The soldiers of the Divine Crow Army, in coordination with their Fire Crows, could now unleash combat power comparable to the Dharmic Manifestation Realm. It was important to note that Fire Crows were all third-rank spiritual birds, anything but ordinary. Together, they easily matched the combat strength of those at the Dharmic Manifestation level without strain.
And it wasn't just the Divine Crow Army—throughout the various legions of the Great Yi Dynasty, many soldiers had generally advanced to the Life Chart Realm.
The resources provided within the Great Yi military were simply too generous.
The dense iron-blooded baleful aura accelerated cultivation dramatically. Resources that were rare and precious in the outside world—such as spiritual grains and spiritual meals—were daily provisions in the Military Soul Battle Realm, especially in the elite corps. Expert chefs prepared every meal. There were also vast quantities of elixirs and Eternal Coins to aid cultivation. The techniques taught were the most elite military methods available.
Under such circumstances, it was difficult not to progress rapidly, even for those trying to hold back.
There was a saying in the army about these cultivation methods: they were "foolish techniques." As long as one worked hard, there would always be rewards. Progress depended on diligence, relentless effort, and insights gained on the battlefield. These were the core nutrients for growth.
The Western Region of Snow Continent.
Here stood a tribe founded by the Ice Crystal Race.
Their architectural style was distinctive, reminiscent of Eskimos from Earth's previous world. Due to the extreme climate of the Snow Continent, their structures were all unique ice domes. These looked somewhat like Mongolian yurts, but were more refined and far larger. Given the tall stature of the Ice Crystal Race, each dome reached at least six or seven meters in height—giant yurts in every sense.
The ice blocks used were incredibly solid. Even divine weapons would struggle to cut through completely, only managing to leave marks. These domes were built seamlessly, showing no visible joints, their construction flawless—a perfect habitat for the Ice Crystal Race.
This was a large-scale settlement.
One could see countless ice domes rising across the landscape, and on an open field, a large number of Ice Crystal warriors were practicing battle techniques. They mainly used long weapons or heavy weapons—spears, sabers, war hammers, ice axes, and so on. Their fighting style was bold and explosive, exuding a wild aura capable of sweeping through anything in their path, all while radiating a fearless, overwhelming momentum.
The Ice Crystal people had no fear of death. "If I fall, there are still thousands of me."
This innate disregard for death gave their combat arts an aura of total fearlessness. When unleashed, their presence was staggering. On the battlefield, they were terrifying weapons of war.
All around, children no taller than one or two meters played joyfully, building snowmen, crafting weapons from ice, engaging in mock combat and wrestling. Parents didn't interfere. In fact, many children didn't even know who their parents were—an outcome tied to the unique reproductive method of the Ice Crystal Race.
This particular settlement was known as the Snow Goose Tribe. Legend had it that when the founder of the tribe established the village, a flock of snow geese flew overhead, and thus he named it—simple, crude, and without further thought. After all, a tribe's name was just a name and didn't mean much.
The Snow Goose Tribe had a sizable population, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Their location, close to the ocean, allowed them to hunt ferocious beasts and explore the seas for rare treasures. Still, the Ice Crystal people generally disliked entering the sea.
Swoosh!
On this day, the people of the Snow Goose Tribe suddenly saw a brilliant seven-colored rainbow tearing through the sky and landing on the beach. As the light dispersed, a vast number of Fire Crows emerged from the void, each bearing a fully armed human warrior.
Instantly, an ominous feeling surged through their minds—a powerful sense of impending danger.
"Humans! Enemy invasion!!"
The Snow Goose Tribe, true to their warrior nature, instantly raised the alarm. An Ice Crystal warrior bellowed out a warning.
Ding ding ding!!
A massive ice bell rang loudly.
Warriors snatched up their ice spears and let out strange howls as they sprinted toward the beach. Their instinctual battle sense dictated immediate response—not retreat, but a full assault. Any foreign race approaching their territory was the enemy and had to be slain without mercy.
Against enemies, there was only one response:
Kill!!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Warriors hurled their ice spears toward the airborne Divine Crow soldiers with astonishing speed, each one deadly, aimed at vital spots.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
With sharp cries, the Fire Crows burst into flames. As the spears neared, they melted midair under the intense fire.
The Fire Crows radiated flames laced with a golden hue, exuding noble, domineering energy. Being close kin to the Three-Legged Golden Crow, Fire Crows possessed a trace of True Sunfire in their flames. As their rank increased and their bloodline evolved, this Sunfire became purer and more potent.
This made their flames the natural nemesis of the ice-formed spears—melting them into mere mist. The flames acted as an impenetrable shield, countering the ice weapons effortlessly.
"Ahhh!!"
"My eyes! I can't see!"
"Don't look up! The fire contains True Sunfire! Damn it, what are those firebirds? How can they have True Sunfire?"
The moment the flames burst forth, golden fire reflected in the eyes of all Ice Crystal warriors. Their eyes were burned to ash by the True Sunfire. The eyes—being the weakest point—were destroyed in an instant, causing unbearable pain. Without sight, they were helpless.
In mere seconds, the entire Snow Goose Tribe was blinded. Only a few stragglers escaped the flames, but they were too few to matter.
"Slaughter all Ice Crystal beings without mercy."
Mu Guiying issued the cold command.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"
Divine Crow soldiers drew the throwing spears from their backs, gripping them tightly. Bodies leaned back like drawn bows, radiating raw power. The spears began to glow as true essence and mana surged through them. Flames from the Fire Crows also coated the spears.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With their strength gathered to the peak, they hurled the flaming spears downward. It was a textbook display of power—precise, fluid, and devastating.
Puff! Puff! Puff!
The spears, now flaming bolts of death, pierced through the Ice Crystal warriors below, shattering their bodies. The explosive force tore them apart, scattering pieces everywhere.
But as their bodies shattered, those fragments transformed into Ice Crystal eggs, each one beginning to gestate new life. Still, these eggs required time to develop; new souls and complete beings weren't formed instantly.
In a blink, the entire Snow Goose Tribe had been massacred.
Regardless of age or gender, they were all slain. The Ice Crystal Race was deemed too dangerous—a single survivor could eventually reproduce billions. The decision had been made before the campaign: leave no survivors. No pity could be shown. To see one was to kill one. That was the only choice.
"Commander, all Ice Crystal members of this tribe have been eliminated. However, the battlefield is now covered in Ice Crystal eggs. How should we handle them? Should they also be destroyed?"
A soldier quickly reported.
Though the Ice Crystal people had perished, the mountain of eggs scattered across the battlefield posed a chilling threat. Their numbers had swelled to nearly ten million, a terrifying jump from the original hundreds of thousands. The way this race reproduced was deeply disturbing.
"Deploy the Immortal City and establish a foundation for our Great Yi. Invite His Majesty to judge."
Mu Guiying glanced at the mountains of eggs, pondered briefly, and issued her order.
"Yes!!"
All soldiers responded in unison.
They immediately began clearing the area, sweeping the eggs into massive piles and opening a vast space just outside what had once been the Snow Goose Tribe.