Inside the Flame Temple palace, Palace Lord Ignace secretly gathered several people, preparing to launch an assault on the Water Temple. After a brief discussion, word of this unprecedented attack quickly spread throughout the Flame Temple.
Those who were unaware of the situation showed suspicious looks when they heard the news. Why would the Palace Lord attack the Water Temple, especially in such an unprecedented manner?
Some felt caught off guard by the sudden order. Palace Lord Ignace had anticipated this reaction, so he immediately released information about Evan Yang’s alleged crimes, which stirred up fighting spirit among some of the Flame Temple members.
Soon, Palace Lord Ignace led a group of elite cultivators—each one a top expert—toward the Water Temple.
Meanwhile, the Water Temple quickly received the news. Palace Lord Yuna immediately informed her secret allies.
When Palace Lord Ignace arrived at the Water Temple, he was followed by a large group of experts. The Water Temple responded as if facing a great enemy, and many gathered around, each glaring fiercely at the Flame Temple’s people.
"Palace Lord Yuna, just one question—will you hand him over or not? If you refuse, there’s nothing I can do. These people behind me are all here to demand justice," Palace Lord Ignace said.
"Would they be so eager if not for your instigation?" Palace Lord Yuna retorted with a cold snort.
"Oh? Are you saying it’s my fault? You’re mistaken. This is a Flame Temple matter, and it’s naturally connected to us. No matter what, Evan Yang must be handed over this time," Palace Lord Ignace replied.
"And if we refuse? Are you really going to start a battle here?" Palace Lord Yuna asked, frowning.
"That's right," Palace Lord Ignace replied decisively.
"Ignace, this isn’t like you at all. Your body is being used by someone else," Palace Lord Yuna sighed.
"I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’d better think about how to handle the coming battle," Palace Lord Ignace said.
Palace Lord Yuna sneered, "Is that so? Then I’ll let the other palace lords decide."
Soon, several important figures descended from the sky. When Palace Lord Ignace saw them, he frowned.
"Palace Lord Gale, Palace Lord Rowan, Palace Lord Ridge," Palace Lord Yuna greeted each of them.
The three nodded and turned their attention to Palace Lord Ignace.
Palace Lord Ignace frowned. "Are the three of you planning to interfere as well?"
"Ignace, according to Yuna, you’re not yourself anymore. We’re here to see what’s really going on," Palace Lord Rowan said.
"Rowan, what do you mean? What do you mean I’m not myself? I don’t know what Yuna told you, but she’s protecting someone who caused major trouble for the Flame Temple. If the Water Temple refuses to hand him over, we’ll go to war," Palace Lord Ignace declared.
"Ignace, have you forgotten the pact? Are you planning to break the rules?" Palace Lord Rowan pressed.
"What pact? What rules?" Palace Lord Ignace said angrily.
"Looks like you’re too angry to remember. We palace lords agreed—no matter what, there must be no war between the palaces. Have you really forgotten?" Rowan said.
"So it’s that pact," Palace Lord Ignace said, regaining his composure.
"If you know, why break it? Do you really want the other palaces to unite against the Flame Temple?" Rowan continued.
Palace Lord Ignace’s expression changed dramatically. If the other palaces sided with the Water Temple, the Flame Temple would surely lose—a result he did not want. What he sought was mutual destruction, not a one-sided defeat.
"It’s not too late to turn back now," Rowan advised.
"Rowan, don’t talk to me about backing down. I’ve made up my mind. We can’t just listen to Yuna’s side. If you all still recognize me as the Flame Temple’s palace lord, then let’s handle this by the rules. Since the Water Temple’s people have a conflict with me, let the other palace lords help resolve it," Palace Lord Ignace said.
The other palace lords exchanged glances, unsure what Ignace meant. But Yuna understood perfectly—Ignace wanted Evan Yang to undergo scrutiny from all the palace lords, providing the Flame Temple a reason not to fight the Water Temple.
The palace lords soon understood. Rowan spoke first: "If that’s the case, we’ll oversee the matter. If someone from the Water Temple really offended the Flame Temple, that person must come out to resolve it. If not, Ignace, you must accept the consequences."
"Of course I understand. Let’s begin. Bring Evan Yang out," Palace Lord Ignace said.
Palace Lord Rowan nodded and turned to Palace Lord Yuna. "Where is he?"
"He’s busy with something important right now. Once he’s finished, I’ll let him come out," Palace Lord Yuna said.
"Is this the Water Temple’s attitude? If that’s really the case, then I’ll have to risk confronting the other palaces," Palace Lord Ignace said, unwilling to accept it.
