Sweeping across the heavens, starting with the first emperor of the ancient times.

Some powerful figures from other realms held more complex attitudes.

They feared Fang Yuan's demonic ways and ruthlessness, and were unwilling to see such a powerful and unruly new emperor rise and disrupt the existing balance.

On the other hand, the Heavenly Court has dominated all the heavens for 100,000 years. If a new emperor were to challenge it and test its strength, it might not be a bad thing.

Some ambitious people are unwilling to have an invincible force overpowering everyone.

"Let's wait and see," a great ancestor said softly. "Whether the Heavenly Demon Emperor succeeds or fails this time, he will allow us to see some things clearly."

However, many supreme beings of the great realms did not approve of Fang Yuan's actions, feeling that he was too arrogant.

They knew the Heavenly Emperor's strength best; the Refining Heaven Demon Emperor was simply ignorant and fearless.

Deep within the forbidden zone of life.

Some ancient beings were also awakened by this arrogant aura that soared straight to the heavens.

"Heh, this demon, having just attained enlightenment and slain an old and powerful being, really thinks he's invincible in all the heavens?" An aged thought sneered.

"Young people are bound to be arrogant, it's normal. He just killed Shenwu, so it's good for him to get his head spinning. Let him learn a lesson." Another thought said indifferently.

"Shenwu died without cause. He was already corrupt and rotten, and was killed by a new emperor who risked his life to kill him. He became this kid's stepping stone, which made his confidence so inflated."

"His arrival is timely. That Heavenly Emperor has been silent for a long time, not showing any trace for over ten thousand years, causing widespread panic. Let this arrogant new emperor go and explore, to see if that person is in seclusion seeking a breakthrough, or if something else has happened."

"If it's the former, this kid's in for a lot of trouble; if it's the latter..."

The thought was not fully expressed, but the other supreme beings all understood its meaning.

"Let's watch the show. Whatever the outcome, it won't be a bad thing for us."

Several thoughts quickly subsided, but countless invisible gazes had already pierced through the endless void and were cast towards the Purple Star Domain, which was shrouded in immortal light.

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, Fang Yuan was completely unaware of all this and didn't care at all.

He will prove himself with his abilities.

The moment Fang Yuan's aura appeared, the guardian generals outside the South Heavenly Gate changed their expressions drastically.

"Enemy attack!"

"Form ranks!"

Thousands of silver-armored generals quickly formed a battle formation.

The leader of the Southern Heavenly Gate Generals is a quasi-Emperor of the eighth level.

He withstood the terrifying imperial aura, took a step forward, his voice trembling but firm: "Great Emperor Lian Tian, ​​the Heavenly Court lies ahead, please stop!"

Fang Yuan didn't even glance at him, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Heavenly Court, while his divine sense swept across the entire Heavenly Court domain like an invisible tide.

There was no response.

He also did not sense any aura of that Heavenly Emperor.

Deep within that celestial palace, all was silent, as if truly deserted.

"Chaos Heavenly Emperor, I, the Refining Heaven Demon Emperor, have come to pay you a visit. Why don't you come out and greet me!"

The sound pierced through layers of palaces, spread throughout the heavens, and even reached the distant stars.

Throughout the Heavenly Court, countless celestial officials, divine generals, and servants raised their heads, gazing towards the South Heavenly Gate with expressions of surprise and uncertainty, their eyes filled with worry.

The Heavenly Emperor has not revealed his presence for a long time.

There was no response for a long time outside the South Heavenly Gate.

"As expected, he's not here..."

Fang Yuan's lips curled into a cold smile.

The last trace of doubt in his heart vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of confidence and ecstasy.

At that moment, a priest dressed in purple robes flew out from inside the door.

"Great Emperor of Refining Heaven, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor is currently in seclusion and will not receive guests at the moment. If you have important business to attend to, you may leave your visiting card first, and His Majesty will summon you when he emerges from seclusion."

Fang Yuan looked at the priest's forced composure and then glanced at the guards who, though in formation, could not hide their fear, and finally burst into laughter.

"Seclusion? Hahaha! I bet he's not even there!"

His laughter shook the starry sky, and his ambition was no longer concealed.

"This unclaimed Heavenly Court, occupying precious land in vain, what a waste! From this day forward, the Heavenly Court will belong to the Fang family, and I, the new Heavenly Emperor, will reign supreme!"

