Noel Water looked at his uncle and asked, "Uncle, are you really going to challenge him?"
"It's a promise. Since he's coming to challenge me in his father's place, I have no objections. But the condition is that he has to win first place. That way, even if we duel, no one will say I'm bullying someone younger. But can he really take first place?" Skyler Water replied.
Noel Water shook his head. "I don't really get what you grown-ups are talking about. I just think that big brother is pretty nice."
"Maybe so. At least he doesn't have any bad intentions. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made it past the first trial," Skyler Water said.
"Exactly," Noel Water nodded.
Skyler Water looked at the lively and innocent Noel Water and smiled. "Push me back to rest, okay? Looks like I won't be moving for these three days." Noel nodded and pushed Skyler away.
For three days, the hottest topic in the Crystal Palace was undoubtedly Evan Yang. After all, he was now considered the prospective son-in-law; if he succeeded, he would become Selena Water's future partner. Such a big deal—people were gossiping not just inside the palace, but outside as well.
In her room, Selena Water paced back and forth, muttering, "The dream... Was the man in my dream really him?"
Thinking that the man in her dream might be Evan Yang, Selena felt troubled. After all, Evan was from the Yang Clan, and this involved her brother's situation and even the relationship between the Water Clan and the Yang Clan.
Faced with such complexity, Selena sat down helplessly and sighed, "He said that even if he cures my brother, he doesn't want to be the one. So why am I so anxious? Father is too much—let people say whatever they want. If he doesn't agree, you can't force him. Forget it, forget it. As long as my brother recovers, let them say whatever they want."
Skyler Water had also heard the rumors from outside. Sitting in his wheelchair, he sighed, "Looks like word has gotten out."
"Uncle, what rumors?" Noel Water asked, confused. "Go get your aunt for me. Tell her I want to see her," Skyler said to Noel. Noel replied innocently, "Okay, I'll go right now."
A short while later, Selena Water arrived. Seeing Skyler sitting motionless, she asked, "Brother, how are you feeling?"
"How do you think? Just like this, unable to move. I don't know what method he used, but right now I can't move at all," Skyler replied.
"Brother, do you trust him?" Selena asked.
"You mean him? Of course I trust him. Why wouldn't I?" Skyler said.
"Why do you trust him?" Selena asked, puzzled at how her brother could be so certain about Evan Yang.
"Your first trial was meant to weed out those with ill intentions. And don't forget your dream—even though I was skeptical about it, it really seems like he's the person you dreamed about. Plus, he's Liam Yang's son. That's why I trust him," Skyler explained.
"Why does being Liam Yang's son make you trust him? Don't you hate Liam Yang?" Selena asked in surprise. Skyler replied, "I do hate him, but what's the point? It was just that I lost back then—my skills weren't good enough, but I didn't want to admit it. Until today, that kid said he'd shoulder everything for his father. He's just a Profound-Immortal, yet he has such backbone. Meanwhile, I've lived so many years and can't even compare to a young man?" Skyler laughed. "Brother, you've changed," Selena suddenly felt her brother was less irritable and more calm than before.
"Really? Maybe so. Back then, when I heard Liam Yang was in trouble and suppressed, I was so happy. But after the joy faded, I realized I had no ability myself, yet I was mocking others. Today, Evan's tone is just like Liam's back then—so domineering, so stubborn. Maybe he's a reincarnation. If he really wins first place, then he'll have the qualification to duel me, and my grudge with Liam can be fairly settled through him," Skyler said, as if he'd figured out a lot.
Selena smiled, "I didn't expect today would actually lift your spirits, brother."
"Maybe it's because I'm about to stand up again, so I've found hope in life," Skyler said with a smile.
"Yeah, I hope you can stand soon, brother," Selena smiled. "I really have to thank you—if it weren't for your idea, Evan wouldn't have been drawn here. Even though he snuck in for his own reasons, you were the one who brought him. But now, the rumors are everywhere. I've heard them too. How will you deal with it?" Skyler asked.
Selena said, "Father wants me to send him away."
"What does Father mean by that?" Skyler frowned. "He means not letting him leave alive," Selena replied.
"No way, absolutely not. How could we be so despicable? To do this to someone who's only at the Profound-Immortal Realm, and besides, I've made an agreement with him. I have to stand up, watch him win first place, and wait for his challenge," Skyler objected immediately.
