Chapter 858: Who is Heaven Helping?

“Haah!”

Su Yu gasped, retreating into the defensive zone.

Across the way, the myriad-race powerhouses also heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Exhaustion!

Battle—the most intense battle—such combat drained the spirit, vitality, and energy. Though their primal force remained and the power of the Dao lingered, the relentless fighting, where life and death hung by a thread at every turn, left everyone utterly weary.

…

“Madman!”

Even the war-hungry Demon Emperor muttered a curse under his breath.

Su Yu—this name, today, they would remember forever, never to forget.

The Divine Emperor, panting heavily, spoke with a hint of gravity: “Is he always like this, or does he have some scheme? After so many clashes today, both sides have suffered no small losses. What good does this do him in the long run?”

He still couldn’t fathom it!

A battle of mutual destruction—even if they were to merge into Su Yu’s world, what then?

Upon merging, they wouldn’t possess overwhelming strength right away. These gravely wounded ones would need time to recover.

Recovery demanded time.

They had told Su Yu: the three gates would open, countless powerhouses would come—and yet he fought like this? Was he insane?

Beside him, one myriad-race powerhouse after another wore expressions of helplessness. Someone gasped out: “This madman… and his subordinates—are they mad too? At this rate, they’ll all be dead!”

The myriad races still held a slight upper hand.

At that moment, the Immortal Emperor’s voice came through telepathy: “Target Su Yu—net him all at once! I’ve seen it now. His subordinates—their Daos are completely linked to his world. If Su Yu is killed… all his people will die! I counted—over thirty Rule Masters, including the War Emperor, are all within Su Yu’s world!”

Earlier, their judgment had been unclear; they hadn’t known how many Rule Masters were born from Su Yu’s world.

But under the relentless battle, the Immortal Emperor had seen it clearly.

Now, his eyes burned with a strange intensity: “Kill Su Yu, and those thirty-plus Rule Masters will be crippled or dead! That would shatter the current stalemate in one blow!”

The Divine Emperor’s heart trembled. He telepathically asked: “Are you certain—all thirty-plus were born from his world?”

“All of them!”

Even the Divine Emperor couldn’t help but shudder.

“This madman—did he never consider that, by doing this, he makes himself the prime target in every battle? Killing him would be like killing over thirty Rule Masters?”

This point—they hadn’t truly grasped before.

Su Yu’s world covered the battlefield, its power dispersed, and with so many Rule Masters, they had assumed that while some were certainly from his world, perhaps only a few of the thirty-plus he brought were born there.

But the Immortal Emperor told them: all of them.

That was an utterly terrifying thing!

Yet for the myriad races, it was a colossal opportunity—slay Su Yu, and everyone he brought would be ruined!

“Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

The Demon Emperor asked as well. This was crucial. If it weren’t true, if they misjudged and paid a heavy price to kill Su Yu, it would hand the human race an advantage. Losing several First-Class or many Rule Masters because of Su Yu would certainly not be worth it.

But if they sacrificed a few Rule Masters to kill Su Yu and wipe out that many of his Rule Masters in the process—it would all be worthwhile!

The Immortal Emperor was quite certain; he had truly seen it. But at this moment, he knew everyone wanted an absolutely definitive answer.

After a moment of silence, the Immortal Emperor telepathically said: “One hundred percent! I swear it—except for those two from the Chaos Clan, I observed the others carefully. They are all connected to his world!”

The Divine Emperor’s tone grew strange: “If what you say is true… then killing Su Yu…”

The three exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with calculation.

Su Yu was also a First-Class.

Killing Su Yu would be no easy task.

But with a sufficient price, it could certainly be done.

The Divine Emperor had fought Su Yu for a long time and understood his situation. He telepathically added: “He probably has the power of about twenty Daos—on par with me, among the top tier of First-Class.”

“But he has the boost from his own world; otherwise, he wouldn’t be this strong.”

“I, the Immortal Emperor, and the Demon Emperor are all roughly at this level. The Dragon and Phoenix Emperors are slightly weaker… Among the humans, setting aside the Human Emperor, the Bright King is the strongest—likely exceeding twenty-two Daos of power!”

The Bright King was even stronger than them, but he wasn’t skilled in direct combat; his forte was formations. In battle, he often fought one against two, taking on the Dragon and Phoenix Emperors.

