After glancing at Evan Chu, one of the youths said, "You should leave. This isn't a place for humans. Our White Tiger Clan doesn't want too many entanglements with your kind."
"I already told you, I'm here to find someone. Why can't you understand that? If I can't find the person, how am I supposed to leave? Why don't you take me to look for him? If we really can't find him, I'll go, and there won't be any conflict between us." Evan Chu smiled.
One of the youths' faces instantly darkened. "Kid, don't push your luck. If you piss me off, I'll eat you in one bite. Get lost now!"
"Get lost? Sorry, I don't know how. Maybe you could teach me? As for eating me, you don't have what it takes." Evan Chu kept smiling, not caring about their anger at all.
"You're really pissing me off! Getting played by a lowly human—if the elders hadn't warned us not to start trouble with humans, I'd eat you right now!" the youth fumed.
"Just take me to your White Tiger Temple. I have business with your temple master. Why else would a human come to your territory? I was just joking earlier." Evan Chu said.
The two youths froze, startled by Evan Chu's words. After a moment, one said, "You'd better not try anything funny, or you'll die a horrible death. Follow me!"
The two White Tigers walked slowly ahead, occasionally glancing back to see if Evan Chu was up to anything. After about half an hour, they finally stopped.
Evan Chu saw obvious energy fluctuations ahead—a hidden, invisible gate. The White Tiger Clan really wasn't simple; this was the first time he'd encountered such a secret entrance.
"Wait here. I'll go report to the elders. If they refuse to see you, you'll have to leave on your own. Don't linger, or don't blame us for what happens." one of the youths said.
Evan Chu spoke up, "What if they agree to see me, but you come back and tell me they refused? I think we should go in together—only then can I be sure you're not lying."
"Are you looking to die, kid? My patience has limits. Don't test me—this is the White Tiger Clan's territory, you'd better get that straight." The youth's face darkened with anger.
"Then go ahead and report. I'll wait here for your news. I trust the White Tiger Clan wouldn't stoop to lying." Evan Chu said.
The youth went inside, and soon returned. After glancing at Evan Chu, he said, "The elders want to see you. Come with me—but I'm warning you, don't try any tricks. In the White Tiger Temple, everyone is a super expert. You could be killed at any moment."
Evan Chu followed the two youths through the invisible gate. After just a few breaths, he found himself in a paradise-like world—clear mountains, flowing waters, lush greenery. He couldn't help but marvel that the White Tiger Clan enjoyed life even more than humans.
Soon, a massive palace appeared before Evan Chu. The palace was resplendent, even grander than the Western Beast King Hall. Evan knew this had to be the White Tiger Temple. He wondered if Ryan Ouyang was inside.
When he reached the palace gates, Evan Chu saw four large characters on the crossbeam—White Tiger Temple. The calligraphy was bold and powerful, radiating an imposing aura.
One of the youths said, "Wait here. I'll go announce you!" With that, he went straight inside the hall.
Evan Chu glanced around and saw quite a few guards standing watch. All of them were at least sixth-layer Divine Martial Realm—no wonder the White Tiger Clan was so extraordinary.
Evan Chu looked at the guards, and the guards looked right back at him. He was the first human to set foot in the White Tiger Temple in hundreds of years—aside from the recently returned young master, who had the White Tiger Bloodline and didn't count as truly human.
At that moment, the youth came out and said to Evan Chu, "What's your name, and what business do you have at the White Tiger Temple? If it's nothing important, you can leave—I'll escort you out myself."
Evan Chu smiled. "So this is how the White Tiger Clan treats its guests? I'm honestly disappointed. How did you end up like this after the Divine Battlefield war?"
Evan Chu had infused his words with Chaos Dragon Force—the sound was so piercing it made the youth's eardrums ache. Even the people inside the White Tiger Temple were startled; only someone at ninth-layer Divine Martial Realm could do that.
Inside the hall, a white-haired elder said, "This one's no ordinary outsider. He actually knows our White Tiger Clan fought in the Divine Battlefield war—he must know us well. I even caught a hint of dragon-roar in his voice. Did any of you sense that?"
"Second Elder has a point. If he dares come alone to the White Tiger Temple, his strength must be impressive. Maybe he really has something important to discuss. After all, our White Tiger Clan hasn't set foot outside in thousands of years. I say we meet him." a middle-aged man said.
"I agree. To be this strong at such a young age—honestly, I'm curious to see him for myself." a red-haired youth said.
"Young Master, now that you've reached the second layer of the Saint Martial Realm, that youth can't possibly be your match. If you want to test his strength, I'm willing to go try him out first." said a middle-aged man.
"No need for the guardians to bother. Let's see him first—whether he leaves or not depends on how he performs." the youth said.
The Second Elder nodded. "Go bring him in. I can't remember the last time a human entered the White Tiger Temple—today really is a rare occasion."
Evan Chu was brought into the great hall. Glancing around, he was stunned—he saw the person he'd been searching for most: Ryan Ouyang, now seated at the upper dais.
At the same moment, Ryan Ouyang saw Evan Chu and was just as shocked. All the painful memories from the past surged up, fueling a towering rage. He stood up and shouted, "Evan Chu, I can't believe it's you! You walk into the White Tiger Temple and expect to leave alive? Today, every old and new grudge will be settled!"
"Bet you never thought you'd run into me here, did you? Today, I'll make you pay for every old and new score. Get ready to be slowly tortured by me!"
Evan Chu glanced at him and laughed. "Ryan Ouyang, I came here just to find you. With your three-legged-cat skills, you think you're worthy to fight me? Don't think awakening the White Tiger Bloodline makes you special. Second-layer Saint Martial Realm? That's nothing to brag about in front of me."
Evan Chu's words shocked everyone in the hall. He not only knew Ryan Ouyang had awakened the White Tiger Bloodline, but also his exact cultivation realm—and showed no sign of panic. It seemed his strength might even surpass Ryan's.
But Ryan Ouyang was even more enraged by Evan Chu's words. A large saber appeared in his hand as he roared, "Let's see just how strong you really are..." (To be continued tonight...)