Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor

Over the years, the Floating Cloud City inevitable became not only the centre of the Blue Pole Star but the God Realm as a whole. Those who had the ability would often fly over for the auctions, resources, martial arts tournaments, food and opportunities to join the prestigious Xiao Clan in any capacity. The main attraction was... of course, the King himself who was the direct cause of Floating Cloud City's growth.

Xiao Jiantian's more dutiful side had shown itself as he took the role of King more seriously. Instead of simply beating both sides into submission, he actively reinforced the budding relations between gods and devils through his God Emperors. Due to the shrinkage of the Northern Divine Region, he exercised his own darkness profound energy and restored balance to the laws. He did so meticulously, star realm by star realm, ensuring that the new inhabitants of the growing Northern Divine Region would be perfectly compatible with the new darkness profound energy.

(Creative mode: ATG edition... basically.)

...

In Xiao Jiantian's palace's kitchen.

"Mn... this is really good!" Xiao Jianshu sipped on her milkshake in delight as her newly contracted bird stood on the counter. She had 'beautified' the bird, giving it a dress and other accessories. Xiao Jiantian could sense the once-proud beast's cries of anguish.

"Mommy really makes better milkshakes than daddy."

'Pardon?'

Xiao Jiantian felt like coughing blood. He, who had dedicated many years of his genius towards the ways of cooking, stood at the absolute pinnacle... truly, the bias could not be more clear.

Observing her father's expression, Xiao Jianshu chuckled. "I was just kidding! Daddy is always so competitive about everything... it's funny."

Xia Qingyue chuckled. "True enough."

"... I see how it is."

Meanwhile, Mary, the other half of the Heretic God's daughter, was silently sipping on her milkshake in the background. Emily was looking around for swords... but there were none to be found. The girl walked over and tugged at Xiao Jiantian's sleeve.

"You finished all the swords I gave you?" Xiao Jiantian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mhm... they were all very yummy." Emily nodded, pouting slightly. "Emily wants more delicious food."

'This little monster.' Xiao Jiantian chuckled, patting her head before handing a storage ring that contained countless swords. "Here you go... and take your time. If you eat too much, you might just explode."

"Big brother is just saying that so Emily takes longer to finish them..." Emily took the storage ring with a smile. Then, as she looked inside the bag of goodies, her eyes glowed. "Woah... so much delicious food! Thank you so much, big brother."

She hugged his leg before happily going to munch away at her food. After a while, the three girls left to play which meant that Xiao Jiantian and Xia Qingyue were alone once again.

"It's rather cute how they all get along like sisters." Xia Qingyue remarked with a smile.

"..."

Thump. Thump.

When Xiao Jiantian blinked, he saw the World Piercer crashing against the wall of Primal Chaos... and the ever-so determined Jie Yuan. Following that, he saw so much more. From the countless shrines built in his name, to the inhabitants that roamed the universe, couples going at it, profound practitioners meditating... even Long Bai sulking in his basement. He had seen it all within a moment.

"... Jiantian?" Xia Qingyue tilted her head, observing his dazed expression.

"It was nothing." Xiao Jiantian shook his head, taking a deep breath as he brushed it off. "I just dozed off a little."

"Very well." Xia Qingyue didn't look very convinced, however.

~

As the Crimson Crack finally shattered, a most terrifying presence emerged from the wall of Primal Chaos. Ancient, scarred, weakened… and yet her profound energy still shook the entire Eastern Divine Region. Alone, a man resembling Mo E floated to greet her with a smile.

Several confetti explosives and fireworks had been created, all of which were triggered upon Jie Yuan's arrival.

"Welcome back to the Primal Chaos Dimension, Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor!"

"...Old... villain... Mo... E!!!"

Jie Yuan's killing intent exploded hundredfold as she observed the confetti that had been sprayed all over her body and the person responsible. She raised her hand and struck 'Mo E' with a cloud of thick darkness profound energy.

"I've... waited... so long... to slaughter you!!!"

Assaulted by the supreme, raging, power of the Eternal Calamity of Darkness, 'Mo E' did not stand a slither of a chance... nor did he intend to. He had become Jie Yuan's complete and utter punching bag as she held absolutely nothing back.

"Where is your precious sword, old villain? Why are you... so fucking weak?"

"I got... robbed." The clone replied, causing Jie Yuan only to get more furious. "They... wore all black. Roadmen, I think they called themselves... they pulled out their shanks and forced my hand-"

"... You still dare joke with me...!!!"

...

Meanwhile, at the comfort of his palace, Xiao Jiantian was eating some popcorn as he watched his replication of Mo E get slapped about. Sitting at the same table were his sworn brothers, Xia Qingyue and Qianye Ying'er. It was like a Netflix watch party... except the terror of Jie Yuan was very much real.

Xiao Jiantian's relaxed temperament, however, reassured everyone present.

