Evan Chu slipped easily into the city this time. With his current speed, no one could spot him at all. Besides, all the top experts in the city had been taken by the Nether Monarch to seize Ghost territory, and the remaining strong ones were guarding the Nether Monarch’s palace.
Evan glanced around the streets of Netherking City and found them even more bustling than those of Nine-Shade City. But most of the people on the streets were Netherkin; members of other races were rarely seen, and inns and restaurants were everywhere.
After a while, Evan stopped in front of a grand, glittering palace. He hadn’t expected the Nether Monarch’s residence to be even larger than the Shade Lord’s, its imposing aura radiating a mighty imperial presence.
It would be impossible for anyone else to enter directly, but for Evan, it was a piece of cake. With a thought, he activated Earthshift and slipped smoothly into the soil, entering the palace grounds without a hitch.
Now, Evan could move through the earth almost as quickly as he could walk on the surface. The Nether Monarch’s palace was huge, but it was no obstacle for him. Before long, he heard the voices of several women talking above him.
"I don’t know what’s wrong with the princess. Ever since she came back from the Shade-Clan Princess’s wedding, she’s been silent, always locking herself in her room and never coming out. I’m worried she’ll get sick from brooding so much."
"Exactly. The food we bring her is often left untouched. The Nether Monarch told us to take good care of her, but how are we supposed to do that? If he comes back and finds the princess has lost weight or something bad has happened, we’re doomed."
"So what should we do? I think we should try persuading the princess again. Ling, you’re her favorite—why don’t you coax her a bit more?"
The women chattered on, making Evan feel a pang of guilt. Faye Knox was like this all because of him—a once cheerful girl now withdrawn and silent. He knew he had to find a way to help her open up again.
With the women above to guide him, it was easy for Evan to locate Faye Knox. All he needed was the right moment to appear, and the surprise would surely make her happy. Thinking about it, Evan couldn’t help but feel a little anticipation in his heart.
After moving through the earth for a while, the footsteps above stopped. A voice as clear as silver bells rang out: "Princess, it’s Ling. Please open the door!"
After a moment, a voice Evan knew well yet hadn’t heard in ages came from inside the room: "You can all go. I’m fine! I want to go into seclusion for a while, so don’t bother me unless it’s important. Otherwise, you’ll regret it."
"Understood, Princess! We’ll take our leave. If you need anything, just let us know!" Ling replied.
The women left, and Evan quietly burrowed beneath Faye Knox’s bedroom. At that moment, Faye muttered to herself, "Stupid thief! Rotten thief! You’ve got that Princess Ivy now, so you don’t want me anymore. It’s been over half a year and you haven’t even come to see me. Guess you’ve forgotten all about me!"
Hearing this, Evan wished he could appear before her right away. Just as he was about to move, Faye continued, "If you’re so heartless, then I’m not going to take it lying down. Next time I see you, I’ll definitely kill you!"
Evan couldn’t hold back any longer. This stubborn girl looked like she was about to go off the deep end—her emotions were dangerously volatile, and that could seriously harm her body. Without hesitation, he flashed out of the earth and appeared in her room.
Maybe because Faye was distracted, she didn’t notice Evan’s arrival. Her eyes, full of sorrow and longing, gazed out the window at the sky—so delicate and moving, it made Evan’s heart ache.
Unable to resist, Evan hugged her from behind. The sudden gesture startled Faye, and she struggled, but couldn’t break free from his strong, secure embrace.
"Who’s so bold as to treat this princess so rudely? Do you have a death wish? Let go of me!" Faye snapped.
"Weren’t you just thinking about me, Little Faye? Now your man’s here, but you want me to let go? Don’t regret it later!" Evan teased.
His voice was like music from heaven—or maybe a poison that made Faye tremble all over. A long-lost smile appeared on her face, but in the next instant, anger took over and tears welled up in her eyes.
After a moment, Faye finally spoke: "Why did you come? Is it to laugh at me? Do you think I, Faye Knox, can’t survive without you, Evan Chu? If that’s what you think, you’re wrong."
Evan turned Faye around. Seeing the tears on her face, he gently wiped them away. "Faye, you’re blaming me for nothing. I was in seclusion for half a year—that’s why I’m only now coming to see you. I always keep my promises. Don’t you trust me?"
"I... I—" Faye was at a loss for words, because Evan had already pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. The familiar scent and intoxicating feeling overwhelmed her, and all the pain of longing vanished with that kiss.
"Don’t be like this. You always bully me. Did you come just to get my body?" After a while, Faye asked, blushing deeply.
"Of course not. I just missed you so much, I couldn’t help myself. Don’t you like it?" Evan grinned mischievously.
