At that moment, the Shade Lord looked at Evan and said, "So you like Ivy? You should know she's the princess of my Nine-Shade City. What qualifications do you have to like her?"
His words were obviously a little harsh, but Evan didn't take it to heart. Before he could reply, Princess Ivy spoke up: "Father, how can you say that about Evan? As long as I like him, isn't that enough? What's all this talk about qualifications?"
"Ivy, quiet. I'm asking him, not you. If he can't even answer such a simple question, how can he be worthy of being my son-in-law?" the Shade Lord immediately rebuked.
Evan smiled faintly. "Shade Lord, you're being cautious. Are you worried I might harm the Shade Clan? As for qualifications, you should know them well. Since I promised Ivy, I'll make it happen. Even if you oppose me, I'll make her my woman. It's just that simple."
"Outrageous! How dare you disrespect the Shade Lord! Boy, do you really think I won't kill you right here and now?" An elder of the Shade Clan roared in anger.
Evan glanced at the elder. This man was clearly a high-ranking figure in the Shade Clan, hot-tempered, and his strength was at least Second-Layer Venerable. He really did have the right to shout.
The Shade Lord said nothing, simply watched Evan to see how he'd react. If Evan showed any timidity, the Shade Lord would look down on him. For now, he just observed quietly.
Evan chuckled lightly. "Heh, is this how the Shade Lord manages his subordinates? Does someone like that deserve to stand in this hall? Maybe you only keep him around because he's old. If that's the case, I have nothing more to say."
Princess Ivy's expression changed at Evan's words. Evan didn't know this elder, but she did—he was the Shade Clan's Grand Elder, with Third-Layer Venerable strength, second only to the Shade Lord in the clan.
He also held great power—even her own father sometimes had to yield to him. What worried Ivy most was that the Grand Elder was naturally hot-tempered; anyone who provoked him was doomed to a miserable end.
"Evan, stop. He's someone you can't afford to offend. Just hold back, okay?" Princess Ivy whispered to Evan, her heart full of worry.
Then she said to the Grand Elder, "Grand Elder, please don't blame Evan. That's just his personality. I hope you'll be generous and not hold it against him."
The Grand Elder wanted to explode, but seeing Princess Ivy plead, he could only swallow his anger. Still, he snorted, "Hmph!"
"Ivy, aren't you underestimating me? Do you think anyone can bully me? If I'm going to be your consort, my status should be above his. For an elder to treat the consort so rudely is unacceptable, and you don't need to speak up for him." Evan retorted.
He did this on purpose to provoke the Grand Elder. Though he didn't know the Shade Lord's true strength, he figured the Shade Lord wouldn't act against him for Ivy's sake. Maybe the Shade Lord wanted to test him and needed someone like the Grand Elder. Evan simply used the situation to show his extraordinary side and dispel the crowd's contempt.
"Boy, you're really clueless. I was going to spare your life, but you're so ignorant. Today I'll see what qualifications you have to marry our Shade Clan's princess. If you can't pass my test, you'll die here. The consort of our clan can't be a weakling—it's a disgrace!" the Grand Elder roared.
"Oh, really? Maybe it's best to let it go. You're just old bones—why make trouble? Besides, what does my liking Ivy have to do with you? An elder meddling in the Shade Lord's family affairs—who do you think you are?" Evan said with biting sarcasm, making everyone in the hall uncomfortable.
The Grand Elder, already hot-tempered, couldn't bear Evan's words and said to the Shade Lord, "Shade Lord, this boy is so disrespectful—how could he be our consort? Let me kill this arrogant brat. If Princess Ivy wants to blame someone, blame me!"
After speaking, a wave of killing intent surged from him, chilling the whole hall. The Shade Lord said, "Grand Elder, there's no need to be angry. With your strength, it's not appropriate to deal with a junior. If you want to see what Ivy says about this youth's strength, why not let a Saint Martial expert test him?"
The Grand Elder glanced at the Shade Lord and said, "Since you've said so, I won't say more. Let the Second Protector compete with him. If he can't defeat the Second Protector, he doesn't deserve to be the consort. I hope you'll hand him over to me then—anyone who dares disrespect me can't be let off."
"Grand Elder, the Second Protector is a Ninth-Layer Saint Martial expert. You're deliberately making things hard for Evan! He's only at Fifth-Layer Saint Martial—how could he be a match?" Princess Ivy protested.
"Princess, you are the golden branch and jade leaf of our Shade Clan. If just anyone could become your consort, what face would our clan have? Watch and see—if your chosen man can't even pass this, how could he be worthy of you?" the Grand Elder replied.
Princess Ivy didn't know what to say. Though angry, she felt helpless. "Evan, are you confident? I'm really scared!"
"Don't worry. I said you'd be my woman, so I'll make it happen. Trust me," Evan said calmly.
Princess Ivy nodded, forcing a bitter smile. "I believe you can do it, because you are my consort."
A middle-aged man stepped forward and said to Evan, "Boy, you're a toad lusting after swan flesh—just dreaming. Let me crush your dreams and show you your place!"
"You're arrogant, but let's see if your strength matches your mouth. I hope you'll survive to attend my wedding with Ivy, but I doubt you'll get the chance—you're about to die," Evan taunted.
Evan said to the Shade Lord, "Shade Lord, this duel might end in death. For Ivy's sake, if I'm killed, I won't regret it. But if I kill him, will you blame me?"
The Shade Lord hadn't replied when the Grand Elder said, "Boy, stop bragging. Soon you'll know what death means. Want to kill him? Maybe in your next life!"
"I'm not talking to you. You'd better shut up. Once I kill him, you're next—be prepared!" Evan snapped, sending a wave of killing intent surging toward the Grand Elder.