"Yuna, you should do as he says. Otherwise, it’s not fair to the Flame Temple," Palace Lord Rowan said to Yuna.
Palace Lord Yuna frowned. "It’s not that I don’t want him to come out, but he really has something important to do right now. Once he’s finished, I’ll let him out."
"What could be more important than this? Yuna, if you keep this up, I won’t be able to hold back," Palace Lord Ignace said angrily. He knew Evan Yang must be doing something crucial, but he was determined to force him out.
The other palace lords also looked at Palace Lord Yuna, waiting for her response.
Palace Lord Yuna frowned. "He really is busy. I’m sorry, everyone."
Ignace pretended to lose his patience, angrily preparing for battle. The other palace lords frowned as well. If Yuna really refused to produce Evan Yang, there was nothing more they could do.
Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Palace Lord Yuna gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I’ll tell you."
All the palace lords looked at Yuna as she spoke: "He is the Ice-fire Successor. As you all know, once an Ice-fire Successor reaches a certain level, the seal must be undone to unleash their true power. He is currently undergoing the unsealing process, which will take some time. I hope everyone understands."
When everyone heard that Evan Yang was the Ice-fire Successor and was in the process of unsealing, they were all shocked. Palace Lord Ignace sneered, "Don’t use such excuses. Just bring him out, or I’ll keep causing trouble."
"Ignace, I’ve told you everything. Why are you pushing so hard?" Palace Lord Yuna retorted.
The other palace lords had their own calculations and didn’t know what to say. Their only option was to prevent a war between the two palaces, or else it would cause major trouble.
"Fellow palace lords, speak up. If you have nothing to say, I’ll have to force them to hand Evan Yang over," Palace Lord Ignace said.
The other palace lords voiced their opinions, while Evan Yang was suffering in the formation, enduring treatment unlike anyone else.
Those watching Evan Yang’s Ice-fire flourish were overjoyed.
Evan Yang hadn’t expected his Ice-fire to slowly expand and grow stronger.
But the good times didn’t last. As Evan Yang surged upward, an unexpected change occurred—someone suddenly withdrew their control of the formation and launched an attack, a massive water dragon striking at Evan.
Everyone was shocked, especially Palace Lord Yuna’s master, who shouted, "Darren West! What are you doing?"
"What am I doing? Of course, I’m here for his life!" Darren West sneered.
"Why?" Yuna’s master asked in shock.
"Why? Because he stands in the way of our progress," Darren West replied.
"He stands in your way? Who are you, really?" Yuna’s master asked, frowning.
"Me? Ha, who is Palace Lord Ignace? I am him. I may not be as powerful, but I’ve infiltrated your ranks for years. How about it—surprised?" Darren West laughed.
"I never expected this from you. You’re that kind of person—don’t think you’ll escape today!" Yuna’s master said.
"Is that so? Then let me show you how I escape," Darren West snorted.
Evan Yang quickly blocked the attack and looked around, realizing that one person wasn’t on their side. This troubled him most—he was in the middle of cultivation and couldn’t stop halfway.
After Darren West finished speaking, he charged at Evan Yang. Everyone was shocked—the formation was only meant for one person. Now that two entered, at least one, maybe both, would die. Darren was very familiar with the formation, so his goal was to kill Evan Yang.
Evan Yang was shocked as he and Darren West collided face to face. "Kid, you’re impressive, but today, no matter what, you must die," Darren West smiled at Evan. "Is that so? Then come at me," Evan replied, unafraid. Despite being in the midst of unsealing his Ice-fire, Evan persisted.
Darren West smiled, then attacked Evan Yang’s chest.
Evan Yang quickly dodged, but the vortex made it hard to keep distance. Darren West soon caught up and attacked again, forcing Evan to keep evading.
So the scene was Darren West chasing Evan Yang. The onlookers exchanged glances, unsure who would survive.
Evan Yang’s only option was to dodge and look for a chance to counter Darren West.
The others had to maintain the formation and couldn’t help, so Darren West chased Evan Yang without pressure. Meanwhile, Evan was recovering and Darren was tiring.
Gradually, Evan found an opening and struck Darren West’s back, making him curse, "Damn it, I want you dead!"
"Want to kill me? Go ahead," Evan Yang laughed at Darren after hearing his threat.
"Die!" Darren West swung his fist at Evan Yang, who responded without hesitation. When they collided, Darren realized Evan was different from others.
Seeing Darren fail again, Evan Yang laughed, "What’s wrong? Still want to attack me?"
"That’s right. If I can’t hit you, I won’t leave," Darren West snorted.