Fairy Tale Town—not a product of the fairy tale dream world, but a remnant created after surviving the Cataclysm of Annihilation. The surviving fairy-tale beings—no matter their origin—could live freely within its bounds. The town offered shelter and freedom from the bizarre, corrupting laws of the Nightmare World.Here, one wouldn't suddenly transform from an ant to a man-eating monster in the blink of an eye.
This was what made Fairy Tale Town one of the most desirable zones of survival in the Nightmare World.
It wasn't necessarily created by a Nightmare Tree, but from some similar protective entity capable of generating a Nightmare Sanctuary (梦魇圣地). Yi Tianxing didn't know the specifics—but the moment he became a Nightmare Tree, he instinctively understood how to create one.
To construct a Nightmare Sanctuary, one needed the ability to establish a Nightmare Barrier (梦魇结界)—a domain that divides the sanctuary from the outside world, shielding it from the erratic nightmare laws and chaotic rule changes.
In essence, it's no different from an Absolute Domain.
In the Nightmare World, order itself is defined by Sanctuaries—each a pocket of stability amidst the storm.
And what the sanctuary looks like, and what rules govern it, depends entirely on the will of the entity that created it.
For instance:
If one is close to fairy-tale beings, the sanctuary becomes like Fairy Tale Town.
If one favors beastkin, it forms a beastkin haven.
Some sanctuaries protect undead, others welcome humans.
Each has its own unique boundaries and rules—rarely changeable once set.
Once established, the sanctuary releases a unique rhythmic pulse, broadcasting across vast areas—attracting the types of beings it was made to shelter.
All within range will instinctively know: a sanctuary has appeared.
And within such sanctuaries, Nightmare Laws no longer apply.
The result? Nearly every being in the Nightmare World yearns for such a place. Upon discovering one, they'd risk everything to enter.
"Nightmare Sanctuary Law: Humans may enter."
Without hesitation, Yi Tianxing established a rule.The moment it was decided, a strange resonance rippled outward—spreading in all directions, reaching into the minds of every being in the vicinity.
It was crystal clear:
A Nightmare Sanctuary had been born, and it welcomed the human race.
Not just a few.
All humans could enter. Unlimited capacity.
This immediately shook the world.
In the Nightmare World, sanctuaries were rare. And even when found, they could only house so many. Most beings from the dream world barely survived a few days, some just a few hours, before being devoured by nightmare creatures or warped by strange rules.
Living here meant constantly dancing on the edge of death.
Even the strongest beings dared not claim immunity.
There were no rules. No safety. Only chaos.
Meanwhile, near the Day-Night Forest—a large troop marched through the wilderness.Less than 100,000 soldiers, with hundreds of thousands of civilians trailing behind.
Most were emaciated, hollow-eyed, dragging children or elderly relatives. People collapsed along the way, but the others could only continue forward. No one had the energy to bury the dead.
Suddenly, a soldier gasped—his face stunned, then radiant with joy:
"General! Did you feel that?A Nightmare Sanctuary! One that shelters the human race!"
He rushed toward the leading commander, shouting in excitement.
"We're saved!In the sanctuary, we won't randomly mutate or turn into monsters in our sleep!"
"Yes! We might have fallen into this nightmare world, but as long as we're alive—we must survive!"
"The sanctuary can take all of us! That's unheard of!They said it's not far from here. We must go!"
Their cries were filled with desperate hope.
In the past, they had found sanctuaries—but they were either full, or only accepted other races.
Now, at last, a sanctuary for humans had emerged.
It was like a light in the darkness.
Even if they died on the way—they would rather die trying to reach it.
"General, let's go to the sanctuary!"
"General Zhang, we know you brought us all this way out of compassion—Now we finally have a chance to live!"
The general—a rugged, resolute man with sharp features—showed a rare flash of hope in his eyes.
"Good.We march to the sanctuary.To the human sanctuary—where we can finally live without fear."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Elsewhere, in a valley, a human fortress stood surrounded by monsters.
On the walls, soldiers manned defenses, while hordes of twisted beasts waited hungrily outside.
Inside the city, a voice cried out:
"My Lord, we can't wait any longer!We received news—there's a human sanctuary now.Only there can we survive!"
"Pass down the order—we break through at dawn and make for the sanctuary!"
All across the Nightmare World, massive numbers of humans stirred.
They felt the call of the sanctuary—and for many, this was their only hope.Life without sanctuary meant constant mutation, terror, and despair.
For this hope, they were willing to pay with their lives.
From clans, scattered groups, lone cultivators, to ordinary mortals—millions began moving toward the Day-Night Forest.
Tens of millions.
Hundreds of millions.
Even billions.
Of course, not all would make it.
Perhaps only half.Maybe far fewer.
It all depended on luck—and strength.
Back in the Day-Night Forest, having fully brought it under his control, Yi Tianxing turned to look at Monkey.
Monkey had been turned into an eerie tree, still asleep, deeply affected by the Curse of Eternal Slumber.
But such things were easy for Yi Tianxing.With a thought, he rang the Soul-Shocking Bell—instantly waking Monkey up.
"Holy crap!That nightmare sound actually put me to sleep?And I turned into a tree!?"
Monkey's face appeared on the bark, utterly amazed.
He now realized just how dangerous the Nightmare World was.If not for Yi Tianxing, he might have remained a tree forever.
"This is just the beginning.Who knows what horrors lie ahead."
Now awake, his Eerie Tree Life Aperture retracted, and with a thought, he returned to his original monkey form.
"Yi Saint King, why are you still a tree?Why not change back to your body?" Monkey asked, confused.
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I have my plans."
"The root of the anomaly in Mulberry Ridge is already located.A tiger-flood dragon, tainted with the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, lost one of its claws, which crashed through the barriers of heaven and earth and fell into the forest."
"The creature is dead—its body lies buried beneath this forest."
"Once I destroy the remains and seal the rift, the crisis will be resolved."
He had discovered the truth while establishing the sanctuary.