(AN: Regarding the sacrifice, its meaning was towards Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji had realised that in a way he was the trigger who pulled Bibi Dong into darkness. So, he used his life to try to bring her back to placate the anger which is simmering in her mind and growing stronger)
The purple divine power invaded his body, ravaging his organs and spirit like a plague. Only after that did Bibi Dong pull the sickle free.
Whoosh—
A horrifying amount of blood poured out as his body crashed onto the ground.
Qian Xunji lay there, trembling, his breath shallow.
And then— He laughed.
"Ha… Ha… Ha…"
The laughter was broken, hoarse, but filled with ridicule.
His gaze pierced through Bibi Dong—beyond her, toward the existence lurking behind her will.
"You high and mighty beings above…" he spat blood again,
"…do you think you can treat the lives of mortals as worthless?"
He had already understood.
Many of the things he had done in the past—acts that violated his own values—had not been entirely his own will.
As his consciousness faded, his life replayed itself in fragments.
Then—
A small figure with golden hair Qian Renxue. An unnatural, almost painful pride surfaced in his eyes.
Gathering the very last fragments of his strength, he forced his lips to move. Each word carried defiance heavier than his own life.
"EVEN… GODS… WILL BLEED."
His eyes glazed over. Qian Xunji was dead.
-----
On the same day, early morning— the day of the Angel Sermon.
Heaven Dou City.
Inside a dimly lit tavern near the inner city, the smell of alcohol and fried meat hung thick in the air.
Yu Ming tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of beer, the liquid burning his throat. Instead of easing his mood, it only made his expression darker.
Bang.
He slammed the mug onto the table, foam spilling over the rim.
'Dammit! I thought with most of the high-level forces gone for Spirit City, this should have been the perfect chance…'
His eyes narrowed dangerously.
'The Vast Sea Universe Cover should've been mine.'
Yu Ming's fingers tightened around the mug.
'It was the only worthwhile thing in the royal treasury .'
Which meant only one thing.
'Someone already got there first.'
A name immediately surfaced in his mind, as Yu Ming's gaze turned vicious.
'Chen Dao, Don't let me find out it was you.'
'Otherwise…'
The thought remained unfinished—but the killing intent was unmistakable.
Across from him, the two Titled Douluo accompanying Yu Ming exchanged glances.
They were puzzled, from their perspective, this obsession made little sense.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's treasury alone held resources hundreds of times more precious than what the Heaven Dou royal family could offer.
Yet their young master had personally infiltrated the city for this unknown item—and was now furious.
They did not dare ask.
Just then—
Dong—
Dong—
A deep, solemn bell echoed through Heaven Dou City.
The sound was distant yet strangely penetrating, several customers in the tavern paused mid-drink.
One of them suddenly stood up.
"Ah! The time for the sermon has already arrived—we're late!"
Another followed hurriedly.
"Quick, quick! Today's Angel Sermon is important!"
Chairs scraped against the floor as people rushed toward the exit, leaving half-finished meals behind.
Yu Ming frowned.
"Huh?" He scoffed. "A sermon?"
In his eyes, this was nothing more than Spirit Hall's religious propaganda, a method to control ignorant civilians through blind faith.
He leaned back lazily.
'What a joke.'
( AN: Here you can start listening to Matushka Ultrafunk in slow motion)
But then—A strange sensation crept over him. His vision blurred slightly.
Yu Ming shook his head.
"…Tch."
A wave of unnatural drowsiness washed over him. Even after using circulated soul power to resist, his eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
Thud.
One of the Titled Douluo's heads slammed onto the wooden surface of the table.
The other barely had time to mutter, "Young… master…" before collapsing as well.
Yu Ming tried to stand. But his limbs refused to listen.
The last thing he saw was the tavern owner behind the counter—his eyes half-closed, body slowly slumping to the floor.
Outside—
The birds perched on the trees suddenly tucked their heads beneath their wings.
A cat on the roof curled into a tight ball. Even the dog lying near the entrance let out a soft whine before falling into deep sleep.
Silence enveloped the area.
If one were to look down from the skies above Heaven Dou City, they would finally discover the true source of this abnormal silence.
A golden-haired girl with purple eyes walked calmly through the city streets.
Her steps were light, unhurried, as if she were merely taking a leisurely stroll—yet with every step she took, the world around her fell asleep.
Behind her floated her Martial Soul, a mysterious twelve-winged angel.
Its body was slender and graceful, unmistakably feminine, sculpted as if from divine light itself Yet its face was blurred, as though deliberately erased—an indistinct outline that refused to be seen clearly, as if mortals were unworthy of gazing upon it.
Behind the angel's head hovered six divine soul rings.
At this moment—The fifth divine soul ring was pulsing brightly and a gentle, formless power spread outward.
"5th soul skill: Sleepy Aura."
An invisible tide, silent and irresistible.
With Qian Renxue as the center, the aura expanded in a vast radius, behaving like a domain, washing over streets, houses, taverns, royal districts, alike.
More terrifying still— it did not discriminate. Even high-level soul masters felt their soul power slow, their thoughts dissolve, their consciousness sink.
It flowed into temples and prayer halls.
It brushed past kneeling devotees. Those praying devoutly suddenly felt warmth flood their chests, their chants slowing, their eyelids trembling.
One by one—They collapsed where they knelt. Their Faces serene with Peaceful expressions As if embraced by divinity itself.
Qian Renxue walked past them, her golden hair swaying gently. A faint smile curved her lips.