Evan Yang's words calmed his mother, but she still asked in curiosity, "Who are they?"
"Fire Temple," Evan replied.
Evan's answer made Liam Yang, his mother, and Ming Yang all show surprised expressions. They knew what the Fire Temple was, but wondered why the Fire Temple would target Evan.
"Evan, what's going on?" Hearing it was the Fire Temple, his mother asked anxiously.
"It's nothing, Mom. Don't worry. The Fire Temple people just want to keep me quiet, since I know one of their secrets. So you can relax—they're actually worried I'll expose them, which is why they're so desperate to find me," Evan said.
Hearing this, Evan's mother looked less worried, as did Liam Yang. They knew just how terrifying these Temples could be. Ming Yang's brows were still tightly furrowed as he said, "Do you need any help?"
Ming Yang's words moved Evan deeply, because everyone knew that against the Fire Temple, no one in the Yang clan could put up any resistance.
So Evan smiled and said, "No need, but thank you. I'll lead them away myself."
"The Yang clan will always be your support. If you ever need anything, just tell us—we'll do everything we can to help," Ming Yang said.
Evan nodded. After catching up with everyone, he sent them off to the Star Sea. Only two people quickly left again after entering—the parents of Terry Yang.
"Do you know about the Fire Temple?" Terry Yang's mother asked.
"I've heard a bit. It's said to be a terrifying place. There are a few places in the Immortal Realm like that—so dangerous even Immortal Sovereigns don't dare cause trouble there. So yes, I know about it," Terry Yang's father replied.
"Looks like this is our chance. No matter what, we need to make sure Evan gets caught by the Fire Temple," Terry Yang's mother said.
"Yeah, but Evan should have left by now. How do we track him?" Terry Yang's father asked, curious.
"We'll see. Just give those people any news they want whenever we have it," Terry Yang's mother said.
The two discussed for a while and then left.
Meanwhile, Evan appeared in the void and spotted several Immortal Sovereigns he'd previously fooled.
"Hello, everyone," Evan said with a smile.
"You dared to mess with us just now. You've got guts," one Immortal Sovereign said.
"I've always been bold. So tell me, is it your Palace Lord who's looking for me?" Evan asked.
"That's right. The Palace Lord knows you're in the Immortal Realm, so he sent us to find you. If you cooperate and come with us, he might even spare your life," the man said with a smile.
Evan secretly laughed. He possessed the Sacred Flame, which the Palace Lord knew about. The Palace Lord wanted to kill him precisely for that flame, so the idea of letting him go was impossible. Still, Evan continued to play along, smiling, "Spare me? You're not him—how do you know what he wants? And are you really sure he's your Palace Lord?"
"What do you mean by that, kid?" the Immortal Sovereign asked.
"Your Palace Lord was killed long ago. The one you follow now is just someone who took over his body," Evan said.
"Nonsense! Stop making things up. Our Palace Lord's strength is unmatched—how could anyone kill him?" the man said, refusing to believe it.
"What's your name?" Evan asked.
"I'm Flamesong!" the man replied.
"So, are you in charge of this mission here?" Evan asked.
"That's right. I came under orders from the Palace Lord to capture you," Flamesong said.
"Why are you so sure your Palace Lord wasn't killed?" Evan asked.
I've already told you, our Palace Lord is powerful. No one can kill him. You'd better give up your ideas and come with us," Flamesong said.
I just want to ask one question. If you can answer, maybe I'll tell you something," Evan said.
"What is it?" Flamesong asked.
I'm asking, are you really on the Palace Lord's side? Maybe you won't tell the truth, but I still want to ask," Evan said.
"On the Palace Lord's side? What are you talking about?" Flamesong snorted.
If you're not really on his side, I'll tell you—I'm actually the Sacred Flame Successor. You should know what that means," Evan replied.
Flamesong was shocked and suspicious. "Don't believe me? Then watch this." Evan stretched out his hand, and Sacred Flame danced in his palm.
Everyone around was shocked. They knew what the Sacred Flame Successor meant, but why would the Palace Lord want to catch such a person? Maybe he's not the real Palace Lord.
Flamesong said, "Are you really the Sacred Flame Successor?"
That's right. Believe it or not, if you don't, I can confront your Palace Lord. But only if you're not his person—otherwise, I'm just going with you for nothing," Evan smiled.
Flamesong furrowed his brows, caught in a dilemma—between his superiors and the Sacred Flame Successor.
"Sacred Flame Successor, if you really are, then come with me. We'll protect you. If the Palace Lord truly wants you dead, we'll fight him together," Flamesong said.