Selena calmed down and said, "Brother, I understand, so I won't follow Father's plan. After you recover, we'll just send him away."
"Good. I hope you do. If anyone tries to hurt him, once I can stand, I'll be the first to deal with them," Skyler said.
Selena smiled, "Don't worry, brother. No one will dare touch him. But what about you—are you feeling better today?"
"Much better. It's not as painful as before," Skyler said, reassured.
"That's good. I hope he can cure you in three days. Otherwise, I really can't promise I won't be angry," Selena said.
"I believe he can," Skyler said.
Selena nodded. "I hope so. If there's nothing else, you should rest. And Noel, take good care of your uncle. If he needs anything, make sure to help him."
"Okay, Aunt Selena," Noel replied.
Selena turned and left, leaving Skyler lost in thought.
Noel sat there, bored, accompanying Skyler and ready to help if needed.
Just like that, three days slowly passed. Evan Yang watched the time carefully, and soon Selena Water arrived. She said to Evan, "Let's go."
Evan nodded and followed Selena. After a short while, they entered a room where Skyler was already sitting in his wheelchair, watching Evan. Noel was beside him. Other than the two, no one else was present.
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Selena said to Evan, "You'd better not make any mistakes. Otherwise, I won't be polite."
"Don't worry. I still need you to help me leave," Evan replied.
Selena nodded, then told Noel to stand aside. Evan walked over to Skyler and said, "Senior, I'll begin now."
"Go ahead," Skyler replied.
Evan saw that Skyler was calm, which reassured him. He began examining Skyler's body and found that the Heaven-Cold Qi he'd left before had almost finished repairing the damage. Now he just needed to undo the seals, and Skyler would be able to stand again.
With just a few precise movements at several points on Skyler's body, Evan said, "Done. You can try standing now."
"Just like that?" Skyler was shocked that Evan only needed a few movements. Selena and Noel were also curious—what exactly was going on?
Evan smiled. "Yeah, try standing up. Your legs might feel stiff since it's been so long, but take it slow."
Skyler was a bit emotional. After all these years, he'd always dreamed of standing again, and now he finally had the chance. He slowly stretched his legs, and when he saw them move freely as he wished, he was overwhelmed. "I can... I really can!"
"That's amazing! Uncle's legs can move again!" Noel exclaimed excitedly.
Selena was also thrilled. "Brother, try standing up!"
"This is... this is wonderful!" Skyler exclaimed, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Amazing, just amazing!" Noel cheered beside him. Selena was so moved that tears nearly spilled from her eyes. Evan hadn't let them down, and he felt truly happy inside.
After the excitement, Skyler looked at Evan and said, "Thank you." "It's what I had to do—after all, it was my father's injury," Evan replied.
"Your father and I competed fairly, so I won't go easy on you either. I hope you win first place and then challenge me. We'll settle things fairly—I hope you don't let me down," Skyler said.
"Don't worry, Senior. I'll definitely win first place and challenge you," Evan said.
Skyler nodded, then said to Selena, "Little sister, take him away."
"Alright," Selena replied.
Skyler looked at Evan again. "Now, I'll see you off. We will keep our promise to you."
"Thank you!" Evan was excited to hear he could finally leave.
Selena looked at Evan. "Let's go."
Evan nodded, glanced at Skyler, then at Noel, and left with a smile.
After watching them leave, Skyler asked, "Noel, where's your grandfather?" "He should be in his resting place," Noel replied.
"Come with me," Skyler said, then took Noel to find the Water Clan Patriarch.
The Water Clan Patriarch was sitting in his room, anxious. Today was his son's treatment day. He acted unconcerned on the surface, but inside he was more excited than anyone.
Suddenly, someone rushed in and shouted, "Patriarch, that person is leaving!"
"Who is leaving? Speak clearly!" the Patriarch demanded of the person who had barged in.
"The one who treated the young master," the person replied.
"What? Leaving? He dares to sneak away? Unbelievable! I told you the Yang Clan can't be trusted. Quick, stop him for me!" the Patriarch said angrily.
"No need. I let him go," a voice came from behind. Skyler was standing at the door, upright, with Noel by his side.
The Patriarch looked at Skyler in disbelief. "You..."
"I've stood up, Father," Skyler said with a smile.
The guard standing in front of the Patriarch was stunned. He actually saw Skyler standing. The Patriarch hurried to Skyler's side, walked around him several times, and said excitedly, "You're really healed! Wonderful, wonderful!"