At this moment, on another front, a signal also lit up the sky. Beacon fires raged, and flames scorched the clouds.
Standing watch on this side was none other than the Red Legion, part of the Seven-Color Legions, under the command of Gan Ning. Upon seeing the signal, his expression darkened slightly. Sensing something wrong, he waved his hand and issued the order.
"Red Legion, heed my command—immediately move out to provide support!"
One after another, crimson-colored Heavenly Warships transformed into streams of red light, slicing through the sky like dazzling meteors.
Each of the Seven-Color Heavenly Warships possessed unique capabilities.
For example, the Blue Sky Warship excelled at sea travel. As long as there was water, it could move at blinding speeds, even capable of entering the sea and navigating through water—rivaling water-escape techniques and, in some cases, surpassing them. At higher grades, they could traverse thousands of miles in an instant.
The Yellow Sky Warships were average at sea but on land, their speed could multiply tenfold or even a hundredfold, as they drew strength from the earth.
Similarly, the Red Sky Warship housed a Crimson Flame Celestial Pool, resonating with fire. Within flames, its escape speed was unmatched. Moreover, like the others, it could pass through the cloud layers, which would boost its speed drastically. After all, the Sky Warships were forged from refined cloud essence.
Additionally, under sunlight, the Red Warship's speed would soar dramatically.
Hence, its speed far surpassed that of the Yellow variant—at least when over the sea.
When they reached the site where the signal had originated...
A bizarre scene greeted their eyes.
A thick, pink mist hung low over the ocean. Within it, countless sea beasts were locked in a frenzy—not just fighting, but engaging in rampant mating behavior. The very air was thick with a decadent and corrupt stench.
"General, something's off. This mist is strange,"
"These sea beasts... they're mating like mad. This kind of scene must be tied to the pink mist. It's brutal."
Soldiers inhaled sharply, a chill creeping into their hearts.
They had seen beasts in heat before—but never anything this savage. There was no concern for species or size. Around a single female beast, hundreds, even thousands of males gathered, fighting savagely for the right to mate. Their eyes burned red, completely controlled by raw desire, their self-awareness utterly gone.
To secure mating rights, the beasts unleashed their innate bloodthirst and aggression, tearing into each other with terrifying savagery. The ocean turned crimson with their blood, and their dying wails echoed through the waves. Yet even such slaughter did nothing to awaken them from their lust-fueled stupor. On the contrary—it only grew worse, as if the mist were stoking the flames.
It was naked self-slaughter, reducing their numbers to less than a tenth.
"This mist is dangerous. It must have aphrodisiac properties. If we enter it, we might fall prey to it as well," Gan Ning said gravely.
No one knew the origin of the pink mist, but its effects were clear—it was violently potent. Every beast had succumbed. Yet what Gan Ning feared most wasn't the beasts, but the Imperial Concubine still inside.
She held an official title within the Great Yi Dynasty. If anything were to happen to her here, it would disgrace the entire nation—an unacceptable outcome.
"Commander, look! The mist is dispersing!"
"And quickly, too!"
Indeed, the pink fog was thinning at visible speed. As it faded, the sound of a ceremonial chariot rolling through the void reached their ears.
Looking closely, they saw a group of Qingluan (Azure Luan) birds pulling a phoenix chariot into view.
When the chariot approached the Red Legion, the Qingluan burst into light, transforming into elegant, sword-bearing maidens clad in plumed garments. From them radiated sharp, sword-like auras, and even a passing glance from them made one's skin sting faintly.
These were none other than the Qingluan Swordguards, elite warriors nurtured by the Phoenix bloodline, each trained in the Way of the Sword, their killing prowess formidable.
"Are you with the Great Yi Dynasty?" one of the female generals asked.
"Correct. I am Gan Ning, commander of the Red Legion of the Seven-Color Army. I've come to receive Her Highness. May I ask if the Concubine is well?"
"I am fine. Thank you for your efforts. It was nothing more than a minor beast tide," came a languid yet charming voice from within the chariot.
Gan Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
"As long as Her Highness is safe. Still, to avoid further complications, I advise we proceed swiftly to the Great Yi's territory. This place is too dangerous to remain in."
"Very well. I leave all arrangements to the general."
"Escort Her Highness. Return to Great Yi!"
Fifty Red Sky Warships swiftly formed a protective formation, escorting the concubine back to safety.
At the same time, news that both wedding processions had been attacked reached Yi Tianxing.
"Both were ambushed? One might be coincidence—but two? That's no accident. It's a plot. So... the Dragon Clan is finally losing patience, hmm?"
Yi Tianxing lifted his gaze in the direction of the Dragon Palace, a glint in his eye. Frankly, he wasn't surprised.
On the sea, which was the Dragon Clan's domain, it was trivially easy for them to meddle.
But what was interesting was the nature of these two attacks:
One battlefield had black snow, which plunged every sea beast into a deep slumber, unresponsive even to lethal wounds or agonizing pain.
The other had a pink mist, inciting uncontrolled lust and mating, even self-destructive violence.
"Fascinating," he mused. "Looks like the two princesses I'm marrying into the palace are far from ordinary."
Still, the Great Yi Dynasty welcomed strength from all sources. As long as they entered, he would treat them equally. He only hoped they wouldn't stir up any trouble.
These incidents also highlighted the profound heritage of the Qilin and Phoenix Clans. If either chose to act, they wielded power enough to shake the world.
"Now we wait... let's see how the Dragon Clan responds. I imagine getting slapped like this has stung."
Meanwhile, deep within the Hanhai Dragon Palace:
"Outrageous!"
A furious, icy roar shook the throne room, filled with terrifying authority. Dragon generals sat around the hall, their faces dark with fury.
The Dragon Clan's secret strikes had failed. Not just once—but twice. And their targets? Two young girls!
This was shameful. If word got out, it would sound as if the mighty Dragon Clan was weaker than the Qilin and Phoenix Clans. While such talk might be baseless, it would still tarnish their prestige.
"We thought the beast tides would be enough to wipe them out," someone muttered. "But clearly, things didn't go as planned. The marriage alliance is now unstoppable. Fortunately, we left no evidence. Even if they suspect us, they can't do anything. With two princesses now in Great Yi, they won't dare to fully sever ties."
Prime Minister Turtle spoke:
"Using force hasn't worked. And it won't. The Great Yi Dynasty is different. Its people cultivate diligently, uphold the way of heaven, and embrace unyielding strength. Even commoners take to the battlefield. Pressure alone won't bend them—it will backfire."
"Instead, let us take a different path."
He smiled:
"The human race has always been weak. So at their core, they admire and submit to strength. Why not play into that? Reveal the might of the Dragon Clan openly—let them see our divine power. Let them worship our majesty."
"For instance—we could bring rain to their lands, ensure bountiful harvests, and shield their people from disaster."