"Mystic Item, Black Pearl."
Yi Tianxing also saw the glowing words on the Book of Truth. Though the text remained vague, it was still clear that this item was extraordinary. No matter whom it was sacrificed to, the benefits it brought were immeasurable. It was a treasure even the mightiest would fight for. While it might not surpass a divine treasure in value, it was certainly rarer than one.
Its preciousness surpassed divine treasures.
"Unfortunately, the Book of Truth doesn't specify the actual use of the Black Pearl. We only know it's a mystic item, not what it actually does," Anima remarked after quickly scanning the entry.
"It seems the Book of Truth isn't omniscient. It doesn't always provide a complete answer," Yi Tianxing said meaningfully.
"Truth lies in discovery, in pursuit. The Book of Truth won't simply hand out the answers. That process of seeking—that's the real joy of enlightenment," Anima countered without hesitation.
At the very least, the Book had acknowledged the item's general use, proving its value.
"You must be Yi, ruler of the Great Yi Dynasty—the legendary Human King, aren't you?" Anima looked directly at Yi Tianxing, a gleam of cleverness in his eyes. Though it sounded like a question, it was practically a statement.
"You truly have keen eyes, Master Anima," Yi Tianxing said without denial.
"With your presence, Yi King, even though you've tried to conceal it, the aura of a true sovereign cannot be hidden. Besides, the ease with which you spent millions of Eternal Coins speaks volumes. In the Great Yi, there are few with such wealth. To enter Darkblood Town so silently and with such bearing—it was an eight or nine out of ten chance it was you. If I couldn't recognize that, I wouldn't have lived this long."
Anima smiled faintly.
"Might I ask what brings you to Darkblood Town? Is it regarding the human residents here?" Anima's tone shifted subtly, gaining the composure of a true master of Darkblood Town. "Since our town's founding, we've always maintained friendly relations with the human race. This town was built jointly by goblins, dwarves, elves, and humans. Humanity has played a vital role in its development. And we have never enslaved the human race. You may investigate this yourself."
To be honest, when Anima confirmed Yi Tianxing's identity, he was terrified.
Darkblood Town was not isolated—it had contact with the outside world. Usually, it was accessed via a pair of spatial transfer arrays, a type of world-born treasure. One inside the town, one outside. The black market would open only when the arrays were connected. Once it closed, the array deactivated. As for the cave entrance Yi Tianxing had used—only town residents knew of it, and it had never been exposed.
Yi Tianxing had clearly come through that cave entrance. And without making a sound. The guards hadn't even realized it. That alone terrified Anima. It meant Darkblood Town's existence was exposed.
Considering how Gold and Silver City expanded, even when faced with hostage threats and sabotage from ogre tribes, Great Yi's armies did not stop—Anima knew how relentless they were.
"Even though I've only just entered, I can tell that the human citizens here are not restricted. They are free to come and go. It is thanks to your town's shelter that tens of thousands of humans have survived safely until now. To tribes that mean no harm to the human race, Great Yi considers them friends. And to friends—there will be no bloodshed," Yi Tianxing said, as he slowly took out the Black Pearl again.
"However, Great Yi's expansion will not cease. This region lies outside our current borders. In the next phase, it will be incorporated into Great Yi's territory. When that time comes, I hope Darkblood Town will provide a formal response. Also, the human citizens wishing to join Great Yi must not be obstructed."
This area wasn't far from Great Yi. Once the Celestial Cities suppressed the wilderness, it was inevitable that this place would be claimed.
In Great Yi's domains, the existence of a neutral town like Darkblood would become awkward.
Celestial Cities suppress the wilderness—in a thousand-mile radius, even if non-human towns or villages exist, they would still be subject to suppression by Great Yi's national destiny. Without submission, their development would be severely limited.
It wasn't realistic to suppress all foreign races.
A better strategy was: suppress some, destroy others, and recruit the rest.
Darkblood Town was clearly among those that could be recruited.
"Is Great Yi only a kingdom for humans?" Anima asked again.