"You’re always teasing me. I can’t win against you. How did you get in here anyway? There are so many guards—did you fly or burrow through the ground?" Faye asked.
"Don’t forget, I once hid in the desert to heal using Earthshift. Of course I know how to burrow. Now, let me have a good look at you! Faye, I missed you like crazy." Evan said, his wolfish nature showing through.
"I missed you too. I thought about you every day—wondering if you’d come see me, worrying you’d forget me. Now that you’re here, I can finally relax." Faye said.
"Faye, I want you to be my woman. Will you?" Evan asked bluntly. Because of Faye’s special status, he didn’t know if she’d agree if he just tried to take her body, so he decided to test the waters first.
Faye blushed and nodded slightly. "I know why you came. No matter what you do to me, I’ll never regret it. My body belongs only to you—you can claim it any time you want."
Such gentle words made Evan feel a pang of guilt. Faye Knox was different from Princess Ivy; if you compared their feelings, Faye’s were definitely much deeper. But he couldn’t take her with him when he left—that was the thing that troubled Evan most.
The better she treated him, the harder it was for him. Even if he could take Faye away, she was a Netherworld native and couldn’t survive in sunlight. Rather than suffer, maybe it was best for her to stay in the Netherworld…
"Faye, I’m from the Canglan Ancient Land—you know that. Sooner or later, I’ll leave the Netherworld. Won’t you regret it? I want to take you with me, but Netherworld people can’t leave—sunlight outside would hurt you badly. I really don’t know what to do." Evan said, looking dejected.
"Lin Feng, I don’t blame you. Even if I only get one day with you, I’ll be happy. With your talent, I believe you’ll break through the void and reach another world someday. I’ve already thought it through—you don’t need to feel guilty." Faye said, her voice full of emotion.
"You know about breaking through the void to reach another world? Who told you that?" Evan asked in surprise. If he hadn’t met the sword spirit, he wouldn’t even know about other worlds, but Faye did—he couldn’t help but be shocked.
"I read it in ancient texts. Some powerful experts in the past could break the void and travel to other worlds. I’m not sure what kind of worlds, but I think you have to reach Ninth-Layer Venerable Martial first. Have you heard about that?" Faye asked, puzzled.
"I read it in ancient texts too. Faye, maybe one day we’ll meet in another world. If you work hard at cultivation, I believe that day will come. Right now, I can help you break through to First-Layer Venerable Martial." Evan said.
"Lin Feng, I know it’s because of our special physiques. Since I’m destined to be your woman, you don’t have to carry too much responsibility. All I want is for you to treat me gently." Faye said, her face flushed and her voice growing softer and softer, almost like a mosquito’s whisper.
Afterwards, the two of them walked hand in hand down the street. It was a strange sight—many people were speculating about Evan Chu’s identity. Anyone who could win Princess Faye’s heart had to be someone extraordinary.
Some people even recognized Evan as the young man from the portrait that had once hung at the city gate by order of the princess. Now that the two were walking together, there was nothing more to say.
Quite a few Netherkin youths who secretly admired Faye Knox were fuming with jealousy. Their eyes were full of hatred as they glared at Evan—if looks could kill, he’d have died a hundred times over.
"Faye, looks like a lot of people in the city don’t approve of us being together. Didn’t you see the hatred in their eyes? Is it because I stole their goddess that they’re so hostile to me?" Evan joked.
"Oh, stop it! Do you really care what they think? I say we just fly away—no need to invite unnecessary trouble." Faye said.
"Who would dare make trouble for Princess Faye? Do they have a death wish? What’s really going on?" Evan asked.
A bitter smile flashed across Faye’s face. "My father forbade me from leaving the city and sent several Venerable Martial experts to protect me. If I try to leave, they’ll definitely stop me—they’re probably already waiting for us."
"Oh, that’s nothing to worry about. If anyone tries to stop you, I’ll just kill them. Simple as that." Evan said with a laugh.
"No! Those are my father’s trusted followers—they’ve done a lot for the Netherkin. You can’t hurt them. We have to leave without anyone noticing. Do you have a way?" Faye asked.
"Of course I do. No one in the Netherworld is faster than me. Even if they show up, so what? Could they catch me? Want to give it a try now?" Evan grinned.
Just as Evan finished speaking, three people suddenly appeared before him and Faye—two middle-aged men and an elder, all clearly Venerable Martial experts.
"Princess, please return. The Nether Monarch instructed that you’re not allowed to be out here!" the elder said respectfully to Faye.
"Kid, take your filthy hands off her, or don’t blame me for being rude!" one of the middle-aged men barked at Evan.
