The alliance between the Western Beast King Hall and the Northern Beast King Hall is something all the monster beasts have been eagerly awaiting. With this, the Western Hall will no longer have to worry about threats from others.
This banquet is basically a celebration feast, and everyone is drinking themselves silly. Evan Chu, however, leaves early to cultivate, having obtained the Wood Spirit Pearl and green liquid.
Naturally, Evan's departure prompts Selena, Claire Ouyang, and the others to leave as well. He isn't in a rush to start cultivating Wood-Shift, since he got a lot of Life Essence and green liquid this time—he wants to share some with his companions so they benefit too.
At this moment, in Evan Chu's room, Luna Chu, Skylar Yule, Selena, and Claire Ouyang are quietly seated at the table, waiting for Evan to recount his experience in the Life-and-Death Grove.
Goldwing and Alex Xiao stand behind Evan. Goldwing didn't go with them this time, which Evan finds a bit regretful—if he'd absorbed the green liquid from the Millennial Tree Fiend, his strength would have skyrocketed.
Evan takes out twelve Life Essence crystals from his storage ring and says, "These are energy bodies formed inside the Tree Fiend. They're even more useful than Starstones. Two for each of you—absorb them well, they'll help you break through in cultivation."
Looking at the green crystals Evan placed on the table, everyone is puzzled. But the energy aura they give off is obvious—it's a true life force, almost like a living being.
Selena and the others each take two and put them in their storage rings. Of course, Luna Chu doesn't have a storage ring, so Skylar Yule helps her store them.
Evan stands up and says, "This trip to the Life-and-Death Grove was basically a life-or-death struggle. It was my first time facing the power of a Saint Martial expert—honestly, it's terrifying."
Evan slowly recounts what happened. As everyone listens, they feel like they're right there with him—amazed that he actually got the Wood Spirit Pearl, and shocked by Bear King's self-detonation.
"Evan, since Alex is going back to the fox clan, what are your plans now?" Selena asked.
"I've decided to go into seclusion and break through several realms before coming out. After that, I'm heading straight to Frostbane Sect in the Azure Tide Ruins. I need to expand my own power—this Monster Beast Forest isn't a long-term base." Evan Chu said.
"The conditions here are really good. You could stay longer—Heaven Ape and the Vice Hall Master can get you anything you need. Why risk your life?" Luna Chu said.
"Luna, this time you all stay in the Western Beast King Hall. When Frostbane Sect has a foothold in the Azure Tide Ruins, I'll bring you over. If you follow me now, it'll be far too dangerous and distract me from what I need to do. To put it bluntly, you'd just be a burden." Evan said.
No one spoke. Everyone understood what Evan meant—he can't control the dangers of the Azure Tide Ruins with his current strength, and bringing them along would only get in the way.
Then Evan turned to Alex Xiao and said, "Alex, when Fox King Cyril comes, just go back with him. I believe you'll become a true Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox, and only then can you help shoulder my burdens. I might not be able to see you off, so take care of yourself!"
Alex Xiao's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but if she truly wants to become Evan's woman, she has to leave him. "Big Bro, I understand. You take care too," she said.
After Evan finished making all his arrangements, he said, "You all head back. I'm about to start my closed-door cultivation. You should do the same—there are plenty of Starstones in the Western Beast King Hall. If you need more, just ask Heaven Ape and say I sent you. He won't refuse."
"Evan, you need to take things step by step. Don't rush your cultivation—breaking through realms isn't something you can force overnight," Selena cautioned.
"I know. Selena, Claire, you two stay—I have something to say to you," Evan said.
Luna Chu, Skylar Yule, and Alex Xiao left right away, while Goldwing returned to Evan's side.
Evan took out the now-solidified green liquid from his storage ring and said, "This is the energy source from the Millennial Tree Fiend. It's incredibly effective for recovering Stellar Power—keep it safe. I know leaving you here when I go to the Azure Tide Ruins is cruel, but it's the only way to keep you safe. I hope you understand."
"Evan, we get it. Don't worry—go do what you need to do. We'll be here waiting for you to come back for us!" Claire said.
Evan hugged both women, tempted to enjoy the full 'blessings of a shared bed,' but he held back. The timing wasn't right—he and Selena hadn't crossed that last line, and the three of them sharing a bed was out of the question for now.
After Selena and Claire left, glancing back with obvious reluctance, Evan sat down on his bed, ready to cultivate his fourth transformation—Wood-Shift.
Evan took out the Wood Spirit Pearl, examined it, and immediately called to the Sword Spirit, "Luna, I want to cultivate the fourth transformation—teach me the Wood-Shift method right away!"
"Evan, I never said you could rush into Wood-Shift! Why so impatient? Wood-Shift is the most mysterious of the five main elements—it has both offensive power and incredible life force.
Once you master Wood-Shift, as long as your soul isn't destroyed, you can slowly recover—or in other words, Wood-Shift gives you an undying body. But to cultivate it, you need at least the Fifth Layer of Starforge Body, and you must master Gold-Shift first.
The five elements support and restrain each other—Wood-Shift is the last of the five main transformations. Only after you've mastered the other four can you truly grasp the meaning of Wood-Shift. Then you'll be like an unkillable cockroach," Luna explained.
Evan nearly jumped up in excitement. Wood-Shift equals an undying body—that's just insane! If he masters Wood-Shift, there'll be nowhere in the world he can't go. As long as his body and soul aren't wiped out, he won't die. He could hardly believe it.
"Don't get too excited yet. Wood-Shift can bring you back from the dead, but there are limits—it's all tied to your cultivation realm.
If you're at Second-Layer Divine Martial and get killed, Wood-Shift will restore your body but drop your realm by one layer. The second revival drops you two layers, the third by three, and so on...
Also, Wood-Shift's recovery isn't instant. Ordinary wounds heal fast, but if you're missing a limb or organ, it'll take several days to regrow," Luna said.
"Got it. Wood-Shift is almost as good as the Timewheel Bracelet—I need to reach the Fifth Layer of Starforge Body as soon as possible," Evan said, fired up.
In this world where the strong prey on the weak, having a life-saving skill like this is truly heaven-defying. Evan felt his future was limitless...