"If you insist on entering my Netherkin territory, then I will have to keep you here. I have no intention of letting my royal city be destroyed by you, Zander Xiang. I know exactly what you're plotting," said the Nether Monarch.
"I'm just going there to kill the brat who murdered my disciple. It won't touch your city, so why put up obstacles? We've been friends for years—what, you won't even do me this one favor? Or do you really think I'm here to play games with you?" Zander Xiang shot back, his tone sharp and confrontational.
"These are turbulent times. You think I'd buy your story? The Humans have been silent for ages, and now, with Ghost King and Beast King both dead, you're already clawing for their territory like a vulture. If I hesitated for even a moment, you'd snatch the Ghost King's lands too!"
Let's not beat around the bush—it's simple: I don't trust you. Maybe after you take the Ghost King's lands, your next target is my Netherkin. Right now, if you head for the Netherkin, you could destroy my royal city, throw my people into chaos, and let the Human army march right in. You're a schemer, all right. Chasing Evan Chu is just a cover—what you really want is to wipe out my Netherkin." said the Nether Monarch.
Zander Xiang's face turned grim. He hadn't planned on it, but the Nether Monarch's words planted the seed—if he could wipe out the Monarch, not a soul in the Netherworld could stop him. Human rule would be just a step away. Scheming or not, the idea was tempting.
"Aren't you being a bit too paranoid? If I wipe out your Netherkin, then you can wipe out my Humans. How about that?" Zander Xiang said.
"You all might as well wait here quietly for him. I'm waiting for him too. He'll be back in three days. What use do I have for destroying your Human cities? I don't care about that at all," said the Nether Monarch.
"Three days? I can't wait even a moment! I won't let the man who killed my beloved disciple live another day. If you really mean to block me, Nether Monarch, then don't blame me for being rude!" Zander Xiang began to grow angry.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you? For years, the only real opponent in the Netherworld has been you, Zander Xiang—you're the only one worthy of fighting me. Late Sixth-Layer Venerable, right? I hear you've mastered the Double Domain, but I wonder how strong it really is. If it was truly invincible, Evan Chu wouldn't have escaped from it. Am I wrong?" The Nether Monarch laughed.
"Fine. I also know your three clones are terrifying. Today I'll get to see for myself. If I can kill you, then the Netherworld will belong to the Humans—and that'll save me a lot of trouble." Zander Xiang said.
"You really aren't worried that if we both end up badly wounded, that brat will swoop in and reap all the benefits? Or is your confidence in your own strength that overwhelming?" The Nether Monarch laughed, his tone mocking and sharp.
Cindy Cheng glanced at the Nether Monarch, anxiety flickering in her eyes. "Can he really come back within three days? You're not lying to us, are you?"
"Little girl, why would I bother lying to you? There are very few in the Netherworld I trust, and Frostbane is one of them. If you want to wait here with me for him, that's best. If you want to fight, then hurry up—I don't care to waste my breath." The Nether Monarch replied, his voice cool and faintly condescending.
Cindy Cheng looked at Zander Xiang again, her tone full of concern. "Master, I think we should wait the three days. What if you get hurt? That brat is incredibly fast—if he escapes, we'll never catch him again."
"Don't worry, Cindy. I know what I'm doing—dealing with him is no problem. But you should step aside for now; once the fight starts, I might not be able to protect you." Zander Xiang said with calm confidence.
"I understand, Master. Please be careful—my senior brother and I are counting on you for revenge!" Cindy Cheng said, then shot away into the distance, her voice urgent and determined.
Watching Cindy Cheng leave, Zander Xiang finally relaxed. He turned to the Nether Monarch and said, "Come, let me see just how powerful your clones really are—are they worthy of their reputation?"
The Nether Monarch smiled faintly, and in an instant, three identical versions of himself materialized at his side, each with a calm, natural expression—a truly extraordinary sight.
In a blink, the three clones shot out in different directions, forming a four-point encirclement together with the Nether Monarch himself, completely surrounding Zander Xiang.
If Evan Chu were here now, he'd be thrilled—these two monarchs fighting would be a massive opportunity. When both were wounded, killing them would be much easier. But at this moment, Evan had just arrived at the gate of the Netherkin Royal City, Faye Knox's territory. He already felt guilty toward her, so naturally he didn't want to make a scene and cause her trouble.
"Nether Monarch, your clones aren't all that impressive. Actually, you're all mistaken—my greatest secret isn't the Double Domain, but my own clone technique. I've learned to clone myself too, though I can only make two. Surprised?" As soon as Zander Xiang finished speaking, two identical clones appeared beside him, each indistinguishable from the real body.
These two clones were so lifelike that, standing together, it was impossible to tell which was the real Zander Xiang. The Nether Monarch was stunned, staring at him in disbelief. "How do you have clones? Where did you get the technique?" he demanded.
"The Death-Tower Grounds—you've heard of it, right? I was lucky enough to get in once. Not only did I collect plenty of Netherghost Violet Orchids, I also found an ancient manual—the Clone Grand Art! This technique only lets me make two clones, not three like you. But my clones are just one minor realm weaker than my true body. So, do you really think you can beat me now?" Zander Xiang declared, his voice full of pride.
"Of course, if a clone is destroyed, the real body suffers a heavy blow. But I'm confident my two clones can easily defeat your three. Even if I don't kill you myself, you won't escape death—so you'd better stop resisting and save yourself some trouble." Zander Xiang's words dripped with contempt.
"Then let me see if your clones are really as strong as you claim!" the Nether Monarch roared, sending his three clones and himself charging at Zander Xiang.
Meanwhile, Evan Chu was stopped at the city gate. Whether Faye Knox did it on purpose or not, after returning from Nine-Shade City she had Evan's portrait hung on the city wall and ordered the guards not to let him in. It may have been a moment of impulse, but now Evan found himself in a tricky situation.
"You're still not leaving? Believe it or not, I'll cut you down right here! This is an order from our Netherkin princess—anyone can enter the city except you. Don't ask how I recognize you; your portrait was hung on the wall for months. Everyone who comes here knows your face!" a middle-aged officer barked at Evan Chu, his tone full of hostility.
Evan Chu nodded and slunk away—he didn't want to make a scene here. He resolved to drop into the city from the sky later, after changing his appearance so no one would recognize him.