Mason Locke and his crew came fast—and left even faster.
"Bro, not bad—seriously gutsy. You just went and pissed him off for real."
Someone nearby glanced at Evan Lin and commented with a grin.
"Yvette Locke—you actually know her? That’s impressive."
A bunch of people stared at Evan Lin, eyes lighting up with interest.
"Come on, rumor is Yvette Locke hasn’t left the mountain in over twenty years. You guys really think this kid knows her? I bet it’s all just a big misunderstanding."
In front of one of the cabins, a guy around twenty stood with his arms crossed, watching the show.
He was so fair-skinned that if he changed clothes, you’d almost mistake him for a girl.
As soon as he spoke, plenty of people started scheming in their hearts.
Evan Lin caught every shift in the crowd’s expression.
"So, what kind of person is Yvette Locke, anyway?"
Evan Lin stood at the window, curiosity written all over his face.
When Evan Lin first bumped into Yvette Locke, it just happened to be her time of the month.
Honestly, Yvette Locke looked nothing like some martial master—just a clueless kid. Especially in the car, clutching her yogurt and begging Evan Lin to play with her, she was downright childish.
"She’s the Locke Family’s princess," someone nearby replied, looking confused. "If Yvette Locke brought you up the mountain herself, how do you not know how awesome she is?"
"I’ve only known her for less than a day."
Evan Lin didn’t bother hiding it.
But the second he said that, Evan Lin could feel the whole crowd’s attitude shift hard.
If people had seemed wary before, now their gazes were way more casual toward Evan Lin.
"You’ve only known her for a day?"
"Yeah, could be. Word is the Locke Family keeps Yvette Locke on lockdown—she’s barely ever left home. I heard from some clan folks she’s pure as a kid, not even ten at heart, super playful, no friends at all."
"No clue how you met her, but I bet you used some dirty tricks to win her trust and sneak into this Dao-Trial Gathering."
The guy shook his head, clearly not interested in explaining more about Yvette Locke.
Every time they said 'Yvette Locke,' Evan Lin could see the awe in their eyes.
"Figures. Just another loser. You better pray nobody comes for you out of respect for Yvette Locke, but hiding behind a girl forever—what kind of man is that?"
The pale-skinned guy piped up again, catching Evan Lin’s eye and sneering: "Remember my name—Warren Hu. When you get kicked out, you better come challenge me first. I’ll be the one to personally beat you down the mountain!"
Warren Hu let out a loud laugh, voice booming through the square.
Everyone else started cracking up too.
"Warren’s already fifth-grade Vajra. This back-door kid probably isn’t even Pseudo-Vajra—challenging Warren is basically asking to get wrecked."
"If it wasn’t for Yvette Locke’s name stamped on his forehead, he wouldn’t even qualify for a cabin!"
"No wonder—he got escorted up here yesterday. I thought he’d be some hidden master, but turns out he’s just a clueless rookie!"
A bunch of people shook their heads, already bored with Evan Lin.
But some started plotting—if they ever got kicked from their cabin, Evan Lin’s place was the easiest to snatch.
At least, compared to everyone else, he looked way weaker.
"Hey kid, remember my name too—Shane Shen. You’d better hope I don’t get kicked out, because if I do, you’re first on my hit list!"
The guy in the cabin next to Evan Lin grinned, showing off his fists: "What I hate most are cowards who hide behind girls!"
"Enough talk—hey you, come out and spar!"
As soon as Shane Shen finished, one of Mason Locke’s burly guys stepped forward and pointed right at him.
The guy was six feet tall, built like a tank.
"You wanna fight me?"
Shane Shen’s face went dark as he stepped up. "You sure about that?"
Shane Shen looked grim, but most people were just there for the drama.
But before he could finish, the burly guy charged, moving like a freight train, and threw a monster punch!
"Fifth-grade Vajra!" someone shouted as the guy’s fist lit up with wild energy.
Someone saw the wild energy swirling around that punch and couldn’t help but yell.
Shane Shen’s face twisted and he went for a fist-to-fist clash.
With a deafening bang, Shane Shen was blasted five meters back before he barely managed to steady himself.
He was only Pseudo-Vajra—no way he could win.
Seeing the burly guy about to come at him again, Shane Shen quickly raised a hand and yelled, "Stop!"
The burly guy raised an eyebrow, looking confused.
"You win!" Shane Shen admitted defeat, drawing a sneer from the big guy: "If you’re surrendering, the cabin’s mine."
He didn’t hesitate and took over Shane Shen’s cabin.
Shane Shen’s face was ugly, but he didn’t dare say another word.
Shane Shen got up from the ground, knowing if he kept fighting, he’d be done for.
He just glared at the big guy, eyes full of hate.
But the burly guy just snorted and walked off.
Evan Lin watched the whole fight, totally unbothered.
He didn’t care about Shane Shen’s drama or the crowd’s jeers—he just quietly watched everyone’s reactions.
If he wasn’t careful, he could end up dead on this mountain before the trial even started.
Once the big guy entered his new cabin, Shane Shen pointed at Evan Lin’s door: "Get out here, now!"
"The only reason I lost to him was so I could personally kick trash like you out! Guys who live off women don’t deserve to stay here!"
Shane Shen straightened up, striding toward Evan Lin’s cabin, full of righteous fury.
Anyone could tell he was just saving face—he couldn’t beat the big guy, but against Evan Lin, that was a whole different story.
Not only could he win easy, but if he beat someone tied to Yvette Locke, he’d get a rep for not fearing her.
"Hey, kid—come out and fight!"
"Rules say no hiding! If you won’t fight, hand over your cabin and roll down the mountain!"
"Still not coming out? Cowards like you have no future!" The crowd burst out laughing.
Warren Hu folded his arms and leaned against the wall, waiting to watch the show.
They always picked the softest target.
Shane Shen grinned, already at Evan Lin’s door.
"You really want me to come out?" Evan Lin shot him a calm look.
"So much talk. If you’re scared, just roll out on your own!"