Everyone knew that if Evan Yang made even the slightest move, they’d all be doomed. So each person stared at Evan, warning him that if he helped Drakehorn, it would mean his own destruction.
"Why are you all staring at me like that?" Evan had never felt so much power over life and death in his hands before—one decision from him, and everyone here could be wiped out.
Lydia Quinn knew Evan was recommended by Mad Elder and trusted his character, so she didn’t say much—she believed Evan wouldn’t do anything to harm everyone.
But the others were different; every one of them was on edge, terrified that Evan might side with Drakehorn.
Drakehorn looked around at the scene and laughed, "So, kid, what do you say? Ready to agree? If not, once I break through, you won’t get a single benefit."
Drakehorn wanted Evan’s help to make things easier and avoid unnecessary trouble. Evan had done him a favor and Drakehorn wasn’t planning to kill him, which is why he let Evan choose.
But Evan just smiled, "Your offer is tempting, but how could I do something like that? I let you go before just to trade for information, but I never expected you’d actually get out. That was a real mistake."
Hearing that Evan hadn’t accepted Drakehorn’s offer, the others were overjoyed and their opinion of Evan improved a lot. But only they knew how they truly felt—right now, all they wanted was for Evan not to team up with Drakehorn.
“Damn it! I gave you a way out and you refused. Fine, when I break this barrier, I’ll send you all to the afterlife together!” Drakehorn raged when Evan wouldn’t listen.
"No need to wait for the barrier to break—I'll deal with you right now." Evan smiled, then stepped up to the barrier. Everyone saw him touch it lightly, and in an instant, the barrier’s power grew stronger.
Drakehorn was furious. He hadn't expected Evan Yang not only to refuse to help him, but to actively strengthen the humans' barrier. Now, breaking through was nearly impossible unless he used his full power—yet if he did, and something unexpected happened afterward, it could spell disaster.
But seeing his body sealed nearby, Drakehorn believed that if he could merge, his strength would rise and he'd no longer fear these humans. He growled angrily, "Kid, you'll die with them soon enough."
Evan Yang ignored him and continued channeling power into the barrier, though only a small portion. Lydia Quinn stood beside him, doing the same.
Time passed in tense silence. Eventually, Drakehorn could no longer hold back. He gathered tremendous energy and launched a direct attack at the barrier.
The sudden surge of power shattered the barrier. Everyone inside suffered injuries of varying severity. Protected by his Earth-Rock Aegis, Evan Yang was barely affected; as the barrier broke, he immediately shielded Lydia Quinn and Howling Wolf behind him.
"Ha! In the end, I still broke through. You humans are no match for me!" Drakehorn mocked.
Iris Hayes hadn't expected disaster to strike so soon. Staring at Drakehorn, she declared, "No matter what, I swear I'll stop you—even if it costs my life!"
With those words, Iris Hayes soared into the air and engaged Drakehorn in battle. The outcome was never in doubt—Drakehorn was far stronger, and Iris was already gravely wounded. Within moments, she was smashed down from the sky.
The crowd was thrown into panic. Many of the weaker cultivators scattered, deciding that the Drakehorn disaster was no longer their concern.
In an instant, two-thirds of those present had fled. Drakehorn sneered at the remaining group, "Cowards, all of you!"
"Drakehorn, today either you die, or we do." Iris Hayes said, dragging her wounded body forward.
"Old woman, you were one of those who sealed me back then. Today, I'll start with you." Drakehorn snorted coldly when he saw Iris Hayes.
Lina Hayes and Leah Hayes were shocked and hurried to stand protectively in front of Iris Hayes.
"What are you doing? Get out of the way!" Iris Hayes exclaimed, startled by their actions.
At this moment, tears streamed down Lina and Leah Hayes' faces. Lina said, "Master, we're sorry we can't serve you anymore, but no matter what, we have to stand in front of you."
"What are you saying? Leave now!" Iris Hayes said angrily. She didn't want the two girls to sacrifice themselves, much less die here.
But Iris Hayes was too badly injured to stop them. Lina and Leah Hayes stood their ground, their faces showing they no longer cared about life or death.
The crowd was moved by their actions. Many stepped forward to form a human wall, and even the powerful cultivators watching from the side felt ashamed and joined in. They knew that if they didn't stand together against Drakehorn, there would truly be no hope left.
"What are you doing? Get out of the way! As an Immortal Sovereign, my soul cannot be destroyed. I refuse to believe he can extinguish me." Iris Hayes insisted.
Drakehorn saw this and mocked, "You idiots, aren't you afraid of dying? And you, old woman—even if you're an Immortal Sovereign, once I merge with my body, I can devour your soul! What good is being an Immortal Sovereign then?"
"You!" Iris Hayes was shocked. She had indeed heard rumors that Drakehorn could devour souls.
"Don't worry, Master. We'll stay with you," Lina Hayes said.
Looking at these frail juniors, Iris Hayes truly didn't want them to stand between her and death. So she said to Drakehorn, "If you're a real powerhouse, then come at me directly. What's the point of bullying the weak?"
