Evan Yang glanced over and noticed that Pineleaf's hand was indeed crippled. What puzzled him was that with Pineleaf's cultivation, he could have easily healed it—so why had he never done so?
This question circled in Evan's mind as Pineleaf left with Darren West, spreading news of the duel throughout the clan.
After they left, Lydia Yang said, "Why did you agree so easily?"
The Wine Beggar also said anxiously, "That's right! With your cultivation, how can you possibly face someone at the fifth tier of the Immortal Lord Realm?"
"He's fifth-tier Immortal Lord?" Evan feigned a look of shock.
"What? Now you realize you're not confident? I think we should just forget it and let him mess around until the patriarch comes out," Lydia said anxiously.
The Wine Beggar nodded, then said to Steward Mark, "Steward Mark, this is up to you—just let them mess around and say the duel is off."
Just as Steward Mark was about to agree, Evan smiled and said, "No need. I'll fight this match. Otherwise, many others will keep using the same excuse to cause trouble."
"But your cultivation..." Lydia said worriedly.
"Don't forget, I wasn't afraid of Emperor Realm experts—why would I fear an Immortal Lord?" Evan smiled at Lydia. This reminded her of the day he killed and sealed Emperor Realm experts, and she quickly regained her composure, laughing, "I almost forgot."
"Little sister, why are you smiling? Does that mean you agree too?" the Wine Beggar asked curiously. "Third Brother, just let him fight. You'll see something unexpected," Lydia said confidently.
The Wine Beggar was puzzled—just moments ago Lydia had opposed the duel, but now she was so certain.
"So, are we fighting or not?" Steward Mark asked, seeing Lydia agree. "Fight!" Evan and Lydia replied firmly, while the Wine Beggar remained confused and wanted to ask more. Lydia simply smiled and said, "Just wait for tonight—you'll see."
Steward Mark nodded at their words and went off to make arrangements, leaving the Wine Beggar suspiciously watching Evan and Lydia.
After finishing his tasks, Steward Mark went to a secret chamber, where he saw a figure slowly materialize from nothing.
Watching the figure take shape, Steward Mark was shocked. "Patriarch, you've come out early?" "Yes, nothing major left. What's happening now?" The owner of the voice had been worried these days, so he'd accelerated his cultivation. His first words after emerging were to ask about the situation outside.
Steward Mark described what had just happened to the patriarch. After listening, the patriarch asked doubtfully, "You mean that kid accepted Elder Pineleaf's challenge?"
"Yes, that's right," answered Steward Mark.
"He sure is bold," the patriarch remarked.
"Patriarch, I think you should hurry out and preside. If they fight tonight and he loses, his life could be in danger," Steward Mark said.
"No rush. Don't tell anyone I've come out of seclusion. Tonight, I want to see for myself what he's really capable of," the patriarch said after thinking for a moment.
"Patriarch, you agree to let him fight?" Steward Mark asked in surprise.
"Yes, I want to see if this extra grandson has inherited the fine traditions of our Yang Clan," the patriarch replied.
"Alright..." Steward Mark said helplessly.
"Enough, don't say anything. Just act like you know nothing. When the time comes tonight, I'll appear myself." With that, the patriarch turned and vanished again.
Watching the patriarch disappear, Steward Mark left the secret chamber, still pondering the patriarch's words: "What does the patriarch really mean?"
Meanwhile, outside, Evan's acceptance of Pineleaf's challenge had attracted many onlookers. Everyone wanted to see what kind of person this newcomer, claiming to be the son of Liam Yang, really was.
"That kid is really arrogant, asking for trouble. Haha!" Terry's father laughed loudly after hearing the news.
Terry also laughed, "Even if he's eighth-tier Profound-Immortal, no matter how strong, he can't possibly surpass Evan Yang's cultivation."
"Evan Yang? Who's that?" Terry's father asked curiously after hearing Terry's words.
The middle-aged woman was there as well. When she heard Terry's words, she looked over with curiosity.
"Evan Yang? He was an incredible person—apparently he had dual attributes. Back when he was only at the Heavenly-Immortal level, he defeated someone at peak Profound-Immortal," Terry said with a laugh.
"Oh? Someone that terrifying? Where is he now? If we could use him, that would be great," Terry's father said in surprise.
"Use him? That's impossible—I've already killed him. As for this Ian Wood, he's Evan's companion who came seeking revenge. Somehow he chased me all the way here and even got involved with Second Uncle," Terry replied.
"You killed him? What exactly happened?" Terry's father asked suspiciously.
So Terry explained the events of the past competition and how Evan Yang's soul was annihilated. After hearing the story, both his father and mother couldn't help but admire Evan's strength.
