"What kind of place is that?" Evan Yang asked suspiciously.
"Drifting Cloud Starfield," Hannah Nangong replied.
"Drifting Cloud Starfield?" Evan Yang had never heard of such a place, so he asked in confusion.
"Yes. Most of the planets there are rich in resources, so every clan and sect tries to occupy a planet. But to prevent constant chaos and conflict over planets, the Immortal Realm set a rule: every hundred thousand years, there's a contest for control. Clans, sects, or even individuals can compete alone or team up to seize planetary dominance. Once the planets are divided, no one can attack each other, so the contest for these planets is called the Territory War Contest," Hannah Nangong explained.
Evan Yang seemed to understand now; so that's what Drifting Cloud Starfield was. But he wasn't interested in these matters—he just wanted to finish this and go find his father.
"I see. That must get pretty intense, huh?" Evan Yang said with a smile.
"Exactly. Every participating clan or sect has to put up their current planets as a wager. If you win, you get more planets, but if you lose, you might even lose the ones you already have," Hannah Nangong said.
Hearing this, Evan Yang gained a new understanding of the Territory War Contest. "Your dad really put a lot of effort into this," he commented.
"No kidding. He even used me as a bargaining chip," Hannah Nangong sighed, feeling she could never get along with her father.
"Don't sigh. One day your dad will realize your true worth," Evan Yang said.
"Is that possible? I doubt it. He's always been like this since I was little. Sometimes I even wonder if I'm really his daughter," Hannah Nangong said with an awkward laugh.
"Don't worry, that's not the case. We'll sort this out for sure. Once we leave, we can go our separate ways and you'll be free," Evan Yang said.
Hannah Nangong nodded, but deep down she actually wanted to leave with Evan Yang. She couldn't bring herself to say it, so she just endured in silence. Just then, someone arrived outside, carrying a wine pot and holding a cup.
"You're Evan Yang?" the newcomer asked as soon as he entered.
Evan Yang didn't recognize this person, but Hannah Nangong's expression already told him she knew who it was. Hannah said, "Big Brother."
"Your big brother?" Evan Yang was genuinely surprised; he hadn't expected Hannah's elder brother to show up here.
"That's right. I'm her big brother, Zelin Nangong," the man said.
"I see," Evan Yang replied.
"Since you're already my brother-in-law, let's have a drink and get acquainted," Zelin Nangong said, setting out two cups and pouring Evan Yang a drink.
Evan Yang felt this kind of hospitality was a bit unusual, so he smiled and said, "Thanks."
Hannah Nangong was curious. Her big brother was indeed fond of drinking, but usually ignored her. Why was he suddenly so enthusiastic today? It made her a bit suspicious.
After Evan Yang drank the wine, Zelin Nangong smiled and said, "Good. In a few days, I'll come drink with you again. I hope you'll be just as straightforward then."
He left with a cheerful smile. Watching Zelin Nangong's departing figure and remembering his tone, Evan Yang muttered, "Your big brother really is an interesting guy."
"He's not usually like this," Hannah Nangong said.
"If he's not usually like this, what is he like?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"How should I put it? He's really domineering and never asks about me—it's like he doesn't care at all," Hannah Nangong explained.
"We're not even married yet and he's already so enthusiastic. It's a bit hard to accept," Evan Yang said with a laugh.
"Are you feeling any discomfort?" Hannah Nangong asked.
Evan Yang smiled, "No, thanks."
Hannah Nangong was puzzled. Normally, Zelin Nangong wasn't like this, but Evan Yang's complexion suddenly changed. Hannah Nangong was shocked, "What's wrong with your face?"
Evan Yang checked his complexion with his divine sense and exclaimed, "Isn't this Toad Venom?"
"Toad Venom? Could it be...? Damn it, he really did go after you!" Hannah Nangong said angrily.
"It's fine. This poison doesn't affect me, but I have to make it look convincing," Evan Yang said with a smile. He removed the toxin from his body, then coated himself with a faint layer of black energy to look poisoned.
"Why are you doing this?" Hannah Nangong asked curiously.
"I don't know whose idea it was, but I have to play along. When we leave, I'll get rid of it," Evan Yang said with a smile.
"But I still want to confront him!" Hannah Nangong said angrily.
"It's fine. That doesn't matter anymore," Evan Yang replied.
"Who says it doesn't matter? I'm not willing to let it go," Hannah Nangong said, still angry.
"What's the point of being unwilling? Your dad already wants to kill me—and it's not just him. I'm sure plenty of people are thinking the same thing," Evan Yang thought, given how dazzlingly he performed today, lots of people would want to target him.
"But..." Hannah Nangong protested, unwilling to accept it.
"Don't be angry. Don't you think this is actually better?" Evan Yang said with a smile.
