Outside the array...

  Not long after the Saint Killing Array enveloped all the gods and demons...

  The experts from various ancient starry sky races watching the battle stared in disbelief. They witnessed corpses of gods and demons raining down endlessly from the crimson Saint Killing Array.

  Undying-tier and Great Dao-tier gods and demons...

  Suffered countless casualties in that moment.

  "The gods and demons... they're done for."

  "Losing so many Undying-tier and Great Dao-tier gods and demons—this will severely weaken their foundation."

  "The human race is about to rise and stand toe-to-toe with them."

  Experts from different starry sky races spoke up one after another.

  Their expressions were immensely complex. They had come expecting a spectacle of the human race's annihilation, only to witness the gods and demons suffering a devastating blow instead...

  "The Saint Killing Array... it's a ultimate weapon after all. Back then, the gods and demons suffered greatly from it too—but that time, the humans had prepared it for ages."

  "Logically, they shouldn't fall for the same trick twice. But this time, a human prodigy who can instantly cast the Saint Killing Array caught them completely off guard."

  Some experts communicated via primordial spirit, analyzing the upcoming shifts in the ancient starry sky's power balance.

  They speculated that after this, the human race might finally stand tall. Perhaps... it was time to consider allying with them.

  The Wood Elemental God was the first to escape, fleeing at extreme speed beyond the array's reach.

  His face was grim as he watched the trapped gods and demons—Gold and Water Elemental Gods included. He couldn't predict their fate.

  But he knew it would be grim.

  He felt a twinge of relief for running fast enough.

  What now?

  Break the array?

  With his power, impossible.

  "This doesn't make sense... How could a mere human Heavenly Emperor comprehend and master the Saint Killing Array? And instantly cast it..."

  The Wood Elemental God's heart churned with complexity.

  Previously, only Xiaoyao Zi among humans could control it and use it against enemies.

  That's why, after Xiaoyao Zi's fall, the gods and demons invaded unchecked. Who knew the humans would spring such a surprise.

  The humans' earlier desperate resolve had fooled them into thinking the race was at its end, ready to fight to the death. But it was all an act!

  The humans had a comeback card.

  The Wood Elemental God felt panic but didn't flee immediately. He hid in the depths of space, staring at the blood-colored chessboard blotting out the stars.

  The killing intent soared like a sword piercing the heavens—soul-shaking.

  Before the Nine-Layered Heaven passage...

  Tonggu Daoist, Elder Xuancang, and the other human Quasi-Saints felt a slight relief.

  The human experts watched gods and demons' corpses rain from the array and grew excited.

  Each fallen god or demon meant a massive victory for humans—reducing their peril.

  Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

  Breaking sounds tore through the air.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, and other Five Phoenixes cultivators shot out, gathering the corpses one by one.

  God and demon corpses were treasures!

  Refined essence blood could greatly aid cultivation—no less than miraculous pills—and birth many powerful human experts.

  The human geniuses reacted too.

  For a moment, the passage mouth became like a ferry dock, with fallen gods and demons as fish in a net.

  In the ancient starry sky...

  Many races watched with envious red eyes.

  God and demon corpses were indeed treasures. In fact, any Emperor-realm expert's corpse was a resource for strength.

  Many wanted to sneak in and snag some—but dared not.

  They hadn't joined the fight; picking scraps now would earn the hot-tempered humans' deadly grudge.

  Especially with humans now wielding an instant Saint Killing Array.

  Such a weapon deterred every ancient starry sky race immensely.

  Tonggu Daoist, Elder Xuancang, and the human Quasi-Saints felt refreshed.

  After being suppressed by gods and demons so long, humans could finally hold their heads high.

  Countless human heroes' blood had bought this turnaround.

  "Take them all..."

  "These gods and demons once bullied our race—now they'll fuel our rise!"

  Tonggu Daoist laughed heartily.

  Though the array was powerful, he knew true strength came from within.

  If humans birthed more Saints, the starry sky's balance would have shifted long ago.

