Holden Hong's appearance was expected by many, but the timing hardly seemed ideal.
According to Desmond Mansfield's calculations, they should have waited until Evan Chu fully became the master of the Frostbane Dynasty, put everything in order, consolidated all power, and held it firmly in his hands.
That way, when Holden Hong appeared, the entire dynasty would be united in heart and mind, and he would lose his last chance to overturn the situation. With the Heavenly Dao's favor for the Frostbane Dynasty, Evan Chu could receive the core empowerment of the Frostbane Base Star‑Region.
Likewise, the millions of soldiers and ordinary citizens living in the Frostbane Dynasty's base would generate a truly terrifying amount of faith power.
Faith power is a mysterious thing—ordinary people can't possess it. Only the Holy Emperor Lords of the Three Thousand Dynasties and the highest rulers of the Five Sacred Lands are qualified to obtain it.
While this faith power doesn't directly increase one's cultivation realm, it greatly aids in Dao comprehension—whether studying techniques or breaking through bottlenecks, it gives a massive edge over ordinary people.
So, if Kellan Lin had truly kept Holden Hong away for fifty years, then with Evan Chu's talent and potential, the Seven‑Star Golden Tower, the Frostbane Dynasty's base‑star empowerment, and the people's faith power all working together...
Fifty years later, when Holden Hong finally returned, Evan Chu could have easily obliterated him in a single move—Desmond Mansfield had no doubt about that.
But now, with only three years passed, no one knows what went wrong on the Star‑Treasure Pavilion's side. For now, Evan Chu is once again facing a crisis.
"Be careful. His strength may have already surpassed the Holy Emperor realm! At the very least, he can go toe‑to‑toe with a typical early‑stage Sacred Emperor!"
Of everyone present, Nightdream Ye understood Holden Hong's cultivation best. At this moment, she couldn't help but speak up to warn Evan Chu.
"Are you confident? Don't worry, we'll all be standing behind you!"
"How about I go test him out first?"
"That's right! With so many of us, if we all go at once, he can't possibly win!"
Mad-Blade Li, Lord Jun Yang, and Nathan Yates could hardly hold back anymore. They didn't want Evan Chu taking the lead—if someone had to die, they'd rather be the first to charge!
"Heh, Evan Chu, aren't you supposed to be so tough? So why are you acting like a turtle now—hiding in your shell and sending these cannon fodder out to die for you?"
Holden Hong stood above the nine heavens, launching a full-scale taunt at all the Holy Emperor experts below.
Of course, Holden Hong had every right and strength to say this—he understood his own true power better than anyone.
"Too arrogant! I'm going to step out and teach him a lesson!"
Liam Savage absolutely refused to accept it! On the surface, he was a late-stage Holy Emperor, and Holden Hong was only one realm higher—how could Holden look down on him like that? Burning with fighting spirit, he was about to charge forward.
"Don't act rashly!"
Night Wuming, also a late-stage Holy Emperor, moved swiftly to pin Liam Savage in place.
"Night Wuming? What do you mean by this? If you want to save yourself, fine—stand aside. But I'm not like you! You're the Flowing-Light sovereign, you can choose to cling to life, but I belong to Dragon-Chen now. I have to fight this battle!"
"Liam Savage! I said, don't act rashly! This is a sovereign's Emperor's Duel—it has nothing to do with you! Not just you, but no one else is allowed to interfere!
Even if someone from the Five Sacred Lands or a Sacred Emperor came personally, they'd have no right or power to interfere! An Emperor's Duel between dynasty sovereigns... It's been ages since anyone's seen or even heard of such a thing. At least in the southeastern Star-River Dominion, it hasn't happened in this entire era."
"Never happened before? So what if it does?" Desmond Mansfield frowned, a bad feeling rising in his heart.
"What happens, I don't really know. But I do know, once the Emperor's Duel begins, no one can interfere. That's a rule set by the Heavenly Dao itself!"
A rule set by the Heavenly Dao! Everyone who heard those words was shaken—so that's the reason.
"So that means our sovereign and Holden Hong are destined to fight."
"And it's a battle that must end with a true victor!"
Liam Savage gave Night Wuming one last look, then finally backed down.
Maybe in terms of cultivation, Night Wuming was a step below Holden Hong, but in status and rank, the two were equals. As the Holy Emperor sovereign of the Flowing-Light Dynasty, Night Wuming naturally knew more about these matters than the average person.
Seeing everyone chattering away, Evan Chu suddenly burst out laughing.
"Everyone, what are you doing? Have I ever said I'm scared of that guy up there? Or that I can't beat him? What's with all this? Are you mourning for me in advance?"
Evan Chu's words left everyone stunned. What did he mean?
"Evan Chu, what do you mean?" Desmond Mansfield was already smiling at the corners of his mouth.
"I've already said it before—I want to fight that guy, and I've been waiting a long time. And now? The timing couldn't be more perfect! You all don't need to worry about me!"
Hearing Evan Chu say this, Desmond Mansfield finally relaxed. Of course, he was the only one at ease—everyone else was still worried for Evan Chu.
"You all stay here. I'll go alone!"
Swish! Evan Chu's newly donned golden dragon imperial robe vanished in an instant, revealing the close-fitting Stellar Dragon-pattern battle armor underneath.