The star floating in the sky represented a legacy passed down from the War Emperor of the Battle Clan—or rather, a legacy from the Battle Clan itself. But clearly, obtaining this legacy was no easy task. Its appearance on the battlefield did not guarantee that it would be granted. Without meeting the criteria, the inheritance would never fall into anyone's hands.
The inheritance manifested as a celestial star, illuminating the Battlefield of Gods and Demons.
In this case, everyone had a chance. Anyone could be chosen.
The War Emperor's will was personally selecting a successor, surveying the entire battlefield. Only when someone met the exacting standards of the inheritance would it be granted. This was no ordinary grave hunt or tomb raiding; the War Emperor's remains weren't required to receive it.
No treasure hunts, no exploration, no traps or trials—the only trial was oneself.
As the legacy took the form of a star hovering in the sky, countless cultivators from every race showed strange expressions.
"The Battle Clan—I've heard of them. Old records describe them as one of the peak races of the previous era. They attained Dao through battle, undying and indestructible in their war intent, defying the heavens. The more they fought, the stronger they became. As long as their battle will remained, their combat power would increase without limit. They're said to inherit a terrifying scripture known as the Heavenly War Sutra (斗战天经). At the core of this legacy lies a Life Diagram—the War Furnace of Will (战意烘炉)! It uses war intent as fuel to endlessly amplify strength. As long as the war intent exists, the power is eternal. One of the most fearsome races under heaven. Supposedly, the Battle Clan is but a branch from an even more monstrous ancestral family."
In one war city, a youth radiating a mighty draconic aura lifted his eyes to the sky, a serious look in his eyes.
He was a young dragon race genius.
Although most dragons were sealed away, their race still had its younger generation. These young dragons were born with powerful bloodlines. Even without cultivation, their innate divine abilities and physiques allowed them to match those in the Life Diagram or even Fate Diagram Realm upon birth.
Through cultivation, they could fully unleash their gifted constitutions. This was the terror of a top-tier race. At the same cultivation level, few could rival the dragons.
A true pure-blood dragon was bound to become a peerless genius—unless they were utterly incompetent.
This youth was named Ao Qing (敖青), clearly no mediocrity based on his presence and demeanor.
"Second Brother, is the Battle Clan really that powerful? If they're only a branch, then what kind of terrifying race is the main family? What kind of hidden family could they be?"
A petite, radiant girl with a pure, innocent smile asked softly.
She wore flowing white palace robes, drifting lightly in the breeze. Her appearance was stunning—one in a million. Her innocence and sweetness made her even more endearing, the kind of girl people naturally wanted to protect.
"Little Sister, you're here."
Ao Qing smiled warmly, a touch of affection in his gaze.
"I honestly don't know either. That's ancient history. I only know bits and pieces from old texts in the Battlefield of Gods and Demons. A family so heaven-defying that even its offshoot becomes the Battle Clan—what kind of monsters must the main family be? That's not something we should concern ourselves with."
He was genuinely fond of his sister—Ao Yu (敖雨)—known in the Dragon Palace as the Little Dragon Princess. The youngest of the royal bloodline.
"The War Emperor's inheritance is definitely based on war intent. Our Behemoth Clan is the true king of the battlefield! Unmatched in offense and victory! No one is more suited to inherit the Battle Clan's legacy!"
Within another war city, the Golden Behemoth King, Meng Wudi, raised his massive fists and roared skyward.
His golden blood surged forth like a god of war.
This legacy, a gift from a supreme clan, stirred immense desire within him. He could sense the Battle Clan's legacy was uniquely compatible with his Behemoth bloodline.
However, the celestial star of the War Emperor's legacy remained still, showing no response to Meng Wudi's roars. It didn't change at all.
At this moment, countless races across the battlefield were burning with desire. They tried every method—prayers, rituals, and even attempts to seize the star itself. But it was all in vain.
"The War Emperor's legacy... let fate decide. If it's meant to be, good. If not, it's no big deal."
Standing atop the city walls, Yi Tianxing gazed at the shining star without much emotion.
