Ordinarily, Yi Tianxing would never entrust such power to anyone lightly. It was a double-edged sword that could cause tremendous harm if misused. But Mao Sui was different. His character had stood the test of history, and this move was about forming alliances among different alien tribes. While many things could be doubted, his identity as a human could not. No one in their right mind would betray the human race to side with the enemy.
Even if aliens accepted a human, there would always remain a layer of distrust—a barrier that could never be broken. To betray one's race for the enemy either meant one had lost their mind or was driven by some unknown agenda.
No matter how strong the enemy was, it could never compare to the strength of humanity itself.
Yi Tianxing believed that Mao Sui would not betray the human race. This wasn't an internal power struggle; it was a war for survival, and that gave Yi Tianxing confidence.
The School of Diplomacy (纵横家, Zonghengjia) also had a reputation for trustworthiness.
He believed Mao Sui would not endanger the interests of Xuanhuang City.
And Mao Sui had little personal gain in this matter.
"Thank you, my lord, for your trust."
Mao Sui was moved. He clearly understood that this kind of power—something that could topple a kingdom—was rarely granted by a ruler to a subject. What he had just been given touched upon the very core of imperial authority.
He had only suggested it on impulse and hadn't expected Yi Tianxing to actually agree.
This kind of trust ignited a fire in his heart, planting in his mind the thought: "A warrior dies for the one who knows his worth." If someone entrusted an empire to him, how could he not give his all?
"I believe you won't disappoint me. Although we've won a great battle, this has planted a seed of calamity. The alien tribes will not allow us to rise easily. Whether or not we gain the time we need to grow will now depend on you," Yi Tianxing said solemnly.
What he needed was time—time to finish forging the Supreme Divine Artifact embryo buried beneath Xuanhuang City. Once completed, destroying Xuanhuang City would no longer be so simple.
But that forging process would take time—time no one else knew about.
"Thank you, my lord. But mere words are not enough. I will need a token," Mao Sui said after some thought.
Yi Tianxing paused, then waved his hand. A piece of pure white spiritual jade appeared. With a flick of his mind, a flame ignited, melting the jade into liquid, which he then shaped into a token.
Two ancient characters—Xuanhuang (玄黄)—were inscribed on one side. On the other side was the character Yi (易).
The token was imbued with his personal aura imprint, a unique energy signature that made it impossible to counterfeit.
"This Xuanhuang Token will serve as your credential. Any treaty or agreement can be formalized using this token," Yi Tianxing said as he handed it to Mao Sui.
It was a token of identity, not of authority.
"I will win us more time, my lord. I will not let you down," Mao Sui replied resolutely.
This act of trust had completely won his loyalty to both Yi Tianxing and Xuanhuang City.
"Before you leave, you must learn more about Xuanhuang City," Huang Chengyan said. "There are things the common people don't know."
The more deeply one understood the city, the more skillfully one could negotiate and avoid losses.
With that, Huang Chengyan took Mao Sui away.
"Husband, Mao Sui is indeed a remarkable talent. I've heard of his reputation. But he once debated humans; now he faces aliens. Will he truly succeed?" Cai Yan asked after they left.
She had learned of Mao Sui's historical deeds even in her youth. Seeing him in person now was surreal.
But she worried that he might fail. And if he did, Xuanhuang City would be in a precarious position.
"He's a prodigy of the School of Diplomacy. These aliens are not mindless beasts—they are intelligent. And with intelligence comes desire. Where there is desire, Mao Sui's words will reach. I believe he won't fail," Yi Tianxing said confidently.
Three days passed in a flash.
During that time, Mao Sui followed Huang Chengyan, learning everything about Xuanhuang City, including many secrets. For instance, the existence of the Universal Printer shocked him but also reassured him.
It was undoubtedly a supreme treasure. With it, the city's rise seemed inevitable. Failing to rise with such advantages would be unthinkable.
His confidence in their future and in his diplomatic mission grew.
On the third day, Mao Sui stepped out of Xuanhuang City, carrying only a single war sword. Without hesitation, he strode into the wilderness.
"Let's hope he comes back alive," Yi Tianxing murmured, standing atop the City Lord's palace tree, watching Mao Sui's departing figure.
Boom!!
Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap echoed through the sky. Dark clouds gathered—rain was coming.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Just then, a strange phenomenon occurred. Across Xuanhuang City, the war blades held by soldiers and civilians alike began to vibrate and emit clear, resonant cries.
"What's going on? My blade's ringing—it wants to leap from the scabbard!"
"They say that sentient weapons warn their wielders when danger approaches. Is this a premonition?"
"No, look—the blades are all pointing toward one direction… the Tower of Heaven (通天阁)!"
Tens of thousands of blade-users in the city were stunned.
"That energy... it's Fu Hongxue!"
Yi Tianxing turned toward the Tower of Heaven. There, Fu Hongxue stepped out slowly.
As he emerged, the resonance of blades throughout the city grew more intense—almost as if every blade were paying homage to their sovereign.
"His aura is stirring. His Blade Intent (刀意) is surging. That thunder earlier—Fu Hongxue is attempting a tribulation breakthrough," Yi Tianxing muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Tribulation was the final trial for any who had perfected their martial intent. Survive it, and one's intent would evolve into Tribulation-Tempered Intent—refined and immortal. Fail, and everything would be destroyed, leaving one's foundation shattered.
Fu Hongxue's blade intent had clearly reached this threshold.
He was ready.
"Will he enter the Heavenly Gang Lightning Layer (天罡雷层)?" Cai Yan asked, standing beside Yi Tianxing.
"Yes. There are nine layers. Each contains a thousand locks and ten thousand arcs of lightning. You can't dodge it—you must face it head-on with your martial intent, absorbing its power to refine your own. It's either death or transformation. A single tribulation-forged blade intent surpasses any divine technique," Yi Tianxing explained.
There was no stopping this.
But given Fu Hongxue's will and intent, success seemed within reach.
"Kill!!"
Fu Hongxue stood at the entrance of the Tower of Heaven and let out a thunderous cry. In that moment, a blood-red Martial Dao True Symbol (武道真符) burst from the top of his head—it was his Blade Dao Symbol.
It radiated a terrifying blade intent that seemed capable of tearing the heavens apart. It brought nothing but despair and death.
This blade intent was cold. Ruthless.
Whoosh!
The symbol turned into a streak of blood-red light and soared into the sky.
The appearance of the True Symbol triggered the rules of heaven and earth. A terrifying Heavenly Gang Lightning Layer emerged from the void above.
This layer didn't appear easily. Only during storms or divine phenomena would it manifest. One could also ascend into the skies to reach it directly—but doing so would provoke even more chaotic and terrifying lightning.
Lightning storms were the key that unlocked the Lightning Layer.
Now, the trial had begun.