The Black Mountain Imp was shocked. This artifact of his could trap even Demon Emperors, and it was one of his most powerful treasures. It could be used to confine others or to prevent himself from being captured—a formidable magic tool.
But its sudden disappearance left the Black Mountain Imp utterly stunned. This was his most prized artifact, while Evan Yang was currently hiding somewhere nearby.
The Black Mountain Imp shouted toward the surroundings, "Kid, stop hiding! This space isn't that big. I'll find you soon enough."
After saying this, the Black Mountain Imp launched a round of attacks at his surroundings. However, the attacks were weak—he was only testing the area, hoping to force Evan Yang out.
But Evan Yang was no slouch when it came to speed. The Imp's random attacks had no effect on him, so Evan didn't feel threatened at all.
“Keep flailing around. Once you’re tired out, that’s when I’ll make my move,” Evan Yang muttered to himself, fully aware he couldn’t match a giant-sized Black Mountain Imp head-on.
After a quarter of an hour, the Black Mountain Imp realized his attacks weren’t going to flush Evan Yang out. He snorted coldly, “Fine, you’re forcing my hand. Watch how I make you show yourself.”
With that, the Black Mountain Imp pulled out a man-sized iron rod. The rod was pitch black, and as he muttered under his breath, it began to spin rapidly, picking up incredible speed.
As it spun, a powerful suction seemed to fill the area. Even from a distance, Evan Yang could feel the pull growing stronger and stronger.
“Weird, what the hell is going on?” Evan Yang was alarmed—he hadn’t expected the Black Mountain Imp to pull out a trick like this.
The Black Mountain Imp kept chanting incantations and sneered, "Kid, feeling that pull yet? Good! Hahaha, you’ll see how fierce it is soon enough."
Evan Yang ignored him and continued to wait for an opening. The suction kept growing stronger, but as Evan watched closely, he noticed the Black Mountain Imp’s aura was weakening—clearly a side effect of wielding that iron rod. Realizing this, Evan just waited, keeping his body steady.
Time ticked by until Evan judged the moment was right. Suddenly, he darted forward, using the suction to close the gap and appear just a short distance from the Black Mountain Imp.
The Black Mountain Imp was startled. Seeing Evan Yang suddenly appear, he stopped his technique and threw a palm at him—but Evan struck back, knocking him away and even breaking his hand. Black blood gushed from his arm.
“Enough. Admit defeat,” Evan Yang said.
“Damn it, I won’t surrender! Today, I’ll defeat you and take back the Thunderstrike Pearl!” the Black Mountain Imp snarled.
Evan Yang stabbed him with a dagger again, then followed up with several more strikes. The Black Mountain Imp was completely crippled; even his external artifact couldn’t hold up anymore. Evan glanced at the snowy field outside and said, “This is what happens to those who target my friends.”
“Damn it, I—I…” The Black Mountain Imp was now gravely wounded, unable to walk, only able to crawl with the last of his strength as he glared at Evan Yang.
“As for your Thunderstrike Pearl, I’ll be keeping it. And you—go die.” Evan Yang flicked his dagger, slashing the Imp’s vital spots. The Black Mountain Imp collapsed, his soul drifting free.
Evan Yang moved quickly to seize his soul, but it suddenly vanished without a trace.
“Damn, it’s gone?” Evan Yang was startled. The soul’s disappearance would no doubt bring trouble to Happy’s tribe—after all, the Imp said he was acting on his master’s orders, and that master must be extremely powerful.
Facing this situation, Evan Yang had no time to waste. He quickly brought Lora Luo and Happy out. Happy was feeling a bit better, but his injuries were still serious, so Evan hurried to heal him with Heaven-Cold qi.
Once Happy could walk, Evan said, “There’s no time to lose. We need to hurry back and inform Harlan and the others.”
“Why?” Happy asked, sensing something major was about to happen.
“The one who attacked you was after me. Sorry for dragging you all into this mess, but I’ll take responsibility. That guy’s been dealt with, but he has a master. I thought I could finish him off, but his soul suddenly vanished—I suspect he used some trick. For safety’s sake, you’ll have to hide for now,” Evan Yang explained.
Happy was shocked to hear there was someone even scarier than the Black Mountain Imp. He quickly agreed, “Alright, let’s go back.”
“Alright, you two go into my Spirit Tower. I’ll handle the trip—much faster this way,” Evan Yang said.
Lora Luo and Happy had no objections, so they entered Evan’s Spirit Tower. Evan then used Meteor Flight Art—his speed was incredible, crossing the snowy fields in a flash.
In no time, they returned to the meeting spot.
