Chapter 1669: Army Approaching

Two colossal entities seemed poised for a monumental collision, like a terrifying comet streaking across the sky or a dreadful blaze engulfing mountains and rivers. The news, as soon as it spread, sent shockwaves through the universe.

The universe itself trembled, and all races were filled with dread. This was undoubtedly a terrifying earthquake, causing the very stars to quiver!

People had long anticipated an inevitable showdown between the Divine Court and the Heavenly Court. They never expected the fuse to be lit so quickly, nor for the conflict to begin in such a manner.

"Patriarch, why aren't we returning that important stronghold?" a tribe on an ancient star debated. "Didn't you say we should offer a humble apology and adopt the lowest possible stance?"

"Indeed, Ye Fan, the Lord of the Heavenly Court, has returned," another added, "and he's massacred so many, causing the demise of three ancient imperial bloodlines. Even the Divine Court Lord's second son is now a departed soul. Don't we need to apologize and immediately return the resource stars we seized?"

"What's the rush?" an aged voice interjected. "He is strong, but the Emperor Lord should be even more terrifying. Let's wait and see."

The others grumbled internally. *Didn't you yourself scold us after hearing the news, demanding we immediately go apologize to the Heavenly Court? Now that new information has arrived, you've changed your tune again. You change your mind faster than turning a page.*

Similar events were unfolding on another planet, where important figures were discussing how to navigate their relationships with the two major powers.

"The Emperor Lord is about to emerge," someone stated. "He is the most powerful being of this era. Ye Fan, after all, hasn't achieved the Great Accomplishment Sacred Body. If they fight to the death, he will surely be defeated. There's no need to rush in returning the star we seized from the Heavenly Court."

"Hmm, good point," another agreed. "Let them fight to the death. If the Heavenly Court is destroyed, that star, rich with divine iron ore, will be ours forever."

The universe was far from peaceful. Especially in the border regions of the Heavenly Court, major tribes and factions were stirring restlessly, all making preparations, hoping to gain a share of the spoils from the impending great war.

"Let them fight it out," some strategized. "When both sides' elites are decimated, if the Emperor Lord still hasn't achieved ultimate enlightenment, his lifespan probably won't be long. Even if he controls the universe, he won't have many years left to live."

"Prepare early. Watch the Heavenly Court be uprooted, and the Divine Court's glory fade!"

Of course, some were deeply concerned. They immediately returned all the Heavenly Court's fortresses and strongholds, fearing Ye Fan's future reckoning.

The border formations of the Heavenly Court flickered. Vast arrays stretched across the sky, but there were few people present. Only a handful were inscribing defensive formations; the main forces had long since retreated to their headquarters.

This time, the clash of armies was not the main focus. It was highly likely to be a duel between supreme individuals. The Emperor Lord was too powerful; perhaps truly unrivaled in this world.

How terrifying was his combat prowess? No one could say for certain. It was estimated that he was not many times weaker than the Supremes who appeared during the Dark Turmoil; even if not precisely of that level, he was close.

This was like a great mountain, weighing on everyone's heart. The atmosphere within the Heavenly Court was oppressive, and everyone felt as if facing a formidable enemy, preparing for battle.

The only comforting fact was that the gentle, adorable, pure, and innocent little girl was there. Having experienced the Dark Turmoil, they all knew that Little Niangniang's origins were astonishingly profound, truly defying heaven. As long as she was presiding, even if the Emperor Lord arrived, he should not be able to stir up a bloody calamity.

In the cosmic void, on a massive island, celestial grasses covered the ground, phoenix flowers bloomed, dragon vines grew, and ancient divine trees, verdant and vibrant, were wreathed in luminous mist.

Here, palaces and towers hung suspended in the clouds, and silver waterfalls cascaded like dragons. Plunging ten thousand feet, they were magnificent and breathtaking, truly like an immortal realm.

In the pure land at the very center, the Bodhi tree had already grown to six zhang tall, shedding vast swathes of radiant glow imbued with auspicious colors. It appeared sacred and serene.

