Back when the entrance between the Netherworld and the outside world hadn’t yet been sealed, very few people ever appeared on the Divine Battlefield. Even when they did, it was usually only at night—during the day, sunlight would inflict immense damage on their bodies and severely limit their strength. That’s why, back then, even a clone of the Nether Monarch only had the power of a Sixth-Layer Saint Martial expert.
The Sunflare Stone can emit light just like the sun, dealing heavy damage to Netherworld beings. Evan Chu had completely forgotten this when fighting Xiang Shaolong, only recalling it just now while thinking about the Nether Monarch’s clone. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fled during the battle with Xiang Shaolong.
If you have a Sunflare Stone in hand, the Nether Monarch’s strength drops sharply. Even if you’re no match for him, you won’t lose outright—the Sunflare Stone’s radiance can directly suppress his realm by a full stage. With Evan’s current power, he’d have no trouble facing a Venerable Martial expert.
But the Sunflare Stone can’t be used lightly, because it’s tied to the major matter of returning to the Azure Tide Ruins. If you use it in the Netherworld, it will automatically vanish. That’s exactly why Luna, the Sword Spirit, refuses to let Evan use it even though she knows all this.
The Nether Monarch can’t be sure whether Evan really has a Sunflare Stone, but he knows perfectly well what it means to him. In the end, he can only say helplessly, “You want to see Faye? Fine—but you’ll have to promise me one thing. Otherwise, forget it.”
Seeing a chance to turn things around, Evan’s heart leaps and he immediately says, “Go on. If it’s something I can do, maybe I’ll consider it. But you’d better not play any tricks. If I dared to come to the Netherworld, I obviously have ways to deal with you people. Do you really think I’m just a Saint Martial expert? Both the Ghost King and Beast King died by my hand—you already know that.
They both unleashed their suicidal forbidden arts, but it still wasn’t enough to deal with me. If it were you instead, could you do any better? So you’d better think carefully—I’m running out of patience.”
“A life-and-death battle between us is inevitable, that much is certain. But I have only one daughter—Faye. She’s the apple of my eye. If I really die at your hands, I want you to take good care of her. Don’t bully her.” said the Nether Monarch.
“I promise you, I’ll treat Faye with all my heart. Now, can you tell me where she is?” Evan said.
“No. Beat me first, then I’ll tell you!” said the Nether Monarch.
“Damn! You’re messing with me!” Evan couldn’t help but curse, then immediately pulled the Sunflare Stone out of his storage ring. Instantly, a blinding white light burst out from his palm.
Seeing the Sunflare Stone in Evan’s hand, the Nether Monarch’s face changed slightly. “My royal dignity cannot be defied. Even if you have a Sunflare Stone, I still have to fight you. Rest assured, if I really lose to you, I’ll tell you what you want to know. Come—let me see just how strong you are.”
“Stubborn fool! You think I’m scared of you?” Evan shouted angrily. He was just about to throw the Sunflare Stone into the air to bathe the Nether Monarch in its blinding light when Luna, the Sword Spirit, spoke up.
“Evan, you absolutely must not use the Sunflare Stone. It’s the key to getting you home. In the Azure Tide Ruins it’s not that useful, but here in the Netherworld it’s an against-the-heavens item. If you use it here, it’ll vanish. Sure, it can suppress the Nether Monarch’s power or burn his body, but it’ll be gone for good. Don’t be reckless.”
After hearing this, Evan hesitated. If he couldn’t return, then even a mountain of Netherghost Violet Orchids would be worthless. Even slaughtering every Netherworld being wouldn’t help. For a moment, he was stuck; in the end, he could only put the Sunflare Stone back into his storage ring.
“Nether Monarch, I have no intention of fighting you right now. I just want to see Faye. Once I’ve met her, I’ll fight you fair and square—and I won’t use the Sunflare Stone. I promise I won’t let you down!” Evan said.
After a moment, the Nether Monarch replied, “Fine. But you’d better not play any tricks, or I’ll make you wish you were dead! Faye isn’t here—she’s in the Netherkin palace.”
Evan immediately said, “While I’m off seeing Faye, I want you to leave the Shade Clan alone. If you’re looking for a challenge, try Human King Xiang Shaolong’s Double Domain—you’ll love it.”
“You have three days. If you’re not back in three days, I’ll wipe out the Shade Clan’s current city—Skyspear City. Your two women will die there. You’ve been warned.” With that, the Nether Monarch vanished.
Evan knew the only reason the Nether Monarch was willing to compromise was Faye Knox. Clearly, he doted on his daughter to an extreme. Without wasting any time, Evan shot off toward Netherkin territory.
Not long after Evan flew off, two figures appeared in the sky—one was Zander Xiang, the other was Cindy Cheng. Cindy had already regained some vitality, but her eyes were full of loss and her face still burned with anger.
When Zander Xiang saw her, she had just recovered some strength, put her clothes back on, and was about to leave when she ran into her master. In her current state, it was obvious to Zander what had happened.
The disciple he treated as his own daughter, Cindy Cheng, had been defiled by Evan; another beloved disciple had been killed by him as well. Such a blood feud had to be avenged, or Zander wouldn’t be able to face the world. He’d tracked Evan all the way here, but now Evan’s aura had vanished.
“Master, you have to kill that bastard for me! I want him dead, and not even a complete corpse left!” Cindy Cheng said through gritted teeth.
“I won’t let him go, no matter where he runs. Cindy, don’t dwell on it—think of this as your tribulation. I swear I’ll avenge you,” said Zander Xiang.
“Hahaha! Such deep master-disciple affection! I wonder who the Human King is so furious at—what a rare sight.” The Nether Monarch’s voice rang out in the sky.
“Nether Monarch? Why are you here? Did you see that brat? If you still count me as a friend, tell me where he went—Zander Xiang would be deeply grateful.” Zander said.
“Since we’re friends, I’ll tell you—he went to Netherkin territory.” the Nether Monarch replied simply.
“Thank you! Once I’ve killed that brat, I’ll definitely repay you, Nether Monarch. Farewell!” Zander said hastily, dragging Cindy Cheng away.
“Wait. Did I say you could leave? Netherkin territory is my domain. If you go there to kill him, you’ll wreck my cities. Do you think I’d allow that?” asked the Nether Monarch.
“So what do you want? Are you planning to detain the Human King?” Zander snapped. If the Nether Monarch really tried to stop him, he wouldn’t mind letting him taste the Double Domain.