Evan Chu and the White Tiger Temple Master entered a secret chamber. It was quite spacious—about the size of Frostbane Sect’s underground chamber—and had several rooms. The two of them walked into the last room.
"Why have you come to the White Tiger Clan? Did something happen? And didn’t you fall in that ancient battle? How are you still alive?" the White Tiger Temple Master asked.
The White Tiger Temple Master was actually the Azure Moon White Tiger from back then, once at the peak of sixth-layer Saint Martial Realm. Now, facing Evan’s question, even he looked a little helpless.
"Azure Moon, you’re only at fifth-layer Saint Martial Realm now? After all these years, why haven’t you recovered to the sixth layer? And how did you survive that catastrophe back then?" Evan asked.
"It’s a long story. I’m lucky just to have survived, honestly. But I suppose I’m still luckier than you—you haven’t even broken into the Saint Martial Realm yet, and you still dared to stir up trouble in my White Tiger Clan? If I hadn’t come out, wouldn’t you have been dead for sure?" Azure Moon White Tiger laughed.
"If you hadn’t come out, I was worried I might flatten your White Tiger Temple. Do you really think those people could subdue me? I may not have broken through to Saint Martial Realm, but killing someone at fifth-layer Saint Martial is no problem for me. If you don’t believe it, we can spar right now," Evan said with a half-smile.
Azure Moon White Tiger looked at Evan, half-believing, and asked, "You’re not lying to me, are you? How could that be possible? There are plenty of experts in my temple—I really don’t buy it."
"Azure Moon, you know exactly who I am. Not long ago, I heavily injured the Blood Emperor—he was already at sixth-layer Saint Martial Realm then. Of course, I paid a heavy price. But I’ll tell you this: right now, I can still unleash Star-Cleave. If you think the White Tiger Temple is ugly, I can destroy it and build you a new one," Evan said.
Azure Moon White Tiger broke out in a cold sweat. Star-Cleave was a technique everyone feared, and it was precisely because of it that Evan became a super powerhouse. If he really unleashed it here, the entire White Tiger Clan might cease to exist.
"The Blood Emperor has resurfaced? Didn’t you kill him back then? How could he possibly have survived?" Azure Moon White Tiger asked in shock.
"He was just an energy body. He found an earth-attribute host, seized that body, and spent over a thousand years recovering. But this time, I destroyed that flesh again. If he wants to rise up once more, it’ll take decades—maybe even a century or more," Evan said.
Azure Moon White Tiger didn’t say anything more. He just furrowed his brow, thinking over Evan’s words. After half a beat, he finally asked, "So why did you come to my White Tiger Clan this time? Don’t tell me you’re just here to catch up?"
"I don’t have time for that. I came here for two reasons. First, I want to use the White Tiger Clan’s resources to find a way back to the Heavenly Dragon Empire. Second, I need to take Ryan Ouyang with me. I trust you won’t refuse me on these two matters, right?" Evan said.
"The first is easy. Our White Tiger Clan’s unique Teleportation Gate can send you directly to the Heavenly Dragon Empire. But as for the second, I can’t agree. Ryan Ouyang is the direct-line heir of my clan. His talent is extraordinary—within just two years, he’s gone from third-layer Earth Martial to second-layer Saint Martial. Even with all the spiritual medicines I’ve poured into him, including the Netherghost Violet Orchid, it wouldn’t be possible without his innate gifts. Why do you need to take him away?" Azure Moon White Tiger asked.
"To enter the Netherworld, I need his help. Of course, I’ll also need the inheritors of the Scarlet Phoenix, Obsidian Tortoise, and Divine Dragon lines. Once I get into the Netherworld, your White Tiger Clan will definitely benefit as well," Evan said.
"You’re entering the Netherworld just for the Netherghost Violet Orchid? The experts there are no weaker than those of the Azure Tide Ruins, especially the Nether Monarch. Back then, the one who fought you alongside the Blood Emperor was just a clone of the Nether Monarch. The real body was in closed-door cultivation at a critical moment and couldn’t appear, so he used an avatar instead," Azure Moon White Tiger said.
Even a clone was that terrifying—so what would the real body be like? Evan realized for the first time that if this was true, the Nether Monarch’s strength was at least eighth-layer Saint Martial Realm, maybe even ninth-layer. That could be a real headache. He was sure he could escape if he had to, but he worried the Nether Monarch might launch a war against humans and beasts, just as Azure Moon White Tiger warned.
"Azure Moon, you’re overthinking it. If the Nether Monarch really dares to attack humans and sacred beasts, Venerable Solus will stop him for sure. I don’t know why Solus hasn’t acted all these years—there must be some secret. Anyway, this time, consider it a favor I owe you. I, Lord Frostbane, will repay you in the future," Evan said.
Azure Moon White Tiger thought for a moment, then agreed—but he named his price: "I want at least five Netherghost Violet Orchids, or I won’t help you."
Evan cursed him for his greed—Netherghost Violet Orchid was rare and precious—but promised to do his best. He clarified he didn’t need Ryan Ouyang immediately; first, he had to find the Obsidian Tortoise inheritor, since the Scarlet Phoenix and Divine Dragon inheritors were already ‘settled.’ He told Azure Moon to just wait for good news.
Azure Moon White Tiger thought for a moment and said, "Then I want at least five Netherghost Violet Orchids, or I won’t agree to help you."
"You really have quite the appetite. You and I both know how rare Netherghost Violet Orchid is. I’ll do my best. Anyway, I don’t need Ryan Ouyang right now—after I find the Obsidian Tortoise inheritor, I’ll come for him. The Scarlet Phoenix and Divine Dragon inheritors are already taken care of, so just wait for my good news!" Evan said.
"Let’s head out. I’m sure the people outside have been waiting a long time. It’s rare for you to come to my White Tiger Temple—I must drink a few cups with you, or people will say I’m a poor host," Azure Moon White Tiger said.
The two of them immediately left the secret chamber. "Azure Moon, don’t reveal my true identity to your clan for now. I’ll skip the drink—my friends are still in Greenstate Kingdom, and I need to collect them so we can leave together. We can drink when I return," Evan said.
Back in the grand hall, Azure Moon White Tiger addressed the crowd: "This was all just a misunderstanding. Ryan, don’t tangle with him anymore. I’ll tell you this—he’s simply not your match. If you’re not convinced, you can spar with him, but stop at ‘point-to-stop.’"
Ryan Ouyang immediately replied, "Understood!" He raised his saber again, facing Evan Chu. "I want to see just how strong you really are!"
Evan shot Azure Moon a look, then said to Ryan, "I hope you use your strongest attack—otherwise, you’ll regret it!"
Ryan Ouyang grew furious—clearly, Evan was looking down on him. With a roar, he unleashed a huge blade-qi straight at Evan. But Evan didn’t dodge at all; he simply stood there and let the attack fall on him…