Seeing Evan Yang speak so convincingly, that person sitting nearby was stunned. Now, whether he spoke up or kept silent, he was trapped: if he spoke, he might bring disaster on everyone, and Evan had already used the Spirit Power Stone, so no one would trouble him over a stone that was now useless.
But if he stayed silent, Evan Yang would get away with everything, and he couldn't accept that.
Noticing the man's expression, Evan Yang smiled. "If you're not convinced, you can challenge me later."
The man hesitated, as if something occurred to him. This was the Ten‑Palace Martial Meet—he could use others' strength. He might not be able to beat Evan himself, but other palaces, especially the Fifth Palace, had strong contenders who could step in.
So he sent a voice transmission to a burly, thick‑haired, bearded middle‑aged man sitting not far away: "Nate Nalan, could I ask you for a favor today? I'll remember this debt."
"What's the matter, Ray?" the middle‑aged man asked curiously.
"I came back injured from the last expedition, so fighting myself isn't really an option. I need you to help me teach a lesson to the person I was just watching." Ray Lei—the man's real name—explained.
"Oh? You have a grudge against him?" Nate Nalan, the Fifth Palace's number one, asked curiously after hearing this.
"Yes, I'd appreciate your help," Ray Lei said.
"We'll see. If he's weak, I can just find someone else to handle it. No need for me to make a big deal out of it," Nate Nalan replied.
"Nate, to be honest, although he's only at the sixth tier, it feels like he's already got one foot in the Heavenly-Immortal realm," Ray Lei said.
"Is that really true?" Nate Nalan asked, surprised.
"Yes, I'm certain," Ray Lei replied.
"I'll look into it when I have time. For now, I need to deal with the other two monster guys first," Nate Nalan said.
"Thank you," Ray Lei said gratefully.
Evan Yang saw Ray Lei exchanging glances and whispers with the burly, bearded middle-aged man. After the man glanced at him, Evan knew he wasn't ordinary.
At this moment, Evan guessed that the bearded man was the Fifth Palace's number one. No one else was as dominant. He also spotted two extraordinary figures from the Eighth and Tenth Palaces.
"These three are truly powerful. I wonder how they'll fare against each other?" Evan mused inwardly.
The crowd remained quiet. After an hour, most had arrived; only the Fifth Palace was missing the most people, while nearly everyone else was present.
Evan couldn't understand why so many people who clearly lacked the strength to make the top three still showed up. Was it just for a chance at opportunity? He still couldn't figure it out—maybe they were just overconfident.
But what happened next made Evan realize that even if you lost, as long as you participated, you could enter that mysterious place when it opened. The top three could stay in three different inner areas for ten years each, while everyone else could spend one day in the outer zone.
Although no one knows what effect a single day might have, the fact that so many people are willing to risk their lives for it shows just how important that day is.
So Evan became even more curious about that mysterious place—what kind of place could drive everyone to risk their lives just for a single day?
The Ten-Palace Martial Meet always has a host. A man stepped forward to the area without chairs and addressed the crowd: 'You all should know what this meet means—here, the strong only grow stronger. That's the rule of Ethereal Sanctuary. Some people have already spent ten years inside and come out even stronger.'
Everyone knew, and Evan understood, that the top three would stay inside for ten years, strengthening all their attributes. Over time, they'd only grow stronger unless someone managed to end their streak.
After seeing everyone fall silent, the host continued, 'Since you all know, I'll be clear: this time, everyone can fight with full strength—deaths and injuries will not be counted.'
'Deaths won't be counted?' This was the first time Ethereal Sanctuary had such a rule, so everyone started discussing it. Evan hadn't expected this, and the new rule left everyone exchanging uncertain looks.
Some of the weaker participants began considering withdrawal, since risking death was too much. Someone asked, 'Can we withdraw?'
'No problem. Withdrawals are valid within one hour. After that, you can't leave midway,' the organizer said.
As soon as those words were spoken, nearly a hundred people began to stir and gradually left. They didn't want to risk their lives—before, serious injury was acceptable, but now, losing one's life just wasn't worth it.
Soon, two-thirds had withdrawn, leaving just a few people in each palace.
The First Palace now only had Shawn Xiao and Evan Yang. The Eighth and Tenth Palaces each had three or four people. The Fifth Palace had just Nate Nalan and Ray Lei—others hadn't come or had just left.
With about thirty people left, the organizer was pleased to see Evan Yang among them. He said, 'Since you've all chosen to stay, life and death are no longer counted. You've made your decision, so I won't say more.'