Hannah Nangong didn't understand. "Why is it better?" she asked.
"It's simple. Since the Palace Lord wants to kill me, if I pretend to be poisoned, I'll live a few more years. They won't suspect I've already detoxified myself, so I can just go along with it and act poisoned. That way, they'll think I'm doomed and won't bother targeting me anymore," Evan Yang explained.
After hearing Evan Yang's analysis, Hannah Nangong realized he was right. "Looks like you're the clever one. This is a great idea—it'll help you avoid a lot of killing intent," she said.
"Yeah, so don't worry," Evan Yang said with a smile.
After this incident, Hannah Nangong hated the Palace Lord even more. Over the next few days, she and Evan Yang chatted idly in Beryl Waters Palace, even talking about Evan Yang's past.
After hearing Evan Yang's story, Hannah Nangong asked curiously, "So you came to Ethereal Sanctuary because your father once appeared here?"
"That's right. Back then, I went to Ethereal Sanctuary in the Earth-Immortal Star System just to cultivate. Later, I found out my father had appeared in Ethereal Sanctuary, so I applied to transfer here. Eventually, I ended up in the Lower Sanctuary, and then I was mysteriously kidnapped and dumped in an unfamiliar forest—where I finally met you," Evan Yang explained.
"I misunderstood you back then. I'm really sorry about that," Hannah Nangong said awkwardly.
"Don't say that. That's all in the past. Isn't everything fine now?" Evan Yang said with a smile.
"So, do you know where your father is now? Have you found out? Want me to ask around for you?" Hannah Nangong asked.
"No need. I already know he was taken away by a certain family, but they went somewhere very far away," Evan Yang replied.
"Where exactly?" Hannah Nangong asked, curious.
"Blaze Mountain," Evan Yang said.
"Blaze Mountain? Never heard of it. What kind of place is that?" Hannah Nangong asked, curious.
"It's really far away. At my current speed, it would take thousands of years to fly there. Even an Emperor would need decades, and only a Celestial would get there in a few months," Evan Yang said.
"What kind of place is that—so far away?" Hannah Nangong exclaimed.
"I'd like to know too. Maybe they have some way to cross the distance," Evan Yang said.
"Cross the distance? That's actually possible. Some remote sects rely on ancient teleportation gates, which can reach much farther than starfield gates—sometimes you can jump to entirely different star systems," Hannah Nangong said.
"Oh? Such places really exist?" Evan Yang was delighted when he heard this, because it meant he wouldn't have to wait until he was powerful enough to travel there—he could use one of those ancient teleportation gates instead.
"There are, but those remote sects and clans like to set up their teleportation gates in inconspicuous places. To find out, you'd need to ask a sect that specializes in this," Hannah Nangong said.
"A sect that specializes in this? Which one?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"In the Immortal Realm, the sects most skilled in formations are the ancient formation sects, and the foremost among them is Celestial Resonance Sect," Hannah Nangong explained.
"Celestial Resonance Sect? Is it far from here?" Evan Yang asked.
"Not far. You can get there with just a few teleportation arrays," Hannah Nangong said.
"I see. After the wedding, I'll head there," Evan Yang said after thinking for a moment.
"I'll go with you. I know someone from Celestial Resonance Sect," Hannah Nangong said.
"How do you know someone from there?" Evan Yang asked curiously.
"You know how Ethereal Sanctuary has people from all sorts of sects and clans. So back when I was there, I naturally met people from other sects and clans—one of them was from Celestial Resonance Sect, though he eventually returned to his sect," Hannah Nangong explained.
Evan Yang nodded and said, "Alright then."
Hannah Nangong was secretly delighted to hear this—she could finally be together with Evan Yang again. She could spend some time with him at Celestial Resonance Sect.
Evan Yang had no idea what Hannah Nangong was thinking. He was excited—he could finally go to Blaze Mountain early and look for his father.
Evan Yang really wanted to learn more about his eccentric father and find out what was going on.
Time passed quickly. On the wedding day, the palace was bustling—many clans and sects had come. Evan Yang had to go out and socialize, but several Celestial Lords followed him closely to prevent him from leaving.
But when Evan Yang appeared, many people were puzzled by his darkened complexion—only those clans and sects who knew the inside story quietly laughed to themselves.
Especially Quentin Qing, who, seeing Evan Yang in the same state as he once was, sneered inwardly: "Now it's your turn. You're the thorn in everyone's side. I doubt anyone will protect you now."
The Fiend Palace Lord was also delighted to see Evan Yang like this, so he stepped forward and asked curiously, "Evan Yang, what's happened to you?"
"Sigh, I don't know what's going on. It's been like this for days, and it's getting darker," Evan Yang said with a sigh.