In Emperor Zhao's eyes, retreat was a matter for later.
The Star Beast had yet to break free of its seal. If the Celestial Court fled without a fight now, it would inevitably become a laughingstock.
Never mind anything else.
The prestige the Celestial Court had established among the myriad races alone would suffer.
Although that damage would be slight, nowhere near enough to shake the Celestial Court's position.
Even a mighty dike could collapse from an ant's nest.
Every little crack would accumulate.
One day, they would all erupt at once, with enough force to shake the Celestial Court's rule.
Therefore.
The Celestial Court could not retreat.
Especially not without a fight.
Even if they had to retreat, they first had to show the Celestial Court's might. Only then could they withdraw with composure.
Even if they were no match for the Star Beast, they could not let others think the Celestial Court was weak and utterly incapable of standing against it.
"Central Origin Emperor—" The Demon Emperor opened his mouth, only to meet Emperor Zhao's indifferent gaze. His heart trembled despite himself, and in the end, he left his words unfinished.
Being fellow Five Directional Emperors did not mean they truly stood on equal footing.
Strictly speaking.
There were several tiers even among the Five Directional Emperors.
As the Central Origin Emperor, Emperor Zhao naturally stood at the head of the Five Directional Emperors, occupying the foremost position.
Next came the Dog Emperor and Si Hanhai, whose strength placed them second only to Emperor Zhao among the Five Directional Emperors.
Of the two.
The Dog Emperor was a veteran Emperor. Although Si Hanhai had only recently become an Emperor, he had founded the Demon Clan. His status as the First Demon Emperor was something other Emperors could not