Yi Tianxing chatted happily with Niu Ben for quite a while. During this time, all kinds of immortal wines were poured without restraint; once the cups were emptied, maidens would immediately refill them. They drank the whole night away. Niu Ben spoke endlessly about the situation within the Ten Thousand Mountains, giving Yi Tianxing a much deeper understanding of the region. As for other places, Niu Ben could not say much—he had never left the Ten Thousand Mountains.
The Primordial Continent was simply too vast, too boundless. Just the Ten Thousand Mountains alone stretched so wide and immeasurable that no one could truly fathom its full expanse.
According to Niu Ben, this time he also intended to head for Buzhou Mountain to participate in the Chaos Heavenly Ladder Trial. It was an enormous opportunity—should one obtain great fortune there, one could rise swiftly in a short time, reaching heights previously unthinkable.
It was an event that, no matter what, one had to attend.
"You must be careful. This time, when you head for the Heavenly Ladder, you won't just be facing the proud geniuses of the myriad races of our Eternal World, but there may also be prodigies of Eternal Night. The danger is far greater than you imagine."
Yi Tianxing gave Niu Ben a slight warning, hinting at the possibility of Eternal Night prodigies appearing on the Ancient Ladder Road.
If such news were ever confirmed, it would never be hidden. The Eternal Heavenly Dao itself would proclaim it to all, even if Yi Tianxing did not. For now, this reminder was only because of their long-standing bond.
"Eternal Night…"
Niu Ben was briefly startled, then grinned widely: "Heh, what's there to fear? My axe has been thirsty for blood long enough."
Afterward, Niu Ben began roaming within Great Yi.
He even visited those barbarian tribes who, years ago, had joined the Great Yi Immortal Court and become its citizens. He discovered that those who were once crude and wild had already deeply integrated into Great Yi's civilization. Though they still ate and drank heartily, when they spoke, there was now a hint of refinement and civility never before present.
They wore exquisite Great Yi garments—clothing both elegant and dignified. On their towering frames, instead of seeming strange, the robes highlighted a unique masculine charm. Many women were fond of such a style.
They no longer dressed in beast hides. They ate refined grains, richly nourishing flesh of fierce beasts. Their behavior no longer bore the same roughness but showed signs of etiquette. Etiquette—this was civilization. They had blended seamlessly into the civilization Great Yi had created.
Although they continued to pass down their unique barbarian cultivation methods and totem arts, many of the younger generation had begun cultivating Great Yi's techniques, especially the path of body refinement. They were naturally suited for it, having immense physical advantages. Among bounty hunters, those of barbarian bloodlines were always highly sought after—able to fight, endure, and reliable in every regard.
Moreover, barbarians were marrying and having children. Humans and barbarians intermarried, and their offspring bore both the physique of barbarians and the intelligence of humans. Over the past centuries, such unions had nearly erased all distinctions. After all, the barbarian and human races had originally shared a common ancestry.
The barbarians descended from the union of humans and the Wu tribe; now, once again marrying humans, their bloodlines were merging back into one. It was inevitable.
Niu Ben did not say much about this.
To him, seeing that the barbarians lived well within Great Yi—far better than in the past—was enough. That meant the trust placed in Yi Tianxing back then had not been misplaced. That decision had been the right one.
He personally saw barbarian descendants receiving equal treatment, allowed to enter academies and enjoy the highest education. Such satisfaction made him drink heartily once again at a tavern.
"Chiyou?"
Within the Immortal Palace, Yi Tianxing and the Queen Mother of the West were lying together upon the cloud bed. A faint blush lingered upon her, proof of the fierce battle that had just taken place.
"Chiyou was born of the union between humans and the Wu clan. His talent was no less than that of the Ancestral Witches, a heaven-born prodigy embodying both the human and Wu clan's fortune. In his youth, when he began to rise, he contended against Xuanyuan for the position of Human Emperor. Because he bore human blood and the human race's destiny, he had the qualifications to fight for it.
"In that great war, he once held the upper hand, suppressing Xuanyuan. If not for the Saints supporting Xuanyuan from behind, no one could say who would have claimed the Human Emperor's seat. At the very least, Chiyou had immense potential. Moreover, the Human ancestral court had supported Xuanyuan, not Chiyou. After his defeat, Chiyou was even dismembered. But he was a heaven-defying genius. He cultivated an immortal body, and while carrying Wu blood, he also possessed a human yuan spirit. After escaping, he took the remnants of the Jiuli tribe, separated them from humans and the Wu, divided their fate, and founded a new tribe—the Barbarians."
