Ever since arriving on Skyhawk Island with Yi Tianxing and the others, Ye Gucheng had remained silent, constantly observing—watching the state of the island and witnessing how the Great Yi Dynasty methodically orchestrated its strategy, effortlessly collapsing a fortune dynasty in a mere day or two, forcing it into a dead-end. Such manipulative prowess, like flipping clouds and summoning rain, deeply shocked even him.
"If I hadn't left White Cloud City and ever posed a threat to the Great Yi Dynasty, perhaps I would've been met with their blades and schemes too. The consequences would have been dire."
A thought silently crossed Ye Gucheng's mind.
In the face of such overwhelming power, mercy was meaningless.
Fortunately, he had made the right choice. By following Great Yi, his horizons had broadened—so this was how battles between fortune dynasties could be fought.
The Divine Crow Corps, Snow Rabbit Corps, Pegasus Corps, and Immortal Entrapment Corps all advanced swiftly onto the Skyhawk Plains upon receiving their orders. In fact, even before the bounty hunters launched their attack, these elite legions had already infiltrated the grasslands, ready to strike at any moment.
…
Time passed quietly.
Before anyone noticed, it was already noon.
Outside Skyhawk Royal City, more and more bounty hunters had arrived, fully surrounding the capital. Densely packed as they were, even though they weren't formal troops, the sheer aura emanating from their mass made the Hu warriors within the city feel an overwhelming, suffocating pressure. Even the fate qi wyrms coiled tightly in the skies, seemingly preparing for a desperate final stand.
Their eyes were filled with cruelty and ferocity.
"To think that my grand Skyhawk Royal Court could be driven into such a desperate corner by a mob of filthy rabble—what a humiliation! A disgrace beyond measure!"
—Tuoba Tao spat coldly, murderous fury in his eyes.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Suddenly, streaks of crimson flame shimmered on the horizon. Accompanied by sharp, ear-piercing caws, a flock of fiery crows approached from the sky toward the city.
The bounty hunters turned their eyes toward the commotion, and upon seeing the scene, their eyes lit up with joy and awe.
"It's our Divine Crow Corps from the Great Yi Dynasty! A hundred thousand strong—capable of boiling seas and burning skies!"
"I heard that back during the attack on the Myriad Beasts Royal Court, they were phenomenal. Especially their commander, General Mu Guiying—peerless in elegance and unmatched in strength."
"This is perfect! We'll get to witness General Mu's prowess firsthand. As if some backwater barbarians could stand against the Divine Crow Corps!"
The bounty hunters brimmed with confidence and anticipation.
Especially Mu Guiying—a true heroine and icon among the bounty hunters. In the hearts of many, especially the female hunters, she was a legendary figure with overwhelming popularity and admiration.
"Fellow bounty hunters, by decree of His Majesty, your task is complete. From here on, this battle is no longer yours to fight."
Mu Guiying, clad in armor, stood proudly atop a divine crow as she addressed the encircling bounty hunters. She herself was deeply impressed by Jia Xu's tactics, but the next stage of battle was for the formal troops. This was their war now.
"Fall back, brothers!"
"Let's not rush to leave. How often do we get to see the Great Yi legions in action? This is a rare opportunity!"
Previously, bounty hunters were barred from actual battles. At best, they'd arrive after the fight to scavenge the remnants. To witness the army in real-time was a privilege—one that could influence their future paths.
So the bounty hunters retreated… but only to a distance. None left completely.
They were waiting.
"The Divine Crow Corps… such massive flame crows, and so many! And to think they form an entire corps."
Tuoba Tao inhaled deeply, eyes narrowing with unease.
"Who are you people? Where are you from?"
He couldn't help but question Mu Guiying. They were clearly human—a rare sight here.
"Great Yi Dynasty. Mu Guiying, commander of the Divine Crow Corps."
Mu Guiying coldly stated, her voice filled with disdain.
She utterly despised the Skyhawk Court, where humans were treated as two-legged livestock—steamed, roasted, fried, and devoured as delicacies. They were monsters, not men.
