"Princess, there's no need to waste words on them. Let me slay them right here and now! Anyone who dares to show such disrespect to Serene Nether City deserves nothing but death!" the elder barked, his tone fierce and absolutely ruthless.
"If you kill them, how will we ever learn their real reason for coming to Serene Nether City? What if they're here on purpose to test our strength? Just subdue them and bring them back to the City Lord's Mansion alive," Princess Serene replied, her voice cold and strategic.
Evan Chu let out a mocking laugh, his eyes icy with disdain. "How hilarious! You really think you're all that? If you want to subdue us, you'd better make sure you have the skills. We don't want to be your enemies, but don't push us—otherwise, the consequences might be more than you bargained for."
"Nice words, but if you didn't want to be our enemies, why did you hurt my guards? You're contradicting yourself. I bet you're agents sent by the other three powers. People like you won't get any mercy from us," Princess Serene replied, her voice proud and suspicious.
"Princess, just let me handle them. Whatever you want to know, I have hundreds of ways to make them talk," the elder said, eager to show off. Evan Chu and Jade watched him with undisguised disgust.
Evan Chu could barely restrain himself from slaying the man on the spot. Even if he didn't kill him today, he'd make sure to leave him seriously injured—just to teach him a lesson he'd never forget.
"Jade, go teach this fool a lesson. Let him know there are people in this world he can't afford to provoke," Evan Chu ordered coolly. If not for wanting to avoid a bigger mess, he wouldn't have minded killing the elder outright.
"Rest assured, Young Master. Jade knows how to handle this!" she replied, her tone loyal and confident. With a swift motion, she drew her longsword and prepared to face the City Lord's Mansion elder.
In truth, the Emerald Immortal Empress was most adept at wielding the Firmament Light Mirror. But since the artifact was now in Evan Chu's hands, she felt embarrassed to ask for it back—unless it was a truly critical moment.
Evan Chu had already thought this through. After all, his Timewheel Bracelet housed a true Netherworld powerhouse. The Firmament Light Mirror was Jade's royal father's treasure, but it was damaged and couldn't unleash its full power anymore.
Princess Serene's impression of Evan Chu dropped even lower when she saw him send a woman into battle. She despised men who only knew how to manipulate women, slick talkers who hid behind others. Whenever she met such men, she was ready to cut them down without hesitation.
Now that this brat had crossed the line, she was even less inclined to forgive him. If not for needing to uncover his identity, she would have already struck by now.
She looked down on Evan Chu, but Evan Chu looked down on her just as much. He didn't even spare her a glance; all his attention was on Jade. He wanted to see just how strong the Emerald Immortal Empress had become—whether she could stand alone, maybe even oversee Frostbane Imperial Palace after he ascended to the God Realm.
The City Lord’s Mansion elder, desperate to show off, drew his sword and unleashed a rapid strike at the Emerald Immortal Empress. His speed was astonishing—he was in front of her in the blink of an eye.
But Jade, determined to thoroughly humiliate her opponent and leave a deep impression on Serene Nether City's elites, didn't dodge. Instead, she slowly swung her sword—a move that looked weak and lazy, leaving the crowd puzzled.
Yet the sword-qi condensed at the tip was anything but ordinary. This was her famed technique—the Soft Maiden Sword. It had nine forms, each gentle and graceful, as if a beautiful woman were dancing. The sight was mesmerizing.
But every form of the Soft Maiden Sword packed tremendous force. It looked gentle, but every stroke was full of power. Facing the City Lord’s Mansion elder, Jade unleashed its might to the fullest.
Their swords collided. The Emerald Immortal Empress’s blade struck the elder’s sword, blasting it aside with a massive force. The impact sent the elder flying dozens of meters, blood spurting from his mouth.
No one had expected this. The City Lord’s Mansion elder was a late-stage Nether Emperor, ranked among the top ten experts in Serene Nether City. Yet a single, casual-looking strike had sent him flying and left him seriously injured.
The strength of the woman who attacked him was obvious. Everyone stood frozen, unable to believe what they'd just witnessed. But the truth was undeniable. For a moment, the plaza was deathly silent as all eyes turned in terror to Evan Chu and Jade.
Even Evan Chu was secretly shocked. He hadn't expected the Emerald Immortal Empress's strength to be so overwhelming. That seemingly simple strike carried immense power—almost on par with his own Star-Cleave.
Yet when she unleashed it, there was barely any disturbance—just a casual block that delivered terrifying force. The Emerald Immortal Empress was anything but simple.
"Did I disappoint you, Young Master? If I hadn't spared the old man's life, I could've killed him outright. I bet they know our strength now—maybe King Victor Zhao himself will have to show up," Jade said, her voice confident and loyal.
"Perfect. I doubt King Victor Zhao would dare offend us so easily. The Netherworld may be full of experts, but there are few who truly surpass us. Soon, it'll be time to reveal our identities," Evan Chu said with a smile.
At that moment, Princess Serene fed the elder a healing pill. Beneath her veil, her stunning face twisted in fury—she wished she could cut Evan Chu and Jade down right then and there.
Defeating a City Lord’s Mansion elder had utterly humiliated the mansion—and the one who did it was a woman. Princess Serene could not tolerate it. In a flash, she appeared before Evan Chu and Jade.
"Who are you, and why did you strike my elder so ruthlessly? If you don't explain yourselves, I'll make sure you never leave Serene Nether City alive!" Princess Serene demanded, her voice brimming with anger.
Evan Chu laughed. "Didn't you say that just a moment ago? Are you so angry you've forgotten your own words? That old man wanted to show off in front of you, so he paid the price. Princess, are you satisfied with your elder's performance? Want to see an encore?"
"A man who hides behind a woman has no right to speak here. If you really have the guts, fight me yourself! Let's see if you're worthy of your arrogant words," Princess Serene snapped, her contempt clear.
"I don't make a move lightly. If I did, I'm afraid you'd lose all face. You'd better call your father, King Victor Zhao, instead!" Evan Chu replied, utterly unconcerned.
Princess Serene's eyes burned with rage, but she forced herself to calm down. She realized that Evan Chu was no ordinary opponent—his arrogance had a foundation. If she acted rashly, she might lose even more face.