Back then, when Evan Chu first met Lord Jun Yang, just one look from him almost made Evan lose his composure. The gap in strength was so vast, Evan could only shrink back in awe.
But now—
The Seven Thrones and Four Temple Masters—eleven in total, all at least early Holy Emperor realm now—had once been so far above that when facing Holden Hong, they couldn't withstand even one move. Holden only needed to flick his finger to seal all their cultivation, leaving them completely immobilized. The gap between so-called Holy Emperor experts was truly beyond imagination.
But now, after so much time, when Evan Chu, Mad-Blade Li, Lord Jun Yang, and the others meet again, everything has changed drastically.
With Old Goldwing leading the way, Evan Chu finally found these figures in a hidden underground palace.
"Brother Evan!"
"Evan Chu!"
"Throne Chu?"
Everyone called out, each with a different title, but the shock in their voices was the same.
"That's right, it's me! Lord Jun Yang, Mad-Blade Li, I'm here to save you all!"
"This—this is..."
"Evan, you...?"
"Forgive me for not being able to protect you... I don't deserve to have you call me big brother."
Only Nightdream Ye showed a look of sudden understanding, along with a relieved smile.
"Lord Jun Yang, Mad-Blade Li, all Thrones and Temple Masters—rest assured. Right now, everything in the Frostbane Dynasty is still under my control. No one can act recklessly. I won't let the dynasty our predecessors built with such hardship be destroyed in an instant. I'll do everything to restore Frostbane and make it even stronger!"
"Haha! Looks like Evan isn't the same person he used to be!"
"His rate of growth is insane—completely unpredictable."
"That's right! Our lives don't matter—just leave, quickly!"
"Just what is going on here?"
Lord Jun Yang grabbed Evan Chu's hand. Even now, he couldn't believe such a drastic change had struck the Frostbane Dynasty.
"Sigh... Lord Jun Yang, it's a long story. I don't know why Holden Hong suddenly made such a move, but you all can see—today's disaster isn't a coincidence. Holden has been planning this for countless years.
The rise of Dragon-Chen Hall was just his excuse to start this cruel war. Even if I weren't here, Holden would have gone ahead with his plan regardless."
Then Evan Chu told the Seven Thrones and Four Temple Masters everything he knew about the Frostbane Dynasty's situation.
After hearing all this, the Seven Thrones and Four Temple Masters fell silent for a long time. Finally, Magnus Liao sighed, "To be honest, I still can't believe it—the dynasty itself has abandoned us."
"No, not abandoned—just useless chess pieces, thrown away without a second thought."
"Now he wants to use Evan as a stepping stone to fulfill his dream of ruling the star-domain. Doesn't he realize this will doom Frostbane forever?"
The Four Temple Masters were all clear-headed. After learning the truth, everyone's gaze turned to Nightdream Ye.
Nightdream Ye knew they wanted her to make the call. But was she really qualified? It was obvious—right now, Evan Chu was the strongest in Frostbane, second only to Holden Hong.
Whether it was his own strength or the forces behind him, he was nearly on par with Holden Hong, far above the old centers of power in Frostbane.
So, from now on, Frostbane would either stay under Holden's rule, or Evan Chu would become the new sovereign. As for the rest of them—did they really have any choice but to follow fate?
Of course, in Nightdream Ye's eyes, if a new master had to emerge, Evan Chu was far better than Holden Hong. At least Evan didn't have Holden's sinister, ruthless heart—and he wouldn't send them to their deaths.
"I don't have any suggestions. At this point, we should all follow Temple Master Chu's lead. Only he can end this catastrophe in Frostbane."
As soon as Nightdream Ye spoke, everyone snapped awake.
That's right! Evan Chu was no longer a greenhorn—and definitely not a weakling to be looked down on! Right now, his power and strength surpassed them all. The seals they couldn't break in a lifetime, Evan erased with a flick of his fingers.
Their cultivation realms might seem similar, but anyone with sense knew—if they fought Evan Chu, surviving even one move would be a miracle. And could they even do that?
In some ways, Evan Chu now stood on the same level as Holden Hong!
"No need to stand on ceremony, everyone. We're all Frostbane people here—how am I supposed to give orders if you act like this? In the days to come, I'll need your help to restore order to the Frostbane Dynasty."
"Evan, you don't need to say more. We're not fools—we understand the situation. Go ahead, give the orders!"
"From now on, we're willing to acknowledge you as our lord!"
Mad-Blade Li's final words pushed Evan Chu to new heights. Evan was shocked—this was what he'd always wanted, but hearing Mad-Blade Li say it out loud warmed his heart to the core.
"Since that's settled, good! I won't be modest—I'll make everything clear! I will utterly destroy Holden Hong, that traitor, and as the Third Person, inherit the throne of Frostbane."
"That's only right!" Nightdream Ye firmly supported him.
"Yes, but before that, I need everyone united, lending me your strength! The battle outside is grim, and Holden Hong is stalled—but to be honest, I won't lie to you. Right now, Holden's cultivation is terrifying, beyond anything the southeastern Star-River Dominion has ever seen! In fact, in some ways, he's already stepped into the Sacred Emperor Realm!
With that kind of power, none of us are his match—not even me!
So, we have to seize this window while he's gone, take full control of Frostbane, and wipe out all his forces!
"You mean—?" Lord Jun Yang was already fired up, overflowing with excitement.
"The united Counter-Rebel Army of the Seven Legions is waiting outside. I ask you all to show yourselves, lead every legion brother, help me accomplish this great undertaking—and fight the star-river by my side!"
Accomplish the great undertaking—fight the star-river together!