If not for the Bright King, Su Yu’s side—without the Book Spirit and the Yue King erupting—would have been weaker in First-Class combat power. But with the Bright King, the gap was roughly even.

Dealing with the Bright King was difficult; dealing with Su Yu was also difficult… but whether it was worth it depended on the cost.

The three looked at one another, each lost in thought.

The Immortal Emperor had observed for a long time and finally obtained an extremely valuable piece of information.

But at this moment, none could make up their minds.

The Divine Emperor wanted the Demon Emperor to take the risk; the Demon Emperor wanted the Divine Emperor to strike; the Immortal Emperor didn’t want to face Su Yu alone either—this was the current state of the myriad races.

Unless there was a catalyst!

A catalyst to change everything!

That catalyst would require them to feel an absolute sense of crisis, forcing them to gamble with their lives!

But for now, Su Yu’s side had not yet brought a sense of existential doom to the myriad races.

…

On the other side.

Su Yu gazed at the sky, lost in thought.

He looked across and suddenly spoke: “Do you think the myriad races over there have any techniques to peer into the Dao?”

The Bright King looked at him doubtfully, then nodded: “Yes, they do. Of course, not as clearly as the Heavenly Gate.”

Su Yu nodded.

Ever since he had exchanged a few words with the Human Emperor, who said that among the myriad races, the top existences were black-hearted and ruthless, and might take a desperate gamble at a critical moment, Su Yu had been thinking.

And while thinking, he had also deliberately revealed some of the Daos within his world—faintly, half-hidden.

That’s right!

Su Yu was intentionally exposing them. He didn’t know if the other side had noticed, but the possibility was high. Those myriad-race powerhouses had many tricks up their sleeves.

He was fishing!

Fishing for a very big fish!

The kind that might end up reeling him in instead!

“Have they seen it?”

Su Yu looked toward the myriad races. If they had seen it… the Human Emperor had severed his Dao and merged into Su Yu’s world, a crisis was looming—perhaps the myriad races would take that desperate gamble.

Rather than letting them scheme and hesitate, it was better to lure them toward him, to avoid causing too great a slaughter.

But if so, Su Yu’s troubles would be immense.

Su Yu closed his eyes.

The fish might have taken the bait!

Yet it was uncertain whether the fish would devour him, or he would devour these great fish.

To dare to fish, he naturally had some confidence; without any foundation, Su Yu would not take such a risk. But in any endeavor, absolute certainty is impossible—if there is a fifty percent chance, it is worth the gamble!

And of that fifty percent, thirty percent lay within the Heavenly Gate!

At this moment, Su Yu closed his eyes, as if resting.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief: Thank heavens, you’re finally tired!

……

Meanwhile, Su Yu was actually communicating with someone inside the Heavenly Gate.

Gui!

Su Yu noticed that the flow of time within the Heavenly Gate might be similar to that of the upper reaches of the River of Time, or perhaps even faster—one day in the River of Time, and several days had passed there.

Whether this was exactly the case was still unclear.

In truth, at this level, few paid much attention to slight deviations in time flow.

A year or a decade sometimes made little difference, like the chaos of the primordial void.

As for Gui, he had been busy these past few days, but his efficiency was good. At this moment, Gui took the initiative to contact Su Yu.

His friends had arrived!

This was Su Yu’s opportunity.

The chance to fish, to devour the fish.

It was risky, but Su Yu wanted to try. If it truly failed, he still had one last resort… the Wen King!

But that would create a crisis for the Wen King.

And for Su Yu himself, it would also bring some danger.

Yet at this point, Su Yu cast aside such concerns. To swiftly crush the Ten Thousand Races, without external support, if the Human Emperor faltered even slightly, Su Yu might instead be devoured by the Ten Thousand Races, forcing him to flee to the myriad realms.

Open all three gates at once!

Suppressing them here was also suppressing the three gates.

“Su Yu, some of my friends and subordinates have arrived. You see, as you promised before, you are willing to help them channel some power…”

Gui was a little uneasy: You won’t go back on your word, will you?

Su Yu smiled. “How many?”

“Not many—five!”

Gui dared not advertise widely; that would give top-tier strongmen a chance to kill him. He did not want to lose this opportunity and hand over Su Yu’s line to others.

“Five?”

Su Yu assessed. “What strength are they?”

“Just average…”

Fearing Su Yu’s concern, Gui explained, “They are what you call third or fourth rank, with about two to seven strands of power…”

Su Yu smiled. Nonsense!

