Meanwhile, the Demon Emperor provoked the God Emperor's anger. The two rulers of their respective realms flew out of the main hall and leaped into the sky. They had already exchanged blows for several rounds. The God Emperor was concerned about damaging the God Realm, and the Demon Emperor was just playing along, so neither of them used their full strength.
"God Emperor, so many years have passed? Your divine power—"
The Demon Emperor raised his hand to block the God Emperor's punch, smiled, and left his unfinished words with a profound meaning.
"And what makes you any better?"
The God Emperor's face darkened further, as if it had been smeared with carbon powder.
"Me? I'm way better than you—"
The Demon Emperor suddenly vanished before the God Emperor's eyes. When he reappeared, a sharp blade was pressed against the God Emperor's back.
"I have what you want—besides, with gods and demons joining forces, the two realms are surely safe. How about it, consider it?"
The Demon Emperor's voice was cold and ruthless, carrying an unyielding firmness that left no room for refusal, as if if the God Emperor did not respond, this sharp blade would pierce him in the next second.
"Oh? You know what I want?"
The God Emperor's face was solemn, but there was no fear in his voice. He was simply outmaneuvered by the Demon Emperor. If he could really be threatened by a single blade, he would not have been able to sit in the position of God Emperor so safely for so many years.
"Of course I know, aren't we all asking for the same thing?"
The Demon Emperor chuckled, sheathed his weapon, and the battle temporarily ceased.
The God Emperor slowly turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, filled with both hope and doubt.
How do I know you're telling the truth?
"Isn't this enough proof?"
The Demon Emperor stretched out his hand, and in his palm, something lush and vibrant, brimming with life, emanated boundless power.
The God Emperor gazed at the greenery, his eyes filled with longing.
"Then—why do you insist on having her?"
He swallowed hard, struggling to suppress his greed, and asked another question.
"The demon realm needs—"
The Demon Emperor looked down at the Nine Heavens Palace beneath his feet; he knew who the God Emperor was referring to.
"I'll consider it."
Despite coveting the possessions of the Demon Emperor, the God Emperor did not immediately agree.
A qualified negotiator will never easily promise any conditions, and a fair negotiation will never easily conclude an agreement.
"Okay, you—take your time to think about it."
Stroking his chin, the Demon Emperor smiled slightly, unhurried, his expression full of determination.
"Her two thousandth birthday should be in a few days, right? I'll prepare a grand gift then, and I hope you'll have made your decision by then—"
Having said that, the Demon Emperor, without waiting for the God Emperor's response, transformed into a red bird and vanished from the God Realm like a streak of light.
Watching the Demon Emperor's departing phantom, the God Emperor's eyes were dim and unfathomable. He patted his sleeves, straightened his clothes, and with the air of a victor, calmly returned to the palace.
"Father..."
Seeing the God Emperor return, and wondering how his discussions with the Demon Emperor went, Ling Yan nervously called out to her beloved adoptive father, hoping he would consider her thoughts.
The God Emperor glanced at Ling Yan, but the emotions within him were difficult to fathom.
"Young Master, the investigation into the barrier between gods and demons is entrusted to you. All gods and immortals of the divine realm, prepare for battle!"
He then turned to the person below and continued to issue the orders that had not been completed.
"yes!"
Despite their reluctance, the emperor's command was difficult to disobey, so the immortals and gods had no choice but to bow their heads and accept the order.
"Yan'er, you should stay in the realm of the gods—"
The God Emperor glanced at Ling Yan again, his face showing exhaustion and helplessness, as if he didn't recognize her.
"yes."
Upon hearing this, Lingyan's heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her head, concealing the sadness and silent anger that hadn't yet surfaced, and responded in a low voice.
After the immortals and gods dispersed, Lingyan stood outside the hall, gazing at the clouds and sky of the divine realm that had remained unchanged for hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of years, appearing somewhat lonely and lost.
"Xiaoyan, what's wrong?"
Shaojun, who was walking with her, stopped in his tracks, his face full of worry.
"Sister Shaojun, will Father really—agree to the Demon Emperor's request?"
Lingyan asked her listlessly, her voice weak and listless, like a flower that had been exposed to the scorching sun.
"To be honest, I don't know—but although the situation is critical, the divine realm has not yet reached the point where it needs to rely on the demon realm. Besides, with Lord Gu Zhong guarding the Abyss of Gods and Demons, we really don't need to worry too much."
Shaojun sighed softly and placed her palm on Lingyan's head. She had done this gesture thousands of times; it was a symbol of pampering and comfort.
This time, however, Lingyan moved her hand away with some displeasure and did not become happy.
"Perhaps, Father is considering more than just the divine realm?"
Lingyan spoke her keen intuition directly, feeling that things would not go as smoothly as Shaojun had said.
"Don't overthink it—if it really comes to that, Xiaoyan—anyone in the God Realm must be prepared to sacrifice everything."
Shao Jun narrowed his eyes slightly and retorted to her with an unprecedentedly firm tone, full of passion and sincerity.