"What's the point? I think it's quite amusing. Let me see just how united you humans are, and how you managed to seal me back then." Drakehorn laughed wildly.
Iris Hayes felt bitterly powerless, but there was nothing she could do. She knew everyone here was almost certainly doomed.
Meanwhile, Evan Yang hadn't moved. He was observing Drakehorn closely, wondering why Drakehorn hadn't forcibly broken through earlier, and only did so after Evan joined the barrier.
"Could it be he used his full strength just now? Maybe he doesn't have much power left and was only bluffing?" Evan Yang wondered to himself.
Unbeknownst to Evan Yang, Drakehorn was indeed recovering. That last attack had cost him dearly, and his brief duel with Iris Hayes drained him further. Now he was rapidly gathering strength, planning to wipe out everyone here in one go.
(Chapter not finished yet~ Please click the next page to continue reading!)
But Drakehorn's plan was doomed to fail. Evan Yang was already suspicious, and Lydia Quinn, unable to hold back, suddenly rushed forward before Evan could decide. She confronted Drakehorn, "Drakehorn, do you still remember me?"
"You? Of course I remember. That guy let me go because of you, but I still don't see your value." Drakehorn sneered.
"Besides that, there's something else you seem to have forgotten—years ago, you slaughtered my entire family! And my master!" Lydia Quinn shouted angrily.
"I've killed plenty of people. I don't know who you're talking about. For example, today, I'm still going to wipe out everyone here." Drakehorn sneered.
"It doesn't matter if you remember. I do, and today I'll make sure you never return." Lydia Quinn, furious, pulled out the Intimidation Stone.
The moment the stone appeared, Drakehorn was struck by its aura and blasted several meters back. Staring at the stone, he said, "You actually have that stone? Incredible."
Most people around had no idea what the stone was, but Iris Hayes did. "That's an Intimidation Stone—extremely effective against monsters and ancient beasts. In the hands of a powerhouse, its effect is even greater. But Lydia's cultivation is too low; she can only knock Drakehorn back a bit."
Seeing this, Iris Hayes, ignoring her injuries, urgently shouted to Evan Yang, "What are you waiting for? Lydia's strength isn't enough—she'll die at this rate! Hurry and pour your power into the stone; only then can it truly harm Drakehorn!"
Evan Yang heard Iris Hayes, glanced at Lydia Quinn, and saw Drakehorn was already preparing to attack her.
Drakehorn, still dizzy from the stone's aura, forced himself forward, about to knock the stone out of Lydia Quinn's hands. At that moment, Evan Yang flashed in front of him, grinning, "If anyone's going to ruin your plans, it's me!"
With that, Evan Yang quickly snatched the stone from Lydia Quinn and poured his power into it, immediately blasting Drakehorn back.
The crushing pressure Lydia Quinn felt vanished instantly, and she realized the stone was now in Evan Yang's hands.
Evan Yang poured his Emperor Realm power into the Intimidation Stone, and its aura intensified. Drakehorn staggered back, complaining, "You brat, do you know how much strength you've cut from me? At least a fifth!"
Evan Yang smiled, "Drakehorn, you finally know what it means to be suppressed!"
Drakehorn's face changed. He glared at Evan Yang, his killing intent surging, but for the first time, he was forced to retreat.
"This thing's pretty handy. So, do you still dare come over, or should I come up and fight you instead?" Evan Yang challenged.
"If it weren't for that stone, would you dare talk to me like this?" Drakehorn threatened.
"You're strong to begin with. Without this, how could I possibly fight an ancient fiend like you?" Evan Yang replied.
Drakehorn scoffed, "Who wants to fight you?"
"Then stay right there. Your body is sealed beneath the mountain—don't you want it back?" Evan Yang taunted.
"Damn it, I'll kill you!" Drakehorn raged, remembering his desire to merge with his body. He flashed toward Evan Yang.
Drakehorn's gigantic head lunged, jaws wide. Even with the Intimidation Stone suppressing him, Drakehorn remained terrifyingly powerful.
Still, Evan Yang managed to hold his own. Man and beast streaked through the air, their afterimages flashing like lightning.
Spectators below could hardly follow the fight. They silently prayed that Evan Yang, whom they now saw as their only hope, would defeat Drakehorn—otherwise, they were all doomed.
Drakehorn was shocked by Evan Yang's true combat power. Though Evan was 'only' Emperor Realm, his actual strength rivaled Immortal Sovereigns. If not for the stone's suppression, Drakehorn would want to tear him apart.
At the same time, Drakehorn schemed: if he couldn't overpower Evan head-on, he could still use the battlefield and the surrounding people to create an opening toward his body.
After several exchanges, Drakehorn abruptly disengaged and darted toward a particular mountain peak, beneath which his sealed body rested.
That mountain was where Drakehorn's body lay sealed.
Everyone panicked and hurled attacks skyward, trying to stop him, but their strength was far too low to threaten him. Evan Yang immediately recognized Drakehorn's intent and gave chase.
"Just a little more and I'll reach my body!" Drakehorn thought, hoping to arrive before Evan Yang caught up.