Do you think I believe that?

You, Gui, are at least a first-rank realm. The friends you seek, even if not first-rank, must at least be second-rank.

You wouldn’t dare to find anyone too strong. Perhaps some are of equal strength, but none would be much weaker.

“Counting you, that makes six?”

“Yes!”

That meant at least one first-rank, and the remaining five, assuming they were all second-rank—one first-rank and five second-rank…

But those five might not be able to descend in person, whereas Gui could now almost descend in full form, right?

Yet Gui was a variable.

Once out, he might not obey Su Yu.

“The power of the Flesh Dao…”

Gui cultivated the Flesh Dao, a first-rank Flesh Dao.

The Flesh Dao within the gate!

Su Yu suddenly glanced at the Martial Emperor not far away. The Martial Emperor turned his head awkwardly, unwilling to look at Su Yu. On one hand, he was thoroughly enjoying himself—fighting every day, protected by Su Yu, even unafraid of the Human Emperor.

But on the other hand, he was vexed. Su Yu restricted him, and being integrated into Su Yu’s world was deeply unpleasant.

Just as he was feeling conflicted, Su Yu suddenly transmitted a message: “If you reached the first rank, would you dare to fight desperately and kill a first-rank powerhouse for me?”

“Huh?”

The Martial Emperor instantly looked at Su Yu. What do you mean?

I can’t reach the first rank!

You are only first-rank, and the world restricts it—that principle, the Martial Emperor knew well.

Su Yu looked at him and repeated, “Do you dare?”

The Martial Emperor’s voice was cold as he transmitted back: “Why test me? My life and death are in your hands, Su Yu. There’s no need to test me!”

Su Yu repeated again: “Do you dare?”

The Martial Emperor grew irritated and angry. “What are you trying to say? Even if I reached the first rank, you would probably have surpassed it… In your world, could I turn the heavens upside down?”

He was deeply frustrated!

Su Yu transmitted: “No, breaking the shackles is not impossible! I once promised you that I would find a way to help you improve. If I completely integrate a first-rank Dao into your Dao… under normal circumstances, you could never break through to the first rank. But if this Dao is also the Flesh Dao, and it can complement your Flesh Dao in yin-yang harmony, then there is hope to break that shackle!”

The Martial Emperor’s expression shifted. He looked at Su Yu and transmitted: “What do you mean?”

“I want to help you break through to the first rank… but such a great gain must come at a price. You need to help me kill a first-rank powerhouse—perhaps the Immortal Emperor, the Demon Emperor, or someone else…”

The Martial Emperor’s heart pounded wildly!

First rank?

When he came out, he was only at the peak of the third rank, with seven strands of power.

Now, he had nearly surpassed ten strands. His progress was so rapid that even the Martial Emperor was frightened.

When had he ever advanced so fast?

Now Su Yu told him he could help him reach the first rank.

Tai Shan!

Even if he had been influenced by the Human Emperor’s Dao, he still remembered his grudges. Tai Shan’s wife was first-rank, and the Zhenwu King was not much weaker than Su Yu, with at least eighteen strands of power.

He could not even defeat the Martial King's wife—and the King's second wife, at that, might well be stronger than him.

What was worse, the bastard still had nine living wives!

His hopes of vengeance were agonizingly bleak.

In that very moment, his heart wavered.

And Su Yu pressed on, "That day, you said you owed me five Rulers of Rules... You still haven't paid me back in full. Why not give it a try? Shall I count you in for one of the slots?"

The Martial Emperor fell into a long silence before transmitting his voice, "You... can you truly help me break through to the First Rank?"

"Cut the nonsense and stop acting like a maiden. What I, Su Yu, say has never been false! Of course, it is not a hundred percent guaranteed, but the chance is grand. Once you enter, whether you can slay a First Rank depends on your willingness to pay any price—even the kind where you might drop dead the moment you cross the threshold!"

The Martial Emperor closed his eyes, and after a long while, he transmitted back, "Fine! Any price will do! A glimmer of hope is better than none at all! I wanted to seek vengeance upon Tai Shan, but hundreds of thousands of years have slipped away... I know I stand no chance! Yet, I refuse to submit, I am utterly unreconciled! I want to best him!"

Su Yu nodded and replied through the voice transmission, "Then I shall take that as your assent. As for whom exactly we shall slay, we will see how the situation unfolds when the time comes!"

