The Evil Lord refused to act, leaving Qian Si with no recourse.
While Qian Si was confident in his ability to subdue the Evil Lord, the latter simply wouldn't engage, rendering any further attempts futile.
"How about this," Qian Si proposed, backing down. "If you agree to fight, I will release you from the depths of the Great Dao River and allow you to return to the world. What do you say?"
The Evil Lord's eyes lit up. "Agreed."
He then added, "However, you cannot restrict my freedom. Wherever I wish to go, whatever I wish to do, you are not to interfere."
"...Very well," Qian Si conceded after a moment's hesitation. "But you must change your appearance."
He had no choice but to agree. The current situation instilled in him a profound sense of crisis. He hadn't summoned the Evil Lord during the pursuit of the Lord of Order because he hadn't felt threatened. But now, he had no other option. He had to strike a deal with the Evil Lord.
"Heh heh heh." The Evil Lord eyed Qian Si, his laughter laced with mockery. "A harlot still seeking to build a shrine for herself..."
"Just tell me if you agree or not," Qian Si ignored the taunts.
"Agree? Why wouldn't I agree?" The Evil Lord was content just to be released. He knew Qian Si would never allow him to consume his opponent. In his current predicament, this was a good outcome.
"Then it's settled," Qian Si said, a sigh of relief escaping him. Whether to suppress the Evil Lord or not wasn't that crucial. As long as the enemy could be eliminated, releasing him was a minor concern.
The Evil Lord cast a sinister glance at Qian Si and grinned maliciously. "I hope you keep your word. You know my nature. By then... you will regret it."
Qian Si's face darkened. "Rest assured, my word is my bond."
"Tch." The Evil Lord scoffed. "Do we really not know each other?"
Qian Si remained silent. Such words were best left for others to hear.
"Stop the nonsense," Qian Si said with a grim expression. "Finish this trouble quickly..."
"No problem..."
*Boom.*
The moment the Evil Lord turned, Chen Fan felt as if he were being targeted by death itself.
"How are you two doing? How much have you recovered?" Chen Fan asked with a grave expression. Retreat was out of the question. If they withdrew, all their previous efforts would be in vain. They had to fight.
The Yin-Yang Dao Master and the Dragon King opened their eyes. They rose simultaneously, their faces solemn as they regarded the approaching malevolent figure. The Dragon King spoke, "My strength is less than seventy percent of my peak."
"I'm about the same," Ping Xi added.
Chen Fan was speechless. The pressure emanating from the Evil Lord was immense. He was imbued with an aura of pure evil, as if embodying all the negativity in the world. A potent, corrupting force.
"There's no other way," Chen Fan declared with a heavy heart. "No matter what, this battle must be fought. We have no retreat."
*Clang.*
The Sword Master remained silent, his actions demonstrating his resolve. The Sword of Chaos vibrated in his hand, a testament to his determination.
"Roar." The Dragon King transformed back into his original form. His iridescent scales shimmered with divine light. Despite his other scales being corrupted, this single, regal scale retained its original color, a symbol of the Chaos Emperor.
"Fight." The colossal dragon head was like a constellation in the vastness.
Ping Xi looked at the three of them, then reluctantly activated his Yin-Yang Dual Dao. These three had their own convictions and were prepared to fight to the death. She, on the other hand, had no grand convictions in life, aside from dealing with the Lord of Light. Afterward, her involvement became largely irrelevant. At this juncture, she could have withdrawn. Her journey from the Tenth Earth to assist in this battle was more than enough to repay the favor owed to the Ninth Tier. Yet, she had not left and had resolutely chosen to fight. Why? Because of a surge of youthful spirit. After living a life of peace for too long, it had become rather monotonous. Just like when the Five Elements Thunder Emperor had sought her out, she couldn't resist the urge to experience that thrill of battle once more. Having experienced it, she was ready to act.
"Let's fight," the Yin-Yang Dao Master said.
Chen Fan looked at Ping Xi and nodded solemnly. "Thank you." He understood that Ping Xi had valid reasons to leave, but her choice to stay meant he owed her a debt of gratitude.
"Mm," Ping Xi replied, nodding. "Be careful of Qian Si too."
"I know."
The four stood ready.
"Heh heh heh." The Evil Lord strode forward. With each step, droplets of verdant venom fell, corroding even the void and creating foul-smelling craters. His voice was filled with wicked glee. "Speaking of which, I should thank you. If you hadn't pushed that verbose Qian Si to this point, he wouldn't have released me. As a token of my gratitude, I shall allow you to choose your preferred method of death."
His voice, calm and condescending, carried an air of absolute superiority. Indeed, he had the right to speak this way. As a being even more powerful than Qian Si, and in his full state, the Evil Lord was justified in his arrogance.
"Senior Evil Lord," Chen Fan's entire body tensed as he faced the approaching figure. Staring into those eyes filled with overwhelming evil, he felt as if he were sinking into hell. The sensation was most unpleasant, yet Chen Fan chose to meet his gaze. He spoke, "Perhaps you could consider an alternative. Let us defeat Qian Si, and then you can devour him. You would then be the sole victor. What do you say?"
"Heh heh heh."
"Senior, you might consider it."
"An excellent suggestion," the Evil Lord continued his advance. "But alas, while Qian Si is a bit of a weakling, if I were to truly make a deal with you, he would undoubtedly prioritize destroying me above all else. Therefore, your suggestion is invalid." Qian Si understood him, and he understood Qian Si. If he were to make this deal with Chen Fan and the others, Qian Si would certainly act.
Chen Fan was at a loss. He did not wish to fight the Evil Lord. This being was too wicked, instilling a sense of impending doom.
"Are you ready?" the Evil Lord asked with a sinister grin.
*Whoosh.*
Chen Fan exhaled a breath of turbid air. Helpless, yet with no alternative, he tightened his grip on the Heavenly Cloud Sword. "Please, senior, guide me."
The Evil Lord sneered, "Just as hypocritical as that weakling Qian Si. Since you refuse to choose your death, I shall decide for you."
A rolling tide of toxic mist surged forward. Within the dense cloud, it seemed as if packs of ravenous beasts were stirring. An extreme sense of danger forced Chen Fan and the other three to brace themselves.
"Be careful." Chen Fan spoke, his expression grave, then quietly added, "Attack first."
"Roar." The Dragon King had been waiting impatiently. His previous injuries fueled his rage. With a roar that shook the very spirit of chaos, he gathered his spiritual sense, which manifested as a Great Dao Dragon Spirit, and charged at the Evil Lord. The terrifying might of the Dragon King sent tremors through the entire expanse of chaos.
However... the Evil Lord merely glanced at it and averted his gaze, a flicker of contempt in his eyes.
*Boom.*
The Great Dao Dragon Spirit descended. The poison clouds were torn apart as the dragon's roar echoed through the heavens, its gaping maw like a celestial beast devouring the Evil Lord. From a distance... the Dragon King's expression remained unchanged as he uttered, "Explode." A deafening boom followed as the Great Dao Dragon Spirit detonated. The tremendous sound reverberated through heaven and earth.