No one would just stand by and watch a great enemy rise rapidly right under their nose. Someone else's rise meant one's own decline. Anyone with a bit of foresight could clearly see that.
If such a power were to be exposed, it would be a suicide move — cutting off all retreat paths completely. The dangers ahead would only grow more perilous.
Being a lone shining star is good, but it's also easily battered by wind and rain, eventually withering and falling.
"Hmm, what you said, Military Advisor, I have also considered. Your thoughts align perfectly with mine. Such a trump card is best kept secret. Therefore, I hope only the two of us know about this. As long as we don't admit it, even if others discover some clues, they will never guess the exact truth."
Yi Tianxing nodded in agreement.
"To unleash the full potential of the Wuxie Tianyin Treasure Tree's power, we must find ways to capture more of the Evernight tribe from the God-Demon Battlefield. Catching one or two is easy, but catching hundreds of thousands or even millions would cause too much disturbance. How to carry this out is a huge problem."
Jia Xu pondered briefly.
Now that purification methods exist, the treasure must be used to the fullest. The key is how to covertly collect large numbers of Evernight warriors without leaving traces. Any other actions risk exposure. To remain hidden, all possible signs of being discovered must be minimized.
"Does the Military Advisor have any clever plans?"
Yi Tianxing smiled and asked.
"I wouldn't call it a clever plan, just some ideas," Jia Xu nodded, then shared his thoughts. Yi Tianxing listened quietly, occasionally asking questions. Their secret conversation lasted half an hour before ending.
"Oh? They're awake."
Looking at the sky, it was still early morning. Yi Tianxing's face showed a hint of surprise as he glanced toward where the Nine-Dragon War Chariot was parked.
The war chariot's curtain had been lifted.
Two graceful, exquisite figures stepped down, their palace dresses perfectly outlining their flawless curves, showing every bit of beauty that made it impossible to look away.
One was cold and aloof, the other calm and serene. Both uniquely charming, like witnessing two of the most beautiful sights in the world.
"You, Yi, come out."
Yaoyue's sharp eyes opened wide as she looked around. The City Lord's Mansion was large, but she knew Yi Tianxing must be here.
"Yaoyue, I've never hidden. I just waited because you two hadn't woken yet. I even prepared some porridge for you. Come, let's talk over breakfast."
Yi Tianxing came out, looking at the two women. Despite their intimacy yesterday, seeing them again still made him feel a wave of awe—their strong allure was undeniable.
Yaoyue and Lianxing exchanged a glance and did not refuse. Standing here wasn't the right place for discussion.
The three moved to a quiet pavilion.
No flowers or plants around, but peaceful nonetheless.
They laid out exquisite, steaming food suitable for morning dining, the aroma awakening appetites even for Yaoyue and Lianxing, who had tasted many delicacies before.
Without much talk, they began to eat.
After a few bites, Yi Tianxing hadn't touched his chopsticks.
Lianxing raised her eyes to him: "Why aren't you eating?"
"No rush. I ate earlier. This is for you two," Yi Tianxing smiled. Watching them eat was a pleasure—there's a saying, "Beauty can be food for the eyes."
Though being watched eating felt odd, Yaoyue and Lianxing weren't ordinary people and continued elegantly enjoying the food.
After finishing, they waved away the dishes.
"Let's talk."
Yi Tianxing looked at the two women.
"Yes, we should," Yaoyue nodded, her face still cold and indifferent. Despite what happened yesterday, there was little visible change on the surface. Perhaps inside there were shifts, but none showed outwardly.
"This time what happened between us was an accident, but I never shirk responsibility. Facts are facts. What's done cannot be undone. I'm not someone who can't take responsibility. For what happened before, I will be responsible. If you wish, I can give each of you a proper status."
Yi Tianxing said without hesitation.
"Status?" Yaoyue's eyes flashed with a strange light. "How do you plan to arrange us sisters?"
She wanted to hear Yi Tianxing's plan.
