Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

Without any unnecessary words, the Green-Robed Swordsman launched his strongest attack directly against the formidable opponent, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor.

A terrifying sword beam instantly tore through the void, appearing in front of the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor in the blink of an eye.

"Impressive sword technique. Among my clan, only Zhan Tian surpasses this by a small margin!"

Sensing the terrifying sharpness of the sword energy, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor praised. However, his face showed no fear as he calmly watched the Green-Robed Swordsman, as if nothing could stir any emotion in him.

As his words fell, he extended his pale hand toward the approaching sword beam. The Green-Robed Swordsman, with his sharp eyesight, immediately noticed the black and white flames in the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor's palm.

The palm of the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor stirred ripples in the void, the space unable to withstand the high temperature of the Holy Demon Flame.

"Hiss..."

Amidst the sizzling sound, the Green-Robed Swordsman's pupils shrank violently as he saw the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor effortlessly catch his full-powered sword beam, dispersing it into countless fragments.

"Regrettably, your cultivation is only at the mid-Saint level. If you were at the late Saint level, even I wouldn't dare to face your sword energy directly!"

Casually shattering the sword beam, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor revealed his abyss-like power. He looked at the grim-faced Green-Robed Swordsman and spoke in an eerie tone.

"I've taken your sword; now take my palm!"

As the Green-Robed Swordsman remained on high alert, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor's eyes, once filled with divine light, turned cold. His voice, deceptively compassionate yet harboring endless malevolence, echoed in the void.

"Boom!"

As these words echoed, the tranquil void shattered abruptly. An immense palm formed from endless demonic energy, larger than a lower plane, descended upon the Green-Robed Swordsman with suffocating pressure.

"So strong!"

The Green-Robed Swordsman's face changed as he felt an overwhelming pressure surpassing any he had ever experienced, even greater than what he felt facing the Heavenly Emperor Jiang Yun.

"Ten Thousand Fathoms Return to the Abyss!"

Not daring to be careless, the Green-Robed Swordsman formed a seal with his hand. His green sword spirit body imitated his action.

"Zheng!" An ancient and clear sword cry echoed through the sky, shaking the void.

Countless crystalline, terrifying sword beams shot out like a torrential downpour. Though they appeared gentle and beautiful, they contained immense killing intent.

"Holy Demon Yin-Yang Hand!"

Facing the dreadful rain of sword energy, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor maintained a mild smile. With a slight wave of his palm, the enormous hand in the sky moved accordingly.

"Boom!"

Countless sword beams fell like brilliant meteors, tearing through the sky and annihilating large sections of space. Yet, even such a terrifying sword energy failed to halt the swiftly descending giant hand.

"Bang!"

With just one strike, the Green-Robed Swordsman's spiritual body shattered. His robes were torn, and he spewed a mouthful of blood, severely injured and with a weakened aura.

This was the current power of the 'Saint Heaven Demon Emperor,' far surpassing his past strength.

"Lord Green-Robed!"

In Lingyao City, the remaining fighters witnessed the tragic state of the Green-Robed Swordsman and were filled with despair. The once invincible figure was now gravely injured in a single exchange with the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor.

"Jie jie jie..."

"Mighty Lord Saint Demon."

"Kill!!!"

Conversely, the morale of the outlanders soared as they eyed the remaining denizens of the Great Thousand World like lambs to the slaughter.

"Heh heh... I never thought today would be the end for me, the Green-Robed Swordsman!"

Standing amidst the rubble, the Green-Robed Swordsman stood up, battered. Feeling the destructive Holy Demon Flame ravaging his body, he knew he was beyond saving. With a tragic smile, he looked at the cracked Green Immortal Sword in his hand, sadness flickering in his eyes.

"Do you have any last words?" The indifferent voice of the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor reached his ears.

Lifting his head, the Green-Robed Swordsman saw the enemy standing before him, a slender finger resting on his brow, with black and white flames dancing at its tip.

"Hahaha, to make the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor go to such lengths to capture me, I must say I, the Green-Robed Swordsman, die with honor!"

Suddenly, he laughed loudly, showing no fear of death, only the heroism of facing it head-on.

"Then, depart on your journey!" The Saint Heaven Demon Emperor nodded. As his words fell, the flames at his fingertip slowly moved towards the Green-Robed Swordsman. Once too slow to even touch his clothes, the flames now easily invaded his body.

"Crack!"

Within moments, light erupted from the Green-Robed Swordsman's body, revealing countless cracks from which light streamed forth.

"Boom!"