"I didn't expect there'd be people like you in the Fire Temple. Alright, I'll go with you," Evan said.
After that, Evan composed himself. No matter what, this was the only way to draw these people away from the Yang clan and free them from danger.
Led by Flamesong, Evan followed him toward the Fire Temple. But along the way, someone sneakily sent news to the Palace Lord.
Inside the Fire Temple, the Palace Lord murmured as he read the message, "Evan Yang... You still want to expose me? Dream on. I'll send you to your death."
After that, the Palace Lord began arranging many things. On the road, Flamesong and Evan talked at length.
Gradually, Flamesong began to feel that Evan wasn't a bad person. Logically, the Palace Lord shouldn't need to catch him. The more he thought about it, the more he hesitated.
His hesitation grew heavier. When they reached the outskirts of the Fire Temple, Flamesong said, "We're almost at the Fire Temple. When the time comes, you'll have to face the Palace Lord. I hope you're wrong—otherwise, I won't show mercy."
"I won't lie to you. Trust me—I won't let you down," Evan said.
Flamesong nodded, then as they were about to enter, an Immortal Sovereign said, "Lord Flamesong, the Palace Lord is waiting for us at Firespirit Mountain."
"Firespirit Mountain? Why there?" Flamesong asked, puzzled.
"No idea. The Palace Lord said so—maybe he's cultivating there," the man replied.
"Alright, let's go to Firespirit Mountain," Flamesong said.
But Evan furrowed his brows. This was strange, and he felt a sense of danger. He began to think deeply, preparing to retreat at any sign of trouble.
Firespirit Mountain is a volcano belonging to the Fire Temple. Its erupting flames are highly spiritual, sometimes taking on human shapes.
Seeing the beautiful scene, Evan muttered, "Interesting."
"This is the most beautiful place in the Fire Temple," Flamesong said.
It's probably not just the Fire Temple—it's one of the most beautiful places in the Immortal Realm," Evan said.
Flamesong nodded and smiled. "That's right."
Just as Evan finished speaking, the flames erupted, surrounding everyone.
Evan frowned. "What's going on?"
"How could this happen?" Flamesong didn't know what was going on either.
One Immortal Sovereign nearby laughed. "Flamesong, you shouldn't have gotten involved with Evan. Now you brought this on yourself."
The other Immortal Sovereigns smiled as well. After speaking, they disappeared, leaving Flamesong and Evan standing in the flames.
These flames weren't much at first, but they kept growing stronger. That was what worried them.
Judging the situation, Flamesong thought of something and furrowed his brows. "Could it really be as you said?"
"You believe me now?" Evan said.
"Did you already guess this would happen?" Seeing Evan so calm, Flamesong asked suspiciously.
"That's right. The Palace Lord wouldn't change plans for no reason. He's already decided to kill you too," Evan said.
Flamesong muttered, "Looks like I have to stand with you now. But I didn't expect the others would..."
"The others are all on the Palace Lord's side," Evan said.
Looks like I've implicated you," Flamesong said.
Evan looked at Flamesong, smiled, then shouted to the surroundings, "Palace Lord Yan, shouldn't you show yourself?"
As Evan spoke, laughter echoed around him. "Haha, Evan Yang, I didn't expect we'd meet again."
"What, Palace Lord Yan, afraid to show your true face?" Evan said with a smile.
"I'm afraid I'll scare you if I come out, so forget it. I'd rather watch how you die from out here," Palace Lord Yan laughed.
"Palace Lord, is this true?" Flamesong still couldn't believe it.
"Flamesong, I was going to make you one of my trusted aides, but you're too stubborn, too headstrong—actually believed an outsider. But it doesn't matter, I'll send you all off together today," Palace Lord Yan laughed.
Flamesong's face changed dramatically. "You're really not the original Palace Lord! Where is the real Palace Lord?"
"He already killed him," Evan said.
Flamesong was shocked, while Palace Lord Yan laughed loudly. "Ridiculous, ridiculous."
"Don't waste words with him. He's no longer the original Palace Lord Yan. We should focus on escaping Firespirit Mountain," Evan said, because he discovered a massive barrier powered by the mountain itself—extremely strong.
Evan had plenty of ways to escape, but Flamesong might not follow him—he could still want to fight Palace Lord Yan head-on.
"Let's go," Evan said.
"No, I'm going to kill him!" Flamesong said angrily.
"You can't beat him. If even the original Palace Lord couldn't kill him, it means he's stronger than your old Palace Lord," Evan analyzed bluntly.