The cold, grayish-brown stone ground suddenly shattered and exploded outwards, and a majestic figure burst through, his eyes electric with divine light.

Shi Yan looked toward the direction of the Cloud Thunder Star, frowning slightly.

Since leaving the Heaven's Vault Star, he had followed a bloody path, slaying the Divine Race clansmen he encountered one by one—three First Heaven Origin Gods, hundreds of Void Gods, Origin Gods, and God Kings. The gruesome deaths of these individuals had not only restored the power he had expended in the Illusory Domain but had even allowed it to subtly increase.

Through this exhilarating and thorough slaughter, he gained a deeper understanding of the subtle mysteries of the Devouring Profundity.

He finally realized that the Devouring Profundity wasn't merely about absorbing the essence of death after a martial artist died; the Devouring Profundity truly devoured power. Any living being imbued with power could be directly consumed, absorbed, and fused into pure strength. Flesh and blood hold power, as do the powers formed by the stars, the Five Elements, and the profound intents of ice and wind—he could devour all of it.

The Devouring Profundity could be utilized while the opponent was still vital; there was no need to wait for their death. Devouring them at the peak of their strength meant less power would be lost, resulting in a greater conversion of power.

That black hole was another application of devouring power, specifically for Soul Devouring, designed to consume the Soul Altar, forming soul and mental energy to temper the altar, causing it to gradually transform in some marvelous direction. This seemed to share a subtle resonance with the methods the Nether Emperor Clan used to temper their altars, perhaps even possessing a superior efficacy.

This journey through the Thunder Sky Star Domain had truly allowed him to uncover the subtleties of the Devouring Profundity by letting himself run wild with killing.

However, he had not yet reached the Second Heaven of the Origin God realm. He still lacked the power metamorphosis needed for the Divine Power Ancient Tree to regenerate; he required more strength. The power converted from those three Origin Gods and hundreds of Void Gods, Origin Gods, and God Kings had only been enough to restore his lost energy; it was insufficient to allow him to break through to the Second Heaven of the Origin God realm.

As he killed his way along, he discovered that the figures from the native factions of the Thunder Sky Star Domain were just as cooperative as the Chen family. Each time, they directed him to the gathering places of the Divine Race clansmen, providing detailed information on their cultivation levels and numbers, allowing him to proceed with clarity and careful planning.

Through this experience, he realized the Bradley family was deeply unpopular throughout the Thunder Sky Star Domain. Although those people submitted, their allegiance was not sincere; they were even more excited and eager than he was when presented with the opportunity to secretly strike at the Divine Race.

It was precisely because of their cooperation that he succeeded so smoothly. Now, he set his sights on the Thunder Sky Celestial Pool, intending to use Leika’s head to help him break through to the Second Heaven of the Origin God realm. But he wasn't certain if Xiao Yao had arrived at the Thunder Sky Celestial Pool yet, so he dared not act rashly, deciding instead to land on the Cloud Thunder Star first to inquire about the situation.

With a thought, he descended toward the Cloud Thunder Star.

Before long, he materialized on the Cloud Thunder Star and stood still in the center of Thunder City. He closed his eyes, letting his spiritual sense roam.

He found no Divine Race clansmen.

The Cloud Thunder Star had been garrisoned by Divine Race members, but due to his frenzied slaughter, Leika had already transmitted orders for them to return. It was precisely because he could no longer find Divine Race clansmen to fight recently that he decided to change his strategy: to storm the Divine Race's main base in the Thunder Sky Star Domain—the Thunder Sky Celestial Pool.

In this Thunder City, people from various life-bearing stars of the Thunder Sky Star Domain bustled about. Many shops and streets were packed, and as he focused his hearing, he realized almost everyone was talking about him, referring to him as the "God of Slaughter," the "Killing Star," the "Executioner of the Divine Race," and other such titles. When they mentioned him, their faces were animated with delight, showing no attempt to hide their excitement or their schadenfreude toward the Divine Race.

Shi Yan nodded inwardly.

Along the way, he had learned of the many heinous deeds committed by Leika of the Bradley family in this star domain—acts so vile they made one wish to dig up his ancestors’ graves. Leika had survived only because of the prestige of the Divine Race; otherwise, he might have already been killed by someone else.

He knew from some conversations that there were natives from the Thunder Sky Star Domain who had reached the Third Heaven of the Origin God realm. These individuals were currently absent from the domain, staying away out of apprehension regarding the Divine Race's might, refraining from returning to cleanse the local Leika.

The streets of Thunder City flowed ceaselessly with people; within the shops and teahouses, the only topic of discussion was him.

He mused for a long time, then smiled faintly and sat down in a plaza within Thunder City.

With a flick of his thought, objects flew out of the Primordial Realm, arranging themselves neatly above his head.

Instantly, sharp cries and gasps of fear echoed from the plaza's surroundings. Many martial artists near the plaza turned to stare at him with alarm and excitement.

Suspended above his head were severed heads—the heads of Divine Race clansmen! Many of these individuals were notorious throughout the Thunder Sky Star Domain, having governed and oppressed their regions, incurring immense hatred.

Especially the three heads of the Divine Race Origin Gods; almost everyone present had seen those three before. Seeing their heads suspended in the sky, the martial artists in the numerous shops and on the streets erupted in cheers, as if celebrating a New Year.

A massive commotion instantly swept across the entire city.

All the martial artists in Thunder City, alerted by the news, abandoned whatever they were doing and rushed toward the plaza, gathering in a dense swarm above, like locusts. With Shi Yan at the center, martial artists from various races formed layer upon layer around him, pointing and screaming, their expressions exaggerated, their faces wreathed in smiles.

