Holden Hong's Holy Emperor Avatar might be considered incredibly powerful among Holy Emperors—even five late-stage Holy Emperors working together would struggle to gain the upper hand against it in a short time. But that doesn't include Evan Chu. Evan Chu has never been someone you can judge by ordinary standards!
Seeing his own Holy Emperor Avatar being forced back again and again, suffering heavy injuries after just a dozen or so exchanges, Holden Hong's frown grew tighter and tighter.
But the real problem is, with his Holy Emperor Avatar so badly wounded, he finds himself completely helpless against the bizarre existence Evan Chu has brought out!
"Heh, if you've got any more tricks, just show them all at once!"
Lynton Chu let out a sneering laugh, driving Holden Hong even crazier—was this damned bastard actually mocking him?
"Hmph! Fine, as you wish!"
Holden Hong steeled himself, throwing caution to the wind. He decided that even if it meant risking discovery by the Five Sacred Lands, this time he'd fight to the death for victory!
"Evan Chu, you forced me into this. You'll regret it!"
"Oh? Is that so? I'm actually looking forward to it! Just look at your Holy Emperor Avatar—it's almost trashed. Where's all that confidence coming from?"
"Just you wait and see!"
After Holden Hong finished speaking, he fell silent. Flames burst from his eyes, his expression utterly focused.
Suddenly, the muscles on his chest exploded—bang!
Blood-red mist shot out, and that was just the beginning. Soon after, his whole body seemed to start self-destructing.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Explosion after explosion—there wasn't a single part of Holden Hong's body left intact. His flesh was almost completely destroyed, with only a forest of white bones keeping him upright.
"Evan Chu, let me show you my true power!"
"Oh? Your true power is just self-destructing to scare me? If that's the case, then congratulations—I'm honestly terrified! Hahaha!"
Evan Chu showed no fear at all, even cracking jokes. In his eyes, Holden Hong had already reached the end of his rope.
Whether it was a contest of strength, techniques, or comprehension of Stellar Power, Holden Hong was absolutely on the losing side. More importantly, he was completely backed into a corner, while Evan Chu hadn't even shown his real trump cards yet!
For example, the ultimate eruption of Ninefold Stellar Transformation, or the true might of the Seven-Star Golden Tower...
"Heh, ignorant human—maybe you think this is just some stupid self-destruction. But have you ever considered that this is actually my true form?"
"What?!"
Evan Chu's expression changed—Holden Hong didn't look like he was joking at all!
"Anyone familiar with the previous Frostbane Holy Emperor—the so-called First Person—knows this: no matter where he went, he always wore a mask. Not even his most trusted confidants ever saw his real face. Did you know that?
Of course you didn't! Because I can tell you for sure—the only person who ever saw his true face was the one who killed him!"
A wicked smile curled Holden Hong's lips. Evan Chu felt a sudden sense of dread—just what was this guy up to...?
"Figured it out yet? Who do you think was able to get close to him, and kill him with almost no cost?"
"Wasn't he killed by the curse after trying to break through, losing his mind and dying from qi deviation?"
Evan Chu retorted, but deep down he already suspected things weren't that simple.
"Hahaha! That so-called Five Sacred Lands curse is pure nonsense! Sure, the Frostbane Dynasty was cursed, but think about its predecessor—the Frostbane Sacred Land! What power could truly curse him? If it were that easy, would the Five Sacred Lands be so afraid, so terrified the Frostbane Dynasty might one day rise again?
Let me tell you—the so-called curse only restricts breakthroughs in realm, nothing more! It never drove anyone insane! In all this time, it's only happened once, and as for Frostbane Dynasty trial seeds, there have only ever been two!
So whatever I say, you have to believe! Hahaha, what a bunch of stupid fools!"
Holden Hong laughed even more wildly, but Evan Chu was utterly shaken... Could it be that the First Person wasn't killed by qi deviation, but secretly murdered? And the culprit was someone the original Frostbane Holy Emperor completely trusted—who else could it be...?
"That's right! Evan Chu, you guessed it! It was me! I was the second seed of the Frostbane Dynasty trial world! Surprised? Hahaha, bet you never saw that coming! Can't figure out why it was me? Everyone thinks the Frostbane Holy Emperor's throne should've been mine, so why would I do it?
That's what everyone thinks, right? Wrong! Dead wrong! I couldn't care less about being dynasty lord! What I want, Evan Chu, is the entire Star-River Dominion—do you understand? Could you even begin to understand?!"
Holden Hong was now completely crazed. As he spoke, his dried white-bone body began to blaze with a sinister blood-red light, growing more powerful by the second. Even Evan Chu felt a chill—if this power erupted fully, it could destroy him!
He can't be allowed to go on... I have to stop him, now!
"What's the rush, Evan Chu? Let me finish! Don't you want to know the real truth?"
What more truth could there be? Holden Hong was obviously just stalling for time! As Evan Chu thought this, he began channeling the Desolate Dragon Saber, gathering the full might of Ninefold Profound-Meaning Power—its force stronger than ever before.
"Fine, I'll tell you! After all, you pitiful worms are about to die, there's no other ending. If I don't spit out this secret, it'll just gnaw at me. And now, at least I have a crowd of doomed souls to share it with—what a thrill!"
Boom!