The moment Ye Tian saw that burst of red light, he immediately realized something had gone wrong over there. So without hesitation, he rushed off at once. No matter what, he had to go take a look. Even though he'd been in secluded cultivation recently, the situation clearly called for urgency—he had no choice but to go.

"You handle things here for now. If anything needs taking care of, take care of it in my place."

"Where are you going?"

"Something seems to have happened over there. I need to check it out."

The person who had been cultivating in seclusion with Ye Tian looked worried and offered, "Should we go with you?"

"No need. I can handle it myself."

With that, Ye Tian quickly headed off in that direction.

When he arrived at the Demon race's mountain range, he finally realized the gravity of the situation. The entire mountain range had been surrounded—tightly encircled, not even a drop of water could seep through.

The Jade Emperor had personally brought troops to lay siege. Seeing the situation, Ye Tian said, "Jade Emperor, what are you doing?"

"Ye Tian?"

The Jade Emperor was surprised to see him. He hadn't expected Ye Tian to arrive so quickly.

"Yes, it's me. I honestly didn't expect something like this to happen here. Jade Emperor, don't you think you owe the world an explanation?"

"An explanation? What explanation? I'm here to exterminate demons. That's the only explanation anyone needs."

"Exterminate demons?"

Ye Tian thought of the Monster-Catching List frequently mentioned in the Golden List Livestream. He looked at the Jade Emperor and said, "Heh. Jade Emperor, let me tell you this—everything you're doing right now is wrong. Do you understand?"

"What? You're saying everything I'm doing is wrong? Ye Tian, who do you think you are to lecture me?"

"Hmph. There are good and bad demons, just like there are good and bad humans. But you—just to climb to the top of the Golden List Livestream—are willing to do something like this. Frankly, I'm starting to lose respect for you."

"Oh? And how do you know I'm doing this for the Golden List Livestream?"

"Don't take me for a fool. I can see everything clearly, and everyone else can too. They just don't dare say it out loud. But I'm here now—there's nothing I won't say."

Hearing this, the Jade Emperor's expression turned grim. He said, "Ye Tian, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm not talking nonsense. Everything I've said is true. I'm sure everyone here knows it in their hearts. Recently, the Monster-Catching List has been featured in the Golden List Livestream. I think we all know the real reason the Jade Emperor showed up here is because of that list."

"Ye Tian, you're talking nonsense. Even if the Golden List Livestream didn't exist, I'd still come. After all, exterminating demons benefits the people."

"Oh? So you're saying it's all for the people's good? You're not just using that as a convenient excuse?"

"You—!"

The Jade Emperor was nearly speechless. Ye Tian had seen straight through him, and no matter what he said, it seemed pointless now. Finally, he glared at Ye Tian and said, "Ye Tian, I don't care what you believe—you won't stop me!"

"Is that so?"

Ye Tian gave a faint smile. "You think having more people with you makes a difference? Let me tell you something—Di Jun is my friend. That means his business is my business. If you want to touch this place, you'll have to get through me first."

The Jade Emperor was furious, but he also knew full well how strong Ye Tian was. Defeating him was virtually impossible.

Still, he couldn't just retreat. He'd already come all this way—if he left now, everyone would mock him for being incompetent.

He couldn't allow that to happen. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Ye Tian, don't force my hand!"

"Oh? When did I force you? You're the one forcing me."

Indeed, Ye Tian now felt that the Jade Emperor was forcing his hand. He was friends with Di Jun—if the Jade Emperor insisted on attacking the Demon race's mountain range, then Ye Tian would have no choice but to fight.

"Ye Tian, what exactly do you want?"

"You should be asking yourself that, Jade Emperor. If you're planning to harm Di Jun's Demon race, then I'll have no choice but to take action."

"Do you realize everything you're doing is wrong? The Demon race has always been a blight upon the world. Wiping them out benefits everyone."

"That's just your own twisted logic. I don't see it that way. Jade Emperor, I advise you to take your men and leave now. Otherwise, I won't show mercy. You know my strength—don't push me."

"This..."

Di Jun, seeing that Ye Tian had arrived, was overjoyed. He immediately said, "Ye Tian, you don't need to waste words on him. Now that you're here, none of us are afraid anymore. It's just the Jade Emperor—so what? I think you're stronger than he is. If we really start fighting, he won't be your match at all!"

"Alright, you can stop talking now. He is the Jade Emperor, after all. If everyone finds out he's weaker than me, how's he supposed to live that down? Doesn't he have any pride?"

Upon hearing their conversation, the Jade Emperor's face turned from red to purple in fury. Truthfully, he was fuming inside. But Di Jun wasn't wrong—his strength really didn't match up to Ye Tian's. If they did come to blows now, it would not end well for him.

Even though he'd brought plenty of heavenly soldiers and generals, he knew they'd be of little use if a real fight broke out. But if he didn't fight and simply retreated now, where would he put his pride?