The newcomer wore spotless white battle robes, unsullied by dust. As he moved, lightning crackled around his body, and his aura was several times stronger than that of Tia Thorn, whom Evan Chu had just slain.
Evan Chu's pupils contracted—it was him!
It was the second junior brother, Lord Thunder, who had guided and secretly helped him since the lower realms, now finally appearing in person.
Back then, he was known as the peerless expert who commanded Heaven's Punishment lightning for the Heavenly Court—his cultivation unknown, far beyond reach.
Even now, Evan Chu was shaken at the sight of him. This man's cultivation likely surpassed the bounds of the God-Venerable Realm itself, for even Evan felt a trace of dread—a power he had to respect.
"So you finally show yourself at this moment. I had Old Blue-Shadow try to find news of you before, but he couldn't locate you at all."
Evan Chu looked at the man before him, comparing him to the junior brother in his memories, and realized everything had changed.
Though the face was the same, Evan felt not just unfamiliarity, but suspicion.
Why was it that, when Frostbane Divine Palace was annihilated, and countless powerhouses perished in the War of the Gods—including the Netherworld Lord, Primordial Dragon, Moonspirit Palace, and so many others—
even his third junior brother failed to escape, his body stolen and detonated right before Evan's eyes!
Yet this second junior brother of his not only survived unscathed, but his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds—far surpassing the past. Why was he the only one untouched by disaster?
This was Evan Chu's doubt, and surely the doubt of everyone in the God Realm.
"Looking for me? Sigh... It's a long story. These days, even I can't act of my own will. Whatever I want to do... it's just too hard!"
Lord Thunder's face was full of resignation. He didn't say much more and quickly changed the subject.
"Senior brother, your rate of progress has far exceeded my expectations. I originally thought this situation would take at least several thousand years to reach.
But now, in just a few hundred years, you've already achieved this level. I truly admire you!"
"You didn't come just to tell me that, did you? Sure, I've made rapid progress, but wasn't some of that thanks to your help?
Let me guess—besides helping me as your senior brother, you must have another reason, right? And that reason can't just be rebuilding Frostbane Divine Palace. Let's not beat around the bush—just say it straight!"
Evan Chu was no naive kid anymore. The situation in the God Realm was complicated, and now he realized this mysterious 'junior brother' might not be as trustworthy as he'd once thought.
His third junior brother was always upright and righteous, willing to give up everything—even his life—for Evan's sake.
But Lord Thunder was different—he clearly had another agenda, and Evan Chu was starting to realize it.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have flown into a rage after seeing his third junior brother's body explode, appearing for a bloody battle at Skycloud Palace without even finishing the wedding ceremony.
As for Lord Thunder, after arriving in the God Realm and developing his own path, now with Frostbane Divine Palace rebuilt and his status at its peak, Evan hadn't gone out of his way to seek him.
"As expected, nothing gets past you, senior brother. I came today partly to congratulate you—not only did you marry two virtuous wives, you also united multiple factions to rebuild the divine palace and wiped out Skycloud in one fell swoop, laying a solid foundation for the future unification of the God Realm.
But more importantly, I came to remind you—the true enemy of Frostbane Divine Palace has never been Skycloud Palace, nor does it even belong to the God Realm!"
Hearing Lord Thunder's words, Evan Chu's heart trembled—he really did have something important to say.
With a wave of his hand, Evan ordered everyone to withdraw. On the ruins of Skycloud Palace, only Lord Thunder and Evan Chu remained.
"Say everything you know."
"Senior brother, actually..."
"Wait! Don't call me senior brother. From now on, address me as Evan Chu, or Linfeng. Your senior brother and Lord Frostbane—that was the past. It's all over now.
From now on, in the future, I am only Evan Chu! Rebuilding Frostbane Divine Palace is just a memorial—I never planned to become Lord Frostbane again. In this life, I will be even stronger, and live an even more brilliant path!
Evan Chu was completely serious, not joking at all. Yet, faced with Evan's somewhat cold expression, Lord Thunder was actually delighted.
"Haha, good! After experiencing a full cycle of reincarnation, you've truly changed—stronger than ever before!
But Linfeng—even though Skycloud was destroyed today, there are still many things to watch out for in the days ahead. I can't stay here for long, so I'll have to keep it brief."
Lord Thunder took a moment to gather his thoughts, then continued speaking.
"The biggest trouble inside the God Realm is Heavenblade Sect—they're hiding countless secrets, including Skycloud Palace, and even the Gods' Necropolis!"
"Gods' Necropolis?" Evan Chu's eyes widened, but Lord Thunder just shook his head.
"Besides all that, there's the Demonic Realm, the Netherworld, and the Divine Beast side—none of them have ever been peaceful. According to what I know, back in the War of the Gods, including the fall of the Primordial Dragon, you, your third junior brother, the Netherworld Lord, and Supreme Titus of the Demonic Realm...
were all caught in a single grand scheme..."
Lord Thunder's face was grim. He clearly knew everything, but hesitated to speak outright—choosing his words with extreme care, weighing what he could and couldn't reveal.
In short, the one who framed you isn't who you think—it’s someone else! And this person is connected to the Demonic Realm, Netherworld, and the Divine Beast Domain.
If you want to uncover the truth, start with the Gods’ Necropolis, then investigate the origins of the War of the Gods and the facts behind everyone’s fall—including yours and your third junior brother’s.
Forgive me, I can't speak plainly—I'm not free to say more right now.
When Lord Thunder said this, he was sweating and avoided Evan's gaze, as if he feared something.
Evan Chu found it strange. Lord Thunder clearly wanted to help, but had secrets he couldn't share. Seeing such fear deepened Evan's confusion.
The God-Emperor Realm—anyone at this level stands at the pinnacle of the God Realm. Even if a few others have the same cultivation, they shouldn’t be so afraid.
What, or who, or what restriction could make even Lord Thunder, the master of Heaven’s Punishment, so afraid?
But though Evan Chu couldn’t figure it out, he didn’t press further.
"Alright, I’ll investigate what you’ve told me. But where is this Gods’ Necropolis you mentioned?"
Lord Thunder’s pupils contracted, and he gritted his teeth, but never revealed the location. Instead, he said:
"He’s with the Ninefold Divine Sovereign. You’ll have to investigate yourself! It took me tremendous effort to appear here, so I can only warn you: Until your cultivation surpasses mine, do not leave the God Realm lightly!
Also, the Frostbane Divine Sword left to you by Master, and your Frostbane name, contain an immense secret… Only after you restore the Frostbane Sword Spirit will you discover it.
Alright, that’s all I can say. I’ll go back and await your good news! Don’t disappoint me—and don’t disappoint Master!"
Boom! A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, and his figure began to blur. (To be continued)