There, Richard and Bianca Snow were still outside, and Harlan had just returned. Seeing Happy, Harlan was overjoyed. “You—you’re alright!”
“I’m fine, Uncle,” Happy said.
Harlan frowned as he saw Happy’s injuries. “What happened?”
Happy explained what happened after he left. When Harlan heard Harris was behind it, he was furious and snorted, “Damn it, that kid’s got guts. Come on, I’ll teach him a lesson.”
Evan Yang spoke up, “Senior, I need to discuss something with you.”
“Oh? What is it?” Harlan asked. Evan then explained his conflict with the Black Mountain Imp and how the Imp’s soul had vanished.
After hearing Evan’s explanation, Harlan was shocked. “You mean his master will come?”
“Yes, exactly. That’s why I’m worried about everyone’s safety. Do you have any good hiding places? Or we could use a cave—when the time comes, I’ll draw him away,” Evan Yang said.
Harlan frowned at the idea of Evan facing the unknown enemy alone. “I think I should help you.”
“You want to help me?” Evan Yang was a bit surprised.
“Yes, exactly. Consider it repayment for saving him,” Harlan said.
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Evan Yang looked a bit embarrassed. If not for him, Happy wouldn’t have been in danger, and there’d be no need to rescue anyone.
But Happy had already said, "Uncle is really strong."
"Thank you, Senior," Evan said.
Harlan nodded. Just then, Richard and the others returned. Seeing everyone together—and Happy back safe—they were overjoyed.
But after hearing Evan’s explanation, their joy faded. Worry crept in for Evan, and guilt as well: if not for their own actions, Evan wouldn’t be facing such trouble.
Harlan knew it too—if he hadn’t set such harsh conditions, none of this would’ve happened. In the end, it all came back to him.
Seeing everyone weighed down by guilt, Evan could only sigh inwardly. Harlan led them all back into the cave. Inside, when Harris saw Happy return, he was shocked and quickly tried to hide.
Of course, Harlan noticed and shouted, "Harris, get out here!"
Called out like that, Harris didn’t dare linger. All the bear demons dragged him forward.
"Speak! What happened?" Harlan demanded, furious.
Harris knew there was no escaping. He blurted out, "The chief sheltered him. If not for him, we wouldn’t be hiding here. And you—!"
Right now, Evan was still shrouded in demon black qi, so Harris recognized him at a glance.
"You still dare deny it?" Harlan snapped, furious.
"The chief is protecting him. If that’s how you want it, fine, but you owe it to our tribe," Harris gritted out.
Harlan hadn’t expected Harris to say that, but he quickly calmed down. "If you were in trouble, the tribe would save you too. But you abandoned your companion—so for now, you’ll be locked up."
Harris didn’t expect that reply. The tension broke, but he was still disgruntled. He could only let Harlan’s guards take him away. The other accomplices didn’t fare any better—they were hauled off one by one.
After the dust settled, Harlan said, "Sorry about that. Hope you weren’t offended."
"No worries. Let’s focus on how to handle things," Evan said, still deeply concerned about the master lurking behind the Black Mountain Imp.
Harlan felt the same. He gathered with Richard, a few others, and several strong bear warriors to discuss strategies.
They discussed back and forth, until Evan said, "I plan to set up protective arrays around the area. If that master comes, we’ll use the formations to trap him for a bit, then focus all our firepower together."
"You know formations?" Harlan exclaimed.
Evan nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I know a bit."
"Good, then I’ll leave the arrays to you," Harlan said.
Evan nodded, then headed out to survey the terrain and start laying down formations. The others stayed inside.
The Black Mountain Imp’s soul flickered and sped toward a fog-shrouded Blackmount Cavern. In this mountain, all the plants were dead, the ground cracked, the dirt yellow-white and eerie, and corroded corpses could be seen scattered about.
Inside the mountain’s cave—Blackmount Cavern—lived a Demon Emperor named Old Ghost of Blackmount. His most powerful treasure was the Thunderstrike Pearl, which needed to absorb enough lightning every so often. He’d left this task to his disciple, along with plenty of other treasures, while he cultivated here.
The Black Mountain Imp did have plenty of treasures, even using a last-resort soul-escape talisman: when his physical body was destroyed, his soul would automatically return to a set location.
That’s how he escaped Evan’s attack.
"Master, master." As Old Ghost of Blackmount cultivated, a faint voice came from outside the cave.
Old Ghost of Blackmount found the voice familiar, so he curiously stepped outside. But he saw nothing. Just as he was about to turn back, the voice sounded again—this time clearer. He stepped out and saw a soul hovering at the cave entrance. It was none other than the Black Mountain Imp.
Old Ghost of Blackmount was shocked and furious. "What happened? Who did this to you?"