"If I were to appoint you as the leader of the Catastrophe Division, what would you do?"
Yi Tianxing did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked this question while gazing intently at the Child Empress, examining her from head to toe. Despite her petite frame, she already possessed the makings of an extraordinary beauty. Her doll-like face made it difficult for anyone to harbor suspicion.
But anyone who underestimated her for that reason might not even know how they died.
"My loyalty will belong to Your Majesty," the Child Empress blinked, her expression innocent and pure as she answered without hesitation.
Loyalty—that was the only card she could play.
Such a position, such a crucial post, could never be entrusted to a stranger. However, the Child Empress truly desired to become the head of the Catastrophe Division. From the moment Yi Tianxing had mentioned creating this organization, a deep desire for the position had surged in her heart.
A colossal power like the Great Yi Dynasty—once the opportunity arose, she would cling tightly to its leg.
If loyalty was the price, so be it.
"Anyone can claim loyalty. Why should I believe you?" Yi Tianxing said calmly. "Once the Catastrophe Division is established, it will outrank the Six Ministries. Its leader will obtain a Heavenly Fate Position of the first rank and enjoy an eighteen-fold increase in cultivation gains, as well as access to invaluable resources. Such a role carries immense weight in the dynasty."
He needed a Catastrophe Division under his control—not one that could spiral out of hand.
The other killers from the Heaven Pool showed visible excitement.
They were assassins by nature. It was carved into their bones and would stay with them for life. Although life as bounty hunters had its perks, it always felt like something was missing—a true edge.
Now, hearing that Yi Tianxing was establishing the Catastrophe Division and that they had the chance to join it and receive the blessings of the dynasty's Fate, a fierce longing was stirred. They would no longer be mere killers, but warriors loyal to Great Yi.
To grow stronger—ever stronger.That was the core desire of every assassin.
"I cultivate the Scripture of Childlike Innocence. This technique cannot tolerate even the slightest flaw or impurity in the heart. If it does, the technique will backfire. I am willing to swear a Heart Demon Oath—loyalty to the King, loyalty to Great Yi. How could I miss the chance to lead the Catastrophe Division?" the Child Empress said with firm resolve, her eyes gleaming with determination.
She held deep admiration and respect for Yi Tianxing. For someone of her temperament to feel this way about anyone was extremely rare. Only a peerless overlord who carved out a path through the chaos of the world could possess such magnetic appeal.
She harbored a secret in her heart—an intense admiration for Yi Tianxing.
The "hero saves beauty" trope may be cliché, but it was undeniably effective.
To her, Yi Tianxing was a hero. He had led the human race to rise in a chaotic world, carving out a vast dominion and keeping other races at bay. This was the very embodiment of a human hero.
As she finished speaking, she produced a jade book.
On its cover were the words Scripture of Childlike Innocence. It was her core cultivation method—an ancient technique perfected by the heavens, mystical and powerful, perfectly suited to her mind and body.
It not only yielded twice the results with half the effort—it allowed her to unleash its power at two hundred percent effectiveness.
Yi Tianxing took the jade book and flipped through it casually.
The first thing that caught his eye was a meditation diagram.
It depicted a sleeping infant with a face full of innocence. Surrounding the child were vibrant, colorful bubbles—each seemingly containing an entire world. At every moment, new bubbles were born while others vanished.
These bubbles represented dreams.
With every breath the infant took, dreams were created and destroyed.
This was the core meditative visualization of the Scripture of Childlike Innocence, known as the Dreamscape of Childlike Innocence (童心睡梦图).
Childlike innocence untouched—dreams rise and fall with the heart, unshaken by joy or nightmare. But should innocence be tainted, nightmares will backfire, dragging the user into a state of eternal damnation.
Once mastered, dream manipulation became entirely possible.
Just from this, it was clear that this was a supreme cultivation art.
A Heart Demon Oath could not be taken lightly. If broken, the backlash was unavoidable and severe.
Just based on this, Yi Tianxing could tell she hadn't lied.
