Evan Yang hadn't expected these two to be sent by the Blue Clan, but since they hadn't done anything truly harmful, he let it go. Right now, his main focus was figuring out the identity of that mysterious sect master.
"This matter is over. From now on, don't go against me, Evan Yang. Otherwise, even if I have to storm the Blue Clan, I'll take his life." Although Evan let the two go, he wouldn't tolerate anyone plotting against him or his friends.
The two quickly nodded. They'd heard that Evan Yang dared to break into the Blue Clan and even humiliate their people—so his words carried real weight for them. They didn't doubt he could do it.
So after apologizing to Evan Yang, the two hurried off.
The entire exchange was witnessed by the sect master.
Only after they left did the sect master speak. "I may not know you, but from their attitude, it's clear you have real prestige on the continent."
"You're too kind. May I ask how I should address you?" Evan Yang asked.
"Ah, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Daniel Pang, the forty-fifth sect master of Sky Unity Sect—though, well..." Daniel Pang glanced around helplessly.
"Let's leave the past in the past. Right now, the most important thing is to catch that person. Do you know anything about his identity?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"Him? It's infuriating, honestly. Long ago, I was outside and nearly killed by a powerful enemy. He saved me, then claimed his name was Zane Tiernan. I brought him back to Sky Unity Sect, and at first, I didn't notice anything off. But as time went by, I realized he often went out to train, and every time he returned, he'd be full of energy. One time, I followed out of curiosity—and saw him devouring a cultivator's primordial spirit to boost his own cultivation." Daniel Pang spoke, anger rising.
"Devouring cultivators? Isn't that similar to the technique that strange fiend uses?" Evan Yang muttered to himself. Still, he didn't think the two were the same person, since he suspected Zane Tiernan was connected to that space.
He must have visited that space before.
"So after that, he did what to you?" Evan Yang continued asking.
"Yeah. Once he realized I knew his secret, he fought me. His cultivation had already reached peak Spirit-Wandering Realm, so he subdued me easily. I thought since my primordial spirit was gone, he wouldn't bother devouring me, but instead, he started refining me. I don't know what technique he used, but as he worked on me, my mind got foggier and foggier. If it went on, I'd probably lose all sense of self, so I sealed my own consciousness." Daniel Pang explained.
"So that's how it happened," Evan Yang said, surprised.
"Thanks for the Mind-Recall Pill, by the way." Though Daniel Pang was furious, he still managed to thank Evan Yang.
"It's nothing. Do you know what Zane Tiernan used to do before?" Evan Yang asked, curious.
"No idea." Daniel Pang said helplessly. Sometimes he really regretted bringing him into the sect.
"Did he have any special traits?" Evan Yang asked, suspicious.
"Him? Besides devouring primordial spirits and refining people, he's also skilled in formations." Daniel Pang answered after thinking for a moment.
"Formations?" Evan Yang knew about that—he'd actually fought him a few rounds before.
"Yeah, that's right," Daniel Pang confirmed.
Evan Yang nodded, then asked curiously, "By the way, how did your sect's cave-mansion come about?"
"You mean that one? It's been there since long ago. Why?" Daniel Pang replied.
"Since long ago?" Evan Yang muttered.
Seeing Evan Yang's expression, Daniel Pang thought something was up and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something off?"
"It's nothing. But if Zane Tiernan comes back, what will you do?" Evan Yang glanced around. In Sky Unity Sect, no one was really capable of fighting Zane Tiernan.
Daniel Pang had no good solution, so he could only sigh, "I'll go to the Blue Clan and seek their help."
Evan Yang knew Sky Unity Sect was a pill-refining sect in Central Continent, and the Blue Clan, as the top family, had some ties with them. So he said nothing and saw Daniel Pang off.
Once Daniel Pang left, Evan Yang prepared to head to the cave-mansion.
He quickly entered, activated his Celestial Eye, and soon spotted the black entrance.
With a leap, he flew up and followed the entrance. Evan Yang entered again—this was his second time going through the black entrance into that wondrous formation space.
Soon, Evan Yang arrived at the castle. With his current strength, he wasn't worried about the bugs posing any threat. He studied the maps on the wall and memorized them, then set out toward the End of the Sky.
Looking at the places he'd visited before, Evan Yang couldn't help but sigh, "Time really flies."
The road was as quiet as ever. Evan Yang walked alone until he reached the mountain range—a range protected by a formation. Back then, Evan didn't have enough power to see through it, but now he could easily unravel the formation.
