A breach was forced open in the military camp.
"This is the exit! Brothers, charge out! If we escape, we live. If we stay, we die. Let's break out together!" Chen Sheng shouted loudly.
"Once we're out, it's all forests and open plains. Everyone can scatter and escape separately—our chances of survival will be much greater. As long as we don't get caught by the Xiongnu, we win. Kill your way out!" Wu Guang shouted as well.
The breach was open.
A surge of excitement appeared on the faces of the people. Roaring together, they rushed out of the camp through the gap.
Inside the camp, a large number of women and children still remained. But even the women showed a fierce desire to survive. No one wanted to die. As long as there was a chance to live, no one would choose death. And staying inside a Xiongnu military camp meant certain death. Survival was not an option.
Every single one of them was desperately fleeing.
Run! Run! Run!!
They ran as fast as they could, trying to get out of the camp and as far away from the Xiongnu stronghold as possible.
If they could just make it out, they had a chance to survive.
That was the only thought in everyone's mind—escape at all costs.
"Guang, you take one group, I'll take another. We'll split up and flee separately. That way, we have a better chance of making it out. If we survive, we'll meet again one day," Chen Sheng said to Wu Guang.
"Alright, we'll go our separate ways. As long as we live, we will meet again," Wu Guang agreed without hesitation. Going together would just make them an easier target for the Xiongnu.
Splitting up would disperse their enemy's focus. Even if the Xiongnu gave chase, they wouldn't be able to concentrate all their forces in one direction—they'd have to split up too. And once divided, even if they were caught, there'd be a better chance to fight back or escape. Moreover, not only would Chen Sheng and Wu Guang each lead a group, other escapees would instinctively form smaller groups and flee in all directions.
These groups would act as decoys, scattering the Xiongnu's attention.
Call it cruel if you want, but everyone deserved a shot at life. Once they escaped the camp, whether they lived or died would depend entirely on their luck. Some might get away unscathed, others might be hunted down. Anything could happen.
Over ten thousand people managed to escape, with the largest two groups naturally being those led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang. Many others scattered in smaller groups, fleeing in panic in every direction.
"Don't let these two-legged sheep get away! Kill them! No prisoners!"
"Use arrows! Anyone trying to flee must die!"
"Groups of a hundred—split up and chase down these slaves. Leave no one alive! Except the women—capture them alive!"
The Xiongnu were, after all, a nomadic cavalry people. Even though Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had killed many of them, that was only a fraction. Plenty of elite soldiers remained. Some worked to extinguish the fire, while others rushed out of the camp to hunt the escapees.
However, the Xiongnu didn't dare ride horses at night. Nighttime was when ferocious beasts were most active. Disturbing them would lead to massive losses, even for the Xiongnu. This was a lesson they had already learned in blood. Sending cavalry out at night was suicidal—it would attract hordes of wild beasts in no time.
Of course, nighttime was equally dangerous for both the fleeing villagers and the pursuing Xiongnu.
But Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had no choice.
Escape offered a chance at life. Staying meant death. The decision was obvious.
So began the deadly game of chase in the darkness.
The fire in the Xiongnu camp continued to spread.
There wasn't much water nearby, and the flames raged out of control. It was nearly impossible to put them out, or even contain them. The only thing the Xiongnu could do was quickly isolate the burning areas to create a firebreak and salvage what supplies they could.
Still, the fact remained—most of the camp would be destroyed.
There was no saving it.
"A bunch of damned sheep. They actually dared to cause such a huge riot? These Central Plains people should have all been killed in the first place. Even as slaves, they should've been tied up. Worthless scum," Liu Bao said coldly, sneering at the chaotic scene around him.
"Never underestimate the people of the Central Plains. Among the human race, the bloodline of Yan and Huang is the most orthodox. Their civilization is the most glorious, with a long, unbroken history that has produced countless brilliant individuals. Even now, in the Eternal Continent, our Xiongnu numbers still can't compare. But with their nations and order now in ruins, we're not at such a disadvantage. Who will rule in the future is still anyone's guess," the shaman at his side said slowly.