  Too few human Saints—that's why gods and demons bullied them.

  Hidden in the dark, the Wood Elemental God trembled.

  But he was powerless to stop the humans.

  Forget Tonggu—even Elder Xuancang and the Quasi-Saints together were enough to make him wary.

  He might handle one Tonggu, but against so many? He'd fare no better than the trapped gods and demons.

  The Black-and-White Empress's lips curved slightly.

  Floating in the starry sky, she watched calmly—not too surprised.

  Perhaps because she'd been shocked before, her heart was steady.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  She'd known Lu could instantly cast it; knowing the trump card dulled the astonishment.

  Arms crossed, her black-and-white gown fluttering, she tilted her head toward the deep stars with interest.

  "This situation... is bad for the gods and demons. Will that Emperor who hasn't entered the chaos depths intervene?"

  The Black-and-White Empress narrowed her eyes, a bit expectant.

  If he did—she'd have an excuse to act.

  A little appetizer before diving into the chaos beasts.

  "Come on..."

  "It's been years since I beat someone up—my fists are itching..."

  ...

  Inside the Saint Killing Array...

  Terrifying killing intent surged like wild winds over vast oceans. Each god and demon was a lone boat in giant waves—capsizing at any moment.

  The Gold Elemental God unleashed terrifying aura, golden brilliance blocking the intent's assaults.

  The Water Elemental God formed solid ice walls, resisting penetration.

  But they couldn't hold long—eventually overwhelmed.

  Stronger ones resisted longer.

  Many Heavenly God-tier gods and demons released auras into shields, fending off the intent.

  Each strand materialized like solid blades.

  Clanging echoed endlessly in the stars.

  They watched surrounding Great Dao and Undying-tiers scream in agony.

  Every wisp not only melted flesh but ravaged primordial spirits.

  Seeing them fall...

  Even Heavenly God-tiers felt fear creep in.

  They'd really die.

  At a human Heavenly Emperor's hands.

  Lu leaned on his Thousand-Bladed Chair, the Spirit Pressure Chessboard glowing faintly before him. Fused with the Saint Killing Array, it was now the humans' supreme treasure.

  He wanted to grind Gold and Water to dust—but difficulty remained.

  Maintaining the array over so many gods and demons divided his focus—he couldn't target the two Elemental Gods fully.

  But Lu was in no rush.

  He'd clear Great Dao and Undying-tiers first, then turn to Heavenly God-tiers and Elemental Gods.

  Slowly. Though sustaining cost primordial spirit power, Lu worried not.

  His own spirit hadn't reached Quasi-Saint—but the Preaching Platform held the Earth Elemental God's. He could drain that to sustain.

  In endurance? Lu feared no one.

  Gold and Water Elemental Gods gradually calmed.

  "He's just a human Heavenly Emperor—his primordial spirit can't sustain the array long..."

  "Killing the others slowly is good for us."

  The Gold Elemental God's eyes flickered.

  "Indeed, his spirit isn't Quasi-Saint strong. We have a chance... If Xiaoyao Zi wielded it, we'd be doomed—but a mere Heavenly Emperor? We can outlast him!"

  The Water Elemental God relaxed.

  A war of attrition—outlasting Lu.

  Direct assault? Low odds—Lu controlled the array.

  Plus, the black-and-white beast on his lap could easily protect him here, tying evenly with any Heavenly God-tier.

  So, Gold and Water—and surrounding Heavenly God-tiers—had one choice: endure!

  Outlast Lu!

  The array terrified—but it depended on the caster.

  Gods and demons calmed.

  Releasing primordial spirit energy into defensive barriers against erosion.

  Pfft!

  Blades of intent slew god after god—chilling every survivor.

  Undying-tiers wiped out soon...

  Great Dao-tiers dwindled to under fifty.

  "Hold on!"

  "Endurance is victory!"

  Some Heavenly God-tiers encouraged themselves.

  Finally, when all Great Dao-tiers fell...

  Lu's primordial spirit seemed vastly weakened.

  Sensing it, Gold and Water opened eyes in excitement!

