This matter must be kept secret. Absolutely sealed.
Even though the effect might not truly be airtight, at the very least it could become difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. There were countless refugees across the Eternal Continent, and innumerable human civilians scattered across the wilderness. A sudden increase in the number of refugees—who could really say anything about that? Only the civilians of Goldsilver City had actually witnessed the events.
Naturally, a gag order was issued in the military. No leaks would come from there.
But quite a few people had seen the incident. It was impossible to ensure absolute silence.
So long as there was no admission, no explanation, it would be enough to create confusion between truth and falsehood.
What Yi Tianxing wanted the alien races to know was this: taking human civilians as hostages would never stop the expansion of the Great Yi Dynasty. Even if the sacrifice was massive, even if they faced the scorn of the people and condemnation from countless races—for the future of the Great Yi, for the future of more human civilians, even if it meant being ruthless—it had to be done. No one could stop this.
Of course, in the process, Yang Ye would have to bear the weight of condemnation and curses for a while longer.
If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all in. Now that it had begun, how could it end so easily?
Not only did he want to ensure that no human civilians died, but he also wanted to achieve his objective—an objective that had always been planned.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I am mentally prepared to bear this guilt. Besides, if the Hall of Calamity hadn't intervened, I, Yang Ye, would have committed unspeakable slaughter. Being able to save these human civilians, these innocent pregnant women and infants—this is my greatest fortune. The stigma of guilt is a small price to pay to atone for my command to massacre civilians."
Yang Ye took a deep breath, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Good. Your guilt will not be in vain. It allows Great Yi to expand smoothly. It enables our territory to grow. Only by growing stronger can we expand the living space of the human race. That is the path to becoming a mighty race."
Yi Tianxing nodded and patted Yang Ye on the shoulder.
He had seen all that Yang Ye had done. He knew how much courage it had taken. This was a general willing to sacrifice everything for Great Yi.
"The Yang family has been loyal and heroic for generations. A legacy worthy of history."
Yi Tianxing thought silently in his heart.
No king would dislike such loyal ministers and generals. People like Yang Ye deserved important roles, positions of high honor. They had earned the right.
"Your Majesty, I, Yang Ye—and my entire clan—am willing to bleed for Great Yi, for the people of the world, until the last drop of blood spills!"
Yang Ye declared, eyes resolute.
These were not empty words—he had already proven them through his actions.
"Very good. I've said this before: 'Nobility comes on horseback—only by military merit.' The title of marquis—your Yang family has earned a place among them."
Yi Tianxing spoke calmly.
"Bring these human civilians into Goldsilver City. Provide them with clothing, food, and rest. After cleaning and recovery, send them to Xuanhuang City through the teleportation array. Register them, issue household certificates, and place them under Xuanhuang's governance."
His gaze landed on the refugees, still trembling in fear. Even Yi Tianxing himself felt a pang in his heart—especially when he saw the pregnant women and children. It was hard to imagine how they had survived the chaos.
"People of the human race, I am Yi Tianxing, ruler of the Great Yi Dynasty. What you experienced just now has surely frightened you. But rest assured—you are safe now. You will never again have to fear being recaptured by the alien races. From now on, you are citizens of Great Yi.
In Great Yi, not only will you no longer fear the alien races—you will gain the power to fight back against them. Our human race is not inferior to any other race."
Yi Tianxing shouted with conviction, his voice firm and resolute.
Upon hearing those words, countless human refugees burst into wailing cries.
In those cries, eyes once numb and faces once filled with despair began to shift. Expressions returned. A new vitality stirred within them—something absent for so long. Before this, they had merely been waiting to die.
But now, it was as if they were reborn.
Crying is the first sound of a newborn. In this moment, their cries were a farewell to the past—a greeting to new life.
"We're saved! We're really saved! I thought I'd never return to the human world again—but it's real, it's really happening!"
"We survived! No more fear of being eaten alive by aliens! No more going to sleep and never waking up again! It was horrible—I saw my own child get eaten!"
"Great Yi is amazing! We humans can fight back against the alien races! We're not weak—we can grow strong too! I swear I'll get stronger! I'll kill aliens too!"
Countless refugees wept, cried, shouted.
The scene moved everyone deeply. This was the true experience of surviving death—a second chance at life. No one could remain unmoved.
"Brothers and sisters, don't stay outside! Come into Goldsilver City! Clean water, food, clothing—it's all ready! Don't worry. Here in Great Yi, you'll never suffer those miserable days again! We are not afraid of any alien race! They should fear us instead!"
Jin Buyin shouted loudly.
He had reacted swiftly, ordering his men to prepare large amounts of food and supplies.
Immediately, waves of refugees poured into Goldsilver City. They washed up, changed clothes, and were greeted by the rich aroma of thick meat porridge.
Just stepping into the city—seeing the familiar signs of human civilization, the smiles of other citizens—they felt their hearts finally settle. Like weary birds returning to a nest, they felt at peace—a peace they hadn't felt since the chaos began.
Some even began to cry again.
"All right. Mr. Jiang, let's move out."
Yi Tianxing nodded to Jiang Ni.
Pa!The mountain-driving whip struck the ground. The earth rumbled, and the celestial city was lifted again, heading into the Stone Ravine.
The Vermilion Bird Legion reformed ranks and followed.
The soldiers, seeing that no innocent civilians had actually been killed, smiled with relief. The tension on many faces eased.
"Your Majesty, aren't you going with them?"
Tong Huang asked, seeing Yi Tianxing still hovering in the air.
"No need. The alien's scheme has been broken. They have no more means to stop Great Yi's expansion. Goldsilver City will reach its destination. This is Yang General's battlefield now—I won't interfere."
Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
This was a military merit that belonged to his generals.
"Your Majesty, there's something I hadn't mentioned before."
Tong Huang suddenly said.
"What is it?" Yi Tianxing asked calmly.
"Among those human refugees, there may be some who have been **infiltrated by a race known as the Blood Clan—**vampires."
"Blood Clan? Vampires?" Yi Tianxing's eyes grew cold.
"Yes. According to reliable sources, Fan Wencheng has abandoned his human identity and transformed into a vampire. He now lives on blood. The Blood Clan has a terrifying ability to create progeny. Anyone bitten by a vampire may become a blood slave—a being whose life and death are controlled by their master's bloodline."
Tong Huang's face turned grim.
"If even a few vampires have slipped into the refugee crowd, and they're allowed to propagate and expand their numbers undetected, it could turn into a catastrophe. That's why I didn't speak of it earlier."
"Interesting... Fan Wencheng turned himself into a vampire? He no longer even considers himself human. Hiding vampires among refugees—if unnoticed, it could cause serious trouble for Great Yi."
Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed coldly. His killing intent toward Fan Wencheng deepened.
"Tong Huang, since your Hall of Calamity discovered this, I leave it to you. As I recall, vampires—especially low-tier ones and blood slaves—fear silver. Something within silver carries a unique energy that is fatal to them. It's an inherent flaw.
That said, this is the Eternal Continent—anything can happen. We can't rely on silver alone."
"If any vampires are hiding among the refugees—find them. Kill them.
Those who offend Great Yi—no matter how far—must be destroyed. Any alien race that dares step into our realm… should be prepared to die."
His voice carried cold, decisive resolve.
Great Yi was not a playground for foreign invaders. Entering meant risking death.
"Don't worry. If vampires are hiding among the refugees, my Hall of Calamity will find them. We'll ensure no harm comes to the innocent."
Tong Huang licked his lips, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
Vampires—what excellent prey.