The Nine-Tailed World-Destroying Demon Dragon had not truly perished.
Its vitality was unimaginably strong. Given time, even the Yin-Yang Oblivion Force surrounding its wounds would eventually be consumed by its sheer life force. Its injuries would heal. Its will and soul never ceased to exist.
Now enveloped by the Heavenly Gate, it was being forcibly drained of its origin power—and naturally began to resist.
Even though it lacked higher intelligence and acted mostly on instinctive slaughter and rage, its fierce resilience made it extremely difficult to refine.
However, this resistance—when faced with the might of Xuanhuang Immortal City—was laughably weak. Unlike the Abyss Demon Mother, the dragon possessed no deeper will guiding it.
Under the crushing power of the city, its struggle amounted to little more than a clown's performance. The chains within the gate continued drawing out its origin essence, and the once-phantasmal Heavenly Gate began to solidify before everyone's eyes.
As the dragon's essence drained away, its life force steadily declined, its fury and desperation radiating from within—but it couldn't escape.
It could only be consumed.
Moments later, its roars ceased entirely, and the Heavenly Gate fully formed.
This astonishing scene unfolded before the masses, leaving every spectator utterly shaken.
"Incredible… This is the true power of the Emperor?"
"He subdued that nearly invincible demon dragon with a single strike—and now it's just… gone?"
"This is Great Yi! Not even a demon dragon can shake it, as long as the Emperor stands tall!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Countless citizens and cultivators erupted in cheers, relief flooding their faces.
They didn't care about the details—all they needed to know was that the threat had been eliminated. That was enough.
They looked at Yi Tianxing with increasing awe and reverence.
Even the seven Zodiac Guardians, after witnessing all this, felt deep humility and respect. Yi Tianxing's power—was truly unfathomable.
"The Gate Disciple has absorbed the Nine-Tailed World-Destroying Demon Dragon."
"This is one of the peak Primordial Demonic Beasts from the Eternal Night World. Savage and destructive by nature."
"Now that it has been refined, it holds the dragon's origin and can spawn more such beasts."
"Master, please name this Gate Disciple."
The voice of Fairy Ruyi rang out, full of excitement.
Although this Gate Disciple didn't rival the Blood Moon Demon Gate in power, its potential was no less extraordinary.
"Very good," Yi Tianxing nodded.
This gate had already undergone a transformation. Now made material, it was no weaker than any Innate Spiritual Treasure, and potentially even more terrifying.
"Since it refined a World-Destroying Demon Dragon—let it be called…"
"The Beast Gate!"
"If we encounter more top-tier demonic beasts in the future, we can also fuse their origins into this gate, strengthening it further."
"Let it evolve continuously."
A Gate Disciple wasn't limited to refining a single being.
It could absorb and refine other powerful entities, gaining their origins and imprinting them into itself—becoming stronger and more versatile.
If a Demonic Tiger were refined later, the gate could spawn tigers too—endlessly amplifying its might.
With a thought, Yi Tianxing began a trial summoning.
The Beast Gate opened in front of Xuanhuang City. It was pitch-black, with a vivid depiction of the Nine-Tailed Demon Dragon etched upon it—terrifyingly lifelike.
ROAR!!
A feral cry echoed out from within the gate—part dragon's roar, part beast's howl.
Driven by the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, the gate activated—and from within emerged…
A new Nine-Tailed World-Destroying Demon Dragon!
Though it stood only a hundred meters tall, its appearance was identical to the original—vicious and ferocious.
But it radiated a terrifying pressure.
"Peak Tier-4 combat strength… complete inheritance of the original's powers…"
"And it bears a soul imprint of loyalty to Great Yi—an unwavering guardian."
"Excellent. Our national foundation grows stronger still."
Yi Tianxing could already feel its aura—it was indeed at Tier Four, and thanks to the power of willing energy and emotional essence, it could continue to evolve.
Even Tier Five, Six, or Seven would not be out of reach.
This was the terrifying growth potential of the Gate Disciples.
All this, though described at length, had happened in just a few brief moments.
"Your Majesty, this demon dragon clearly did not appear at random."
"There were no prior signs, and yet it appeared out of nowhere with the aura of Eternal Night."
"It must be tied to the Eternal Night somehow—there are hidden truths here."
Zhuge Liang spoke gravely.
Destroying the dragon was one thing—but understanding its origin was far more important.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to head into the sea to investigate its source," said Yuan Chongzhi.
Though the Guardians hadn't landed the killing blow, they wished to redeem themselves through this new mission.
They wanted to prove themselves again in Yi Tianxing's eyes—and bring honor to the name Zodiac Guardian.
"Go. All seven of you. But no reckless action."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With a glance at each other, the seven became streaks of light, diving deep into the sea.
Following the dragon's trail, they quickly discovered a massive undersea passage.
Black, ancient, and brimming with demonic energy—a gateway to some other realm.
Clearly, the demon dragon had emerged from this tunnel.
"Should we report back first?" asked Yi Shuo, her expression cautious.
The tunnel was thousands of meters wide. Who knew if it would expand or shift?
Its very existence here in Great Yi territory was deeply troubling.
"No need…"
Before a decision was made, Yi Tianxing and Zhuge Liang had already appeared above them.
Seeing the tunnel, Yi Tianxing's face turned grim.
He had seen such things before—in the Ghost Caves—and this tunnel emitted the same Eternal Night aura.
This was undoubtedly a Demon Abyss tunnel—and it led straight into a secret realm of Eternal Night.
"This tunnel shouldn't have been here. For it to suddenly appear…"
"There are only two possibilities," Zhuge Liang said, eyes narrowing.
"One—it was always here, but hidden or sealed. The seal has now broken."
"Two—it was newly formed—by someone manipulating events from the shadows."
"Regardless of how it appeared, the Demon Abyss is now a reality," Yi Tianxing said.
"And at our current strength, we cannot seal it."
"Judging by the demon dragon that came through—it likely connects to a realm teeming with ancient demonic beasts."
They could not allow such a threat to go unaddressed.
"Then it must be suppressed."
"But ordinary troops can't handle such monsters—they'd only suffer massive casualties," Zhuge Liang added.
"So be it. Then I'll add… a gate."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed.
With a wave of his hand, a silver-white ancient gate appeared and rapidly expanded—instantly reaching thousands of meters, fully covering the Abyssal Tunnel.
Now, the tunnel entrance itself became the gate's threshold, as if sheathing it in a shell.
Silver-white divine light radiated from its surface, dimming the blackness of the tunnel.
This gate was clearly a projection clone of the Space Gate.
"If they dare come through…"
"Then I dare take them."
Yi Tianxing's voice was calm—but coldly resolute.
With another wave of his hand, he departed from the Abyss.
Any Primordial Beast emerging from the tunnel would be instantly transported away by the Space Gate, never even glimpsing the outside world.
"Inviting the tiger into the trap… How brilliant," Zhuge Liang remarked with a smile.
But of course—only Yi Tianxing could attempt such a strategy.
And only Great Yi could suppress monsters at this level. Anyone else would be courting disaster.
Inviting the tiger in… was not a game just anyone could play.
This scene deeply moved the Zodiac Guardians.
They now understood Yi Tianxing more clearly—and admired him even more.
Such vision and boldness stirred the soul.
Without delay, Yi Tianxing returned to Xuanhuang City, and the entire Immortal city vanished into the void, perfectly hidden—even while still hovering at the same location.