Without a moment's hesitation, facing the white mist and the eight towering ancient gates, the Eternal Night troops rushed straight in without the slightest courtesy. No matter where these troops of Eternal Night appeared from, they were silently transferred to the eight formation gates. Entry was only possible through the gates. Once you stepped inside, your fate was no longer your own.
Shua shua shua!!
Masses of Eternal Night troops charged into the gates without fear, reckless and unafraid of death.
However, no matter how many troops rushed in, the grand formation showed no sign of change. The eight gates remained suspended in the air, unmoved. Only the constantly churning white mist gave any hint of activity.
"Congratulations, Emperor. The troops are now trapped in the urn," Zhuge Liang said with a smile.
"No need to rush. Once they've entered, in due time, they'll become Da Yi's finest soldiers, fine citizens. The more such troops, the better," Yi Tianxing replied calmly, a faint smile on his lips.
What lay beneath was not merely the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation. The battle array was just a visible front. Hidden within the eight gates were spatial door imprints, and what opened were not formation interiors, but portals. Once stepped through, they were instantly transmitted into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda, arriving in the inner world opened up by the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree (无邪天音宝树).
It was an unending stream, ceaseless and continuous.
Though the chaotic troops numbered in the millions, once the charge began, it took little time to funnel them through. In no time, the battlefield around them was swept clean. All the enemy troops vanished silently, as if evaporated into thin air.
Then, the War Tiger Legion retracted the formation and returned to White Crow City.
The entire process took less than half an hour, and the area they had cleared was already left empty. Of course, soon enough other Eternal Night demons and miscellaneous forces would flood back in, but for now, this was a real and measurable blow to Eternal Night's forces.
At that moment, within the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda—
In the world nurtured by the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree, countless Eternal Night troops appeared continuously. The world was vast and empty of any other life, but it radiated a mysterious aura, filled with uplifting and joyful rhythm. At every moment, beautiful music echoed in the air.
The chaotic troops looked around, bewildered. Where had their enemies gone?
Looking up, they saw a colossal treasure tree suspended in the void, its presence sky-covering and awe-inspiring. Upon its branches, every leaf was shaped like a vivid, lifelike musical instrument, swaying gently and releasing pleasing sounds with every movement.
Shua!
The moment the tree appeared, it radiated a dazzling white light—pure and flawless.
Visions manifested in the sky—ancient zithers, great conch horns, golden bells—each musical instrument floating naturally, as sacred heavenly music filled the entire tower world. Divine light flowed from above, enveloping all the millions of chaotic troops.
Black mist began to rise from their bodies, and pained expressions twisted their faces.
Shua shua shua!!
Where the treasure tree's white divine light touched the black mist, it was instantly dissolved like snow in summer, vanishing without a trace.
Gradually, the previously pained expressions faded, replaced with serenity. The chaotic troops slowly sat upright, their faces taking on a look of reverence.
Within the heavenly music, various chants and voices echoed, striking their souls and minds, cleansing their hearts, and simultaneously branding new beliefs and imprints into them.
This was conversion.
Using the power of the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree to purify and convert the chaotic troops—expelling Eternal Night's power, erasing evil thoughts, and then imprinting absolute loyalty to Da Yi, to the human race, and to Yi Tianxing into their very souls.
"I am a citizen of the human race. I belong to Da Yi. I am loyal to Da Yi, loyal to the human race, loyal to the Emperor. My life belongs to the Emperor."
Murmurs flowed from the mouths of the converted.
What had been cloudy eyes now shone bright and clear. In their gaze was a fanatical devotion, as if their souls had been reborn and transformed into true human citizens—with undying loyalty branded deep within.
At this point, it wasn't just obedience. If ordered to charge or to die, they would obey without hesitation.
Now elevated to the level of an innate spiritual treasure, the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree's power to purify and convert was unmatched—even surpassing the conversion chants of Buddhist sages in both strength and mystery.
