Dazzling, blinding golden light erupted like a sun blooming with radiant glory within the crimson array.

  Almost everyone witnessed the scene.

  Tonggu Daoist, Elder Xuancang, and the other human Quasi-Saints' expressions changed dramatically.

  "The God-Demon Emperor?!"

  Tonggu's face turned extremely grim.

  The aura released from the array was oppressive and terrifying—as if the entire ancient starry sky bore down upon them.

  Without doubt, this was the God-Demon Emperor's presence, an existence on par with human Saints.

  That meant... the God-Demon Emperor had intervened inside the Saint Killing Array?

  With only the Gold Elemental God left in the array, it likely meant the Emperor had descended using Gold as a medium?

  A God-Demon Emperor, no less.

  Worry and fury surfaced on Tonggu's face.

  He knew that in the Elemental Realm, a God-Demon Emperor stood guard.

  While most Emperors, like human Saints, resided in the chaos depths of the ancient starry sky...

  The gods and demons had one remaining behind.

  Perhaps to placate the human Saints, this Emperor had promised not to act against humans.

  When the gods and demons held overwhelming advantage, bullying humans—he never appeared.

  But now, when humans gained the upper hand, on the verge of crushing the gods and demons—he emerged.

  This ignited rage in the human Quasi-Saints while leaving them feeling utterly powerless.

  They had no recourse—their strength fell short.

  Aside from the two human Saints, no Saint-level powerhouse guarded the race.

  How could they contend with a God-Demon Emperor?

  For a moment, sorrow welled in Tonggu's heart.

  The human race was still too weak.

  What use was the Saint Killing Array?

  If humans could birth one more Saint, perhaps then they'd truly hold sway in the ancient starry sky.

  Otherwise, even with massive advantage—wiping out the Elemental Gods—it would be an illusion, bursting like bubbles under sunlight at the Emperor's appearance.

  The surrounding powerful starry sky races sighed similarly.

  Their plight mirrored the humans'—or worse.

  With an Emperor guarding them, the gods and demons far outclassed other races.

  One Emperor created an insurmountable chasm.

  Hidden in the void currents, the Wood Elemental God thrilled.

  "It's the Gold Emperor! The only Emperor the gods and demons left behind!"

  This thought filled him with emotion. The Emperor's arrival meant their catastrophic campaign might stem the losses.

  At least... the Gold Elemental God wouldn't fall.

  They could retain two Elemental Gods.

  Wood sighed.

  The fall of Fire, Water, and Earth Elemental Gods was a massive upheaval for the gods and demons.

  But now, with the Emperor here—things were turning around.

  ...

  Inside the Saint Killing Array...

  Lu frowned, gazing at the golden-radiant figure hovering in the air.

  The oppressive force distorted space—as if stepping out of time itself.

  A God-Demon Emperor...

  Comparable to a human Saint.

  The array's suppression posed no barrier to him.

  "A will avatar?"

  Lu murmured.

  He was certain—it wasn't the true body, but a will avatar via the Gold Elemental God. Yet the aura remained terrifyingly immense.

  Lu felt that even at full power, he couldn't match it.

  A God-Demon Emperor—invincible, guarding the chaos depths.

  "A mighty God-Demon Emperor, stooping to attack an ordinary human cultivator like me—aren't you ashamed?"

  Lu said.

  The golden-blazing, sun-like Emperor regarded Lu calmly. His eyes held no emotion—cold as abyssal ice, unmelting.

  "You're the one who killed the Fire Elemental God."

  "Not only that—you suppressed two more..."

  "Are you the calamity of my gods and demons?"

  The Gold Emperor said faintly.

  He stepped forward in the array. With each step, countless killing intents trembled like blades in the void.

  Crimson intent formed blades; his aura manifested golden spears.

  Spears clashed with blades—neutralizing the Saint killing intent.

  "This array is useless against me. I didn't wish to intervene... but I can't allow you to suppress the Elemental Gods."

  The Gold Emperor said.

  "I have an agreement with your human Saints—not to act. But neither will I let humans overshadow the gods and demons."

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Immense pressure erupted from him, suppressing Lu—his white robes fluttering wildly.

  Lu remained composed, unfazed.

  Though he sensed the terrifying pressure—far beyond his resistance.

  "I'm curious... you seem to harbor great secrets."

  The Gold Emperor said.

  Terrifying primordial spirit swept over—like scanning half the ancient starry sky. Lu felt his body instantly probed.

  The Emperor detected Lu's cultivation; surprise flickered on his face.

  "A Qi Refiner?!"

  The Gold Emperor inhaled sharply.

  His tone held shock, disbelief.

  Lu's brows raised, staring at the Emperor. This God-Demon Emperor recognized his ordinary, low-key Qi Refiner identity?

  Ignoring his mighty God-Demon Hunter title?

  "You know of Qi Refiners?"

