Unseen to the naked eye, the armor could instinctively block a portion of incoming damage and provide natural defense. Ordinary weapons that came close would melt on contact, reduced to molten iron—such was the ancestral craft of the House of Dwarves. Dwarves were natural-born masters of forging. Any weapon or armor forged by their hands was invariably a masterpiece.
Moreover, the House of Dwarves held a favorable view of Xuanhuang City and the humans within the Great Yi Dynasty. Though some clans still lived outside, many dwarves had already migrated to Xuanhuang City and settled within the House of Dwarves. Each day, the crisp sound of hammering rang from within—resounding not as noise, but as a symphony, a melody more refined than any musical instrument.
It was perfect to the ears.
Not only could they forge ordinary divine weapons, but they also crafted magical gear—which was essentially the same as enchanted armor and weapons (法器战甲 – Magical Armament). While named differently, their defensive capabilities were equally astounding.
Within the House of Dwarves, Tong Chui (Copper Hammer) often remained indoors, but he took great pleasure in exploring Xuanhuang City and showed intense curiosity toward all its new innovations.
The Vermilion Bird Battle Armor worn by Yang Ye was personally crafted by Tong Chui.
Naturally, the armor he forged by hand was exquisite and of extremely high quality—a supreme-grade piece among magical armaments. The set worn by Yang Ye was none other than a top-tier Vermilion Bird Battle Armor crafted by Tong Chui himself.
He forged only a single set personally.
The rest of the Vermilion Bird Battle Armors were all mass-produced using the Universal Printing Machine, resulting in standard-grade gear—unable to compare to the supreme-grade—but sufficient for standardized deployment across the army.
Two hundred thousand soldiers.Two hundred thousand sets of Vermilion Bird Battle Armor.
The resources consumed for these armors alone reached astronomical levels. Fortunately, the Scarlet Flame Copper was a mineral native to the Great Yi domain, mined in large quantities by kobolds, significantly reducing production costs.
More importantly, once donned, the morale and spirit of the entire Vermilion Bird Legion changed completely—burning with fierce, fiery energy. The soldiers stood ramrod straight.
The army included spearmen, sword-and-shield warriors, halberdiers, archers, divine machine corps, flying spear soldiers—a full array of troop types with well-practiced coordination. Together, their combat potential far exceeded expectations.
Around them, a massive crowd of civilians had gathered.
Among them were bounty hunters, sect disciples, and others, all watching this army with awe.
Two hundred thousand soldiers stood like a divine Vermilion Bird before them. All could feel the scorching aura washing over them—suffocating in its intensity.
The energy of the troops seemed to merge into a seamless whole—radiating a pressure as steady as mountains and fierce as fire.
"The Vermilion Bird Legion—one of the Four Divine Beast Legions under the Great Yi Dynasty. What a terrifying presence—like a wildfire ready to consume all in its path."
"These warriors are even more fearsome than during the previous war with the beastmen. Every one of them is at least at the Divine Sea Realm, with a condensed Sea Core. Using military-exclusive techniques, they fight as one. Even cultivators at the Life Aperture Realm would be slain instantly."
"An entire army composed of warriors at the seventh level or higher of the Divine Sea Realm... that's insane. I've heard that once you join the military, your cultivation speed skyrockets—especially since you're allowed to practice the Great Yi's top-tier military technique, the 'Heavenly Soldier War Codex' (天兵战典). It grows through battle, the more you fight, the faster you improve. Looks like the rumors were true. Most soldiers in the legion are Third-Class Heavenly Soldiers, which means at least seventh-level Divine Sea Realm with a condensed Sea Core."
The onlookers whispered in amazement.
Military recruitment cared not for talent, but for strength, bravery, and dedication—those capable of using battle to fuel growth. The more you killed, the stronger you became. After the war with the beastmen, many soldiers had broken through one after another.
Experts kept emerging.
Now, apart from the Hundred Flower Legion, the other five legions of the Great Yi required a minimum cultivation of the fourth level of the Divine Sea Realm to qualify—qualifying one as a Second-Class Heavenly Soldier.
To gain a military rank, you had to reach Third-Class, at the very least.
The base strength of the army had reached an astonishing threshold.
In the military, strength was never based on individual power alone—it was founded on collective might.
This past month, efforts hadn't just focused on recruitment but also on drilling the different troop types in joint operations, forging true combat capability. These troops weren't just meant for defense but were being prepared for siege warfare and brutal front-line battles.
