From the Iron-Blood Great Wall, a tide of overwhelming pressure surged forth, crushing down on the Moonshade Demon Eye. The very space surrounding the demonic eye was instantly sealed, and its body was subjected to immense force—a suppression born from the Great Wall's supreme battle will, reinforced by the will of countless heroic spirits.
The Eye was being relentlessly oppressed.
Though the Moonshade Demon Eye was a top-tier Innate Spirit Treasure, incredibly powerful in its own right, the Iron-Blood Great Wall was no weaker. Enveloping the entire Hanhai Realm, tempered by Great Yi's national fate, and blessed by countless heroic souls, its strength had reached unfathomable levels.
Great Yi was no longer a mere dynasty—it had become a full-fledged Imperial Court. Its expanding domain, vast population, and united will had turned its fate treasure into something truly terrifying.
Under such suppression, the Moonshade Demon Eye couldn't escape.
Still, it didn't surrender.
Waves of moonshade divine light erupted from it, rippling outward in freezing pulses. The surrounding void became layered with ice crystals, as it attempted to shatter the Great Wall's bindings.
A clash between two fate treasures ignited.
Roar!!
A dragon's roar tore through the heavens. Blood-red light surged from the Great Wall as a colossal Iron-Blood Dragon emerged. Its head, horns, claws, and scales were all vividly lifelike, forming a dragon that spanned tens of thousands of meters.
This was the Iron-Blood Divine Dragon, forged from the undying will and battle intent of Great Yi's heroic spirits. It soared into the sky, charging at the Moonshade Demon Eye.
With a swipe of its claw, space rippled violently—its might was terrifying.
A moment later, a low bellow, like the roar of a bull, echoed from within the Moonshade Eye. A three-legged ice toad emerged amidst endless moonlight. Its presence swept across the land with a freezing intent, as it leapt toward the dragon without hesitation.
But despite its power, the toad couldn't withstand the might of the Great Wall.
After a fierce battle, it was eventually subdued, sealed by the Great Wall's suppression, and vanished into the void.
"The curse still exists, but with the Moonshade Demon Eye sealed, its power has been greatly diminished. It should no longer be fatal to my people. Now, we'll see what form it manifests in. Hopefully, it doesn't disappoint."
Yi Tianxing mused.
He could feel that the curse within him had already been reduced by half. Without being fatal, perhaps this curse—like the Golden Crow Celestial Eye—could become a blessing in disguise.
After all, every curse was both a crisis and an opportunity. What mattered was who held control over it.
If it targeted individuals, it could be troublesome. But a curse over the entire Great Yi? That, Yi Tianxing did not fear. As long as it was kept in check, it might become a great fortune.
"Your Majesty's divine power is unmatched. This curse may yet bring us unexpected benefits. Midnight is near. We'll know soon enough."
Huang Chengyan smiled.
They'd all seen the benefits of the Golden Crow Celestial Eye. Even once-frail scholars now had physiques rivaling the strongest warriors, all thanks to the so-called curse. They endured the pain, and in return gained great power.
Pain in exchange for growth—a deal most were eager to accept.
The people of Great Yi now viewed the curse as a chance to become stronger.
So long as they survived, they would grow even more powerful.
Yi Tianxing then sent a silent thought into the void:
"I am Emperor Yi. To all citizens of Great Yi: At midnight, the Moonshade Demon Eye's curse will erupt. Do not be afraid. Calm your minds and circulate your cultivation techniques. As citizens of Great Yi, we fear no enemy. I stand with you all. Believe that even this curse cannot shatter your resolve. Know this: the curse will target your souls."
This proclamation echoed throughout the entire empire, carried by the Iron-Blood Great Wall, and resounded in every corner of the Hanhai Realm.
"We're not afraid! Bring it on—our Emperor stands with us!"
"We survived the Golden Crow Flame—we can endure the Moonshade Body Tempering too! As long as we don't die, we'll become stronger! Bring it on! We, the people of Great Yi, do not fear curses. Survive today, and tomorrow we are stronger than ever!"
Determination burned in the eyes of countless citizens.
They had come to see this curse as a blessing, a catalyst for strength.
"Ruyi, can the Gate Disciple refine this Blood Moon Demon Bull General into a battle gate?"
Yi Tianxing turned his gaze to the shattered remains of the demonic general. Though its horns were broken and skull crushed, it hadn't collapsed. Its head was regenerating, a sign that it was far from dead.
Its core was the Abyssal Demon Seed—its demonic heart unbroken. Without destroying that, the battle wasn't over.
"Master… You want to turn the Demon Bull General into a Gate Disciple?"
Ruyi Fairy was visibly stunned.
This was a Heavenly Demon God Weapon, a peerless artifact comparable to the Eternal Sky Ship—a weapon of mass destruction.
To forge it into a Disciple Gate? The idea was outrageous.
And yet… the more she thought about it, the more plausible it became.
If it worked, Great Yi would gain an unmatched warbeast. Even a slightly weakened version would boost Xuanhuang Immortal City's power by a massive margin.
"It's worth a try. Even if it fails, we lose nothing. But if we succeed… we gain a legendary warlord."
"The key," Ruyi added, "is removing the Abyssal Demon Mother's imprint from the core. That mark must be purged. Otherwise, it will always be a hidden threat."
But she believed her mother's power—an opposing force to the Abyssal Mother—could help. With her assistance, the imprint might be eradicated.
"Then let's try. If we succeed, the rewards will be beyond measure."
Yi Tianxing nodded, eyes gleaming.
"Gate Disciple—refine!!"
He gave the command.
Suddenly, in Xuanhuang City, a phantom gate appeared in the void. Mysterious and ominous, it seemed to link to a boundless abyss, a realm beyond comprehension.
The gate formed—and immediately charged toward the Blood Moon Demon Bull General.
Sensing danger, the beast tried to flee. But its body was gravely injured, and its master, Oda Nobunaga, had already died.
Now running on instinct alone, it had no chance of escaping.
With a flicker, the Gate Disciple devoured the demon beast whole. Chains of law burst forth, piercing its body and dragging it into the core of Xuanhuang City—not destroyed, but sealed for refining.
There, the power of the Immortal City would gradually refine and integrate it.
"Such strong resistance... Refining it won't be easy. But within Xuanhuang City, it won't be able to cause trouble."
Yi Tianxing could feel the demonic weapon resisting fiercely, struggling to shatter the gate and escape.
But under the city's vast, oceanic power, its resistance was futile.
The Gate was slowly absorbing its essence, transforming from illusion into reality.
When the process was complete, the Disciple Gate would be fully formed.
"Abyss… Abyss…"
Suddenly, an ancient whisper echoed from within the demon general—like a summoning to some primordial, unfathomable force. It was horrifying—deeply unsettling.
A formless will began to manifest from within the demon's body.
The moment it emerged, it spread across the realm like a tide of dread. All who sensed it were filled with terror and despair—as if the Abyss itself loomed before them.
"Mother—lend me your strength!"
Ruyi Fairy cried out, calling for her divine mother to intervene.