"Very well!"

The Martial Emperor agreed, his countenance profoundly solemn.

Break through, and kill!

At this juncture, he cast all else to the wind; he only desired to advance!

"Great Zhou King!"

Su Yu continued his silent transmission. The Great Zhou King's eyes shifted slightly as he looked toward Su Yu, who spoke with serene calm, "The Human Emperor merged his Dao and severed the paths of those people. See if there is any opportunity for other Great Daos to break through into the First Rank! Whether there is or not... you must help me entangle one First Rank. Remember, it must be the kind where even if you die, the opponent cannot break free. Can you... manage that?"

The Great Zhou King licked his lips, smiled, and transmitted back, "Understood."

Su Yu nodded placidly, turning his gaze to the third and fourth individuals. "King Yue, Book Spirit, without my permission, do not borrow the power of King Wen's Heaven and Earth... Until the critical moment arrives, the two of you need only entangle a single First Rank. If I have need... you two will must borrow that power, either to slay one First Rank or to bind two of them!"

The two powerhouses looked at Su Yu with a certain gravity, each offering an almost imperceptible nod.

Su Yu calculated in his mind. In this manner, the Martial Emperor, the Great Zhou King, the Book Spirit, and King Yue could perhaps be deployed as four First Ranks.

As for King Ming and the others, Su Yu made no arrangements, nor did he even greet them. If the myriad races intended to deal with him, they would inevitably keep a close eye on those three First Ranks, and would pay no small price to draw them away!

However, whether it was the Martial Emperor or the Great Zhou King, neither was a certainty.

This was the crisis!

As for Gui on this side, should he be killed outright, or what?

And when exactly should the moment of Gui's appearance be?

If he appeared now and a First Rank was slain, the commotion would be far too immense!

The myriad races would know at a single glance that an unforeseen variable had arisen!

And at this very moment, Gui's voice drifted over once more, tinged with an irrepressible urgency: "Su Yu, my friend is lending his power to you. Guide it in..."

Su Yu took a deep breath. Are you truly that impatient?

So eager to court your own death?

Yet, if you were to resist to the death, not only would I fail to obtain the complete Great Dao, but some unexpected disaster might also occur. Would you willingly surrender the power of your Great Dao?

Furthermore, how can I allow you to descend?

As these thoughts spun in Su Yu's mind, he suddenly spoke aloud, "Gui... do not disturb me. My formidable enemies have come for me! It is highly troublesome!"

At this moment, Gui's clone also sensed a tremor rippling through the Myriad Realms!

"A formidable enemy has arrived?"

Gui said anxiously, "You won't be in any danger, will you?"

At this critical juncture, you must not die!

If you die and the Heavenly Gate shuts, it will be an immense trouble.

If it truly comes to that... should I descend myself?

But I have not fully prepared either. Descending now is by no means the optimal moment, yet Gui could feel that the path for his descent was open!

Su Yu said in a heavy tone, "I do not know, but I hold no fear! If I truly die, then so be it. What is there to dread!"

"Don't... you should flee..."

"Heh, would I, Su Yu, ever flee?"

Gui was left speechless. What nonsense; if you are truly in peril, won't staying behind mean waiting for death?

He was burning with anxiety!

If you are truly about to perish, then I must certainly seize this opportunity to descend upon the Myriad Realms.

Otherwise, where else could I find such a grand sucker like you?

Su Yu pondered for a moment, then spoke again, "Gui, do you fear death?"

Gui was taken aback. What nonsense!

"Heh, no one can slay me!"

Gui offered an ambiguous, evasive response!

Su Yu chuckled softly, "I merely wished to ask—when a person stands between life and death, if you were given a choice between a plunge in your cultivation or outright demise, what would you choose?"

Gui was growing rather frantic: "Su Yu, why don't we first channel the power of my friends?"

He could not be bothered to answer such a question.

Su Yu spoke in a hauntingly low voice, "No, answer me first! Because... I may very well be facing death. To die, or to sever one's own tail to survive—if it were you, how would you choose?"

Surely it hasn't come to that!

Are you truly about to die?

Gui swiftly used his clone to sense the surroundings. At this moment, he could faintly perceive a colossal force convulsing the entire Myriad Realms, throwing heaven and earth into chaos. Gui grew anxious. Has a great war erupted somewhere in that godforsaken place?

