The streets, houses, and even all the buildings were entirely constructed from white bones. They looked naturally formed, exuding a unique and eerie style, like a realm of hell. Any ordinary person stepping into this place would be scared out of their wits—it was no different from entering the underworld. Even cultivators, unless they practiced demonic cultivation, would find it difficult to adapt here, the atmosphere deeply unsettling.
Yet despite that, the city could easily accommodate a population of over a million without the slightest pressure.
The army marched into the city in an orderly manner, quickly forming ranks and waiting on the open grounds within.
At the center of the city's plaza stood a crystal pillar made of white bones, upon which lines of glowing information were inscribed, radiating an aura of temptation. The moment anyone entered White Crow City, their eyes would be immediately drawn to it.
"Nine Nether Ten Thousand Crow Urn, exchange price: One billion souls."
"Ten Thousand Crow Black Feather Fan, exchange price: One hundred million souls."
"Underworld Crow Feather Arrow, exchange price: Ten thousand souls."
"Soul-Capturing Bell, exchange price: Three hundred thousand souls."
"Blood-Melting Gourd, exchange price: One million souls."...
Clearly, this pillar displayed the prices for various treasures—all priced in souls. Souls were the currency here, or more precisely, the only currency of White Crow City. To the White Bone Underworld Crow Clan, souls were food, their most coveted essence—the most valuable substance imaginable.
Other things meant nothing to them.
The staggering prices drew shocked expressions from many soldiers.
"What exactly is that Nine Nether Ten Thousand Crow Urn to be worth a billion souls? A billion lives! That's more than the total population of the Great Yi Dynasty's citizens!"— Ye Zhiqiu gasped in horror, murmuring in disbelief.
Even the battle-hardened monk Lu Zhishen couldn't help the twitch in his eyes.
"Even the Black Feather Fan costs a hundred million souls. The Feather Arrows are ten thousand per arrow. That's insane…"
These prices made life itself seem worthless.
A cold voice rang out. At some unknown time, the White Bone Underworld Crow King had appeared atop the pillar.
"Cooperating with our White Bone Underworld Crow Clan is mutually beneficial. The Nine Nether Ten Thousand Crow Urn is forged from the essences of our kind. Once activated, it unleashes thousands of Underworld Crows and Nine Nether Ghostfire, burning all in their path. It can even form the Ten Thousand Crow Array, turning into a Nine Nether Ghost Moon, transforming the land into a ghostly domain. Even great powers may fall. It is a Heaven-grade Spirit Treasure."
"The Black Feather Fan is crafted from our condensed feathers. Waving it produces endless Ghostfire, releasing a Wind of Death that can scatter souls and drain life force. A devastating soul-based weapon."
"As long as you have souls, anything in White Crow City can be exchanged. The Battlefield of Gods and Demons is a burial ground—countless treasures lie in our hands. As long as you bring us souls, we can offer you anything you want."
His tone carried an irresistible temptation.
The power of these treasures was immense. Even a single one could significantly increase one's strength—enough to turn the tide of battle. The allure was overwhelming, even for battle-hardened soldiers.
Yi Tianxing pointed to the Underworld Crow Feather Arrows.
"What's the use of these arrows?"
"They're faster than lightning, invisible to the eye. They directly wound the soul, containing deathly energy that corrodes flesh and blood. One hit—death or serious injury is guaranteed."
Deadly to even body-tempering cultivators, these arrows were powerful finishing tools.
Suddenly, Jia Xu's eyes lit up.
"My lord, they have treasures here that can directly open life apertures."
Indeed, listed on the pillar were:
"Fire Spirit Fruit – chance to open a Fire-type life aperture. Price: 300,000 souls."
"Earth Spirit Fruit – chance to open an Earth-type life aperture. Price: 300,000 souls."
"Water Spirit Fruit – chance to open a Water-type life aperture. Price: 300,000 souls."…
Yi Tianxing was surprised.
"These are the Five Element Spirit Fruits! Not only are they used to forge Dao foundations, they might directly awaken corresponding elemental life apertures. The success rate must be low, though."
In his own Dantian Life Aperture, he had a Gold Spirit Fruit Tree. He had once eaten a Gold Spirit Fruit, gaining a trace of gold origin energy. Though it hadn't directly opened a life aperture at the time, it had synergized with the essence from food refined by his Food Cauldron Life Aperture, eventually opening the Gold God Aperture.
Thus, while these fruits could open apertures, the chance was limited. However, the potential was still immense.
"Among the Five Elements, I already possess the Gold, Wood, and Water apertures—only Earth and Fire remain. But now that my Food Cauldron has evolved to the Profound Grade, its essence-extracting power is much stronger. With the right food, I may open new apertures without needing these fruits."
Indeed, his Food Cauldron Life Aperture had grown with every delicacy he consumed, absorbing more and more essence. Eventually, it would reach a critical mass and transform again.
The Underworld Crow King reiterated:
"As long as you have souls, you can get whatever you desire."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and asked:
"Now that we're inside, when can we leave the Battlefield of Gods and Demons?"
"You can only leave when dawn comes. Until then, no one can leave. But before that… please sign a contract."
The king's cold voice echoed. A parchment contract appeared before them, covered in dark, arcane runes.
Yi Tianxing read it carefully. It stated that the White Bone Underworld Crow Clan would escort them out once 1 million souls had been collected. The souls would come from enemies killed by the Great Yi army—their souls harvested by the Underworld Crows until the quota was met.
He scanned it with his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, ensuring no hidden traps, then signed it.
The contract burned in midair, transforming into an invisible force that entered both the Great Yi soldiers and the Underworld Crow Clan.
The pact was sealed.
"Tonight, you will witness the endless Fiendish Qi of the Battlefield of Gods and Demons... and the arrival of the Corpse Fiends. You'll be glad you made this deal."
With those ominous words, the Underworld Crow King vanished without a trace.
"Set up camp. Rotate in shifts—half to rest and eat, half on guard duty."
Yi Tianxing ordered calmly.
The army had prepared rations in food boxes that preserved heat and lasted long. The chefs from Gourmet Palace had worked for days preparing these, using spiritual rice and other rare ingredients. Each meal was nourishing and valuable.
The soldiers quickly began their meal rotations.
Unnoticed, nightfall deepened.
The Underworld Crows of White Crow City had mysteriously vanished.
Then, a report came.
"Report—abnormal activity outside the city!"
Yi Tianxing rushed to the city wall. What he saw made his expression change.
From the depths of the Battlefield of Gods and Demons, gray mist erupted like a fountain, spreading rapidly in all directions like a tide of fog.
It moved with terrifying speed, enveloping everything.
The true horrors of the night had begun to stir...