"Great Yi Dynasty. Emperor Yi Tianxing."
Upon hearing the name, Tuoba Tao's pupils contracted sharply, his heart skipping a beat.
Among the human race, no one didn't know of the Great Yi Dynasty. No one hadn't heard the name Yi Tianxing. That name alone was a shockwave.
He hadn't expected that the hidden hand behind the Skyhawk Court's downfall would be a behemoth like Great Yi. A shadow clouded his heart.
He had met Yi Tianxing once—just briefly—but even that moment had left an unshakable impression. The innate, formless pressure emanating from Yi made Tuoba Tao feel inherently inferior.
And now, Great Yi had stepped beyond its own lands, expanding into oceans and foreign territories. That fact alone spoke volumes about its strength.
More shockingly—those bounty hunters? They weren't even formal soldiers. They were ordinary citizens of Great Yi!
Citizens who could match the might of Skyhawk's regular forces—what a horrifying truth. It was a gap in foundation, one utterly impossible to bridge.
"Is there truly such a vast chasm between a Royal dynasty and an imperial dynasty? We started in the same era—how could he reach such heights already? Is this the difference between me and Yi Tianxing?"
—Tuoba Tao's heart twisted bitterly.
Yet his eyes burned with resolve.
"No. I refuse to believe it. I still have trump cards. No one can destroy my Skyhawk Court so easily!"
Boom!!
The earth trembled.
Like a tide of galloping horses—but the vibration followed a synchronized frequency. A terrifying rhythm, like war drums pounding directly against one's chest.
From afar, a white cloud surged forward.
On closer inspection—it was cavalry.
Soldiers in white Pegasus armor, faces hidden by winged helms resembling pegasus masks. Beneath them were not ordinary steeds, but battle-hardened horses with true Pegasus bloodlines, acquired from distant merchant traders.
Although mixed-blooded, these steeds were cleansed and refined in the Five-Colored Beast Soul Pool, which infused them with strength and awakened their latent traits. While the Pegasus blood wasn't yet fully awakened, each mount had begun developing snow-white wings at their sides.
Though small and undeveloped—unable to support flight—they marked the early stage of transformation. Given enough time and nourishment, they would mature into true flying Pegasi, swift as lightning across the skies.
Even now, their speed was terrifying, shrouded in a natural aura of wind.
Feng Yumo rode atop the Pegasus King—his mount bore much larger wings than the others.
500,000 elite cavalry surged forth.
When they stopped at the gates of Skyhawk Royal City, their synchronized halt happened in an instant—from full gallop to stillness. It was flawless.
The contrast stunned all who witnessed it.
"Such terrifying cavalry…"
On the city walls, Hu warriors turned pale.
They had always prided themselves as supreme riders. Yet these cavalrymen, galloping in perfect unison, halting at command—seemed divine. Inhuman.
Impossible!
Following them came Xue Kunlun's Snow Rabbit Corps, riding enormous, powerful war hares.
Then the Immortal Entrapment Corps, led by the cold-blooded Wushuang Gui, their murderous aura rolling in like a black tide.
The four great legions had now completely surrounded Skyhawk Royal City. Their collective aura made the bounty hunters' encirclement seem like child's play.
Roar!!
Dragon cries echoed in the skies.
Divine radiance surged from the horizon as a colossal war chariot tore through the air—drawn by ancient dragon princes.
Their dragon might swept across the plains, making countless beasts bow in submission.
"Nine Sons of the Ancestral Dragon…"
The Hanhai Dragon King and others were stunned.
Their eyes locked on the three foremost dragon princes before the Nine-Dragon War Chariot. These were true Primordial Dragons, purer in blood than most of their kin, bearing noble status.
Normally, other dragons would kneel in reverence before them.
Yet here they were—reduced to pulling a chariot.
An insult beyond imagining.
A slap across the face of the entire dragon race.
Even the Hanhai Dragon King felt his inner essence tremble at the sight.