"We cannot afford to let down our guard against Great Yi. To choose to expand and wage war in such a turbulent time, without the slightest hesitation, reveals the Empire's naked ambition. As for the Yi Emperor... my daughter has met him in person. He's definitely not someone willing to be controlled. There's pride in his bones—a natural arrogance. He's no man to ever submit to others."Aoqi spoke gravely.
"I think you're overthinking it. No matter how powerful Great Yi may be, it will still have to bow before the Dragon Clan. The wise submit to the greater trend. With the Yi Emperor's intelligence, he should understand this well. Before the tide of destiny, nothing can stand. Any resistance is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He wouldn't be foolish. After all, he agreed to attend our Dragon Palace banquet—that itself proves he's prepared to lower his head."Prime Minister Turtle said confidently.
In his view, someone as intelligent as Yi Tianxing couldn't possibly fail to recognize the true purpose of the Dragon Palace's banquet. The fact that he accepted the invitation meant, without doubt, that he had already made up his mind to submit.
"The real problem isn't him being too ambitious—it's the Ice Crystal Clan. They're terribly troublesome. Always trying to freeze the seas, and their reproductive rate is terrifying. If we let them grow unchecked, one day they'll turn all of heaven and earth into their hunting grounds."A dragon powerhouse interjected.
The Ice Crystal Clan always provoked a mix of dread and disgust.
Their ability to reproduce was simply a BUG, completely unbalanced—kill one, and a thousand more will come.
Their mentality: never back down, charge together—even gods and demons will lose flesh in the fray.
Their attitude wasn't much different from berserkers on the African savannah: either courting death or completely fearless of it.
"If the Yi Emperor really attends the banquet, which of our dragon princesses would be willing to marry him?"The Vast Sea Dragon King asked.
If possible, he naturally hoped to influence the Great Yi Dynasty through marriage—subtly infiltrating and interfering in the affairs of the human race. Achieving goals through charm rather than war was ideal. But it would take a highly capable dragon princess to influence someone like Yi Tianxing.
"Father, I am willing."Aoqi stepped forward.
"Father, I am too."Ao Ying followed without hesitation.
With a peerless genius like Yi Tianxing, any woman who had met him could hardly remain unmoved. Now that the Dragon Palace intended to wed off its princesses, they naturally wished to choose someone who was not only worthy, but potentially influential. Yi Tianxing was the prime candidate.
And if this meant a chance to gain influence over the Great Yi Dynasty, why not?
"Heh... Then at the banquet, seize your own opportunities."The Dragon King smiled and added:"I've also received word that both the Phoenix Clan and the Qilin Clan are making moves. They won't sit idly by while we dragons expand. There are other top-tier races as well—not to be underestimated."
The Dragon Clan had never assumed they would sweep the world unchallenged. The world was full of variables.
The Phoenix and Qilin were ancient rivals—bloodlines as powerful as dragons, with deep hidden strength. If they stepped in, it would become a major headache.
The Great Yi Dynasty's campaign was not only known to the dragons—other nearby factions were also becoming aware. They were both shocked by the Empire's boldness and secretly full of respect.
To make a move at such a time wasn't just bold—it was a slap to the Dragon Clan's face.
Unconsciously, countless eyes turned toward Snow Continent.
They wanted to see what would unfold in this expedition.
For many factions, it was just a spectacle. But for the Ice Crystal Clan, this was nothing short of provocation.
In the Ice Crystal Royal City, the Ice Crystal King smashed a treasured crystal goblet onto the floor.
"Outrageous! The Great Yi Dynasty dares attack my kingdom without even declaring war—massacring entire clans, erasing even the eggs left behind by the dead! Damn them—how dare they!?"
Fury twisted his features, his gaze blazing with killing intent.
In his view, not attacking the Great Yi Dynasty was already a mercy. And now Yi Tianxing had led an invasion straight into his territory, slaughtering his people. This wasn't just war—it was humiliation.
If he didn't drive Great Yi out, he would never be able to save face again.
Within the Ice Crystal Throne Hall stood rows of towering Ice Crystal warriors—every one a fearsome force.
Unlike human dynasties, the Ice Crystal Clan revered strength above all. The stronger your bloodline and cultivation, the higher your position.
The Ice Crystal King had the purest royal blood, granting him supreme authority.
Moreover, their bloodline could evolve through battle and fusion—by integrating with the blood of fierce beasts or birds. This could grant new divine abilities—but it came with risks. Failure meant polluted blood and a ruined future.
To fuse was to challenge fate: succeed, and soar. Fail, and fall forever.
A warrior stepped out, arms shaped like deadly eagle talons—General Xuanbing Eagle. He possessed the bloodline of the Frost Eagle King, with crystal wings on his back and devastating attack speed.
"My King, now that Great Yi has invaded our lands and allied with the Green Mountain Immortal Sect, we must act. Their Iron-Blood Great Wall consumes our people's egg remains—this is a disaster! We must strike back hard, destroy that wall, or we're finished!"
"Agreed. The Iron-Blood Great Wall must fall. As long as it exists, it's a threat to our entire race."Other warriors spoke in unison.
Even the Ice Crystal King nodded grimly.
What truly enraged him wasn't just the death of a few tribes—but the fact that Great Yi could destroy Ice Crystal eggs. That was the foundation of their immortality, their hope for endless rebirth.
Without those eggs, death was final.
Their undying legend would collapse.
"Recall the army surrounding the Green Mountain Range. All forces will now target the Great Yi Dynasty. Destroy their immortal cities, and raze that damned Iron-Blood Wall. Deploy the Ice Crystal Battle Fortress. This is an all-out assault—we do not retreat until Great Yi falls!"The Ice Crystal King roared coldly.
The Ice Crystal Battle Fortress was one of the Ice Crystal Clan's ultimate trump cards—originally meant to defeat the Green Mountain Sect or other major powers. But now, Great Yi left them no choice.
"Great Yi Dynasty—others may fear you, but we Ice Crystals do not."His heart echoed with fury.
As long as the Iron-Blood Wall stood, it would remain a blade hanging over their heads.
A natural nemesis. Such threats must be annihilated—no matter the cost.
While the Ice Crystal King issued his orders, the armies of the Great Yi Dynasty had already begun their campaign.
Using Ice Crack City as their forward base, they rapidly spread outward.
Wherever they found Ice Crystal tribes, they struck hard and fast.
Most tribes were under a million strong, utterly helpless against the elite legions of Great Yi. Attacks came without warning—tribes fell one after another.
But Great Yi didn't destroy these territories.
Instead, within a thousand kilometers of Ice Crack City, new immortal cities were swiftly established over the ruins.
These places would become part of Great Yi's ever-growing domain.