"What did you see? Did you discover some kind of heavenly treasure?" Evan Chu asked urgently, rarely showing such curiosity about Sean Xiao’s adventures.
"I saw a coffin—a huge coffin, just lying quietly in the Blood River. That energy fluctuation was coming from the coffin itself. Driven by curiosity, I dove straight into the Blood River. But the river water wasn’t nearly as simple as it looked on the surface; it was packed with crushing pressure.
With my cultivation, I was almost suffocated by the pressure—completely unbelievable. Still, I managed to reach the coffin. When I finally forced it open, a powerful suction erupted from inside, and I got pulled straight into the coffin." Sean Xiao recalled, still shaken.
Evan Chu was instantly alarmed. He asked, "Was there someone in the coffin? Or was there something special inside?"
"The coffin was empty—absolutely nothing inside. But once I entered, it wasn’t a coffin anymore. It was a strange, magical space, split into two colors: one white, one black, and I ended up right at the border between them.
Later, I chose to enter the white space. The light inside was so intense I couldn’t open my eyes, like there were countless suns blazing everywhere—totally bizarre. It took ages to get used to it, and even then, I could only squint at everything.
That’s when I saw a bunch of beads flying through the air. I tried grabbing one, but it shot out a white beam that nearly pierced my hand—freaky stuff. I wandered in there for months, and finally picked up a bead from the ground. That one didn’t hurt me." Sean Xiao said.
Just then, the inn’s waiter brought more food and wine. Evan Chu said, "Let’s drink. What you experienced really is unbelievable. But how did you get out?"
"Honestly, I’m not sure how I got out. I was just walking, when suddenly I felt myself yanked—like stepping through a Teleportation Gate. I vanished from where I was and appeared in a pitch-black space where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.
Same deal—beads flying everywhere in the darkness. But I wasn’t about to grab any of them this time. I have no clue how long I wandered in that black space. Maybe years, maybe decades—those days you really can’t imagine. Eventually, my eyes adapted, I could see things, and I managed to get hold of a black bead.
Strangely enough, when I put the black bead and the white bead together, a surge of power exploded out from them, knocking me out cold. When I woke up, I was already lying on the bank of the Blood River.
But half the bones in my body were shattered, and several meridians were broken. I had no choice but to sit there and slowly recover—without any Starstones, it took me ages to heal.
Once I was finally healed, I found the coffin in the Blood River had vanished, and the two beads no longer reacted—just a faint energy fluctuation. Ever since, neither bead has shown any sign of that change again.
Getting those two beads was a real nine-deaths-one-life ordeal, and it cost me a ton of time. If I didn’t need Netherstones for cultivation, I’d never sell them." Sean Xiao finished his story in one breath, leaving Evan Chu totally stunned.
"I didn’t expect something like that. Looks like I’ll have to give you a few extra Starstones, or you’d really be losing out." Evan Chu laughed.
Sean Xiao took out the two beads and handed them to Evan Chu. "Frostbane, I know you’re a real expert—maybe you can unlock their secrets. If you do, you have to tell me."
"Of course. Here—a Starstone Crystal and a thousand supreme-grade Starstones. Use them to cultivate. In a few days, I might be marrying Princess Ivy, the daughter of the Shade Lord in Nine‑Shade City. You’d better come for a drink at my wedding." Evan Chu said.
"Didn’t think you had it in you—managing to win over that girl too. I’ll definitely be there!" Sean Xiao laughed.
After several rounds of drinks, Evan Chu and Sean Xiao parted ways and Evan headed upstairs. Getting those two mysterious beads made him incredibly happy. From Sean Xiao’s tale, he was sure the beads were connected to the Light Spirit Pearl and Darkness Spirit Pearl the Sword Spirit had mentioned.
Inside the room, Roxy and Princess Ivy were chatting. When Evan Chu walked in, they both stood up immediately. "Lin Feng, what on earth took you so long?" Princess Ivy, unaware of Sean Xiao’s bead-selling, asked curiously.
"I went to see a friend and picked up a few things from him. By the way, Ivy, why aren’t you heading back? Planning to spend the night here? I don’t mind, but I’m worried your father will start searching for you and turn the whole city upside down." Evan Chu said.
"I’ll go back soon. What about Roxy? Isn’t she going home? You’re not letting her stay the night, are you? You two are supposed to be siblings—if anyone finds out, it’ll ruin her reputation." Princess Ivy glanced at Roxanne Lin.
"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Roxy goes home. But I do need to talk to her about a few things, so she’ll stay for now. Ivy, you should head back first. I promise I’ll visit your father tomorrow." Evan Chu said.
"Princess Ivy, my brother really does have things to discuss with me—it might take a while. You should go home first. Everyone’s been worried about you, and I bet the Shade Lord is already sending people to look for you." Roxy smiled, wanting a bit of alone time with Evan Chu herself.
Princess Ivy was reluctant to leave, but realizing it was likely true, she said, "Fine! Just remember—you have to come tomorrow, or I won’t forgive you!"
"I always keep my word. Don’t worry, when have I ever lied to you?" Evan Chu laughed.
After Princess Ivy left, Roxy immediately asked, "Lin Feng, did you get the beads? Who was that middle-aged man, anyway? How are you so sure he’d come looking for you?"
"Roxy, that was the old Sacred Sword Sect Master—someone from my own era. I never thought he’d still be alive in this world. It really surprised me.
But now it’s great—having him means we’ve got another ally for getting the Netherghost Violet Orchid. He’s a Third-Layer Venerable, seriously powerful." Evan Chu said.
"The old Sacred Sword Sect Master? That’s wild. And those beads—what kind of thing are they to be worth so many Netherstones? Just thinking about it is scary." Roxy asked.
"I’m not totally sure either. I’ll figure it out later. For now, I’ve got something important to handle." Evan Chu said seriously.
Seeing Evan Chu’s serious look, Roxy asked, "What is it? Are you heading out again?"
"I never said I was leaving. It’s just been ages since I’ve had my Roxy to myself—obviously, I need some exercise!" Evan Chu grinned, and while Roxy wasn’t paying attention, he scooped her up in his arms...