The Immortal Evolution Tree had been thriving under careful cultivation these past years, producing numerous Immortal Gourds. These gourds in turn nurtured evolution elixirs of various grades.
After this batch of evolution potions was harvested, most were not consumed, but instead delivered to the Star-Seizing Tower.With good luck, anyone had a chance to acquire one. These potions could boost one's cultivation without side effects, transforming life itself.These were truly supreme treasures, and with enough fortune, one could ascend straight to the heavens.
In short, the Star-Seizing Tower lacked neither treasures nor opportunities. It was like an alternate God-Demon Treasury, brimming with incalculable fortune.
Yi Tianxing's gaze sharpened.
"Next, it's time to find a place to plant those God-Demon Seeds. These seeds are the real treasures.But how to cultivate them requires careful planning. Each one is invaluable—none must go to waste. Ideally, each should grow into a God-Demon Treasure Tree with unique properties, becoming the true foundation of Great Yi."
These treasure trees had unpredictable effects and immense potential. Their cultivation had to be carefully managed.
🌸 The Cherry Blossom Continent – The Great Serpent Dynasty
In the vast Hanhai Region, a massive landmass stood tall—one not inferior to Yizhou of Great Yi, possibly even larger.
This was known as Sakura Province, or Cherry Blossom Continent to locals. True to its name, the land was rich with blooming cherry trees, and during blossom season, petals filled the air in a dreamlike, fragrant haze.
But beneath the beauty lay watchful eyes.
Great Yi's intelligence network had long marked this province as a key surveillance target.
The region was ruled by a regime called the Great Serpent Dynasty, which had grown from a kingdom to a full-fledged Emperor-level regime.
Its origins? The Wokou of the Eastern Seas—piratical invaders of the East.
Their national totem: the Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇)
The people worshipped it as a divine spirit
At the head of this regime stood a name infamous in both history and fiction:
Oda Nobunaga (织田信长).
The dynasty had become the absolute ruler of Sakura Province. Towering cities had risen across the land, each tainted with demonic auras, appearing massive and sinister.
Within these cities, humans and youkai demons lived side by side.It was an unnatural harmony, achieved through some form of mysterious spiritual pact.
In fact, many residents were hybrids—humans fused with demonic essence, their appearances bearing traits of both.
The Capital – Eight-Headed Serpent (Yamata) City (八岐城)
At the core of the Great Serpent Dynasty lay its capital, Eight-Headed Serpent City, built directly atop an active volcano.
The magma was suppressed by the city itself.
The whole city seemed to devour volcanic power for energy.
Nine satellite demon cities orbited the capital, forming a massive defense formation resembling the nine heads of Yamata-no-Orochi.
The walls of Yaqi City were engraved with destructive serpent imagery, exuding an aura of ancient ruin and devastation.
It was not hidden—on the contrary, their worship and ambition were proudly displayed for all to see.
The connection between the nine cities and the capital was deeply mystical—like a living beast, breathing and pulsing with deadly force.
Nobunaga's Fury – Enemies Beneath the Earth
Within the gloomy throne hall of Yaqi City, a burly figure clad in battle armor sat imposingly—Oda Nobunaga himself.
His mere presence exuded oppressive might. The air grew heavy in his wake.
Documents lay scattered before him—court reports.
"Tch!"
He threw one violently to the floor, his eyes cold and murderous.
"Those two damned rats... Chen Sheng and Wu Guang!!"
His voice was filled with seething hatred.
"Chopped off their heads, turned them into chamber pots—and they still escaped. Still alive.Disgusting. Cockroaches."
"I'll make you wish for death. You dare stir up trouble in my Serpent Dynasty? I'll grind your bones to dust and see if you rise again."
To Nobunaga, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were two cursed thorns in his side.
They had instigated rebellion from the very first year of the dynasty's founding—rallying Han-descended humans in uprisings, sparking widespread unrest.
He understood these people well:They could be docile and resilient, enduring extreme hardship, or they could explode in blood-boiling defiance—especially when pushed past their limit.
Unfortunately for him, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were brilliant provocateurs.
"Wang Hou Jiang Xiang, Ning You Zhong Hu (王侯将相宁有种乎)!"– Why should nobles be born greater than commoners?
They had reawakened the defiant spirit of the Han people.
Despite efforts to hunt and kill them, even personally executing them, they survived.
Their headquarters? Underground.
Hidden.
Untouchable.
A Greater Threat – Great Yi
Suddenly, a black-robed figure spoke. His presence had gone unnoticed until he spoke—like he'd never existed until now.
"Those two are just clowns.Our real enemy is Great Yi.Yi Tianxing is the strongest opponent."
The God-Demon Battlefield had closed.All powers were returning.Great Yi would not lie dormant. Expansion was inevitable, and the Great Serpent Dynasty stood directly in their path.
"There's no buffer," the figure said coldly."They'll come for us next."
Nobunaga's face twisted into a cold sneer.
"Let them come. Great Yi may be powerful, but the Serpent Dynasty is no less capable. If Yi Tianxing wants to expand, he'll have to go through me. I'm the nail he can't remove. The impassable chasm."
The robed figure nodded:
"Good. Don't worry. We'll increase our investment and support. Great Yi may possess wonders, but our side is stronger than you can imagine."
His tone was calm, but deeply confident.
"You'll ride Great Yi's crushed bones to the summit. Eternal life and limitless power—yours for the taking. Our backing is more than enough to overwhelm even their greatest treasures."
"We are the cheat code they don't have."
Nobunaga didn't hide his ambition:
"Good. Then I want more.More power. More support."
The alliance was clear.
The Great Serpent Dynasty was no longer just a rising threat. With hidden forces backing them, they were a calculated rival, poised to block Yi Tianxing's path—and perhaps, even challenge his throne.