Chapter 57: The Decision of Shang Tianyan

Inside the flying vessel.

Luo Feng carefully examined the entire intelligence report, which contained a detailed profile of General Yong Hu and a full account of the Shi Kingdom’s attack. As a guardian of a forbidden zone, Luo Feng knew less than this report.

“General Yong, from the capital of Yu Kingdom, cultivates the Infinite Divine Body—his power is unfathomable. Yet even with the aid of the Hu Yang City formation, he failed to kill Xue Yun.” Luo Feng was secretly startled.

After this battle, Xue Shenjun’s reputation soared.

Both Yu Kingdom and Shi Kingdom would now value Xue Shenjun even more! The next time Yu Kingdom acts, it will send forces stronger than General Yong! Shi Kingdom will also exploit Xue Shenjun’s power more effectively.

This was precisely what Xue Shenjun did not want—his missions would grow heavier, the dangers greater.

“On the Shi Kingdom side, Xue Yun, Yu Tianhu, and Yu Tianyi are all still alive. Given Shi Kingdom’s modus operandi, they won’t stop.” Luo Feng immediately steered the flying vessel toward the site of General Yong’s clash with Xue Yun.

“Master, where are we going?” Mo Luo Sa noticed the change in course.

“To the site where General Yong and Xue Yun fought.” Luo Feng said. Mo Luo Sa fell into thought.

Moments later.

The flying vessel arrived at the battlefield. Luo Feng immediately saw a large concentration of Hu Yang Guards gathered, having sealed off the entire area and barred other citizens from approaching.

“Leave quickly.” As soon as the flying vessel neared, a Hu Yang Guard unit rushed over to drive them away.

Luo Feng retracted the flying vessel; his invisible domain shielded Mo Yu Qingyan, while Mo Luo Sa needed no protection.

The Hu Yang Guard unit preparing to drive them off froze in shock upon seeing Luo Feng’s appearance.

“Luo He Shenjun.” The Hu Yang Guards bowed with deep respect—they all knew the basic profiles of every Eternal True God in Hu Yang City and recognized him at once.

While patrolling the city, they dared not provoke an Eternal True God; if one used a miniature universe domain to hide and silently erased them, the Lord’s Mansion could never uncover the killer unless it paid a tremendous price.

“I’ll just observe here.” Luo Feng said. The Hu Yang Guards dared not reply and immediately withdrew.

Luo Feng gazed ahead.

Within the vast area sealed by the Hu Yang Guards, there had once been dense residential zones and family cavern dwellings—but now, all were empty. Every single soul was dead.

Thick layers of resentment gathered here. Over eight billion True Gods had been slaughtered in an instant—their fury, despair, helplessness, hatred—all intense wills entwined together, forming a terrifying aura of malice.

Even the Hu Yang Guards dared only seal the perimeter; only Eternal True Gods would venture in to handle this resentment.

“Such events occur across the Origin Continent. Not even I, let alone a Divine King, can change this. This is the law of the strong devouring the weak!” Luo Feng silently watched the scene.

Though laws existed, their restraint was limited. Did not Chaos Dominators devour entire large cities and still roam free?

Even Mei Wuqi, who tortured citizens, escaped severe punishment without Luo Feng’s intervention.

“Luo He Brother.” A tall figure flew in from afar.

Luo Feng turned. It was Shang Tianyan. The once enthusiastic Shang Tianyan now carried a trace of sorrow.

“You came too.” Luo Feng looked at him.

“I came to bid farewell to my disciples.” Shang Tianyan gazed at the vast, resentment-choked region and sighed, “Tonight, 8,039 disciples of my Tianyan Sect died. They lived right here.”

Luo Feng was stunned. The Tianyan Sect, founded by Shang Tianyan, had amassed countless disciples over the ages—eight thousand residing here was entirely plausible.

He himself had once lived in the Tianyan Sect; perhaps these 8,039 disciples had once glimpsed him from afar.

“Most of these disciples were mediocre, yet they worked tirelessly, grasping every opportunity.” Shang Tianyan sighed. “In the Tianyan Sect, anyone who passes the trials has a chance to become my direct disciple.”

“Among these 8,039, one was my direct disciple—Meng Shi. His parents died when he was a child. He joined the Tianyan Sect only after growing up, and he trained with relentless dedication, studying every step of alchemy with care. Eventually, he passed all trials and became my direct disciple.” Shang Tianyan continued, “Who would have thought that tonight, he was caught in the massacre and died.”

Luo Feng silently watched the vast region now reduced to nothing but resentment.

“I received intelligence: Xue Yun, Yu Tianhu, and Yu Tianyi from Shi Kingdom are all still alive?” Shang Tianyan looked at Luo Feng. “The report says you also intervened this time?”

“I fought Yu Tianyi—he’s formidable. Yu Tianhu must be even stronger!” Luo Feng said. “Especially Xue Yun—he’s far stronger than past intelligence indicated.”

“And far more insane!” Shang Tianyan stared at the region ahead. “He used to be patient, never so wantonly slaughtering. But this time, over eight billion perished! And all three are still alive—they’ll likely strike again!”

“The conflict between Shi Kingdom and Yu Kingdom will last a long time.” Luo Feng said.

“Yes, it will continue forever. This is my homeland—I truly don’t want to see it destroyed by their war.” Shang Tianyan gazed at the region.