The public looked at the soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Legion with admiration and longing.
This was the Great Yi's army—the ultimate force safeguarding them.
The stronger the army, the greater their pride.
"We humans can also produce powerful warriors. We can build legions that rival or surpass those of any alien race."
"Our army has fought and bled countless times. These aren't green troops—they've earned their strength in the crucible of war."
Countless citizens felt a deep sense of pride.
Yi Tianxing stood upon the high platform, gazing at the Vermilion Bird Legion with satisfaction.
The Yang Family had long been a line of generals—born leaders, each with extensive experience in commanding troops. Within a month, the Vermilion Bird Legion had already begun to reveal its true might.
"Yang Ye, step forward!!"
Yi Tianxing's voice rang out.
"This general is here!!"
Yang Ye stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Ascend the stage—to receive the banner!"
Cao Zhengchun announced in a clear voice.
Yang Ye trembled slightly, his face showing undisguised excitement as he stepped onto the platform, kneeling before Yi Tianxing on one knee.
"Yang Ye, today I grant you the Vermilion Bird Battle Banner. The Vermilion Bird is blazing and fiery in temperament. I hope that under your command, the Vermilion Bird Legion will burn through all enemies, expand our borders, and protect our people."
Yi Tianxing took the crimson scroll from Cao Zhengchun, looked Yang Ye in the eyes, and spoke solemnly. Then, he handed the scroll over.
"Your subordinate, Yang Ye, swears loyalty to the Great Yi and to the King. Wherever your gaze reaches shall be the battlefield of the Vermilion Bird Legion. As long as the Vermilion Bird lives, the flames of war shall never die!"
Yang Ye raised both hands to receive the crimson scroll, his voice unwavering. At the same time, he felt the weight of immense responsibility pressing on his shoulders.
A burden like a thousand catties.
With a flick of his hand, the scroll unfurled.
It was a battle banner.
Upon raising a flagpole, the banner soared into the sky, flying high—bright crimson, flapping in the wind. Embroidered upon it was a lifelike Vermilion Bird.
Alongside the Vermilion Bird were several ancient seal-script characters.
Great Yi!!
Yang!!
"Great Yi" was etched in the top left. In the bottom right was the character "Yang"—symbolizing the Vermilion Bird Legion's military banner, representing both the legion itself and Yang Ye's personal command.
Every soldier of the Vermilion Bird Legion looked upon the flag, a deep sense of belonging welling up within them. That belonging bound their hearts tightly together.
"From this day forward, so long as the Vermilion Bird Battle Banner stands, our Vermilion Bird Legion stands. If the flag is not destroyed, we will never fall. I, Yang Ye, swear to live and die with the Vermilion Bird Legion, to share fate with the battle flag. With the enemy's blood, we shall make its flames even redder!"
Yang Ye's voice rang out in a resolute declaration.
"We swear to live and die with the banner!!"
"We swear to live and die with the banner!!"
"We will stain the battle flag red with enemy blood!!"
"We will stain the battle flag red with enemy blood!!"
Soldiers roared in unison.
Their gazes toward the battle flag burned with feverish intensity.
In this moment, they were overwhelmed with honor—the honor of the Vermilion Bird Legion. The flag was their glory. The flag was their military soul. They would stain it with their enemies' blood.
As long as the flag lived—they lived. If the flag fell—they perished.
This was the unshakable faith of the Vermilion Bird Legion.
A blazing will to battle surged outward, causing the onlookers to stagger back instinctively—as if they had truly witnessed the rebirth of the divine Vermilion Bird.
"Well done. Soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Legion—you are the pride of the human race. True iron-blooded men who've survived seas of corpses. It is my honor, Yi Tianxing's honor, to have you under my command. It is the honor of all our people."
"Though our Great Yi is stable, the world remains in chaos. Countless of our human brethren still suffer. We built the Great Yi to protect them. Now, we have the strength to extend our shelter. We humans can reclaim our land."
"But this path will not be smooth. It will be paved with blood and death."
"We have no retreat. If we don't grow strong, we'll be oppressed. Our people will become the blood food of alien races. Our women—mere tools for their reproduction. We will have no dignity."
"Tears, prayers, and submission bring no peace, no hope, no honor. Only by picking up weapons, with your flesh and blood, with your lives, can we—Kill! Kill! Kill!!"
Yi Tianxing's voice rang across the square, each word like a thunderclap.