Within the mountains, Evan Yang knew a tribe lived there. Years ago, their lord had made Evan take poison, but it had no effect on him.
"Should I go talk to that lord?" Evan Yang knew this lord had lived here for many years, and their tribe was close to the End of the Sky. He guessed they might know more about it, so if he ever went there, he'd be better prepared.
After some thought, Evan Yang decided to seek out the lord. Following his memories, he found the entrance and saw several spirit beasts guarding it.
Evan Yang grabbed one and said, "Take me to your lord."
Seeing Evan Yang so fierce, the spirit beasts rushed forward to try to subdue him, but he didn't let them get close—they were sent flying before they could even approach.
Knowing Evan Yang was no ordinary person, the spirit beasts scattered in panic. Evan simply held onto the one he'd caught and headed down into the cave.
"Let me go!" the spirit beast spoke in human language. Evan Yang knew these spirit beasts had learned from people—and the person who taught them was likely Zane Tiernan.
"I'll let you go once we arrive." Evan Yang wasn't looking to kill; he had no grudge against these spirit beasts. In fact, one had helped him before, so he just wanted to warn the others.
Sure enough, seeing Evan Yang easily subdue a powerful spirit beast, the others retreated, keeping their distance.
The lord received word and hurried out. Seeing Evan Yang, he was both shocked and delighted. It meant Evan had returned—and that he might be able to break the seal and let everyone leave.
"Hello, Lord," Evan Yang greeted with a smile.
Sensing Evan Yang's extraordinary aura, the lord was even more surprised and pleased. "Haha, I never expected—not even a hundred years—and you've achieved so much. Truly worth celebrating!"
"Today, besides seeing you, Lord, I mainly wanted to consult you about something," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"Consult? About what?" the lord asked curiously.
"There are too many people here. Let's talk privately," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"Alright, you all step back. Evan, come with me." The lord assumed Evan had taken his medicine and would obey, so he calmly ordered the others away and led Evan Yang off.
A few powerful figures appeared in the shadows.
These experts had all reached the Spirit-Wandering Realm, but were helplessly trapped in this wondrous space. Seeing Evan Yang arrive brought them hope.
As for those spirit beasts, Evan Yang had long noticed them hiding in the shadows, but he didn't mention it. Instead, he followed the lord into the same cave he'd visited before.
Once the cave was sealed, the lord smiled and said, "Before you ask your questions, let me ask you something."
"Oh? What is it?" Evan Yang asked with a smile.
"Don't pretend. Didn't you come back to redeem your antidote?" the lord said with a smile.
"Antidote? You mean the poison you made me take years ago?" Evan Yang replied, completely unafraid.
"Of course. That poison can't be removed even by Spirit-Wandering experts. I'm guessing you came with good news—about breaking the formation space," the lord said with a smile.
Formation space? Evan Yang looked around—this space was nothing ordinary. He guessed it surpassed even ninth-grade formations, maybe even an immortal array. As for why Zane Tiernan created it, only he knew.
"I don't know," Evan Yang replied casually.
"Don't know? Kid, are you joking?" The lord's excitement faded, replaced by displeasure.
"I'm not joking—I really don't know," Evan Yang answered.
The lord thought Evan was messing with him and angrily punched at him, but Evan blocked it and countered with a punch of his own.
That punch made the lord's whole body ache like a cramp. Furious, he shouted, "You don't want the antidote? And you dare fight back!"
"Antidote? I never came to you for some antidote," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"What? Are you crazy?" the lord exclaimed, shocked.
"Enough about that. Tell me about the End of the Sky—everything you know," Evan Yang asked.
"You! Don't even think about it. I don't need poison to deal with you—I'll teach you a lesson right now!" The lord shook with rage, ready to subdue Evan Yang.
But could the lord subdue Evan Yang? Not at all. In just a few rounds, Evan easily dealt with him, sealed him in a corner, and smiled, "Talk now, or you might not even get the chance later."
"You—you..." The lord was stunned. Evan's strength was beyond anything he'd imagined; he never expected Evan could defeat him so easily.
"Enough with the stammering," Evan Yang said helplessly.
"I don't know," the lord snorted coldly.
"Don't know? Your tribe's lived next to the End of the Sky for generations, and you don't know? That's hard to believe," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"I said I don't know," the lord insisted, refusing to say anything.
"Not talking, huh? Then I'll just ask the other spirit beasts," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"Hmph, who do you think you are? You think you can just catch whoever you want?" the lord snorted.
"Enough talk. Time to quiet you down." Evan Yang sealed the lord's mouth, leaving him unable to utter a single word.