Sage Monarch (Sage Emperor)

Proud Heaven felt more grand and ambitious than ever, now that he had become a true emperor, with access to destiny that was only climbing higher and higher. He was itching to send troops to deal with the Dugu Clan and their Invincible Dynasty. He hoped that war would be the way to solidify his position and ensure that his own system was operating smoothly. He also wanted to dispel the influence of the High Priestess, who was now the imperial preceptor of the Deathless Heaven Dynasty. Unfortunately, not even the emperor could simply appoint or dismiss people at random. His position wasn't stable enough for that. However, after enough battles were fought, and the armed forces had become completely loyal to him, things would be easier to deal with.

When trusted aides performed services in war, it was possible to promote them and give them more power. At the same time, he could slowly distance himself from others, until eventually, his loyalists and bloodlines were in complete control.

Nepotism and favoritism generally weren’t good for an empire, but in this case, Proud Heaven was more concerned with centralizing power. He could always reform the system later, if it proved necessary.

Eventually, he would find a reason to demote the High Priestess, then arrest her and turn her into an out-of-body incarnation.

As Proud Heaven issued the commands to march on the Invincible Dynasty, people could sense a mysterious aspect of space-time off in the distance, where an immense destiny thrummed. In fact, it rose high into the sky with such power that it pierced the fetters of the universe and reached out into primal-chaos.

Meanwhile, an emissary had arrived, and was on his knees in the outer audience hall, asking for an audience with Proud Heaven.

A guard rushed in to inform Proud Heaven. “Your Majesty, the recently established Demonfolk Empire has sent emissaries here to offer congratulations to you humans on the founding of your empire.”

“What? Demonfolk Empire?”

This unexpected development had caught Proud Heaven completely unawares.

He never would have predicted that an empire of demons would suddenly pop up. At first, he assumed it was Yang Qi causing trouble. After all, humans always looked down on the chaotic demons, who lacked order and civilization. How could Demonfolk ever manage to establish an empire?

Even the Demon Master had been like a night queen flower that crumpled almost as soon as it bloomed, having never accomplished anything worthwhile.

But apparently, such an empire did exist, and it had sent emissaries in an obvious move to force the humans to recognize them. It was essentially a direct insult.

“I should’ve known,” Proud Heaven said, his jaw tightening. “No matter how many issues you take care of, there are always new ones that pop up. I knew the Demonfolk old-timers have been eying us like tigers eyeing prey, but now they’ve gone and started an empire. And they sent people to offer congratulations to us? Are they looking to die? Who is this emissary? Bring him in immediately!”

“Yes sir!” Several old-timers rushed out, grabbed the emissary, and dragged him in. Everyone was wondering why the Demonfolk were suddenly causing problems right now.

Logically speaking, even if some of the Demonfolk old-timers had founded some sort of empire, they should have waited to see whether the Deathless Heaven Dynasty or the Sage Monarch Empire came out on top before trying to make a move.

Doing it this way seemed like a major blunder.

However, the Demonfolk were often far more devious and cunning than humans. They could tap into the dao of heaven, and were profoundly ambitious and ruthless. It seemed unlikely that they would make such an obvious mistake.

Before long, the Demonfolk emissary had been brought in.

He looked like a young man, tall and well-built. However, he seemed like little more than a Paramount God with a psychic scale of a few billion. He wasn’t even a God-Lord. However, he glanced at the surrounding old-timers as if they were slaves, which obviously rubbed them the wrong way. In fact, some of them were inclined to just kill him on the spot.

However, when two empires made contact, it wasn't good to instantly kill the messenger. Besides, Proud Heaven wanted to see what kind of individual had been sent, and why this newly founded empire didn't seem frightened about being wiped out.

No matter how well the Demonfolk tried organizing themselves, they were still like animals, and couldn’t possibly foster any sort of destiny.

“You're the Demonfolk emissary?” Proud Heaven said coldly. “Who are these old-timer Demonfolk that sent you? Do they really not know the difference between life and death? Otherwise, why would they go and found an empire? Tell them to come in person and kowtow to me, in which case I might spare them the death penalty. Otherwise, I’ll send my army over there and wipe you all out.”

The young man threw his head back and roared with laughter. “You’re Proud Heaven? You killed Proud Central and devoured him, seizing control of the Central Dynasty. That's very unfilial behavior. Outright rebellion. And now you’re trying to take over the entire god world. Ridiculous. The reason we Demonfolk have founded an empire is that we're going to wipe out you humans and establish the greatest government in existence. We're going to ensure that Demonfolk rule everything. Proud Heaven, you and your supposed Deathless Heaven Dynasty will acknowledge allegiance to us. Kowtow and beg for forgiveness, and we might spare your lives. Otherwise, Doomsday is here for all humans!

