It wasn't just Lin Feng's temperament that earned him admiration, but also his conduct. He was widely known for being fair and just, and in many situations, as long as he stepped forward, no one would refuse to obey. His reputation was built time and again through action, and in Tianlong City, he was a household name—very few didn't know who he was.
"No one knows how the Zodiac Guardian selection will proceed," someone said."Even if you want to compete, you wouldn't know where to start. But according to what's been said in the imperial court, we should just keep doing what we've always done—live our lives as usual.If the Zodiac Armor chooses you, it's destiny. If not, well, that's fate too."
Lin Feng smiled.
This was no longer something that could be controlled—only destiny could decide.
If he was chosen, then it was a gift from the heavens. If not, it simply meant there was no karmic bond between him and the Zodiac Armors.
There would be no one to blame.
"Alright, we've just accepted a bounty mission targeting the Mad Blood Tribe. They're a tribe made up of ghouls, and they've always been hostile to Great Yi.According to reports, many bounty hunters who ventured near their territory have vanished without a trace—they were likely captured and eaten alive.The Hunter's Hall has issued a bounty to eliminate them.But before the purge, we need to gather detailed intelligence.We've accepted this task, so let's execute it flawlessly—let's show the power of the War Dragon Hunter Group, and pave the way for other hunters."
Lin Feng's voice was resolute.
This mission was extremely important. The bounty and merit points were significant, and once completed, everyone in the group would be rewarded generously. It was an opportunity no one could afford to miss.
"Don't worry. We've done plenty of jobs like this before. We know what we're doing," said one of the hunters with a confident grin.
These mid-sized tribes scattered throughout the wilderness—especially those hostile to Great Yi—were often handled this way. It would be overkill to deploy the army, so the empire typically relied on bounty hunters. The Hall would issue missions, assign teams, and organize purges.
Many hostile tribes had already been wiped out this way.
They had experience.
"Let's move out."Lin Feng nodded, gave a wave of his hand, and led the way out of the Hunter's Hall—off to carry out the mission.
Meanwhile, high above Great Yi, four wills silently gathered in the void.
It was the Four Gods—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning.
Their gaze was fixed on the twelve divine armors floating in the sky. In their hearts, shock surged like tidal waves.
"Twelve innate battle armors… all of them mid-grade innate spirit treasures.Great Yi actually possesses this kind of foundation?"
"These armors correspond to the Twelve Earthly Branches… It's clear what Great Yi is attempting.They want to borrow the power of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to manipulate the four seasons, the passage of time, and even the heavenly phenomena.
With that, they aim to break our seal and force our true forms out."
"Yi Emperor… you are indeed cunning."
The Lightning Mother spoke gravely.
They had already understood Great Yi's purpose.
"Still, whether they can manipulate the Heavenly Phenomena Dao or not will depend on their actual power,"the Thunder God said decisively.
The Twelve Zodiac Battle Armors were formidable, but their true effectiveness depended on who wielded them.
Although they felt pressure, they had no way to interfere. They were merged with the world itself—if they revealed their true forms, it would mean the formation had been broken, and that would expose them to retaliation from Great Yi. The consequences would be dire.
Nonetheless, they still had faith in the Four-Divine Diagram. It was not something mere Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches could shake. It could withstand any challenge.
With that, the four divine wills dispersed again—melting back into the fabric of the world.
At the Great Yi Imperial Palace...
Yi Tianxing stood in a garden, gazing up at the void. His eyes flickered with thought—no one knew what was on his mind.
"Husband, are you still worried about the Zodiac Guardian selection?"
"Are you sure we shouldn't interfere at all?"
Cai Yan had appeared silently at his side, her voice soft.She too glanced at the twelve glowing stars in the sky—she knew what they were, and she understood how important they were to Great Yi.
"No need. Only when the spirits of the Zodiac Armors choose their hosts themselves will the match be perfectly compatible," Yi Tianxing replied."That way, the full power of the armor can be unleashed, and both host and armor will grow together.
