"Yes… the great calamity is coming. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans are already poised like arrows on the bowstring, ready to be unleashed. This Lunar Star (Tàiyīn Xīng) is the fuse. Once triggered, it will bring forth a cataclysm that will sweep across the entire Eternal World. What we don't know… is how much time we have left."
Yi Tianxing's expression was grim as he murmured quietly.
The atmosphere among the three great clans had grown more tense with each passing day. A heavy, oppressive mood permeated the air, as if it could erupt at any moment.
Once the Lunar Star drew near, its effects wouldn't be limited to the Emperor's Elixir (Dìliújiāng) alone. At best, that elixir allowed beings to awaken their spiritual intelligence, causing mutations and spawning monsters and spirits. The truly terrifying part was that the Lunar Star would trigger a tidal phenomenon.
"The closer the Lunar Star comes, the more likely it is to stir tidal waves. From what I can tell through celestial omens, the disaster will come from the sea. Once the great tide forms, it will surge across the land, submerging islands and continents alike. That scene will resemble the end of days. The devastation will be unimaginable," said Jiang Ni with a nod.
The reason the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin races hadn't yet launched into full-scale war was because the Dragon Clan's foundation lies in the sea. Most sea beasts couldn't survive long out of water—or, if they could, their power was drastically suppressed. That alone served as a natural check.
But if the tide rose high enough to flood the land, it would be the perfect opportunity for the Dragon Clan to strike first and launch a massive campaign—to seize the fate of Heaven and Earth and claim the role of protagonists in this era.
"Minister Jiang, can you divine any more information?"
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and asked solemnly.
"The celestial mechanisms are in utter chaos right now, obscured by a veil of primal fog. Even great cultivators can't pierce through the chaos. All we can do is interpret omens and try to glean partial truths. The movement of the Lunar Star is a heavenly phenomenon that everyone can see. It's not just us—even in the rest of the Eternal World, everyone must have noticed by now. They all understand that war between the three clans could break out at any moment," Jiang Ni replied, shaking his head.
With the Way of Heaven in disarray, no one could see what lay ahead.
But the trend was clear. No one could predict how it would unfold or how it would end. All that could be done was to wait and watch.
"What's strange to me is—why is the Lunar Star suddenly drawing near the Eternal World? This is no small matter. I fear this is just the beginning—there may be more changes to come. We must monitor the Lunar Star closely," Yi Tianxing said, a flicker of unease in his eyes.
The Lunar Star and Solar Star were sovereign celestial bodies of the ancient cosmos. Their radiance illuminated the starry skies, and their vast size concealed infinite secrets.
"Your Majesty suspects that the Dragon, Phoenix, or Qilin clans are using some secret method to draw the Lunar Star closer? That it might be the Dragon Clan behind this?" Jiang Ni's eyes flashed before he shook his head. "Impossible. The Lunar Star's trajectory cannot be altered—not even by the Dragon Clan. Unless the Lunar Star itself is undergoing a natural change, or the Solar Star has changed and influenced it. But either scenario would involve forces beyond comprehension."
If this really was being manipulated, then the force behind it was beyond imagination.
"Have the Imperial Astronomical Bureau monitor it closely. Report immediately if there is any movement."
Yi Tianxing nodded and gave the order.
Although Great Yi was currently under lockdown, sealed from the rest of the world until the three-clan war was over, the changes in the Lunar Star would not stop because of one nation's isolation. Whatever happened elsewhere would also affect Great Yi.
Hanhai Dragon Palace.
The Hanhai Dragon King looked up toward the void, his gaze piercing the ocean waters and landing on the bright moon. His face revealed a trace of delight as he laughed loudly: "Good! Good! Good! The opportunity the Dragon Clan has long awaited is finally here. Our ancestors foresaw upheaval in the Eternal World, one that would give our clan the chance to seize Heaven's Mandate. And now, the signs point to the changes in the Lunar Star!"
The timing of opening the Dragon Gate and preparing for battle was not coincidence. It was all based on that one prophecy. For years, they had restrained their forces, waiting for the right moment. Now, Heaven's gift had arrived.
Once the Lunar Star drew near, the tides would rise. And with the power of the tides, the Dragon Clan could sweep across vast territories like a breaking wave—seizing dominance in the shortest time.
"Pass down my order! The Dragon Clan is to enter full battle readiness. We strike as soon as the time is right!"
The Hanhai Dragon King issued the order without hesitation.
Across the ocean, countless dragonkin and sea beasts began to stir. The pressure in the air thickened, as though a storm were about to break.
It wasn't just the Dragon Clan that had noticed.
Though overjoyed, they were not alone. The Phoenix and Qilin Clans had also sensed the shift. If the Dragons could see it, so could they. It was clear: a great war was coming, inevitable and imminent.
"What is truly happening… on the Lunar Star?"
Countless gazes turned toward the void, toward that silvery celestial body—shining and serene above the Eternal World.
The Lunar Star lay at an unfathomable distance from the Eternal Continent. It was one of the Sovereign Stars—each star a vast world unto itself.
Yet the Lunar and Solar Stars were not suited for ordinary life. The Solar Star was a realm of eternal fire, where only the Three-Legged Golden Crows (Sānzú Jīnwū) could thrive. Most living beings could not endure the solar flames.
The Lunar Star, similarly, was shrouded in extreme lunar cold. Even cultivators would have their blood frozen solid. If they failed to resist, they would become ice sculptures, their very souls frozen along with their bodies.
What made it worse was that the longer you stayed, the colder it got—slowly, subtly, until it claimed you completely.
Thus, both stars remained largely barren.
Only a single, massive laurel tree (Moon Laurel) stood on the Lunar Star, bringing with it the faintest breath of life. It stretched tall and wide, its silver blossoms perfuming the air with a crisp, tranquil fragrance. Its roots reached unimaginably deep—entwined with the very star itself.
Beneath the tree lay two silver-white eggs, nestled side by side. From within, a rhythmic heartbeat could be heard, hinting at life ready to emerge. Silver rays from the tree spilled down, bathing the eggs in moonlight.
And in the tree's branches—
Fifteen snow-white rabbits hopped joyfully from limb to limb, nibbling on laurel blossoms. They radiated a pure lunar glow, their eyes bright and lively.
These were no ordinary rabbits. They were the legendary Lunar Jade Rabbits (Tàiyīn Yùtù)—divine beasts born of lunar essence, noble and powerful.
Each rabbit had long, crystal-clear ears that shimmered with moonlight, instantly invoking affection. Anyone who saw them would want to scoop them up in their arms.
Then—
Ting!
Ting!
A clear, melodious zither melody rang out across the Lunar Star. No one knew where it came from.
Instantly, the fifteen Lunar Jade Rabbits fell silent, ears perked. They listened intently, enchanted by the music's emotion and depth. The melody painted images of soaring mountains, flowing waters, and soaring lovebirds—a song of love and longing.
Time seemed to stop.
"It's so beautiful... so enchanting. How could such music exist in the mortal world?" one rabbit murmured dreamily.
"Yeah... I could listen forever. It's not enough."
"Is the human world really so beautiful? If that kind of love exists... I want to see it for myself."
"Let's go! Let's see the Eternal World for ourselves!"
The rabbits gathered, buzzing with excitement and curiosity. The music had awakened their longing.
"No! We can't go out. Leaving the Lunar Star could bring disaster!" warned the eldest of the Jade Rabbits, her tone steady and wise.
Clap!
Just then, without warning, a jade scroll fell from the sky and landed beneath the Moon Laurel Tree.