Evan glanced at the three and saw that the elder was at Fourth-Layer Venerable Martial, while the other two were at Third-Layer. He smirked, "What if I don’t let go? Are you going to kill me?"
"No one’s ever dared be so brazen in front of me. Kid, do you really think we won’t kill you? The Nether Monarch said anyone who makes trouble in the city will be executed. For the princess’s sake, get out now—or there’s only one fate for you: death!" the middle-aged man threatened.
"Die, my ass! You’re nothing but ants, unfit to lecture me. Even your Nether Monarch wouldn’t dare act so arrogant in front of me. Who do you think you are? Get out of my way, or you’ll be the one to die!" Evan snapped.
He unleashed a powerful aura at the middle-aged man, who immediately felt a suffocating pressure descend on him. He was shocked by the strength this young man possessed.
Evan then withdrew his aura and looked at the man. "Before I change my mind, you’d better disappear. I’m taking Faye to see the Nether Monarch—if anyone tries to stop me, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
The elder looked at Evan and asked, "Are you the human youth who killed the Ghost King and Beast King?"
Word of Evan’s deeds was clearly spreading. Evan smiled, "You’re not too slow. If you think you’re as strong as the Ghost King or Beast King, you can try me. Otherwise, step aside—I’ll let you go for Faye’s sake."
"Kid, don’t get cocky. This is the Netherkin’s territory—do you really think you can escape?" another middle-aged man growled.
The elder glared at the man, then said to Evan, "Since Princess Faye has you to protect her, we can rest easy. Thank you for sparing us. I’ll take my leave now."
The other two middle-aged men didn’t understand why the elder acted this way, but they didn’t dare argue. They quietly stepped aside. Evan laughed, "Smart move!" Then he took Faye’s hand and teleported away, vanishing from their sight.
After Evan and Faye left, one of the men asked, "Third Elder, why did you let him go? How could that kid possibly have the strength to kill the Ghost King and Beast King? Even if he started cultivating in the womb, it’s impossible!"
"What do you know? Did you feel how powerful his aura was just now? We’re lucky he let us go. Don’t be ungrateful—even if the Nether Monarch finds out, he won’t blame us." the elder replied.
The two middle-aged men exchanged incredulous looks. "If someone that terrifying shows up here, if he’s not a friend to the Netherkin, he’ll be a nightmare of an enemy," one of them said.
"Given the situation, he’ll probably become a friend to the Netherkin—because of Princess Faye. Whether he’s friend or foe, it’s not our place to interfere. Now that the princess is gone, let’s focus on guarding the city." the elder said.
Evan kept teleporting with Faye, moving so fast that she clung tightly to him, afraid she might fall from the sky. She was amazed at how quickly his strength was growing—he really was a monster.
The two of them teleported rapidly through the air. Meanwhile, King Xiang Shaolong and the Nether Monarch were locked in a fierce battle. For a thousand miles around, the ground was flattened, and energy storms raged through the sky, filling the air with danger and dread.
Of the Nether Monarch’s three clones, only one remained—and it was covered in blood, clearly badly injured. Xiang Shaolong’s two clones were also down to one, and he was wounded as well. In terms of strength, Xiang Shaolong still had the upper hand.
The Nether Monarch was covered in wounds so deep you could see bone, and his blood seemed to have run dry. He was holding on by sheer willpower. Of course, if he wanted to kill Xiang Shaolong, he could still do it—the Netherkin had a deadly technique for taking enemies down with them: the Nether Soul Severing Slash.
Only those who have used the Nether Soul Severing Slash know its true power. It can only be practiced by the strongest rulers of the Netherkin, and in tens of thousands of years, it’s never been used.
Xiang Shaolong was in much better shape—his body was covered in wounds, but they were healing quickly, as were the injuries on his clone. If Evan were here, he’d be shocked—the healing speed was on par with his own.
At this point, neither of them kept fighting. Xiang Shaolong knew that if he pushed the Nether Monarch any further, he’d use the Netherkin’s ultimate technique, and then he’d be doomed. Besides, Evan Chu would be back soon, so he needed to recover and prepare to kill him.
The Nether Monarch was just stalling for time. Although his injuries weren’t fatal, it would take months of rest to recover. The biggest problem was the damage to his soul from losing his clones—physical wounds were nothing in comparison.
He hadn’t expected Xiang Shaolong to be so powerful. After reaching Late Stage Sixth-Layer Venerable Martial, plus the strength of his two clones, he was equal to a Seventh-Layer expert. The Nether Monarch had three clones, but his attack power was still weaker. Losing like this was hard to accept.