At this moment, Claire Ouyang walked up to Evan Chu and said, "Evan, it's all over now. Don't let your mind wander. As long as you're safe, nothing else matters."
Evan Chu grabbed Claire Ouyang's delicate hand, glanced at her pale face, and asked, "Tell me what really happened. I honestly can't remember—did I do something unforgivable to you both? I need to know!"
Evan Chu's last words were almost a shout, startling Claire Ouyang. Seeing how desperate he was for an answer, she replied, "You were like a madman—didn't even recognize me. You turned into some monster with a dragon's head and a human body."
Evan Chu slowly let go of Claire Ouyang, stood up, and walked over to Alex Xiao, the Violet Thunder Fox. "Xiao Xiao, did I do something terrible to you? I need the truth. You have to tell me!"
"Big Brother, you didn't do anything to me. Really, you didn't. But if it weren't for Sister Claire, you might've actually done something you'd regret!" Alex Xiao said, looking at Evan Chu.
Those words made Evan Chu instantly understand. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or miserable; he collapsed to the ground. He never imagined he'd do that with Claire Ouyang right in front of Alex Xiao. At least he hadn't crossed the line with her—otherwise, he could never forgive himself.
"Evan, don't blame yourself. I'm your woman—there's nothing to be ashamed of. Don't forget your mission: you still have to go to Weakwater and get the Water Spirit Pearl," Claire Ouyang said.
Evan Chu glanced at Alex Xiao. "Xiao Xiao, I've let you down. I'm not even human..."
"Big Brother, don't say that. My current form isn't fit for it. Once I grow nine tails and survive my tribulation, I'll become truly human. Then I'll be your woman for real. Besides, you didn't actually do anything to me—so don't beat yourself up!" Alex Xiao said.
Claire Ouyang poured Evan Chu a cup of tea and said, "Drink some tea. It's all in the past now—no need to take it to heart. Pull yourself together. I don't want my man to be like this."
Evan Chu immediately stood up and said to Alex Xiao and Claire Ouyang, "Xiao Xiao, when you truly become human one day, I promise you. Claire, I know what you've sacrificed for me. I'm grateful, and I'll never let you down for the rest of my life!"
After finishing, he drank the tea in one gulp, then walked to the bed and sat down, feeling a surge of powerful energy within his body.
After slowly circulating his energy for one full cycle, Evan Chu opened his eyes. While he was channeling his internal Chaos Dragon Power, Claire Ouyang and Alex Xiao stayed silent and simply watched this legendary man.
Evan Chu sensed that he had broken through—and not just one, but several realms. Inspecting his Heaven Star Core, he found it was now egg-yellow, something he had never heard of before.
In fact, Evan Chu didn't realize that his Heaven Star Core was slowly turning into an inner core, or rather a dragon pearl—it just hadn't fully transformed yet.
All his meridians—and even his blood—were now egg-yellow too. This might be a phenomenon caused by bloodline awakening.
"Evan, don't get too excited yet. Your bloodline is extraordinary. If you were any other Divine Dragon descendant, it might've fully awakened by now, but yours has only awakened halfway."
"Once you fully awaken, you'll become a true dragon. Of course, you can also remain a normal human—or rather, you'll have two pure identities, both dragon and human."
"What surprises me most is that your bloodline is the Dragon Clan's most sacred and powerful Primordial Dragon Bloodline—far stronger than a true Golden Dragon bloodline."
"If you fully awaken, I believe you could reach Saint Martial Realm instantly. But your mental state isn't strong enough yet. When you truly awaken, I believe the whole world will tremble before you!" said the Sword Spirit.
Evan Chu felt as if he'd been struck by lightning—this news was truly shocking. Full awakening would mean Saint Martial power, and then he could enter the Divine Battlefield to seek Heavenward Spirit Water and Sacred Snow Lotus. Once the Frostbane Sword's seal is lifted, his strength would be even more terrifying.
"Luna, what realm am I at now?" Evan Chu suddenly asked. He really wasn't sure—his cultivation realm had never been clear, and killing people above his level was normal for him.
"You should be at the peak of Heaven Martial Realm, eighth or even ninth layer. Don't underestimate the dragon force your mother left in the Dragon Scale. If I'm right, your mother was at least ninth-layer Divine Martial Realm, maybe even Saint Martial Realm," said the Sword Spirit.
This realm still shocked Evan Chu. He didn't realize that when he helped Claire Ouyang purge the extreme Yin poison, he'd already broken through to the third layer of Heaven Martial Realm. This bloodline awakening only raised him five more layers. Back then, Roxanne Lin had increased by nearly ten ranks.
At the peak of Heaven Martial Realm, Evan Chu could already challenge first-layer Divine Martial experts. But he was still puzzled about space confinement—he only had a vague idea and didn't know how to start.
Evan Chu walked up to the two women and said, "I broke through several realms this time—looks like my chances of getting the Water Spirit Pearl in Weakwater just went up again."
Both Claire Ouyang and Alex Xiao were delighted by Evan Chu's breakthrough. Claire said, "When do you plan to go to Weakwater? I'll talk to my father soon and have him give you the pass token for entry!"
Evan Chu looked at Claire Ouyang in confusion. "There's actually someone guarding Weakwater? By the way, where exactly is Weakwater?"
"Weakwater isn't within our royal city—it's at the border with the Crabfolk Kingdom. That place is a forbidden zone for both countries. Weakwater is a strange river, less than ten li long on the surface. The middle section is turbulent, but the far end is eerily calm, like dead water that doesn't move at all."
"What's stranger is, you can't see Weakwater's source or end—both sides are blocked by mountains. If you're looking for the Water Spirit Pearl, you should be ready to search across ten li of river."
After hearing this, Evan Chu already had a plan. He might not be able to find it himself, but the Sword Spirit could—if she helped, the Water Spirit Pearl would be easy to locate.
"Alex, keep absorbing the beast core's power. I hope you'll break through before I return. Claire, let's go see your father and tell him about this, so he can give me the pass token." Evan Chu said.
The so-called pass token is really just a checkpoint pass. There's a checkpoint five li in front of Weakwater—anyone who wants to cross must show the token, or they're not allowed in.
At that moment, Claire Ouyang was walking with difficulty—she'd exhausted too much strength. Seeing this, Evan Chu's heart softened. "Claire, let me help you back to your room. I'll go get the token myself later!"
"It's fine, let's go. I can manage!" Claire Ouyang said. So the two of them slowly made their way toward the Mermaid King's palace...