Raising his eyes toward the void, Yi Tianxing could see a massive rift tearing open the fabric of space. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into an enormous bronze ancient gate, standing tall in the void.
Upon the bronze gate were countless terrifying scenes engraved — one could see innumerable demonic creatures, ferocious beasts' totems, and brutal battles among thousands of races. Scene after scene, layer after layer, each engraving was shocking to behold. Many cultivators even saw themselves reflected in the battle scenes.
Each frame seemed like a replay of the battles fought in this war. One could clearly see the vicious Eternal Night fiends storming the war citadels, and the warriors of various races bathing in blood — some falling to the fiends, others perishing in mutual slaughter.
Death and blood — these were the eternal themes here.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"
It was as if the battlefield still echoed with the tragic sounds of war.
These echoes stirred every cultivator present, rousing a fierce and solemn killing intent. Their eyes turned red as though a fresh and bloody war was about to erupt at any moment.
This gate was none other than the long-seen Gate of Gods and Demons.
"What we once saw were gods and demons locked in battle — now, let future generations witness our struggle against Eternal Night."
"Is it finally ending? The Battlefield of Gods and Demons… It all feels like a dream. So many of our brothers fell here. Is Eternal Night our eternal nemesis?"
"What kind of world is Eternal Night? Why must it be in endless conflict with ours? Is this a war that began in the previous era and now bleeds into the present?"
"The next time I come, it will be the day I make my name known across the world."
At that moment, whether human or otherwise, warriors across the battlefield were filled with emotion. Most had thought this trip would culminate in a brutal civil war between the many races of the Eternal World. Instead, they found themselves united against Eternal Night, forced into battle with an emerging foreign world.
Though it had only been a trial war, the consequences had been dire.
"Gate of Gods and Demons."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and looked toward the many soldiers in Falling Sun City.
"Warriors… it's time to go home!!"
As his voice fell, a divine light descended from the Gate of Gods and Demons. In a flash, it appeared just outside the city, standing tall, emanating ancient and majestic pressure.
Though this was only a projection of the gate, not the true form, the pressure it exuded made even the strongest cultivators feel like insignificant ants. Even those who had reached the Fate Aperture Realm or the Dharma Phase Realm felt their insignificance in its presence.
The gate stood wide open, vast enough to allow thousands to enter at once.
Its interior remained dark and bottomless, like a great abyss. Yet in this moment, none felt fear — only excitement and anticipation.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
With a thought, Yi Tianxing summoned the Nine-Dragon War Chariot, which appeared before them, hovering in the air.
He exchanged a glance with Yao Yue and Lian Xing, then stepped onto the chariot hand-in-hand.
The three dragon sons roared, and without hesitation, pulled the chariot toward the Gate of Gods and Demons.
"We… are going home!!"
Yang Ye cried out and led his troops forward.
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
The five great legions — over a million troops — stepped forward in unison. Without using the city gates, they walked directly across the city walls, treading the void itself. They followed behind the chariot into the Gate of Gods and Demons, without hesitation, without fear. Their gaze locked on the figure ahead — where Yi Tianxing went, they would follow.
And the excitement in their hearts was unmistakable. This time, they were not heading to battle — they were going home.
Back to Great Yi, back to the home they belonged to.
"Home… home!"
Since ancient times, how many soldiers returned from war? To survive the battlefield and make it back alive — it was a joy beyond compare.
Over a million troops poured into the gate. No matter how many entered, it never seemed crowded — the power of the Gate of Gods and Demons was just that great and mysterious.
"Threading Token (牵机引)!"
Cheng Yaojin took out a token — the Threading Token. With a thought, the token transformed into divine light that merged into his body, purifying him. He felt as though invisible threads were being cut, severing his former ties. Old karma seemed to be erased.
A formless power then connected him with the projected gate.
In his heart, he instantly understood — this gate led directly to the Great Yi Dynasty.
Once he stepped through, he would reappear inside Great Yi. It was a one-time choice — such an opportunity might never return.
