They quietly entered the village. No indiscriminate attacks. Showing strength in moderation was necessary, but revealing too much would make them a target, an eyesore, a thorn in the side. That would bring no benefit to the Human race. Moderation was not cowardice but a strategy. By keeping some cards hidden, they could survive better in the future and preserve strength for the Human race.
Xuanyuan and the others paused their breakthroughs, absorbing the vast merit into their bodies.
Having been stationed at the Human Ancestral Court, they already had no shortage of merit. Now, with this additional boon, they could break the shackles of heaven and earth and attain Hunyuan Dao at any time, if they wished. The only missing part was the process itself—a minor concern.
"After returning, be cautious. The Eternal Night's retaliation will be even fiercer. If they discover that their top-tier cultivators are trapped in the Nightmare World, they will escalate, possibly taking drastic measures against us. The Eternal Night has countless methods, and no one knows how many secret weapons they hide. One misstep, and disaster will strike."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath, speaking solemnly.
He did not look down on the Eternal Night because of the success of this scheme. Their foundation remained unfathomable. This was only a loss of a portion of their power—not a fundamental reversal of the balance between the two worlds.
"Thanks to Dao-friend Yi, we have gained such immense merit. The Underworld will remember this. In the future, if there is any matter, just call, and Ming He will certainly come."
Ming He looked at Yi Tianxing and nodded slightly. Though his words were somewhat formal, they carried firm resolve. This was not empty courtesy but a real promise. The acquisition of such enormous merit had indebted them to Yi Tianxing. Without him, this plan could never have succeeded. Those terrifying Celestial Demon Arms(Heavenly Demon God Weapons / Demon God Battlefortresses) could not have been resisted by just anyone. Had it gone wrong in the Nightmare World, everyone present would have faced grave danger.
"Indeed. In the future, call upon me. Though I am a demon, I will never betray my word," Rahu said with a cheerful smile.
As a Demon Ancestor, his courage was unquestionable—he made promises at a word.
"Then I thank you all. If there is ever a need in the future, I shall not be polite either," Yi Tianxing replied calmly, smiling.
Opportunities like this, delivered on a silver platter, could not be refused.
The way of conquest sometimes required making friends strong and enemies weak. Only then could one achieve continual victory and remain at the pinnacle. These friends were not enemies—they were potential allies in the battles to come.
...
While Yi Tianxing and his group gained immense benefits, the battlefield of the Eternal Night told a different story.
Evil-Eye Sovereign and other Sovereigns returned to the Eternal Night Altars. When they attempted to summon the lost powerful beings, they discovered that the Great Light-and-Dark Demon Gods, who should have remained in the Time River, had vanished. Their precise locations could not be determined. The only certainty was that they had left the Time River and returned to the present world. But where exactly they were remained unknown.
"Return to the God-Demon Hall and discuss."
At a single command, numerous Demon Gods departed and appeared in the God-Demon Hall.
At that moment, the hall swelled with Demon Gods, far surpassing any previous gathering. News of the change on the Eternal Night battlefield had already spread quickly through various channels, reaching countless Demon Gods.
Above, on the thirteen divine thrones, there were not just one but three Sovereigns: Evil-Eye Sovereign, Thousand-Ear Sovereign, and Faceless Sovereign.
These were the supreme existences, truly determining the Eternal Night's overall direction—Ancient Realm beings.
Thousand-Ear Sovereign had thousands of tiny ears composing each main ear, capable of hearing all sounds in heaven and earth—even the thoughts of living beings. Nothing could be hidden from him. Many Demon Gods felt terror upon seeing him, instinctively emptying their minds to avoid having secrets exposed.
Faceless Sovereign was a woman. Though called Faceless, her presence made any woman lose face. Her beauty transcended mortal bounds; a thousand people could see a thousand perfect faces in her reflection, flawless, dreamlike. Every gesture carried extraordinary allure, stirring desire and imagination, difficult to resist.
She represented lust.
Legends said that when Faceless Sovereign once entered a vast world, she simply stood in the void, smiled at all living beings, and the entire world knelt at her feet, willingly integrating into the Eternal Night—without a single soldier being used. This demonstrated the terrifying power of her charm.
Among the Demon Gods, she was like a flood or a wild beast; even glancing at her could be dangerous, for fear that one's heart would no longer belong to oneself.
All Demon Gods watched silently, speaking no words. The hall was tense, oppressive.
The three Sovereigns exchanged glances. Evil-Eye Sovereign spoke first:
"This attempt to summon the returning powerful beings of the previous era has utterly failed. According to our investigations, they have fallen into the Nightmare World. Their fate—alive or dead—is unknown. This failure occurred because a group of Eternal's top-tier cultivators interfered, causing complications.
Moreover, there is one critical issue: there must be a spy within the Eternal World, within our ranks. Likely someone at the Demon God level. Whoever it is, step forward. I will judge as I see fit."
His voice was cold, emotionless. Yet that lack of expression only made the room colder. Whoever the spy was, death would not be quick.
"A spy… traitor… if I find them, I will strip them alive and burn them in demon flames for ten thousand years," one Demon God growled.
"The Eternal Night is the true victor. The Eternal World is ephemeral. Any spy is merely seeking their own death. How foolish! Step forward so I may see who dared do this."
Chaos spread through the hall. Demon Gods roared, scanning the surroundings, determined to find the traitor. Any spy left unchecked was a grave danger; future plans would be exposed. They could not allow themselves to be at a disadvantage.
Yi Tianxie also showed anger, like all the others, observing those around him to identify the traitor.
Thousand-Ear Sovereign listened intently, eyes lowered, scanning all around. Expressionless, silent, but anyone who ignored him would die.
"Enough. We will identify the traitor ourselves. There is no need for further quarrels," Evil-Eye Sovereign commanded, and the hall fell silent.
"Supreme Sovereign, I wonder if those summoned powerful beings have any chance of survival. I have been to the Nightmare World before and understand its dangers. Moreover, my Myriad-Evil Hall is an immortal-grade Demon God fortress; even if I enter the Nightmare World, I can ensure my safety and retreat in time if necessary. I volunteer to go and search for the Eternal Night's missing pioneers," Yi Tianxie suddenly spoke.
His words were sincere and heartfelt, each one emanating true resolve.
"The Nightmare World is no ordinary place. In some ways, it is even more profound than the Eternal Night, bizarre and dangerous. One misstep could cause even a Demon God to perish instantly. Direction is easily lost, and countless perils await. If you provoke the Nightmare Will, the danger is extreme. Are you certain you wish to go?"
Faceless Sovereign looked at Yi Tianxie with playful interest, seemingly curious. His innate aura, born of the Myriad-Evil Qi nurtured by the seven emotions, made him unusually attuned to the Sovereigns. If his Dao matured, he could become a top-tier power of the Eternal Night.
"The Nightmare World is formed from all kinds of thoughts and fantasies, containing unique laws. My Dao requires exposure to these thoughts. This journey is crucial for my Dao's growth. Since our pioneers have been lost there, it is the perfect opportunity to act decisively," Yi Tianxie said earnestly.
"Good. The Eternal Night needs rising stars like you, willing to take the lead. Since you are going, I will lend my support," Thousand-Ear Sovereign nodded.