The Black-robed High Elder listened to Yang Gui and said, "Steward Li, I'm afraid that's not possible. This is a core territory of the Yang Clan—how could we let just anyone stay here?"
"Elders, the patriarch has already given instructions. Let them remain here," Yang Li repeated.
"No, absolutely not," Yang Gui insisted.
The Black-robed High Elder and the others discussed among themselves, and after their deliberation, the Black-robed High Elder finally declared, "We've consulted together, and this cannot be allowed."
Yang Li took out a Pass Token. The moment the elders saw it, their expressions turned to shock.
"This..." Yang Gui was stunned by the token. This was the Yang Clan's highest Pass Token, only used in major emergencies. Now the patriarch had brought it out—not only the elders, even Lydia Yang found it hard to believe the patriarch would entrust Yang Li with it.
"You've all seen it, so let's wait for the patriarch to come out," Yang Li said.
The Four High Elders had no objection, but Yang Gui still grumbled, "Four High Elders, about this matter..."
"Since the patriarch used this Pass Token, there's nothing more to say. But when he comes out, he needs to explain himself," said the Black-robed High Elder, then left with the other elders.
Seeing this, Yang Gui knew he couldn't get the Four High Elders to act, so he angrily prepared to leave. Before departing, he said to Yang Li, "I hope the patriarch can give a proper explanation."
Yang Gui then slipped away, leaving Lydia Yang to look at Yang Li and ask, "Is this really his intention?"
"Miss, the patriarch has always cared about you," Yang Li replied.
"Cared? That's not a word I'd use for him," Lydia Yang said.
"Miss, I know you have your grievances against the patriarch, but he regretted it back then. None of you would listen to his explanation," Yang Li sighed.
"Steward Li, don't defend him for me. As for this time, I'll thank him," Lydia Yang said.
Yang Li was helpless, and just as he was about to say more, Lydia Yang stopped him. "Enough, don't explain. That's how things are. When we leave, I'll take the blame myself—he doesn't need to worry about it."
Yang Li could only shake his head helplessly at her words.
Meanwhile, on the field, Evan Yang and Terry Yang were still locked in fierce combat.
"Kid, if you've got guts, stop dodging!" Terry Yang glared at Evan Yang.
"You're an Emperor, with all those shields. You won't drop your defenses, so why should I stop dodging?" Evan Yang sneered.
"Fine, let's see how long you can keep fighting," Terry Yang said, planning to wear Evan Yang down by exhausting his Immortal Essence.
But Evan Yang wasn't ordinary. After battling for most of the day, both were nearly equal. Evan looked at Terry and said, "Are you planning to just keep dragging this out?"
"Damn it, you—" Terry Yang was frustrated. After so long, Evan hadn't shown any weakness. He couldn't figure out what kind of monster Evan was.
Evan Yang knew he couldn't defeat Terry, so he looked for a chance to break away. His real goal was to reach the forbidden Blaze Mountain Territory. If he kept dragging things out, it would be hard to find it, and Terry couldn't be killed anyway. That was what troubled Evan most.
Facing this situation, Evan Yang planned to find an opportunity to withdraw.
So as they fought, when Terry Yang's energy was nearly depleted, Evan Yang didn't attack him—instead, he turned and headed deeper into the Star Sea.
"Damn it! Trying to escape? No way!" Seeing Evan leave, Terry Yang chased after him.
After exchanging a glance, Lydia Yang and Yang Li also followed.
With this chase, even Evan Yang himself lost track of how much time had passed since entering.
Years went by. Outside, many seasons passed. Yang Gui watched as they still hadn't emerged and frowned, "That kid—what's his background? Why is he still fine? And Young Lord Tian still hasn't dealt with him."
It wasn't just Yang Gui. Inside, Yang Li had considered intervening a few times to break the stalemate, but Lydia Yang stopped him: "No need. Once he reaches the forbidden land, his strength will soar."
Yang Li watched Evan Yang and realized that as he moved, he was also cultivating—and in a very subtle way. Not only that, but his cultivation speed here was clearly faster than Terry Yang's.
"Strange, why is this place also suitable for his cultivation?" Yang Li wondered, puzzled.
"Steward Li, do you think his eyes look like my second brother's?" Lydia Yang had followed Evan for years and saw more and more resemblance, so she couldn't help but ask.
"I've noticed—it was obvious long ago. Looking at him, I can't help but think of the Second Young Master. Is he going to the forbidden land to find him?" Yang Li exclaimed.
"That's what I think too. I want to know for sure," Lydia Yang said.
"Wouldn't it be faster to just take him straight to the forbidden land?" Yang Li suggested.
