Within the Martial Imperial Examination space, no fewer than five hundred thousand battle platforms had been established.
If not for the StarNet's oversight, monitoring all ongoing battles simultaneously would be a daunting, if not impossible, task. Here, unless one voluntarily concedes defeat, the only way to determine victory or loss is through death. Any large-scale or lethal divine abilities or combat techniques are allowed to be used freely.
The rules were simple—and with no real danger of death, the battles instantly turned brutal and intense. Every platform became a slaughterhouse, each combatant fighting as though their life truly hung in the balance. The participants showed no concern for self-preservation.
Divine techniques and combat skills flashed across every ring, making for a dazzling spectacle.
At this moment, the onlookers weren't limited to Yi Tianxing and his companions. The officials of Great Yi, and many high-ranking generals of the Military Affairs Pavilion, had entered the StarNet to observe. Such an event was rare—especially when it involved selecting their future comrades-in-arms. There was no better way to assess candidates than to watch them in live combat.
Numerous observers condensed avatars within the Martial Examination space, gathering together in earnest observation.
"Impressive. There truly is no shortage of experts and powerful figures among the common people. None of the contestants here have a cultivation below the Fate Diagram realm. With only a decade or so and the meager resources available to them, reaching this stage is no small feat."— Hua Mulan, her eyes filled with admiration.
The disparity in resources between the civilian realm and the Great Yi's official training systems was like night and day. Reaching the Fate Diagram realm with only civilian resources spoke of extraordinary talent and great fortune. Should such individuals join Great Yi, their progress would be meteoric. This contest wasn't just about current strength—it revealed potential.
"Indeed. The people harbor hidden dragons and crouching tigers. As long as they dare to fight and dare to strive, even bounty hunters can become top-tier powerhouses. Those who carve their own path to strength will never be weak in real combat."— Mu Guiying, nodding in agreement.
Many contestants displayed impressive abilities. Some even showed off divine techniques that were dazzling and innovative.
After all, gold will always shine.
"Husband, look at that one—he seems quite powerful. He's reached the Dharma Phase realm, and the killing aura he emanates is terrifying. The domain he reveals is extremely dangerous."— Yao Yue, pointing to a particular battle platform.
There, a middle-aged man was engaged in fierce combat with a burly warrior wielding a battle axe. The axe technique he employed was sharp and swift, each strike crackling with lightning.
"Lightning Thunder Axe Technique—a top-tier Xuan-rank combat skill. Fully unleashed, it can draw upon the power of thunder. A strong talent suited for the frontlines. Unfortunately, the difference in cultivation is too great—his opponent is stronger."— Yi Tianxing, his eyes narrowing.
The true threat was the man's opponent.
That middle-aged man stood firm upon the platform, wielding a blood-colored war blade, yet he hadn't taken a single step. A domain of blood-red light enveloped him, within which seven stone steles emerged, each engraved with a single, blood-red, sinister character:
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!
Each "kill" radiated intense murderous intent, breaking out from the stone steles and tearing through space. This was a domain that could shatter all resistance. Within it was a terrible will of slaughter: "If man blocks, kill man; if Buddha blocks, kill Buddha; if demon blocks, kill demon."
Whoever stands in the way—kill, kill, kill!
This was the Seven Kill Stele Domain.
Under the domain's suppression, the steles smashed down toward the axe-wielding warrior. When they clashed, murderous intent materialized into blades and swords, slashing forward. The opponent was swallowed by an overwhelming killing aura, plunged into a sea of blood and despair. His very soul trembled.
Then came the killing decrees—frightening soul-level edicts that echoed like divine judgment:
The disloyal—kill!
The unfilial—kill!
The unrighteous—kill!
The immoral—kill!
The unworthy—kill!
The incompetent—kill!
Those who oppose me—kill!
Each decree was like a hammer to the soul. Even if one applied, it would crack one's will and shatter inner defenses.
Pu!!
The warrior with the battle axe spat blood and was immediately crushed beneath the Seven Kill Stele, his body torn into four pieces and shattered entirely. Though he perished in the match, it wasn't true death—merely a loss in the Martial Examination.
"Impressive. He's actually cultivating the Dao of Killing."— Yi Tianxing, his tone serious and intrigued.
