In a mysterious star-region to the southeast of Star-Treasure Pavilion, the surface was empty and silent, but deep underground, a secret chamber was packed with heavily armed guards and powerful cultivators. At a glance, the Saint Emperor-level experts gathered here already outnumbered the entire upper echelon of the Frostbane Dynasty several times over.
In fact, the strongest aura here was tens of millions of times greater than Holden Hong’s—this was the legendary Sacred Emperor Realm.
At the exit, a stellar warship emblazoned with the Star-Treasure Pavilion insignia was docked. A Hidden Star Guard slipped quickly into the underground chamber, delivering urgent intelligence.
“Prefecture Master, Evan Chu himself seems to have vanished into the Flowing-Light Star-Region, but his subordinates are frantically sweeping up every Starstone they can find, sparing no expense. Frankly, I think it’s pointless! Is he just scrambling at the last minute? Yet the Frostbane Dynasty’s attack is less than forty days away.”
"For almost two months now, there’s been no sign of Evan Chu having a clear counter-strategy. It just feels like they’re hunkering down to defend the Flowing-Light Star-Region to the bitter end."
After the peak late Saint Emperor finished speaking, the East-Star Prefecture Master gave a mysterious smile. “It seems he’s already fully fused with that thing. And... he’s the one I’ve been searching for! Hahaha! Heaven really does favor me—I always thought I had the lowest odds among the Four Prefecture Masters.”
Who would have thought the most barren southeast corner of the Star-River Dominion would produce someone like him! And only he—and only someone who’s cultivated that art—can truly fuse with it!
After hearing these seemingly simple reports, the East-Star Prefecture Master was so excited he nearly jumped up, then started coughing violently, his face flushed red.
"Prefecture Master? Are you alright?"
"It’s nothing. Now, quickly halt all operations—gather all Starstones from every branch, and collect all the low-grade Star Crystals in one place for me."
Finally, have someone deliver everything to the Flowing-Light Star-Region within three days, and tell Evan Chu: this is Star-Treasure Pavilion’s token of goodwill.
"Huh? This..."
"What do you mean, 'this'? Just follow orders! And go get Kellan Lin over here."
"Yes, Prefecture Master!"
After the expert left, he immediately went to carry out the East-Star Prefecture Master’s orders. Half an hour later, a handsome youth in a purple martial robe, his face pale, arrived before the East-Star Prefecture Master.
"Father."
"Kellan, I have good news—the one we’ve been searching for has been found. I’m certain: Evan Chu is definitely the person!"
"Congratulations, Father!" Kellan Lin’s purple eyes flashed with excitement, then worry. His father was a Sacred Emperor-level powerhouse, but that hidden injury... He’d always held on by sheer willpower, but now—would he really be alright?
But before Kellan could finish thinking, the East-Star Prefecture Master was wracked by another violent cough. In that instant, the poison from his hidden injury burrowed even deeper.
"Don’t congratulate me—congratulate yourself, Kellan. The road is already paved for you. In my whole life, I only reached early-stage Sacred Emperor, and my position is just East-Star Prefecture Master. With no background, to get this far, I’ve forgotten half of what I’ve been through."
This part of the Star-River Dominion is the most barren wasteland, the place where Frostbane was exiled long ago. In the true central world, the stars shine many times brighter, and their power is immeasurable. Countless people dream of cultivating in the star-rich heart of the central world—that’s where paradise truly lies.
But for me, I fear there will never be another chance in this lifetime.
"No! Father, don’t give up hope—you can do it! Our future is only just beginning!"
Heh, hope? I have none left, only what I place in you. Don’t speak—remember every word I say. I know my days are numbered, and you must inherit my will, carry on our Lin family’s legacy, and stay loyal to Star-Treasure Pavilion!
Now that we’re sure Evan Chu is the one, you must do your best to build a relationship with him. But only the two of you can know—if the Five Sacred Lands find out, you’ll be destroyed before ever reaching the central world.
Star-Treasure Pavilion isn’t clean inside, but this war concerns the future of East-Star Prefecture, Star-Treasure Pavilion, and Evan Chu. So I need you to do something—something only you can accomplish.
Kellan Lin bit his lip—he didn’t want to agree. His father was dying, and not staying by his side felt unfilial. But his father’s look and expression left him no choice.
"Father, tell me."
Go to the Frostbane Dynasty, find Holden Hong, and cause him trouble. I want him unable to appear at the battle in forty days—not even as a Holy Emperor Avatar! And for at least ten years, he must remain trapped. But don’t expose yourself, and don’t let even a whisper reach anyone who might be interested. Do you understand?
"Understood! But, Father, what about you?"
Don’t worry. I’m waiting for Evan Chu’s final victory. The Hundred Dynasties Struggle lasted ages, but this will be just as long, if not longer. For Evan Chu to truly grow, this war is the key—the longer it drags on, the higher his future foundation!
I’m waiting to see him stand atop the southeastern star-domain and the universe, to meet me there.
Hearing this, Kellan Lin finally relaxed. He vanished in a flash, destination unknown.
Kellan Lin was the East-Star Prefecture Master’s only son. Three thousand years ago, a great upheaval killed the Prefecture Master’s wife, gravely wounded him, and his son was rumored to have died as well. But only he knew the truth: to save his son, he sacrificed his own health and spent all his life force.
He could have given up his cultivation and lived longer, keeping father and son safe. But he knew a great plan awaited him—one that couldn’t be carried out without Sacred Emperor power.
So he gave up longevity, forcibly maintaining his Sacred Emperor realm, while his son grew in secret. Now, Kellan Lin is Half-Step Sacred Emperor, and once, on a covert mission, he killed an early-stage Sacred Emperor from the Five Sacred Lands!
In the Flowing-Light Star-Region, everything was busy. Desmond Mansfield hadn’t rested a single moment in two months. Though his cultivation could sustain him, the mental strain was beyond what ordinary people could endure.
"Thirty-three days remain until the Frostbane Dynasty launches its attack, and in three days, our senior brother will emerge from seclusion. No one knows how much our 400,000 soldiers will improve. But in these three days, we must keep gathering Starstones and Star Crystals for the next energy baptism!"
"Right, Violet Thunder—Evan Chu trusts you most, so you’ll handle all resource transfers from Star-Treasure Pavilion."
Desmond Mansfield gave Violet Thunder his final instructions, then collapsed from exhaustion.
After sleeping for three days, Desmond Mansfield recovered his strength. Looking out at the imperial palace grand plaza, he saw a vast army of 400,000 cultivators, all at Saint Lord Realm or higher!
"Holy crap!" Desmond Mansfield jumped in shock. If he hadn’t seen the custom armor of Dragon-Chen Hall’s three legions, he’d have thought Frostbane’s elite army had invaded!