"How is this possible? The poisonous fog is clearly a mist, so why can't it be blown away? Why can't we disperse it? Is this really just a poisonous mist?"
"Something's off. Just now, the combined force of two hundred thousand Gale Talismans should've been enough to force even a Fate Aperture or Fate Map cultivator to retreat. How can it not affect the fog at all? This is too strange."
"This fog was clearly created by the alien races. It must be extraordinary. Otherwise, why create a poisonous mist instead of a poisonous rain? A poisonous rain would be far more lethal—inescapable once it falls. But they used mist instead. There must be a reason. The hurricane couldn't budge it, the toxin is intense, and the coverage is wide. We need to understand how it formed."
"What do we do now? Should we really retreat? That poison is vicious—ferocious beasts dropped into it and were instantly killed. Beasts have stronger bodies than humans. If we go in, there's no way we're making it out alive."
The scene caused an uproar within Gold-Silver City when the poisonous fog remained utterly unmoved by the hurricane.
"General Yang, I have Gold-Silver Detox Pills. Perhaps we could test them—see if they can neutralize the poison. If they work, we might be able to pass through the fog swiftly."
The city lord, Jin Buyin, stepped forward.
"Very well. Catch a rabbit, feed it the pill, and throw it into the fog. Let's see what happens."
Yang Ye nodded.
The Gold-Silver Detox Pill had a strong reputation in Great Yi, considered one of the top antidotes. If it worked, they could pass through the fog and avoid a disaster.
Soon, a rabbit was caught and fed the glowing pill. Despite struggling, it was thrown directly into the poisonous fog.
Inside, the rabbit panicked, darting around, trying to escape. It didn't react to the poisonous mist the way birds had, who had died instantly.
"It's working!"
"The Gold-Silver Detox Pill is effective!"
Some cheered with joy.
But almost immediately, someone shouted, "No, look! The rabbit—it's been poisoned!"
"It's collapsing—it's struggling. The pill helped a little, but it can't completely counteract the poison. It's dead. There's no way to cross this fog in such a short time."
In just a few breaths, the rabbit collapsed, legs stiff, completely motionless.
"Although the detox pill has partial effectiveness, it cannot fully neutralize the poison. Even if it delays death, there's no way we can supply pills for hundreds of thousands of troops and civilians," Wu Yong said, shaking his head.
Relying on pills was not a viable path.
"Mr. Jiang, can we reroute to avoid this poisonous fog?"
Yang Ye turned to Jiang Ni.
"It's possible to reroute. But the fog can change direction. That's just a temporary fix. The poison can follow us."
Since it was created by the alien races, they likely had means to control it. Merely rerouting wouldn't solve the issue. The best solution was still to neutralize the fog itself.
"What now, then? Strategist Wu, any brilliant ideas?"
Yang Ye looked at Wu Yong expectantly.
But Wu Yong wore a bitter expression. If even a hurricane couldn't move the fog, solving it would take more than standard methods. Most importantly, they had to understand why the fog couldn't be dispersed.
"Heh, this isn't an ordinary poisonous fog. It's alive."
From the city wall, Yi Tianxing gazed into the distance, observing instead of acting. Just then, a familiar voice spoke near him.
He turned—there stood a mangy, bald dog with black fur.
"Green Emperor, what are you doing here? Why are you in Gold-Silver City? Weren't you off mating with that flower bitch of yours? What are you doing here?"
Though its fur had changed color, Yi Tianxing recognized it by its musty aura instantly.
"Of course I came to earn merit! This expansion is a big deal. I couldn't miss it. I came to help the army conquer new territory. Then, Master, you must make me the National Beast of the Great Yi Dynasty!"
The Green Emperor looked at Yi Tianxing with pleading eyes.
After so many others had been ennobled and gained Heavenly Merits, it felt bitter. It had contributed plenty—why hadn't it been rewarded?
"A National Beast title applies to an entire species, Green Emperor. You can't carry that yet. But I can grant you the title of Guardian Beast of the Nation. That's an individual title. The National Beast can only be granted when we ascend to Imperial Dynasty status."
Yi Tianxing's tone was calm.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten the Green Emperor's contributions. He wouldn't shortchange it.
"Fine, Guardian Beast it is! But I want it to be First Guardian Beast of the Nation. I've been with you the longest, and I've done the most."
The Green Emperor's eyes sparkled green with excitement.
Not being a National Beast was fine—for now. But he wanted that first in his title. That way he could look down on the Golden Feathered Bird. That was the key.
Just thinking of that bird made his blood boil.
He had gone to show off his accomplishments before, but the Golden Roc had ignored him completely, just pointing with its wing at the sky full of golden-scaled birds gliding in the sun.
In the nest, it had even laid another clutch of golden eggs. The Windgod Dragon King was incubating them. Soon, a whole new generation would be born.
It was reproducing an entire species.
The Green Emperor felt humiliated. It too wanted offspring, but that flower bitch just wouldn't conceive. He had begun to wonder if he was sick.
So he came on this mission, hoping to earn a big enough merit to demand the National Beast title from Yi Tianxing.
Then, by accident, he smelled Yi Tianxing nearby.
Disguised as he was, that scent was unmistakable to Green Emperor's nose. So he snuck close and finally spoke.
"You have a way to deal with this poison fog?"
Yi Tianxing raised an eyebrow.
"Heh. Earlier, the Vermilion Bird Legion tried to blow it away with talismans. But this fog isn't mist—it's a living creature. It's a poison beast. The fog is its body. How can you blow that away?"
The Green Emperor looked smug.
"This fog is alive? You're sure?"
Yi Tianxing's face shifted slightly.
If it truly was a living creature, then its resistance to wind made sense. A living thing would have willpower and instinct. That changed everything.
"I'm absolutely sure! My nose doesn't lie. This fog is definitely a living poison beast."
The Green Emperor nodded emphatically.
"And what's your plan to deal with it?"
Yi Tianxing asked.
"So you'll make me the First Guardian Beast of the Nation?"
The dog perked up immediately.
"If you can take care of this beast, I'll grant you the title. But if you fail, the deal's off."
Yi Tianxing remained composed.
"Don't worry! I'm just too excited—my inspiration is surging! I need to sing a song to release this emotion. Once I'm done, I'll go deal with that poison beast."
The Green Emperor was trembling with excitement. His black fur instantly turned a vibrant green.
Glowing green—like a moldy mutt.
"You want to sing? Get out of here."
Yi Tianxing's face twitched. With a swift kick, he sent the Green Emperor flying out of the city walls, landing in the wild between the Vermilion Bird Legion and the poison fog.
"What the hell is that? Is that a moldy lump of dog meat flying through the air?"
People in Gold-Silver City stared in horror.
All they saw was a green blur soaring across the sky.
"No! It's the Green Emperor!"
Those from the Vermilion Bird Legion, including Yang Ye, instantly panicked.
Before the Green Emperor, even collapse of Mount Tai paled in comparison.
"Look! His fur is shaking—he's excited! Oh no—plug your ears with jade cicadas, now!"
Wu Yong shouted in terror.