The Demon Abyss—this was a true Demon Abyss.
It pierced through the barrier between the Eternal World and the Eternal Night, connecting not to an ordinary area, but to one of the forbidden demonic regions even feared within the Eternal Night itself. These were extremely perilous zones, which even the major clans of the Eternal Night dared not approach lightly, for fear of falling to their doom.
Abysses like these were direct channels to unspeakable horrors, places where monstrous beings of pure destruction roamed. Should they escape into the world, devastation was inevitable.
That was precisely what the intruders hoped to unleash.
ROAR!!!
Ancient, primeval howls reverberated from the depths of the Demonic Abyss.
"That roar… it's the Demonic Blood Beast Region. That place is swarming with elite demonic beasts, even ancient ones! To think it would link to that domain—this is going to be a real spectacle for the Great Yi Dynasty."
The black-robed figure's eyes gleamed with excitement. He couldn't help but burst into laughter.
This particular abyss had connected to one of the most feared demonic regions, even among the many hellscapes of the Eternal Night. Inside were remnants of ancient demonic beasts, terrifying creatures born during the dawn of the Eternal Night. They possessed no rationality—only instinct, bloodlust, and destruction.
It was said that even the most powerful beings of Eternal Night feared them. These were beings that even mad gods wouldn't engage lightly—mindless but overwhelmingly strong.
"Time to go. Once the Abyss opens, the aura it emits won't escape Great Yi's detection."
The red-robed figure smiled.
The three exchanged glances—and vanished without a trace, as silently as they had come.
BOOM!!
In Xuanhuang City, within the Bureau of Celestial Observance—
The Seismograph suddenly trembled. A dragon pearl dropped from one of its arms.
"Not good! The instrument has detected movement! There's an anomaly in the southeastern seas! Quickly, summon the Fate-Revisioners for divination!"
The geomancers guarding the instrument turned pale and issued urgent commands.
Soon after, Jiang Ni and others arrived at the Bureau. After examining the phenomenon, they immediately began calculating.
"It's definitely the southeast. Based on the readings, something huge is happening beneath the sea—but the seafloor is vast, and we can't scan it all."
Jiang Ni's expression was grave.
"The omens indicate a great misfortune in the southeast."
Someone announced after casting the divination hexagram—it was an unmistakable Dire Omen.
"We must report to the Emperor immediately."
Jiang Ni nodded solemnly.
Such omens were never to be taken lightly.
Inside the Imperial Heart Palace.
Jiang Ni made his report.
Yi Tianxing furrowed his brow and looked southeastward.
"Just after we've established the Eternal Coins as the realm's official currency, now comes a dire omen. Someone clearly doesn't want me to enjoy peace. Let's see what little trick they're trying to pull this time."
Coincidence?
In this world, there were no coincidences.
Yi Tianxing was sure that someone was scheming behind the scenes.
"Emperor, urgent intel from the Hall of Calamity! A massive tsunami has appeared near Pearl Island in the southeast seas! Within the waves are terrifying demonic howls—just hearing them chills the soul. The wave is moving toward Pearl Island, and Lingzhu City lies directly in its path. The beasts within may form a beast tide!"
Tong Huang entered, her voice swift and serious.
Though radiant and feminine in appearance, a trace of concern lined her expression as she relayed the report.
"Emperor, we've received the same report from the military. Pearl Island is undergoing a disaster. The tsunami is bringing with it a tide of sea beasts. Lingzhu City is requesting immediate reinforcements."
At that moment, Zhuge Liang arrived with news from the military.
Information poured in—whether from the Hall of Calamity, the army, the Six Doors, or the Hunters' Hall—each intelligence division was responding in near real-time.
"Kongming!"
"Your servant is here," Zhuge Liang replied, bowing.
"Alert the military—prepare for battle. Have all major legions assemble within the War Soul Battlefield and await my command. I will go in person to see just who is plotting against my Great Yi!"
Yi Tianxing's gaze turned icy cold.
Having just ascended to the Dao Platform Realm and forged the Emperor's Altar, he was eager to test his new power in battle.
"Yes, my Emperor."
Zhuge Liang nodded.
Mobilizing the army was a simple matter for Great Yi—thanks to the Rainbow Bridge, the military could deploy instantly via the War Soul Battlefield.
FLASH!!
A streak of seven-colored light flashed across the sky.
Yi Tianxing and his entourage appeared in a stunningly beautiful Immortal City.
The buildings were all infused with oceanic themes—decorated with corals, shells, and marine ornaments. This was a city near waters rich in pearls—a region that produced high-value pearls used in medicine and cultivation alike.
This gave Lingzhu City a prestigious standing among the cities of Great Yi. It was prosperous and always bustling with bounty hunters—who ventured out to hunt sea beasts and harvest pearls.
Now, with word of the tsunami and beast tide spreading, the city's teleportation array flickered non-stop, as waves of bounty hunters arrived from every direction.
"Brothers! Golden-ranked missions from the Hunters' Hall don't come often. They're always risky, but equally rewarding. This beast tide is our chance! In Great Yi, we don't produce cowards. We bounty hunters bleed red just like any soldier. We fear no war—we thrive in it!"
A rugged hunter shouted as he stepped off the teleportation platform.
His battle intent surged, echoed by those around him.
In Great Yi, no one feared battle.
Bounty hunters lived on the edge of death, killing beasts and enemies daily—seasoned warriors, every one of them.
They surged to the city walls, peering toward the horizon—
And what they saw made their faces pale.
A massive white tsunami was advancing at terrifying speed, like a mountain collapsing upon them. It would annihilate anything in its path.
Within the wave, countless sea beasts surged forward—eyes gleaming with savagery.
The tide was approaching fast—Pearl Island could soon be submerged.
"These sea beasts aren't a normal beast tide. Their eyes… they're not just fierce, they're afraid. Deep fear. They're running from something…"
High above Lingzhu City, Yi Tianxing and his party floated in the sky, hidden from view. He alone saw it immediately—the primal fear buried in the beasts' eyes.
They were not charging in rage—they were fleeing for their lives.
"The Emperor is right. This tsunami and beast tide aren't the true threat. The real terror is whatever these beasts are fleeing from."
Zhuge Liang gently fanned his feather fan, eyes narrowed.
Even he could sense an eerie, uncomfortable aura far beneath the sea—a dread that sent a chill through his heart.
"No need to act just yet. Let's observe. All Immortal Cities of Great Yi are equipped with defensive formations. Once activated, they can buy us time."
Yi Tianxing nodded calmly.
He had no intention of intervening immediately, nor of sending in the army.
This beast tide wasn't enough to warrant such a response. Instead, it was the perfect test—to see how far civilian strength had developed.
Great Yi was built not for comfort, but for growth through fire and blood.
Disaster was a forge—and the people should be their own saviors.
If Lingzhu City could repel the beast tide on its own, it would prove that his dream of "Every citizen a dragon" had finally borne fruit.
After all, every Immortal City had powerhouses among their populace.
The bounty hunters reacted quickly—rushing to the walls with crossbows, heavy weapons, and all manner of war tools. The city's standing garrison, numbering ten thousand, immediately joined the defense.
RUMBLE!!!
The tsunami surged toward them, roaring like thunder, its sound alone enough to rupture eardrums.
"Xuanhuang Guard—Activate!"
From the City Lord's Mansion, Lord Zhu Hai raised his official seal and roared.
The seal flew into the air and unleashed a radiant Xuanhuang glow. It resonated with the entire city, awakening countless mystic runes across its surface.