Yang Li didn't want the two to fight, but didn't know how to handle it, so he could only bring the matter to the Patriarch. Evan Yang naturally had no worries—Yang Tian knew he was the one who sent people to assassinate Evan. Now, if the Patriarch found out, he would definitely side with Evan.
So Yang Tian spoke up, "Hmph, forget it," then turned and left, leaving everyone staring at his now lifeless personal bodyguard.
Yang Li hadn't expected Terry Yang to withdraw on his own, so he left it alone and just warned Evan Yang, "Be careful," before disappearing.
Evan Yang put away the bodyguard, then looked at the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang with a smile, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Kid, you're stubborn enough," the Wine Beggar snapped back with a laugh.
"It's not stubbornness—it's what should be fought for. I almost died back then. If my luck hadn't held, none of you would have ever seen me again," Evan Yang said.
"Oh? What exactly happened?" asked the Wine Beggar curiously. Lydia Yang was curious too—what deep grudge was there between Evan Yang and Terry Yang? Evan sat down and briefly explained. As soon as Lydia finished listening, she cursed, "Damn, that guy really is ruthless."
"Truly vicious. Good thing you didn't hand that bodyguard over to him—too cruel," said the Wine Beggar.
"Senior, I apologize for any offense just now," Evan Yang said.
"We just didn't know the truth—don't worry about it. We'll definitely support you on this," said the Wine Beggar. Lydia Yang nodded, "That's right."
"Thank you," Evan Yang said.
As for Terry Yang, he was furious at this moment. If it weren't for the matter being escalated to the Patriarch, he would have taught Evan Yang a lesson right away. All he could do was curse while walking: "Damn brat, just wait. I'll get rid of you and make sure you have no place in the Yang Clan."
Meanwhile, Yang Li reported what happened to Ming Yang. After hearing it, Ming Yang asked in curiosity, "Did they really almost fight?"
"Yes. If Lord Terry hadn't heard it was going to be brought to you, the two would have fought," Yang Li replied.
"These two haven't even competed yet and they're already fighting. What's going on?" Ming Yang asked, puzzled.
"I heard that the bodyguard was sent by Lord Terry to kill Evan Yang, which is why Evan is so angry and won't let it go," Yang Li explained.
"Is that true?" Ming Yang asked, surprised.
"It must've happened before Evan came to the Yang Clan," Yang Li said. "Alright, got it. You must keep an eye on them—don't let them fight, understand? I don't want them to ruin themselves before the tournament even starts." Ming Yang instructed. "Understood, Patriarch," Yang Li replied.
In the days that followed, Terry Yang tried several times to cause trouble for Evan Yang, but with the Wine Beggar and Lydia Yang always present, he couldn't get close. Whenever he approached, he was met with their unfriendly stares, as if he didn't even belong to the Yang Clan. This infuriated Terry Yang.
For a whole month, Terry Yang stewed in anger, nearly going mad several times and smashing things in frustration.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, let's depart," Ming Yang said expressionlessly.
Everyone nodded. Yang Li had already prepared the route for the tournament. The group boarded the shuttle skiff Yang Li had readied—a treasure that could fly rapidly through the void. Evan Yang, the Wine Beggar, and Lydia Yang sat together; Yang Li and Ming Yang together; Terry Yang and his parents together.
"Kid, were you trying to get yourself killed just now? Luckily the Patriarch wasn't angry," the Wine Beggar transmitted.
"I just spoke my mind. If I can't even do that, and have to endure baseless harassment, what's the point?" Evan Yang replied.
"That's true, but you were still too reckless. Don't talk to the Patriarch like that again—if he really gets angry, you'll be in trouble," the Wine Beggar cautioned.
"If there's no reason, I won't provoke him. I'm not bored enough for that. As long as I'm right, I'll fight for it—I won't go looking for excuses," Evan Yang replied.
"That's good," the Wine Beggar nodded.
