So the Martial Ancestor was still alive.
Though many had long suspected it, no one had dared confirm it. After all, the events of the previous epoch remained shrouded in mystery, and no one knew how that final apocalyptic war had truly ended.
But now this Nine-Colored Deer, claiming to be the Martial Ancestor's personal mount, had said it with such certainty—its words carried credibility, at least eighty percent or more.
Still… for someone like the Martial Ancestor to leave behind a pervy deer, of all things—it was baffling.
Of course, Yi Tianxing didn't pry further. Matters involving taboo-level figures from legend were better left untouched. At the end of the day, it all came down to power—he simply wasn't qualified to interfere.
"If I, the mighty Deer God, hadn't only just awakened, you mortals standing before me would be nothing but dust. And that moldy dog? One kick from me and he'd be dead!"
The Nine-Colored Deer looked at them arrogantly, eyes full of contempt.
"You rotten deer! Filthy stag! Still mouthing off? Next time, this emperor will boil your damn deer rod and use it for liquor!"
Green Emperor snarled back, his fury unabated.
"Enough! That's enough."
Yi Tianxing finally spoke up.If he let them bicker any longer, he feared the entire city might collapse from the noise alone.
"So, what are the conditions for opening the Well of Gods and Demons?"
Yi Tianxing looked calmly at the Nine-Colored Deer.
"Of course, nothing outrageous. Otherwise, I won't agree. And don't assume you're the only one who can open this well."
This creature might know how to activate the well—or even hold the key—but it was not necessarily irreplaceable.
"Nothing outrageous at all,"the deer said, grinning slyly."You've come this far, into the temporal forbidden zone. You wield time and space-type treasures. Your cultivation isn't much yet… but I can sense something terrifying in your body. If that power erupts, even I wouldn't dare stand in its way. Honestly? You're qualified to enter."
Its words were laced with genuine caution.
It had felt it—something colossal hidden in Yi Tianxing's body. A dormant power, steady as a mountain, but immeasurably terrifying.
Even it feared what might happen if Yi Tianxing unleashed it.
"Then state your terms."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"You've come for the Well of Gods and Demons, which means you know what lies beyond. You intend to enter the Eternal Night Realm, correct?"
The Nine-Colored Deer raised its head proudly, confident in its deduction.
"That's right."
Yi Tianxing didn't bother hiding it.
"In that case, I want you to do something for me once you're inside.I want you to rescue someone."
"Rescue? A strong figure from our Eternal World?"
Yi Tianxing frowned slightly.
"Correct. And if you succeed, the benefits to your side will be unimaginable. Not just breaking into the True Spirit Realm—even ascending to Dao Platform Realm, or the Dao Proving Realm, could be within reach. You'll be earning a debt of gratitude from someone whose identity is beyond your imagination."
The deer's voice was full of confidence, as though it were giving Yi Tianxing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Then may I know who this person is?"
"Nope. I'm not allowed to tell you,"the deer said, shaking its head."But once you find her, you'll understand. And trust me—you'll get every reward you deserve."
"I can only enter the Eternal Night Battlefield, not the Eternal Night Realm itself.If she's in the core world, I won't be able to help.If she's in the battlefield zone, maybe."
Yi Tianxing didn't make empty promises.
"Relax. She's on the battlefield. In fact, she's inside a restricted area.Once you enter, seek her out."
The deer replied quickly, clearly familiar with Eternal Night's layout. It had been there—perhaps even within the Eternal Night Realm itself.
"Very well. I agree."
Yi Tianxing gave a small nod.
"Excellent. As the ruler of a Fortune Dynasty, I trust you'll keep your word."
The deer grinned.
"This epoch is... unique. In the past, power was held by sects and mighty individuals. Mortals were nothing. But now, Fortune Dynasties rise to heights even the Immortal Courts would envy.Your dynasty's officials receive blessings of fate. Cultivation speeds—unbelievable. But listen to me: you are not yet ready to enter Eternal Night."
"Explain."
Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed.
"Eternal Night isn't just hostile—it's hell. Last epoch, our armies marched into Eternal Night. We waded through mountains of corpses. Both our side and theirs. The war was apocalyptic. The creatures of Eternal Night are inherently aggressive, born for war.You can't imagine how savage they are.Even newborn children—rip your eyes out with their fingers.Compassion nearly cost us everything. That's why later battles turned into scorched-earth campaigns—leave nothing alive."
As the deer spoke, even its arrogance faded.Its eyes reflected true fear. Deep fear.
"Those born in Eternal Night... they're forged in fire. All of them."
"By rule, only those at Dao Platform Realm or higher may enter the Well of Gods and Demons. That's the bare minimum."
"But you…"
"You'll pass. Barely. And this war city of yours—it's no Eternal Heavenly Ark, but it has potential."
"Just be careful of the Zerg once you're in.They're vicious. They don't die easily. They just keep coming."
Since Yi Tianxing had agreed, the deer no longer held back. It freely shared intelligence on what lay beyond the well—offering guidance and warning.
It was trying to help him survive.
"Don't worry. I'm not diving in just yet.This trip was just to locate the Well of Gods and Demons. We'll officially enter in three months."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
This was always just a scouting mission. In the meantime, the Empire of Great Yi had added millions of new troops. They still needed time to train, to coordinate—to become a true army.
Three months would give them a foundation—time to fill the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower with enough soldiers to support prolonged campaigns and absorb massive losses.
After the deal was struck, White Crow City moved out again—this time, away from the temporal zone.
Soon after, it pierced through the boundaries and re-entered the Divine-Demonic Battlefield.
From that moment, it began its march.
Wherever it passed, it slaughtered Eternal Night troops en masse.
Human slaves were immediately absorbed into the Hongmeng Tower to be re-educated and conscripted. The process was fast and efficient—they were veterans at this by now.
With every day, the tower's army grew by tens of millions.
A month passed silently.
The war continued.
The Void Arena remained active, where young elites fought endlessly.
Yi Tianxing still stepped onto the platform every day—never losing once.
The number of Eternal Night prodigies he killed kept increasing. They hated him—utterly—but couldn't stop him.
Eventually, they began forfeiting the moment he appeared.
Yi Tianxing limited himself to three fights per day, no more. This gave the Eternal Night side a reason to tolerate him—barely.
It was a fine balance he maintained with precision.
"The fusion of Heaven and Earth Laws is nearing completion.The suppression on Eternal Night cultivators will vanish soon. At most, two to three years—maybe even one year, if something accelerates it.Once that's done… the real war will begin."
Yi Tianxing stood atop the city walls, gazing into the void.
He whispered to himself, eyes solemn.
"Emperor. We've found a new war city nearby.It's occupied by a human force—but their appearance and skin color differ from ours.They seem to be Westerners. Should we make contact?"
Zhuge Liang entered with a report.