Chapter 440: 9 Yuan Defense Formation

"Think nothing of it."

Sword Mark waved his hand dismissively. Looking at Li Yang, he said, "You and I are both from the Yangyuan Star Continent; it's only right that we look out for each other. For Luoyu to send people to threaten you with Earth while in our Star Continent's territory... that's taking things too far."

At the mention of Luoyu, a clear trace of disdain flashed in Sword Mark's eyes.

Threatening Li Yang with his home planet, Earth, was a tactic he found utterly despicable.

The strong should have their pride. To rely on such means was to have no principles whatsoever.

"I'll contact them right now." Emperor Sword Mark was clearly a man of action, immediately contacting Split Flame and the others.

He soon received a reply from Split Flame.

Li Yang looked at Emperor Sword Mark expectantly.

"Li Yang, Split Flame and the others have said they will leave Earth," Emperor Sword Mark said with a smile.

In any case, what Split Flame and his group had done was dishonorable. With an Emperor stepping in, they would be utterly disgraced if they continued to use such shameful tactics.

"They're leaving Earth?" Li Yang was overjoyed to hear this, and he thanked Emperor Sword Mark once again.

"Haha, Li Yang, no need for thanks. Who knows, perhaps we'll have a chance to fight side-by-side in the future," Emperor Sword Mark said with a laugh.

He had helped Li Yang, of course, because he recognized the young man's potential, believing it was entirely possible that Li Yang would one day stand with him as an equal.

Otherwise, he would not have gotten involved.

"Keep an eye on Split Flame and the others. If they're still on Earth, let me know," said Emperor Sword Mark.

"Yes." Li Yang nodded respectfully.

'It's settled.' Li Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

Earth was what he cared about most—it was his Achilles' heel. If Earth wasn't being used as a threat, he could handle anything Luoyu threw at him.

...

As Li Yang breathed his sigh of relief, on the other side of the galaxy, Split Flame and his men stood respectfully before an illusory figure.

The figure was a young man clad in purple armor, his face covered in violet mystic markings, and a pair of wings even sprouted from his back... It was none other than Luoyu of the Zun Lie Clan.

"Young Master Luoyu, Emperor Sword Mark has given the order. He told us not to use Earth to threaten Li Yang," Split Flame said respectfully.

Luoyu's brow furrowed slightly. "That Emperor Sword Mark is actually sticking up for Li Yang?"

His heart sank, but he knew he was powerless to do anything about Emperor Sword Mark.

Never mind that Zun Lie Venerable, the one he admired most, was unaware of his actions; even the clan's second Emperor, Fire Cloud Emperor, didn't know what he was up to.

He couldn't possibly ask Fire Cloud Emperor for help.

If he actually asked for help over such a dishonorable affair, Fire Cloud Emperor would likely just lecture him and tell him not to use Earth as a threat.

After all, the higher one's status, the more one disdains such tactics.

The stronger one was, the more they cared about their reputation. An Emperor who had to resort to such means would become a laughingstock if word ever got out.

That was why Sect Master Blade Slaughter had been so certain that an Emperor would come to Li Yang's aid.

"Young Master Luoyu, what do we do now?" Split Flame and the other Deities couldn't help but ask.

An Emperor had personally warned him. Was he supposed to defy the order and continue threatening Li Yang with Earth? He wasn't nearly that bold.

After all, his current orders came from Luoyu, not Fire Cloud Emperor.

If word really got out, they would become a laughingstock, looked down upon by all.

They never would have done such a thing if Luoyu hadn't ordered them to.

Though his expression was grim, Luoyu mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Since Emperor Sword Mark has spoken, you will leave Earth."

"However..."

A cold glint flashed in Luoyu's eyes. "You won't stay on Earth, but you can still stay on the planets around it. I hear the star system where Li Yang's home world is located is called the Solar System, and Earth is its only life-bearing planet. You will remain within the Solar System. Let's see what reason Li Yang has to drive you away then. Even Emperor Sword Mark won't be able to say another word."

With Split Flame and the other Deities stationed on Earth, it was understandable for Li Yang to worry about the safety of its inhabitants and demand their departure.

But now that Split Flame's group is no longer on Earth, but on other planets, you can't possibly drive them away again, can you, Li Yang?

If you tried, that would just make you a tyrant, Li Yang. Are you saying no powerful cultivators are allowed to set foot in your home system?

By staying within the Solar System, Split Flame and his group could use their power to descend upon Earth again in an instant. It was tantamount to establishing a dangerous base right on Earth's doorstep, ready to strike at any moment.

"Understood." Hearing Luoyu's words, Split Flame and the other Deities all nodded.

They left Earth and headed for other planets in the Solar System.

As he watched them depart, Luoyu's expression turned icy. A cold, mocking sneer played on his lips.

'Li Yang, you truly overestimate yourself, trying to fight me. So what if you found an Emperor?'

Luoyu sneered inwardly. His entire life had been one of smooth sailing. He had ascended to become a Deity with ease, even becoming a Four-Element Deity within a mere one hundred thousand years, all backed by an incredibly powerful family.

'Who could possibly compare to me?'

'Li Yang might be a peerless genius from the Human Race's Eternal Saint Hall, and he might have even passed the twelfth step of the Path of Deities, but so what?'

'When I decided I didn't like him before, I had him locked up. Who was there to stop me?'

'And when Li Yang was released, I didn't face any punishment whatsoever. That just shows my standing.'

'But then, with the matter of the Gold-devouring Insects, Li Yang had slapped me in the face. I had proposed generous terms, and yet Li Yang rejected the deal outright.'

'Initially, I didn't even care that much about getting the Gold-devouring Insects. But after Li Yang rejected me in front of all those people, I decided I absolutely had to have them!'

'Li Yang, in terms of strength, I can utterly crush you. In terms of backing, my clan has two Emperors, including the great Zun Lie Venerable. You think you can fight me?'

Luoyu sneered to himself.

'I'll take it slow. There's plenty of time. One day, I will make you obediently deliver those Gold-devouring Insects right into my hands!'

...

While Luoyu and his men were making their arrangements, Li Yang returned to the residence of Sect Master Blade Slaughter and updated him on the situation.

"Mm. Split Flame and the others are Deities. They wouldn't dare disobey an order from Emperor Sword Mark," Sect Master Blade Slaughter said with a nod.

Li Yang nodded as well. "Master, I'm preparing to return to Earth."

Sect Master Blade Slaughter had previously given him a Deity-Sensing Crystal Stone that could monitor all of Earth, and he was anxious to return and set it up.

Hearing this, Sect Master Blade Slaughter waved his right hand, and a strange sphere of light appeared in his palm.

Intricate patterns swirled within the sphere of light, and at a glance, one could see that it pulsed with an incredibly profound energy.

"Master, what is this?" Li Yang asked, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at the sphere.

Sect Master Blade Slaughter smiled. "Li Yang, do you know what an Array Master is?"

At this, Li Yang nodded. "I know a little."