A single blow, instant death!
The Undying Bone Demon, a formidable Undying Realm cultivator in the Dharma Phase stage, was inexplicably slain right outside Jingshui City. Even in death, he had failed to breach the city gates—or even step within the city's boundary. What had seemed like an overwhelming offensive collapsed bizarrely, wiped out effortlessly by a single treasure bottle and a pair of scissors.
"What… what just happened?"
Even Xu Chu, with his seasoned temperament, was utterly stunned. His mouth gaped open, his expression filled with disbelief. Moments ago, he was prepared to go down with the city. Facing a vast sea of undead, he knew full well—even if they held out, the cost would be catastrophic. Very few of Jingshui's residents would survive.
Yet unexpectedly, a mysterious expert had appeared out of nowhere. Not only did they devour the entire undead army, they also instantly killed the Undying Bone Demon with a single snip of those scissors. Such terrifying strength was unimaginable. Xu Chu knew, even if he used every divine power at his disposal, he could never come close to that level.
"May I ask which hero of our Human Race has graced us by saving the hundreds of thousands in Jingshui City? Please, step forward and allow Xu Chu to thank you personally!"
He bowed respectfully and called out toward the city.
Clearly, he hoped to meet this mysterious savior. Perhaps, they could help alter the dire situation facing the Great Wei Dynasty—a contribution that would bring immense merit.
The more powerful humans they had, the better for Great Wei.
But no voice answered. The city remained silent.
It was as if… none of it had ever happened.
Yet everyone knew—it absolutely had.
The countless corpses outside the city had mysteriously vanished—without a sound, without even bloodstains left behind.
It was eerie.
"I didn't conceal myself when I acted, but… now isn't the time to reveal my identity."
"The catastrophe that's befallen Great Wei is no ordinary matter. If they had simply angered various alien races through some misstep, that would be hard to believe. For such diverse forces to unite, there must be… profit involved. Only mutual benefit could form such a coalition."
Yi Tianxing's thoughts spun rapidly.
Right now, he lacked critical intelligence about Great Wei. With insufficient information, all he could do was speculate within a narrow range.
Yes, he could reveal himself to Xu Chu and use that connection to meet Cao Cao directly.
But the timing wasn't right.
Remaining hidden often brought greater insight.
ROAR!!
Suddenly, a deafening dragon's roar echoed through the skies. Even across great distance, one could see a colossal golden flood dragon howling above the royal capital of Great Wei, its eyes blazing with fury.
"Subjects of Great Wei, heed my command! I, your king, need your strength—to resist the alien races and destroy our enemies! Raise your right hands, and lend me your power!!"
The voice thundered directly from the flood dragon's mouth, shaking the skies and reverberating across the land.
Everyone in Great Wei heard it—clearly.
And then, they saw him: a middle-aged man in battle armor, standing proudly in the air. He held a mighty sword in one hand. His expression was grave and dignified, exuding such intense majesty that few dared meet his gaze.
"That's Cao Cao!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed. He couldn't help but admire the man—truly a historical hero. His presence, his aura, his commanding will… every word, every action, exuded kingly dominance.
"His Majesty… Is His Majesty preparing to confront the aliens head-on? Has the enemy reached the capital itself?"
"Raise our right hands? Why? No matter! If His Majesty needs my strength, he can have it—even if it's pitifully small!"
"We trust you, Your Majesty! If we can strike back, we'll gladly give our lives!"
"Raise your right hand!"
"Raise your hands!!"
The people of Great Wei, without hesitation, raised their right hands—regardless of how their strength might be used. They had suffered greatly under the alien invasions. The hatred ran deep. Everyone longed to take the fight to them.
As millions lifted their hands, the merit cloud over the royal capital of Xudu boiled.
The golden flood dragon, originally coiled above, began to swell at astonishing speed, then dove straight into Cao Cao's body.
Another earthshaking dragon roar followed.
The destiny dragon of Great Wei reappeared around Cao Cao, coiling around him with astonishing might. Its roar echoed across the land, shaking every heart.
Everyone in Great Wei—regardless of location—felt a burning battle will ignite within them.
Empowered by the people's strength, Cao Cao's aura exploded with divine radiance. His cultivation surged like a tsunami, rising from the Dharma Phase Realm into the Nascent Soul Realm, and then even beyond—his power now so great it could bend the very elements.
✴️ ["Destiny Dragon Empowerment" – The royal bloodline can harness the people's collective will to amplify power beyond normal limits.]
Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed from above.
"Cao Cao… You still dare resist us? Laughable. So what if you're king of a fate-bound dynasty? Borrowed power is never truly yours. It won't last."
A massive beastman appeared in the air.
He radiated golden light like a blazing sun. His aura screamed royalty. He had a lion's face but a humanoid body, his golden mane flowing around him.
✴️ ["Blazing Flame Lion King" – A royal beastman of the Lion Clan, radiating dominance and kingly power.]
This was no ordinary beastman. He was from one of the beastfolk's royal clans—like the Behemoths, famed for their land supremacy.
The Lion Clan was another royal house—its members born with golden manes and natural leadership. Respected by many beastfolk.
And this Blazing Flame Lion King—he was the one who had unified the beastman tribes.
A terrifying presence.
"You've gone too far, Flame Lion! Did you think Great Wei would kneel so easily?"
"I, Cao Cao, would rather perish in fire than bow to you beasts! Humanity will never surrender!"
Cao Cao's voice was cold, but his heart was heavy.
He knew how dangerous this opponent was.
Then, another terrifying figure appeared in the sky—one that made even Yi Tianxing's pupils contract.
It was a strange monster: a human face with a lion's body.
✴️ ["Sphinx" – Guardian of pharaonic tombs, now aligned with the enemies of Great Wei.]
Its aura was no weaker than the Lion King's, and its presence was chilling. It locked its gaze on Cao Cao with murderous intent.
"Hand over our ancestral tomb, or your entire kingdom will fall. Everyone will die."
Then came a third being—cloaked in black robes, holding a massive blood-dripping scythe.
Each drop echoed like a death knell.
The aura of death was overwhelming, as if hell itself had descended.
"Some things are not yours to touch. Hand it over, or this royal capital will drown in blood."
Yi Tianxing narrowed his eyes.
"A Sphinx… That's an Egyptian guardian of the pharaoh's tombs. What is it doing here? And why target Great Wei so specifically?"
Something deeper was at play.
"Hmph! Enough nonsense. I already said—there is no such thing in Great Wei. No treasure, no tomb. You want war? Come take it!"
Cao Cao's face was cold and resolute.
He would not waver.
"Tsk tsk… Then let me send you to your death."
The robed figure cackled eerily.
His scythe flashed.
Countless wailing ghosts and tormented souls surged from the blade, forming chains of death, shooting toward Cao Cao's brow—seeking to pierce his soul.