It's also the fairest method.
I'm actually thinking about something else."
He gently pulled Cai Yan close, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"This world… I fear it won't stay calm much longer.
When the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans withdrew, they left a power vacuum. But now…Those who were waiting in the shadows have already begun to emerge.
There are many races out there just as strong as the three clans.
Soon, they will rise. Chaos will sweep the land.
Great Yi… in the eyes of those ancient races, might be nothing more than a slightly larger ant."
What Meng Po had said had clearly left a deep impression on him.Things looked calm on the surface, but underneath, the pressure was rapidly building.
It could erupt at any time.
This was both the best of times, and the worst of times.
This was an era of waves.If you didn't move forward, you'd be swept away.There was no third option.
"Husband… back when we were just a small village, we still made it through.
Step by step, we came all the way here. Our strength has grown beyond measure.
No matter how hard the road ahead is, I believe in you.
We will forge ahead, cut through every mountain, and climb to the summit.
Great Yi will reach the top."
Cai Yan smiled gently, her voice full of warmth.
She had always had immense confidence in Yi Tianxing.
Confidence forged through every battle and every step of advancement.
"Mm. Don't worry, I'm fine.
I was just thinking… among all these races, I wonder which ones are actually delicious."
"I've heard there's a race of flying fish—the Flying Fish Clan.
I wonder how fish that fly taste compared to those that swim.
Which would be more flavorful?
…Truly worth looking forward to."
Yi Tianxing chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling.
"…"
Cai Yan rolled her eyes.
She had been worried he might fear the coming challenge—but clearly, that had been a waste of concern.
BOOOOM!!!
Just then—
Thunder exploded through the skies.
From the void, an awe-inspiring image emerged—projected across the world, visible to all living beings.
It showed a vast and boundless divine mountain.This mountain stood like a spine of the heavens, towering straight into the sky.
An invisible pressure surged forth, like a tidal wave.Even though this was only an image, a mere projection, its sheer presence caused countless beings to feel a deep urge to kneel.
And many did.
It was a shock that pierced the soul—utterly irresistible.
Buzhou… Buzhou…
A voice seemed to echo through every soul.
"That's Mount Buzhou," Yi Tianxing whispered, drawing in a sharp breath.
Even he felt the pressure.
Though it no longer affected him as strongly as it did others, he could still sense the vastness and might of Mount Buzhou.
It was the number one divine mountain in the Eternal World
.A pillar of the heavens—its scale indescribable.
It was said that within Buzhou lay countless secret realms, endless mountain ranges, and ancient beasts.
What they were seeing now was a projection—but it reflected the true current state of Buzhou.
Suddenly, at the base of the mountain, a divine temple appeared—massive, unannounced.
Its aura seemed deeply connected to Mount Buzhou itself.
Its presence rivaled that of a supreme treasure—immeasurable in value.
On its gate were inscribed massive Wu glyphs—each one ancient and powerful.
"Pangu Temple."
Even those who didn't recognize the script understood it instinctively.
"Pangu Temple… Could it be…"
A thought flashed through Yi Tianxing's mind—he already had a guess.
But he didn't have to guess for long.
The gates of the temple swung open—
And one by one, divine figures stepped out.
"Di Jiang."
"Zhu Jiuyin."
"Houtu."
…
"They've… been reborn."
Shocked cries rang out across the world.
"The Twelve Ancestral Witches—they've all returned.
The Wu Clan is re-emerging.
Is this the beginning of the great era Meng Po warned us about?
Why has it come so quickly?"
Yi Tianxing's heart was shaken.
The Wu Clan—a race remembered through all ages.
A race that fought gods and demons.
A race born to challenge the heavens.
"Wu! Wu! Wu!!!"
The Twelve Ancestral Witches, having stepped forth from the Pangu Temple, raised their heads and let out a resounding, thunderous cry.
A proclamation to heaven and earth:
—The Wu have returned.