Luo Feng had not yet returned to Huyang City, but the city had already received news that the "Blood Cloud God" had been killed.
Because within Huyang City, all the clients of the Dark Hall of the Yan Feng Guild received a message: the assassination mission targeting the Blood Cloud God has been completed!
In the City Lord's Mansion:
"It's done?" Mo Li Meng exclaimed in surprise.
"This... this..." Wu Qulou, the head of the Wu Clan, though he had hoped for this result, was still in disbelief when the news from the Yan Feng Guild's Dark Hall arrived. "The Blood Cloud was really killed!"
The City Lord of Huyang City sighed, "Back then, we thought about teaching Luo Feng a lesson. Looking back now, it's fortunate that we didn't make a move!"
"Luo Feng's strength indeed surpasses mine," said the one-horned General Yong gravely. "Across the entire Shi Kingdom, among all the Eternal True Gods, there are only a mere three or four who can match him. As for those who can surpass him? Shi Kingdom... no longer has any Eternal True God stronger than him!"
The heads of the Five Great Families were all shaken by what they heard.
These branches that had come to Huyang City already had low status within their own clans. To be one of the most powerful Eternal True Gods in the entire Shi Kingdom? That would mean being valued by the God Kings, receiving abundant resources, and being a brilliant presence! How could they, mere branches, compare?
"The Blood Cloud wasn't an Infinite Divine Body, but his accumulation in the realm was extremely high. I never expected Luo Feng to actually be able to kill him," said General Yong, who had fought against the Blood Cloud and knew his true power.
"Shall we go outside the city to greet him?" Mo Li Meng suddenly suggested.
"Of course we should!" The City Lord of Huyang City laughed. "From now on, Luo Feng will be the most important friend of our City Lord's Mansion."
"I'll go to greet him as well," General Yong said, as he deeply admired the strong.
"Let's go."
The heads of the Five Great Families, General Yong, and Mo Li Meng, seven people in total, immediately left the City Lord's Mansion, traversing through the void directly to the East Gate, patiently waiting for the returning Luo Feng.
At this moment, every Eternal True God in Huyang City was filled with emotions.
The two of the "Five Great Gods of the Shi Kingdom" under the Shadow Marquis—Yu Tianxu and Yu Tianyi—had been killed. The Blood Cloud God, who had affected over 8 billion lives and had a bounty of 10 million Cosmic Sands, was also killed, all within this night!
"Ten million Cosmic Sands!"
"Who could kill the Blood Cloud? A strong figure from the City Lord's Mansion, or some mysterious powerhouse?"
"The bounty was just raised tonight, and all three—Blood Cloud, Yu Tianxu, and Yu Tianyi—are dead. The bounty indeed worked!"
"It seems there is a terrifying presence hidden within Huyang City, who can be hired to strike as long as the bounty is sufficient."
The Eternal True Gods were all in awe and also filled with reverence! From now on, they would be more cautious in Huyang City, avoiding reckless behavior. If they accidentally provoked the terrifying existence that killed the Blood Cloud, they feared they wouldn't even survive a single move.
In Tianyan Gate, many disciples were still mourning in the square, grieving their helplessness and lamenting the unshakable might of the Blood Cloud God. Just as they were immersed in sadness, good news arrived.
The Blood Cloud God, with a bounty of 10 million Cosmic Sands, was killed!
"The Blood Cloud is dead?"
"Haha... that old demon is finally dead!"
"Master, the Blood Cloud is dead!"
"Master, my fellow disciples, your revenge has finally been taken!"
The entire Tianyan Gate was filled with excitement, with disciples who had packed their belongings returning to the square, all extremely excited.
"Master, the Blood Cloud is dead." Uncle Qiu knew this news and was moved to tears. He knew exactly what the Master had sacrificed his life for.
The Master's sacrifice was worth it!
"Sang Shuiyun is dead?" The Dream Flower Tower Lord sat alone in her small building, her expression complex.
This night felt too surreal.
The two men who had been obsessed with pursuing her—Shang Tianyan and Sang Shuiyun—were both dead.
A flying boat arrived near the East Gate of Huyang City.
"He's here." The seven figures from the City Lord's Mansion had been waiting for a while.
"Hmm?"
Luo Feng exited the flying boat with Morosa.
"Luo He," the City Lord of Huyang City walked forward warmly, "You killed two of the Five Great Gods of the Shi Kingdom and then killed the Blood Cloud God, ridding our Huyang City of a great scourge."
Luo Feng replied, "Thanks to the causal tracking token left by Shang Tianyan, otherwise, Blood Cloud would have escaped to the Shi Kingdom."
"That Blood Cloud was indeed cunning," said Mo Li Xiao. "He had been hiding his strength all along, and once his identity was exposed, he immediately fled. Fortunately, Luo He acted and completely eliminated him."
"Luo He, you've accomplished a great task this time, and I can say my mission is complete." General Yong laughed, "When I return to the capital, I will definitely report your deeds to the God King." Of course, when the God King would respond to his report was another matter.
"We've already reported your great achievements to the Marquis," said the City Lord of Huyang City. "I'm sure the Marquis will have a great reward for you."
Huyang City was within the fiefdom of the Nine Jiang Marquis.
"Thank you all," Luo Feng said.
If he could gain some benefits from the God King of the Shi Kingdom and the Nine Jiang Marquis, Luo Feng certainly wouldn't refuse. In his current state of weakness, he needed all the resources he could get to grow quickly.
