If Great Yi had launched a full-scale assault at any other time, no matter how badly the frontlines collapsed or how heavy the losses were, Seven Night would not have been this furious.
But today—today was the most important day in the history of the Shadowmoon Imperial Dynasty.
It was the day they officially advanced from a Imperial Dynasty to an Emperor Dynasty.
A day destined to be recorded in their annals.
And yet—it was ruined by Great Yi.
This overwhelming assault… was clearly deliberate.They were refusing to give him even a shred of dignity.They were ruining his moment on purpose.
They didn't want him to have any good days.
This was a slap in the face.
Seven Night's face burned with shame and rage—he had never been this angry in his life.
"My son Seven Night… this may be the tribulation of ascension," said the Shadowmoon Empress Dowager solemnly.
"It's not just a heavenly tribulation—it's also a mortal trial.If you pass, our Empire shall flourish. If you fail… we will suffer massive loss of fortune and vitality."
"Whatever decision you make—think carefully."
Nothing in this world comes easy.Great Yi was merely the first obstacle, and certainly not the last.Without strength, one must suffer humiliation.
Complaining solves nothing.What mattered now was how to respond strategically.Otherwise, the Shadowmoon Empire might collapse before it even found its footing.
"Mother speaks wisely," Seven Night replied, drawing a deep breath to force down the burning rage.
He stood tall atop the Heavenly Sacrifice Platform, scanning the gathered ministers of the Shadowmoon Court.
"My loyal subjects—our goal of ascending to Empire status has now been achieved."
"But I am well aware—against Great Yi's strength, direct confrontation would mean almost certain destruction."
"However—I have already prepared our retreat. I promised you all this day would come, and I will honor that promise."
The ministers looked up, eyes filled with scrutiny and expectation.
The reason they had chosen to swear allegiance to Seven Night and the Shadowmoon Empire was his promise—that he had a way to resist Great Yi, or at least escape its sphere of influence.
Now that Great Yi was advancing, it was time for Seven Night to prove it.
If he failed to deliver, everything they had built would crumble.
Even the Empire's newly earned rank might be stripped away.
"Do not worry. I will deliver on my word."
"The Shadowmoon Empire possesses a national divine artifact—the Crimson Comet Demon Star (Chi Guan Yao Xing)."
"Originally meant to stabilize our national destiny, now… we have no choice but to use it directly."
Seven Night's eyes flickered with reluctant resolve.
The Crimson Comet Demon Star was no ordinary treasure.
It was a national artifact that had been constantly refined by the Empire's fate, evolving over time.
At first, it contained a mere cave-world, but with continual infusion of national fortune, it had grown into a Minor World, and now even a Medium World.
If it continued, it might one day evolve into a Great World, at which point it would become a true foundation artifact, unshakable by any outside force.
The world inside the Crimson Comet Demon Star... was their ultimate fallback.
The entire Shadowmoon Empire could migrate into it.
But doing so would come at a cost: they would be bound forever to the star.
In the structure of a fate-based dynasty, Heavenly Fortune, Earthly Fate, and Human Will combine to form National Destiny.
If the Empire withdrew from the Bohai Realm and entered the Crimson Comet, it meant severing their tie to earthly geography and relocating their earth fate into the star.
From that moment forward, their destiny and survival would be entirely tied to it.
The stronger the Crimson Comet, the stronger the Shadowmoon Empire's fortune.
But they would never again be able to participate in the Eternal World's realm competitions—not in terms of claiming territory.
They could still invade—but never rule.
It was a restriction, and it ensured that the Empire would now walk an entirely different path.
"Pass down the command—all lifeforms within the Shadowmoon Empire must immediately migrate into the Crimson Comet Demon Star."
"If we're denied a rightful place in the Eternal World... then let Great Yi taste the wrath of a Predator Civilization!"
Seven Night gave the order with a cold laugh.
High in the void, the Crimson Comet blazed.
Scarlet beams of divine light poured downward, landing across every region of the Empire—gateways to the internal world of the star.
Clearly, this had all been long prepared.
Massive evacuations began at once—citizens, entire cities, even floating strongholds surged into the star.
The Empire's heavenly merits flowed like tides into it.
The Empire's Fortune Dragon itself soared into the void and fused into the comet.
As the cities and people vanished, the territories that had once channeled earthly fortune into the Shadowmoon Empire began to dissipate.
Without occupation, the land would no longer fuel their national destiny.
That's why every inch of territory mattered.In fate dynasties: every inch of land costs a drop of blood.
In face of national survival, there was no such thing as pride.
"May I ask, Your Majesty… what exactly is a Predator Civilization?"
This question came from Grandmother Tree Demon, one of the elder officials.
"A Predator Dynasty—or Predator Civilization—is one that abandons internal growth and survives only by devouring others," Seven Night explained.
"Once this path is chosen, there is no return."
"From now on, we can only feed on the fortune of other nations, steal civilizations, and siphon fate from others."
"We can no longer grow on our own.We live and thrive only by plundering. The Crimson Comet becomes our everything."
"Isn't that just a bandit?" another minister blurted out.
To abandon production and survive by theft—wasn't this no different from becoming robbers?
Such dynasties would be reviled wherever they went, attacked by all, and have no safe harbor in the world.
"So what?" the Tree Demon sneered.
"What's wrong with being predators?"
"Devouring others' fortune is far more efficient than building your own.It's a shortcut to greatness!"
"If we plunder endlessly, we'll grow stronger every day—until one day, we stand above all civilizations."
"Let other fate dynasties tremble at the mention of our name!"
To her, there was nothing shameful in such a path.
Destruction was easier than creation.
And the Shadowmoon Empire had always been a gathering of demons, monsters, and ghosts.They excelled at sabotage and predation. This route fit them perfectly.
"Our first target shall be the Great Yi Celestial Court!"
"Plunder Great Yi's fortune!"
"Only through plunder will we truly thrive!"
The roar of countless demons echoed through the Empire.
To them, this was not a tragedy—it was exhilaration.
There was no fear.
Only wild glee.
"Very well. Then let Great Yi see what the Shadowmoon Empire can do."
"Let them understand what it means to provoke a Predator Civilization."
"They may think they can act with impunity, but we'll show them just how wrong they are."
Seven Night was no longer looking to retreat quietly.If he had to leave, he would do so with blood and vengeance.
He would let Great Yi feel pain.
The migration was swift.
One region after another became utterly deserted.
City after city vanished into the Crimson Comet.
Entire legions were transferred as well.
Soon, the skies bore no more clouds of heavenly merit, no more fortune dragons.
The relocation took three full days.
During that time, the front lines only faced random beasts and cannon fodder.
No real resistance.
Too easy.
So easy, it made Great Yi's commanders uneasy.
"Old Cheng, something feels off."
"According to intelligence, we're facing the Shadowmoon Dynasty.Even if it's just a royal dynasty, they should've put up a real fight."
"But this… this is just too smooth. Could it be a trap?"
Yang Ye turned to Cheng Yaojin, voicing his concern.
"I agree—it's far too quiet," Cheng replied with a frown.
"Better report to command—let's see what the strategists in the Heavenly Strategy Pavilion think."
"Either way, we have the Iron-Blood Great Wall behind us.Whatever their schemes, we're secure."
Qi Jiguang said firmly.
Doubts were natural.But the territory they had now occupied was very real.
Great Yi's Immortal Cities had landed.The ley lines were flowing.
This land now belonged to Great Yi.
There was no taking it back.
"No resistance on the front lines… and now a full-scale evacuation by the Shadowmoon Dynasty…"
"What… are they planning?"
This critical intel soon arrived before Yi Tianxing himself.