There seemed to be a light in her eyes, piercing through the unchanging sky and connecting light and darkness.
The once familiar relatives suddenly became strangers. Lingyan was not affected by the emotions in her words, but was instead full of confusion.
She hasn't yet developed the concept of dedication and sacrifice—perhaps because there's no one or anything in this divine realm that she truly cherishes.
——
The latest news that the barrier between gods and demons has been completely shattered has caused the atmosphere in the entire divine realm to freeze solid.
The gods and immortals, who had not taken up arms for tens of thousands of years, struggled to overcome their fear of the demons.
The troops heading to the Abyss of Gods and Demons are ready to depart. Not everyone is without attachment, not everyone is unafraid of the Emperor, and not everyone is indifferent to glory.
As everyone knows, this is a war concerning the life and death of the divine realm, a war fought for the future of the divine realm, and someone has to stand up.
Lingyan did not obey the God Emperor's orders.
Perhaps because her obedient image was too deeply ingrained in people's minds, although the God Emperor said something that sounded like house arrest, he did not send many soldiers to guard her.
Therefore, she left the Wuji Palace with great ease. She slipped out of the divine realm before the neatly lined-up troops.
This was something she had never done before—going alone to the most dangerous place, with her meager divine strength and without any protection.
Lingyan just wants to escape the realm of gods and find someone she can confide in—to find Gu Zhong.
She left the realm of gods and embarked on a journey she had never taken before.
The road to the Abyss of Gods and Demons is not long. For a god, even a weak supreme god, it only takes a day to reach it.
However, the journey was not smooth. Due to the shattering of the barrier between gods and demons, even though Gu Zhong led a large army to resist at the front line and kept the demons outside the border, there was no way to completely block the demonic energy.
The demonic energy that fled to the myriad realms contaminated many passing creatures. Those unable to resist lost their minds, became demonized beings, and were controlled by the demon race.
Lingyan encountered quite a few, but fortunately she was on guard the whole way. These newly born monsters were too weak and could be cleared away with some effort.
Although this effort may have left the usually refined and beautiful little goddess somewhat disheveled.
When she arrived at the boundary marker of the Abyss of Gods and Demons and saw the rows of tents not far away, she already looked like a weary traveler. The journey had taken longer than she had expected.
She looked up at the battlefield ahead, where the once dazzling transparent light screen was no longer there, and the beautiful fluorescent shimmering could no longer be seen when she touched it with her fingertips.
The towering blackness soared straight into the sky, yet was hindered by the dome, roaring and churning in anger.
The black mist surged forward in waves, only to be frightened back by the gleaming mirrors held by the soldiers guarding the first rank.
Tall figures clad in full armor emerged from the darkness, each wielding a spear, like divine warriors, and fought against the silver-armored soldiers.
Their heads were tightly covered by equally black helmets, obscuring their faces. Only their eyes were visible, pure red, as vivid as blood, filled with bloodthirsty killing intent and malice.
These tall, black-armored soldiers must be the demon race that only exists in records and has been sealed away for tens of thousands of years.
Gu Zhong floated in mid-air at the forefront of the battlefield, constantly wielding her silver sword, creating streaks of sword light that cleaved through the rolling black mist and cleaved through the tall black armor.
The black armor shattered, revealing black mist inside. They hurriedly retreated, merging with the black mist.
True demons, like gods, are not easily destroyed. As long as their souls remain, everything simply returns to its origin and is recreated.
More and more demons fell, but the black mist that blotted out the sky grew thicker and thicker. Even the God of War seemed powerless in the face of the demons, their nemesis who was completely unreasonable.
Gu Zhong frowned, looking at the endless stream of demonic energy, and plunged his sword heavily into the ground, the heavy sword sound resounding through the sky.
A light barrier created by a sword beam unfolded, and the demonic energy that clung to it dissipated as if it had been scorched.
Upon seeing this, the rest of the black mist seemed to be aware of the situation and immediately retreated, not daring to proceed easily.
The fighting has temporarily ceased.
The soldiers lined up behind Gu Zhong breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed to their knees, exhausted.
The fierce battle had been going on for three days. Despite Gu Zhong's all-out efforts, the demons could not advance an inch. However, the gods could not kill too many demons either, but they were exhausted.
Gu Chong turned around and vaguely saw a figure at the edge of the battlefield. It looked somewhat familiar. She stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then angrily darted over.
How did you get here?
Chapter 148 The Supreme God and the God of War (Part 8)
==========================
Why can't I be here?
Ling Yan was already in a bad mood, and upon hearing Gu Zhong's tone, her face immediately turned cold, and she retorted with a hint of anger.
"The battlefield is fraught with danger. Ah Yan, the realm of gods is the safest place for you. You shouldn't be here."
Gu Zhong immediately realized that his words were too stiff, so he softened his tone and spoke, his face full of anxiety mixed with worry.
"Is the realm of gods the safest place for me?"