"It's what we should do," said the City Lord of Huyang City. "If you need anything in Huyang City in the future, just send word."
"If you need resources for cultivation or opportunities, you should go to the capital," said General Yong.
"Thank you, General Yong," Luo Feng sensed the goodwill from him.
However, he had no intention of cultivating under the nose of the God King while he was still weak. If Morosa's identity were to be exposed, they would immediately become the enemies of the entire Origin Continent, so it's better to remain cautious during this period of weakness.
"Everyone, I must visit the Yan Feng Guild now. I'll take my leave," said Luo Feng.
The seven of them were very enthusiastic, including the heads of the Mei Wu Clan and the Wu Clan, who were now very cordial, not minding the past conflict over Mei Wuqi's death.
When one's strength is sufficient, even if one's teeth are broken, one must swallow the pain.
Because they knew very well that in the eyes of the God Kings and the Chaos Sovereigns, Luo Feng's value far exceeded that of these peripheral branches combined.
...
In the Nine Jiang Chaos State, within a cultivation chamber in Nine Jiang City:
"Such a powerful Eternal True God has appeared within my fief," Nine Jiang Marquis sat cross-legged, his silver hair draped over his shoulders, with each strand of hair faintly containing endless void, distorting the space around him.
"Flowing Shadow Marquis is pressing closer step by step, and the closest border city, Huyang City, might be his first target. Fortunately, Luo He appeared at this time."
Nine Jiang Marquis pondered.
He was also a Chaos Sovereign who had cultivated for countless years, comprehending the supreme rules of the Origin Path. Although still far from becoming a God King, his accumulated strength was formidable.
But Flowing Shadow Marquis, ranked among the top five Chaos Sovereigns within the Shi Kingdom, was indeed stronger, naturally making him feel pressured.
"Luo He has made such great contributions in my fief; I must reward him heavily. Moreover, I should report this to the national leader," Nine Jiang Marquis thought. "The national leader has always liked to nurture the younger generation. Because of my report, Luo Feng may gain the favour of the national leader, and he will remember this favour."
Nine Jiang Marquis was well aware that at Luo Feng's level, even if he were to follow someone, it would certainly be one of the five God Kings within the Shi Kingdom. Only a fool would choose him as a marquis.
Whether in terms of inheritance, resources, or backing, the God Kings were a whole tier above the Chaos Sovereigns.
To ensure Luo Feng's gratitude and willingness to help defend Huyang City, he had to show favor!
With only three large cities in the entire fief, Nine Jiang Marquis cared a lot about the continuous stream of "residence fees" and other resources from each large city.
"National leader," Nine Jiang Marquis immediately contacted the national leader of the Shi Kingdom.
Although the Yu Kingdom had five God Kings, the only one referred to as the "national leader" by the Chaos Sovereigns was the one who founded the Yu Kingdom! Even with the Shi Kingdom's tendency for conquest, they had never initiated a God King-level confrontation because the Yu Kingdom's national leader was too terrifying.
"Nine Jiang, why are you contacting me?" A distant voice echoed, and a vague figure covered in fur appeared directly in Nine Jiang Marquis's mind.
Nine Jiang Marquis showed much respect.
The national leader of the Yu Kingdom was an extremely terrifying existence even across the entire Origin Continent.
"National leader, a young man named Luo He has appeared within my fief in Huyang City," Nine Jiang Marquis began to report. With his high status, he had the privilege to contact the national leader directly.
Luo Feng was unaware that Nine Jiang Marquis was planning benefits for him. He, along with Morosa, had already arrived at a small building within the Yan Feng Guild.
"Luo Feng, much respect," said the Vice Guild Master, whose eyes were mere hollows formed from mist, as he smiled at Luo Feng. The Guild Master of the Yan Feng Guild, who was also present, spoke up, "Luo Feng, did you bring proof of having killed the Blood Cloud?"
Luo Feng extended his hand, revealing the corpse of the Blood Cloud.
The Guild Master and Vice Guild Master of the Yan Feng Guild carefully examined the corpse. Much could be deduced from the remains. There was a hole in the chest where the True God's heart had once been.
"Once again, the True God's heart was taken out. Could it be that he has some sort of spatial attack that can directly extract the heart?" The two members of the Imperial Clan from the ancient Yan Feng Kingdom, who had seen many things, were now filled with numerous speculations.
"Is this enough proof?" Luo Feng asked.
"Of course it is," the Vice Guild Master responded with a smile. "Would you also like to claim the bounties for Yu Tianxu and Yu Tianyi?"
"Of course." Luo Feng retrieved the weapon of Yu Tianxu and the mechanical flow treasure of Yu Tianyi.
"Here is 13 million Cosmic Sands," the Vice Guild Master said, handing over a pre-prepared reward. These funds had been pre-deposited by those who posted the bounties in the Yan Feng Guild.
Luo Feng accepted the jade bottle and sensed the vast amount of Cosmic Sands within it. His upcoming cultivation days could be a bit more luxurious.
After claiming the bounty, Luo Feng was ready to leave.
"Luo Feng," the Guild Master of Yan Feng Guild said with a smile, "Let me introduce myself. I come from the Imperial Clan of the ancient Yan Feng Kingdom. My name is Di Chu Yu. It is quite the fate that we meet here in Huyang City."
"The Imperial Clan of the ancient Yan Feng Kingdom?" Luo Feng was not an ignorant, wandering cultivator. Being a dual-path inheritor, Luo Feng knew well what the Imperial Clan of the Yan Feng Kingdom signified.