Evan Yang was curious about Darren West's motives—why was he so intent on killing him? Was he perhaps the same kind of person as Palace Lord Ignace? Evan smiled and said, "I wonder, are you and the Flame Temple's Palace Lord the same sort of people?"
"Kid, knowing too much won't do you any good. You can die now." Darren West pulled out a spinning disk. The disk spun rapidly, sparks flying from its edge as it scraped against space, showing just how sharp it was.
Under Darren West’s control, the disk attacked Evan Yang directly. Evan sneered, "That artifact is impressive, but if you think you can kill me with it, you’re dreaming."
As the artifact approached, Evan Yang drew his Limitless Spear and gripped it tightly. Every time the disk came at him, Evan blocked it, infuriating Darren West, who cursed Evan’s weapon. The spectators watching the scene relaxed when they saw Evan could withstand Darren’s attacks—if the Ice-fire Successor were killed so easily, they’d rather die themselves. “Darren West, stop struggling. If you keep this up, once the formation is withdrawn, this will be your grave.” Morgana Dreamhaven, the Water Temple’s supreme elder, shouted loudly, seeing that things couldn’t go on like this.
“Morgana Dreamhaven, do you think I have any other choice? Since you said that, I want him dead even more—and I’ll take his Ice-fire too. I wonder what it’ll look like once the seal is fully undone.” Darren West sneered.
“Take the Ice-fire?” The crowd was shocked. They hadn’t expected Darren West’s goal was also to seize the Ice-fire.
But only the Ice-fire Successor can use it—what good would it do Darren West? Morgana Dreamhaven, the Water Temple’s supreme elder, asked, "Ice-fire can only be wielded by its successor. What use is it to you?"
“That’s just your ignorance. While I can’t wield the Ice-fire’s power, I can absorb it as energy. Don’t you know that Ice-fire was actually condensed from the power of a water-attribute God?” Darren West sneered. He knew he couldn’t use Ice-fire as a technique, but he could absorb its pure energy.
Absorbing Ice-fire as pure energy—everyone was astonished. Darren West was truly insane. Evan Yang analyzed his words and sneered, "That depends on whether you survive to get your hands on the Ice-fire."
"Kid, don’t be arrogant. Even if I can't deal with you now, very soon you'll hit your weakest period. When that happens, I won’t be so merciful." Darren West sneered.
"Weakness period?" Evan Yang was puzzled.
But the others knew. Morgana Dreamhaven sent Evan Yang a voice transmission: "Quick, you have to deal with him within a few hours. Otherwise, right after your Ice-fire unseals, you'll be extremely weak—that's when he'll strike."
Evan Yang was shocked—he hadn’t expected that unsealing Ice-fire carried such risks. He immediately switched from defense to offense, gripping his Limitless Spear and attacking Darren West directly.
When Darren West saw Evan Yang attack him head-on, he exclaimed in shock, "You!"
"Weren’t you waiting for my weakness period? Then I’ll deal with you ahead of time." Evan Yang smiled.
Darren West hadn’t expected Evan Yang to attack first, but he still didn’t believe Evan could harm him. He used his spinning disk to counterattack.
Evan Yang seized the moment. When his Limitless Spear was blocked by the disk, a beam of Polar Sacred Flame shot from his eyes, striking right in front of Darren West. Darren was caught off guard—he never expected Evan to attack with his eyes, and was instantly hit by both searing heat and freezing cold.
"Ah! Damn it, what is this?" Darren West roared in anger.
"Nothing special. It's just the Ice-fire you so desperately want." Evan Yang smiled.
"Impossible! Ice-fire can't possibly be hot!" Darren West refused to believe it.
"If you want heat, that's the Sacred Flame." Evan Yang replied.
"You fused Ice-fire with Sacred Flame?" Darren West was stunned, and so were the others—this was beyond their imagination.
"That's right. How does it feel? Enjoying it?" Evan Yang asked.
"Damn it, I won’t let you off!" Darren West, his body burned in places, shouted in fury. He fought Evan Yang in the cramped space, but with Polar Sacred Flame, Evan could attack unpredictably, leaving Darren no time to defend.
Soon, Darren West was subdued and finally wounded by Evan Yang’s Limitless Spear. Furious, he yelled, "I’ll be back—just wait!" He stormed out of the formation. Evan was about to leave too, but Morgana Dreamhaven told him to stay; otherwise, the unsealing would fail.
Faced with this, Evan Yang had no choice but to stay inside and closed his eyes.
Outside, the Flame Temple and Water Temple cultivators were still locked in a standoff. The other palace lords knew Evan Yang was unsealing the Ice-fire, so they waited in silence.
"Palace Lord Yuna, are you planning to keep stalling?" Palace Lord Ignace demanded angrily.
"Palace Lord Ignace, I already told you he's unsealing the Ice-fire. Once he comes out, I'll bring him over for a face-to-face confrontation. How about that?" Palace Lord Yuna replied.