A great war has erupted, yet Su Yu still has the mind to ask him these questions?

You truly are... courting death!

"Nonsense! Of course one must seek survival first!"

Gui said urgently, "You aren't truly going to die, are you? Do not do this, Su Yu, only by living is there hope... Guide my friends in first. Their strength is enough to make you a bit more powerful... At the critical moment... at worst, we can descend with our clones to aid you! To live is better than to die; in death, one loses everything, but in life, one can possess all!"

"Hahaha!"

Su Yu laughed, letting out a ringing roar of laughter. At this moment, his laughter echoed within and without the gate, reaching the ears of the myriad races, casting a solemn gloom over their faces.

What is this fellow laughing at now?

Could it be that he is about to strike again?

Su Yu had every reason to laugh. Gui was highly amusing. To fear death... as expected, that was the true instinct!

"Gui, then if you were the one about to die, you would make the same choice?"

Gui grew increasingly speechless: "If a choice must truly be made between death and a drop in strength, I would naturally choose the drop in strength. Su Yu, is this not what any normal living being would do?"

This question of yours is utterly tedious!

Su Yu, however, felt his mind set at ease, completely reassured. That was perfect. He had only feared that Gui might be an obstinate old fool who did not fear death, someone who would rather die than surrender his Great Dao—that would have been a true trouble.

Since you fear death... then I am at ease!

The success rate of the plan has suddenly increased.

Su Yu chuckled and quickly said, “Gui... if I truly face a life-or-death crisis... you can descend a clone to help me... but you may not be able to help me... this opponent of mine might break through to the first rank!”

Gui’s heart stirred. About to break through?

No wonder Su Yu seemed off!

So, you really can’t win this fight?

“First rank? Are you sure? Can the myriad realms still produce a first-rank existence now?”

“More or less... he hasn’t arrived yet, but I feel a pressure unlike before. Gui, you say you’re very strong—does your descending clone possess first-rank power? If not... perhaps... I won’t be able to escape!”

Gui gasped. Damn!

You’re already facing a first-rank powerhouse?

Then... wouldn’t I have to descend in person?

Headache!

He quickly said, “Don’t talk about that yet. First, channel my friend’s power. Maybe we can think of something together. Don’t be so pessimistic, Su Yu. Never give up on yourself, don’t abandon hope!”

He had to calm Su Yu—don’t be afraid. If you’re really about to die... I’ll help you once!

Su Yu smiled and transmitted his voice: “Gui, if you truly can help me... then when I need it most, I’ll summon you. You strike with full force the moment you descend, delivering a fatal blow to the opponent. What do you think?”

An ambush?

Gui thought for a moment, then said, “But even if my clone descends, it will only be at the branded ground. Where is your battle zone?”

“I’ll lure the enemy to your branded ground. What do you think?”

Gui quickly pondered. Ambush a first-rank?

Had the opponent broken through?

Even if he had, he’d just broken through. Gui himself had also broken through not long ago, but he was more seasoned. If Su Yu found the right opportunity and let him ambush the opponent... he might even kill him!

In that case, no one in the myriad realms could stop him!

For him, it was also good.

After all, his imagined enemy included this opponent of Su Yu’s—a second-rank peak existence, now first-rank, even more dangerous.

Thinking this, Gui quickly said, “Su Yu, I am very strong. If my clone descends with full force... it might possess second-rank peak power. Ambushing him still has a chance... provided you lure him to my branded ground without being killed by him first!”

“I won’t!”

Su Yu said proudly, “I’ve tangled with him for so long; I have that much ability. So, you’re willing to help me once? If you help me... Gui, I’ll find a way to let your true self descend. What do you think?”

Gui secretly chuckled. Hah, need you to help me?

I can do it now!

That way, after descending, I can instantly kill Su Yu’s opponent, then suppress Su Yu, control him, and make him serve me. Gui needed Su Yu’s Heavenly Gate to continue channeling more helpers!

Thus... it would kill two birds with one stone!

At this moment, Gui was instead delighted. Opportunity!

An opportunity to descend into the myriad realms and seize control!

“Good! Su Yu, find the chance... the moment I descend, I’ll go all out and deliver a fatal blow to the opponent!”

“Thank you!”

Su Yu became much more polite, his smile growing brighter.

Gui, you’ve taken the bait!

This way, the maneuverability was too great.