"The future belongs to the great Xiongnu," Liu Bao replied with firm confidence.
…
Meanwhile, back in Xuanhuang Village, reconstruction and reorganization were in full swing. The One Gate, Two Pavilions, Six Halls were all fervently recruiting, building up their strength. However, many foundational matters were still on hold—the Hall of Records had not yet begun proper registration or population counting. The village continued to develop steadily.
Yi Tianxing, however, went straight to the Scripture Pavilion.
He stood before the Basic Talisman Sutra and transferred its knowledge directly into his mind.
This talisman sutra didn't contain any advanced talismans—just simple, foundational ones. It included the core principles and techniques for talisman crafting, designed to teach any cultivator how to become a low-rank talisman master.
It explained how to draw talismans, detailed important steps, taboos, and things to watch out for. For a beginner stepping into the art of talisman-making, this sutra was clear, practical, and invaluable.
"Flame Talisman, Frost Talisman, Sound Transmission Talisman, Imprint Talisman, Wind Blade Talisman, Weapon Talisman…"
He flipped through the content in his mind.
Though simple, the variety was impressive—this sutra truly encompassed all the most basic talismans. If thoroughly studied, it could form the groundwork for future breakthroughs. A sudden flash of insight might even allow one to create new talismans entirely.
"Foundation is everything. Without it, all else is just a castle in the sky—unstable and dangerous. Talismans are runes, and runes are manifestations of Heaven's Dao and its laws. Runes are Dao marks—the embodiment of cosmic principles."
"But for now, that's too far ahead. I just need to grasp the basics."
"Using the Star Network as the core, as the central system, I must create a unique civilization for Xuanhuang Village. The starting point will be household registration. If there's one item that every resident must possess, it's a registration card."
"So, the Heaven Registration Card must be issued. Without it, villagers won't be able to function. It has to be indispensable."
"Tracking population is crucial for any power. If your own people include a bunch of unregistered 'ghost citizens,' it becomes a breeding ground for chaos. Solving this from the beginning will benefit us greatly down the line."
"But there are challenges in creating the Heaven Registration Card."
"First is the material. Ordinary materials won't do. The village lacks resources—we need something more durable. Basic materials can't handle talisman inscriptions. We need something we can mass-produce with what we already have."
Yi Tianxing contemplated deeply.
This wasn't a small issue. If he couldn't secure enough materials, he couldn't roll out the cards to everyone in the village.
"Also, the card must incorporate the Sound Transmission Talisman, Imprint Talisman, Parent-Child Talisman, and the Mediating Rune that I received from the Star Sea. This fusion can only be done by me—the mediating rune can't be entrusted to others."
"That means I have to personally forge the first Heaven Registration Card. I must learn these talismans and inscribe them myself. Once that's done, mass production can begin."
This meant he had to become a talisman maker.
No one else could help him. He'd have to figure it out step by step.
He wasn't even sure if he had the talent for it. If not, the rollout of the Heaven Registration Card would be seriously delayed.
That would be terrible for Xuanhuang Village, which was still in its early stages and badly needed organization.
But he had an idea for the material.
"The bones of fierce beasts are tougher than steel—sometimes even stronger. Some bones contain spiritual essence, forming spiritual bones. These naturally resonate with talismans and are perfect for engraving."
"Most importantly, beast bones are abundant. As long as we keep hunting, we'll never run out. They're practically an endless supply. If I can refine their essence and craft them into materials, they'll be ideal for the Heaven Registration Cards."
Beast bones—this was Yi Tianxing's best option. Strong, spiritual, and renewable. In many cases, bone was already considered a valuable crafting material. And for this, even regular beast bones would do—there was no need for high-grade spiritual bones.
They already contained the essence of the beasts within.