"Purifying Eternal Night slave soldiers—restoring their sanity, emotions, and wisdom—is no easy feat.Even in my hands, their numbers remain limited.Thus far, I've only managed to purify ten million."
Yi Tianxing spoke slowly, a faint smile on his lips.
Of course, the real number was far higher.
Thanks to the power of White Crow City, millions of Eternal Night slaves were captured and purified daily. Over the course of several months, more than three billion human slave soldiers had been purified within the Heavenly Emperor Tower.
They were natural-born warriors—robust bodies, innate cultivation, and loyalty to match.Great Yi's generals had already begun screening them, training the elite, and granting them military cultivation manuals like the Heavenly Soldier Codex to rebuild their foundations.
Yi Tianxing's words, however, only hinted at a fragment of that truth.
"May I see them with my own eyes?"Liu Bei asked, drawing a cold breath.
Ten million elite soldiers—it was a number that defied imagination.If real, this could double Shu's power overnight.
"Of course."
Yi Tianxing smiled.
He could already tell Liu Bei's heart was moved.
With a wave of his hand, ten figures appeared out of thin air.
Men and women alike.
Each emanated strong life force and battle-ready auras—none bloodthirsty or vicious, but instead calm and clear-eyed.These were warriors—gentle in nature, yet deadly when armed.
There were even female soldiers, which ensured a balanced population for future generations—not just cannon fodder, but true civilizational assets.
"Alive… and they're at the Life Map Realm?" Liu Bei murmured, eyes wide."Such strength… if all were like this… it would completely transform my kingdom."
The impact shook him to the core.
This wasn't some trick—these were living, breathing elite soldiers, ready to be deployed immediately.
If he had just one army of such troops, he could dominate swathes of the battlefield.Of course, what he really wanted now was to bargain hard.
"Brother Liu," Yi Tianxing said mildly,"Have you made your decision?If you wish to trade, name your price."
"Yes."Liu Bei nodded seriously."But my Heaven-Fortune Peach Seed is no ordinary treasure. As a true Innate Spiritual Seed, once fully grown, it may rival even the legendary Peaches of Immortality.It is without equal.I believe it is worth ten million people."
Yi Tianxing's expression twitched.
"Ten million?" he repeated flatly.
He looked at Liu Bei with a touch of wry amusement.
"Your skin is thicker than city walls," he thought."Just a seed, not even a grown tree.It might not sprout. Even if it does, the cost of cultivating it will be enormous.If you had the actual spiritual root, I'd agree without hesitation.But for a seed, I'll only offer five million."
"No way. Nine million five hundred thousand. No less,"Liu Bei countered without blinking.
Bargaining like a street vendor, fighting for every last soul.
Yi Tianxing couldn't help but find it funny.
"Enough," he said at last,"We're not in a marketplace. I'll offer you eight million, take it or leave it."
His tone brooked no argument.
Liu Bei paused—then nodded.
"Very well. Eight million it is.But how will I receive them? I can't take them back myself—not with Eternal Night demons roaming the battlefield."
He had a point.
Eight million soldiers moving through the battlefield would be instantly annihilated without protection.No war fortress, no escorts—they'd vanish like smoke.
"Don't worry," Yi Tianxing said with calm confidence."Since it's a deal, it will be properly fulfilled.I will give you a spatial gate imprint.Once you return to your war city, activate it—and I'll deliver all eight million troops through the gate."
"And they'll be escorted by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.Once the gate is opened, they'll ensure everything arrives safely."
That sealed it.
Even if Liu Bei didn't fully trust Yi Tianxing, he would trust his sworn brothers.
"Big Brother," said Guan Yu solemnly,"His Majesty keeps his word. Eight million means eight million. We'll make sure it happens."
"Yeah! With these soldiers, you'll fly to new heights,"Zhang Fei added enthusiastically.
These weren't just recruits—each was an elite.Maybe not equal to Great Yi's legions, but far beyond the norm.
"Of course I trust you,"Liu Bei laughed."His Majesty Yi is the pillar of our human race—the cornerstone of civilization.If he can't be trusted, who can?"
He handed over the jade box containing the Heaven-Fortune Seed.
Yi Tianxing took it without another word.
"Can you still purify more Eternal Night slaves?"Liu Bei asked suddenly.
"Naturally.But the process is still resource-intensive, so mass purification remains limited."
Yi Tianxing's gaze was deep—he had already guessed what Liu Bei was thinking.
"Then… can I make more trades in the future?"Liu Bei asked directly.
"You can.But only human factions are eligible.I won't do business with foreign races."
"Understood."
Liu Bei bowed.
He exchanged a few more words with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, then departed.
There was no trace of disappointment on his face.
He hadn't reclaimed his brothers—but he had gained eight million elite soldiers.
This was a heaven-sent windfall.
As he left White Crow City, Liu Bei looked back, his face glowing with satisfaction.
"Yi Tianxing… you think you've won?"He smirked to himself."But the Heaven-Fortune Peach Seed needs a drop of blood from each of us three brothers to sprout—like a medicinal primer.Without it, no matter what you try, it'll never grow."
"You just traded eight million soldiers for a seed that's useless without my secret.And I'm never telling you."
In his heart, Liu Bei felt thoroughly avenged.The disappointment from losing Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had been burning within him.
Now? It was gone.He felt refreshed, like eating ice cream on a hot day.
"This time," he muttered as he sped back to Shu,"I'm the real winner."
But just as he turned and left,a ripple of golden light appeared silently in the air behind him.
From within it, a golden pocket watch materialized, hanging in midair.
And in that moment—Time froze.