He turned his head to look behind him, waiting—waiting for the Human Emperor to sever the Dao, waiting for the opportunity to come, waiting for the fish to bite. Whether he could instantly crush some of them depended on this one move.

...

In the myriad realms.

The Human Emperor had returned.

The Human Emperor moved with incredible speed. The moment he stepped into the upper realm, multiple powerhouses manifested their figures.

Blue Sky, Cloud Soaring, Tea Tree, Fire Cloud Marquis, and even the Surveillance Heaven Marquis now appeared.

The Human Emperor was slightly startled. Five more powerhouses?

Su Yu really had quite a few tricks up his sleeve.

He had taken so many people away, yet the myriad realms still had five powerhouses left behind.

At this moment, the Human Emperor had no time to look closely at the myriad realms or to reminisce about his homeland. As he appeared with his group, the people beside him also felt a bit strange. Were these also Su Yu’s people?

In the distance, Cloud Soaring looked at the Human Emperor and said crisply, “Your subordinate Cloud Soaring greets the Human Emperor!”

As she spoke, she pointed to a small village in the distance. “Your Majesty, your realm is right here! Before leaving, the Sovereign ordered that upon your return, you should quickly merge with the realm. All preparations have been completed by the Sovereign!”

Then, from afar, Blue Sky said softly with a smile, “Your junior Blue Sky greets the Human Emperor! Before leaving, the Sovereign ordered that if Your Majesty is to sever the Dao... you must inform me in advance before severing, so I can relay it to the Sovereign. Please wait for the Sovereign’s instructions before beginning the severance—neither too early nor too late, for it concerns the Sovereign’s life!”

The Human Emperor’s eyes flickered. “Understood.”

He looked at Blue Sky, frowned slightly, then sighed again. “I’m sorry.”

Blue Sky laughed. “Your Majesty... is speaking to me?”

The people beside the Human Emperor were all extremely surprised.

Why would His Majesty say sorry?

The Human Emperor said nothing, only fell silent.

Had the people of this era all gone mad?

Blue Sky was mentally split—split severely. He could see it at a glance. This was a madman, no better than Su Yu.

The Human Emperor suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh. Had my decision back then been wrong?

At this moment, he rarely questioned himself.

The humans of the Tenth Tide had all been driven mad. Whose fault was it?

Mine?

Perhaps... yes!

That apology was hard to utter, but he didn’t know what else to say.

He had encountered few humans of this tide.

He knew Su Yu was mad.

Now, he saw Blue Sky, also severely afflicted. This method of incarnating into countless avatars was not a normal splitting technique—it was abnormal!

This was a split in spiritual will. This man had long become a demon—not a demon lord, but truly fallen into madness!

The Human Emperor closed his eyes. He had driven genius after genius mad. Now, he suddenly felt his long-held conviction waver.

What exactly is my responsibility?

A moment later, the Human Emperor opened his eyes, and something new flickered within them—something none could name. He gazed again at the blue sky and smiled. "If you can pass a message to Su Yu, tell him this: this era is not his alone! This burden, heavy as a mountain, is not his alone! I… am the Human Emperor!"

He laughed. "Remember this: even if he calls himself emperor, he is not the Human Emperor! The emperor of humanity… is only me. Even if Su Yu becomes emperor of all races, humanity is my responsibility, not his!"

I am the Human Emperor!

And you are humanity!

I am your emperor first; what does it matter if you become emperor of all races?

At that moment, the Human Emperor laughed again. "Tell him I will soon sever my path and await his word. Whenever he needs it, I am ready!"

"Does the Human Emperor not need some rest?"

Blue Sky smiled.

The Human Emperor smiled too. "Do you take me for a loafer? Rest? Do I need it? Are you mocking me? I care for nothing but my pride. If you mock me, have you considered the consequences?"

"…"

Blue Sky backed down, coughing dryly. "No, no, Your Majesty the Human Emperor, do not misunderstand—I meant no mockery!"

A wise man knows when to yield.

The Human Emperor smiled.

Soon, a group of figures emerged beside Blue Sky. Marquis Dingjun looked embarrassed, forcing a dry laugh. "Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Lord Pingwang…"

Among the crowd, Pingwang stared at Dingjun strangely.

Well, well!

You’re actually alive!

Marquis Dingjun grew even more awkward. "Ah… ah, my lords, it’s me, Dingjun!"

