Boom!


    In a deste mountain range shrouded in mist and mystery, stand rugged and steep mountains with sheer cliffs and jagged peaks that seem to touch the sky.


    The only ess to this ce was through a narrow and winding path that leads deep into the heart of the mountains.


    On top of one of the highest peaks, a fierce battle unfolded at the summit, with countless cultivators unleashing their potent and devastating techniques, causing even the mountains to quiver in response.


    nnkkk~!!!


    BAM~!!


    As they exchanged sts made with the power of several celestial beings, the air crackled with raw energy, causing shockwaves to ripple through thendscape.


    Above, the once serene sky darkened, seemingly influenced by the intense sh below.


    Amidst the fight, a remarkably handsome man stood out.


    However, his appearance was not good, as evident by the intensity of the battle he was facing.


    Kneeling down on one leg, he tightly gripped his sword with his bloodied hands, breathing heavily.


    His body was filled with several injuries and cuts that bled profusely, staining his once white robes.


    He found himself trapped and encircled from all sides, with no possible escape route avable. The gravity of the situation bore down on him, leaving Chen Tian with few options.


    "Aghh!" The young man let out a pained groan as he struggled to catch his breath.


    "You traitor!" The young man seethed, his teeth clenching in anger, and his bloodshot eyes red at one of the cultivators in the group who was attacking him.


    The individual he directed his gaze towards was a man with blonde hair and captivating green eyes, flying in the middle with confidence.


    "How could you do this to me!


    I fucking trusted you!!


    I considered you my sworn brother, and yet— You betrayed me!!!" The young man''s voice was brimming with both resentment and frustration, the pain of betrayal evident in every word he uttered.


    The man with blonde hair and green eyes red back at him, his expression icy and devoid of any warmth.


    He spoke with a taunting tone.


    "So what?"


    "Hahaha, Chen Tian, do you honestly believe I ever considered you a friend?


    How foolish are you!


    You were merely a pawn in my grand scheme all along.


    I used you to achieve my desires and dreams, and now that I have what I wanted, you serve no purpose to me." The blonde man sneered menacingly as he and hispanions advanced towards Chen Tian, ready to strike again.


    "Now give me that damn piece, and we''ll end your life swiftly," he demanded menacingly.


    "Hahahah~~"


    At that moment, Chen Tian, who was still kneeling, couldn''t contain himself and burst intoughter as soon as the blond man began talking about giving him the Chaotic Piece.


    "Aha, you son of a b*tch, this is what you were after all this time!


    I should have guessed that, the moment I obtained it, you couldn''t hide your greed.


    If you desire it so much, then you should put in the effort to get it!"


    Chen Tian summoned every ounce of strength, rising to his feet and confronting the blond man and his entourage with unwavering determination, prepared to fight to the very end.


    With that, another battle began, and this fight made many powerhouses in the Nine Heavens notice such movements.


    As the confrontation between Chen Tian and the group of cultivators persisted, Chen Tian began to feel the weight of his exhaustion bearing down on him.


    His movements became sluggish, his strikescked their usual strength, and his defense began to waver.


    Taking advantage of his exhausted state, the cultivators intensified their attacks, encircling him from all directions.


    Chen Tian gathered all the strength he had left to retaliate against his enemies, but unfortunately, it proved insufficient for the overwhelming odds he faced.


    His enemies were numerous, and their onught was relentless.


    They pummeled him with fists, swords, and spears, while sts of celestial attacks sent him flying backward.


    Despite the intense pain and overwhelming fatigue, Chen Tian remained resolute, refusing to surrender.


    He channeled the remnants of his celestial Qi into a potent st that sent several of his adversaries hurtling into the air.


    However, the effort left him coughing blood, and he stumbled backwards, barely able to stand.


    The group of cultivators closed in, their eyes glinting with malice and a sense of triumph as they observed Chen Tian''s deteriorating condition.


    Everyone understood that Chen Tian wouldn''tst longer.


