“How do you know it’s definitely the God Emperor?” Paimon asked curiously.
To be honest, he didn’t think much of the so-called Grand Emperors of this world. After all, his true strength had already broken through all ten meridian gates, a feat the rules of the Primordial Heartlands simply limited from expressing.
“If someone can command five Immortal Path cultivators, I can't think of anyone in the Divine Gate other than the God Emperor,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile. “I just don’t understand why he’s gone to such lengths to find me. If it’s only about the Heaven Devourer Blade, it’s not worth all this effort.”
Xu Zimo fell into thought. After the three Grand Emperors of the past joined forces to slay the God Emperor, the latter had gone into hiding, aiming to once again carry the Heaven's Will.
His whereabouts had remained a secret ever since. Even when most of the Divine Gate was overrun by the allied martial armies, he still hadn’t surfaced.
The carriage rode for a long time, its windows and exterior sealed, making it impossible to see outside.
But Paimon had already memorized the path.
Finally, after quite a while, the carriage curtain was pulled open.
Ahead was a resplendent palace.
Pearls, jade, gemstones, precious materials of all kinds were embedded along the palace walls.
The entire structure was built from rare Red-Gold Crystal.
Lining the path toward the palace were rows of rare spirit herbs and mystic plants.
“Definitely the God Emperor’s taste,” Xu Zimo chuckled.
“Master Xu, I won’t go in with you,” Yin Wuhen said with a smile. “Just walk straight ahead.”
Xu Zimo gazed at the palace and stepped forward.
He passed through a shaded path flanked by spirit trees and exotic herbs before entering the grand hall.
Before him stretched a deep corridor, with murals engraved on either wall.
A quick glance revealed they depicted the life of the God Emperor, from his early struggles to the moment he shouldered the Heaven's Will.
After crossing the long hallway, Xu Zimo entered the main throne room.
At the center stood an imperial throne crafted from an even rarer Red-Gold God-Crystal.
But the true focal point wasn’t the throne, it was the man sitting on it.
Initially facing away, the throne slowly rotated as Xu Zimo entered. The man turned to face him.
At that moment, no matter how luxurious the palace was, no matter how rare the materials used, they paled in comparison to the presence of the man on the throne.
Just by sitting there, he became the center of all existence.
The man wore a purple robe, his hair long and loosely tied atop his head.
His aura was vast, but unlike those who intentionally radiated pressure, his was innate.
It was the presence of someone who had stood at the true peak, an aura born from having once looked down from the summit.
In his eyes, it seemed like entire worlds and constellations flowed.
Though he appeared at ease, his presence was as immovable as a towering mountain.
He shouldered the heavens and tread upon the abyss, truly unshakable.
The two stared at each other for a long time before the man finally spoke.
“Your performance surprised me,” he said.
“God Emperor?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You already guessed it,” the man smiled.
“What do you want from me?” Xu Zimo asked flatly.
“Before we talk,” the God Emperor said with a faint smile, “shouldn’t the one hiding in the shadows come out too?”
As he spoke, Paimon’s massive figure emerged from the void.
He glanced at the God Emperor, a faint look of disdain in his eyes.
“Truly at the apex,” the God Emperor muttered after studying Paimon. “Even some Grand Emperors wouldn’t be your match.”
“Even a Grand Emperor doesn’t mean much,” Paimon replied coolly. “What’s a nine-meridian Grand Emperor to me?”
Paimon carried his own pride.
He was an ascended being, not reliant on the Heaven's Will, yet no different from those who bore it.
More importantly, he had already unlocked all ten meridian gates, something not even many Grand Emperors in the Upper Realm had achieved.
Perhaps those Grand Emperors who had matured in the Upper Realm could rival him at full power…
But as for these Grand Emperors who hadn’t even ascended? They were just kings in a shallow pond.
“No wonder you’re confident enough to waltz into the Divine Gate,” the God Emperor smiled without offense. “Someone like you… choosing to help someone else instead of heading to the Upper Realm, that’s truly unexpected.”
“I am a Heaven Demon,” Paimon replied calmly.
The God Emperor was momentarily stunned. He stared deeply at Paimon, then chuckled.
“Interesting. Very interesting. A so-called ‘heaven-abandoned’ like me encountering the Heaven Demon of this era, must be fate.”
“What Heaven Demon?” Xu Zimo frowned and looked at Paimon.
He had discussed Paimon’s identity before. Paimon had explained that he was unlike the other demons or generals from the Primordial Demon Cave.
Before the Infernal Lord’s full inheritance was passed down, no demon, whether friend or foe, was allowed to interfere with the Infernal Lord’s fate.
But Paimon was different.
Even if the Infernal Lord never revived, he would still be born in this era, because he had his own mission.
“What is your mission?” Xu Zimo asked, frowning.
“There’s no use asking,” the God Emperor interjected with a smile. “Aside from the Grand Emperor of each era, the Demon Slayer, and the Heaven Demon himself, no one is allowed to know, until the time is right.”
“Why?” Xu Zimo pressed.
“Because of the laws of the Heavenly Dao,” Paimon quickly answered.
“So it’s like my own existence,” Xu Zimo muttered. “Are we all just toys of fate?”
“No,” Paimon shook his head. “The Heavenly Dao has no will. It’s not good or evil, it’s like a machine. Cold. Mechanical. It simply enforces its own rules. When the time comes, you’ll understand everything.”
Xu Zimo narrowed his eyes.
Inwardly, he scoffed coldly: “Screw the rules. This life, I’ll step outside the River of Fate, create a new era, a new epoch, where the rules are mine.”
“The Demon Slayer of this generation will have his hands full,” the God Emperor chuckled.
“What do you want with me?” Xu Zimo asked coldly.
“I originally intended to negotiate,” the God Emperor said. “But now that I’ve seen the Heaven Demon with my own eyes, I think we can speak as equals.”
“You don’t seem qualified to speak to me as an equal,” Xu Zimo replied. “Do you still think you’re the Grand Emperor of old?”
“Then let’s say I’ll lower myself a little,” the God Emperor smiled, unconcerned. “As long as you’re willing to help me, I’ll grant you anything you ask.”