Pingwang said oddly, "Nonsense, I’d recognize you even if you were reduced to ashes. You… didn’t die?"

"…"

Marquis Dingjun’s face fell instantly. He drooped, helpless. "My king, I… I was once your retainer, after all… Could you not speak of me like that?"

Pingwang coughed dryly. "That’s not what I meant… But… but you know, back then, I was under King Wu’s command. I was lucky enough to merge with the flesh path and be enfeoffed as a king. I had few men under me… You… ahem, you know, I barely had any He Dao among my subordinates—I almost had to appoint an Eternal as a marquis! You… you weren’t even top-tier under me… and yet you’ve survived until now? I’m… I’m astonished!"

Pingwang was deeply embarrassed.

His kingship was pure luck.

He was a master of the flesh path, originally a general under King Wu. Later, he broke away and was enfeoffed as a king, but he had no men!

Almost all the people he once led stayed in King Wu’s mansion!

As for Dingjun, even under him, he wasn’t top-tier. Back when He Dao was enfeoffed as marquises, many third-rank He Dao couldn’t even get a marquisate. By the standards of that time, according to Su Yu’s classification, Dingjun was at most a fourth-rank He Dao—probably not even that.

Barely stronger than a Three-Dharma He Dao.

Someone like that, under King Wu and the others, couldn’t even touch the edge of a marquisate!

Yet Dingjun had survived all these years and now possessed the power of a Heavenly King—how bizarre!

Marquis Dingjun was speechless. The other wounded kings were also speechless, wanting to laugh but unable.

Many of their subordinates who stayed behind had died.

Among the ancient marquises, Su Yu’s side had very few left.

And yet Dingjun was alive—Pingwang was genuinely astonished.

Pingwang forced a laugh. "Ahem, nothing, nothing. It’s good that you’re alive. After all, you’re one of our own…"

Dingjun grew even more awkward. "Ah… my king, I’ve joined the Yu Emperor’s mansion! But… but I’m about to join the Human Emperor’s mansion too… Ahem, I’m not a spy… His Majesty said before he left that he would inform the Human Emperor and let us… let us also join the Human Emperor’s realm."

Then, Marquis Dingjun grinned. "My king, if I become a Rule Lord… our strength… ahem, my king, have you made any progress over the years? You’re not still a fifth-rank Rule Lord, are you? His Majesty the Yu Emperor said that fifth-rank only counts as a powerful Celestial Venerable, not even a true Rule Lord…"

Pingwang’s face turned green. Who are you mocking?

He glared at Dingjun and said irritably, "I broke through long ago!"

"That’s good, that’s good!"

Marquis Dingjun sighed in relief. "Otherwise, I’d really worry that my king was still at fifth-rank, and I’d become fourth-rank first. How awkward it would be to meet then!"

"…"

Pingwang felt utterly drained.

Even the Human Emperor was amused!

He looked at these people and chuckled. "That Su Yu really dares to ask. Thirty people in total—he wants to occupy thirty Great Dao powers in my realm?"

Indeed, Su Yu had arranged for a full thirty powerful beings to join the Human Emperor’s realm.

Most were garrison commanders, along with some human experts.

Even the Iron-Eating Clan—a massive family—was among them.

The Human Emperor shook his head helplessly. You really know how to ask.

Thirty at once!

Among the crowd, April said naively, "His Majesty said that by joining, we strengthen the Human Emperor’s realm and contribute some effort to its power!"

The Human Emperor was speechless. Only you could say something so shameless.

Of course, from the current perspective, it seemed true.

When did the Iron-Eating Clan learn to be so brazen?

"You’re April, right?"

The Human Emperor smiled. "You want to merge with the Flesh Path in my realm? I was planning to keep it for January…"

April replied innocently, "My great-grandfather won’t mind. If the great-grandfather is strong, his descendants are strong—he’ll be happy. Your Majesty need not consider my great-grandfather!"

The Human Emperor laughed. "You lot!"

You’re even snatching your great-grandfather’s path!

He said nothing more, nodding. "Then prepare. Bring the Great Dao power from Su Yu’s realm to me…"

He was about to say, bring some, but not too much.

The next moment, the group severed their paths within Su Yu’s realm, leaving not a shred of power behind. Empty-handed, empty-bodied, they walked toward the Human Emperor’s village realm.

The Human Emperor was stunned!

