"That's right, coming to Great Yi is the right decision. His Majesty never mistreats those who contribute. In Great Yi, military and civil affairs are strictly separated. Generals fall under the jurisdiction of the Military Cabinet, and civil officials cannot interfere with military matters. In our dynasty, the oppression and humiliation of military officers by civil officials that plagued past dynasties will never happen. This is the best destination and the best choice for soldiers. As long as you have talent, you'll rise through the ranks," Qi Jiguang said with a smile.
"Exactly. Once you join Great Yi, you don't have to worry about roadblocks in your military promotion. There are no obstacles—as long as you have strength, you have unlimited potential. His Majesty has established a rule: only through military merit can one be granted a title of nobility. As long as you accumulate enough merit, the title of marquis or duke is within reach," Yang Ye added with a smile.
Cheng Yaojin's name was naturally well-known to them. In various historical tales, his name appeared often—nicknamed the "Fiend of Chaos" for his unruly nature and fighting prowess. Yet no one could deny his talent in leading troops and his strength in battle.
"Haha, from now on, we're colleagues. If I misstep in any way, I hope you'll all guide me. But, I wasn't originally in Great Yi's territory in the Eternal Continent. Once we leave the Battlefield of Gods and Demons, we may have to part ways again."
Cheng Yaojin brought up a critical issue. No one knew whether, after the battlefield ended, they would return to their original territory or enter a new one. Most likely, they would return. If that couldn't be solved, it would greatly affect future recruitment.
"Don't worry," Yi Tianxing said calmly. "I found a treasure on the battlefield's exchange list: the Fate-Linking Token (牵机引). It allows cultivators to choose their departure region before leaving the battlefield. It contains the power of causality—establish the cause, and the effect will follow. This is likely the battlefield's way of giving the strong another chance."
Since he had already decided to recruit Cheng Yaojin as a general, it wasn't just for short-term use in the battlefield—he wanted him in Great Yi permanently.
The Fate-Linking Token was a special treasure on the battlefield. It had only one function: allowing one to leave the battlefield with their chosen faction, erasing their original territorial coordinates and inscribing new ones.
Everyone who entered the battlefield bore a coordinate imprint from their original realm. Upon leaving, those imprints determined their return point. The token overwrote them. It was that simple.
Surprisingly, the price wasn't even high—only 10,000 Divine Demon Merit Points per token, and they were unlimited in quantity. This was clearly a power controlled by the will of Heaven and Earth—easily done.
"Fantastic! I have nothing tying me to my old place. Joining Great Yi is definitely the best decision. From now on, I'm one of you," Cheng Yaojin beamed, his previous worries gone. Now he could join without hesitation.
"There's actually such a method?" Other visiting cultivators showed curiosity.
The Battlefield of Gods and Demons had too many items—nobody could remember them all. Yi Tianxing had specifically sought this out, and he'd found it.
But the other cultivators didn't immediately choose to join Great Yi—not because they didn't want to, but because Yi Tianxing hadn't invited them. And they wouldn't make such a major decision lightly.
Still, this clearly provided a path to escape their original territories and join new ones.
Night had fallen.Yi Tianxing gazed beyond the city walls. The battlefield looked especially eerie and terrifying under the dark sky. A dreadful power could vaguely be felt stirring across the land.
"We tried everything to destroy those Star Portals, but it was useless. They hover between illusion and reality. Indestructible. The creatures that came through them won't just vanish. They'll return. Nightfall is when they rise again," Jia Xu said solemnly. He was certain of it.
Those portals had left a deep impression on him.
"Then we'll face them head-on. Great Yi never sits and waits to be attacked," Yi Tianxing said with unwavering calm. "Notify all troops to prepare. Have the War Tiger Legion form up. Passive defense isn't our style. If we must fight, then let the enemy taste our might."
His eyes gleamed. Pure defense wouldn't satisfy him. True elite troops weren't forged through defense, but through slaughter on the battlefield.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. My War Tiger Legion is always ready," said Wang Dahu, grinning with battle intent radiating from him.
Meanwhile, not far from Sunset City, in front of a Star Portal, a flash of light appeared—and a figure slowly stepped out. This being looked very human at first glance.
But he wore a clown mask—something unmistakably recognizable to any human. Dressed in a black robe, with that mask, he gave off an eerie aura.
The figure paused and looked around the battlefield. The night seemed to have no effect on his vision.
"Tsk tsk… So this is the Battlefield of Gods and Demons? A new era, huh? According to this world's rules, it's called the Eternal Era. But eternity? Ha! Even an 'Immortal Era' would eventually end. This era belongs to us."
The masked clown looked around, giggling strangely. His mask wasn't ordinary—it morphed with his expressions, giving the illusion of life. The more it changed, the more grotesque and disturbing it became. The mocking smile on it seemed to mock fate itself.
"Let I, the Jester of Fatality (嬉命小丑), cleanse this land of the unworthy."
With another eerie laugh, the clown raised his hand—and summoned a mount.
Not just any mount. A wooden horse—crudely made from unknown timber, resembling a child's toy. Laughing wildly, the clown leapt onto it.
The wooden horse creaked and groaned as it staggered forward… right out of the portal.
BOOM!!
Behind him, the portal erupted in black light. Tides of monsters, beasts, and warriors from countless races poured out, flooding the field like a living tsunami. Their numbers were staggering:
Tens of thousands…Hundreds of thousands…Millions!
The entire battlefield was overrun in moments.
But unlike the first night, they didn't immediately charge the cities. Instead, they stood silently—watching the clown. It was clear now: he was their commander.
"Let's begin. I plan to enjoy myself tonight," the clown said gleefully.
With a wave, the monstrous army surged forward like a black tide.
The sight was utterly terrifying.
Even more disturbing—despite coming from different races and species, they showed no internal conflict at all. That kind of unnatural unity was deeply unsettling, especially on this chaotic battlefield.
BOOM!
Across the entire Battlefield of Gods and Demons, in every region, the same tremors rang out. Countless creatures emerged from Star Portals, sweeping out like locusts.
"They're here. Again," came the grim murmurs.
All races—regardless of who they were—wore heavy expressions.
They'd survived the first night. But nothing could truly prepare them for the endless waves of slaughter that came with the night. It was a meat grinder of flesh and blood.
"They're coming."
Atop Sunset City's walls, everyone could hear the approaching rumble. Faces turned grim as orders were rapidly issued.
War supplies were deployed at once. Arrows stacked in easy reach. Every great war consumed staggering resources—and these expendables couldn't be recovered once used.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
On the horizon, a tide of monsters surged into view—just like the night before.
"No… something's different this time," Jia Xu muttered, eyes narrowing.