Azure Moon City was bustling, but Evan Lin's mind was elsewhere. If time permitted, he truly wanted to enter seclusion—retreat into the Timewheel Bracelet and cultivate in isolation.
But the Timewheel Bracelet's Immortal Crystal artifact spirit hadn't yet evolved into a Divine Crystal spirit. Otherwise, he'd have gone in long ago. For now, he could only wait until after the auction. He was still looking forward to it, since the Treasure Consortium's manager said there would be first-rank elemental crystals up for sale—a once-in-a-lifetime chance for him.
Besides, before his strength truly rose, Evan planned to buy a sword. The Frostbane Divine Sword was powerful, but far too conspicuous for now—if anyone noticed it, the trouble could be unimaginable.
"Lena, where in Azure Moon City can you buy weapons? I want something suitable—just in case things get dangerous, I can at least protect myself," Evan said.
"Why didn't you say so earlier? The Treasure Consortium has plenty. Supreme-grade divine weapons might be rare, but you can definitely buy top-grade ones. Of course, other places sell them too. What kind of weapon are you looking for?" Lena Zhong asked.
"Mid-grade is fine. No point in getting something too good—I might just lose it to some thief," Evan laughed. Of course, he knew that anyone wanting to snatch his weapon would have to get past Lena first.
"There's a weapon shop just up ahead. They have all kinds, and the best quality is mid-grade—perfect for you. Let's go check it out!" Lena said.
The two of them started walking toward the weapon shop. Just then, a miserable scream rang out behind them. Evan turned to see a blood-soaked youth in his early twenties staggering toward him, mouth full of blood, while three other youths about the same age followed, faces twisted with murderous intent—they were clearly trouble.
"Kid, you're dead today! You should've known what happens when you offend me!" one of the youths shouted arrogantly, ignoring the crowd around them.
The bloodied youth reached Evan, couldn't help but spit out another mouthful of blood, then clung to Evan like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. "Big brother, save me! Big brother, please save me!" he begged.
The sudden drama left Evan speechless. He hurriedly shook the youth off and dodged to the side—not because he was unwilling to help, but because in Azure Moon City, he was just an ant. Without Lena backing him, he wouldn't even be walking these streets so openly.
Until he was truly strong, he couldn't afford to draw too much attention—or he'd invite disaster. He had a mission to carry. There was no way he'd risk everything for a stranger and end up doomed.
"Anyone who tries to save him today is making an enemy of the City Lord's Mansion! Who dares kill in Azure Moon City? I do! My father is Dominic Bai—think carefully!" the arrogant youth laughed, threatening everyone around.
Evan sized up the three youths—they were all at the God-Lord Realm, with Dominic Bai's son Victor Bai at late-stage. His talent was average, but not bad. The bloodied youth was also a God-Lord. Clearly, they knew each other; there must've been some falling out.
Victor Bai was obviously an arrogant bully, while the other two were just lackeys—of course they'd back him up, leading to this chase scene. At least, that was Evan's guess; he wasn't sure of the details.
"Victor Bai, you deserve to die! If your father wasn't Dominic Bai, you'd be lower than a dog! I actually thought of you as a brother, but you betrayed me—just for a woman, you stabbed your own brother in the back. Don't you know 'a friend's wife is off-limits'? Even if I die today, I'll make sure everyone sees what kind of beast you really are!" Allen Hua roared.
"Let everyone see what kind of person Dominic Bai's son really is. His father's high and mighty, but he's a shameless scoundrel. To have a son like you—what bad luck!" Allen spat, blood long since staining his clothes.
Victor Bai was enraged by Allen's words. "Allen Hua, stop slandering me! Ruby is my woman—you tried to bully her, so of course I had to stand up for her. How is that wrong?"
"You insult me in front of all these people and shame my father—did you really think I'd let you go? We were brothers once, but the moment you coveted Ruby, that ended. Get ready to die!" Victor roared.
"Victor Bai, you deserve to die!" came a woman's voice from the crowd. Soon, a red-clothed girl rushed to Allen Hua's side.
"Lin, I never thought that beast in human skin would hurt you so badly. Even if I die today, I'll die with you!" Ruby Wang said fiercely.
Victor Bai's expression shifted—he never expected Ruby to show up here. "Ruby, go home! Once I deal with this guy, I'll marry you properly. Stop making a scene!"
Evan and Lena exchanged a glance. Lena whispered, "I'm sure the City Lord's son tried to snatch this kid's girlfriend—no wonder he's being hunted down. What a scumbag."
"I think so too. That girl's heart is with the wounded youth, but the City Lord's son couldn't get her, so he trapped her and set up this ambush. He didn't expect her to show up now," Evan said.
The crowd started whispering. Victor Bai was notorious for bullying and cheating people in Azure Moon City, all because his father Dominic Bai was City Lord. Plenty had suffered at his hands and hated him to the bone.
If not for fear of his father Dominic Bai, someone would've killed him long ago. The street grew even more chaotic.
Evan glanced at the girl—she really was quite pretty, almost as beautiful as Lena. No wonder Victor Bai would stoop so low to get her.
Right then, Ruby Wang shouted, "If I die with Allen Hua today, it's worth it! Everything Victor Bai said is nonsense. Allen and I truly love each other, but Victor did everything he could to get me.
More than once, he tried to use dirty drugs on me, but I always escaped. Yesterday, he told me Allen was badly hurt. I was so worried I let my guard down—and this time, I fell for his drug and was dragged to an inn.
When I woke up, my clothes were a mess. I know what happened. I'm not some saint, but I believe a woman shouldn't serve two husbands. Life and death mean little to me now; if I can expose his crimes before I die and show everyone his true face, it's worth it!"
"You filthy wench, stop spouting nonsense! If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!" Victor Bai snarled, lunging at Ruby Wang...