"Are you familiar with the Great Yi Dynasty?"
Yi Tianxing asked.
"You are the Great Yi Sovereign."
Yaoyue's pupils contracted slightly. When the Great Yi was founded, she too had heard the Heavenly Dao's transmission, the world's celebration, the praise of all living beings. When she first learned the name of the Great Yi Dynasty's lord, she secretly wondered if it might be him. Now she was certain.
"Yes, I founded the human dynasty called Great Yi. I am the Great Yi Sovereign."
Yi Tianxing said.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Yaoyue's gaze sharpened.
"My meaning is this: I will have more women in my life besides you two. There is already an Empress in the palace, with whom I share deep feelings, so the Empress position will not be given to you. But I will never treat you unfairly."
Yi Tianxing said firmly: "If you are willing, you can be Imperial Concubines. There's no distinction of rank between the Empress and the Concubines. In the future, we'll all be sisters, one big family."
"You want to make us sisters your concubines?"
Yaoyue's face cooled. Though she had guessed this after knowing Yi Tianxing's identity, hearing it confirmed still brought displeasure.
Her pride made it hard to accept. She wished she could kill that woman on the spot, wiping her off the world. But she held back. She never regretted losing herself to Yi Tianxing and always felt a special bond with him. But sharing him with others, that was harder to accept. With Lianxing it was already her limit, because of sisterly feelings. But accepting more women was a natural resistance within her.
"If you don't want to, then I will have no choice but to give up. For what happened before, I will accept the consequences."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and said solemnly.
He least wanted chaos in his own home. Yaoyue's strong personality was not to be underestimated. If he failed to soothe her properly, a fire in the backyard could start anytime.
He loved beauties, but peace at home was more important.
"You want to escape responsibility," Yaoyue said coldly.
"Of course not. A true man knows what to do and what not to do. I won't shirk responsibility. The choice is yours, not mine. If you accept, I will give you proper status and official marriage. You will be my wives with no difference in rank. In my heart, you are all equal. But I cannot abandon old loves for new ones, nor make promises I can't keep. That would be deceitful to you and to myself."
Yi Tianxing shook his head calmly, sincerity in his expression.
Though deception might solve problems temporarily, sincerity was the best explanation between people.
"Hmph!"
Yaoyue stood abruptly, letting out a cold snort, then turned and left the pavilion.
"Sis!"
Lianxing called after her.
Yaoyue stopped but did not turn back, coldly saying, "The City Lord's Mansion has plenty of rooms. We sisters have nowhere to stay for now, so we'll borrow your place for a few days."
With that, she flicked her sleeve and walked on.
Watching the two women's retreating backs, Yi Tianxing smiled faintly but did not follow.
"Order the Jinlin Guards to start scouting the surroundings of Sunset City and map it out as quickly as possible."
"Notify the soldiers on the walls to maintain vigilance. Human cultivators may come and go freely during the day, but no alien races are allowed. If there is a siege or attack, do not wait for orders — fight back immediately."
…
Orders quickly spread throughout the City Lord's Mansion.
After two fierce night attacks, Yi Tianxing felt that with his current strength, it was time to expand his reach, gather more intelligence, and probe the surrounding environment.
Sunset City was not the end, just a starting point.
A roar echoed.
Soon, the Nine-Dragon War Chariot rose into the air, speeding through the void toward a nearby star gate.
On the war chariot, Yi Tianxing's eyes scanned the battlefield.
Corpses lay everywhere — from the Evernight puppet army and countless cultivators from the Eternal Continent. Without fortress protection at night, it was a fight to the death. Every battlefield was equally brutal — some survived, some fell immediately.
"This battlefield is bound to change."
Yi Tianxing felt a premonition. The horrors of the God-Demon Battlefield had only just begun. The past few nights were just the calm before the storm. If he didn't grow stronger quickly, danger would come.
The Nine-Dragon War Chariot sped onward.
In moments, it reached a star gate.