It wasn't that Yi Tianxing didn't want to search for his parents—just like Zhao Ziyan, even though he knew she had been taken to an Immortal Sect, he simply had no way of locating it. He couldn't set foot on the Primordial Continent, much less the Kunlun Mountains.
The Eternal World was vast beyond comprehension. He had only touched the tip of the iceberg. Searching was a matter of desire without ability—something he had to accept for now.
Only when Great Yi's territory expanded far and wide—its influence ever-increasing—would he truly have a chance to find them.
But at least one thing was certain:
They were still alive.
Without that belief, even he couldn't have remained so composed.
"Then that's all we can hope for,"Zhao Ziyan sighed."It's just a shame… we don't know how they're doing."
Still, she didn't dwell on it.
After all, she never had high hopes to begin with. The disappointment wasn't heavy. Cultivators had extremely long lifespans—with continued cultivation, they had ample time to reunite someday. As long as they were safe, everything else could wait.
"Alright, the Martial Examination begins tomorrow,"Yi Tianxing smiled."Let's hope enough talented generals emerge from this."
"They will," Zhao Ziyan said confidently."This exam is being held on the Divine-Demon Battlefield, drawing martial talents from all across the Eternal World.
Given Great Yi's appeal, any unaffiliated warriors won't hesitate to seize the olive branch."
She understood full well how Great Yi was viewed from the outside.
Its weight and status were anything but ordinary.
"We'll see tomorrow."Yi Tianxing nodded.
His expectations were high.
This was a global call, and he didn't believe that Great Yi's reputation would fail to draw the best and brightest.
One day passed quickly.
The opening of the Mutual Market had turned White Crow City into a city that never slept. Even at night, it was vibrant and crowded.
During the night's Eternal Night demon assaults, countless witnesses saw firsthand the overwhelming combat power of Great Yi's legions.
Weapons like the Godslayer Crossbows and Yin-Yang Annihilation bombs left an unforgettable impression—pure devastation.
This was the combined force of elite cultivators and cutting-edge war machines.
Even more shocking—after a whole battle, the worst damage suffered by the soldiers on the wall was a few serious injuries—not a single casualty.
It was enough to scare observers half to death.
"Comparison is the thief of joy," one muttered bitterly.
Those planning to take the exam felt even more eager.
This was the stage they dreamed of.
What they once called a "career" now felt laughably inferior—like heaven and earth in difference.
Thus, every candidate became laser-focused on the exam.
Under the gaze of the masses, the second day finally arrived.
Dong!!
A solemn bell tolled at the White Crow City Lord's Mansion.
There, two familiar figures appeared: Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen.
All around them, massive crowds gathered, made up of various races.
Not just humans—but also many non-human powerhouses.
They had come not just to participate—but to witness how Great Yi's Martial Examination was conducted, how generals would be chosen, and who would rise to the top.
"Fellow cultivators,"Zhuge Liang stepped forward."I am Zhuge Liang, head of the Military Affairs Cabinet of Great Yi."
"Great Yi is thirsty for talent—especially martial talent."
"To defend against the Eternal Night demons, we've issued a Summoning Order across the Divine-Demon Battlefield,
seeking true generals."
"Those who stand out will be fully entrusted, even placed in charge of entire legions."
"They may command a million soldiers, be titled Legion Commander, rise to First Rank, and receive the blessings of Great Yi's national fate."
"The rewards are countless. But only if you can prove yourselves. Great Yi never hinders the path of the talented."
"That's right," said Liu Bowen.
"In Great Yi, everything is determined by ability.
The capable rise. The incompetent fall.
If you have ambition in your heart, then come—come to Great Yi."
Their words lit a fire in many hearts.
Those who had already been considering joining felt their conviction solidify.
Great Yi truly was the best option.
Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen exchanged glances and nodded subtly. The response was good.
"This exam must be taken seriously,"Zhuge Liang continued.
"All procedures will mirror Great Yi's official martial examinations.
Those who succeed will be regarded as formally graduated candidates, with all the rights and recognition that entails."
"Please tell us the exam process,"someone in the crowd asked.
"There are two categories," Zhuge Liang explained:
1. Personal Strength – worth 10 points:
• Cultivation: 3 pts
• Combat Prowess: 4 pts
• Talent: 3 pts
2. Command Ability – worth 10 points:
• Military Discipline: 2 pts
• Strategy & Tactics: 3 pts
• Victory Rate: 5 pts
Total score out of 20 points. Those with the highest scores will be selected.
We urge you—give it your all. Prove your worth."
This wasn't a casual recruitment.
Yi Tianxing and Zhuge Liang had carefully planned it to be as legitimate as possible—a formal martial examination.
Those who passed would gain prestige and legitimacy within the military. No one would question their qualifications.
Without StarNet, the process was simplified:
There would be no one-on-one duels.
Instead, all assessments would occur via battlefield simulation, where both personal skill and leadership would be tested.
There was no better test than war itself.
If you couldn't shine on the battlefield, you simply weren't qualified.
No excuses.
"The examination will be conducted inside the King battle Chess Arena within the King's Realm,"Zhuge Liang announced.
"Candidates will face off in military simulations, with each side commanding a full army."
"The battlefield is structured like a real-time strategy game, with each side's crystal tower as the base.
You'll choose from standard Great Yi troop types:
Spearmen, Sword & Shield units, Cavalry, Archers, Crossbowmen, Bladesmen, Rune Troops, and more."
Each participant could freely mix and match units, commanding one million troops.
They'd apply tactics and formations to win real-time simulated battles.
Each candidate would get three matches against different opponents. Their final scores would be determined from the results.
Since this was a selection for Legion Commanders, being able to command one million troops was a basic requirement.
If you couldn't even manage that,
you had no business wearing the uniform.
"All candidates," Liu Bowen declared,"you may now enter the Portal Gate to proceed to the testing grounds.
Everything will be arranged from there."
The exam would not be held in White Crow City—exposing tactics in public would be foolish.
Instead, they were transported to the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, and from there, into th King battlechess simulation.
Caution was necessary. Even here, information security mattered.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Without hesitation, the candidates streamed into the portal.
No one doubted the safety—Great Yi would never allow danger to taint its martial examination.
It was a matter of national prestige.
"The examination begins now!"
No delays.
Before the candidates could even study the terrain, the test had already begun.
One by one, they entered the King battle Chess Arena.
It transformed into a vast battlefield, where all participants hovered in the sky.
From this omniscient perspective, they could see every hill and tree—nothing hidden.
This was the King's Realm.
Below, crystal towers rose from each base, marking the red and blue starting points.
"All candidates, receive your ID tokens."
In a flash, each candidate received a personalized identification token—linked to the details they had submitted during registration.
"Candidate #001 and Candidate #742, enter the battlefield. Begin your match."
A disembodied voice echoed.
Then, two examinees dropped from the sky, landing at the red and blue crystal towers respectively.
The others remained in the sky, watching the duel unfold.
The Martial Examination of Great Yi—had officially begun.