A Noble Sacrifice

Sang Shuiyun looked at him, but strands of power quickly fled deep into the earth, rapidly distancing themselves from the residence.

"Brother Shang, I never expected you to see me this way," Sang Shuiyun's voice was low. "I do have some secrets, and so do you! I thought we understood each other, that neither of us would pry into the other's secrets. I never imagined you were investigating me and even thought I was the Blood Cloud God King. Do you really believe a solitary cultivator like me could possess such power?"

Sheng Tianyan looked at him, "Are you still denying it at this point?"

"You've really mistaken me," Sang Shuiyun replied, staring at him.

"If I'm wrong, why has your true body already escaped?" Sheng Tianyan asked, his gaze fixed on him.

Sang Shuiyun remained silent.

"Brother Shang, it seems you are stronger than I anticipated, capable of detecting my escape technique," Sang Shuiyun sighed. His escape technique, which incorporated three chaotic realm techniques, was so silent that ordinary Eternal True Gods couldn't sense it.

"I don't have any particular strengths, just some knowledge of crafting," Sheng Tianyan said. "Since returning to Huyang City, I haven't had the heart to compete, and yet the outside world still considers my crafting skills to be among the best in the city."

"Among the best without even competing?" Sang Shuiyun looked at him. "I always knew you and I were alike."

"We are not the same," Sheng Tianyan said, looking at him. "We are both lonely in this world, with few attachments. But I am grateful for my life's experiences. I watch the wonders of the world and the pursuits of other cultivators. They have their ambitions and their loves... Just like you and I once did, full of determination and desire."

"This world is so wonderful, why do you feel the need to destroy it all?" Sheng Tianyan asked, looking at him. "What do you gain by destroying everything?"

"If I can grow stronger, then any sacrifice is worth it!" Sang Shuiyun's eyes were cold. "What does it matter if billions of lives are extinguished? I, Sang Shuiyun, will become a chaotic master and eventually a Divine King!"

"And what then, after becoming a Divine King?" Sheng Tianyan asked. "Even as a Divine King, there are still ancient forces like the Yan Feng Kingdom and the Thunder Kingdom far surpassing you. On the vast Origin Continent, there will always be someone stronger."

Sang Shuiyun responded coldly, "In this world, I am alone. Now, I only want to cultivate and grow stronger!"

"Growing stronger just for the sake of it?" Sheng Tianyan shook his head. "You and I truly are different."

"Of course, we're different!" Sang Shuiyun declared. "You're just an insignificant ripple on the Origin Continent, while I... will be like the vast heavens and earth, ruling over everything! The countless beings on the Origin Continent will be influenced by me, and my will shall determine the life and death of countless lives."

Sheng Tianyan looked at him, "And does that make you happy?"

Sang Shuiyun was momentarily stunned.

"No matter how powerful you become, no matter how many lives you can control, ask yourself this: If you're still lonely and in pain, then the path you're on is one of suffering," Sheng Tianyan said, gazing at him. "We have been friends for a long time, and I only hope you can walk a path where you can find peace and happiness, one where you can face the loves you once had with a clear conscience."

"Regardless of how the world changes, your inner feelings are what truly matter," Sheng Tianyan continued.

"Hahaha, are you trying to change me?" Sang Shuiyun looked at Sheng Tianyan, laughing. "We've known each other for so long; I can see right through you."

"Yes, I am trying to change you. I know I can't stop you. Not even the Yu Kingdom might be able to kill you. You're the kind of heinous cultivator who truly could become a chaotic master or even a Divine King. I only hope that if you become such a powerful figure in the future, you'll face the world with goodwill, not malice," Sheng Tianyan said, staring at him.

"Hahaha..." Sang Shuiyun's eyes gleamed with madness. "You have your path, and I have mine! What is good or evil? My will is the will of heaven and earth, the will of all beings!"

Sheng Tianyan gently shook his head.

"Since you came here, you must have prepared some sort of contingency plan," Sang Shuiyun said, watching him closely. "What is your backup? No one in Huyang City can kill me now. Even General Yong is worried about affecting countless lives. So, did you rely on a major power?"

"You're smart," Sheng Tianyan acknowledged.

"What backup have you arranged?" Sang Shuiyun pressed, "Tell me, and I might spare your life."

"Guess," Sheng Tianyan replied with a smile. "My backup plan may not guarantee your death, but it has about a ninety percent chance."

"What is it?" Sang Shuiyun's eyes were full of madness.

"Let me test your strength! The strength of the Blood Cloud God King!" Sheng Tianyan suddenly punched.

With just a bare fist, he unleashed a force that made heaven and earth tremble. Sang Shuiyun didn't move, allowing the punch to pierce through his chest. His entire body flowed like blood waves.

An invisible field enveloped the entire residence as Sang Shuiyun's blood wave form stared at Sheng Tianyan. "Self-forged divine body, refined to be like a mechanical treasure? Brother Shang, your crafting skills indeed far surpass those in all of Huyang City. You shouldn't die like this. Tell me, what backup have you arranged?"

He knew Sheng Tianyan too well! Although Sheng Tianyan appeared friendly and made countless friends, treating his sect's disciples kindly, he was as calculating as Sang Shuiyun himself.

The two of them understood each other very well!

"Do you think I would tell you?" Sheng Tianyan shook his head.

"Then I can only personally send you on your way!" Sang Shuiyun's body transformed into a blood wave, completely engulfing Sheng Tianyan.

Engulfed in the blood wave, Sheng Tianyan turned his gaze toward the world. "This world is so beautiful, yet you want to slaughter and destroy it all, just for a slim chance of breaking through..."

Whoosh!

