The war between Destiny Dynasties was far from as simple as one might imagine.
Currently, the Wolf Cavalry and the Winged Race army were completely overwhelmed by the Snow Rabbit Legion and the Divine Crow Legion. If they didn't retreat, total annihilation was only natural. The outcome was clear.
But was the Myriad Beast King Court really just going to let the Great Yi slaughter their wolf cavalry without a response?
Clearly, that was impossible.
"Then let's see what they really intend to do."Yi Tianxing sneered coldly.
If they continued sending more troops, it would only be throwing more oil on the fire—a war of attrition—and the Myriad Beast King Court was not that foolish.
Myriad Beast King Court – Golden City
Within the grand hall, the Behemoth King and powerful figures from various races were all present. In the center of the hall stood a massive mirror, within which the intense battle outside of Freewill City was clearly displayed without the slightest error. The Wolf Cavalry clashed with the Snow Rabbit Legion, and the Divine Crow Legion tore into the Winged Race warriors. The entire battlefield was vividly visible.
Everyone wore grim expressions.
"Great Yi truly is strong. While we remained stagnant during the disasters, Great Yi kept growing rapidly. Though I hate to admit it, their army is no longer something we can counter easily. They are far more terrifying than we had imagined."
"No wonder they've ascended to the rank of a Dynasty. Now that they're an imperial dynasty, Great Yi is even more formidable. But the more powerful they are, the less time we can afford to give them. They grow stronger by the day. The longer we delay, the more we lose our edge. The strength gap will widen. This battle is inevitable. It must be fought."
The leaders of the various races had no other thoughts. This was the only road left. A simple probe had revealed just how deep the foundations of the Great Yi Dynasty ran.
Of course, they didn't intend to invade the Iron-Blood Great Wall; rather, they sought to draw out Great Yi's forces and eliminate as many as possible. That would buy them valuable time.
"We've prepared long enough. There's no retreat now. Everything has been done. What remains depends on the outcome of this battle. Victory crowns the king, defeat dooms the outlaw. Let this king be the one to start it."
Golden war intent surged in the Behemoth King's eyes.
The Behemoth race—kings of land warfare—held their honor deep in their bones. To lose heart before battle had even begun was utterly unacceptable.
Suddenly, he stood. With a mere thought, in the sky above the Myriad Beast King Court, the enormous Destiny Behemoth opened its eyes, unleashing two golden beams that seemed to tear through the heavens.
The Behemoth King's will had fully merged into this Qi Luck Behemoth—at this moment, he was it, and it was him.
"Where is the Yi Emperor!!"The Behemoth King bellowed.
This shout traveled through an invisible force, echoing through Xuanhuang City and across the sky above the Great Yi Dynasty. It rang thunderously, shaking all who heard it.
"Behemoth King!!"Yi Tianxing sensed the call and merged his mind into the Hall of Ten Thousand Immortals, taking the form of his Qi Luck avatar—a majestic Celestial Emperor radiating terrifying might. His eyes opened. With a step, he emerged from the hall and stood upon the Qi Luck sea, facing the Myriad Beast King Court.
In this moment, through invisible power, Yi Tianxing and the Behemoth King could see each other clearly across the void.
"Yi Emperor, we've met many times. We've fought before. To have brought the human race from obscurity to establish the Great Yi Dynasty—you have my respect. Today, I must ask one question and get a clear answer."
The Behemoth King's golden gaze fixed on Yi Tianxing.
"Oh?"Yi Tianxing met his gaze calmly.
"We of the Myriad Beast King Court, together with the other races, are willing to coexist peacefully with Great Yi. We can sign a pact—never to invade each other. We can all venture beyond this continent. There are vaster worlds beyond. We don't have to fight to the death. What say you, Yi Emperor?"
His voice carried a clear intent for peace and alliance—a tacit admission that they could not match Great Yi.
"Not happening. Behemoth King, have you never heard the saying: 'How can one sleep peacefully with a tiger beside the bed?' Yes, there's a vast world beyond, but if we can't even pacify our own land, what right do we have to conquer others?"
Yi Tianxing refused without hesitation.
An alliance?
Impossible.
No pact could compare to truly seizing the entire land. Only by doing so would he have no worries about being stabbed in the back mid-conquest. This land was his foundation.
A shaky foundation could collapse at any time.
Besides, Great Yi now held the upper hand.
To seek an alliance at this favorable moment would be utter foolishness. Even a fool would not do such a thing.
Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself.
The Behemoth King stared at Yi Tianxing. Though he had little hope to begin with, the rejection still weighed heavily. He declared coldly:
"In that case, let's see if your Great Yi can truly conquer my Myriad Beast King Court. We are not easy prey. If you want to unify this land, show us whether you have the strength."
"I have gathered the strongest from every race and set up checkpoints along the way—Nine Gates. Only by breaking through them can you reach Golden City. I await your presence there."
His tone was cold and murderous.
Having rejected peace, they were now enemies.
"Nine Gates?"Yi Tianxing responded calmly. "Why should I bother? Great Yi has enough strength to suppress all lands with immortal cities. Step by step, we will erode your territory. No need to play your little game."
For years, Great Yi had never stopped building Immortal Cities—even accelerating the process. Villages and towns that joined the dynasty quickly upgraded into fortified cities, ready to advance into broader lands. Once an Immortal City descended, that territory became impregnable.
Though it was time-consuming, this method was safe and effective, minimizing danger while solidifying every inch of ground.
So why go through Nine Gates?
Anyone could tell they were traps, pre-laid with danger and death. Going through them would only risk Great Yi's strength.
"Do you know, in the Myriad Beast King Court and allied tribes, there are still one billion human slaves. Maybe more. If you don't challenge the Nine Gates, they'll all die. But for every gate you break, I will release one hundred million of them."
The Behemoth King did not hide his threat.
"One billion humans?"
A sharp light flashed in Yi Tianxing's eyes, his heart shaken. That was a staggering number. Even now, the Great Yi Dynasty had only around a billion citizens. How had so many survived under the beastmen, and through the apocalyptic disasters?
Why hadn't they perished in the calamities?
How many must have died for this number to survive?
Still, now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
If these people were real, then gaining them would be an immeasurable boon to Great Yi. Their strength would skyrocket.
Population was the most crucial factor for Great Yi.
No matter how many Immortal Cities they had, without people to populate and sustain them, they were useless. Lack of population was the greatest limit to expansion.
And now, a billion people?
They must not die. Not one.
A decision flashed through Yi Tianxing's mind: these people were far too important.
Clearly, the Behemoth King knew this well.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have used them as leverage.
"You swear to release one hundred million for each gate we break?" Yi Tianxing asked solemnly.
"Naturally."
"I want a partial release immediately after the first gate is breached. And during this process, the Myriad Beast King Court must not massacre any human captives."
"Fine. But if the Myriad Beast King Court loses, your Great Yi must not slaughter our elderly, women, or children."
"That's acceptable."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"As ruler of the Great Yi Dynasty, I hereby declare—National War begins!!"
Yi Tianxing declared icily.
"As ruler of the Myriad Beast King Court, I likewise declare—National War begins!!"
The Behemoth King responded without hesitation.
Boom!!!
As their voices fell, the clouds of fate over both realms churned violently. The Destiny Behemoth and the Destiny True Dragon let out thunderous roars, their eyes locked in a chilling gaze.
National War!!
The war of Destiny Dynasties has begun.