On the other side, Terry Yang sneered inwardly: "Kid, you dare defy Grandpa like that? Just wait—I don't believe he'll still favor you."
Terry Yang's parents were worried. In their eyes, the Patriarch never tolerated defiance. Yet Evan Yang had not only defied him, but was given an order: if anyone provoked Evan, he could cripple them.
They had never seen the Patriarch treat anyone like this before, so they started to plot.
Yang Li hadn't expected the Patriarch to be so calm today, but he knew Evan Yang's place in Ming Yang's heart—it's rare for Ming Yang not to get angry.
Ming Yang sighed inwardly: "Evan Yang, why are you so stubborn? But it's fine—if anyone tries to harm you, it's their own fault."
So, aboard the ship, everyone sat with their own mood.
In the Water Clan, Selena Water, Skyler Water, the clan head, Kevin Chance, and Owen Waters set out together. On the road, Selena asked Skyler, "Brother, do you think that guy will run away?"
"He won't," Skyler Water replied.
"You never know. He might be afraid of losing and run away first," Selena Water said.
"Little sister, don't underestimate him. I believe in him—he's remarkable. I hope he gets first place, so I can settle things with his father," Skyler Water said.
"I don't get what you two agreed on. I think his chances of winning are low—this time, the Feng Clan and Lynn Clan have good contestants," Selena Water said.
"We'll know once the competition starts—guessing is pointless," Skyler Water said with a smile.
Owen Waters said innocently, "Big brother will definitely win."
"You brat, are you cheering for your aunt or for that guy?" Selena Water snorted after seeing Owen Waters cheer for Evan Yang instead of herself.
"Aunt, why are you so petty? I'm just telling the truth—he's really strong. Uncle said you lost to him, right?" Owen Waters laughed.
Selena Water glared at Skyler Water, who replied awkwardly, "I was just making conversation."
"Hmph, I'm not playing with you anymore," Selena Water snorted, feeling embarrassed.
"Uncle, Aunt is angry—what should I do?" Owen Waters said, frustrated.
"Don't worry, your aunt cares about her reputation. If you say that, she'll definitely get upset," Skyler Water laughed.
Owen Waters nodded knowingly. Kevin Chance and the Water Clan Patriarch shook their heads helplessly.
Besides the Water Clan, there was someone else eager to see Evan Yang—even wanting to defeat and cripple him: from the Feng Clan. Years ago, their soul traveled to another plane, and the Feng Clan head was forced out by Evan Yang, causing the Feng Clan member's cultivation to fail.
After learning Evan Yang was from the Yang Clan, the Feng Clan member couldn't wait to find him. As the tournament approached, anticipation grew.
Evan Yang knew that unexpected things would happen at the tournament. After all, the Heaven-Battling Clans were second only to the Immortal Realm Alliance.
Evan Yang wasn't familiar with the Lynn Clan, but he was mentally prepared—no matter what, he had to win first place and free his father.
A few days later, Evan Yang and the others arrived at a palace floating in the void—no planets, no anchor points, just a massive independent palace surrounded by at least eighth-tier Immortal-grade defensive formations.
Seeing the grand palace, Evan Yang asked curiously, "What is this place?"
"This is the Palace of False Void, part of the Immortal Realm Alliance," the Wine Beggar replied.
"Is the tournament being held in the Immortal Realm Alliance?" Evan Yang exclaimed.
"That's right. Only here is it truly fair—every tournament is held in the Immortal Realm Alliance, with their people judging. No one will be favored, so you can rest assured," the Wine Beggar explained.
Evan Yang understood—the palace was enormous, and as they approached, powerful auras swept over them, all peak Emperor-level.
The Yang Clan Patriarch stood and said, "Wait here—I’ll be right back."
After he left, everyone waited. Terry Yang glanced at Evan Yang, cursing inwardly, "Damn it, kid, just wait."
After a while, more people arrived—members of the Water Clan.