"I'm surprised you were not the first to meet her," Xisu remarked, turning to Xiao Jiantian. "Have your days of peace tempered your desire for battle, sworn brother?"

"I would rather have the last surviving primordial Devil Emperor by my side... so exchanging fists would not be the best first expression." Xiao Jiantian replied, observing the live footage. "It seems that she is realising the truth."

"By your side... I see." Cang Shitian chucked slightly.

"... Not in that way." Xiao Jiantian countered.

"Oh... so it is in 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 way."

Xiao Jiantian glanced at Qianye Ying'er before turning back to Cang Shitian. Cang Shitian then chuckled in an understanding fashion. "It was a jest in bad taste, Brahma Heaven God Empress. Do forgive me."

"Hmph... nothing about the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor is even slightly interesting to Tian'er other than her strength."

'Damn, that clone can't even fight back.' Xiao Jiantian's gaze remained mostly on the live footage. 'I almost feel bad.'

"Well, I'll catch you all later, it seems that I have a date with the Heaven Smiting Devil Emperor!" Xiao Jiantian playfully chuckled, donning a presentable suit before vanishing in a trail of golden light.

"A what-!" Qianye Ying'er deeply frowned.

"I'm quite certain he was jesting." Xia Qingyue replied, shrugging her shoulders. "You should know him well enough to understand that."

"... Primordial Creation God or not, she better not forget herself."

"And you'd do what to her, exactly?" Xia Qingyue inquired with a slight smile. "Jealousy does not look good on you, Ying'er. One day... your time will come. You just need some patience."

"Why did it have to be you?" Qianye Ying'er inquired, looking down at Xia Qingyue. "The first woman who Tian'er truly gave his heart to, the first that he married after countless years of celibacy... and the first to bear his child. Do the heavens just favour you so much?"

"I'm feeling that staying around isn't the best idea..." Xisu whispered to Cang Shitian.

"Likewise." Cang Shitian nodded, standing up. "Suddenly, I do feel the strange need for some Mighty Heavenly Pizza."

They silently dipped out.

"If we are talking about being first, someone had both of us beat in all those aspects a very long time ago." Xia Qingyue shrugged. "In the end, being first does not matter in the slightest. What matters is his love... in which we all share. Is that not right?"

"It's all too easy for you to say that."

"Deep down... you and I know that he loves you the most." Xia Qingyue replied. "Without you, he would have never opened his heart to me. As Xuanyuan Jiantian, his heart was colder than ice... and yet you had miraculously burned it away over a few hundred years. To that, I am grateful."

"Hmph, enough with your endless flattery. I don't need it." Qianye Ying'er's frown turned to a smile as she recalled her tenure as his disciple, however. "But what you say is not wrong."

~

"Poor clone, his only purpose was to get folded..." Xiao Jiantian remarked as he appeared before Jie Yuan. "The Mo E you hate so much had died millions of years earlier from overusing the Heaven Punishing Ancestral Sword. That old era of True Gods and Devils is long gone, in truth. All of the Creation Gods and Devil Emperors have met their ends one way or the other... except for you."

"... Ni Xuan... dead?"

Xiao Jiantian slowly nodded. "The Heretic God too."

He could sense her overwhelming pain and sorrow as she grabbed her forehead and clenched her teeth tightly. Those black pupils... that darkness was one that he had seen in himself long ago. It was the type of despair that could drown a world in terror.

"Ah... ah... ah..."

"Dead... dead... dead... Ni Xuan... why did you die... why didn't you... wait for me?"

"Revenge… isn't the only reason… that drove me… to survive the world… outside the Primal Chaos… Our promise… is… the biggest reason… but why… why are you the one… who broke our promise?... why… why… why…"

Xiao Jiantian sighed slightly as he scratched his hair, not knowing exactly what to do. If he was in such a state... nothing in the universe safe for those he loved most could stop him...

"... His legacy still lives on through his two daughters and inheritor." He spoke with a soft tone, channelling his inner Saint.

"Two?"

"They were split in half, God and Devil... Mo E had forced the Heretic God's hand in this regard. I found them both over ten years ago and they've been in my care ever since. Given the Heretic God's kindness for leaving behind the origin of his power, that was the least that I could do to repay him. If you wish to see them... I can show you the way."

"Who are you?" Jie Yuan finally asked, narrowing her eyes on the suited up (#1 Golden Playboy) Xiao Jiantian. "Your aura... why is it that..."

"Oh, right." Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "It's a little complicated... but I'm a step above the Creation Gods in regards to existence. A perfect and whole fragment of the Ancestral God, you could say. I'd tell you more about myself if you'd like... however, this space is hardly fitting. Why don't I introduce you to some Mighty Heavenly Pizza?"

"Mighty Heavenly... what?"

"... Come, I bet you'll love it after your endlessly arduous journey. I'll show you to your two daughters right after too."

Xiao Jiantian blitzed Jie Yuan, grabbing her shoulder and teleporting to Blue Pole Star.