After flying for a while, Evan Chu quickly spotted a small town up ahead. He descended in a hurry and, seeing an elderly man with white hair, immediately asked, "Excuse me, sir, could you tell me what this place is? Do you know where the Azure Tide Ruins are?"
The old man gave Evan a good look before replying, "Kid, what are you doing heading to the Azure Tide Ruins? That's a place only peerless experts dare to go. My advice? Don't even think about it—it's far too dangerous!"
"Just tell me where we are and how far it is to the Azure Tide Ruins—that's all I need. Sorry to trouble you, but I have urgent business there. Here, take this high-grade Starstone as thanks!" Evan Chu said, handing over a Starstone.
The old man's eyes widened in surprise at the Starstone in Evan's hand. "That's far too valuable—no need for such a reward. This is Glorywind City, probably the most remote town on the edge of the Azure Tide Ruins. I've never been to the Ruins myself, but they say it's tens of thousands of li east from here. If you really want to go, just keep heading east—whether you make it or not depends on your own strength."
Evan's heart leapt with joy—thankfully, this was still within the Azure Tide Ruins. If he'd landed somewhere else, things would have gotten a lot more complicated, just like when he returned from the Azure Tide Ruins to the Heavenly Dragon Empire. "Thank you, sir. Please accept this Starstone!" Evan said, and with a flash, his figure vanished before the old man's eyes.
The old man stared at the spot where Evan had disappeared, finally realizing that the youth was actually a hidden master. Years later, he would learn that this young man was none other than Evan Chu, the number-one powerhouse of the Azure Tide Ruins.
Evan Chu teleported straight to Sean Xiao and the others. Ryan Ouyang immediately stepped forward and asked, "Did you get any answers? Where are we?"
"We're right at the border of the Azure Tide Ruins. Head east and it's tens of thousands of li away. No time to waste—we need to hurry back. I'll take Ethan and Roxanne with me by teleportation, Sean, you take Ryan and Kiera. If we move fast, we should be able to make it in half a day," Evan Chu said.
Sean Xiao shot Evan a glare. "I knew you'd dump the hard job on me! What a lousy friend—fine, fine! I'll tough it out one more time. When we get back, you owe me!"
The six of them left quickly, and by nightfall, they finally arrived back at Frostbane Sect in the Azure Tide Ruins. Their sudden return caused a huge stir—Freewind Palace Lord, Sacred Sword Sect Master, Bloodfiend Hall Master, and all of Evan Chu's women—Serena Dream, Lynne Nie, Selena, and others—rushed to greet them, faces full of joy.
Important figures from Frostbane Sect appeared as well—Joan He and several elders, all thrilled at Evan Chu's return. Evan immediately ordered a grand banquet for everyone to celebrate, then led the main leaders into the great hall.
"Everyone, our trip to the Netherworld yielded a huge harvest. Most importantly, we brought back plenty of Netherghost Violet Orchids. I’ve decided: Freewind Palace gets ten, Bloodfiend Hall ten, Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion ten, and Sacred Sword Sect gets five." As Evan Chu finished, everyone cheered—except the Sacred Sword Sect Master, who looked less than pleased.
"Evan, why do they each get ten, but my Sacred Sword Sect only gets five? Are you looking down on us?" the Sacred Sword Sect Master protested.
"Honestly, I didn’t want to give you even one. But for the sake of our years of friendship, I made an exception and gave Sacred Sword Sect five. Don’t push your luck—I’m not asking you for anything, so you should be grateful," Evan Chu shot back.
The Sacred Sword Sect Master’s face darkened. What was with Evan today—had Sacred Sword Sect offended Frostbane Sect somehow? He couldn’t think of anything. Just as he was puzzling over it, Evan Chu grinned and said, "Let me introduce a true powerhouse—someone at Fourth-Layer Venerable Martial Realm. In the Azure Tide Ruins, only I might be able to match him. If you’ve got a good memory, you’ll know his name."
"A Fifth-Layer Venerable Martial expert? That’s a big deal! Is he someone who returned from the Netherworld?"
"I bet he is. Didn’t you hear Sect Master Evan? Even Fourth-Layer Venerable Martial experts aren’t his match. How strong must he be? Less than three years in the Netherworld and he’s broken through so many realms—unbelievable!"
"Of course! He’s Frostbane Sect’s founding ancestor—his strength is off the charts. And now he’s brought back Netherghost Violet Orchids, so breaking through to the Saint Martial Realm is just around the corner for us!"
The hall buzzed with chatter. Evan Chu waved his hand for silence and said, "This powerhouse is none other than Sacred Sword Sect’s founding ancestor, Sean Xiao. I never thought he’d still be alive. With him back, Sacred Sword Sect’s strength will skyrocket—and he’s got his own stash of Netherghost Violet Orchids. So giving Sacred Sword Sect five was more than generous. Any objections, Sect Master?"
"Founding ancestor? Are you saying this senior beside you is Sean Xiao, our Sacred Sword Sect’s founding ancestor?" The Sacred Sword Sect Master was stunned, staring at Evan Chu in disbelief.
"That’s right. I’m Sean Xiao. Never thought I’d return after ten thousand years—what a surprise. Now that I’m back, it’s time for Sacred Sword Sect to rise again and reclaim everything we lost. You’re the current Sect Master, right? Good—keep the position. I’ve no interest in running things anymore. Just set me up somewhere quiet, and make sure I have wine every day," Sean Xiao said.
At once, the Sacred Sword Sect Master dropped to his knees before Sean Xiao. "Unworthy disciple greets the ancestor! I’ve failed and let Sacred Sword Sect decline—please punish me!"
Seeing the Sacred Sword Sect Master kneel, others in the hall started to kneel too—Sean Xiao’s status was just too overwhelming. But Evan Chu stopped them. "No need to kneel. If you kneel to him, you’d have to kneel to me too, and I’m way too timid for that! Let’s skip the formalities."
Everyone agreed Evan Chu had a point. His own status was terrifying—kneeling to Sean Xiao but not Evan would be unfair.
At that moment, Evan Chu took out thirty-five Netherghost Violet Orchids from his storage ring. "Sect Masters, come up and claim your Netherghost Violet Orchids. Even in the Netherworld, these are incredibly precious—don’t hand them out lightly. Only disciples with truly extraordinary talent should get the chance to risk a breakthrough."