The atmosphere in Zhongzhou City was tense, cultivators coming and going, all preparing for the coming war. Yuyi stood before the mission hall, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his heart filled with complex emotions.
"Yuyi, let's go register." Lingxiao patted his shoulder.
Yuyi nodded, following Lingxiao into the mission hall. The hall was packed with cultivators, all here to register for Nitian Alliance.
The registration process was simple—just state one's name, sect, and cultivation level, then receive a Nitian Alliance identity token. Yuyi looked at the token in his hand, emotions complex. From today on, he was officially a member of Nitian Alliance.
"Yuyi, come with me to buy some supplies." Lingxiao suggested. "The war is about to start—we need to be prepared."
Yuyi agreed, and the two went to a dharma artifact shop in Zhongzhou City. The shop was called "Spirit Treasure Pavilion," one of the largest dharma artifact shops in the city, with a dazzling array of goods.
Yuyi browsed the shelves, his gaze falling on a set of battle robes. These were "Strong Battle Robes"—high-grade defensive dharma robes that could withstand Foundation Building level attacks.
"Guest, these Strong Battle Robes are our shop's specialty." a shop assistant introduced. "They're made from spirit silk and profound iron, extremely durable. The price is fifty thousand spirit stones."
Yuyi hesitated—fifty thousand spirit stones was not a small sum. But thinking of the coming war, he decided to buy them. Good defensive equipment could save his life at critical moments.
He also bought some healing pills, spirit stones, and other supplies. After this shopping trip, his savings were nearly depleted.
"Yuyi, you've spent a lot." Lingxiao said with concern. "Do you need me to lend you some spirit stones?"
Yuyi shook his head: "No need, I still have some."
Lingxiao didn't insist, only reminding him: "If you encounter difficulties, remember to contact me."
Yuyi nodded, warmth rising in his heart. In this cruel cultivation world, having a true friend was not easy.
After leaving Spirit Treasure Pavilion, Yuyi returned to Qingfeng Inn alone. He sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the Hunyuan Heart Method, recovering his spiritual energy.
The next morning, Yuyi was awakened by a commotion outside. He walked to the window and looked down to see cultivators gathering in the streets, all heading in the same direction.
Curious, Yuyi followed the crowd and arrived at a plaza in Zhongzhou City. The plaza was packed with people—thousands of cultivators gathered here.
On a high platform in the center of the plaza stood several figures. Yuyi recognized them—they were the leaders of Nitian Alliance.
"Fellow daoists!" a loud voice rang out. "Cangqiong Alliance has been tyrannical for too long! Today, we Nitian Alliance declare war on them! All who are willing to fight, step forward!"
The crowd immediately erupted in shouts, countless cultivators raising their weapons, their fighting spirit soaring.
Yuyi stood in the crowd, his emotions complex. He knew this war would be cruel, would cost countless lives. But he also knew this was the cultivation world's rule—the strong ruled, the weak were eliminated.
"Fellow daoists, follow me to attack Cangqiong Alliance's stronghold!" the leader shouted.
The crowd surged forward, following the leaders out of Zhongzhou City. Yuyi also followed, his spirit sword ready.
Cangqiong Alliance's stronghold was located dozens of li from Zhongzhou City, a massive fortress. When Nitian Alliance's army arrived, Cangqiong Alliance's cultivators were already prepared.
"Attack!" the leader commanded.
Countless cultivators charged toward the fortress, spiritual energy surging, sword light and blade shadow interweaving. The battle was incredibly intense, with cultivators falling constantly.
Yuyi was in the midst of the battle, his Fast Sword Art fully displayed. His sword light was like silk, each strike precise. But he also discovered that in such a large-scale battle, individual strength was limited.
Just then, a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation came from ahead. Yuyi looked up to see a white figure floating in the air—it was Xuying!
Xuying's gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Yuyi. A complex light flashed in her eyes.
"Yuyi, why are you here?" Xuying's voice was cold.
Yuyi gripped his spirit sword: "I'm a member of Nitian Alliance."
Xuying fell silent for a moment, then said: "Since that's the case, don't blame me."
Before her words fell, Xuying attacked, her spiritual energy surging like a tide toward Yuyi. Yuyi's heart tightened—he knew he was no match for Xuying.
But he didn't retreat, his spirit sword meeting Xuying's attack. The two exchanged several moves, Yuyi being completely suppressed.
Just as Yuyi was about to be defeated, a figure suddenly appeared before him—it was Lingxiao!
"Xuying, your opponent is me!" Lingxiao shouted, his spirit sword thrusting at Xuying.
Xuying's expression changed, her figure retreating. She looked at Yuyi, a complex light in her eyes, then turned and left.
Yuyi watched Xuying's departing back, emotions complex. He knew this war would change many things, including his relationship with Xuying.
"Yuyi, are you alright?" Lingxiao asked with concern.
Yuyi shook his head: "I'm fine."
Lingxiao patted his shoulder: "Be careful—this war is cruel."
Yuyi nodded, gripping his spirit sword tightly. He knew this was just the beginning. The cultivation path was destined to be filled with blood and fire.
The battle continued until dusk, both sides suffering heavy casualties. Finally, Nitian Alliance successfully captured Cangqiong Alliance's stronghold.
Yuyi stood in the ruins of the stronghold, looking at the cultivators' remains on the ground, his heart heavy. This war had just begun, and he didn't know how it would end.
But he knew one thing—he would keep moving forward, keep becoming stronger. Because in this cultivation world, only strength was fundamental.
The night gradually deepened. Yuyi found a corner to sit down, taking out a Fasting Pill to eat. He looked up at the stars in the sky, his thoughts drifting far away.
He thought of his days at Xuantian Sect, of Lingxiao and Liuchen, of Xuying... these memories were like stars, illuminating his cultivation path.
"I will become stronger." Yuyi silently swore. "Strong enough to protect myself, to protect those I care about."
The night wind blew, stirring Yuyi's robes. He gripped his spirit sword tightly, his gaze determined.
The cultivation path was long, but he would keep moving forward.