Many individuals were seated beneath the Bodhi tree. The Big Black Dog looked solemnly dignified, Pang Bo was as mighty as a demon god, Huahua's face wore an expression of compassion, the Holy Prince was absorbing primordial chaos essence, and the Human Demon... was devouring meat with gusto.

The group exhibited diverse behaviors. Little Niangniang ran around, lively and active, blinking her large, black-gem-like eyes, looking intently at this person and then that, full of curiosity. She didn't sense the tense atmosphere of an impending war.

Not far away, a Kylin divine medicine plant, about half a meter tall, pulsed with purple mist, its nine leaves reaching skyward, and bore a string of crystalline flowers, attracting a group of small divine beasts that lingered nearby. These were auspicious beasts raised by the Heavenly Court, each extraordinary; some possessed White Tiger bloodlines, while others flowed with Fire Phoenix blood.

"The Divine Court Lord has summoned all his descendants to immediately return to the Divine Court."

The Golden-winged Great Peng King appeared, bringing this news, which startled everyone. Clearly, the Divine Court Emperor Lord was truly preparing to act, and he indeed feared Ye Fan, worried he might truly strike down other descendants.

The Golden-winged Great Peng King was silent and spoke little. After delivering his report, he directly sat down cross-legged beneath the Bodhi tree, where auspicious mists shimmered and every leaf was inscribed with a Dao pattern, making it an excellent place for enlightenment.

It was under this Bodhi tree that he had attained enlightenment of the Great Peng King Fist, thereby becoming a top-tier expert. Over the years, he had advanced bravely and made great progress, growing increasingly powerful.

"The Divine Court Lord has emerged!"

On this day, many trembled. They felt a powerful fluctuation in this starfield, as if a great Emperor had descended upon the mortal realm.

Everyone was terrified and then utterly shaken. Instinctively, they knew that this was not something a newly ascended Quasi-Emperor could contend with. The Emperor Lord was too powerful.

"Boom!"

It was a fiery red star, intensely bright, the Emperor Lord's cultivation retreat, normally unapproachable. But at this moment, it suddenly exploded.

The star shattered into many pieces, and a figure stepped out from within!

It was a middle-aged man, entirely fiery red, with even his hair flickering like flames. An overwhelmingly powerful aura surged, reverberating through the cosmos, causing surrounding stars to successively explode!

The Emperor Lord had emerged from seclusion within the territory ruled by the Divine Court. Everyone could sense his immense power.

"Crack!"

The divine statue of him worshipped in the Divine Court's palace directly shattered, because his true form had appeared. This clay idol, which normally communicated with the outside world and could speak, was destroyed.

The great war was about to begin!

This was everyone's thought, and every heart throbbed. The Emperor Lord might not be comparable to the Supremes of the Dark Turmoil era, but he was truly not far off.

"Father..."

Eight figures flew from the distant sky, prostrating themselves immediately, all extremely excited. With the Divine Court Emperor Lord so powerful, who in the world could contend with him? The future would belong to them.

A clanging sound rang out as a set of crimson dragon armor flew over, landing on the Emperor Lord and covering him. This dragon-python armor pulsed with surging flames.

In the past, his treasured pagoda had shattered, and to this day only a few fragments had been found, making it difficult to recast. Over the years, he had melted several Quasi-Emperor artifacts left by his predecessors and forged them into this crimson dragon armor.

"Just a junior, yet so audacious, killing experts of my Divine Court!" some old ministers cried. "He even slew the Second Crown Prince; his crime is truly unforgivable. Emperor Lord has emerged from seclusion, please preside over justice!"

Some old ministers also flew over, all prostrating themselves on the ground. Facing that figure, whose red flames surged and divine might overshadowed the world, they all trembled and worshipped reverently.

Across the universe, in all four cardinal directions and eight wildernesses, many received the news. All were waiting, for people knew that a storm was approaching.

In the starfield where the Heavenly Court was located, the atmosphere was very oppressive. Many major powers directly withdrew, ordering their disciples not to travel there, as a fatal disaster might otherwise befall them.

All the mighty figures were waiting; a great collision was about to begin!

"The Heavenly Court has a multitude of experts," some remarked, "but they absolutely cannot stop such a powerful Emperor Lord. I think after this battle, there will be no Heavenly Court left in the world, only ruins."

