A layer of invisible will now enveloped the Iron-Blooded Great Wall.Even divine sense could not pierce through it to discern the cultivation level of the soldiers stationed atop the wall.What could be sensed, however, was that every single one was a battle-hardened elite, fully capable of unleashing devastating power at a moment's notice.
While these wall soldiers were not on par with Great Yi's core elite, nearly all of them had at least reached the Life Aperture Realm, and many were already in the Life Map Realm.
Their cultivation levels varied, but with the arsenal of war machines embedded in the Iron-Blooded Wall, they were prepared to deal with most forms of invasion or unrest.
The Wall didn't only appear on land—it extended across seas, mountains, and all terrain.The moment it appeared over the ocean, it drew the instinctive wrath of many marine beasts and aquatic races.These creatures, lacking intelligence, charged in waves at what they perceived as a territorial invasion.
In response, the Wall Garrison retaliated without hesitation:
Crossbows loosed like rain, ballistae thundered like lightning, cutting down wave after wave of sea beasts.
The sea turned red with blood.Yet even this flesh and blood, once devoured by the Wall, did not fuel immediate expansion.Instead, it was stored as energy, ready to be released all at once during the next expansion, in a move designed to leave no room for enemy response.
"Something's wrong! We can't teleport out of the Vast Sea Realm anymore!"
"There's a mysterious force interfering with long-distance teleportation. Unless you use the Wall's official checkpoints, all exits are blocked!"
As Great Yi's Iron-Blooded Wall spread across the Vast Sea Realm, many powers attempted to evacuate their elites.Those who acted swiftly managed to slip out—but the slower ones found their teleportation arrays or domain gates mysteriously disabled.
It wasn't that the formations didn't work, but rather that an invisible force now interfered with spatial transmission.Attempting to teleport out could result in:
Being diverted to the wrong destination,
Or worse, being swallowed by space-time turbulence, disappearing entirely.
❖ Local teleportation within the Vast Sea Realm was still functional.
❖ Leaving the realm was another story altogether.
This was one of the most intimidating aspects of the Wall's expansion—total realm lockdown.
When this became clear, many non-human factions roared in fury, but could do nothing.Unless they could break through the Wall, they would have to face the consequences.
"There's no retreat. We'll fight to the death!"
"Bring forth the most beautiful woman of our tribe—we'll send her to negotiate with Great Yi."
"Seal the mountains. Lock the gates. We wait for the war to end before acting."
Some chose diplomacy, others chose seclusion, and others yet chose resistance.
Individually, tribal powers weren't a threat.But if they united, they could become a force to reckon with.
And they knew it.
Thus began a massive alliance of various races and tribes, forming at a speed that defied imagination.It was officially named the Hundred Clans Alliance (百族联盟).
❖ Every member pledged total war, putting all resources on the line to resist Great Yi.❖ Their goal: Fight to the death. No surrender.
"Even Great Yi can't take us down easily if we unite!"
"The Heavenly Dao seals are gone—now our strongest cultivators can fight!Great Yi's strength lies in armies, not in peak combatants!They can't stop our top experts—those who can single-handedly suppress entire regions!"
With the Heaven and Earth no longer sealed, the races now had access to their ancient heritage.They believed Great Yi lacked true peak combatants, and planned to crush them with overwhelming power.
Meanwhile, inside Great Yi, things remained calm and resolute.
The call to arms had gone out.
❖ Troops were returning to their posts.
❖ Supplies were being rapidly transferred to the War Soul Battle Realm (军魂战界), now functioning as the strategic core of the entire empire.
Eternal Calendar, Year 48, 13th of the Ninth Month
A clear sky. The red sun rising.
Upon the War Soul Battle Realm, a towering Command Platform (点将台) stood tall.
Yi Tianxing, flanked by his generals, surveyed the field.All ministers stood nearby in reverent attention.
Below the platform, military formations stretched endlessly.
A sea of soldiers.Dressed in uniform battle armor.Each corps showing unwavering resolve and iron discipline.
❖ 44 military legions stood ready:
▪ Vermillion Bird (朱雀),
Azure Dragon (青龙),
White Tiger (白虎),
Black Tortoise (玄武),
▪ Demon-Slaying Corps (戮妖军),
Magic-Breaking Corps (破魔军), etc.
❖ Each legion: 1 million soldiers.
❖ Total: 44 million elite troops.
Every soldier present had at least reached the Dharma Realm (法相境)—The minimum threshold for a One-Star Battle General (一星战将) under Great Yi's Nine-Tier Military System.
Those without command aptitude could remain as One-Star Honorary Heavenly Soldiers (荣誉天兵).Their ranks were equal in prestige to Battle Generals and could be promoted at any time to lead troops.
These were battle-hardened veterans, each having earned their stars through real warfare.
Yi Tianxing stepped forward, his voice solemn:
"Soldiers of Great Yi—our expansion is imperative.Our current territory is no longer enough to support our growing population.Outside, limitless lands await, and our people still suffer under foreign oppression."
"This war is a righteous campaign—to liberate our fellow humans, to punish the blood debts of alien races.Let every soldier achieve glory: eternal merit, glory for families, ennoblement through valor."
"Our target: All regions within the Iron-Blooded Wall—wherever it covers, we shall plant a Great Yi Immortal City."
"The Military Affairs Cabinet and the Tiance Palace (Heavenly Strategy Office) shall coordinate all operations.Zhuge Liang will serve as the Supreme Commander, holding full authority over the expedition."
Zhuge Liang stepped forward, fan in hand, composed yet firm.
"This campaign is vast—our target, the entire Vast Sea Realm.It is dozens, even hundreds of times larger than our current domain."
"We will face formidable enemies. Though we are strong, we shall not rely solely on brute force.Our focus is the Immortal Cities (仙城)—each city we plant is a foothold, a symbol of our presence."
"Victory lies in speed. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin races have retreated—much of the land is unoccupied.We strike now to claim these territories first."
"All 44 legions will deploy simultaneously, carrying Immortal Cities to swiftly seize control of the land, sea, and islands."
This was the joint strategy devised by the Military Affairs Cabinet and the Tiance Palace.
By planting Immortal Cities like chess pieces, each city would:
Attract human will and destiny,
Serve as a base for military operations,
Radiate influence across the region.