"Everyone who reaches the forbidden land must do it on their own. Helping him wouldn't benefit him. If he's really my second brother's kin, then he deserves to stand in the Star Sea—and he needs the ability to enter the forbidden land himself," Lydia Yang said.
"You're right, Miss. If he's truly the Second Young Master's son, then he has to take this step himself," Yang Li said excitedly. The thought that Evan might really be the Second Young Master's son thrilled him.
"My second brother is half-crazed now. No one really knows what happened to him, or if he even has a son," Lydia Yang sighed.
"Miss, don't worry. One day, the Second Young Master will recover," Yang Li said.
"I hope so. But after all these years, I'm really worried," Lydia Yang replied.
"If only the patriarch hadn't made those choices back then, none of this would have happened," Yang Li sighed.
"That's why I say he shouldn't talk about caring for us. He's only looking out for his own interests as the head of the Yang Clan," Lydia Yang said.
"Miss..." Yang Li felt he'd said something wrong and shouldn't have gone there.
Lydia Yang fell silent, but her eyes showed excitement. She desperately wanted to know the truth, but forced herself to wait and see it unfold.
Seeing Lydia Yang silent, Yang Li could only wait alongside her.
Several more years passed. Terry Yang grew increasingly curious why Evan Yang's cultivation was faster, and why he gradually felt outmatched.
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Evan Yang also realized the benefits of cultivating here. He could easily start overpowering Terry Yang, but instead, he used Terry as his sharpening stone, since that way he could cultivate even faster.
Terry Yang had no idea, but what he did know was that after five years, Evan Yang had advanced from Profound-Immortal Stage One straight to Profound-Immortal Stage Three.
Such cultivation speed stunned not only Terry Yang but also Lydia Yang and Yang Li.
"If only he were one of our Yang Clan—this kind of cultivation speed and challenge ability could scare countless people," Yang Li said after observing Evan for years, realizing he was no ordinary person.
"Whether he's talented or not doesn't matter to me. I just hope he's truly my second brother's child. At least then, I can make up for past mistakes," Lydia Yang said.
"Miss, it was never your fault," Yang Li replied.
"Second Brother always treated me and Third Brother so well—always protected us. But when he needed us most, we couldn't help, and it ended like this," Lydia Yang sighed.
"Miss, I know how close you were with the Second Young Master, but what happened back then was so sudden," Yang Li sighed.
"Don't say any more. For years, Third Brother and I have felt guilty. When we learned Second Brother was still alive and locked in Blaze Mountain, we went to the patriarch, but he insisted on keeping Second Brother imprisoned," Lydia Yang said, her sadness evident.
"Miss, you know the Second Young Master is unstable now. If he were released, he'd hurt others—or even lose his own life. If we hadn't reached Misty Saint Palace in time, who knows how many people he would have killed," Yang Li said.
"I don't care about any of that. I just want my second brother to be well," Lydia Yang replied.
Yang Li didn't know what to say, so he just stayed silent. Meanwhile, Evan Yang and Terry Yang kept fighting fiercely.
As Evan's cultivation slowly improved, he noticed Lydia Yang and Yang Li and grew curious. But seeing they meant no harm—and knowing he'd entered thanks to them—Evan trusted they wouldn't hurt him.
Terry Yang was frustrated, repeatedly wanting to call for help, but remembering they had let Evan in, he kept quiet.
Another five years passed—ten years in total. Evan Yang reached Profound-Immortal Stage Five. When he realized Terry was no longer much of a challenge, Evan laughed, "That's enough for today. I'm not playing with you anymore. Goodbye."
With that, Evan sped up, weaving through the strange starlight. Despite the resistance, he moved faster than Terry, who could only glare and follow behind.
Yang Li and Lydia Yang followed close behind, eager to see if Evan could reach the forbidden land and discover his true identity.
After about a month of flying, Evan arrived at a larger cluster of starlight, each point the size of a fist. Terry had long since fallen behind.
Evan looked ahead and saw, about a kilometer away, a patch of flames—and within the flames, what seemed to be a mountain.
"That's Blaze Mountain—the Yang Clan's forbidden land. But to get there, you must cross this starlight belt, the strongest part of the forbidden land. Every step increases the danger, so to reach it, you must pass through safely," Lydia Yang suddenly appeared by Evan's side and explained.
"Thank you. I know I can do it," Evan said, then steadied himself and looked at Blaze Mountain, muttering, "Father, wait for me. I know I can make it."
"Be careful. The starlight here is different from outside, so don't touch it," Lydia Yang warned.
"Thank you, Senior. When I reach my goal, I'll be grateful to you," Evan said, then composed himself and set off.
As Evan stepped into the starlight, the moment he entered, the starlight around him reacted as if it encountered a living thing. Suddenly, flames surged up, blocking Evan's path and even threatening to push him back.