"At last, we're expanding. I never imagined that Great Yi had amassed such a vast force—millions of elite soldiers, nearly all of them powerful cultivators. This time, we will definitely extend the borders of our empire!"
"Indeed. I've heard countless bounty hunters say that in the wilderness, many humans are captured by alien tribes, living lives worse than death. Not only are they used as blood sacrifices, but they also endure unspeakable humiliation, with death always a step away. This expansion is a chance to rescue our fellow humans and bring them into Great Yi—to let them live as human beings again."
"Too many human refugees are suffering in the wilderness, living with no guarantee of tomorrow. Our army's march is one of noble justice—to save the people and drive out the alien tribes, to let Great Yi's might shine across the land!"
The people of Great Yi, witnessing these developments, were overwhelmed with indescribable excitement. Their faces were filled with hope and pride. The stronger Great Yi became, the more honored they felt to belong to it.
At that moment, near the Iron-Blood Great Wall, within a celestial city, radiant light flickered on a teleportation array.
Guan Yu, seated atop a Crimson Flame Warhorse, stepped out with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand. Behind him, waves of soldiers followed, immediately forming up in tight formations on the open ground.
These soldiers wore red-and-blue armor, each adorned with the insignia of a large guandao (pole blade). Merely looking at them gave a sense of being targeted by invisible blades. These were the elite troops of the God-Slaying Legion (诛神军团).
Since the legion's formation, their armor and banners had been prepared using the Omni-Printer, completing the equipment and integration of the legion in just a few days. The uniform armor instilled a strong sense of belonging among the troops.
"Greetings, Commander Guan!"
Unexpectedly, a black-robed young man stood waiting in the otherwise deserted city. From his body emanated an aura akin to nature itself—the unmistakable essence of a geomancer. Bowing respectfully, he greeted Guan Yu.
"You're the geomancer apprentice that Supervisor Jiang mentioned? Capable of driving the celestial city to move across the land?" Guan Yu frowned slightly. The young man's cultivation was clearly visible—he hadn't even reached the Aperture Opening Realm, only at the peak of the Divine Sea Realm. Among the army, nearly everyone had reached or surpassed this level.
"Yes, I am Jiang Master's apprentice," the young man replied, undeterred by Guan Yu's skepticism. "Though my cultivation is low, with the Replica Mountain-Herding Whip (仿赶山鞭) gifted by Master Jiang, I can mobilize the celestial city without issue. Please rest assured, General."
In his hand was a stone whip, carved with mystical runes that shimmered with light—clearly modeled after the legendary Mountain-Herding Whip, and imbued with a portion of its original power.
"Good." Guan Yu nodded. "Our target is to move past the Iron-Blood Great Wall to a location a thousand li away in the wilderness. Intelligence reports mention a mountain with its peak sheared flat, forming a large platform. That is where this celestial city must be placed. The locals call it Broken-Waist Mountain."
No matter what other tribes called it, in Great Yi, it would be known as Broken-Waist Mountain. Names could vary, but the landmark would not.
"Understood," the apprentice confirmed with a firm nod.
"Very well. This expansion is a blitz assault. Speed is our weapon. Before the enemy can respond, I want this city established atop Broken-Waist Mountain. No delay—begin immediately."
"Yes, General!"
The apprentice knew full well the significance of this operation. He dared not falter.
"Archers and crossbowmen—take to the walls!"
"Deploy the ballistae. Move all war arrows and bolts onto the walls. Ensure we have enough to sustain an hour of intense combat without running out of ammunition!"
Guan Yu issued orders rapidly. The celestial city was the ultimate war fortress, and he had no intention of abandoning such an advantage.
At his command, two hundred thousand troops climbed the walls, installing giant ballistae, stacking crates of bolts and arrows, standing like statues atop the battlements.
"Move out!"
Standing atop the city wall, Guan Yu commanded with unwavering resolve.
The geomancer apprentice stepped outside the city, holding the replica Mountain-Herding Whip. With a flick, it transformed into a flexible whip, its segments gleaming with runic light.
Crack!
The whip struck the earth, and countless mystic runes and divine lights sank into the land.
RUMBLE—
It was as if the entire earth had been roused from slumber. Waves pulsed through the ground like the sea, carrying the city forward. The base of the city lifted into the air, then began gliding across the terrain, as if sailing over waves.
Even though the whip was a replica, it carried the essence of the original Mountain-Herding Whip, granting it immense power.
"So this is how a celestial city moves... truly a divine artifact. With this kind of fortress, we'll always have the advantage in unfamiliar terrain," Guan Yu murmured, deeply impressed.
The soldiers atop the wall were equally awestruck—and proud.
Crack!
Another strike. More runes and divine light flowed into the earth, increasing the seismic waves, and speeding up the city's movement.
Behind the scenes, the Jiangshan Sheji Map, the supreme geomantic array of Great Yi, infused a stream of its own power into the city's base, further accelerating the advance.
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!
The city sped forward like a galloping warhorse. The apprentice in black whipped the ground again and again, creating rippling waves across the landscape. Forests parted in its wake, only to reunite after it passed—imbuing the scene with an eerie, natural elegance.
Before long, they arrived at the Iron-Blood Great Wall.
The wall radiated a dense blood-red light. The earlier black hue—caused by sacrificial offerings—had faded, revealing its pristine, integrated form.
Soldiers stood watch on the wall, guarding the borders of Great Yi. When they saw the approaching celestial city, they showed envy and respect.
"God-Slaying Legion of the Four Absolute Legions, leading an expedition. Request permission to cross the Great Wall!" Guan Yu declared aloud.
Whoosh!
The city didn't slow down. It surged toward the Great Wall like a warship.
Just as a collision seemed imminent, the solid wall turned ethereal, a phantasmic veil that allowed the celestial city to pass through without resistance.
"For Great Yi—our blood shall not run dry until victory! Fight until the last breath!"
The guards atop the wall let out a roaring chant, filled with admiration and war fervor.
War!
War!!
No retreat until death!!!
Meanwhile, outside the Great Wall…
"What is that? A human celestial city?!"
"What's going on? A city just charged through the Great Wall!"
"I've heard rumors that humans have a divine technique to move their cities… I didn't believe it. But it's real! Look—troops are stationed on the walls!"
"This is bad—very bad! The humans have breached the wall. They're expanding. Hurry, send word to the tribal elders—Great Yi is making a move!"
The Iron-Blood Great Wall had always been under close watch by the alien tribes. Though they couldn't cross it themselves, countless spies and scouts had long been deployed nearby.