"Sacrifice!"
A technique from the distant future—during the era of the Dragon King's legend—this name was once a terrifying secret art used by the Holy Angel Clan to dominate the continent. When activated, it would consume ten years' worth of the caster's lifespan in an instant, unleashing power so great that it could triple the user's combat capacity and ignore all negative status effects. True to its name, it was a move that drew the line between life and death, so potent that it was said to surpass even the Body Sect's iconic Gold Tier Awakening.
Its power was so extraordinary that some believed it might be a legacy of the Angel God. However, according to the historical records from the early Douluo Continent arc, this secret art was never clearly documented even once. Because of this, its physical existence has remained a point of debate among scholars through the ages.
Reflecting on this, it seems that, for a long time, peace in mainland eliminated the need for such desperate, fatal techniques. But now, to eliminate his enemies, Qian Daoliu finally unleashed his ultimate secret, sealed for many years, before the world.
Watching from the side, Chu Shanhe witnessed the white flames burning on Qian Daoliu's body, a deeply conflicted look crossing his face. Only a true powerhouse, one who also possessed life-and-death techniques, could truly appreciate the difference between them.
While Gold Awakening definitely brought a huge leap in strength, compared to Sacrifice, which delivers a direct boost to raw power while purifying everything in its path, it is just inferior in every way.
The legacy left by the Angel God is truly unfathomable!
"That's impossible!"
Tang Chen's shout of disbelief echoed in the sky. All his life, he had considered his talent and strength to be above Qian Daoliu's, a belief solidified by years of superiority. But now, before everyone's eyes, he and Bo Saixi had combined their forces, only to be defeated head-on by Qian Daoliu. This shattered the conviction he had clung to for over a hundred years—his dignity as "the strongest in the world" was brutally trampled.
"Uoooooh!!" Tang Chen roared, his eyes turning red with fury. The Clear Sky Hammer in his hand shone blood-red, emanating murderous intent capable of shattering the heavens and taking even demi-gods' strength. Without any hesitation, he launched another assault at Qian Daoliu.
"Again?!"
He screamed like a madman as he charged.
Qian Daoliu didn't even flinch. The Angelic Holy Sword in his hand was wreathed in the flames of Sacrifice, cleaving upward with a clean arc of resolute, pure light, intercepting the blood-red arc precisely.
At the same time, Bo Saixi made a grasping motion with her jade-white hand. A giant illusion of the blue oceanic trident appeared behind her. With a graceful shout, the Trident's image chased after Tang Chen's attack, then struck at Qian Daoliu, carrying the massive force of the sea.
CLANG—
BOOM—
A metallic screech and a thunderous explosion of energy erupted at once—pure white flames, blood-red brilliance, and deep blue clashed in midair. The resulting shockwave spread in concentric circles, sinking the already-ruined plaza several more feet. If not for the Spirit Hall experts working together to erect layers of spirit power barriers, just the aftershocks would have devastated most of Spirit City's core.
The city shuddered from the clash of three peerless masters, and within its walls, Soul Masters of all ranks felt a deep unease.
After another intense exchange, the light faded and the three combatants separated once more. Qian Daoliu was pushed back dozens of meters, the white flames around his body burning even more fiercely, as if trying to ignite his very soul. The murderous intent in his golden eyes congealed into a tangible, icy aura. The flames flickered chaotically, radiating an almost freezing sense of purification.
Opposite him, Tang Chen and Bo Saixi wore grave expressions. Tang Chen's white hair was in disarray, a deep sword wound on his chest exposing bone, the blood evaporating before it could flow. Bo Saixi's elegant blue dress was torn at several spots; a line of blood dripped from her lip, her breathing unsteady, and the aura of sea power around her visibly thinned.
They had exerted themselves fully, yet were still firmly suppressed by Qian Daoliu. All they could do was defend themselves, barely able to launch any counterattack.
In this instant, the sliver of reason Tang Chen had regained from reuniting with Bo Saixi was once more overwhelmed. His soul burned with insane, all-or-nothing fury. He couldn't believe Qian Daoliu had forced him into such a desperate plight.
At that moment, Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua, who had been standing guard, strode forward simultaneously. They flanked Qian Daoliu, forming a triangle, quickly encircling Tang Chen and the Sea God with well-practiced ease.
Both exuded uncovered, cold killing intent—the murderous light in their eyes clear for all to see.