So decisive?

So clean?

You say you’re here to strengthen my realm, yet you didn’t even take a single hair of Su Yu’s Great Dao power—is this supposed to empower me?

Forget it!

The Human Emperor nearly laughed in anger.

You bastards—have you forgotten that once you merge with my realm, I will soon control you?

"And you lot—has Su Yu brainwashed you?"

The Human Emperor was helpless, caught between laughter and tears.

The gloom from before vanished in an instant, replaced by exasperation at these fellows.

At that moment, Yunxiao looked grave and whispered, "Your Majesty the Human Emperor... your realm... is this vast. After merging with the realm, Your Majesty should compress it as much as possible—do not expand it..."

The Human Emperor was taken aback again. What did he mean?

Yunxiao was intimidated by his gaze but forced himself to continue: "Well... His Majesty said that the Human Emperor must not encroach upon his realm's domain, or else... it wouldn't be proper!"

The Human Emperor opened his mouth. Come on—this upper realm was founded by me!

Who is encroaching on whose?

Just as he was about to speak, Yunxiao suddenly looked mournful. "Your Majesty, do not make things difficult for me. I am merely following orders. Your Majesty is magnanimous—if you press me... I will have no choice but to... to hang myself within Your Majesty's realm!"

With that, he even produced a rope outside the Human Emperor's realm, lamenting, "This is the boundary line. If Your Majesty's realm expands past it... I will have no choice but to hang myself here!"

"..."

The crowd was speechless!

Among them, Prince Gong's lips twitched. "That... Yunxiao, you really are... really..."

He had no words!

The Zhenling Guard had once been his subordinate, and now this soldier had not only become a Lord of Rules but was also playing tricks on the Human Emperor!

He was at a loss for words too!

The Human Emperor was both amused and exasperated. This Su Yu, you've gone too far!

Forget it, I won't bother arguing with you.

Su Yu was probably just joking, but Yunxiao had taken it seriously.

The Human Emperor said no more and waited silently.

He waited for news from Su Yu!

...

At that moment, Su Yu suddenly rose.

The crowd around him shuddered. Was it about to start again?

But Su Yu was not in a hurry. A blade appeared in his hand. He took a deep breath, looked at the crowd, bared his teeth, and sent a telepathic message: "Prepare yourselves. Fight to the death. The Human Emperor has severed the path—this is a battle to the end!"

Everyone's hearts tightened.

A battle to the death!

King Ming and the others moved to approach, but Su Yu waved them off. "Go, spread out! King Ming, Queen Ming, King Zhenwu—you three, go to other areas. Remember, kill the enemy, kill the enemy, kill the enemy! Without my orders, do not lose your composure. Even if I am killed... unless I speak, do not come to my aid!"

They were shaken again.

King Ming quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor's safety comes first..."

Su Yu's eyes turned cold. "Execute the order!"

King Ming was intimidated by that gaze. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "As you command!"

What was Su Yu planning?

On the opposite side, the myriad races were resigned. Was this going to start again?

Everyone was growing weary, a little slack. Here we go again—how long will you fight today before you stop?

Su Yu stood still, waiting for a moment.

Then, a sharp cry: "Kill!"

Boom!

The power of heaven and earth surged forth, instantly charging toward the myriad races!

Success or failure hinged on this moment!

Whether the Human Emperor came to his aid no longer mattered.

If all went well, he would cut down a few First-Class beings and shatter the enemy's formation!

"Gui, prepare. When I give the word, descend immediately!"

"Emperor Wu, I order you to devour the Dao—swallow it instantly and merge!"

"King Dazhou, hold off my opponent!"

"..."

Su Yu issued command after command. A bloody battle!

...

On the other side, the Immortal Emperor and the others were momentarily puzzled by the strange formation.

Su Yu... was not staying with the other First-Class beings. He only had a few Second-Class beside him. Was he not afraid of being surrounded and killed?

Did he think they hadn't noticed that he controlled over thirty Lords of Rules?

The Demon Emperor licked his lips and said softly, "It seems... there might be an opportunity!"

Before, all the First-Class beings had stayed together!

But now they had scattered. This... was heaven helping them?

The Immortal Emperor and the Divine Emperor exchanged glances, tempted. But they still lacked a catalyst—a reason for the myriad races to fight to the death. Their own strength was not enough; the others had to be willing too!

Could such a catalyst exist?