Everyone nodded in agreement, keeping the matter confidential, since they had already sworn an oath beforehand.
"Let's get moving now. I hope to see you all again in a month," said Palace Lord Rowan of the Wood Temple. Everyone nodded and left.
At that moment, Evan Yang was together with Palace Lord Yuna.
Evan Yang knew it was Morgana Dreamhaven returning. Morgana's expression looked serious, which made both Evan and Palace Lord Yuna curious. When Morgana saw them, she asked, "You're both here?"
"Yes, we're here waiting for Master," said Palace Lord Yuna.
Morgana nodded, then said to Evan Yang and Palace Lord Yuna, "This time, Evan's unsealing didn't go very smoothly. We'll have to wait a while and pick another time, so Evan must stay with me for now to ensure his safety."
"That might trouble you, Senior," Evan Yang said.
"It's no trouble. Think of it as nurturing you, since something big is about to happen soon," Morgana replied.
"Something big? Master, what do you mean?" Palace Lord Yuna asked, frowning.
"I can't say now. You'll understand in time," Morgana answered.
Staring into the distance, he muttered, "Evan Yang, Evan Yang, we'll meet again. But next time, you definitely won't recognize me—and I'll make sure you die in the most miserable way."
The Flame Palace Lord left, injured. Thanks to his body's extraordinary recovery abilities, he was almost fully healed in ten days, then went to the Earth Temple and found Lord Ridge.
"Lord Ridge, do you still recognize me?" the Flame Palace Lord said in a hoarse voice. His strange body made him frightening to behold.
"It's you?" Lord Ridge exclaimed, realizing this was the bug that had infiltrated the Flame Palace Lord's body.
"That's right, it's me. What, are you scared?" the Flame Palace Lord said.
"Afraid? What is fear? I don't know it. I only care about profit," Lord Ridge replied.
"Profit? Well said. If you help me, I'll make sure you get what you want," the Flame Palace Lord said.
Lord Ridge knew the Flame Palace Lord had such abilities, so he smiled, "So what do you want me to do?"
"Aren't you going to the Wood Temple? Arrange to bring me along. As for the rest, you know what to do," the Flame Palace Lord said with a smile.
"You know about this too?" Lord Ridge exclaimed in shock.
"What, did you think that just because I disappeared, I wouldn't hear any news?" the Flame Palace Lord said with a smile.
"No, I just didn't expect your information network to be so broad. Looks like some people have already told you things," Lord Ridge replied with a smile.
"I don't actually know what the secret is, since you all swore oaths. But I do know the Water Temple will send people, and Evan will be arranged to go. So naturally, I'm going—my target is Evan," the Flame Palace Lord said.
"I see. Understood—I'll make arrangements," Lord Ridge replied.
The Flame Palace Lord smiled, then followed Lord Ridge to a secret chamber, where Lord Ridge arranged for him to change his appearance.
Evan, unaware of all this, asked Palace Lord Yuna, "Do you know how to tell if someone has been devoured by that bug?"
"It's very difficult, otherwise every palace would have already forced out those infiltrators," Palace Lord Yuna replied.
"Difficult? That's better than nothing. Tell me about it," Evan said.
"I've heard there's a palace with that ability, but it's been out of contact with us for a long time, so we can't ask them for help," Palace Lord Yuna said.
Evan was very curious which palace it was, but Palace Lord Yuna couldn't say. This left Evan frustrated, so he decided to research on his own, looking for a way to make people reveal their bug form.
Time passed quickly. After resting for a while, Evan was brought along by Morgana. On the way, he and Palace Lord Yuna wanted to ask Morgana several times, but held back.
As they neared the Wood Temple, Morgana asked Evan and Palace Lord Yuna, "Do you know why we're going to the Wood Temple?"
"We don't know," Evan and Palace Lord Yuna replied together.
Morgana explained, "This time, the major palaces are bringing their outstanding talents to the Wood Temple, so Woodspirit can choose the most promising person to help him with a very important mission. Evan, I hope you can win first place—it will greatly help your future cultivation."
Evan was surprised by this. "Uh..." he said.
"Don't hesitate—just tell me, do you have a chance or not?" Morgana said.
"Of course I have a chance, but will many people compete for first place?" Evan asked.
That's right. Each palace has two slots—one for the Void Realm, one for the Mixed Realm. You're in the Void bracket, and Palace Lord Yuna is in the Mixed bracket. These two brackets represent Void-stage Immortal Sovereigns and Mixed-stage Immortal Sovereigns," Morgana explained.
Evan was puzzled. "Aren't they choosing just one winner? How do they decide between the Void and Mixed realms?"
You've got the gist of it. In the end, the Void and Mixed realms are ranked first and second. Second place has benefits, but nothing compared to first," Morgana explained.
So that's how it is. It's really unfair, this first and second place," Evan sighed.
Fairness doesn't matter. The Mixed realm will be forced to fight at half strength, so they'll only have half their power when competing with the Void realm," Morgana explained.
I see. That makes sense—now it's all about real strength," Evan said.
Yes, and there's also a bit of luck," Morgana muttered.
Don't worry, Senior Morgana, I'll do my best," Evan said.
"Master, I'll do my best too," Palace Lord Yuna said.
This contest is extremely important. Each palace has two contestants. No matter what, make sure you stay safe first, then fight for victory," Morgana instructed Evan.
Understood. Thank you, Senior," Evan said.
After giving her instructions, Morgana felt much more at ease. From her, Evan learned that the contest would include participants from the Wind Temple, Water Temple, Earth Temple, Flame Temple, and Wood Temple—the five great palaces.
Each of the five great palaces sent two people, one for each group.
Everyone knew Woodspirit's arrangement was no trivial matter, so all wanted first place—this was the most direct way to strengthen themselves.
The Wood Temple arranged many people to greet the guests from each palace, and everyone was invited to the palace.
Inside the palace, each palace lord was accompanied by one or two people. Some lords participated themselves, others sent representatives.
The palace wasn't crowded, but it wasn't empty either. Everyone looked at each other, sizing each other up.
As Evan entered with Morgana, he was the subject of many curious and surprised looks.
Evan didn't pay much attention to the others, but the information from the Soul-Cutting Water shocked him. He turned to look at Lord Ridge and his two companions. Evan stared at one of them, who quickly looked away, while Lord Ridge glared coldly at Evan.
That guy still has a grudge against me, and the other one is hiding here. I'll expose you when the time comes," Evan thought with a smile.
Not knowing what Evan was thinking, Lord Ridge and the Flame Palace Lord were startled by his gaze—it was quite intimidating.
Everyone's almost here. Soon, you'll be assigned your accommodations. Once you're settled, you'll warm up, and in a few days, we'll draw lots to decide who fights whom," Palace Lord Rowan announced.
Everyone nodded, then the Wood Temple led each of them to their assigned places.
After the arrangements, Palace Lord Rowan left and went to a wooden house. Strangely, the house was covered in dust, as if no one had lived there for thousands of years, but Palace Lord Rowan knew someone lived inside—a wise person.
"Sir, everyone has arrived. The contest will soon be arranged," Palace Lord Rowan said.
"Alright, I know. This minor matter—you handle it," the person inside said.
Palace Lord Rowan paused, then asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, of course. Observe Evan closely," the person inside suddenly said.
Palace Lord Rowan asked suspiciously, "Why?"
"He's remarkable. I haven't met him, but I know he has great potential. I want to see his entire performance in the competition," the person inside replied.
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