Tang Chen and Bo Saixi's faces turned grim. With Qian Daoliu alone already an overwhelming force now, the addition of two peak-condition Peak Douluos meant things would not turn out well for them today.
Suddenly, Tang Chen turned his head. He looked down at the already-pale Tang Xiao, then glanced sidelong at Tang San, his gaze full of resentment and hatred, and a complex expression upon his face.
"I cannot let them all perish here! The Clear Sky Sect... must survive!"
He whipped his head around and shouted thunderously to Tang Xiao below:
"Xiao! Take him and flee Spirit City! The farther, the better! Unless you hear from me, the Clear Sky Sect must never return to the mainland!"
Tang Xiao, who had just been thrilled watching his grandfather's divine might, was startled by the severity of Tang Chen's roar. Seeing the determination in his grandfather's eyes, a piercing sadness stabbed at Tang Xiao's heart, but, as the sect leader, he quickly suppressed all emotion.
He nodded firmly, shot Tang San a conflicted look, then, without hesitation, scooped up Tang San, embraced him tightly, unleashed all his soul power, and prepared to dash out of Spirit City at full speed.
At that very instant, a dark red flash flew from Tang Chen's body like lightning to bury itself in Tang Xiao's back—directly at his heart.
"Trying to flee?!"
Qian Renxue shouted, darting forward in an attempt to block their escape.
"Do you think you can escape?!"
Her gaze turned icy as she and Chen Yi, monitoring below, transformed into streaks of gold and purple light, giving chase.
However, at that moment, five beams of powerful ocean-spirit energy hurtled down from the distant horizon like shooting stars, blocking Chen Yi and Qian Renxue's path.
The light faded—revealing five figures, all of different height and build, but all clad in Sea God Island attire. Their faces were severe and cold, their eyes sharp as sea eagles, spirit power surging within them. Each was a titled Douluo-level expert!
These were Seven Children of the Sea God guarding the periphery of Sea God Island!
"Seven Children of the Sea God of the Sea God Island…"
Qian Daoliu's cold gaze swept over the men, a chilling undertone in his voice.
"Bo Saixi, you'd really spend this much effort for that boy? Even raiding your house's guards…"
Sea God Island was protected by seven sacred pillars and the vast outer seas by these five Lords, each representing one of the island's major powers. For five to leave the island at once was extremely rare.
Blocked by the five titled Douluos, Chen Yi seemed unfazed. If anything, a faint, cold smile curved his lips.
"You arrived just in time."
Even before the words left his mouth, lightning arced around him, and the thunder mace in his hand transformed into a streak of lightning, as he fiercely attacked the Four Guardians.
The Guardians of Sea God Island exchanged grim looks—they could feel the overwhelming pressure from Chen Yi. It was not a matter of pure rank, but a crushing force of spirit and energy.
They dared not relax, each drawing upon their own signature techniques to fight the thunderous onslaught. For a moment, they were completely held in check.
Qian Renxue also gave a subtle cry, her Seraphim martial soul appearing once more. Clasping the Angelic Holy Sword, she flashed toward the last Guardian, delivering a purified golden strike with all her holy power.
The blade flashed brilliantly and locked him down, forcing him to devote all his attention to defense—incapable of diverting any focus elsewhere.
Seizing this brief chaos, Tang Xiao, carrying Tang San, transformed himself into a streak of light, hurtling desperately out of the city at maximum speed.
Within Spirit City, dozens of top Spirit Hall experts worked to contain the dissipating flood of power and limit the destruction of the titanic clash to a confined area, ensuring Spirit City itself would not be utterly destroyed. It was as if the end of the world had come—thunderous blasts, energy surges, screams, and the continual clash of weapons reverberated through Spirit City's very core.
Ignoring the turmoil below, Qian Daoliu fueled his white flames even more ferociously, gazing unwaveringly at Bo Saixi, who now looked almost like a messenger of the very gods.
He slowly raised his Angelic Sword, pointing its tip right at Bo Saixi's beautiful, pale blue face.
"Bo Saixi, this time—"
"With your head, I will offer a sacrifice to the Angelic lineage… for the rage that has festered for five thousand years!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Angelic Sword, wreathed in purifying white flame, slashed through the air, straight for Bo Saixi's heart.
Bo Saixi's pupils contracted sharply—she could sense unprecedented killing intent from Qian Daoliu. She still could not understand: the man who had once been gentle and refined, who had made her feel cherished in subtle ways, now harbored such bitter hatred toward her. Was it just because she had refused him long ago, choosing Tang Chen instead? But there was no time to wonder. The phantom of the Sea God Trident met the strike head-on, unleashing soul power in a violent collision with the white sword beam, emitting an ear-shattering boom.