  Lu asked curiously.

  "You've seen other Qi Refiners?"

  The Gold Emperor's gaze shifted—killing intent, wariness, faint fear, and incredulity.

  "Yes."

  The Gold Emperor said.

  Lu's eyes lit up. If his guess was right, the Qi Refiner the Emperor mentioned tied to the system's origins.

  "Many?"

  Lu pressed.

  "No, just one."

  The Gold Emperor shook his head. His gaze on Lu grew more complex—then resolute killing intent emerged.

  True killing intent.

  "Who? One of the human Saints?"

  Lu couldn't help asking—he was too curious.

  "No..."

  The Gold Emperor shook his head again, denying the guess.

  Lu frowned deeper.

  Who was this other Qi Refiner?

  "You're far inferior to him."

  The Gold Emperor said.

  Boom!

  Terrifying aura exploded around him—the array twisted, fracturing, collapsing uncontrollably.

  He closed in on Lu; immense suppression bore down.

  Lu erupted his Four-Row Indestructible Demon Body—four Beast Ancestor statue profundities surging.

  "Now... you resemble him even more."

  The Gold Emperor sighed.

  "Another reason to kill you..."

  Sizzle...

  As words fell...

  His body blazed brilliantly, blurring in the void—reappearing before Lu.

  One hand behind his back, the other with index and middle fingers extended—pointing at Lu's brow.

  Lu stayed calm throughout.

  Watching the finger strike.

  He clearly saw space twisting at the tip—releasing profound, mysterious power.

  This was a chaos-tier god-demon—an Emperor among them!

  A casual move could crush Elemental Gods!

  Suddenly...

  Terrifying whoosh exploded.

  The array's killing intent suppressed by even stronger intent.

  "A mighty Gold Emperor bullying a human Heavenly Emperor—shameless."

  Crisp voice like pearls on jade rang out.

  The Black-and-White Empress appeared at the Gold Emperor's side.

  She entered the array directly—lifting her long leg, slashing toward his head like a blade.

  Terrifying blade intent crisscrossed.

  Space shattered like paper.

  Bang!

  Golden rays surged from the Gold Emperor, forming a shield at his side.

  Violent collision erupted.

  Lu felt the array straining to collapse.

  But black-and-white currents from the Empress stabilized it—leaving Lu speechless.

  On one hand, relief—this woman acted.

  Lu had asked when she'd intervene: when the God-Demon Emperor did.

  And now, she had.

  On the other... something felt off.

  Her eager demeanor—like a husky cooped up months in an empty room.

  The Gold Emperor's golden face shifted upon seeing her—turning grim.

  "Black-and-White Empress... what are you doing?"

  "This is merely my avatar—not my true body acting."

  The Gold Emperor said quickly.

  "Besides, I haven't attacked—just wished to chat deeply with this human!"

  He was genuinely alarmed.

  This woman intervening for the human?

  Because of his Qi Refiner aura?

  Bound by agreement, she'd never meddled in god-demon vs. human wars.

  Yet now—she stepped in.

  "Avatar acting doesn't count as acting?"

  "What kind of logic is that? An Emperor after all these years—still such a coward..."

  The Black-and-White Empress sneered.

  Next, her slender hand shot out—the array rippling.

  It clawed fiercely at his chest.

  Boom!

  Deafening collapse echoed.

  Lu saw only shattered remnants where the Gold Emperor stood—endless spatial turbulence beyond.

  In her hand... the Gold Elemental God.

  The Emperor's will abandoned the body instantly.

  Gold's primordial spirit regained clarity.

  Sensing the Empress—he trembled in terror.

  Why was he clutched by her?

  What happened?

  Where was the great Emperor?!

  "Hm? Back in the Boundary Ruins, didn't you act tough toward me? Relying on your Emperor's backing—disrespectful?"

  The Black-and-White Empress glanced at Gold's spirit.

  He shrank into a ball—daring not even fart under her terrifying aura.

  A ferocious being...

  One squeeze could burst his spirit.

  She didn't burst it.

  Possible—but unnecessary.

  Like squashing an ant.

  She glanced at curious Lu, pursed lips, and tossed Gold's spirit to him.

  "Here—for you. You seem to love collecting these guys' spirits."

  Gold's spirit flew—but dared not move, locked by her spirit.

  Lu blinked at the incoming prize.

  Without hesitation—unfurled the Preaching Platform.

  Yanked Gold's spirit in.

  Fluid, seamless.

  Once inside, Lu suppressed and caged it in the Eight Trigrams Cauldron.

  The shrieking Water Elemental God inside suddenly choked silent as Gold arrived...

  Earth Elemental God's surprised voice echoed.

  "Old Gold, you too?"

  Lu ignored the interior—sealed the platform after suppressing Gold.

  The Black-and-White Empress narrowed eyes at the sealed platform.

