Barring the Stellar Empire

As Ling Ye leaves, Jiang Wuya is the only one left.

He lets out a long sigh. "I miss the feeling of fighting side by side! Even though I was never officially your subordinate."

Shaking his head, he turns around—only to spot a woman in blue.

"Hey, beauty, are you waiting for someone?" Jiang Wuya asks directly.

The woman's eyes light up. "That handsome and powerful man just now… is he your friend?"

She clearly saw how he tore through space and vanished. That's an existence above the Supreme Realm. In this small town, someone of the Supreme Realm alone is already king.

Jiang Wuya laughs dryly. "Uh… no. I'm his subordinate."

The woman's expression drops in disappointment. "Then, sorry, I'm not interested."

She turns to leave.

"Hey, hold on! If he were my friend, would you have dated me?" Jiang Wuya frowns. "So, you don't like me at all. You just like him! If he weren't interested in you, you'd move on to the next."

The woman in blue turns back and scoffs. "I never said I liked you. I just like your friend."

Jiang Wuya narrows his eyes. "So you only like strong men, huh? Then let me be honest—I'm actually in the Extreme God Realm."

The woman smirks. "Extreme God Realm? Then I'm in the Boundless Realm."

Jiang Wuya raises an eyebrow, then sighs. "Oh… when will I ever find true love?"

---------

Primordial World

Following the Heaven and Earth Alliance's call across the worlds, forces from all over begin to gather. Most are lesser factions, as no major powerhouses from the Extreme God Realm have shown up.

For these smaller forces—always vulnerable—it's a rare chance to seek protection. However, to enter the Primordial World and join the Heaven and Earth Alliance, they must first pass Ye Ziwei's scrutiny.

After a strict selection process, Ye Ziwei personally rejects several suspicious forces while allowing others to enter.

Today, however, an unusual faction arrives.

Unlike others, they have no intention of joining the alliance. Instead, they seek cooperation.

The Stellar Empire.

As an empire with Extreme God Realm powerhouses, the Stellar Empire refuses to be subordinate to anyone. Upon arrival, they make their stance clear—they will fight alongside the Heaven and Earth Alliance as equals.

At the entrance of the Primordial World, Ye Ziwei stands with the alliance's elite, facing Chu Yuntian and the vast army of the Stellar Empire.

She narrows her eyes. "Friends, huh? Then tell me—how do you prove it?"

Outside, Chu Yuntian frowns. What is this girl playing at?

They came here to form an alliance, yet she demands proof?

"Prove it?" Chu Yuntian repeats, his voice darkening.

Ye Ziwei remains unfazed. "This world is our last refuge. We can't allow just anyone in. So, King Stellar, you'll need to prove that you are not our enemy."

Chu Yuntian's expression hardens. "Little girl, your words are rude."

As an Extreme God Realm existence, he came expecting equal footing—not to be treated like a stray dog begging for shelter.

Ye Ziwei, however, smiles politely. "If I have offended you, I apologize. But this is necessary to ensure the safety of the Heaven and Earth Alliance and the Primordial World."

Chu Yuntian's voice grows colder. "We are here for an alliance, not to be your subordinates. I hope you understand that."

"Of course," Ye Ziwei replies. "But your entire empire showing up like this is… suspicious."

Indeed, the entire Stellar Empire's army has arrived. If they only came to negotiate, why bring everyone? Wouldn't it have been enough for Chu Yuntian to come alone?

Bringing an army suggests they intend to enter the Primordial World—perhaps under orders from someone else.

Chu Yuntian scoffs. "Hmph! That Blood Shadow Demon Lord stole our Star Divine Iron. Our empire's palace collapsed because of it."

He folds his arms. "Now, my Stellar Empire is homeless. That's why our entire army is here."

Ye Ziwei chuckles coldly. "Oh? If that's the case… doesn't it make things even more suspicious?"

The Spirit Race had made the same claim before. They said something was stolen—but who's to say they didn't offer it up willingly?

What if this is another scheme?

If the Stellar Empire is working under Ling Ye, letting them inside could mean the downfall of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

Chu Yuntian's voice drops. "You think my Stellar Empire has become the Demon Lord's lackeys?"

Ye Ziwei remains composed. "King Stellar, if I am wrong, I will personally apologize. But for now… I cannot allow you to enter."

Chu Yuntian clenches his fists. He never expected such a cautious, sharp-minded leader to be in the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

"Do as you wish," he mutters.

Ye Ziwei turns and leaves with the alliance members, leaving the Stellar Empire stranded outside the Primordial World.

"Lord, what do we do now?" someone asks.

The Stellar Empire never anticipated being turned away. Their reputation—known as the strongest empire in the heavens—is now at stake.

If word gets out that they were rejected, it would be humiliating.

Chu Yuntian's expression darkens. "That girl is too arrogant, raising the Heaven and Earth Alliance above its worth."

But there's nothing they can do.

He exhales sharply, then waves his hand. "We'll establish a temporary stronghold outside the Primordial World. We wait until the Blood Shadow Demon Lord is dead before making further moves."

"Yes, Lord!"

With that, the Stellar Empire sets up a small world, where they temporarily settle.

Inside the Primordial World – Hall of the Heaven and Earth Alliance

The council gathers to discuss the Stellar Empire.

"They created a small world outside our borders," an advisor reports. "It seems they really have no home left. Maybe… they aren't working with the Blood Shadow Demon Lord?"

"If they came for an alliance, was it right for us to shut them out like this?"

All eyes turn to Ye Ziwei.

Even some of her own people feel she is being too cautious.

"What if they were sent by the Blood Shadow Demon Army?" Ye Ziwei counters.

She scans the room. "Chu Yuntian is an Extreme God Realm existence. If he turns against us, the alliance is doomed."

Silence falls over the room.

She's right. If the Stellar Empire is compromised, letting them in would be the end of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

"We must keep the alliance safe until Brother Tian returns," Ye Ziwei states firmly. "Even if I am wrong, I would rather apologize later than risk our destruction."

No one argues.

Caution, after all, is better than regret.

For now, they will wait for Ye Tian to leave seclusion.

Elsewhere…

More than half a month passes.

The Heaven and Earth Alliance continues recruiting forces—but Ye Ziwei rejects most, choosing caution over expansion.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Ling Ye is preparing.

The Blood Shadow Demon Army believes their leader is in seclusion.

But in truth, Ling Ye is secretly gathering the materials needed to forge an Extreme God's body.

Within the army, Ren Fenchen and others have noticed Ling Ye's absence.

And now… Ren Fenchen has begun inciting rebellion.

Bit by bit, the Blood Shadow Demon Army inches closer to betrayal.

And the final battle draws near.