Everyone nodded, but Evan Yang's face was unfamiliar. The top few from the First Palace were known, but now there was a newcomer, so everyone took notice of him.
There are thirty people left. Next, we'll draw lots for fifteen teams. The winners will advance to the top fifteen; the losers won't have a shot at the top three, but can still wait for that single day opportunity," the organizer explained.
'It really comes down to luck,' Evan Yang muttered. If anyone drew one of the strong contenders, they'd be in trouble.
'Everyone, come up and draw your numbers,' the organizer continued, so the crowd stepped forward to draw.
Evan Yang drew number eight.
Once everyone had drawn their numbers, the organizer said, 'You all know your numbers. Soon, the first round matchups will be announced.'
After speaking, he stepped aside. On the wall, the matchups for the fifteen teams began to appear one by one.
Evan Yang and Ray Lei were surprised to find themselves paired together. To Evan, the outcome was obvious, but Ray cursed inwardly—his injuries hadn't healed, and he wasn't a match for Evan. He feared Evan might even kill him.
But it was too late to withdraw, so Ray could only grit his teeth and endure.
Evan Yang was assigned to the ninth team, so he wasn't in a hurry—he could watch the first eight matches at leisure.
Once everyone understood, the organizer spoke again: 'Alright, now that you all know, follow me.'
He led everyone to another palace, which was surrounded by formations—even Heavenly-Immortals couldn't break them. It was the perfect place for life-and-death battles.
In the center was a huge stage, large enough for thousands. Evan's first impression was that this palace was truly immense.
'Alright, you can see for yourselves. First team, step up—the fight is life-and-death, but whoever leaves the stage loses,' the organizer announced.
Everyone nodded.
The first team took the stage. There weren't any strong contenders, so Evan didn't pay much attention. One quickly won, the other lost and left the stage.
After the first match, it was time for the second. The second match was between Shawn Xiao and the burly bearded man—Nate Nalan.
Shawn Xiao was in a bad mood—he had to face the Fifth Palace's top expert. It was almost a death sentence, but he had no choice but to tough it out.
As soon as the match started, both used their qi, but Nate Nalan's was clearly stronger. Sparks flew as their qi clashed, and Nate sent Shawn Xiao flying off the stage.
'Not worth a blow,' Nate Nalan said.
Evan Yang saw firsthand that Nate Nalan was indeed extraordinary—he was even closer to the Heavenly‑Immortal realm and far superior to Shawn Xiao.
Shawn Xiao was relieved not to be crippled—he'd only been thrown out. The fight was over before it began.
Nate Nalan won quickly.
Next came matches three through eight. The Eighth and Tenth Palaces' top contenders also fought, matching Nate Nalan's strength. All were terrifying, having mastered qi and just a step away from the Heavenly‑Immortal realm.
Ninth match: Evan Yang versus Ray Lei. Evan decided not to use qi yet—he'd wait for a stronger opponent. For now, his flying needles and flames would be enough to suppress Ray.
As soon as the match began, Evan's flames and flying needles appeared.
Evan Yang, a sixth-level, was challenging a ninth-level opponent. It drew a lot of attention. Ray Lei knew he wasn't a match—Evan's speed and strange flames alone were enough to overwhelm him.
Ray Lei, still injured, glared and sent a message: 'Kid, you'd better not kill me. If I die, I'll reveal that secret before I go.'
'Kill you? No need for that. Don't worry—as long as you surrender and leave the stage, I won't touch you,' Evan Yang replied with a smile.
'Surrender? Is that possible now? You think I'm stupid? Are all these people stupid?' Ray Lei retorted angrily.
'Simple. I'll send a hundred needles flying—you pretend you can't resist, lose control, and fall off the stage. That's all,' Evan Yang said with a grin.
Ray Lei was furious but had no choice—he didn't want to be crippled or killed. He hoped Evan would face Nate Nalan later, get taught a lesson, and then Ray could take his revenge.
'Hurry up, everyone's watching,' Evan Yang said with a smile.
'Fine, but don't celebrate too soon. You'll get yours later,' Ray Lei snorted coldly.
'Watch closely,' Evan Yang said, smiling. Suddenly, dozens of needles shot from his body—red-hot from the flames, sure to burn anyone they touched.
Ray Lei was shocked—Evan really attacked. He dodged and retreated until he tumbled off the stage. Evan recalled his needles, winning easily against the Fifth Palace's representative.
The crowd frowned—why didn't Ray Lei fight back and just let himself be attacked?