  "His spirit is failing! Our chance to break free!"

  Heavenly God-tiers grew eager.

  White-robed Lu sat on his chair, holding a piece, smirking as he scanned them.

  He placed it—killing intent surged anew.

  Unceremoniously, he drained the raging Earth Elemental God's spirit in the platform to sustain the array.

  Boom!

  Intent roared coldly, mercilessly.

  Lu's weakened spirit skyrocketed again...

  Sorry, I'm lasting longer now.

  Gold, Water, and Heavenly God-tiers grimaced.

  "Why did his spirit surge?"

  "Must be a secret art!"

  "Definitely—humans have many, but unsustainable. He's forcing it—he's at his limit!"

  Gold said.

  "Hold!"

  Gods and demons exchanged glances, unleashing power desperately.

  The array grew silent again.

  Lu smiled.

  Placed pieces leisurely.

  Each placement spiked intent.

  Finally...

  One Heavenly God-tier's defense shattered—a blade of Saint intent pierced his body.

  Flesh decayed; spirit gravely wounded.

  Pfft!

  He wailed miserably.

  Lu tried pulling the spirit into the platform—pity, shredded by intent.

  Only Elemental God spirits could withstand and be captured.

  Lu grieved briefly.

  A Quasi-Saint-level spirit, wasted.

  As Lu slew the first Heavenly God-tier...

  His aura weakened sharply again.

  Gold, Water, and others perked up.

  But soon—he drained Earth again, surging back...

  Disappointing them.

  And frustrating.

  "Secret art again!"

  "He's burning his foundation! Outlast him—we'll win!"

  Gold gritted coldly.

  Pfft!

  Next...

  Each piece Lu placed slew a Heavenly God-tier...

  His aura plunged—then surged... mocking them brazenly.

  The steadfast mindset of seated Elemental Gods and Heavenly God-tiers cracked.

  Fear spread.

  In the Preaching Platform...

  The Earth Elemental God experienced the Fire one's misery firsthand.

  His spirit drained—agonizing.

  He didn't know why—but continued, he'd dry up.

  In the array...

  Even stoic Gold and Water grew fearful.

  Silent, soul-deep terror.

  Watching comrades dwindle—like prey in darkness—fear devoured hearts, amplifying endlessly.

  "Hold... He's just a Heavenly Emperor—can't last long."

  Gold consoled through gritted teeth.

  "Don't fool yourself..."

  Water collapsed.

  As death's arrow passed others and aimed at her—the taut string snapped.

  Boom!

  Her ice defenses cracked.

  Chill wind blew; crimson leaf-intent formed figures.

  Encircling her.

  They slashed in falling leaves.

  Blades sank into her.

  Her voluptuous body melted like ice.

  Fear on her face.

  Lu perked up.

  With a thought...

  The looming Preaching Platform emerged, pulling her struggling spirit—resisting intent—inside.

  No intent there—a calm harbor; her spirit instinctively dove in.

  "What is this?!"

  But she wasn't dumb.

  Soon sensed wrong—tried fleeing.

  Too late.

  A giant hand dragged her in.

  Boom!

  The Eight Trigrams Cauldron fell.

  Another Elemental God spirit in the platform.

  The despondent Earth one looked over—a new cage nearby.

  Water's screams echoed everywhere.

  "Ah Shui, how did you end up here too?!"

  "You got tricked too?!"

  Earth heard the familiar voice and thrilled.

  Water froze, peering through the cauldron.

  Seeing Earth's spirit constantly drained—face twisting in struggle.

  Only now did she understand: Lu's spirit couldn't sustain long alone...

  But Earth's could.

  Their gods and demons weren't destroyed by humans—but pitted by this idiot Earth!

  "Ah Shui?! Still alive? Awake? Answer me... Ah Shui!"

  Earth called excitedly.

  Finally, familiar company in this oppressive place.

  How could he not thrill?

  But...

  Water silent long, suppressed rage boiling.

  Finally... exploding in greeting.

  "Get lost!"