The blood wave corroded, and Sheng Tianyan's body quickly dissolved, his True God's heart obliterated.

Sang Shuiyun stood silently in place. Sheng Tianyan was dead, the only friend he had in this world, killed by his own hand.

"Those who stand in my way must die," Sang Shuiyun said coldly, looking around. "No ambushes? It seems you didn't rely on the strong in Huyang City. Are you planning to use external forces to kill me?"

A wisp of Blood Cloud power quietly fled underground.

This place was no longer suitable for staying.

...

At a common residence.

The metallic lifeform Uncle Qiu stared at the night sky, anxiously waiting. Suddenly, the karmic communication order in his hand showed that the karmic connection with his master, Sheng Tianyan, had vanished.

"Master," Uncle Qiu's heart trembled. He knew that his master had finally died.

Without hesitation, following his master's previous instructions, Uncle Qiu immediately sent out the secret letter to the five targets.

In fact, Sheng Tianyan wasn't entirely sure that Sang Shuiyun was Blood Cloud, which is why he needed to confirm it! He feared that in the moment of confirmation, he might die before he could transmit the information, so he asked Uncle Qiu to help send the letter as well.

In reality, Sheng Tianyan had also used the "Karmic Communication Order" to send out a more precise message.

...

At the City Lord's Mansion.

Mo Limeng was handling the aftermath. The massacre by Blood Cloud God King had affected over 80 billion lives, greatly impacting the entire Huyang City. If not managed properly, it could lead to widespread panic.

"Hmm?" Mo Limeng first received a message from Sheng Tianyan, then another from Uncle Qiu.

"The true identity of Blood Cloud God King is 'Sang Shuiyun'?" Mo Limeng was surprised and delighted. "This Sang Shuiyun has lived in Huyang City for so long. I've encountered him several times at Menghua Pavilion. Wherever he's been, there will be traces. The more traces there are, the easier it is to trace his fate and track him down... Hmm?"

Mo Limeng finished reading Sheng Tianyan's full letter.

"What a clever Sheng Tianyan, he even had a 'Karmic Tracing Order,' and it contains Sang Shuiyun's karmic link? With this Karmic Tracing Order, we can track Sang Shuiyun?" Mo Limeng was ecstatic. "This makes things easier. Once we can track his location, the lord can carefully plan and eliminate him in one strike."

Even if his strength matched General Yong's!

As long as his location was confirmed and a trap was laid in advance, they could mobilize enough power to wipe him out in one go.

"Sheng Tianyan has truly done a great service." Just as Mo Limeng was feeling elated, he noticed that the karmic link with Sheng Tianyan had disappeared.

"He's dead?" Mo Limeng's heart trembled.

"The Karmic Tracing Order is stored in the Yan Feng Guild's Dark Hall and can only be retrieved by my father, Mo Lixiao. I must report this information immediately," Mo Limeng did not dare to delay and went straight to report this intelligence.

This was information that Sheng Tianyan had left with his life.

In fact, Sang Shuiyun had always been extremely cautious. Even with Sheng Tianyan, whom he considered a close friend, he had never left behind blood or other physical traces, ensuring that Sheng Tianyan could not lock onto his karmic link.

However, Sang Shuiyun underestimated the methods of a master craftsman. Their long-standing relationship inevitably resulted in karmic entanglement. With this karmic link, Sheng Tianyan was able to imprint it into the "Karmic Tracing Order," allowing his location to be tracked.

In Sheng Tianyan's view, as long as Blood Cloud God King continued to be a threat, the Yu Kingdom might tolerate it once, but it wouldn't tolerate it a second or third time.

Once the Yu Kingdom decided to kill Blood Cloud God King, and with the Karmic Tracing Order confirming his location, the chances of success would be very high.

But Sheng Tianyan also knew that the future held too many uncertainties. He could only do his best.

...

At Menghua Pavilion.

Menghua, the pavilion master, was playing a tune alone in a small building when she suddenly received a message.

"Hmm?" Menghua Pavilion Master checked the message.

"The true identity of the leader of the Shiguo forces, 'Blood Cloud God King,' is Sang Shuiyun! At this moment, the top forces in Huyang City are all aware of this! But don't worry, the City Lord's Mansion owes me a lot of favors, and I've instructed them to look out for you. Also, several top forces in the city have good relations with me, so they likely won't trouble you. If you ever face great danger and can't rely on other forces, remember that Luohe God King can help you."

"I know his temperament. He will help you once, for my sake. But don't trouble him too much. He dislikes being bothered! If you annoy him, he won't care about your life or death anymore."

"Also, don't worry about Sang Shuiyun. He won't come to Menghua Pavilion again."

"Menghua, your illusion skills are quite average. Among the Eternal True Gods who specialize in illusions, you're near the bottom. You must work harder in your cultivation. In this world, you ultimately have to rely on yourself."

This message left Menghua Pavilion Master stunned.

Sheng Tianyan and Sang Shuiyun were the only two Eternal True Gods who were infatuated with her.

"Sheng Tianyan is dead?" Menghua Pavilion Master realized that the karmic link with Sheng Tianyan had vanished. She stood there in a daze, her mind buzzing with too many thoughts to process.

...

In a mountain peak within a residence.

Luo Feng sat cross-legged, meditating in deep concentration.

He did not use the Karmic Communication Order, so he didn't receive karmic messages, but he did receive a notification from the Yan Feng Guild's Dark Hall.

"God King Luohe, Sheng Tianyan has been confirmed dead. According to his instructions, over three million universe sand and all his treasures, along with a letter, are to be handed over to you. Please come to the Yan Feng Guild's Dark Hall to collect them."

This message left Luo Feng stunned.

Sheng Tianyan, confirmed dead?