Desmond Mansfield's words left the three Holy Emperor experts speechless. Seeing that none of them replied, Desmond simply gave a relaxed smile.
"Alright, gentlemen, let's call it a day. I'm feeling a bit tired and want to rest now."
"Sigh! If that's the case, then Young Master, you decide everything."
"We old folks will take our leave first."
The three Holy Emperor experts didn't say much more. Together with the four peak late Saint Venerable experts, they left the room.
Evan Chu's Light-Law avatar felt a bit awkward at this moment. He couldn't decide whether to stay or leave, because after the three Holy Emperors departed, Desmond Mansfield set up new barriers around the room.
With the new barriers in place, Evan didn't dare move recklessly and could only obediently stay put, unable to leave.
"This tea—I planted it myself, picked it myself, and brewed it myself. It's not some rare tea, but the number of people who've tasted it is less than a handful."
Desmond seemed to be talking to someone, or perhaps just muttering to himself.
He gave a helpless, bitter smile. "But those who've drunk it are all my peers and siblings, plus my greedy father. Letting them drink it honestly feels like a waste after all my effort raising and cultivating these leaves."
Evan Chu felt a bit puzzled. Did this guy always talk to himself like this? But then he watched Desmond Mansfield's refined, elegant movements as he poured himself a cup of tea, and then, to Evan's surprise, pulled out another teacup from his spatial artifact and filled it too.
What shocked Evan even more was when Desmond said, "Please, have some tea. You're qualified to taste it."
Have some tea? Who's he talking to? Is there someone else in the room? I don't see anyone!
Evan hadn't been here long, but it was clear that Desmond Mansfield was extremely arrogant—just as the intelligence reports described. Now it seemed he was even deeper and more cunning than expected... He considered even his own father unworthy of drinking his tea, calling him greedy. Evan wasn't curious about how good the tea tasted, but he did start to wonder: what kind of person would Desmond actually consider worthy to sit and drink tea with him?
The room was perfectly quiet at first, not a sound to be heard. Evan just watched silently, and Desmond sat calmly as well. The only movement came from the steaming tea, its mist rising steadily.
Suddenly, Evan caught a whiff of a unique tea fragrance. He stared in shock at the two cups on the table, amazed—how could any tea smell this good?
He didn't know much about tea and usually didn't care for it, but at this moment, just smelling the aroma made his mouth water.
Desmond smiled again. "The tea's aroma is overflowing, and you're the first one who's ever managed to resist it. Come out and drink it before it cools—otherwise, you'll miss its best flavor."
Desmond raised his own cup and took a gentle sip.
Evan still had no idea who Desmond was talking to. Could it really be him? Impossible! Even three Holy Emperors couldn't sense his presence—how could a mere peak late Saint Lord possibly have the means to do it?
"What now? Is Throne Chu of the Dragon-Chen Legion just going to stay quiet forever? That would be a real waste of my good tea."
Desmond had no choice but to say Evan Chu's name out loud. At that moment, Evan's shock was indescribable—he'd actually been discovered! And by someone at peak late Saint Lord!
"Impressive! I thought I was perfectly hidden, but it turns out I was already seen through."
Evan revealed himself—not his true body, but still just an avatar. While shocked by Desmond's terrifying caution, he was also constantly thinking about how to escape, afraid those three Holy Emperor experts might be waiting just outside.
When Desmond saw Evan step out from beside his bed, his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I didn't expect you to be standing so close to me! And I... didn't sense even the tiniest trace of your aura."
"What?!" Evan almost jumped. You didn't sense my aura? Then how did you know I was here?
As if reading Evan's mind, Desmond explained, "No need to be surprised, Throne Chu. Honestly, I don't have any amazing tricks—it's all just deduction.
To be honest, your stealth techniques are truly exquisite. Ordinary Holy Emperor experts can't see through them. But among higher-level intelligence circles, these methods aren't a secret anymore. Since I've spent time studying Throne Chu, I naturally know you possess this skill.
I'm just very cautious—every time I leave my room, I leave a tiny mark on the doors and windows. That way, I can tell if someone sneaks in while I'm gone. So, I didn't actually detect where you were hiding. I just deduced that whoever entered my room must be you, Throne Chu.
Otherwise, if I'd realized right away, you would have died at the hands of my elders.
After hearing all this, Evan frowned deeply. True, Desmond hadn't actually seen through his stealth, but his cunning and intelligence were the real threat!
Evan never expected his flawless plan would fall apart here. But then he wondered—since Desmond had found him and didn't try to kill him, but instead offered tea, did he have some other motive?
"Try my tea."
Desmond pushed the teacup forward, looking at Evan as he spoke.
Evan picked up the cup and took a sip. Instantly, a rich fragrance filled his mouth and nose, lingering long after. How could tea taste this good?
"So, what do you want? I broke into your room—at best that's rude, at worst it's suspicious. And I listened to every word of your earlier conversation.
Now you're so bored you're inviting me for tea—there must be another reason. Since you've studied me before, you should know I'm a blunt person. If you have something to say, say it. I don't like beating around the bush."
"Mm, yes, that's exactly like you, Throne Chu. To be honest, I've been troubled by the issue of the Starry Sky Spirit Seal. The Baili and Ouyang families seem to have reached an agreement—they'll use the seal together.
As for us... we can only rely on ourselves. The territories of those two clans are far apart, and there's no deep grudge between them, so it's not surprising they're cooperating for now. But our Mansfield clan's star-region territory sits right between them. We don't have deadly feud, but minor conflicts happen all the time.
That's why I've been looking for an ally, but couldn't find a suitable candidate, so my plans stalled. But now, it seems the right person has come to me."
Desmond looked at Evan with a complicated expression, wondering if he'd made the right choice. Was betting on Evan Chu the right move? After all, Evan possessed such incredible power...