“By the way, we also sent an emissary to Yang Qi from the Sage Monarch Empire. Once he surrenders to us, he’ll be our lackey, and will help us turn everyone in his empire into demons. And if you don’t give in to us, we’ll turn them on you and have them rip you to shreds!”

“Kill him!”

“These Demonfolk are repulsive!”

“They're nothing but wild animals. I can’t believe they're being so aggressive. I'd say the time has come for us to simply exterminate the Demonfolk.”

“Since when are the Demonfolk so interested in playing with fire? Have they gotten tired of living?”

The top experts of the Deathless Heaven Dynasty were fuming, and some of them had to hold back from immediately launching deadly attacks on the emissary.

However, Proud Heaven held out a restraining hand. Glaring at the young emissary, he said, “That’s big talk. But can you back it up? Given what you've said so far, child, it seems unlikely that you’ll leave this place alive. Unless you have something else to say...? I'm going to guess that you have an animadestiny soul lamp back home that you think will ensure your survival. But apparently you don’t know what the half-Annulled level is capable of. Not even your Demonfolk old-timers can protect you from that power. I can make sure that soul lamp gets exterminated as well.”

The young Demonfolk burst out laughing again. “The reason I came here today, Proud Heaven, is to tell you that your Deathless Heaven Dynasty isn’t as impressive as you think it is. We Demonfolk really have started working together, and we outnumber you humans in every way imaginable. The Sage Monarch Empire is going to be wiped out, and that leaves you two choices. First, you could start working for us. We’ll treat you like the dogs you are, but at least you won’t die. The second option is to be exterminated. The essence of the god world won't be able to protect you from us.”

“Die!” Proud Heaven sent out his divine will, creating a psychic tempest that dropped down right into the young Demonfolk.

Crunch.

He didn't even have time to scream before he was ripped to shreds. Simultaneously, Proud Heaven’s divine will traced his soul back to its origin to wipe it out as well.

There was no corner of the universe that could hide from Proud Heaven.

However, even as Proud Heaven’s divine will locked on to the distant part of the universe where the young demon’s energy was located, he suddenly found himself slamming into something that was at least as strong as himself!

Then, an immense and glorious power rushed forth to slam into him.

He staggered backward, his face a mask of shock.

“The Demon Master! The King of Godmammoths!”

There were two ancient expressions of will, both of them half-Annulled experts!

They were none other than the ultimate patriarch of all Demonfolk, the august Demon Master! The other was a font of boundless power who had crushed hells for countless years. The King of Godmammoths! In many ways, the King of Godmammoths was also considered to be Demonfolk.

Those two individuals had perished and disappeared into the sands of time, yet here they were, resurrected!

And now they were clashing with Proud Heaven.

Even if Proud Heaven were stronger than he was, he couldn't possibly fight these two beings. He would definitely meet defeat!

Face draining of blood, he suddenly began chanting, causing streams of magical symbols to flow out that belonged to the essence of the god world. Apparently, he was enacting some sort of enchantment.

“What?!”

The other members of his empire were shocked. As for the High Priestess, her face fell as she said, “What did you just say, Proud Heaven? The King of Godmammoths and the Demon Master!?”

“You heard me,” Proud Heaven said coldly, not pleased at all that she had directly addressed him by name. “Imperial Preceptor, given that our empire has already been founded, you should really remember to follow proper protocol and forms of address.”

Swish!

The High Priestess’ face turned ashen.

She knew full well that Proud Heaven was warning her. In fact, it was almost a reprimand. The High Priestess was so powerful that not even the Sovereign Lord had ever reprimanded her, yet Proud Heaven was doing that very thing. She was so angry she almost rebelled against him right then and there, but then she remembered the essence of the god world. Smiling coldly, she said, “You’re right, Your Majesty. We should all follow proper protocol and forms of address. Now that two mighty Demonfolk have suddenly appeared, what exactly are we going to do? Are we going through with the plan to attack the Dugu Clan?”

“No!” Proud Heaven said, glancing over at her. “This changes everything, and we can’t act rashly. For now, we need to focus on stabilizing the empire. Didn’t that psycho just say they’ve sent people to the Sage Monarch Empire as well? Let’s see what Yang Qi does. If Yang Qi fights them, maybe we’ll have the perfect opportunity on our hands. But if he doesn't, you’ll need to go talk to the King of Godmammoths. Perhaps he’ll join us in attacking the Sage Monarch Empire. I'm the rightful ruler, and I have the support of the essence of the god world. Even if the King of Godmammoths is stronger than he is, he's not going to defy the god world itself, is he?”

“Perhaps we should call a meeting to discuss the matter,” one of the old-timers said.