He cultivated the Heavenly Emperor Dragon Sutra (天帝御龙经), a technique most suited to him—one of the Heavenly Scriptures, unmatched by all but a few. Neither in power nor utility did he fall behind any other legacy.
Even if he gained another legacy, it wouldn't make sense to switch.
"Mm, as powerful as it may be, the War Emperor's legacy might not suit us anyway. Plus, who even knows what the requirements are?"
The twin sisters Yao Yue and Lian Xing nodded in agreement.
Wanting something didn't mean you'd get it. Hoping too much could only lead to disappointment.
"Strategist, continue overseeing the affairs of Falling Sunset City. With the Exotic Fruit Banquet in three months, I must resume closed-door cultivation. If anything major happens, wake me."
Yi Tianxing gave his orders before turning to return to his chamber.
He wasn't just refining Dao Soldiers during this time—he was also tempering his Life Diagram, preparing for its metamorphosis into the Scroll Phase.
In the Fate Diagram Realm, Dao Soldiers couldn't be refined unless the Life Diagram reached a certain strength. Though his Rivers and Mountains Diagram and the refining of Primal Chaos Purple Qi had made his Life Diagram unusually powerful, allowing for premature Dao Soldier forging, strengthening it further would boost his power even more.
His Heavenly Emperor Tower was also expanding daily through star core refinement, undergoing constant evolution.
He had also resolved to begin cultivating a body-refining technique based on the Nine Revolutions Divine Art (九转玄功)—to craft his own version. Once successful, his combat prowess would surge to terrifying levels.
After giving a few more instructions to Yao Yue and Lian Xing, Yi Tianxing left for closed-door cultivation.
Even in seclusion, he accumulated massive amounts of merit points every night. He spent them all on rare materials for Dao Soldier forging.
The process was incredibly dangerous.
In just a few days, over a thousand human warriors had entered the Chaotic Weapon-Nurturing Pool. But the death rate was nearly 90%—most couldn't withstand the chaotic energies and exploded on the spot.
Only about a hundred survived.
Whether they would last to the end was still unknown.
Inside the nurturing pool, the yin and yang five elements were in constant flux—one moment scorching with pure yang, the next icy with extreme yin. It was almost impossible to adapt.
Vast quantities of resources were poured in, like throwing them into a bottomless pit.
Large amounts of Yin-Yang Pills were also used, which is what allowed some to survive. Without them, the death toll would've been even higher.
Time passed quietly.
Five or six more days went by.
That night, a Star Gate opened once again.
From one of the star gates, a strange figure emerged.
Its body resembled a human's—but the head was bizarrely huge, even larger than the body itself, making the figure look like a giant mushroom.
"Sage, you've arrived."
Outside the Star Gate, a group of Eternal Night cultivators waited respectfully. Among them stood the Jester and a Skeleton Knight. These were no puppets—they were true warriors of Eternal Night.
When they saw the large-headed creature, they all bowed slightly in respect.
Even the Jester did so.
The oversized head wasn't for show—its eyes occasionally sparkled with immense intelligence. Clearly, this wasn't an ordinary being.
This was no common Eternal Night cultivator, but a member of the Brain Fiend Clan (智族)—a highly intelligent, terrifying race.
This clan was bizarre. Born with heads disproportionately large, their brains were extraordinarily developed. Cunning, calculative, and geniuses in strategy, they were respected across the Eternal Night realms.
But they had another name—Brain Fiends.
They were infamous for their love of devouring brains and cerebral fluids of other beings, considering it the greatest delicacy. If they went a day without consuming brains, they would become extremely uncomfortable.
They were born with an opened Sea of Consciousness Life Aperture and had terrifyingly strong spiritual power. In battle, a single glance from them could crush an enemy's soul into fragments.
"The Battle Clan's legacy… so it still lingers. Even after an entire era, the Battle Clan isn't truly extinct. Just like a centipede that refuses to die even when cut—disgusting."
The Brain Fiend Sage raised his head, gazing coldly at the flickering star above.