"Isn't this perfect?" others chimed in. "The resource stars we seized from them will be entirely ours."

Some rejoiced, while others worried. Many naturally hoped for Ye Fan's demise, as then the strongholds, mineral veins, and other assets they had acquired would not need to be returned, allowing them to rightfully possess them.

Others, however, were indignant and felt it was unfair, believing the Divine Court was too tyrannical, and felt pity for the Heavenly Court.

"The Human Sacred Body is so powerful, with heaven-defying talent," some lamented. "If he were given time to grow, he could absolutely defy heaven. Now he is in danger!"

"Heh, he has no chance," others scoffed. "The Emperor Lord has emerged. An existence of that level cannot be resisted at all. It's impossible for anyone to be his opponent; that is a Supreme being on the verge of achieving enlightenment!"

Both sympathizers and schadenfreude-filled observers were watching. Regardless of their stance, one point was consistent: they all believed the Heavenly Court and Ye Fan certainly could not withstand the Divine Court Lord.

"A chaotic era is upon us; a brilliant clash is about to erupt!" someone at the Emperor's Battlefield said coldly.

"Demise is imminent; the Sacred Body will be defeated," many in the ancestral lands of major clans discussed and watched.

Ye Fan's powerful rise had stifled many. Hostile forces hoped for his downfall, not wishing to see him advance further and reach the summit.

Now that the Emperor Lord was acting, for those who harbored animosity towards him, this was the best possible outcome.

The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, as if a dark cloud hung over people's hearts. The starfield where the Heavenly Court was located seemed to dim, filling everyone with dread.

One day, two days, three days... it remained the same. Everyone knew this was the calm before the storm!

On the sixth day, news erupted like a volcano: The Divine Court Emperor Lord had moved, his aura overwhelming the cosmos and shaking all eight directions.

The Divine Court's grand army surged forth, intending to sweep away the Heavenly Court and utterly obliterate it. It was vast and boundless, like a cosmic torrent stretching as far as the eye could see, a massive force descending to kill!

The Emperor Lord sat on a grand chariot, pulled by nine ancient flood dragons, all exuding terrifying auras. They directly breached the Heavenly Court's fortress.

There were formations and defenses here, but they were utterly incapable of stopping the Emperor Lord. Behind him, the vast army surged forward, pressing down.

The Heavenly Court was destined for destruction. This was the thought in everyone's mind. Such a powerful figure, such a terrifying army—no one could stop them now.

The Heavenly Court's headquarters were exposed, and surprisingly discovered by the Divine Army. A massive force pressed in, heading directly for this vast island floating in the cosmos, where all the heavenly soldiers and generals had retreated to defend it.

"Sacred Body Ye Fan, come out and face your death! Our Divine Court's Supreme Lord has arrived!" someone in the Divine Court army roared.

Humans shouted and beasts roared. Iron swords clanged, battle halberds shone like rainbows, spears stood like forests, cold light glinted, and armors were grim. They were like a torrent of steel, their might engulfing mountains and rivers, sweeping across the universe.

The Divine Court Emperor Lord stood up on his chariot, gazing at the pure land ahead, where silver waterfalls flowed, blossoms fell, and crystalline light shimmered. His expression was solemn and severe.

"Considering your great achievements three hundred years ago," someone beside the Divine Court Emperor Lord announced, "Our Lord does not wish to overly inconvenience you. He now commands you to disband the Heavenly Court, bind yourself, and come forward to apologize, and your lives shall be spared."

The person beside the Divine Court Emperor Lord spoke, his voice stirring the eight directions. This voice possessed a strange magical power, intimidating people's hearts.

The Emperor Lord, however, remained motionless, incredibly majestic. He truly seemed like a divine emperor descended from the heavens, now looking down upon the mortal realm, everything under his control. His expression was cold, his eyes deep and terrifying, dominating all eight directions.

"You think too highly of yourself," someone on the giant island retorted, mercilessly exposing the Emperor Lord's past. "A coward for over three hundred years, yet you dare to declare yourself a Supreme who rules the universe? If I were you, I would never show my face again, until death."