Without hesitation, Cheng Yaojin stepped into the Gate of Gods and Demons.
"Great Yi, the first human dynasty. Following a sovereign like King Yi, this is my chance to shine."
He murmured to himself. After all, the Heavenly Gang Axe Technique (天罡斧法) he sought existed within Great Yi — for that reason alone, he could not afford to miss this chance.
"Great Yi… this shall be a new beginning for me, Zhang Shun."
Zhang Shun also took a deep breath and stepped in. After using his Threading Token, he cleansed his mark and chose to move forward — to Great Yi.
"With such a wise sovereign, what hesitation could one have?"
Zhuge Liang smiled, shaking his feather fan, and stepped into the gate.
He had to see for himself what kind of dynasty Great Yi truly was. Stories could never compare to firsthand experience. He wanted to know if the people of Great Yi truly lived in peace and prosperity.
Many other human geniuses who had followed Yi Tianxing to Falling Sun City also chose to use their Threading Tokens. This continent remained in chaos, and they had little tying them down — their decision was clear.
"Divine Marquis, what should we do now? Whatever your decision, we will follow."
One man, wearing black iron gloves, asked the middle-aged man beside him.
These were the ones Yi Tianxing had previously noticed — men exuding righteous energy.
"There's not much choice. Everything is for the human race. Since King Yi has the bearing of a great ruler, and since Great Yi is a rare land of peace for humanity, we must go see it. If it's not as good as claimed, we can leave. If it is — we'll stay."
The Divine Marquis spoke with a wise glint in his eyes.
Soon after, the five of them also entered the Gate of Gods and Demons.
Time passed quietly.
Across the battlefield, every region saw projections descend. Warriors from every race chose to depart, entering the gates.
They had obtained enough fortunes and inheritances from this battlefield. Now, all that remained was to leave and absorb their gains, converting them into lasting power. That was what truly mattered.
"No! Don't chase me! Green Emperor, we can talk this out — a gentleman doesn't use force!"
"You bastard! You dare try to slip away? Want to blast me with your stinky Qi? Today, you're going in whether you like it or not!"
A ruckus echoed through the now-empty war citadel.
Looking closely, Si Kong Zhaixing was fleeing at full speed, while the Green Emperor gave relentless chase.
Si Kong Zhaixing was bitter. He had planned to slip away quietly. With the Green Emperor present, he had no intention of joining Great Yi — that place was far too dangerous. He had seen with his own eyes how fearsome the Green Emperor could be.
But the moment he tried to escape, the Green Emperor spotted him. The chase ended right in front of the Gate of Gods and Demons.
Smack!
With a sharp sound, the Green Emperor suddenly accelerated, becoming a green blur. A green paw slammed into Si Kong Zhaixing's back, sending him flying into the gate — his Threading Token following closely behind.
"Trying to run? Did you ask this emperor first?"
The Green Emperor stood up proudly, strutting into the gate with swagger. He was more than satisfied with this battlefield journey — he had even found a kindred spirit.
Yes, he had decided: upon returning, he would practice a few new divine songs, and host a proper musical banquet for his new friend.
This was a great matter — the most important thing in his life. No surprises would be tolerated.
Meanwhile, back in the Great Yi Dynasty…
In Xuanhuang City, on the palace tree in the royal courtyard…
One could hear a gentle stream of zither music drifting in the air — like flowing mountains and rivers, clear and melodious. The notes shaped the very air, transforming spiritual energy into vivid images of mountains, rivers, plants, and waterfalls. It was soothing to the soul.
But for those attuned to music, there was a subtle worry hidden in the rhythm. At times, the melody became hurried and anxious.
Unnoticed, the music ceased.
"Sister Zhaoji, your music grows ever more transcendent. Your tunes shape images themselves. This is already near the realm of Dao through music. Listening to it is a supreme joy."
In the courtyard, it was clear that Cai Yan was not alone.