    Chen Tian knew that he was in trouble. He had been fighting for too long and was losing his strength with each passing moment.


    He braced himself for the final onught, ready to give his life if necessary.


    Not only that, but he realized that he couldn''t evade his fate on this day, but he remained unbothered by the prospect of death.


    He was resolved not to allow the chaotic piece to be seized by his enemies, steeling himself for the challenges thaty ahead.


    Upon witnessing Chen Tian stand and prepare to engage inbat, the man called out, "Chen Tian! Just give up.


    You are surrounded and have no means of escape! Surrender the piece, and your death will be swift."


    "Heh~" Chen Tian chuckled and replied, "You underestimate me. I always find a way out, and I won''t give up the piece without a fight." He then took a deep breath and prepared to fight again.


    Upon hearing Chen Tian''s reply, the man''s eyes narrowed, and a cold expression washed over his face.


    He acknowledged that he had underestimated Chen Tian''s determination. However, it wouldn''t matter; after today, he will be the most powerful cultivator in all Nine Heavens.


    "Then you leave me with no option," the blond man stated.


    "I had intended to show mercy and grant you a swift death for the sake of old times, but since you won''t surrender the piece willingly, I''ll have to take it by force."


    Chen Tian prepared himself for the approaching battle, even though he felt exhausted and was injured.


    His resolve remained unwavering; he was determined to protect the Chaos Piece from these vile bastards, regardless of the sacrifice it demanded.


    As the enemy group closed in, Chen Tian examined the surroundings for any potential escape route or weakness in their defenses.


    However, he couldn''t identify any opportunities to exploit them.


    "I have no other choice but to fight to the death, then." Chen Tian thought to himself grimly. He tightened his grip on his sword, steeling himself for the impending sh with unwavering determination.


    Chen Tian knew that the Chaos Piece was powerful and dangerous, and he couldn''t let it get into the wrong hands.


    ''To think that I have no other options isughable.'' Chen Tian sighed deeply as he closed his eyes.


    He got ready for the fight, refusing to back down.


    He knew he couldn''t get away because he was hurt and only had less than 20% of his Celestial qi left.


    He had been fighting non-stop for several days, leaving him with no opportunity to heal or replenish his celestial Qi.


    Chen Tian was aware that the next move could be deadly, and he hated the thought of his enemies getting hold of the Chaos Piece.


    Despite the unfavorable odds stacked against him, he remained resolute in his determination to protect it at all costs.


    Left with no alternative, Chen Tian feltpelled to use a forbidden technique to eliminate as many of these dogs as possible, even at the cost of his own life.


    Despite being aware of the multitude of attacks aimed at him, Chen Tian remained steadfast in his position.


    BOOMM!!!


    An explosion as big as a mountain erupted, obliterating everything within a thousand-mile radius. The explosion was so powerful that it caused a shockwave that could be felt for miles around.


    "Did he die?" a cultivator inquired, observing the devastation from a distance. However, no one could ascertain Chen Tian''s fate, as the smoke and debris concealed any clue about what had befallen him.


    "May-Maybe…"


    Once the dust settled, there was no trace of Chen Tian or the Chaos Piece, leaving the group of cultivators utterly stunned.


    "Where in heaven did he go!?"


    "Quickly go and..."


    |Shrikkk|


    Before the cultivator couldplete his sentence, a sword pierced through his body.


    The sharp de sliced through his skin, creating a resounding ng in the air.


    His body shook in pain as blood poured out of the wound and stained the ground.


    Everyone stood motionless in horror as they heard the sickening sound of steel striking flesh.


    They were frozen in ce as Chen Tian''s sword shed through the cultivator''s body.


    It was toote for the other cultivators to help their friends. Chen Tian had already destroyed his celestial spark.


    "Ahhh!"


    Chen Tians remained there, his expression devoid of emotion, as he retrieved his sword from the lifeless body.


    The only sound that disrupted the silence was the echo of their friend''s final scream.