“Young master is just too domineering. Fall in love at first sight? He must be lying to me. Sure, the woman from Fragrant Grace Hall is pretty, but she’s not nearly good enough for him. Anyone who’s a match for young master has to be at least goddess-tier.” Elder Lee muttered to himself, watching Evan’s departing figure.
After leaving the City Lord’s Mansion, Evan strolled slowly down the street. After nearly ten years buried in the mines, he felt suffocated—now, seeing the bustling, lively city, he couldn’t help but breathe easier.
Evan knew that the moment he left the City Lord’s Mansion, Lena Zhong from Fragrant Grace Hall would definitely be informed. With Stormtower’s network, they tracked his every move. He figured even if he didn’t visit Fragrant Grace Hall, Lena Zhong would come find him anyway, so he simply picked a restaurant and went in for a meal.
He chose a window seat, sat down, and deliberately ordered several signature dishes and two pots of good wine. He also asked for two sets of bowls and chopsticks. Soon the food and wine arrived—he filled both cups and started drinking alone.
The other diners nearby stared curiously at this young man. Eating alone with two sets of tableware—even two wine cups? If he was waiting for someone, that person should have shown up by now. No one could figure out what he was up to.
Just then, Evan suddenly spoke up: “Since you’re already here, why bother hiding? The food and wine are ready—if you keep stalling, people will think I’m crazy.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone in the restaurant heard him clearly. The crowd was stunned by his cultivation—on closer look, this youth was actually at the God-Lord Realm. Definitely not someone you could afford to provoke.
As Evan finished speaking, a beautiful young woman walked in from outside. Her looks were almost on par with the Ten Divine Goddesses of the God Realm. Smiling faintly, she approached Evan’s table and sat down.
“How did you know I’d come? And how did you know I was already here? I didn’t expect you to break through again after just a few years.” Lena Zhong said directly after sitting down.
“Let’s drink first. The wine here is actually pretty good!” Evan grinned, not answering her question right away.
The young woman was, of course, Lena Zhong from Fragrant Grace Hall. She was genuinely surprised that Evan had noticed her—after all, as someone of status in Stormtower, her skill at hiding her presence was extraordinary. She figured even most God-King experts wouldn’t have realized she was standing at the restaurant’s entrance.
After all, she’d used the Light element to conceal herself. Very few people in the God Realm could wield the Light element, but she was one of them. That was exactly why Stormtower valued her and groomed her, combined with her natural talent, to reach her current status.
Lena Zhong picked up her wine cup, smiling slightly. “Young Master Lin, you just keep getting stronger—I can barely see through you anymore. Have you made up your mind yet? Are you ready to give me an answer?” She took a small sip.
“No rush. Honestly, I was planning to visit Fragrant Grace Hall, but with Stormtower’s eyes everywhere, I picked this restaurant instead. I knew you’d come find me—I just didn’t expect you’d be a little slow about it. Had me thinking I’d miscalculated.” Evan laughed.
Lena Zhong had already reported Evan’s situation to Stormtower’s top brass. For a rare, heaven-defying talent like him, they’d do whatever it took to recruit him. Since he’d only just ascended to the God Realm, he didn’t belong to any sect—an opportunity like this was priceless.
Besides, none of the other sects even knew about him yet. It was like being the first to discover a treasure—of course you’d do everything you could to claim it. If word got out, there’d be a scramble, and if they couldn’t have him, some factions might even try to destroy him.
That’s why Lena Zhong was willing to pay any price to win Evan over. If he agreed, she’d even offer herself—she was confident her looks could tempt most men, and this youth in front of her was no exception.
“Young Master Lin, how did you spot me? I’m really curious—please, put my mind at ease,” Lena Zhong said with a laugh.
“Simple. You used the Light element, which lets you go invisible—most people can’t detect it. But I happen to have mastered the Light element too, so spotting you was easy. Even outside the door, my divine sense picked you up. Honestly, it’s nothing special, so don’t overthink it.” Evan chuckled.
“So that’s it. Young Master Lin really is a rare genius—even mastering the Light element. I only managed it by sheer luck. In the God Realm, people who grasp the Light element are extremely rare. That’s why Stormtower values me and brought me in.” Lena Zhong said.
“You’re a rare genius, Young Master Lin—of course I wouldn’t dare force you. But I do hope you’ll seriously consider it. In the God Realm, if you want to truly stand out, you need a powerful faction behind you. You’re destined to become a super-expert, and Stormtower would be your best support.”
“Our tower master has already made it clear: if you join Stormtower, once you break through to the God-Venerable Realm, you’ll be appointed deputy tower master. That’s a privilege no one has had in tens of thousands of years. I hope you’ll consider it carefully. Stormtower will fully support and cultivate you, helping you reach that level as soon as possible.” Lena Zhong said.
The two of them spoke entirely through sound transmission. Outsiders only saw their lips moving, but had no idea what they were saying. Lena Zhong’s aura was even stronger than Evan’s—anyone thinking of causing trouble could only back away in fear.
“I need time to think about it. For now, I can only tell you this—I won’t join any faction yet, not even the Qin Tian Sword Sect. If Stormtower truly wants to be my friend, maybe I’ll consider it. But everything will have to wait until after Rainbow Court’s auction.” Evan said.
“So you know about the auction? If I’m not mistaken, you’re planning to bid for elemental crystals, right? If you need anything, Stormtower will help you—just say the word.” Lena Zhong offered.
“Miss Zhong, I understand your intentions. For this auction, I don’t want anyone helping me bid—I don’t want to owe anyone favors. Still, there are always exceptions. During the auction, I’ll probably offend some people. If my strength isn’t enough and someone tries to cause trouble, maybe I’ll end up owing Stormtower a favor after all.” Evan said.
“I understand. Stormtower will seize this opportunity. Come, let me toast you!” Lena Zhong promptly filled Evan’s cup and raised her own.