"Send the order immediately. Inform the entire territory of Great Yi, and even the surrounding regions. All human villages and towns must prepare for an imminent natural disaster. If they are unable to withstand it, they may come to the Great Yi Dynasty and receive our protection. As fellow humans, it is our inescapable duty to safeguard our people."
"Proclaim it to the entire world—bounty hunters are forbidden from entering the wilderness. They are to remain within the immortal cities. All city lords must prepare for the coming disaster with the utmost urgency. All resources must be mobilized without delay. Any negligence will be treated as a serious crime."
Upon receiving Jiang Ni's transmission, the Court Assembly in Heaven Reaching Palace was immediately convened. After swift deliberation, one decree after another was issued without hesitation, rapidly spreading across the land. Orders were also transmitted at once to every immortal city under Great Yi's rule.
This was an official imperial edict, openly announced.
With teleportation arrays and the Star Network, the transmission of these decrees was nearly instantaneous, reaching the hands of city lords without delay. Notices were posted on every announcement board in each immortal city, and the Hunter Hall issued a warning, strictly prohibiting bounty hunters from venturing outside. All stored resources were inventoried and immediately allocated.
This sudden shift shocked all human citizens within Great Yi.
"Is this true? Is a natural disaster really coming? And it will cover the entire territory of Great Yi? There's no safe place left except the immortal cities?"
"It must be true. This came from the Celestial Observatory, which possesses the Seismograph, a divine artifact designed to detect changes in the earth's energy. If they've issued a warning, it means the danger is real."
"Didn't you see? Even the bounty hunters have been recalled and forbidden from leaving the immortal cities!"
"We'll be fine. With King Yi leading us, the Great Yi Dynasty will surely survive this disaster. We've survived foreign invasions before—this time will be no different. Compared to the past, our situation is far better now. We are no longer weak."
The nationwide warning and the impending natural disaster stirred fear in many hearts. Yet when they looked toward Xuanhuang City, a sense of calm returned. As long as Yi Tianxing remained, it felt as though there was an indomitable pillar holding up the sky.
Today's Great Yi was not what it once was.
Each immortal city was fortified beyond imagination, built from Xuanhuang bricks, nearly indestructible. As long as the people stayed inside, they could avoid the brunt of any disaster.
Meanwhile, in the wilderness outside these cities, the various foreign tribes sensed the change.
Though humans and foreign races coexisted within the Great Yi domain, everyone knew the foreign tribes had long been suppressed. They paid close attention to any movements within the human cities.
They had spies around every city, constantly gathering intelligence. Any irregularities would be reported immediately.
"What's going on? What's the Great Yi Dynasty up to? All bounty hunters have withdrawn into the cities, and all human cultivators in the wild have also returned. Something's definitely off."
"This is strange—unprecedented. Either they're hiding something or some major event is occurring. Could it be… King Yi has fallen?" one foreigner speculated maliciously.
"Quick, gather intel. Use all secret channels. We must find out what's happening in Great Yi."
The foreign races began moving frantically, deploying every trick to uncover the truth.
But Great Yi wasn't even trying to hide it—the warning was public and official. It was easy to learn the truth.
"What? Great Yi has issued a decree saying a natural disaster is imminent? Everyone must stay inside the cities?"
"Ridiculous. The weather's clear, the skies are calm. How could there be a disaster? Is this some elaborate trap by Great Yi?"
"Could it really be a disaster? If it is, we're in trouble. Humans have their immortal cities for protection—what do we have? We'd better start building fortified zones. If disaster strikes and we're unprepared, we'll die before the catastrophe even hits."
The foreign races were in an uproar, with mixed reactions—some believed it, some didn't, some were suspicious. But watching Great Yi's massive mobilization, even the most doubtful began to make emergency preparations.
On the third day after the order was issued, another announcement was made from within the Great Yi Dynasty.
"The Great Yi Dynasty is willing to trade resources in exchange for human captives held by foreign tribes. Regardless of the number, we seek only the living."
In the context of impending disaster, this news was highly tempting to many foreign tribes.
When facing a calamity, nothing is more crucial than ample resources. Without enough supplies, death would come not from the disaster but from starvation and collapse. So when the offer came—one human refugee for 100 jin of grain or equivalent resources—many tribes were moved.
The deal began quickly and explosively, with the trade site set at the Wuming City trade market.
The cost was astoundingly low—a mere fraction of real value. And the number of human captives was staggering.
In just a few days, over 30 to 40 million human refugees were redeemed, pushing the total population of Great Yi to over 250 million—an incredible number in a chaotic world.
Outside the territory of Great Yi, many human villages and towns also received word of the coming disaster.
These nearby factions were well aware of Great Yi's strength. Some had previously hesitated—unsure whether to resist or submit during the next wave of expansion. But Great Yi's growth never relied on bloodshed. Over time, its influence naturally assimilated nearby territories.
With immortal cities dominating the landscape, how could any village or town hope to compete? Ambitions withered in the face of overwhelming power.
"If Great Yi says a natural disaster is coming, it must be true. It's said to sweep across the world. Can our little village even survive?"
"What do we do? Should we request aid from Great Yi? We're all human—they're sure to help us."
Many villagers felt anxious. Comparing their humble settlements with Great Yi's immortal cities, the difference was obvious. Even a child could see which was safer.
But some still clung to pride.
"The Great Yi may be issuing warnings, but even if disaster strikes, I won't fear it. My Xiaoyao City is well-defended. We have the Tengjia Legion, abundant supplies—I refuse to believe a mere calamity could destroy us."
King Wang Chen of Xiaoyao received the message with caution, but remained confident. He feared contact with Great Yi—not because of hostility, but because any such interaction might swallow his independence.
And so time passed quietly.
Regardless of the world outside, Great Yi was racing against time, making meticulous preparations.
Unknowingly, ten days had passed since Jiang Ni's warning.
That morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the darkness—
A deep, thunderous rumble echoed across the land. It was like raging rivers, or a monstrous beast awakening, letting out a terrifying roar.
The unseen energy it released stirred restlessness among all living beings.
ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!
In the wilds, countless ferocious beasts went berserk, turning on anything nearby. Birds of prey took flight in panic, shrieking as they blotted out the skies. The chaos spread like wildfire, as if the world itself was warning of the coming catastrophe.
"This is bad! The disaster is real!"
"The beasts and birds are reacting—it's definitely coming. Great Yi wasn't lying!"
"Quick! Activate the protective barriers!"
The foreign tribes in the wilderness were the first to respond.