The Shade Lord’s eyes practically turned green with greed when Evan Chu took out the Mirage Immortal Grass. Maybe others couldn’t tell what it was, but he knew all too well. The Shade Clan’s bodies are forged from countless elemental ghost-substances, twisted and transformed again and again until they finally resemble humans—and their talent for illusion is something they’re born with.
But almost no one in the Shade Clan actually uses illusion arts—the main reason is, they don’t have powerful illusion manuals. Even if someone gets their hands on one, they can’t cultivate illusions without the right energy, so most people just give up halfway.
If the Shade Clan had enough energy resources, maybe they’d have already become the head of the Five Netherworld Races. But the Mirage Immortal Grass Evan Chu brought out is exactly that kind of ultra-high-energy source—if the Shade Lord absorbs it, his power will soar.
"Shade Lord, this is what I got from the Ghostveil Labyrinth. I know the Shade Clan is born with a gift for illusion, so I’m giving this Mirage Immortal Grass as Princess Ivy’s betrothal gift. I trust you know exactly how valuable it is," Evan Chu said.
Now that Evan Chu has merged Frostbane’s memories, he knows all sorts of things he never did before. He’s still not entirely clear about Mirage Immortal Grass, but when it comes to the Shade Clan, he’s got them figured out.
"You really mean to give me this Mirage Immortal Grass? Are you sure you’re not messing with me?" The Shade Lord stared at Evan Chu, almost unable to believe it.
From the Shade Lord’s voice, Evan Chu could tell just how much this Mirage Immortal Grass meant to him. Evan smiled, "Of course it’s for you. Too bad the Ghostveil Labyrinth only had this one stalk—that’s my biggest regret. If there’d been more, I’d have brought them all."
The Shade Lord laughed, "Just one? Even finding a single stalk is ridiculously rare. Honestly, I always had a hunch there’d be Mirage Immortal Grass hidden in the Ghostveil Labyrinth. I’ve gone in countless times and always come out empty-handed, but you managed to get one in just a day—unbelievable!"
Evan Chu handed the Mirage Immortal Grass over without hesitation, then said, "Every spiritual treasure chooses its fated owner—maybe I’m just lucky. Don’t thank me, Shade Lord. We’ll be one family soon anyway. I know what you’re aiming for, and I promise I’ll help you make it happen. Everything I do is for Princess Ivy."
"Ivy really didn’t pick the wrong man. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent out the invitations. Three days from now, the wedding will be held in Nine-Shade City. All the Netherworld’s top experts will be there—I want everyone to see for themselves just how extraordinary my son-in-law is!" The Shade Lord said with a big smile.
"Then I’ll leave that to you, Shade Lord. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back and check on Ivy—she’s probably still worrying about me." With that, Evan Chu turned to leave.
"Wait, Evan— I heard from Ivy that you’re only at Fourth-Layer Saint Martial Realm. Is that true? It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just... that’s really hard to accept," the Shade Lord asked, his face full of doubt.
"Ivy’s right. I really am at Fourth-Layer Saint Martial Realm, and I only just broke through. Shade Lord, don’t ever think low realm means weak strength—look at me. I’m living proof." Evan Chu said, then strode straight out of the grand hall, not hesitating for a second.
Watching Evan Chu’s back as he left, the Shade Lord stood there dazed for a long time before finally snapping out of it. "A genius—an absolute genius. If he ever breaks through to the Venerable Martial Realm, maybe no one in the whole Netherworld will be able to touch him! Thank heavens he’s marrying my daughter. With him, the Shade Clan rising to rule the Five Netherworld Races is just around the corner!"
Once Evan Chu left the grand hall, he suddenly realized he had no idea where to go next—he wasn’t familiar with the City Lord’s Mansion at all. This was his first time here, and he’d come straight to the hall without even looking around.
He quickly asked a guard inside the mansion for directions. Even though Evan Chu hadn’t officially become the Shade Clan’s son-in-law yet, everyone knew about his performance in the Ghostveil Labyrinth—no one dared mess with him now. Evan easily got the locations of Roxanne Lin and Princess Ivy’s rooms from the guard.
Evan Chu didn’t rush to Ivy’s room first—he went to Roxy’s instead. Her room and Princess Ivy’s were in the same section, but a huge garden separated the two.
Arriving at Roxy’s room, Evan Chu used his spiritual sense to peek inside. He saw her quietly doing embroidery—a dragon and a fiery red bird, just like their identities.
He pushed open the door and walked in. Roxy jumped in surprise, but when she saw Evan Chu she was caught off guard too. "Evan, why are you here? I heard from Ivy you went to the Ghostveil Labyrinth—how did you come out so fast?"
"Easy—I missed you, so I came out. Aren’t you happy to see me?" Evan Chu grinned, pulling Roxy into his arms.
"Let me go! This is the City Lord’s Mansion—Princess Ivy could walk in any second. If she catches us like this, it’ll be a disaster for sure." Roxy protested, but her struggle was soft and gentle.
But Evan Chu had no intention of letting go. One of his hands was already busy kneading Roxy’s curves, molding them into all sorts of shapes. "What are you so afraid of, Roxy? You’re my woman—so what if she sees us? Sooner or later, the whole world will know. If she finds out now, I say that’s even better."
"You’re about to marry her—if something like this happens now, it’s really not good. You know how Ivy’s temper is; if she blows up, it’ll be a total mess." Roxy said, her voice full of worry.
"What’s the worst she could do? Who else does she have besides me? The Shade Lord already agreed to our marriage and sent out the invitations—what’s she going to do, refuse to marry and make her father lose face? At this point, it’s my attitude that matters. So relax—if Ivy really shows up, I’ll handle it." Evan Chu said, full of confidence.
Roxy didn’t say anything else. Under Evan Chu’s devilish touch, she felt a nameless fire rising inside her, her breathing growing faster and hotter.
Then Evan Chu gently kissed her lips. At that moment, Roxy stopped worrying, let go of all her fears, and responded to him with everything she had...
Evan Chu didn’t know why, but tonight he wanted Roxy more than ever—a feeling he’d never had before. Even his Pure Yang Qi didn’t erupt. He couldn’t make sense of it.
Soon, Roxy’s clothes were stripped away by Evan Chu, and a wonderful, joyful union played out in the room. As time passed, passionate cries gradually filled the air.
Just then, Princess Ivy walked toward Roxy’s room. Even from a distance, she could hear Roxy’s voice. "What’s that sound? Roxy, what’s going on in there?" (To be continued tonight)