The hundreds of Divine Race heads hovering above Shi Yan’s head were like a clear spring falling into the hearts of the crowd, releasing the resentment that had suppressed them for years. Upon seeing these heads, they finally found an outlet for their grievances.

Many women and elders began to weep, looking at the heads and sobbing uncontrollably—tears of overwhelming joy born from the release of long-held hatred, crying because they could not contain their sheer happiness...

The massive stir in Thunder City alerted those conversing in the underground chamber. Lei Dong, narrowing his eyes, listened to a subordinate's report. His eyes gradually brightened. He suddenly stood up and declared, "That person has arrived. By displaying so many Divine Race heads, he is announcing his identity. His presence in Cloud Thunder Star, in Thunder City, must mean he is looking for us..."

"Elder Lei, what should we do?" the others quickly asked.

"He holds us in such high regard; we cannot remain timid. Very well, I will transmit a divine sense message to him, inviting him to meet." Lei Dong stated his decision.

The others nodded in succession.

Lei Dong then narrowed his eyes, unleashed his divine sense, and sent his soul, possessing the cultivation of a Second Heaven Origin God, flying toward Shi Yan’s location.

Surrounded by tens of thousands of martial artists from the Thunder Sky Star Domain, Shi Yan squinted, his head bowed in silence. He was waiting—waiting for the invitation from someone who truly dared to confront the Divine Race. Those heads of Divine Race powerhouses were his calling card.

As expected, a divine light flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly vanished.

Simultaneously, those suspended Divine Race powerhouse heads exploded, dissipating into bone dust that drifted throughout Thunder City.

All the martial artists of the Thunder Sky Star Domain erupted in New Year-like cheers, raising their arms and shouting, embracing each other in celebration.

In the secret chamber of Thunder City.

Shi Yan suddenly materialized, taking a seat next to Lei Dong, squinting his eyes. "Did you summon me?"

Lei Dong started in surprise, then abruptly stood up and bowed respectfully, "Lei Dong pays respects to the new Bloodthirsty Sovereign Lord."

The others, who had been sitting casually, saw Lei Dong perform such a deep bow and also rose abruptly. They followed his lead, bowing respectfully, saying in unison, "Greetings to the new Bloodthirsty Sovereign Lord."

Shi Yan waved his hand, his expression casual. "No need for formalities, everyone sit down."

Only then did they take their seats.

"You are Lei Bao, correct? I’ve heard of you. You were once the Vice-Alliance Leader of the Thunder Sky Alliance, and after its fall, lacking the power to oppose the Divine Race, you went into hiding under an assumed name until now. Is that so?" Shi Yan asked calmly.

Lei Dong nodded. "I call myself Lei Dong now. I never expected the Sovereign Lord had heard of this old man’s name. I feel deeply honored."

"Hmph. What you call yourself is irrelevant, as long as you haven't forgotten who you were before," Shi Yan grinned and said. "You summoned me over; it wasn't just to tell me your new name, was it? Tell me, what are your intentions?"

"The Sovereign Lord’s arrival on Cloud Thunder Star must be to seek me out. I wonder what orders the Sovereign Lord has. As long as Lei Dong can fulfill it, I will certainly exert every effort. I only ask one thing of the Sovereign Lord," Lei Dong looked at him deeply. "Promise me that in the future, you will drive the Divine Race clansmen out of our Thunder Sky Star Domain. If the Sovereign Lord agrees, this old man is prepared to die for you!"

"Elder Lei!"

"Elder Lei!"

"Elder Lei!"

The expressions of the others changed drastically, showing disbelief, and they all cried out to stop him.

Lei Dong waved his hand. "For the future of the Thunder Sky Star Domain, I can give everything! The reason I lingered on, barely clinging to life, was not because I feared death, but because I was waiting for a future for the Thunder Sky Star Domain. If the Sovereign Lord promises me today, the Thunder Sky Star Domain will have a future, and I can surrender my life at any time!"

As these words were spoken, the other faction leaders who had been hesitant were deeply shaken. Something within them was stirred, their faces filled with emotion, and their gazes became resolute.

Shi Yan’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked deeply at Lei Dong, nodding inwardly. "I promise you."

Before coming, he hadn't expected Lei Dong to possess such immense resolve. In his view, an old ghost who dared not confront the Divine Race head-on and chose to hide under a false name would be cunning as a rat and unlikely to truly step forward with righteous fervor.

He realized he was mistaken. Lei Dong’s fervent reaction gave him a moment of disorientation and even stirred a touch of emotion within him.

"What are the Sovereign Lord's orders now? Tell me directly. Whatever Lei Dong can assist you with, I will give my full effort. Even if I die, I will ensure the task is completed for you!" Lei Dong declared firmly.

"I don't want you to die. What I need is simple. I need to know who the Divine Race currently has at the Thunder Sky Celestial Pool, and if any new powerhouses have arrived recently. I need that information," Shi Yan explained.

"Oh, that's simple. Divine Race powerhouses have arrived recently—two individuals at the Second Heaven Origin God realm. Our Thunder Sky Star Domain's Sea of Domain recently encountered problems, and after those two arrived, it suddenly became warped and chaotic, rendering the domain useless. Moving forward, it seems unlikely any more Divine Race clansmen will arrive. I heard Leika is worried, saying a powerhouse surpassing the Origin God realm is trying to get through but is currently blocked outside, unable to break through," Lei Dong said with a puzzled expression.

Shi Yan’s eyes lit up, and he immediately let out a slight chuckle.

He knew someone was secretly helping him, removing his worries about the future.