Evan Yang's move not only failed to please, but instead made Bald Lee furious. "Kid, what do you mean by that? Are you saying you think I can't beat you?"
"That's not what I meant. You're overthinking it," Evan replied.
"Hmph, then let's keep going." Bald Lee had no intention of losing face—especially here in his own sect. If he embarrassed himself now, how could he show his face in the future? So he was furious.
Off to the side, Sean Shen watched their duel, his eyes narrowing. As for a draw? He would never allow it, nor let them settle for a tie. What he wanted was for Evan Yang to be utterly disgraced, to become an enemy of the Blue Robe Sect. At that point, regardless of Evan's relationship with Lora Luo, the sect would never permit it. With these thoughts, countless vicious schemes formed in his mind.
Time ticked by. Evan Yang repeatedly tried to yield, but Bald Lee refused, insisting on tangling with him. Finally, Evan could only sigh and say, "Since you insist on settling this, I won't hold back."
Bald Lee was just about to snort coldly when the person in front of him suddenly vanished. By the time he reacted, Evan Yang was behind him.
"You!" Bald Lee hadn't expected Evan Yang to be hiding his true strength. This sudden appearance startled him, and what shocked him even more was Evan's palm strike landing directly, injuring Bald Lee.
After knocking Bald Lee down, Evan Yang spoke, "Alright, let's call it off."
At this moment, Bald Lee was covered in dust and nursing injuries, furious. The people around stepped forward to intervene, especially Lora Luo, who said, "Senior Brother Lee, it was just a sparring match. It's over now, don't let it ruin the mood."
Bald Lee knew he was in the wrong. If he kept making a scene, he'd only be looked down on. Better to find another chance to teach Evan Yang a lesson, so he snorted and walked off.
Seeing Bald Lee leave, Evan Yang smiled helplessly. "Looks like I've caused you trouble," he said.
"It's fine. Let's go find my master," Lora Luo said. Right now, she just wanted to bring Evan to her teacher as quickly as possible, to avoid any more trouble.
Evan Yang nodded. At that moment, Chase Chu walked over with a smile. "Master, you really hid your strength well!"
"You noticed? Haha," Evan Yang replied with a smile.
"Master, I always thought you..." Chase Chu began, his eyes turning red.
"What? Thought I'd been killed?" Evan Yang laughed.
"Yeah." Chase Chu nodded.
"Alright, I'll tell you about it later. Let's go for now." Evan Yang had wanted to say more, but noticed several divine senses probing him, so he changed what he was about to say and smiled.
Chase Chu nodded. Lora Luo led the group away, guiding them. Evan's duel had drawn a lot of attention, including from the elders in the background. They were eager to know who Evan Yang really was—how could a Heavenly-Immortal defeat a newly advanced Immortal-Lord?
This undoubtedly raised many questions among the onlookers.
Evan Yang quickly disappeared from everyone's view, following Lora Luo away.
Lora Luo led the way without the slightest intention of stopping.
Not far behind them, Sean Shen sneered, "That newcomer is actually his disciple? That's interesting. Well, you're even more doomed now. Hmph."
After speaking, Sean Shen caught up with Bald Lee. Up ahead, Bald Lee was furious—the events of today had been a huge blow to his reputation.
"Bald Lee!" Sean Shen called from behind.
"What is it?" Bald Lee replied angrily.
"Don't be mad. I saw everything that happened just now," Sean Shen said.
"Why didn't you tell me he was so freakishly strong?" Bald Lee complained.
"Uh, I didn't know either. But honestly, that kid annoys me too. You know, Junior Sister Luo is mine—there's no way I'll let someone steal her. So let's deal with that kid together," Sean Shen said. "Deal with him? Here? Is that possible? Didn't you notice how many people are watching him?" Bald Lee had sensed many people probing them during the fight. "Oh? A lot of people? What do you mean?" Sean Shen, watching from outside, hadn't realized what happened during the match.
"During our duel, a lot of divine senses swept over us, and several of them belonged to elders. I still remember their auras," Bald Lee said.
"What? That actually happened?" Sean Shen frowned upon hearing this.
"Think about it. In a place like this, and he's so outstanding—do you really think we can kill him?" Bald Lee was clearly unable to control his anger.
"Don't say that, Bald Lee. Sure, he seems strong, but that doesn't mean we can't spar with them. Watch, next time I'll bring a few more people to teach him a lesson. But you're the only one I trust, so I plan for the two of us to deal with him another way," Sean Shen said.
"Oh? What ideas do you have, Senior Brother Shen?" Bald Lee asked suspiciously.
"It's simple. I noticed he has a disciple who's just joined our sect as a newcomer. You know what to do, right?" Sean Shen sneered.
"Oh? That's the case?" Bald Lee was stunned.
"Exactly. That's why I wanted to discuss it with you. You don't want that slap to go unavenged, do you?" Sean Shen said.
Bald Lee grew even angrier at this, snorting coldly, "No way I'm letting it go. I have to get revenge."
So Sean Shen once again lured Bald Lee into his scheme. Meanwhile, Evan Yang followed Lora Luo to a mountain.
At the base of the mountain was a stretch of lush green forest, beautiful to behold.
"Greencloud Residence." Evan Yang muttered as he saw the stone stele at the foot of the mountain.
"This is our branch. My master lives up there. Let's go," Lora Luo said.
Evan Yang nodded and continued following Lora Luo up the mountain. On the way, he saw many women like Lora Luo—the entire branch seemed to be an all-female group.
All the women watched Evan and his companions with curiosity. As they neared the summit, a middle-aged woman blocked their path. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Martial Aunt, this is my friend. I brought him to see my master about something," Lora Luo said.
"Your friend? Lora Luo, how can you just bring someone back so casually after going out?" The middle-aged woman was clearly displeased.
Lora Luo's expression soured. Evan Yang guessed that getting past this woman wouldn't be easy, so he addressed her, "Senior, I need to see Lora Luo's master."
"Who are you? Elder Aurora Qing isn't someone you can just meet," the woman snorted.
"Elder Aurora Qing?" Evan Yang was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. He guessed that Lora Luo's master must be this Aurora Qing.
"Kid, why are you spacing out? Hurry up and say who you are!" the woman pressed relentlessly.
Lora Luo quickly explained, "Martial Aunt, I really have urgent business with my master."
"Urgent business? What urgent business? Let's hear it," the woman said, skeptical.
Lora Luo knew the matter of the Three-Attribute Heaven could only be discussed with her master, not others. So she didn't answer, only repeating, "Martial Aunt, it's really urgent."
"Not going to say? Then I won't let you in," the woman said with a smile.
Evan Yang spoke helplessly, "Senior, what would it take for you to let me through?"
"Up there? Let me think. Normally, you're an outsider, and as the gatekeeper, you have to pass my test. Since you're Lora Luo's friend, I won't make it too hard. I'll use thirty percent of my strength—if you can defeat me, I'll let you through," the woman said.
Lora Luo grew anxious, but Evan Yang was suspicious. Thirty percent—even if she had Emperor-Lord strength, thirty percent would only be about as strong as a newly advanced Immortal-Lord. So Evan spoke before Lora Luo could, "Alright, that's fine."
"So straightforward? Looks like you don't know my true strength," the woman said confidently.
"What realm are you, Senior?" Evan Yang asked before the match.
"That's a secret. You'll find out soon enough," the woman replied with a smile.