High above the mortal realm, deep within the Celestial Palace, storm clouds brewed over the divine court. Pillars of radiant jade and gold trembled faintly with spiritual unrest, as one voice echoed with the deceptive weight of justice.
Liu Shengjie stood at the center of the divine court, bathed in golden light, his expression grief-stricken yet righteous. "Mo Tianzun, the Demon Lord once defeated, has survived the Fall of the Infinite Cliff. He walks among mortals again—deceiving them, manipulating them. And worse... he has taken Crown Prince Zhao Longxuan as his hostage."
Gasps erupted. The deities around him, robed in celestial silk and cloaked in immortality, exchanged wary glances. Murmurs turned into outrage.
"The prince—hostage?"
"Is he threatening the imperial bloodline?!"
"That devil dares crawl out from hell and claim a second life?"
Liu Shengjie bowed his head humbly, concealing the gleam in his eyes. "This is not mere vengeance—it is the beginning of a second war. I fear his intentions will destroy the balance between the heavens and mortal realms."
The Heavenly Generals clenched their spears. A deity with a crown of starlight stood. "Then let it be known. Mo Tianzun will be hunted, and the Crown Prince rescued. For the good of all realms."
Liu Shengjie did not smile, but the triumph in his eyes burned cold. He turned, robes sweeping like a snake's tongue against the jade floor.
—————
Far below, in the mortal capital where gold roofs shimmered against the dusk, PrincessMu Shuirou sat in her private garden, her face emotionless as her attendants poured tea.
Since her marriage to the Crown Prince, she had been nothing but a statue in the court—a beautiful, unloved ornament. But ambition had always flickered in her chest like an oil lamp.
So when Liu Shengjie appeared in a swirl of wind and divinity, she stood.
"Deity Liu," she said sweetly, bowing with perfect grace. "What brings you here, away from your heavenly throne?"
"Princess," he greeted, bowing only slightly, "I come with a plan. A chance for you to take what is rightfully yours."
Her brow arched. "And what is that?"
"A world no longer ruled by demons or false gods. A world you and I will guide. Together, we can eliminate Mo Tianzun... and anyone who stands in our way."
Mu Shuirou considered the offer, her lips curling.
Behind his calm demeanor, Liu Shengjie's mind turned darkly. Let her believe she is part of this. Let her dream.
But when the gods fall and demons clash, there will be only one ruler.
Him.