The skies above the Devil Emperor's ancient castle turned blood-red as five divine auras descended like falling stars. The very heavens trembled; mountains in the distance cracked and rivers boiled under the oppressive weight of their presence.
Five figures stood in the air, each radiating an aura that could suppress armies. They hovered above the throne hall like gods looking down upon ants, their robes billowing in a storm of spiritual might.
Glacier Monarch of the Frost Sect: clad in silver-blue armor, his body emitted freezing mist that turned the very clouds into glaciers. The air froze wherever his gaze fell.
Sword Saint Xuanhao of the Sword Sect: his sharp aura extended for miles; even before his blade was drawn, space itself seemed to split with each flick of his eyes.
Heavenly Thunder Lord Lei Cang of the Lightning Sect: arcs of divine lightning crawled across his body, booming like war drums that threatened to shatter the sky.
Blazing Crimson Lord Huo Zhan of the Flame Sect: a living inferno, his crimson fire turned daylight into a burning dusk, scorching the land beneath his feet.
Void Monarch Yuan Shengtian of the Rift of Space Sect: reality bent around him, twisting and tearing as cracks of distorted space followed his every breath.
Their combined aura pressed down like the weight of a mountain. Even the proud soldiers of the Devil Emperor's fortress trembled, their knees buckling, unable to look directly at these godlike beings.
The five masters gazed at the ancient castle, their voices booming like heavenly decrees.
Glacier Monarch: "Mo Jue Tian… Devil Emperor! Your inheritance is not yours to claim. The legacy of the War God belongs to us— to the true pillars of the celestial world!"
Sword Saint Xuanhao: "That power is wasted in your hands. Hand it over willingly, and perhaps we shall leave your corpse intact."
Thunder Lord Lei Cang: "Or resist us… and watch your castle, your disciples, and every grain of dust under your feet be erased by lightning and steel!"
Blazing Crimson Lord Huo Zhan: "The War God's fire belongs only to one strong enough to command it. You? You are a mere shadow of what he once was!"
Void Monarch Yuan Shengtian: "Enough talk. He will die today. His inheritance will be divided among us. The array is ready. Once he steps outside… he will not return alive."
The five titans raised their hands, and their armies of elite cultivators surged forward, forming ranks in the skies like an ocean of blades and fire. Their killing intent drowned the horizon.
And in the midst of that oppressive storm…
The night sky above the Devil Emperor's castle rumbled with pressure, as if the heavens themselves were descending. Endless clouds rolled in waves, suffused with divine light and killing intent. Five figures floated in the air, each exuding the aura of a Celestial Realm master—godlike beings whose presence alone bent the winds and cracked the skies.
Yet within the throne hall of black stone, Mo Jue Tian sat lazily upon his seat, lips curled into a smile. Not the smile of arrogance, nor of madness—but of absolute confidence, the kind that came from a man who had nothing left to fear.
The grand doors burst open. Yan Luochen, his lone disciple, hurried inside, his steps urgent. Though his cultivation was far weaker than the masters outside, his face showed determination as he fell to one knee.
"Master! The castle… it is under siege. Five sect masters have come together. Their armies circle the skies, their killing intent blots the heavens themselves!"
Mo Jue Tian leaned forward slightly, his crimson eyes glowing faintly under the dim torches. Instead of alarm, he let out a soft chuckle.
"So they have come." He rose slowly from the throne, every step echoing like a sovereign god walking upon the world. His gaze fell upon Yan Luochen, and his voice, though calm, carried unshakable authority.
"You do not have to fear, Luochen. They come for me, not you. And if the heavens themselves wish to devour me… then let them choke on my flames instead."
The disciple's fists clenched. "But Master… their strength is overwhelming! The Frost Monarch, the Blazing Crimson Lord, the Lightning Tyrant, the Rift Sovereign, and the Sword Emperor—five Celestial Masters united! Even the skies tremble at their names."
Mo Jue Tian stepped down, placing a hand briefly on his disciple's shoulder. His expression softened, just for him. "Among all in this wretched world, I trust only you. But hear me, Luochen—this battle belongs to me alone. You must remain behind. Do not fear for me."
Outside, the roar of an army shook the land as divine beasts and celestial warriors descended, forming lines of living walls across the air. The entire Shenglong Continent seemed to hold its breath.
Together, master and disciple stepped outside the castle gates. There, high in the air, the five Celestial Masters stood in their radiance, their eyes burning with greed, envy, and bloodlust as they looked upon Mo Jue Tian.
The pressure of their divine auras crashed down like an ocean. Even Yan Luochen, protected behind his master, staggered, his knees nearly buckling. His face turned pale, sweat dripping down his brow.
Mo Jue Tian, however, stood unshaken. His black robes fluttered, his hair danced wildly in the storm of power, and that smile—cold, fearless, unyielding—remained.
He leaned slightly toward Yan Luochen and spoke in a calm, almost tender tone.
"Go back inside the castle. Hide, and do not concern yourself with this. You are my disciple, the only one I trust… and I will not see you harmed."
But Yan Luochen shook his head fiercely, his voice trembling. "No, Master! I will stay by your side. If they dare to touch you, I will fight even if it costs me my life!"
Mo Jue Tian's eyes lingered on him. For the briefest moment, a rare trace of warmth flickered there. Then he let out a low laugh.
"You stubborn child…"
Finally, Yan Luochen stepped back. But as he retreated toward the gates, his expression twisted into something unseen by his master—a faint, creeping smile that curled at the edge of his lips. A smile that promised betrayal.
Above, the five Celestial Masters shifted. Their combined killing intent swept across the land, crushing mountains and making the world groan. And yet, below them, the Devil Emperor stood waiting, calm and unafraid.
The stage of gods and devils was set.