The clouds above Heaven's Axis darkened, not from rain—but from omen.
Inside the Celestial Palace of Void Eternity, the air was so silent it seemed even time dared not move.
Kneeling across the vast marble hall were thousands of immortals, heads bowed in reverence before the radiant dais above them.
And at the center of it, clad in snow-white robes embroidered with golden threads of dragon flame and wielding a spear that bled stars—stood Liu Shengjie, eyes gleaming like polished obsidian.
The God of War no longer wore a mask of humility or peace. That skin had long been shed. Now, his power was cold and vast—a storm wrapped in divine silk.
Behind him, ten enormous banners rose into the sky, each marked with the sigil of a different demon deity he had secretly allied with. Their presence seeped through the air like poison cloaked in incense.
At his back, a black gate opened—a spatial realm that expanded endlessly, revealing a sea of kneeling warriors, demon soldiers, dark cultivators, and rogue immortals. Their weapons reflected no sunlight. Their eyes reflected only faith.
"Loyalty to one god only," a soldier chanted.
The army echoed, thunderous and absolute:
"One god only!"
"One god only!"
"One god only—Liu Shengjie!"
He raised his hand and the chanting stopped like a blade cut it.
"Tell me," Liu Shengjie's voice slid through the air, gentle as silk and just as sharp, "where are the gods of justice now?"
Silence answered him.
He stepped forward, his white robes fluttering behind him. "Imprisoned in the Celestial Prison of Nine Chains. Each shackle forged from a piece of Heaven's Law. The 'righteous' are now nothing but chained relics."
He smirked slightly, turning his head to the side. Floating nearby was a crystal mirror that revealed the Yin-Yang girl Ling Xi, walking near Longxuan's group through a snowy pine forest.
"They think they are clever. Escaping. Hiding. Plotting."
His dark gaze narrowed. "But I see everything."
He waved his hand. A golden orb floated up, pulsing with divine energy. Inside, a tiny heartbeat flickered—it belonged to a stolen divine child, whose energy Shengjie had been secretly using to suppress the prison holding the light gods.
"My path has been paved by betrayal," he whispered, almost lovingly. "Even Mo Tianzun… my former master. What use are gods who cling to mortals, when they could shape the world?"
At those words, a high-ranking soldier stepped forward and kneeled. "My Lord Shengjie, the Seers have confirmed that the portal leading to the Forbidden Spirit Realm has been used. Mo Tianzun is… alive."
Shengjie didn't flinch.
He smiled.
"Good. Let the world remember his name. Let them hunt him."
He raised his hand again, and this time a thunderous clap split the heavens.
A massive magic seal began to unfold in the air behind him—so large it spanned the sky, golden script twining like serpents of light and shadow. It was ancient. Forbidden. And fueled by millions of offerings made in secret.
"It's time," Liu Shengjie said softly. "Time for this world to forget what came before."
Behind him, the mirror shimmered again.
This time it showed the backs of Longxuan and his companions.
Unaware.
Exposed.
Walking into fate.
Shengjie whispered toward the image
"Run. Hide. Love. Fight. Break your hearts a thousand times."
He stepped into the middle of the golden formation, lifted his divine spear, and struck it into the center.
"None of it will matter," he said, smiling.
"Because when the stars fall, and the heavens kneel—
only one name will remain."
"Liu. Sheng. Jie."