Luo Feng and Shang Tianyan stood side by side, watching the vast expanse.

Long after, they finally parted ways.

Of course, Eternal True Gods other than Luo Feng and Shang Tianyan had also come. All factions in Hu Yang City were shaken by this clash! Though conflict had long existed, none had ever been this brutal.

General Yong’s appearance, Xue Shenjun’s power and madness—all sent shivers through the city’s factions.

Tianyan Sect.

Shang Tianyan returned and summoned his old servant.

“Master.” A metallic lifeform bowed respectfully.

“Uncle Qiu.” Shang Tianyan smiled at him. “I need your help with something.”

“Master, you’re always so polite.” Uncle Qiu grinned, his golden face glowing with warmth.

Shang Tianyan looked at Uncle Qiu.

When he first returned alone to Hu Yang City, he had wandered the entire city—only Uncle Qiu, his former servant, remained. Later, when he founded the Tianyan Sect, Uncle Qiu became his most trusted aide, handling all its trivial matters.

“Once my karmic ties dissolve, deliver this sealed letter to the five names on the list.” Shang said. “Karmic ties dissolve?” Uncle Qiu stared at him, startled. “Master, you’ve always loved teaching disciples and making friends. The world is still beautiful, still fascinating—don’t give up…”

“I’m not seeking death. I’m preparing to do something dangerous.” Shang said.

“Something dangerous? Master, must you do it?” Uncle Qiu looked at him.

“This matter is meaningful.” Shang Tianyan smiled brightly. “Since returning to Hu Yang City, I’ve wanted every day to matter. This—I must do it.”

With that, Shang Tianyan turned and left.

“Master.” Uncle Qiu watched his retreating back, tears streaming down.

…

Meng Hua Tower.

Shang Tianyan arrived here.

“Tianyan, why are you here?” The Meng Hua Tower Mistress smiled to greet him. As one of the two Eternal True Gods most infatuated with her, she still cared deeply for Shang Tianyan.

!.

“I wanted to see you.” Shang Tianyan looked at the Meng Hua Tower Mistress.

Her divine body contained the source of the laws she had mastered; on her, one naturally saw the figure they most desired to see.

In Shang Tianyan’s eyes, she was already his wife—her aura, her smile.

“Staring at me like that?” the Meng Hua Tower Mistress laughed. “Shall I pour you a few drinks?”

“Yes.” Shang Tianyan smiled and nodded.

“Did you hear about tonight? Xue Shenjun slaughtered over eight billion lives in Hu Yang City.” The Meng Hua Tower Mistress exclaimed. “Truly terrifying. Hu Yang City won’t know peace again.”

“It is terrifying.” Shang Tianyan raised his cup. “Let’s drink.”

They chatted idly, sipping wine.

After some time, Shang Tianyan took his leave.

The Meng Hua Tower Mistress personally saw him off.

“Strange.”

The Meng Hua Tower Mistress watched Shang Tianyan vanish into the night sky, puzzled. “His words today were unlike his usual self.” She soon dismissed it and returned to her tower.

…

Flying through the night sky.

Shang Tianyan gazed at the bustling city, filled with so many cherished memories.

“All my treasures and cosmic sand stored in the An Palace, if I die, deliver them to Luo He Shenjun.” Shang Tianyan spotted a modest cavern dwelling in the distance and contacted the Yan Feng Guild’s An Palace.

Long ago, he had placed all his precious treasures and cosmic sand there.

Whoosh.

Shang Tianyan flew to the front of the cavern.

“Open.” Shang Tianyan urged.

The cavern door opened. Shang Tianyan flew inside.

Inside the ordinary cavern, before a pavilion, Sang Shuiyun sat alone, drinking in gloom.

“You came.” Sang Shuiyun looked at him.

In all of Hu Yang City, only Shang Tianyan could enter Sang Shuiyun’s cavern without hindrance.

“Mm.” Shang Tianyan sat down beside him.

“Drink with me.” Sang Shuiyun tossed him a wine flask.

Shang Tianyan caught it, staring at the flask: “Sang Brother, when we first met in Hu Yang City, we were both alone. Seeing you felt like seeing my own reflection. You, like me, are obsessed with the Meng Hua Tower Mistress. You, like me, have no ties.”

“No, you have ties—you founded the Tianyan Sect, trained countless alchemy disciples.” Sang Shuiyun said.

“I always thought you and I were the same.” Shang Tianyan looked at Sang Shuiyun.

“We are the same. You are the only friend I have in Hu Yang City.” Sang Shuiyun looked at him. “Perhaps the only friend I have in this world.”

“We are not the same.” Shang Tianyan whispered. “I’ve gradually realized—you care for nothing. Even if the world were destroyed, you wouldn’t care. Even me—if you decided to kill, you’d do it without hesitation.”

Sang Shuiyun frowned at him: “Shang Brother, what are you saying?”

“In all of Hu Yang City, you’ve never been able to hide anything from me.” Shang Tianyan looked at Sang Shuiyun. “If you hadn’t gone mad, I never would have exposed you.”

Sang Shuiyun fell silent, his gaze turning icy.

“Xue Shenjun—I didn’t misidentify you, did I?” Shang Tianyan looked at him.

(End of Chapter)