"If that's the case, then let this Ian Wood be annihilated too. I just don't get why he uses the surname 'Wood.'" Terry's father said. "It's probably not his real name," Terry replied. "Real name or not, as long as he's connected to Liam Yang, he must die," the middle-aged woman said decisively.
Terry's father nodded, "That's right. We absolutely can't let him survive today. If your grandfather comes out tomorrow, it'll be a problem."
"Once he loses the duel tonight, we'll use the chance to make sure he can't stay in the clan. After that, we'll look for another opportunity to deal with him," Terry said with a grin.
"Mm." Both Terry's mother and father agreed.
Lydia was full of confidence in Evan, but the Wine Beggar couldn't sit still and kept asking them questions, which they refused to answer.
By nightfall, the Yang Clan's Duel Arena was bustling—more lively than even their usual clan gatherings.
All sorts of figures from the Yang Clan had arrived, and even a 'commentary group' had formed, made up of elders and other clan heads.
Evan entered a small reserved area accompanied by Lydia and the Wine Beggar. This was his temporary rest zone, guarded by Steward Mark's men to prevent anyone from disturbing him.
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From this small area, they could see the outside. Darren West was resting and preparing in another section. Lydia began introducing the various figures in the crowd to Evan.
Several of them were clan heads involved in plots to kill Evan and Lydia. Evan memorized each one.
"These people are all hypocrites," Lydia said with a cold snort.
"It's fine. Here, they wouldn't dare make a move," Evan said calmly, smiling.
"Kid, you're surprisingly calm. Are you really that confident?" the Wine Beggar sighed.
"If I'm not calm, should I panic instead?" Evan replied with a smile.
Lydia smiled at Evan's words, showing genuine concern, while the Wine Beggar looked worried.
Evan was grateful for their expressions; meeting such family here was his good fortune.
On the arena, Pineleaf said to Steward Yang Gui, "Steward Gui, you control the duel arena. From here on, you make the announcements."
Yang Gui replied respectfully, "No problem."
Then Yang Gui moved to the center of the field and addressed the crowd, "Everyone should know why we're gathered here today, right?"
"We know!" many people shouted.
"Good, since you all know, I'll keep it brief. Here's the situation: Second Young Master Liam Yang is currently cultivating in the Star Sea forbidden land, but someone claiming to be his son has appeared. According to clan rules, unless his identity is confirmed, he can't be treated as a Yang clansman. However, the young lady, Third Young Master, and Steward Mark have all acknowledged him. Even so, we must wait for the patriarch to decide. In the meantime, we can't let an outsider wander freely, so after discussing with the elders, we've arranged an opponent for him. If he wins, he'll be allowed to move freely in the Yang Clan. If he loses, he'll cripple his cultivation and never again claim to be a Yang clansman," Yang Gui announced.
These words forced Evan into a dead end. Some people showed pity, while others felt it was fair and voiced their agreement.
Pineleaf was very satisfied with Yang Gui's announcement. Terry and his parents were pleased too. In their eyes, no matter how strong Evan was, as an eighth-tier Profound-Immortal, he couldn't possibly defeat a fifth-tier Immortal Lord.
"Despicable," Lydia cursed.
"Damn it, these people! Don't be afraid—even if you lose, I'll risk my life to protect you until the patriarch returns," the Wine Beggar said.
Steward Mark appeared as well, saying, "Don't worry. Your life isn't theirs to take."
Evan looked at the three of them and smiled. "Thank you, all of you. But if they think I'm an easy target, they're wrong. Since almost the whole Yang Clan is here, this will be my first battle as a true member. I want them to know my father's son is no less than anyone."
Evan's confidence was just like Liam Yang's in his youth. Steward Mark and the others felt as if they were seeing the old Liam again.
In the shadows, someone was watching with excitement, thinking, "So alike—so very alike. Liam, is this your son? Just as arrogant as you were back then."
Evan and the others had no idea someone was watching from the shadows. Evan glanced around the arena and saw Terry and his group mocking him.
"Since I've returned, it's time to reclaim my name," Evan thought, deciding to use his real name.
Lydia nodded. "Mm."
To Lydia, the Wine Beggar, and the others, 'Evan Yang' was just another Yang Clan name—the son of Liam Yang. But to Terry, it was a name that spelled doom.
Yang Gui announced to the arena, "Elder Pineleaf's disciple, Darren West, please take the stage!"
Hearing his name, Darren leapt onto the stage to applause. Then Yang Gui called to Evan, "And you—what should we call you? Still using an outsider's surname? That's not the Yang Clan way."
Many people thought that if Evan really was Liam Yang's son, he should at least bear the Yang surname, so they all watched him curiously.
Evan walked onto the stage and smiled. "Call me Evan Yang."