Converting these chaotic troops took very little effort. In the blink of an eye, the process was complete.
Without exaggeration, once released, these troops would become Da Yi's most loyal supporters, a core pillar of its strength.
Currently, in Da Yi's armies, entire legions had already been formed from formerly chaotic Eternal Night troops. Each of them was a backbone of the army—firm in belief and unmatched in resolve.
In one sweep, millions of new soldiers had been gained.
Granted, after conversion, their cultivation and techniques were inferior to Da Yi's formal troops, and their old arts had to be discarded. They would need to retrain using Da Yi's Heavenly Soldier War Codex ("天兵战典"). But when the time came, they would still be usable soldiers—ready-made manpower.
Who knew how long it would take to train new soldiers from the general population? But these converted troops were already prepared and would soon reach the front lines.
"Let's go. Move forward. Any human troops we encounter will be handled the same way. These are our most powerful reserve forces. Without troops? The enemy will provide them. This is war—and in war, we grow." Yi Tianxing said with a calm smile.
The aid that the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree brought on the battlefield was truly immeasurable.
"Yes, Emperor," Zhuge Liang replied with a smile.
White Crow City pushed on, continuing the bombardment campaign. Countless Yin-Yang Annihilation Bomb rained down on the battlefield, unleashing scenes of utter destruction. The Eternal Night army was struck down in wave after wave.
This was not tens or hundreds of thousands—it was tens of millions, hundreds of millions.
With the dense swarms of Eternal Night demons, the destructive force of each Yin-Yang Annihilation Bomb was fully maximized.
During this campaign, they encountered many more human troops. Against them, they used the same tactics—unashamed of being repetitive, because the most effective move is the best move.
After all, the chaotic troops, maddened by bloodlust, had no judgment. Their only reaction to enemies was: kill, kill, kill.
One by one, they were transported to the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda, where they underwent the purification of the Innocent Heavenly Music Treasure Tree.
The number of human chaotic troops appearing in the God-Demon Battlefield was staggering. Even within a single day, they encountered no fewer than tens of millions.
This was different from the first time they entered the battlefield. Back then, they had been on the defensive. Now, with White Crow City able to move swiftly, they could patrol the battlefield and sweep up a vastly greater number of troops.
"Thirty-eight million chaotic troops converted. And that's just day one."
As night began to fall, Yi Tianxing tallied the newly converted soldiers, a hint of joy rising in his heart. Thirty-eight million—all now part of Da Yi.
This was true attrition and growth in one.
"Our movements will inevitably draw Eternal Night's attention," Zhuge Liang said, fanning his feathered fan. "Even during the day, those Star Gates suspended in the sky can observe the battlefield. We've likely already entered their scope of notice. I fear the coming battles will not remain so easy."
He wasn't overly optimistic. The current ease was likely because Eternal Night wasn't taking them seriously yet. But once it did, the situation would shift. The stars in the sky—those were Star Gates. If they could be moved, then Eternal Night could surround and annihilate any battle city.
Of course, Zhuge Liang believed it was possible—but not without a price.
This was Eternal World's territory. Though Eternal Night could invade, the Heavenly Dao of Eternity still restrained its power. When the Star Gates appeared earlier, it was because Eternal Night's deepest foundations had acted in unison, embedding them across the battlefield. If they were to move, they'd have to reappear visibly, and in that moment, they'd be exposed.
Because although the stars could be seen, they could not be attacked—not because it was impossible, but because the stars themselves were not where they appeared to be. They existed in a state between reality and illusion, between the two realms. But if they moved, they would appear directly on the battlefield—and that would bring danger too great to ignore.
"No need to worry. We don't need to fight Eternal Night head-on. What we're doing now is even better. We'll keep our presence hidden and serve as mobile reinforcements for other cities when needed," Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
"…Something's wrong. The stars are glowing too brightly," Yao Yue suddenly said, raising her head toward the sky, her expression darkening.