  Earth dumbfounded.

  ...

  Outside...

  Tonggu Daoist, Elder Xuancang, and human Quasi-Saints' hearts pounded.

  Watching corpses rain from the array.

  Excitement grew.

  Starting with Undying-tiers raining...

  Then Great Dao-tiers...

  Human morale soared.

  But...

  When the first decayed Heavenly God-tier corpse fell... silence.

  Heavenly God-tier—human Quasi-Saint equivalent... dead?

  "Brother Lu's array... this lethal?!"

  Tonggu murmured at the floating corpse.

  Overlord gleefully dragged it back to the Nine-Layered Heaven.

  Heavenly God-tier corpse—broken but treasure-like!

  Ancient starry sky races chilled, gasping.

  Humans struck gold this time!

  Wood Elemental God's face paled further.

  If not for Gold and Water still alive...

  He'd flee.

  Black-and-White Empress raised a brow, more intrigued.

  "Sustaining the array costs hugely—his spirit this vast?"

  She was genuinely curious.

  If not for Zhu Long happily hauling corpses below, she'd rip the array open to see Lu's trick.

  The ancient starry sky reeked of blood.

  Races suppressed, silent.

  Wood speechless.

  Only joy: Five Phoenixes cultivators hauling corpses to the Nine-Layered Heaven.

  Cultivation resources!

  Boom!

  Suddenly, thunder from the crimson array.

  All hearts jolted.

  Eyes on the array.

  A deep blue half-skull tumbled out...

  Its appearance exploded the starry sky!

  "Water Elemental God?!"

  Uproar from races!

  Like a stone in calm lake—ripples unending.

  Water's half-skull—identical misery to Earth's dragged by humans.

  Her corpse falling...

  Meant an Elemental God died in the array!

  "My heavens!"

  Tonggu inhaled, unreal.

  Human Quasi-Saints speechless.

  Water's half-skull hauled by Zhu Long back to the passage.

  Array still running...

  All stared complexly.

  Was Lu aiming to kill Gold too?!

  "This isn't just weakening the gods and demons..."

  "It's a 'Twilight of the Gods.' If all Elemental Gods fall, they might lose starry hegemony."

  A powerful race spoke.

  "Gods and demons' calamity—the ancient starry sky may usher human dominance..."

  "Overthinking. Even if all fall, gods and demons remain strongest—forget their Emperor?"

  "As long as the God-Demon Emperor lives, they won't decline!"

  Discussions endless.

  But certain: massive change coming.

  In the array...

  Gold Elemental God sweated coldly.

  His golden glow dimmed; Saint-will intent eroded.

  He felt he'd soon follow Water.

  Endurance words... couldn't comfort him now.

  Endure?

  If useful... Ah Shui wouldn't be dead!

  "I don't want to die..."

  Gold gritted, eyes mad.

  Lu glanced calmly.

  "Murder demands repayment."

  "You don't want to die—but did our human ancestors?"

  Lu said faintly.

  Next, he held a piece. The board dense with black and white—deadly game.

  Finally, placed.

  Leaf-intent solidified.

  Figures formed around Gold...

  Same as Earth and Water.

  Pfft!

  No escape—blades slashed.

  Sank into him.

  Flesh melted...

  Spirit fled body, eroded.

  Lu's lips curved.

  Threw the Preaching Platform.

  To absorb Gold's spirit too.

  This wave—Lu truly profited immensely.

  "No!!!"

  Gold's spirit roared madly...

  But...

  As it neared absorption...

  Pure golden light bloomed from his spirit, devouring it instantly.

  Countless rays erupted—like a blazing sun in the array.

  Suppressing Saint intent.

  Lu's white robes fluttered; expression grave.

  Stroking the black-and-white beast paused.

  Staring at the cold, aloof golden figure hovering above...

  He exhaled slowly.

  "God-Demon... Emperor."

  Outside...

  The bored Black-and-White Empress on her throne brightened.

  Next instant—shot up, cracking knuckles.

  "Finally... you."