"Great Yi is of course a kingdom led by humans. But it also welcomes friendly non-human races. We do not reject integration—as long as peace is maintained. However, the human race must remain central. That is non-negotiable."
Yi Tianxing spoke with conviction.
He had considered a multi-racial integration, but not just any race could join. Solely housing humans was also unrealistic. But the primacy of humanity must never be shaken—that was fundamental.
"Very well. Thank you for your honesty," Anima nodded with satisfaction, not disappointment.
Even receiving this answer was already a rare courtesy.
"In the near future, Great Yi will open official trade markets between the races. We haven't chosen which city yet, but I hope to see Master Anima there," Yi Tianxing smiled.
Where there was shadow, there was light. The black market would never vanish, but the trade market would become a public and regulated trading platform.
"With all the treasures in Great Yi, I've been yearning to see them. When the time comes, I will definitely participate," Anima replied without hesitation. Then, with a smile, he added, "As a final token, I wish to offer a gift to Yi King. I hope you'll accept it."
"Oh? You're too kind, Master Anima," Yi Tianxing responded.
"I noticed Yi King lacks a personal vehicle. In my vault, there is a unique divine treasure—a war chariot that also serves as a mobile palace, called the Nine-Dragon Battle Chariot. Initially pulled by only one dragon, it must be bathed in blood and consume countless souls to evolve. Only a true monarch can command it. No one but Yi King is worthy."
Anima reached into the treasure vault and pulled out a battle chariot.
This was no ordinary chariot. Engraved with the totems of the Nine Sons of the True Dragon, the rear was a living space, a palace on wheels. Within, one could sleep, eat, and reside. The front was a war platform, ideal for commanding troops and launching attacks.
And most importantly—it was a Heaven-Earth Treasure that could grow and evolve.
Currently, it was just a Yellow-Tier divine treasure, but if cultivated, it would become far more powerful.
"A marvelous chariot," Yi Tianxing murmured.
The Nine-Dragon Battle Chariot's core attributes were speed, defense, and dominance. At peak form, it could even traverse space and roam the void.
The nine dragons pulling it were powerful beings in their own right.
Yi Tianxing couldn't help but feel fondness for it. Such a chariot wasn't just a practical tool—it was a symbol of royal authority. Accepting it was to accept Darkblood Town's gesture of goodwill.
Boom!!
Just as Yi Tianxing took the battle chariot, a thunderous roar exploded in his ears—like lightning striking a clear sky, a deafening blast that seemed to shake the soul.
"Thunder infused with the will of Heaven and Earth… what is this?" Yi Tianxing's heart trembled. The thunder hadn't harmed him, but its purpose was clearly not destructive. It was to warn, to draw attention.
This was Heaven's Will—or more precisely, the Dao of Heaven.
With the thunder, an invisible pressure swept across the world. All beings, regardless of strength, felt as if shackled by unseen chains, utterly powerless to resist.
"Could another major event be unfolding?" Yi Tianxing thought grimly.
The Dao of Heaven never revealed itself easily. It was the consciousness of the world itself. It had only appeared twice before:
Once during the Great Cataclysm, when the world's consciousness was overwhelmed by the desires, fears, and dreams of countless beings, resulting in the birth of the Eternal Continent and the evolution of Heaven's Will.
And then, to seal away all powerful beings, forcing them either into deep slumber or stripping their power and making them start over.
Now, it appeared again. That meant something world-shaking was about to happen.
Yi Tianxing looked toward the sky.
Even though he was in a treasure vault deep underground, a mysterious force allowed his gaze to pierce through all barriers and witness the changes outside.
It was just dawn—the sun rising.
Thunderclouds raged across the sky.
And it wasn't just Yi Tianxing. Every race, every kingdom, every sect—no matter where they were, even those in deep seclusion or in ancient sealed realms, all saw it.
They all felt the Heaven's pressure.
It was the feeling of being crushed like an ant—at any moment.
Then, a cold, celestial eye manifested in the sky and announced:
"Eternal Calendar Year 5. The first 'Divine-Demon Battlefield' begins. All races shall compete. The victor shall rule."