The fate energy of the realm quickly converged toward the Immortal Cities, forming streams of Destiny that surged toward Great Yi. Heavenly Fate spread like mist across the Gourmet Realm, while the Star Network expanded at a furious pace, following the currents of destiny and enveloping the entire realm with incredible speed.
Roar!!
A colossal fate dragon soared across the skies, swimming through the void, gazing down like a sovereign surveying its domain.
An invisible pressure swept across the entire Gourmet Realm like a tidal wave. In the eyes of countless living beings, this spectacle ignited a deep internal tremor. From the aura exuded by the fate dragon, they could feel how terrifying the foundation of Great Yi truly was.
Golden fate energy spread out from the Immortal City at its center, flowing outward rapidly in all directions. Streams of golden and azure energy expanded endlessly.
Whoosh!!
Suddenly, divine light surged through the void.
A figure descended on a rainbow bridge, holding a decree in hand—it was Cao Zhengchun.
He unfolded the imperial edict and proclaimed loudly:
"By order of the Holy King:
Great Yi, as the Human Destiny Dynasty, today incorporates the Gourmet Realm into its sovereign territory.Immortal Cities shall be constructed to guard every region.It is known that the Gourmet Realm is home to Gourmet Hunters, lovers of fine cuisine, and sentient beings of spirit. They may enter Great Yi's Immortal Cities, acquire legal identity, and gain residential rights.Those who abide by Great Yi's Heavenly Laws shall be recognized as citizens of Great Yi, treated equally without discrimination."
The decree echoed across the entire Gourmet Realm.
An Immortal City descended and fully integrated the realm into the territory of Great Yi. The realm offered no resistance, and even the Food God Clan remained silent—this tacit acceptance was the greatest form of support.
In doing so, Great Yi claimed the moral high ground, making it impossible for anyone to dispute their legitimacy. Accordingly, the Food God Clan and Gourmet Hunters were granted due respect and privileges, as this land was originally their home. Strictly speaking, Great Yi were outsiders—invaders, even. But since there was no resistance, they had to set a proper example and offer generous treatment.
If they failed in this, Great Yi's reputation would suffer.
For Gourmet Hunters, integrating into Great Yi wasn't difficult at all. These were people who lived for culinary pursuits—chefs, food adventurers, and enthusiasts. Great Yi was already a realm famous for its gastronomic culture, and naturally welcomed such individuals.
Many Gourmet Hunters were initially uneasy when they heard the edict. But upon learning they could retain their food-hunting lifestyle—and even travel through various realms under Great Yi to pursue exotic ingredients—their worries melted away. Great Yi's fame had long reached their ears, and now they had the chance to become its citizens.
One by one, resistance disappeared.
Numerous Gourmet Hunters emerged from the wilderness, heading toward the nearest Immortal City.
Inside, they were warmly welcomed. Officials registered them, distributed identity cards, and everything unfolded in an orderly and natural manner. The realm began to merge into Great Yi at astonishing speed. The Iron-Blood Wall spread across it, and the Star Network and Heavenly Law system extended instantly.
All cultivators could feel it: the rules of the world around them had subtly changed.
This was the influence of Great Yi's laws.
In the Holy King's Palace
Yi Tianxing sat calmly, gazing into the void as a strange light flickered in his eyes.
"Good. The Gourmet Realm is now firmly in our hands. With no unexpected events, nothing can shake Great Yi's control. Now the focus shifts to the remaining realms—especially the Undead Realm. That one won't be easy."
The peaceful assimilation of the Gourmet Realm had even surprised him. With its inclusion, Great Yi now held fifteen realms—only ten remained to be conquered.
This war would be a righteous display of Great Yi's true strength.
Undead Realm – Undercity
A massive city loomed—Undercity, made of twisted, gruesome bones, not inferior to any imperial city in scale. It was raised atop the skeletal frame of a giant bone dragon, exuding a natural oppressive aura.
On a giant white bone throne sat a middle-aged man in black bone armor, clutching a bone staff. A chilling frost radiated from his body, threatening to freeze and annihilate all around him.
This was Ner'zhul.
Beneath him stood top undead commanders:
Death Knight Arthas
Lord Marrowgar
Death Herald Saurfang
Lady Deathwhisper
Blood Queen Lana'thel
Sindragosa…and more. All of them were top-tier undead, gifted and powerful, wielding terrifying control over the undead.
Especially Arthas—formerly a holy paladin, now fallen and wielding Frostmourne, a gift from Ner'zhul. His power now vastly surpassed what it had once been. He commanded the elite Death Knight Legion, a force of one million knights—the strongest in the Lich Empire.
"The Holy Court of Great Yi has launched its invasion, seeking to seize the Undead Realm. But this realm belongs to me, Ner'zhul—to the Lich Empire.Whoever dares step into the Undead Realm... will become undead themselves!"
Ner'zhul slammed his armrest and commanded coldly:
"Arthas, go to the front lines with Saurfang.Saurfang will lead the undead legions, and you will command the Death Knights.All intruders—kill them all.We of the Undying never feared war. War... is what we do best!"
The undead were indeed masters of war. Their undead sea tactic had long struck fear into countless races. They only ever attacked—never defended. Even against Great Yi, they would not retreat.
"No one wages war better than the undead."
Ner'zhul believed that not even Great Yi could stand before the undead sea. They were invincible.
"Yes, my Emperor."Arthas nodded with cold light flashing in his eyes.
"The rest of you—activate the Undead Altars. Summon the undead! I want more! An army of billions more!!"Ner'zhul's voice echoed through the city.
"Yes!!"
At the border between Great Yi and the Undead Realm
A rainbow streak tore through the sky as two massive armies descended—one in the sky, the other on land.
A war banner unfurled in the wind with two bold words: Demon-Slaying.
This was the Demon-Slaying Legion.
At its head stood the burly, savage Cheng Yaojin, war axe slung over his shoulder. He glanced toward the distant white bone megacity before them—piled high with skeletal mountains. The sight was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
Yet Cheng Yaojin laughed boldly and shouted toward the skies, where another legion flew upon a million flaming ravens—the Divine Raven Legion, led by Mu Guiying, clad in full battle armor and radiant with valiant glory.
"Consort Mu, you rest for now. Watch how your Uncle Cheng cracks open this undead shell!"
Then, turning back to his men, he roared:
"Brothers! We've trained for years for this moment!Today we show the world our might—Demon-Slaying Legion, attack!!"
He swung his axe forward, pointing directly at the white bone city.
"Kill!! Kill!! Kill!!"
A million soldiers erupted in unison. Their war intent blazed, forming a blood-red killing cloud in the sky—so oppressive it seemed the air itself had frozen.
HoooOOOOOoooo!!!
From the white bone city came the mournful wail of massive bone horns, echoing for thousands of miles.
Crack!
The ground split open. Skeletons clawed their way up by the thousands. Bone mountains trembled as countless undead reawakened—warriors, archers, cavalry, mages... even bone dragons.
In mere moments, the Undead Sea surged across the battlefield.
It was a chilling, terrifying sight.
The undead were always ready for war.
"Damn undead bone-racks!You think your undead sea can scare Grandpa Cheng?I came here just to chew through this tough bone!
Armor up, boys!!"
"Armor up!!"
The Demon-Slaying Legion stepped forward as one. Light flashed—and phantom armor wrapped around their bodies. Their chosen armor was the Primal Phantom Armor, forged from the soul of a Rampaging Steelhorn Beast—thick, heavy gold-hued armor radiating immense defensive power.