Countless eyes across the heavens and myriad realms are focused on this place.

Ordinary cultivators and living beings felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing Fang Yuan's incredibly arrogant words.

"Is the Heavenly Emperor... really not here?"

"If the Heavenly Emperor were here, how could he allow this demon to act so recklessly?"

"It's over... Is even the Heavenly Court going to fall into this demon's hands?"

Panic began to spread among the countless stars.

In each of the great realms, the supreme beings of these realms wore solemn expressions.

"The aura of the Chaos Emperor has indeed not been seen for a long time..."

"Could it really be as this demon says, that he's not in Heaven? Or... has something happened?"

"It is indeed unusual that he has not manifested his divine power for more than 10,000 years. Given his past conduct, he would never tolerate such a provocation against the majesty of the Heavenly Court."

"Let's wait and see. If he is truly not here... the格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the heavens and the realms) of this world is likely to change drastically."

And deep within the forbidden zone of life.

Those ancient beings also watched the farce unfolding in the direction of Ziwei, their thoughts subtly colliding.

"That little devil can't sense Jiang Hao's presence."

"I can't sense it either. Apart from the inherent majestic fortune and the spiritual light of those few important artifacts, the supreme Dao charm belonging to Jiang Hao personally seems to have truly fallen silent in that Heavenly Court."

"More than ten thousand years... What was he doing? With his cultivation and lifespan in his third life, he shouldn't be living in such old age."

"Could it be that there's been a problem with his cultivation? Or did he, like Daoist Master and the others, go down the path to immortality?"

"Who cares? Let this reckless brat cause more trouble. It'll be good for us to find out what's going on."

Outside the South Heavenly Gate.

Fang Yuan completely lost patience and became absolutely convinced of his judgment.

"I have no time for your nonsense. The Heavenly Court is mine!"

He made a ruthless move!

With a single palm strike, it transformed into a gigantic hand of light that blotted out the sky, fiercely grabbing towards the South Heavenly Gate!

He wanted to break down this gate that symbolized supreme power, force his way in, and announce the arrival of a new era!

The guardian generals were filled with rage, but they were completely unable to move.

The commander of the Southern Heavenly Gate gritted his teeth and prepared to fight to the death. The battle formation had just lit up when it swayed violently under the emperor's might and was about to collapse.

"If you can, prove it to me!"

A voice suddenly resounded throughout the heavens, and the entire universe trembled.

Deep within the Lingxiao Palace, a figure of light appeared—it was Jiang Hao's illusory form. A glint flashed in the illusory form's eyes, and with a raised hand, the Heavenly Blade joyfully arrived in its grasp.

The entire celestial palace and array patterns resonated with a deep, resonant sound, radiating boundless brilliance.

The next moment, the phantom appeared in front of the South Heavenly Gate.

It was a phantom image interwoven with celestial light and Dao principles, its face hazy, only its eyes clear.

The moment he appeared, Fang Yuan's overwhelming imperial might was silently suppressed, as if it had never existed.

Fang Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted!

A deadly warning exploded wildly within his Dao heart and imperial body, a thousand times stronger than when he faced the Divine Martial Heavenly Venerable!

The opponent didn't even release any pressure; just their mere presence was enough to make this emperor of the time feel a chill originating from the level of life itself.

This was just a phantom image left behind by the other party, not the real body!

"How is this possible?" Fang Yuan's voice was dry and hoarse, filled with shock.

Is it possible for a mere phantom of the Heavenly Emperor to give him such a terrifying feeling?

The phantom didn't look at Fang Yuan, but simply raised its right hand and swung the Heavenly Blade, a flash of light passing by.

The sword light lacked any earth-shattering momentum, nor was it enveloped in the boundless immortal light of a powerful figure's attack.

It was very ordinary, like a casual slash from a lowly cultivator in the Bitter Sea Realm.

But the moment Fang Yuan saw the blade, his hair stood on end, and an unprecedented sense of impending death overwhelmed him!

That sense of crisis was so intense!

"What is this thing?" Fang Yuan roared, trying to block it, but he couldn't stop it at all.

The blade flashed and fell gently.

Fang Yuan's enormous hand, which blotted out the sky, along with the terrifying phenomenon in its palm, vanished silently the moment it came into contact with the blade's light.