At the same time, Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua faced down the rampaging Tang Chen.
"Tang Chen! Your era must end!"
Chu Shanhe roared, his whole body glowing gold, overflowing with blood and soul energy, swinging a mountainous punch at Tang Chen's face.
Elder Yuan Hua hovered mysteriously behind Chu Shanhe, his deep eyes shining with silvery-white spiritual light. Pointing with sword-like fingers, his wrist flicked, releasing countless spears of divine will, all aimed quietly for Tang Chen's forehead.
Tang Chen let out a wild roar, defending desperately from both sides, his hammer gleaming with the red light of blood. But the trauma and strain he suffered from Qian Daoliu's Sacrifice, together with his own pressure against Bo Saixi, had not yet faded. Against the combined strike of Chu Shanhe and the spiritually overwhelming elder, how could he possibly endure?
The fight lasted less than ten rounds!
PUFF—
Tang Chen barely dodged Chu Shanhe's earth-shaking blow, but he could not fully avoid Elder Yuan Hua's cunning, unpredictable soul spear; although he avoided his brow, his left shoulder was still run through by an invisible spiritual force.
"Gahhh!"
Tang Chen screamed sharply, his body trembling violently, his movements fatally slowed.
Chu Shanhe wouldn't let such a chance slip by. With a flash, he seized the opening and delivered a savage second punch straight into Tang Chen's chest.
BOOM—
With a blunt impact, the blood-red aura protecting Tang Chen vanished instantly. He tumbled from the air like a kite with severed strings, vomiting blood as he crashed to the bottom of the deep crater below.
Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua flashed over, landing on the rim with icy stares, surveying the scene below.
Slowly, the dust and smoke faded.
Tang Chen struggled to rise from the crater—his appearance utterly ragged, his gray robes in shreds. Through the torn cloth, it was clear his exposed skin was covered in a dense web of fine cracks, like a shattered piece of pottery held together by blood-red thread.
He now looked like a cheap ceramic glued together, ready to break into pieces at any moment.
Each breath or soul movement caused the cracks to widen or close minutely, and faint threads of chaotic, evil power leaked out.
Elder Yuan Hua gazed down coldly at the gasping Tang Chen, shaking his head.
"The backlash from your failed Asura God's Trial, combined with the corrosion of years in the Slaughter City, has left your body and soul riddled with holes."
"Yet here you are, causing havoc in Spirit City, looking truly pitiful and ridiculous."
Tang Chen's breathing grew weaker, each gasp sounding like a broken bellows, as if he could die at any moment. He lifted his head and locked onto Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua at the rim of the pit—the terror and fury in his gaze focused especially on the elegant Yuan Hua.
The boundary imposed by Divine Origin energy choked him; even with the might of a demigod, he could not exert it, being restrained on all sides.
He found Elder Yuan Hua—more dangerous than even the ferocious Chu Shanhe—the true threat.
"You…" Tang Chen's voice was hoarse and dry.
"Do you really… think you can just decide my fate like this?"
All his life, Tang Chen was unconquered—but now, shattered and humiliated, he faced judgment like a discarded object.
"Heh heh… ha ha ha!"
Suddenly, Tang Chen let out a guttural, raucous, almost crazed laughter.
Under the grave stares of Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua, Tang Chen slowly lifted his trembling right hand, curling all five fingers like claws—then suddenly, pierced his own chest with brutal force.
"Guuh—!!"
With a muffled groan of agony, Tang Chen's hand stabbed deep into his own chest.
A moment later, to everyone's disbelief, Tang Chen slowly pulled a sword from inside his chest—a massive broadsword, blood-red and ancient in design, exuding endless murderous aura and divine blood with every inch of its blade.
The moment the sword appeared, a faint bloody haze colored all the clouds above Spirit City, as if a vast sea of blood filled the sky, a putrid stench of slaughter pervading the air.
Regardless of rank, every Spirit Master nearby was seized by a primal terror—as if they were witnessing the incarnation of Massacre itself.
At that instant, the pupils of Chu Shanhe and Elder Yuan Hua contracted to mere pinpoints.
Their previously composed auras suddenly intensified, and for the first time, true solemnity was etched on both faces.
"This is…!?"
"A divine artifact?!"