This path was not for the faint-hearted. Once entered, it was nearly impossible to retreat—a road bathed in blood. The most famous historical figure to walk this path was Bai Qi, the God of Killing from the Qin Dynasty, whose mere name could silence weeping children. That man had drowned the land in blood and corpses.
"Xinger, transmit his information."— Yi Tianxing, without hesitation.
"Yes, Father."— Xing Hai's voice responded naturally, and a profile appeared before Yi Tianxing and the women.
There wasn't much text—just a concise summary:
Zhang Xianzhong.
Joined Great Yi three months ago. Originated from the Hanhai Realm. Formerly established the Seven Kill City, and had been preparing to found a Destiny Dynasty. During the great tides, his city was destroyed. He boarded a Void Train and was relocated to Great Yi, where he now resides in Jingtao City.
Cultivation: Dharma Phase Realm.
Cultivation method: unknown.
Domain: Seven Kill Domain.
The women who saw the information were visibly surprised.
"No wonder. He used to be a ruler of his own force. It's no surprise he's reached the Dharma Phase realm. But now that he's joined Great Yi, can he truly dedicate himself to our cause?"— Ao Qing, raising a concern.
Those who once held power were rarely submissive. Loyalty often masked rebellion, much like Liu Bei in the Three Kingdoms—using borrowed power to rise.
"That's not a concern. If they come to Great Yi, they'll have a stage worthy of them. If they still seek to leave, then that simply means our stage cannot contain their ambitions. If so, then let them go. Great Yi is not a tiger's den or dragon's pool."— Yi Tianxing, calmly.
A true emperor must have a strong heart and a vast mind. If your heart embraces the sea, you'll own the sea. If your heart embraces the world, you'll rule the world.
Still, Zhang Xianzhong left a strong impression.
He was no ordinary man. In history, he left a mark as bold as ink.
Zhang Xianzhong, courtesy name Bingzhong, style name Jingxuan, nicknamed Yellow Tiger, hailed from Dingbian County in Shaanxi. A famous rebel leader during the late Ming Dynasty, on par with Li Zicheng, and founder of the Daxi Dynasty.
Born into poverty, clever and defiant from a young age, he sold red dates with his father, worked as a constable, and later became a frontier soldier. Known for his fierce nature and sense of justice, he once nearly died defending someone else. During the Chongzhen reign, he led a peasant rebellion, eventually declaring himself emperor of Daxi in Chengdu. He conquered many cities, including Fengyang and Wuchang. Eventually, he died in battle in Phoenix Mountain, struck by a stray arrow.
His legend was dark—many called him a demon king of slaughter.
He had once erected a Seven Kill Stele—which now clearly represented his chosen Dao.
A truly ruthless executioner.
"Husband, look! That man's archery is astonishing. He's a divine archer."— Gongsun Da Niang, pointing to another platform.
There, a man drew a war bow repeatedly, loosing arrow after arrow at rapid speed. Each arrow materialized from true essence, and though no elite archery techniques were employed, the shots were ferocious and precise.
It was as though a single man had become an army, unleashing a rain of arrows like a living ballista.
His opponent barely had time to react. Even after using defensive divine techniques, he was overwhelmed by the storm of arrows, pierced from all directions and falling like a porcupine, dying with regret in his eyes—he never even got a chance to fight back.
"A fine archer. That's Hua Rong."— Yi Tianxing, nodding as he reviewed the information.
Hua Rong was a rare battle general with divine archery talent.
"Yes, and there are quite a few historical figures appearing this time. But our people from Great Yi aren't lacking either. Look at that Zhang Hai—his use of Moonlight-Tidal Blade has reached deep mastery. He's even formed a blade intent. A Dharma Phase realm expert—talented, courageous, and lucky."— Yi Tianxing, eyes shining.
Yi Tianxing was most impressed not by the famed figures of history, but by the hidden talents of the people. This Zhang Hai, a civilian cultivator, had caught his eye—his extraordinary aptitude was unmistakable.
Indeed, the common folk are never short of talent.
But talent often withers unrecognized, buried without a stage to shine. That is why chaos gives rise to heroes and tyrants—because chaos offers opportunity.
And in Great Yi, that stage now exists.