"You might already know… but let me remind you again," Rong Lua said slowly, savoring each word as the forest dimmed around him. "This time, I'm here not merely as an envoy. I am one step away from the Deity Transformation Realm."
A faint crack rippled through the air as his aura swelled.
"During this chaos on the Azure Dragon Continent, I will break through… and return to my sect as a true Deity."
The moment those words left Rong Lua's mouth, his expression twisted into a hungry grin—and the pressure bearing down on Wang Chen doubled.
The shift was instant and brutal.
Even Wang Chen's expert facade wavered for a heartbeat.
"Master of Phoenix and Dragon Dojo…" Rong Lua's voice dripped with mockery.
"I know you're strong—but you could never be as strong as me, kekeke… isn't that right?"
Wang Chen's expression remained perfectly calm.
Not a single ripple appeared on the surface of his composure.
