The level Great Yi now operated at was no longer what it used to be. It had risen to a tier that most Destiny Dynasties could only dream of. Individual realms no longer had the qualifications to oppose Great Yi—unless they possessed terrifying foundations or had apex-level powerhouses capable of tipping battlefield outcomes. Without such assets, it was difficult to present any meaningful obstruction to Great Yi.
Thus, their strategic considerations had transcended mere realms. Every external campaign now prioritized speed above all else.
They would go as fast as the situation allowed.
For example, the Undead Realm was one where brute force was the only viable option. They had to advance inch by inch, securing territory step by step while simultaneously transforming the realm itself. The scale of this operation was massive. No matter how they tried, there was no way to rush it.
A large portion of Great Yi's resources was being funneled into the Undead Realm. A vast number of feng shui masters had been dispatched there. According to current intelligence, a portion of the realm had already been taken and Immortal Cities had been established, with aggressive environmental transformation underway.
They were planting vegetation capable of absorbing death energy, establishing feng shui formations, and even reversing spirit veins—cutting off the very root of the undead. This endeavor consumed nearly half of Great Yi's total power.
As a result, the forces available for deployment in the Knight Realm were relatively limited.
This made it even more important to resolve the conflict quickly—in a single decisive battle.
And so, they issued a formal war challenge, one that would be spread far and wide. The terms of victory and defeat would be made known to all, especially within the Knight Realm. The goal was to ensure that no one could deny the legitimacy of the outcome. If Great Yi won, taking over the realm would be a natural conclusion. No one would have grounds to object.
"According to what we know of the Totem Realm, it is dominated by the Barbarian tribes," Jia Xu continued.
"They possess human bloodlines and appear nearly identical to us—just larger in stature. Great Yi already has a significant number of barbarians integrated into its population. Communication won't be difficult."
"However, they revere power. Their realm is divided into many tribes, each bound to a totem. Legends say that decades ago, their strongest warriors were summoned to the Primordial Continent, but the realm is still filled with tribal factions today."
"If we challenge them to duels, we may be able to win their submission without bloodshed. Once defeated, they can be absorbed as citizens of Great Yi."
The proposal wasn't much different from the one regarding the Knight Realm—it just needed slight adaptation.
The barbarians worship strength and personal prowess. Thus, Great Yi could dispatch top-tier powerhouses to face them in battle. Victory would bring honor and authority. Defeat would mean subjugation. Such is the natural order of the world. And of course, the terms of the challenge would be laid out clearly in a formal battle invitation.
Whether the enemy accepted or not, Great Yi would stand on the moral high ground. Their position would remain unshaken.
"In this case, we'll need the support of the enshrined experts from Tongtian Pavilion," Zhuge Liang agreed.
"I've heard that several martial arts masters from the Zhenwu Realm have recently joined. This will be a good time to let them prove their worth."
In war, adaptability was the most important trait of a commander. If they tried to suppress the barbarian tribes with sheer military force, not only would it yield limited benefits for Great Yi, it could also sow long-term hatred.
But if they were won over through honorable combat, the barbarians could be fully integrated—just as many already had been. Over the years, intermarriage with the human race had erased nearly all distinctions. Today, most barbarians proudly called themselves Yi citizens, and were no longer treated differently. In fact, because of their strong physiques, many of them were admired and sought after—especially among bounty hunters and mercenary groups.
Thanks to this genetic merging, the average physical strength of Great Yi's populace had improved. Naturally, a group so close to humanity—even sharing kinship with the Wu Tribe—had to be won over. Otherwise, other powers would simply step in to claim them.
"One at a time," Jia Xu said with conviction.
"Not a single realm can be left out. This expansion is driven not only by the will of Great Yi, but also by the will of countless hidden powerhouses. Anyone who dares stand in the way… is courting death. They will be crushed."
Previously, Yi Tianxing had shared a few inside details with them. They understood that Great Yi's expansion was silently endorsed by numerous ancient beings. This was a once-in-an-era opportunity—they had to devour this meat while it was still fresh on the table.
There were already signs: the Heavenly Fiend Realm was in the process of evacuating, clearly unwilling to face Great Yi head-on. Even a Dark Destiny Dynasty like theirs didn't dare act rashly. Not even Donghuang Taiyi could make a difference if they crossed that line.