"Face-to-face confrontation? What do you mean? Are you saying I’m falsely accusing him?" Palace Lord Ignace said angrily.
Evan Yang also said that you yourself have been killed, and that the body isn't really yours. Should we believe him and kill you instead?" Palace Lord Yuna retorted.
Fine, I'll wait then. I want to see how that brat will try to frame me." Palace Lord Ignace sneered.
Time passed bit by bit. Palace Lord Yuna waited anxiously, while Palace Lord Ignace kept urging from the side.
With his eyes closed, Evan Yang felt a powerful force trying to drain him. Suddenly, the Ice-fire inside him erupted, releasing intense cold. Those around him rejoiced—this was a sign that Ice-fire was about to awaken.
The cold spread far and wide, sensed by everyone in the Water Temple, especially Palace Lord Ignace and the others.
Palace Lord Ignace was secretly shocked by what he saw, while the Water Temple cultivators were overjoyed. The other palace lords exchanged glances.
All the palace lords sensed it. Evan Yang should have already unsealed the Ice-fire. Can we let him come out now?" Palace Lord Ignace said.
All the palace lords know that after unsealing, there is a weakness period. I suggest we wait until it's over before letting him out. What do you think?" Palace Lord Yuna said immediately.
The other palace lords exchanged glances, unsure what to do. Palace Lord Ignace protested, 'Are you all really going to treat him differently? I don’t have time to wait here. Everyone knows the weakness period can last a long time—what if it takes years? Are you expecting me to wait that long?'
After discussing among themselves, the palace lords had Palace Lord Rowan say, 'Palace Lord Yuna, you heard them. I'm afraid you'll have to bring him out.'
Seeing the looks on the palace lords' faces, Palace Lord Yuna knew she had to bring Evan Yang out—if she delayed, they wouldn't help, and the Flame Temple might really go to war with the Water Temple.
She said to everyone, 'I'll go now.'
With that, Palace Lord Yuna left for Evan Yang's location, where nine people were standing guard.
When Palace Lord Yuna arrived, Morgana Dreamhaven asked, 'How did it go?'
Palace Lord Yuna told Morgana Dreamhaven what happened. After hearing it, Dreamhaven sighed, 'Could this be fate?'
Master, don't worry. As long as we stay close, I don't believe Palace Lord Ignace can do anything." Palace Lord Yuna said.
Sigh, that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about Ice-fire." Dreamhaven said.
Master, what's wrong with Ice-fire?" Palace Lord Yuna asked, frowning.
Chen Xi betrayed us. I don't know if he's Ignace's man, but he fought Evan Yang and destabilized the formation. Although Evan's seal was undone, it didn't have the expected effect—most of the seal remains, only part was released." Dreamhaven said.
What? It's not completely undone? What should we do?" Palace Lord Yuna exclaimed.
This formation needs ten people to maintain. Next time, we'll find a chance for you to be the tenth. But first, Ignace has to be dealt with, or we'll never have peace." Dreamhaven said.
Ignace is a real problem. Now everyone knows Evan's Ice-fire seal is undone, and they're waiting for him to confront Ignace." Palace Lord Yuna said.
A confrontation is unlikely. Evan is in his weak period now. If Ignace ignores the other palace lords and attacks, Evan could die before anyone can intervene." Dreamhaven said.
Then, Master, if you and the other elders guard him, there shouldn't be any problem." Palace Lord Yuna said, thinking aloud.
Ignace isn't Ignace anymore—who knows what tricks he has. I'm worried." Dreamhaven sighed.
But everyone is waiting now. If Evan Yang doesn't come out, I'm afraid..." Palace Lord Yuna said anxiously.
I understand. I'll let him out now." Dreamhaven replied.
At that moment, Evan Yang was recuperating. Thanks to the Heaven-Cold Seed, he wasn't as weak as expected and quickly recovered, then walked out of the formation.
Senior, I'll go out with you all." Evan Yang said, having overheard their conversation and making his position clear.
Alright, but you must be careful. If there's any danger, hide behind us immediately." Dreamhaven said.
I know, I'll take care of myself." Evan Yang said. He knew he was still in the weak period, but felt full of strength. After unsealing Ice-fire, he had reached Emperor Realm eighth tier. Although not fully unsealed, its power was much greater than before. He wondered what would happen if the seal was completely undone.
Led by Dreamhaven, Evan Yang and the others arrived outside the Water Temple Palace, where a large crowd had gathered.
When Palace Lord Ignace saw Evan Yang again, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
I didn't expect everyone to come. Dreamhaven welcomes you all." Dreamhaven said.
Dreamhaven, it's been a long time," Palace Lord Rowan said. The other palace lords greeted her as well. They realized these were Water Temple's hidden forces, just like other palaces, but only Water Temple had brought them out, surprising the others with their numbers.