What should I do?
Tong Wu's mind was in chaos, thoughts crashing against each other like lightning sparks.There was no question—this was a mental battlefield, a spiritual duel.
Both options were unbearable: One was five hundred years of torment; the other—instant death.
How was he supposed to choose?His heart desperately wished for a third option, but none existed.
"Have you decided?" Yi Tianxing's calm voice rang out."I will give you only the time it takes to burn one stick of incense.If you haven't chosen by then, I will assume you've chosen death—and I will grant your wish."
All around them, not a single cultivator spoke.Silence reigned, everyone's eyes locked on the scene, unwilling to miss even a second.
It was so intense, some felt like they might wet themselves.
Drip…
Tong Wu, with his high cultivation, should have long since transcended sweating—Yet right now, beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down his face, hitting the ground with audible thuds.
It was clear: he was suffering internally.
Live or die.
This was a terrible choice.
"Five hundred years later, I'll still be standing. Atlantis won't just let me rot in prison."
After a long, tortured silence, Tong Wu finally moved—He stepped toward the left gate, the gate of life.
He chose imprisonment.
He didn't want to die.
No one truly does.
Whatever pride he had, it wasn't enough to outweigh his will to live.If he had to suffer humiliation, then so be it.
He would endure the shame for a greater purpose.
"I, Tong Wu, will return.Tong Jian—inform Atlantis. Tell them to come get me out."
He turned toward his retainer as he approached the gate.
"Yes, Your Highness. I swear it."Tong Jian responded solemnly.
Tong Wu said no more. He turned and stepped through the space gate.
Even if he was full of hatred and unwillingness, he had no choice.The pain in his heart nearly made him wish for death—but he still didn't want to die.
"Five hundred years… just a light punishment," Yi Tianxing said indifferently, dispersing the two space gates with a wave of his hand.
"As for this Green Jade Sword—I'll take half."
He then purchased half of the swords displayed earlier at the street stall.
The stall owner, of course, did not dare refuse—he would've given them away for free if asked.But Yi Tianxing never took without paying.
"Alright, let's head back," Yi Tianxing smiled."We'll talk at the residence. Your sisters-in-law are waiting. Oh, and this is also my sister—her name is Wuyou, but you can call her Nannan."
Zhao Ziyan's sudden appearance had shattered his interest in continuing their stroll—He now only wanted to know everything she had been through over the years.
"I'm Wuyou.You're Sister Ziyan, so from now on, you're Nannan's big sister too."
Nannan stepped forward with a gentle smile.Her gaze held a warmth that matched her words.
Their pasts were similar—both separated from Yi Tianxing for years, only now reunited.Their shared identities and experiences brought them naturally close.
"Wuyou, I finally have a little sister! I'm no longer the youngest—this is great!"
Zhao Ziyan laughed as well, her expression joyful.
"By the way, big brother, have you given me any nephews or nieces yet?You're the Yi family's only heir—you'd better not let the bloodline end with you!"
She gave him a teasing glance, her tone playful.
After the emotional storm settled, her original, lively personality returned,The kind she showed only around family.
"Come on, let's go home first," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
With a wave of his hand, the three of them vanished on the spot—Only to reappear instantly at the City Lord's Mansion.
Before leaving, Yi Tianxing also left a message for Murong Ziying and the others, inviting them to visit later after exploring the market.
"Senior Sister Ziyan finally found her brother.She's now officially the Eldest Princess of Great Yi—her future is boundless."
"I've heard that Great Yi's resources are terrifying.Not inferior to any Immortal Sect—and possibly even superior."
"Just look at their army—Peak Fate Diagram Realm as standard soldiers, and plenty of Law Manifestation Realm officers.Those are just the ninth-rank Heavenly Soldiers, the entry-level ranks of Great Yi's Nine-Rank Military System.It's transparent, and entirely merit-based—rank and cultivation directly tied to achievements."
"Their armies number in the tens of millions. If they move together, the force would be unimaginable.If our Qionghua Immortal Sect faced them… we might not survive."
"Come, let's give them time to catch up.They must have a lot to talk about.We'll visit after their reunion."
Murong Ziying and the others smiled knowingly, stepping back to give the family space.
The nearby cultivators, having witnessed it all, also quietly dispersed.But they couldn't stop talking—how could they?
They had just witnessed Yi Tianxing, with only his presence, force the Fifth Divine Son of Atlantis to surrender himself to five centuries of imprisonment.
No bloodshed.
No violence.
Just overwhelming pressure.
It was a legendary display of dominion.
They could now fully feel how terrifyingly powerful Yi Tianxing had become.
Their hearts trembled in awe.
For the human talents who had come for the General Selection Tournament, their confidence soared.
Many of them now saw joining Great Yi as the best future they could hope for.
This was the majesty of a true Fate Dynasty.
"I wonder how Great Yi will conduct its assessments.Whether I pass or not, I want in.Even as a common soldier—it's worth it.Great Yi is too powerful."
Having seen Great Yi's forces with their own eyes, many war talents knew:
Even their own strength paled in comparison to Great Yi's ordinary soldiers.
Which only further proved the depth of Great Yi's foundations.
If they could join, no one would want to leave.
The marketplace continued smoothly.
With Tong Wu as a cautionary tale, no one dared make trouble—Even the most hot-headed had to suppress their temper.
As long as they didn't stir trouble, Great Yi wouldn't interfere.
Suddenly, on the square's central announcement board, a line of glowing golden text appeared.
"Look! An announcement!"
"It's about the General Selection Tournament!"
"The martial examination will begin tomorrow.All participants must register and receive identity tokens.Each will enter the King Battle Chess Formation, where their command and leadership abilities will be evaluated.
Great Yi will select officers based on their performance."
At that moment, all the war talents from various races lit up with excitement.
"There's no ranking in literature—but in warfare, only the strongest survive.Let's see who's truly worthy!"
It would not be paper games or theory—true battlefield simulation awaited.
A fair, transparent selection method that favored real skill.
"Finally—tomorrow, I, Zhou, shall rise to greatness!I've trained all my life, and I'll prove myself before the Emperor!"
One youth's eyes burned with determination.
"They say General Yue is already part of Great Yi—I must succeed in the exams and fight by his side once more!"
A burly man beamed with joy—he had guessed Yue might be reborn,And now knew it for certain.
"Who says women can't match men?If Great Yi has Hua Mulan and Mu Guiying,Then I too shall rise!"
A sharp-eyed young woman whispered to herself, resolve blazing in her gaze.