  "Hiding what... Think I'd covet your treasure?"

  She scoffed.

  Then gazed at the massive void she blasted in the passage.

  "You come here... Daring to harm my little cutie Black-and-White Beast—think I have no temper?"

  She said.

  Beyond the passage, Gold Emperor: "..."

  The beast on Lu's lap blinked innocently, wide-eyed.

  Lu speechless—this woman's unreasonableness knew no bounds.

  To play along, Lu pinched the beast and smacked its rear hard.

  It wanted to roar—but under their gazes, turned to aggrieved whimpers.

  Lu nearly punched it again.

  "Come out. Avatar doesn't count? Then I'll use my avatar—flatten your gods and demons?"

  The Black-and-White Empress declared domineeringly.

  "Don't force me to come get you."

  Silence from the other end.

  Lu grew immensely curious—was the Gold Emperor... cowering?

  Even God-Demon Emperors this cowardly?!

  Emperor-level vs. Emperor-level—what to fear?!

  Lu watched eagerly.

  The Empress pursed lips in boredom—then dove into the passage.

  Terrifying aura nearly burst it open.

  Lu watched her stride through endless turbulence.

  She raised hand—sucking with immense force.

  Pulling a sun-like golden mass from boundless space.

  "Finally acted—and you play coward?!"

  She said.

  Boom!

  Terrifying clash—Lu could barely see through blinding gold.

  Perfect gold source profundity clashed with black-and-white—misting the view like fog.

  Occasional grunts echoed.

  Saint-level battle in turbulence.

  No...

  To Lu—unilateral beating.

  The Gold Emperor powerless against her—constant grunts.

  Lu's imagination ran wild just from sounds.

  Smacking lips—pity not witnessing Emperor duel firsthand.

  ...

  In the turbulence...

  Bruised, swollen Gold Emperor—golden glow dimmed, utterly aggrieved.

  As guardian Emperor, he wasn't weak—but against her, little resistance.

  This chaos creature—ancient, born at chaos dawn.

  Beast Ancestor peer.

  Back when weakened, invading Wood's realm for the statue—full-strength Wood Emperor nearly instant-killed...

  Now at peak—he had no chance.

  Risk life over a beating?

  He wasn't stupid...

  She clearly picked a fight—he held boredom too long, unlucky target.

  After thrashing him, she lost interest—no challenge in quick surrender.

  "Why protect this human?"

  Finally, as she calmed—his voice echoed in endless space.

  "Heh..."

  "My girl calls him Daddy—you tell me why?"

  She glanced at him.

  Gold's eyes bulged.

  Incredulous...

  This human... that impressive?!

  Thinking so—the beating seemed less unjust.

  But he wasn't dumb—unlikely sole reason.

  Something more.

  The Black-and-White Empress stretched lazily in turbulence—unrestrained aura chaos-inducing.

  "Can't say—you wouldn't understand. Just... repaying a favor."

  "Warning: this human... you can't afford to provoke."

  She said.

  Gold shuddered.

  Can't provoke?

  He—an Emperor, peak ancient starry sky existence.

  One he couldn't provoke?!

  She scoffed at his doubt.

  "Another warning: he's a Qi Refiner."

  She said.

  Gold fell silent—long—disbelief surging in his eyes, spreading...

  He stared shocked.

  "Truly a Qi Refiner?!"

  "Could it be..."

  "This human... 'That One's' disciple?!"

  His voice sharpened.

  "Disciple?"

  She crossed arms, shrugged, smiled—no explanation.

  No intent to linger.

  This Gold Emperor—boring.

  "You should head to the Chaos Gate soon. Nothing left guarding gods and demons. Don't think I don't know your Emperors' schemes..."

  "Sometimes, against absolute power... schemes are useless."

  "Your gods and demons dominated an era—your deeds known to yourselves. Time for lessons."

  "Go to the Chaos Gate—don't cling to your plot. If 'That One' returns, your prosperity means nothing."

  She said with mockery.

  Gold's expression shifted—no reply.

  Long after, she waved impatiently.

  "Scram."

  "Annoying to see—doesn't fight back. Supposed top attacker among Emperors—worse than a wooden stump."

  Gold silent—endured mockery.

  Then golden mass—fled far in turbulence.

  But news from her unsettled him.

  As for Gold, Water, Earth Elemental Gods...

  He couldn't intervene.

  With her—he might die.

  Though both Emperor-level—her true strength... unfathomable.

  No need clashing.

  Like a martial artist challenging an immortal.

  Unnecessary.

  Gold departed.

  The Black-and-White Empress emerged from turbulence—the array calmed.

  Her graceful form hovered.

  Gazing at Lu seated on his Thousand-Bladed Chair—she pursed lips.

  Black-and-white currents formed her throne behind.

  She plopped down, crossing long legs—looking down at Lu.