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The throne was shrouded in celestial mist. It faced away from the crowd, and the figure seated upon it was veiled, his true face hidden from view.

Even so, from the outline of his back alone, it was as if he bore the heavens on his shoulders and tread upon the earth beneath his feet. All the power and order of the world seemed to center upon him.

Just that single silhouette made hearts tremble. None dared to look directly at him, a sense of awe and submission rose instinctively in everyone’s soul.

“The Lord of Heaven,” someone murmured, “the man who has ruled the Heavenly Court for three hundred million years… the one who once commanded the entire Nine Heavens.”

He might not compare to the Holy Progenitor, nor could he be placed alongside the Immortal Lord. Yet those two figures had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, seldom appearing or intervening.

Only the Lord of Heaven, this man seated upon the celestial throne, held dominion openly. Under his leadership, the Heavenly Court had grown ever stronger over three hundred million years. His contribution was immeasurable.

For the Lord of Heaven to manifest, that was something that hadn’t happened in countless ages.

From his throne in the Heavenly Court, he overlooked all the realms.

Even Situ Yun’s expression hardened slightly as he said, “I wonder what the Lord of Heaven seeks from me?”

A majestic voice rolled out from the heavens. “If your Radiant Court withdraws from this affair, the Heavenly Court shall owe you a great debt. One day, should you ever have need, the Heavenly Court will not refuse. When the day comes that my Heavenly Court reigns over the Nine Heavens, I shall ensure your Radiant Court retains a piece of land of their own.”

The words struck like thunder. Everyone who heard them was stunned.

Such a promise was far too great. It wasn’t merely a favor, it was a vow of protection.

If the Heavenly Court were ever to rule the Nine Heavens, every other faction would either perish or submit. And yet, the Radiant Court was promised the right to remain untouched.

The Heavenly Court had never made such concessions. Not once in its long history had it compromised.

But now, it had.

The Heavenly Court itself had extended goodwill. All to destroy Xu Zimo, and annihilate the Ancient Demon Race.

“I wondered who it was,” Red-Blade Bull Demon sneered, lifting his head. “So it’s you, Wang Buxiu. Do you remember when my Ancient Demon Race’s Guardian Demon Gods chased you across the Nine Heavens like a dog without a home? Have you forgotten that fear?!”

Red-Blade Bull Demon had lived through the Demon Descent Era, so of course he recognized the man.

The Lord of Heaven’s true name was Wang Buxiu, though now, few dared to speak it aloud. All addressed him by his current title.

Lord of Heaven.

Back then, Wang Buxiu was not yet Grand Emperor. During the great war between the Ancient Demon Race and the Heavenly Court, he was known for his ferocity in battle, until he drew the attention of the Infernal Lord himself.

It was said the Infernal Lord sent the Demon God Guardians to hunt him across heaven and earth. The battle only ended when the Holy Progenitor personally intervened.

That had been the most humiliating defeat of Wang Buxiu’s life, a battle no one dared mention.

But now, hearing the Bull Demon’s words, Lord of Heaven’s gaze remained calm.

He merely said, “You Ancient Demons of today are but worthless insects crawling crawling in the mud, unworthy even to kneel before me.”

Xu Zimo smiled faintly.

“If I chose to kill you,” he said, “even the Holy Progenitor could not save you. But you aren’t worth it.”

He was right, the man before him wasn’t worthy of invoking the full power of the Infernal Lord.

Lord of Heaven’s expression did not change. His face betrayed neither anger nor joy. If he felt anything, no one could tell.

He turned his gaze to Situ Yun. “What of my offer? If you cannot decide, you may deliver it to the Radiant Court.”

“There’s no need, Lord of Heaven,” Situ Yun replied, shaking his head. “There is nothing to discuss today. The Lotus Pathway belongs to the Radiant Court.”

It was clear, he had resolved to protect Xu Zimo.

“In that case,” said Lord of Heaven coldly, “we fight.”

With a wave of his right hand, a divine decree manifested across the heavens.

It was like an imperial edict, an order of absolute authority, the Decree of Heaven.

Few in all the Nine Heavens dared defy such a decree.

On it was written a single word.

Slay.

The character glowed crimson, emanating a deadly majesty.

As the decree descended, it transformed into a sword of celestial energy, a divine blade sharper than any mortal weapon.

The void itself split before it like soft tofu. Its edge was so keen that to merely look upon it filled one with dread, making the scalp prickle and the blood run cold.

The celestial blade came down upon Xu Zimo with unstoppable force.

At that moment, Situ Yun snorted coldly and thrust out his hand to intercept it.

“Situ Yun, your opponent is me,” the Sky-Burial Buddha said, stepping in front of him.

As the blade sliced downward, Paimon and the others started forward to shield Xu Zimo, but he stopped them with a smile.

“No need. Let it strike,” Xu Zimo smiled calmly. “If this blade falls, the Radiant Court will lose all face. Surely they didn’t bring only these few people today.”

As his words fell, a deafening boom echoed through the sky.

A bolt of lightning flashed from the void, striking the celestial blade squarely.

With another crash, the divine weapon bent under the impact, its path veering just enough to miss Xu Zimo by a hair’s breadth.

But upon closer look, that lightning wasn’t lightning at all, it was an arrow, glowing violet, loosed from a million miles away.

“Who dares defy a heavenly decree?!” the Holy Elder roared furiously.

Everyone turned toward the horizon.

There, a man approached step by step.

He carried a quiver of arrows upon his back and held in his hand a great Bow of Heaven and Earth. His gaze was as sharp as an arrow’s point, piercing all things.

The aura around him was taut like a drawn bowstring, ready to unleash destruction at any moment.

No one spoke, except Xu Zimo, who frowned slightly and muttered under his breath, “Grand Emperor Chang Kong.”

Baili Changkong, founder of the Baili Imperial Clan on the Primordial Heartlands.

The family of Baili Xiao.

Xu Zimo himself had once destroyed that clan with his own hands.

Now, to encounter it’s ancient ancestor here?

It was awkward, to say the least.

Grand Emperor Chang Kong had long since ascended to Sage Monarch. His overwhelming aura commanded respect.

Grand Emperors from the Primordial Heartlands were never ordinary. Even here, in the Nine Heavens, they remained among the most formidable of powers, the pillars of this world.

“This is your Radiant Court’s man?” Xu Zimo asked, glancing at Murong Qing.

“Yes,” she admitted openly.

The divine sword shattered, and Lord of Heaven’s tone turned cold. “Your Radiant Court grows ever more insolent.”

“Please return, Lord of Heaven,” Emperor Chang Kong said calmly as he walked through the air.

“The Holy Progenitor once showed great kindness to your Primordial Heartlands,” Lord of Heaven replied. “And yet, after all these years, not one of your so-called Grand Emperors has chosen to join the Heavenly Court.”

His tone carried something strange, whether disdain or frustration, no one could tell.

But Emperor Chang Kong’s expression remained serene. He said nothing, waiting silently for Lord of Heaven’s next words.

None came. The immortal mist thickened once more, and Lord of Heaven’s projection began to fade.

“Infernal Lord,” his voice echoed faintly as it vanished into the void, “we will meet again.”