"You desire to become the leader of the Catastrophe Division. May I ask why?" he asked, having sensed her intense determination, which stirred his curiosity.
"The Great Yi is the first human regime to establish a Fate Dynasty on the Eternal Continent. It is already among the top forces of the world. Under Your Majesty, the human race has found refuge and prosperity. For us Heaven Pool assassins, joining Great Yi is the best future. No longer outcasts, but contributors to the rise of mankind. And it's also the fastest way to grow stronger."
Her answer was swift and decisive.
Strength—that was what she truly sought.
"Swear your Heart Demon Oath," Yi Tianxing said, nodding.
"I, the Child Empress, swear to the heavens that I join Great Yi, pledge lifelong loyalty to King Yi. If I betray this vow, I willingly suffer heart demon backlash, fall into eternal damnation, and never reincarnate," she declared.
With that, the vow merged into the heavens, forming a binding force. Normally it would lie dormant, but the moment it was violated, it would exact a devastating price.
On the Eternal Continent, one did not swear lightly.
"Very well. From this day forth, the Catastrophe Division will be under your command. The Heaven Pool assassins shall form its core. The division shall be named Catastrophe Hall (天灾殿). You will be its Hall Master."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."The Child Empress bowed in gratitude, elation evident in her heart.
"As for the Catastrophe Division, what ideas do you have? Catastrophe Hall is an empty shell for now. You'll need to formulate the plan, and I won't provide manpower. Your operations will be tasks Great Yi cannot openly conduct—surveillance, espionage, rooting out foreign spies among humans."
Yi Tianxing studied her closely as he spoke.
He wouldn't offer assistance—this was her trial. If she could build it from scratch, it would prove she was fit to lead.
"I'll start recruiting from the bounty hunters. As assassins, we know many among them are killers, spies, or rogue agents from the underworld. They're from all walks of life and perfect candidates for covert operations."
"They yearn for strength, for legitimacy. Great Yi offers both. In exchange for their service—targeting foreign threats—they'll gain resources. With just this incentive, ninety percent will come running. These people can vanish into crowds, hiding in plain sight as merchants or farmers. No acting necessary—they are who they appear to be."
Such a network would embed itself into every layer of society—an invisible web gathering intelligence and executing missions.
"Excellent. That is exactly what the Catastrophe Division needs."
Yi Tianxing nodded. "Now go. You'll find a palace on the second level of the Imperial Tree reserved for Catastrophe Hall. Also, draft the full hierarchy of your division—from first to ninth rank—and present it to me before implementation."
The structure would mirror that of the Secret Bureau, each rank holding official status.
"Yes!"The Child Empress bowed again before leading the Heaven Pool assassins away.
They had arrived anxious—but now their faces were full of excitement.
None of them had expected to gain official status in Great Yi. Though the Catastrophe Hall might become feared and infamous, this was an era of chaos. Their targets were foreign invaders, not civilians. As long as Great Yi's officials remained just and upright, the people would have nothing to fear.
The Catastrophe Hall's reputation would be built—with the blood of foreign enemies.
"I hope the Child Empress surprises me. Many hidden masters dwell among the common folk. If they can be brought under our banner, that will be a massive boon. But beyond this, the Six Doors must also be reinforced."
Yi Tianxing pondered silently.
He was no longer satisfied with the Six Doors' strength.
Too few top-tier experts. Too few true elites. It lacked the muscle it once had.
Zhang Yue, for all his efforts, still fell short.
But for now, with no better option, Zhang Yue would have to continue as acting commander.
Meanwhile, outside Ironblood Great Wall, in a dark corner beyond Xuanhuang City...
A pair of black eyes glimmered in the darkness, gazing toward the Great Yi territories. Within them flickered something strange—a vision of chaos.
"How amusing... Who would've thought the beastmen would collapse so easily. And that the old Blood Demon Ancestor would expose himself—feeding on blood-qi underground like a fool. He thought no one would notice. What a waste... He's ruined a perfectly good plan of mine."
A cold voice whispered from the shadows.