Heavenly Fiend Realm – Border Region
At the edge of the Heavenly Fiend Realm, the Iron-Blood Great Wall had already manifested in full. On its ramparts stood Yue Fei and Zhang Xianzhong, gazing toward the vast expanse of the realm.
The army had not yet launched an assault. Instead, they stood at the ready, fully arrayed, just outside the realm's borders.
"Looks like the Demon clans are retreating," Yue Fei said calmly. "They've already decided to abandon this realm and head elsewhere."
"A pity," Zhang Xianzhong muttered. "If they'd stayed, our tiger cubs could've had a taste of blood—sharpen their blades and build their killing intent."
He had no fear of war. The White Tiger Legion under his command was born for battle. They welcomed slaughter.
"Don't make waves," Yue Fei replied. "Our goal is to seize as many realms as possible. If we can do that without bloodshed, all the better. No need to complicate what could be simple."
"What matters is the result."
Whether there was a fight or not didn't matter to Yue Fei—no casualties was the real victory.
Knight Realm
Boom!
A thunderous boom echoed across the skies as a scroll unfurled in the air. The moment it opened, it transformed into a war challenge, inscribed with glowing golden characters that instantly appeared in the minds of every being in the realm.
"We have long admired the Knight Realm's noble code and legendary spirit.
Today, Great Yi arrives not to judge right or wrong, but simply due to differing positions.
To prevent unnecessary bloodshed, we hereby issue this war challenge:
A battle between one million troops on each side.
Should Great Yi win, the Knight Realm will fall under Great Yi's dominion.
Should the Knight Realm prevail, Great Yi shall not invade again for one hundred years.
If the challenge is accepted, let both sides assemble at the Demon-Slaying Ancient Battlefield in nine days."
This message was broadcast as heavenly sound, covering the entire realm.
Countless knights and citizens raised their eyes to the skies. Their gazes burned with fighting spirit.
"The Knight Council accepts the challenge. Nine days from now, we shall meet on the battlefield."
A voice resounded in the void—majestic, steady, and resolute.
From this moment on, the challenge was set. The fate of the Knight Realm would be decided in a single war. Win or lose, there could be no turning back.
"Holy Knight Order—assemble!"
Another voice rang out from the skies.
"Ha! I never thought I'd live to see the day our old commander returns. Armor up! To the battlefield! The Holy Knight Order is always ready to charge!"
In one noble territory, a viscount laughed heartily. A flash of light enveloped him, and in the blink of an eye, he donned a gleaming silver-white suit of knight armor. His massive white warhorse bore him up, also clad in silver armor that protected every vital area. Its joints shimmered with blades sharp enough to kill with a single kick.
A silver knight sword. A silver knight lance.
In a heartbeat, the noble transformed into a terrifying holy knight.
"Sacrifice, Humility, Guardianship, Valor, Mercy, Piety, Justice, Loyalty—Holy Knight Order, charge!"
The noble roared, his horse becoming a silver stream of light as he galloped across the sky toward the assembly point.
Similar scenes unfolded throughout the Knight Realm. One knight after another emerged—each one a top-tier warrior, a paragon of knightly willpower. The Holy Knight Order was the cornerstone of the Sacred Empire's strength.
These nobles were the Empire's most loyal iron-blooded warriors—a single command, and they would gather from all corners of the realm.
Totem Realm
At the same time, an almost identical war challenge appeared in the skies above the Totem Realm:
"We have long admired the many brave warriors of the Totem Realm.
As Great Yi continues its expansion, we come now to your lands.
The barbarian tribes are kin to humanity, sharing the same blood.
This is not a question of right or wrong, but of differing positions.
To avoid tragic bloodshed on both sides, we hereby issue this challenge:
A duel-based contest of ten battles.
The side with the most victories shall be deemed the winner.
If Totem Realm wins, Great Yi shall not invade for a hundred years.
If Great Yi wins, Totem Realm shall fall under its rule.
The barbarian tribes will be treated equally as citizens of Great Yi, enjoying the same rights and privileges."
The challenge was clear—and it had begun.