Bianca King replied, "Palace Lord Ignace, I really don't know where Serena King is, and I have no idea when this happened."
"When? Today, of course. I don't believe Evan won't come back to find you," Ignace Blaze said.
"Oh? So Palace Lord Ignace thinks I'm deliberately hiding something?" Bianca King frowned.
"How would I know?" Ignace Blaze replied.
"If Palace Lord Ignace really thinks so, feel free to search for him. If you find Evan, I promise I won't say a word. But if you don't, then I'd like an explanation," Bianca King said.
"Bianca King, if you're intentionally hiding him, how am I supposed to find him?" Ignace Blaze said.
"So what does Palace Lord Ignace suggest? Or are you planning to cause trouble for our Water Temple because of this? If that's the case, you're seriously underestimating us," Bianca King said.
Ignace Blaze was itching to start a fight, but Bianca King's words left him no opening. Some Flame Temple experts began exchanging glances, quietly urging Ignace to calm down.
Seeing their reaction, Bianca King felt relieved. If she kept insisting she hadn't seen Evan Yang, they wouldn't let Ignace's accusations throw the two temples into chaos.
Ignace Blaze cursed inwardly, knowing this was as far as he could go. Still, he refused to give up, so he snorted coldly, "Bianca King, remember this. If we find out later that you're involved with Evan Yang and intentionally covering for him, the Flame Temple won't be so easygoing. We're leaving."
Ignace Blaze led his group away from the scene, but they didn't leave the Water Temple's planets. Instead, they lingered outside, hoping to find some clue about Evan Yang.
As for Evan Yang, he had no idea what was happening outside. Right now, he was making his way through layer after layer of Netherfire. Deep in the darkness, he finally saw a protruding stone platform. On it sat a woman, chained at the waist, her whole body gaunt and exhausted. Every time the flames around her flickered, they pierced her body, making her expression change with each pulse.
Evan Yang froze. This woman was none other than his mother, Serena King.
Sensing someone approach, the woman croaked in a hoarse voice, "Who?"
"It's me," Evan Yang replied, his voice trembling.
"Who are you?" Serena King asked suspiciously, hearing Evan's shaky voice.
"Did you once have a husband and a son?" Evan Yang asked.
Serena King trembled at his words. "I've said it so many times—my husband and my child are innocent. If you want to punish someone, punish me. Everything is my fault. Please, don't make things hard for them."
"Your husband is Liam Yang. Your son is Evan Yang," Evan said, emotions surging.
Serena King was even more shocked when she heard that. She thought the Water Temple had purposely investigated her family. Crying, she pleaded, "Please, I'm begging you—let my husband and son go. They're innocent!"
"Why? Why does it have to be like this?" Evan Yang couldn't help but ask.
Serena King looked at Evan Yang through the darkness and flames. When she saw his expression, she blurted out, "You're not from the Water Temple, are you? Who are you really?"
"Me? I'm a Water Temple cultivator—and your son," Evan Yang said, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"You—" Serena King's hoarse voice trembled.
Just then, someone appeared above them—it was Bianca King. She overheard their conversation and was stunned.
Actually, Evan Yang had sensed Bianca King approaching, but he knew she would learn the truth sooner or later, so he decided to say it outright.
Serena King saw Bianca King arrive and said, "He has nothing to do with this. Please let him go."
"Aunt, is it true? Is he really your son?" Bianca King asked.
Aunt? Evan Yang looked suspiciously at Bianca King and his mother.
"Bing'er, for the sake of all the years I took care of you, please pretend you saw nothing and don't tell anyone. I'm begging you," Serena King pleaded.
"Aunt, do you know who he is? Honestly, no one in the Water Temple would dare lay a finger on him," Bianca King said.
"Who?" Serena King looked surprised. Why would the Water Temple people not dare harm her son?
"He's the Ice-Fire Successor, Aunt. You should know exactly what that means," Bianca King said.
"What?" Serena King was clearly shocked, finding it hard to believe.
"Aunt, I never expected you to be his mother. In that case, let's consider your punishment settled," Bianca King said after a moment's thought.
In Bianca King's heart, she knew how stubborn her aunt was. Years ago, she had a child with an outsider, which enraged the Temple and led to her imprisonment here. Still, Bianca had always treated her well, visiting many times to ease her pain. Without that, her aunt's body would have been destroyed long ago in this place.
"Really?" Serena King could hardly believe it. She had endured all these years, bearing every sin herself just to keep Liam Yang and Evan Yang safe. Now, learning that Evan was the Ice-Fire Successor, she felt a mix of emotions.
"Mother, no matter what, I'm taking you out of here," Evan Yang said, looking to Bianca King, hoping for her approval.
Bianca King nodded. "You two should leave, but you can't go up the usual way—it's too easy to get spotted. Right now, the Flame Temple's people are up there, watching everyone. If you or your mother appear, or even if I show up, they'll definitely notice something's off."
"Flame Temple? What's going on?" Serena King asked in shock.