, then roared angrily at Evan Yang.
These beasts were clearly intelligent—they didn't dare approach Evan Yang, but they wouldn't back off either. Instead, they surrounded him, refusing to let him go. Evan Yang soon realized they were working together to weave a barrier, sealing off the space and trapping him inside.
"What are you doing? I don't have any grudge with you, so why go this far?" Evan Yang said.
The spirit beasts clearly didn't care, continuing to roar wildly. Just then, two masked figures appeared outside the barrier—a man called Razor Wolf and a woman called Firebird.
The woman looked at Evan Yang and asked, "Who are you? Why have you trespassed on our forbidden ground?"
"Forbidden ground? What forbidden ground?" Evan Yang had no idea what sect or clan controlled the territory beyond Blackreed Marsh.
"Don't play dumb!" Razor Wolf snapped when he saw Evan Yang's expression.
"How was I supposed to know it was forbidden? I'm just here looking for something—I happened to pass through, not meaning to trespass on your territory." Evan Yang said helplessly.
"Wolf, why bother with talk? Just cripple him first, then toss him into the marsh." Firebird said.
"Alright." Razor Wolf nodded, then charged into the barrier at high speed. Inside, he struck at Evan Yang with a palm, aiming to seriously injure him. Within the barrier, Razor Wolf could move freely.
But things never go so smoothly. Just as Razor Wolf was about to hit Evan Yang, Evan reached out and slapped him—Razor Wolf's right hand snapped with a loud crack, making him scream in pain and shocking Firebird.
Firebird caught Razor Wolf as he bounced back, glaring at his broken hand. "Who are you, really?" she demanded.
"I'm just passing through, but you two are unreasonable. Consider this an unfortunate lesson." Evan Yang said.
"Unfortunate lesson? Kid, you're asking for it! Today, I'll make sure you never leave." Firebird shouted. Then she blew her whistle, its sound piercing the air. The ground began to shake, the noise growing louder and more chaotic.
Curious, Evan Yang looked toward the source of the sound and saw spirit beasts converging from all directions, surrounding him.
"What are you doing?" Evan Yang asked.
"Doing what? We're here to kill you, of course!" Firebird sneered.
"You're really stubborn, aren't you?" Evan Yang said.
"Don't think that'll scare us. You'll soon find out what it's like to be torn apart by a beast horde." Firebird snapped, while the weakened Razor Wolf watched, waiting for the show to begin.
At Firebird's command, the beast horde surged through the barrier, all targeting Evan Yang. In the nick of time, Evan unleashed his Ice Saint power—freezing every spirit beast inside. Flames entwined the ice, leaving them no escape, burning them alive within.
At Firebird's command, the beast horde surged through the barrier, all targeting Evan Yang. In the nick of time, Evan unleashed his Ice Saint power—freezing every spirit beast inside. Flames entwined the ice, leaving them no escape, burning them alive within.
The scene stunned the two outside the barrier. It was beyond their understanding—how could there be fire inside ice? They thought it impossible.
"Wolf, what just happened?" Firebird asked, bewildered.
"Looks like he's out of our league. Let's go." Razor Wolf said quickly. Firebird realized the beast horde would die if this continued, so she blew her whistle again, scooped up Razor Wolf, and fled with the beasts.
After the barrier vanished, Evan Yang watched them flee and muttered, "Those two ran off as soon as they saw how strong I was."
Evan Yang hadn't planned to chase them, but realized they must know a lot about this place if they could summon spirit beasts. He decided to act, flashing ahead to intercept Firebird. He smiled, "What, leaving already?"
"You—you..." Firebird was stunned by Evan Yang's speed, and Razor Wolf, with his crippled hand, looked on in terror.
"I haven't even questioned you yet." Evan Yang said with a smile.
Firebird knew Evan Yang was far too strong for them, so she tried to negotiate. "Ask what?" she replied.
"What is this place? And where is Dragonhorn Grotto?" Evan Yang asked.
Firebird was surprised to hear Dragonhorn Grotto mentioned. From her expression, Evan Yang could tell she knew something, so he waited for her answer.
"This is a forbidden ground, and Dragonhorn Grotto is indeed inside. Why are you looking for it?" Firebird asked. "Nothing special, just tell me where it is," Evan Yang replied.
"If I tell you, will you let us go?" Firebird asked.
"Sure." Evan Yang wasn't some bloodthirsty killer, so he agreed.
Seeing Evan Yang agree, Firebird said, "Let's go."
Razor Wolf had followed Firebird for years and knew her intentions, so he said nothing and went along. Evan Yang followed behind. Along the way, they passed many spirit beasts. Evan asked, "Do all these spirit beasts obey you?"
"Except for a few proud ones, most do," Firebird replied.
"Oh? What kind of proud ones?" Evan Yang asked, curious.
"Deep inside, there are a few proud species that don't obey humans. If anyone approaches, they'll kill them instead," Firebird said.
"Such creatures? That's amazing. But I'm curious—what kind of forbidden ground is this, and why are you two here?" Evan Yang asked.
Firebird and Razor Wolf fell silent. Seeing their silence, Evan Yang knew there must be something special about this forbidden ground—otherwise, they wouldn't stay here for no reason.
Evan Yang's sharp gaze made Firebird and Razor Wolf remain silent. When they still wouldn't speak, Evan Yang asked, "What, can't you tell me?"
"Yes, it's our sect's secret. If we talk, we'll break the rules and be punished," Firebird said.
"If that's the case, never mind," Evan Yang said after looking at them.
Seeing Evan Yang drop the matter, Firebird and Razor Wolf stayed silent. The three soon reached a cave entrance, where a chilling wind blew out, making it seem terrifying.
"This is Dragonhorn Grotto," Firebird said.
"Alright, got it. Thank you. You can go now," Evan Yang said.
Firebird and Razor Wolf exchanged a glance, then hurried off. Evan Yang stood at the entrance for a moment before slipping inside.