This orientation was completely different from normal. If it was a result of the fusion of myriad worlds, it didn't quite seem that way. The terrain and even the flora all indicated that they were originally part of the village—yet the growth patterns and directional alignment of the plants were nearly identical to those of the village itself. This suggested that the orientation of the village had always been this way from the beginning.
It was not caused by external forces.
"This village is strange. But from the looks of it, it belongs to the human race. I think I see smoke from cooking fires."
"Let's go check it out. If there are human residents, we should see if they're willing to join the Great Yi Dynasty. Becoming citizens of Great Yi means enjoying countless benefits—surely better than hiding away in a remote village like this."
Smoke could be seen rising from within the village.
That meant people lived there. Of course, it was unclear whether they were humans or other races, so no one let down their guard. The true situation could only be revealed by venturing inside.
"Stay alert. If there are foreign races inside, we'll assess the situation first. If we can fight, we fight. If not, we fall back. Get out first—live to plan next."
The hunter regiment leader was cautious by nature. Before entering, he gave clear instructions.
Caution—only by being cautious could one survive in this chaotic era and achieve their current success. Otherwise, they would've died in some forgotten corner long ago.
So instead of sending everyone inside, a portion of the group remained outside. They also made various preparations. One can never be too careful.
They headed toward the village.
The scenery was breathtaking—blue skies, layers of mountains, a tranquil reservoir with rippling green waves. Following the valley upward, rocky cliffs loomed, red leaves scattered everywhere, and clear springs gushed out. Ancient architecture was scattered about, suggesting a long and storied past. Every inch of land exuded the aura of time.
At the entrance of the village stood a massive locust tree.
"Boss, did you see that flash of red clothing in the tree?"
"Nope. What are you talking about?"
"Don't scare me. You think this place is haunted?"
"Even if there are ghosts, what's to fear? You think we're ordinary people now? We're cultivators. If ghosts exist, it's them who should be afraid."
Cautiously, the group stepped into the village.
No one noticed that the red-clothed woman in the locust tree had a smile on her face.
Suddenly, a dense fog appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the entire village. Within moments, the village was shrouded, barely visible through the mist, creating an eerie scene.
"This is bad. Something's definitely wrong with this village. Notify the boss to get out immediately."
"Can't get through—the communicator signal seems jammed. But if I pour more true qi into it, maybe…"
"Contact established! I've transmitted the warning. The boss should have received it, but that fog is strange—they might already be affected."
The hunters stationed outside acted quickly, sending out warnings.
The fog was strong, but since they were still under the aegis of Great Yi's destiny, it couldn't fully block the Star Network's signal. The leader inside received the message and noticed the strange situation. But when he turned back—the road they came from had vanished, completely hidden by the mist.
"There's no way back. We can only go forward."
A chill crept through the leader's heart. He instinctively sensed a sinister, icy aura all around, as if a spectral wind was sweeping the area. It sent shivers down his spine.
"I'll see for myself what ghosts or monsters dwell here. I'm not afraid of you."
Realizing retreat was no longer an option, he made a resolute decision.
Whether they were demons or spirits, if it came down to it, he believed they still had a fighting chance. They had survived countless battles, licking blood off blades—now as cultivators, monsters could be slain just the same. It all came down to strength.
They pressed forward, entering the village boldly.
Within the mist, a stone archway appeared, engraved with three ancient characters:
"Feng Men Village" (封门村 – Sealed Gate Village)
Elsewhere in the wilderness, hunters encountered bizarre occurrences:
One hunter saw a manor house in the forest, lit by red lanterns. Approaching it, the gate opened. Servants and guards welcomed him warmly. The host greeted him enthusiastically, and before he knew it, the hunter had entered, drank wine, and met the host's woman. Their eyes met—and he somehow ended up having relations with her inside.
Another entered a temple found deep in the wilds. Inside, he discovered a breathtaking mural, each detail lifelike. Mesmerized, he stared into it—and then vanished into the painting.
Strange events began erupting everywhere, each one bizarre and sudden.
Villages, temples, random graveyards, and ancient shrines emerged inexplicably in the wilderness. Chaos permeated the land—not just within Great Yi, but across the entire Eternal World.
But Great Yi could not be caught unprepared. The Star Network captured every anomaly. The Hall of Calamity, the Six Doors, and other official branches were swiftly deployed to investigate.
What they uncovered was shocking.
These strange events could not be hidden from Yi Tianxing.
In the imperial palace's royal garden, the Emperor sat with Zhang Yue and Tong Huang, both standing respectfully before him.
Yi Tianxing's face turned grave.
"You're saying strange events have erupted all over Great Yi? Many bounty hunters have died in the wild, their bones left behind in mass graves? You've begun investigating. Tell me—what have you found?"
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath.
Zhang Yue replied seriously:
"Your Majesty, the Six Doors dispatched enforcers to the sites immediately. We confirmed multiple deaths. The corpses were in horrific condition. One particularly strong, muscular hunter was found dead beneath a large tree. His body was shriveled, skin tight over bone—as though something had drained all his essence. Post-mortem, we confirmed he had engaged in sexual activity. Oddly, his lower body remained… erect. Very unnatural."
Yi Tianxing's expression hardened.
Clearly, the man had been seduced and killed mid-act, his essence completely absorbed. To seduce a human cultivator would require at least an appearance aligned with human aesthetics. The killer could not be ordinary.
Tong Huang added:
"I personally investigated a temple called Lanruo Temple. Though deserted, the atmosphere was dangerously oppressive. Ghostly auras lingered heavily—it was clearly occupied by malignant spirits or demons. Locals said female voices were heard inside. Those who entered never returned."
The Hall of Calamity's shadow agents, sensitive to danger, did not venture far inside. But one operative, using Qi-gazing arts, saw the temple steeped in dense ghostly qi—dark and terrifying.
"Lanruo Temple. Female voices..."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed with a complex light.
How could he not know the name Lanruo Temple? It was famous—even legendary.
"The world of Strange Tales, filled with demons and spirits... So it really has fused with the Eternal World. These ghosts and monsters are not weak. The emergence of the Law Manifestation realm has finally brought its consequences. The Heavenly Dao's seal is beginning to fracture. Some monsters are leaking through—and they're the sealed kind."
"No doubt among them are beings at or above the Law Manifestation Realm, even some strange monsters that can threaten cultivators at that level."
"The world is indeed descending into chaos."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath.
He had expected this. When many Heaven's Chosen broke through on the God-Demon Battlefield, it was only a matter of time before backlash came.
Now it had begun. The Heavenly Dao's seal was weakening.
Fortunately, the most powerful beings had not yet emerged. Otherwise, the chaos would've reached the immortal cities by now. For now, these minor disturbances were only the beginning.
"The fortune of humanity may also play a role. The immortal cities are heavily saturated with destiny. That repels outer evils and suppresses anomalies."
Yi Tianxing brooded quietly, eyes narrowing.