Someone like that couldn't possibly be ordinary—especially not a Heaven's Chosen of the human race. No one is truly "ordinary." Whether one carries the air of the martial world or comes from a loose cultivator background matters little. What's important is that trace of righteousness within them. No matter what they've done, as long as that righteousness remains, they can't be truly evil.
And it's precisely people like this that the Great Yi Dynasty needs.
Great Yi may be vast and welcoming, but it doesn't accept just anyone. Those who have committed heinous crimes are, of course, not allowed to join. They may enter Great Yi, but only if they truly repent and never offend again. Otherwise, they too will be arrested and sent to the Heavenly Prison.
Unknowingly, they arrived before the hot spring.
After being refurbished, the spring had been greatly expanded. Though the spring source remained the same and the waters still ran crimson, the area now spanned dozens of times its original size.
It could now easily accommodate dozens—perhaps even over a hundred—bathing together without feeling crowded. It had truly become a top-tier natural hot spring.
Although the expansion somewhat diluted the Sunset Spring's effects, it still yielded remarkable results for cultivators: tempering the flesh, washing the blood and bones—not inferior to top-tier medicinal baths, and even more miraculous because it was completely natural, leaving behind no residual impurities in the body.
"All right, Sister Ah qing, sisters—let's take a walk in the garden. Let these stinky men soak by themselves. My husband once mentioned that in the Divine Demon Treasury, there's a treasure—an exotic spring. Once he redeems it, we'll have our own hot spring within Great Yi. And I heard the waters of this exotic spring have beauty-enhancing effects. After bathing, your skin becomes snow-white and silky smooth—so delicate it feels like it might break at a touch."
Yao Yue glanced at the Sunset Spring and said with a smile.
Although the hot spring was open to all, it was clearly out of the question for female cultivators like them to bathe alongside men. That would be far too indecent—completely overstepping a woman's bottom line.
This was about a woman's purity. Sharing a bath with men? Absolutely impossible.
Thus, with Yao Yue's suggestion, many of the women quickly nodded in agreement.
They certainly wanted to enjoy the spring—but not alongside men.
The group of men, unfazed, quickly shed their clothes and entered the Sunset Spring. The spring's temperature hovered around one hundred degrees Celsius, scalding like boiling water. This was not an illusion—it was a real, dangerous temperature.
Ordinary people couldn't withstand it. Stepping in would immediately result in scalded skin or even death, as if boiled alive. The sight alone was terrifying.
But for cultivators, even those who weren't body refiners, bathing in hundred-degree water was nothing. In fact, they found the temperature pleasant—neither too hot nor too cold. Just right.
Soaking in the waters felt incredibly comfortable.
Their pores opened naturally, drawing in faintly glowing energies from the water into their flesh and bones, suffusing the body with heat. It felt like returning to the mother's womb, all fatigue washing away.
Every cell seemed to be letting out a contented moan.
Both Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang wore relaxed, content expressions.
It was a strange and delightful feeling, as if all the weight and burdens they once carried were suddenly gone.
"This Sunset Spring is indeed extraordinary—like bathing in the sunlight itself, basking in warmth. It's great for easing the body and mind. A true treasure," Zhuge Liang praised aloud.
He could feel his physical body subtly strengthening. And due to the diluted waters, the original pain from the spring was gone, replaced with comfort. Even though the miraculous effects were lessened, the joy of growing stronger while relaxing was a rare delight—one no one would refuse.
"It's quite the experience," Guan Yu nodded. The pleasure of strengthening the body while soaking was deeply satisfying.
Total mental and physical relaxation.
"Mr. Zhuge, what do you think of the current situation on the Eternal Continent? And what path should our human race take?" Yi Tianxing asked as he soaked, sighing softly.
Zhuge Liang's expression turned serious.
"The Eternal Continent is still in an era of chaos. It's only been a few short years since the fusion of the myriad realms. For such a massive integration and collision of races, a few years is just the blink of an eye. Right now, most factions are only just gaining a foothold—starting to plant their roots, carve out a place. There are threats from beasts and monsters, territorial clashes, rising hatred—and more new hatred every day. In the end, this will spiral into more intense war. Racial war. War against beasts. War against hostile environments."
