Eternal Era, Year 48, First day of the ninth lunar month.
On this day, the massive Gate of Gods and Demons materialized out of thin air above the battlefield. The ancient gate, stained with blood and imbued with a heavy, ancient presence, loomed in the sky.
Countless cultivators across the battlefield looked up at it with complicated expressions. After all, they had spent over twenty years on this battlefield, surviving endless bloodshed, fighting on the razor's edge of life and death. For many, just being alive at this point already felt like a miracle. Had fate turned differently, they too might have fallen here.
Their survival alone told stories of hardship and resilience far too long for words.
"We're finally leaving the battlefield… Honestly, after so long, I almost feel reluctant. The battlefield is dangerous, yes—but it's also filled with opportunity. Over the years, I've shattered bottlenecks, broken through barriers… In battle, I forged myself. It's one of the most exhilarating times of my life."
A cultivator spoke with heartfelt emotion.
Where there is danger, there is also opportunity.
Stable cultivation may be essential—but without trial and adversity, how could one possibly grow strong? Without storms, how can one become a towering tree?
"Just surviving was a reward. Not to mention all the resources I exchanged from the God-Demon Treasury. With these, I can charge through one, maybe even two great realms! That's the real reward."
Excitement filled many eyes.
Those who had survived were rich in gains, and it showed.
"We're finally going back… But of all those who went to war throughout history, how many ever returned alive? This time was… truly brutal. So many comrades fell here."
As return loomed, reflection was inevitable.
"Alas, I won't be bringing Yun Chang or Yi De back with me. It pains me deeply."
Liu Bei stood atop the city wall, gazing toward White Crow City, sorrow etched in his face. He hadn't expected this reunion would mean a permanent separation from his brothers.
"Do not be too grieved, my lord. The two generals have not truly severed their bonds with you. Their brotherhood remains. Besides, their presence in Great Yi may not be a bad thing. They now fight for the human race. And if Da Shu faces trouble one day, they may provide a way out. This might even become a valuable link between Da Shu and Great Yi."
Fa Zheng bowed slightly and offered this reassurance.
There are always two sides to a coin.
"I suppose so."
Liu Bei could only let it go. His brothers weren't coming back, and he wouldn't humiliate himself by pursuing them. He had to accept it.
But the campaign hadn't been fruitless—he was returning with a powerful army, a blessing for his own fate dynasty. It was a massive boost, and once he returned, he planned to expand.
He was ready to ascend from royal to imperial. Ambition now surged wildly in his heart.
"Finally returning..."
Yi Tianxing looked at the Gate of Gods and Demons with deep emotion. This campaign had brought unprecedented rewards. During his time on the Eternal Night battlefield, he not only fought countless battles, but also captured and reformed a staggering number of human slaves—now turned soldiers under his command. Within the Primordial Heavenly Emperor Pagoda, his military strength now reached the trillions.
RUMBLE!!
Suddenly, the sky above the battlefield erupted with mysterious phenomena.
Heavenly flowers rained down, and divine light burst forth in endless waves. In the void, a massive list shimmered into existence, glowing with violet radiance and awe-inspiring majesty.
"The Primordial Myriad Spirits List!!"
As soon as it appeared, a wave of anticipation swept across the battlefield.
Everyone knew what it meant: the final reckoning of this war. This list would record the contributions of every race, distributing Heaven's reward of fate energy based on merit. This was Heaven's way of rewarding those who had defended the world from Eternal Night.
"It's here again… I wonder where the human race will rank this time."
Yi Tianxing mused aloud.
"Given that Great Yi held off Eternal Night for twenty years and slaughtered countless enemies, if we're not at the top, I'd say the heavens are blind,"
Liu Bowen chuckled.
This was a moment of glory for the human race.
All across the battlefield, cultivators raised their heads and gazed at the shimmering list, which could be seen from anywhere. Its majestic aura filled the sky, vast and profound.
Golden characters flickered and danced across it—an invisible but divine energy moving rapidly through the heavens. Something monumental was about to emerge.
Everyone waited.
Especially Yi Tianxing—he had received tremendous fortune from this list before.
The last time it appeared, he had seized a tenth of a strand of Primordial Violet Qi, and after the war ended, a complete strand followed. The scale of that blessing was still hard to grasp.
This list was a ledger of merit: the more you contributed, the more you were rewarded.
Countless cultivators stared intently at it.
Though most already knew—there was no doubt who would be first.
"Look! First place—it's the human race!"
A cry of awe echoed.
At the very top of the list, golden characters shone:
Rank 1: Human Race
Merit Points: 10 trillion
No surprise.
With Yi Tianxing leading the charge for twenty years and resisting countless invasions, the human race sat firmly on the throne, immovable like a divine mountain. This number made even the boldest hearts tremble.
The second place, surprisingly, went to the Beastmen.
But it made sense. The Beastmen were a massive coalition of tribes and races. Their numbers were terrifying, and their combat prowess formidable. They had fought savagely and made a name for themselves with blood.
Next were the Barbarians, Demons, and others.
Those that ranked were naturally ancient races with deep foundations and vast numbers. In large-scale wars, sheer numbers were a terrifying advantage.
Cheers erupted across the battlefield as cultivators spotted their race on the list. The higher the rank, the greater the heavenly reward they would receive.
ROAR!!
Suddenly, a gigantic fortune dragon burst from the list. The dragon coiled for thousands of miles, shimmering in golden light before it soared into the heavens and vanished.
"More than last time."
Yi Tianxing nodded in satisfaction. That dragon was Heaven's reward of fate energy, given to the human race. Once merged, it would uplift their entire destiny. Geniuses would rise en masse, and a new golden age would begin.
As he watched, more fortune dragons emerged from the list and disappeared one by one.
They were headed to the other races, bestowing the same kind of heavenly reward.
"I can feel it! It's like the heavens are embracing me. I've never felt so unbound before!"
"The stronger the fate energy, the more Heaven favors you. It's true! My comprehension of laws and cultivation progress is already smoother!"
"A golden era is upon us. Miss it, and you'll regret it forever!"
Many cultivators felt their cultivation base shift subtly. An indescribable joy spread across the battlefield.
They had gambled their lives for this—and it was finally here.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. The true fortune is coming. Grasp this opportunity and you may break through to a new realm."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and reminded those around him.
If he remembered correctly, the next gift from Heaven would be a baptism of divine light, a mysterious power capable of upgrading the soul and treasures without danger.
No one dared to be careless.
SHING!!
Just as Yi Tianxing finished speaking, beams of divine light rained down from the Primordial Myriad Spirits List, pouring toward every cultivator on the battlefield.
It didn't matter what race they were.
Everyone received a stream of brilliance, some bright, others faint.
"The fortune is here!!"
Cheers erupted as countless cultivators prepared themselves.
But—
"Wait... it's not a spiritual enlightenment. It's refining my lifebound treasure!"
As the divine light sank into their bodies, they suddenly realized—it wasn't enhancing their cultivation, but instead merging into their lifebound artifacts!
Each light beam carried esoteric Dao patterns, embedding themselves deep within the weapons. Symbols of Heaven and Earth flowed into them, transforming them.
This was a mysterious blessing from the Dao of Heaven.
A tide of joy swept the crowd.
Even if it wasn't cultivation-based, enhancing their lifebound treasures was just as valuable. For some, it meant transcending limitations caused by rare material shortages or incomplete refinement.
In the glow of Creation Light, bottlenecks shattered like glass.