At the same time, a loud explosion resounded from Lingyao City, signaling the destruction of the Yao Ling Zhou Tian Array's core, leaving no survivor in the city.

"Hmm... they arrived sooner than I expected." The Saint Heaven Demon Emperor murmured, noticing movement in the distant void.

"Green-Robed Brother!"

Soon, an angry roar echoed from the distant void.

"Buzz!"

In an instant, space trembled violently. The outlanders saw the space there break apart as a giant hand, covered in azure dragon scales, emerged, exuding an indescribable aura that enveloped the world.

"How audacious in my presence!"

A cold shout rang out as terrifying demonic energy surged, dispelling the dragon's aura and pressing towards the void.

"Ugh!" A muffled groan followed by a grave voice came from the void, "Saint Heaven Demon Emperor!!!"

The newcomer was Lin Dong, the Martial Ancestor. But his face was grim as he stared at the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor, with a fresh bloodstain at his lips, indicating a previous disadvantageous clash.

"Martial Ancestor!"

The outlanders' experts were shocked, recognizing Lin Dong's influence. His ethereal spiritual energy, seamlessly shifting between ice, fire, lightning, and darkness, was his hallmark, unique in the Great Thousand World.

Created to defend their realm, his faction fought fiercely against the outlanders, earning him a fearsome reputation, surpassing even the Green-Robed Swordsman.

"Green-Robed Brother!"

Lin Dong's gaze turned sorrowful as he saw the lifeless figure holding a sword among the ruins, a friend and confidante.

"The Green-Robed Swordsman was my target, but if you persist, don't blame me for exceeding my quota!" The Saint Heaven Demon Emperor's voice was calm but deadly, carrying hidden malice.

"Saint Heaven Demon Emperor, you won't leave the Great Thousand World today!" Lin Dong's voice echoed with dragon might, causing even those like Bone Xuan to tremble.

A thunder staff appeared in Lin Dong's hand. Each flash of lightning on the staff heralded booming thunder, shaking the heavens and earth.

The Saint Heaven Demon Emperor remained indifferent. With a wave, he sent his troops back through the still-healing space rift, then coolly addressed Lin Dong: "Green-Robed was my target. If you insist on opposing me, I don't mind overachieving."

"Hmph!"

With a simple, unwavering gaze, Lin Dong stepped on the sea of thunder. His thunder staff rose to the sky, turning into a vast thunder dragon, its body endless, changing colors, each bolt carrying destructive power.

"Roar!!!"

The thunder dragon roared, its mouth opening like a black hole, spewing countless bolts toward the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor.

"Dark Heaven Screen!" The Saint Heaven Demon Emperor's voice was calm as boundless demonic energy rose behind him, forming a massive curtain that descended, stopping the thunder.

"Hiss..."

Bolts clashed with the dark barrier, creating fierce collisions, the chaotic spiritual energy tearing the dark screen apart, leaving shattered void.

"Thunder Emperor's Staff!"

Lin Dong's eyes narrowed, his body flashing as he appeared before the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor. The Thunder Emperor's staff, wrapped in fierce thunder dragons, tore through the void with each movement.

"Holy Demon Hand!"

Matching Lin Dong's speed, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor raised his right hand. Endless black and white flames swirled out, forming a colossal demonic hand within the flame tornado.

"Boom!"

The clash of divine powers was explosive, creating storms that shattered visible space, rendering space fragments into nothing.

"Now this is more like it!"

As the storm dissipated, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor stood unscathed, finding interest in Lin Dong's actions.

"Allow me to show you my true power!"

"Yin-Yang Demon Diagram!"

With a stern expression, the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor formed countless seals at blinding speed. Boundless demonic energy surged, creating a black and white demon diagram, emanating potent demonic auras.

Seeing its power, Lin Dong's pupils contracted, and his expression grew solemn. He clasped his hands, drawing in magnificent spiritual energy, forming eight different-colored lights around him, each harboring an ancient rune.

"Ready to risk it all, huh?"

Saint Heaven Demon Emperor mused as the demonic diagram took shape. He still found time to observe Lin Dong with interest.

Lin Dong remained silent, the eight ancient runes spinning rapidly around him, stirring spiritual energy.

"Eight Runes Annihilation!"

With a low shout, Lin Dong merged the eight runes, their combined power transforming into a beam of annihilation, crashing towards the Saint Heaven Demon Emperor.

"Boom!"

The instant they collided, thunderous explosions shook the land for miles around, causing the very ground to tremble.

The ensuing battle wreaked havoc on the void, leaving behind a void pocked with holes and injured pride.