"The chaos has only just begun."
Zhuge Liang's tone was grave.
This is the inevitable result of the fusion of the myriad worlds.
Chaos, war, and slaughter saturate the land. This era of turmoil will only grow darker and bloodier—until the whole world is reshuffled.
In the process, some races will perish. Others will rise. Kingdoms will fall, and new ones will ascend the path to godhood.
So far, the conflicts have mostly been minor skirmishes, as all races cautiously test the environment. The human race is a newcomer to this land—just like many others. There's not much difference.
But those with power have already seized the early advantage.
These few chaotic years are merely the prologue. Everyone's been solidifying their foundations—securing survival and ensuring continuity.
Zhuge Liang predicted that the true peak of chaos was fast approaching, and it would be terrifyingly brutal.
Once their roots are firm, expansion becomes inevitable—and war is the only means of expansion.
That's when true chaos will descend.
War. War. Endless war.
That will be the theme of the future.
Around them, Guan Yu and the others listened with heavy hearts. In their minds, they could already envision the endless smoke and flames of the coming wars.
Mountains of bones. Seas of corpses.
A terrifying thought.
An age of darkness was descending.
Given how the human race had claimed first place in the Hongmeng All-Spirits Ranking during the Divine-Demon Battlefield, it had undoubtedly painted a target on their back. Other races would surely view them as a thorn in the side—hostility was inevitable.
The most difficult period for the human race was about to begin.
"If our race is to become truly strong, then these challenges are unavoidable. Only by surviving and thriving in such blood-soaked chaos can we truly become a great race—reborn in the fire," Yi Tianxing said slowly.
He had already considered this. But it wasn't right to give up the top spot without a fight. As long as they could endure the coming trials, the human race would rise. Besides, with or without the top spot, they would never escape this slaughter.
Sometimes, misfortune can become fortune—it all depends on how it's handled.
"Indeed. Slaughter is the greatest teacher. But if we fail to grow… then we'll perish," Zhuge Liang added quietly. Everything has two sides—no gain comes without risk.
"My Great Yi Dynasty fears no challenge, no storm. My Great Yi soldiers are always ready to fight for the human race!" Yi Tianxing declared with confidence.
That confidence came from true power.
Thanks to their experience on the Divine-Demon Battlefield, Great Yi's foundation had deepened, and many soldiers had emerged from the war transformed. With such a force at his side, he feared nothing.
"Mr. Zhuge, in your view, what path should our people take? Should we endure and compromise to ensure the continuation of our people? Or should we resist the crisis with strength and carve a bloody path forward? Should we adopt softness or strength?"
Yi Tianxing asked again.
This was almost a test.
It was also to gauge whether their personalities and ideals were compatible—whether their governance philosophies aligned. That was the key.
If monarch and subject were at odds, it would only lead to internal strife—wasting strength and inviting disaster.
A terrible trade-off.
"Too much compromise would make the other races see us as weak and easy to bully, and they'd only press us harder. But being overly aggressive would be just as disastrous. Our race has taken first place—if we now act arrogantly, we'll only provoke the collective wrath of other races. The human race might stand against one… but not against thousands."
"I believe the best approach is a combination of softness and strength. Win over some. Defeat others. Show our kindness while also displaying the might of thunder. We need allies—without them, isolation will spell extinction."
Zhuge Liang pondered briefly, then spoke.
This view closely mirrored the current policies of Great Yi. His understanding of the broader picture and clarity about their position and strength was key.
"And what of you, King Yi? What path do you believe the human race should take to survive on the Eternal Continent?"
Zhuge Liang countered with a question of his own.
Just as rulers select ministers—ministers also choose their ruler.
Yi Tianxing had asked his questions, and Zhuge Liang had answered. Now it was his turn.
If their ideals didn't align, then he would leave.