Earth.
Shen Lian was all too familiar with it.
This was the world he was born in.
Ten thousand years ago, just after graduating from high school, he had transmigrated from Earth into a fantasy world.
That was where his legendary life began. From then on, he struggled through countless trials and tribulations, ultimately ascending to the realm of the Great Emperor. His title as Emperor was Lian.
In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, he was known as the Refining Emperor.
It could be said that Shen Lian held deeply unusual feelings for Earth.
It held his past, his roots.
It was the beginning of everything.
Shen Lian had once searched across the universe for Earth, yet found nothing. Even after scouring every corner of space, there was no trace of it.
That had left him with lingering regret.
But now, unexpectedly, he saw it again—on the Battlefield of the Heavens.
From just a few fragments of images, he was already convinced. That was the Earth he had lived on before transmigrating.
Even though Shen Lian had cultivated for thousands of years and trained his heart to remain calm under all circumstances, a ripple stirred within his serene mind.
"Maybe it's time to go back and have a look."
A nostalgic glint passed through Shen Lian's eyes.
"System, I choose to join the Battlefield of the Heavens where Earth is."
Ding! Congratulations to the host. Selection completed.
The host will have five hours of preparation time.
After five hours, the portal of teleportation will open.
The cold tone of the system's voice faded.
Shen Lian's expression didn't change much.
He simply intended to wait silently for the time to pass.
Just then, a voice called out respectfully from below the mountain.
"Your Majesty Liandi, the Six Slaves request an audience."
"Oh?"
Shen Lian furrowed his brows.
The Six Slaves were here?
They were called slaves, but in reality, each one of them was a powerful being who could shake the sun and moon with their presence.
All six possessed Quasi-Emperor cultivation levels.
They were utterly loyal—his most trusted confidants.
Their souls were sealed in Shen Lian's hand. With a single thought, he could decide their life or death.
"Bringing these six along wouldn't be a bad idea."
Shen Lian stroked his chin, then said lightly, "Grant them entry."
…
…
At the same time.
Earth.
Dragon Country, East China Sea Coast.
A temporary military command post.
"Sir! Mount Tai has fallen! Qinling is lost! Even the Pacific Rim defense line... is about to be breached!"
A soldier from the Dragon Kingdom gasped heavily as he reported the news.
As his words fell, the atmosphere in the war room plunged into despair.
"Dammit!"
Commander-in-chief Xia Lingwu slammed a fist onto the table, his expression furious.
"Commander, should we... retreat?" a staff officer cautiously suggested.
"Retreat?"
Xia Lingwu took a deep breath, grinding his teeth.
"Retreat to where? Once the Pacific line collapses completely, those monsters will storm into the interior!"
"By then, hundreds of millions of our citizens will be slaughtered. Our lands devastated. Corpses everywhere."
"Our Dragon Country will become the next Wa Island."
At his words, the entire war room fell silent.
Three years ago…
Space battleships had suddenly descended upon Earth. From them emerged terrifying monsters who called themselves the Golden Giants. They launched a full-scale assault on humanity.
They looked vaguely human, but their strength was monstrously beyond human understanding.
They stood over a hundred meters tall and possessed might capable of shifting mountains and draining seas with a simple gesture.
A single step from one could flatten a mountain.
That was the beginning of mankind's catastrophe.
Initially, humans fought back using their technological arsenal—nuclear bombs, missiles, cutting-edge weapons.
And for a brief moment, humanity stood its ground.
But before they could savor their small victory, a second fleet of space battleships arrived.
These new Golden Giants were even more terrifying.
Even the most powerful nuclear warheads exploded against them with barely any effect—just faint scorch marks on their golden skin.
Humanity's hope began to collapse entirely.
In less than three years…
Nations such as Eagle Country, Wa Island, Zawa, Xia Weiyi, and other small island states had fallen.
Soon, weaker countries without nuclear arms were annihilated by the Golden Giants.
Now, of the more than two hundred nations on Earth, only a few remained—such as the Dragon Country and the Lighthouse Country—still resisting in desperation.
This time, however, the invaders seemed to have lost all patience and intended to take Earth in a single decisive campaign.
The planet was drowning in despair.
"Pull up satellite surveillance footage," Xia Lingwu said, rubbing his aching temples.
Instantly, countless screens flickered with static.
Moments later, a terrifying sight appeared.
In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, a colossal Golden Giant stood atop the sea, rapidly advancing inland.
Fighter jets launched from aircraft carriers screamed through the skies, firing missiles and spraying bullets in wild salvos.
Boom boom boom!!
Boom boom boom!!
Explosions thundered one after another.
It was all futile.
The missiles struck the giants' golden bodies but failed to leave even a scratch.
"Humble humans. Weak species."
"This is your strength? Pathetic. Backward."
A Golden Giant spoke coldly, his face devoid of emotion.
As he spoke, he raised his massive palm like swatting a fly and brought it crashing down.
Whoosh!!
A ferocious gust roared from between his fingers.
That single slap covered the entire sky.
Boom!!
Seven or eight fighter jets exploded in mid-air, smashed to pieces by his fingers.
Flames roared, engulfing his hand, yet failed to leave a burn.
Boom—
Another Golden Giant, this one with three glowing eyes, raised his titanic foot and brought it down with terrifying force—smashing an entire aircraft carrier in half.
Thousands of soldiers perished beneath his step, reduced to pulp.
"Humans? Ants."
The three-eyed Golden Giant's voice was cold and distant.
Boom boom boom!!
Boom boom boom!!
Missiles. Cannons. Jets. Bombs.
All manner of human firepower exploded uselessly upon their golden skin.
None could wound them.
In contrast, the Golden Giants caused massive carnage with mere gestures and steps.
Jet fighters were reduced to fireballs.
Aircraft carriers broke into twisted scrap and sank beneath the waves.
The sea was littered with corpses and wreckage.
Blood dyed the deep blue ocean crimson.
Screams, wails, desperate shouts and howls echoed over the vast waters.
The Golden Giants advanced without resistance.
Before them, humanity was utterly powerless.