Evan Chu entered the Origin Star-Sea and saw the man guarding the entrance to the Star Pavilion—Mad-Blade Li. He didn’t recognize him.
"Congratulations on passing the first two gates. You’ve given us quite a surprise, but what comes next won’t be so simple."
Mad-Blade Li gripped his Ghost-Lock Warblade, watching Evan Chu. Seeing someone in the Star Command is one thing; facing them head-on is another. When he suppressed his cultivation to match Evan Chu’s level, he actually felt an overwhelming pressure from Evan.
"You’re here to block me?" Evan Chu looked at Mad-Blade Li—so this was the test of the third gate.
"That’s right. Only by defeating me can you enter the Star Pavilion. I’ll tell you: inside are countless stars, and once you’re in, you can absorb them freely. It’ll be a huge boost for your future. But first, you have to beat me."
"Defeat you?"
Evan Chu shook his head. Looking at the Ghost-Lock Warblade in Mad-Blade Li’s hand, he’d already guessed his identity. Lord Thunder had described the traits of all four Hall Masters and Seven Thrones beneath the Frostbane Dynasty’s Holy Emperor.
Still... Mad-Blade Li may have already stepped into the Holy Emperor Realm, but with just the power he’s showing now, thinking he can block Evan is wishful thinking.
"You can’t stop me."
There was no contempt in Evan Chu’s voice—he was simply stating a fact.
What truly stunned Mad-Blade Li was that, after hearing those words, he believed them instantly—he really couldn’t stop Evan! But why? He was clearly a Holy Emperor-level powerhouse. Even if he suppressed his strength, his insight into power, his control, and his combat sense should far surpass someone like Evan Chu, who had only just entered the Star-River Saint Realm.
How was that possible?! Was he really inferior to Evan Chu in everything except cultivation level?
He hated to admit it, but right now, Mad-Blade Li completely believed what Evan Chu said.
And it wasn’t just him. Even the four Hall Masters watching from outside, along with Henry Lin, Mystic-Ice Throne, and Lord Jun Yang, all felt the same way. Lady Nightdream Ye even thought that, even if Mad-Blade Li suppressed his power to early Saint Lord Realm, he’d probably still struggle...
"Kid! Don’t think that just because you passed two gates, you can act all high and mighty. I possess Holy Emperor-level combat sense and power comprehension!"
"You don’t believe me?" Evan Chu saw Mad-Blade Li trying to bluff with tough talk—this time, he truly felt disdain.
If you’re weak, that’s fine—you can keep cultivating and get stronger. But if you just run your mouth, then don’t blame me.
"You’d better keep suppressing your power. Otherwise..."
"Enough with the arrogance—beat me first, then talk!"
"Then let’s see!"
Without another word, Evan Chu’s body shook as nine elemental avatars appeared—each wielding the power of one of the Nine Elements—and charged straight at Mad-Blade Li.
Evan Chu held no weapon, but that didn’t mean he lacked ways to fight.
Moon–Sun Godpupils!
Boom! His true body erupted with wild power, and the attack from his Godpupils surged toward Mad-Blade Li.
Mad-Blade Li’s face changed dramatically—he didn’t dare hold back anymore. He realized that if he kept suppressing his power, defeat would be the least of his worries; if he slipped up, this kid might actually kill him!
Whoosh! Mad-Blade Li dodged at lightning speed, instantly unleashing more of his power—early Saint Lord Realm!
"Heh! Now this is getting interesting!"
Battle intent surged through Evan Chu—facing off against a Holy Emperor-level powerhouse was truly exhilarating!
The nine elemental avatars closed in on Mad-Blade Li. Renowned for his arrogance and his mastery with a longsword, Mad-Blade Li excelled at close combat.
But as his blade targeted one of the lightning-element avatars, the other eight erupted in unison, shifting into divine beast forms—Blazeborn Phoenix, Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, Black Qilin Divine Beast, Golden-Winged God Roc, Bloodshadow Berserker Lion, and more...
Each divine beast bloodline unleashed its full innate power. Their combined attack could have slain the Spirit Lord himself—ordinary Saints would be obliterated in an instant!
A cold sweat broke out on Mad-Blade Li’s back. What a kid! Such overwhelming power—even at his current early Saint Lord Realm, he could barely withstand it.
Ghost-Lock Warblade blazed to life as Mad-Blade Li’s feet danced in a blur of afterimages. No wonder he was one of the Seven Thrones of the Frostbane Dynasty—his terrifying battle instincts and on-the-spot improvisation made Evan Chu’s eyes light up.
"The game has only just begun!"
Stellar Arm!
This was the Chaos Arm, evolved and refined—now fully powered by Stellar Force. A massive fist of energy formed midair, surging with explosive stellar power and howling winds.
Mad-Blade Li’s eyes widened—this Stellar Force was not only dense and pure, but also ferociously explosive. For a moment, he felt defeat was imminent!
Ghostfiend Cackling Slash!
Ghost-Lock Warblade erupted with Stellar Force as well—but Mad-Blade Li, forced to the limit, raised his cultivation to mid Saint Lord Realm.
Boom! The two clashed head-on, stellar sparks flying. Mad-Blade Li was forced back, only steadying himself after fifty-three steps.
Before Mad-Blade Li could react, Evan Chu’s fist struck again!
In that last head-on clash, Evan Chu hadn’t even gone all out. Not only did he not retreat after the blow—he pressed forward!
Evan Chu’s fighting style was even fiercer than Mad-Blade Li’s, and at this moment, his battle awareness, improvisation, and mastery of Stellar Force completely surpassed Mad-Blade Li.
"I told you, you can’t stop me!"
Evan Chu unleashed his full power, and his nine elemental avatars wielded mighty elemental forces: thunder, divine fire, ice, and wild wind!
This was the Elemental Fusion Strike Evan learned from the Elemental Spirit. The more elemental laws fused, the more terrifying the power. Right now, Evan could only fuse four elements, yet Mad-Blade Li felt his life was in danger!
"Not good! This kid’s a monster!" Mad-Blade Li watched Evan Chu’s attack coming and instinctively unleashed even more power—reaching Saint Venerable Realm!
With his power multiplied and his realm soaring, Mad-Blade Li instantly reversed the tide of battle.
With a gentle wave of the Ghost-Lock Warblade, a blade of wind howled forth—before it even reached Evan Chu, it tore through his defenses. Boom!
A wound three inches deep split Evan Chu’s chest, blood pouring out. Mad-Blade Li cursed inwardly; his reflexive counterattack had wounded Evan Chu. Though it wasn’t a serious injury, it was still a violation of the rules.
In fact, the moment he raised his power to mid Saint Realm, Mad-Blade Li had already lost. Now, by unleashing even more power and injuring Evan Chu, his offense was even greater!
Looking at the furious stares from the crowd outside, Mad-Blade Li knew exactly what fate awaited him once he left…