"Furthermore, he created unique cultivation methods for the barbarians, establishing the totem path. A peerless genius—he became the first ancestor of a new race. His strength surged at a staggering pace. His eighty-one sworn brothers became the first totem lords of the barbarians, worshiped as divine totems. As for Chiyou himself, he pushed the totem arts to the extreme, creating an unparalleled supreme technique known as the War God Record."
The Queen Mother of the West spoke of Chiyou as though she knew him intimately, clearly recognizing that he was far more than a mere legend. His true strength was extraordinary. After establishing the barbarian race, fortune converged upon him, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.
The War God Record was born for war, unstoppable on the battlefield, invincible wherever it went.
No matter what, Chiyou was without doubt a mighty figure of the highest order. It was said that even Saints regarded him with caution.
In open battle, there were very few of the same level who could overcome him.
"This time, Chiyou has invited me to meet him. What do you think it concerns?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"Chiyou is not a man of idle talk. According to rumors, he has long sought an opportunity to break through his shackles. Perhaps Great Yi has given him such inspiration."
The Queen Mother speculated softly.
"That may not be certain, but it's not impossible. I'll go and meet him. Once we face each other, everything will be clear."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
"Chang'e is in the palace now. Why not take her along?" the Queen Mother suddenly suggested. "Her identity is extraordinary. Don't be fooled by her token post in the Immortal Court of the High Heavens—even the Jade Emperor (Haotian) cannot easily command her. She is the Goddess of the Moon, a true innate deity, born from the essence of one of the supreme stars of the primordial firmament. Her rank is so high that even the Jade Emperor must treat her with respect."
This was not modesty, but fact. The Moon and the Sun were supreme stars. Deities born of them were beyond comparison.
"Isn't Chang'e the wife of Hou Yi?" Yi Tianxing frowned slightly.
"The matter between Chang'e and Hou Yi is complicated, tied to the struggles of the ancient Wu and Demon races. But know this: Chang'e remains untouched, pure as jade. If you can win her, then what harm in adding another consort to the Great Yi Immortal Palace? For your destiny and empire, it would bring endless benefit."
The Queen Mother's voice was calm, but resolute.
"These years, Chang'e has visited Great Yi often. She says it is to see us, but in truth, her goal has always been you. This time, bringing her along—it depends on your ability whether you can win her."
Yi Tianxing chuckled: "Heh, whether or not Chang'e joins, my Western Palace must not be neglected."
Then, turning over, he pressed her down again, and another fierce battle began.
On the third day, above Great Yi, the sound of nine dragon roars shook the sky as the Nine-Dragon Imperial Chariot appeared. On the chariot, Yi Tianxing sat alongside a stunningly beautiful figure. Drawn by nine dragons, the chariot sped across the heavens toward the direction of the Primordial Continent—the Ten Thousand Mountains.
Niu Ben had already entered the domain gate, returning there ahead of them.
Naturally, the figure seated with Yi Tianxing was Chang'e.
Clad in pure white palace robes, her cold and aloof aura exuded an indescribable charm, stirring desire yet commanding reverence, making one hesitate to defile her in thought.
Before departure, Yi Tianxing had invited her personally. She did not refuse and thus appeared now at his side.
"What does Your Majesty think of the current Demonic Catastrophe?"
Chang'e turned to Yi Tianxing, asking suddenly.
"The demonic calamity is inevitable. The fusion of Eternal and Eternal Night is inevitable. The demonic plague is only the prelude. What is truly terrifying is the Eternal Night behind it."
Yi Tianxing replied evenly.
"In Eternal Night, the Star World is dominant, and the Eternal Night Continent is its root. Once merged, our Eternal World's starry sky will be shrouded and covered by theirs. The Moon and the Sun, being the supreme stars of the firmament, will undoubtedly be the first to bear the brunt."
Worry flickered across Chang'e's face as she continued: "Within Eternal Night, there are thirteen Blood Moons, each no weaker than the Moon itself, perhaps even stronger. When fusion comes, collisions will be inevitable. They will compete for supremacy of the lunar seat. At that time, I may have to perish alongside the Moon."
Her tone carried no emotion, only quiet acceptance.
She was the Moon's innate deity, her essence bound to it. Should the Moon be destroyed, she would be grievously wounded, perhaps fall entirely, meeting her doom.
The merging of the two realms would be a cataclysm without equal.