A baleful aura pervaded every inch of the valley's void.It was soldier's baleful qi (兵煞之气).
Strictly speaking, this type of qi was formed on ancient battlefields, where countless soldiers had perished in war. The unyielding will to fight and the unextinguished intent of conquest accumulated over time, condensing into a unique and terrifying aura. Compared to ordinary baleful qi, soldier's baleful qi was far more intense and dangerous.
Ordinary people simply couldn't bear it. Once within it, one would be constantly assaulted by its presence—It would not only erode one's mind and spirit…But even the body would suffer as if being cut by a thousand blades, as if swords and sabers were slashing you every second.
For regular people and even many cultivators, such a land was a terrifying forbidden zone—Uninhabitable.Unlivable.Who would choose to dwell in a place that brought endless pain?
But…There was one kind of person who could live here—Soldiers.
To them, this land was a sacred paradise for cultivation.They naturally harmonized with the qi of the battlefield. Living here was like fish in water. The soldier's baleful qi tempered their bodies day and night, allowing them to cultivate military combat techniques at astonishing speeds. Their physical forms would undergo natural refinement and transformation.
This process was subtle—But undeniable.For these warriors, even the most ordinary foot soldiers could see their strength soar, catching up with so-called geniuses.
Finding such a place was a godsend for them—No wonder so many soldiers had gathered here.
This land exerted a natural pull on all warriors.A magnetic force that led them here unconsciously, instinctively.Over time, the number of soldiers gathered here had reached terrifying proportions.
Yi Tianxing stepped into the valley.He scanned the surroundings and quickly took in the scene.There were various structures inside—But most were not normal houses. They were military barracks.
Among them, four barracks were especially massive.Besides these, there were also numerous smaller ones.
"Don't be surprised," a young officer explained, noticing Yi Tianxing's look of awe. "Everyone in the General's Valley is a soldier. All of them fought and killed on the battlefield. They're used to living in camps, tents, training together. Without family, we are each other's brothers."
"The four largest barracks are the Four Great General's Camps. Each is a General's residence.—The one with the banner of wild winds is the Wind General's Camp.—The others are: the Flower General's Camp (blossom banner), the Snow General's Camp (snow banner), and the Moon General's Camp (crescent moon banner).Soldiers can choose to live in any barracks they like—there are no restrictions."
Yi Tianxing nodded. "It's truly unique. An unexpected yet striking sight."
This place was like a military world of its own.He saw squads of soldiers marching out, and lone soldiers departing on their own.
They weren't leaving for leisure—They were hunting beasts, taking on missions, earning money and supplies.Even soldiers needed to eat.
Most of them went out hunting—This not only made the surroundings safer, but also strengthened them, providing blood-soaked experience—True growth.
"Please follow me."
The young officer smiled and led Yi Tianxing toward the massive camp bearing the banner of wild wind.
With the escort, Yi Tianxing moved through the camp unimpeded, reaching the central compound—a rather large estate.
It was called a mansion, but looked more like a desert courtyard—Built entirely out of yellow sand.The sight was odd and unsettling—It made one wonder if the whole structure might collapse at any moment into a pile of sand.
Yet clearly, it had stood for a long time—Firm and unyielding, with a strange kind of charm.A different kind of beauty.
"We've arrived. This is the General's residence. The General is waiting for you inside."
The young officer subtly exhaled in relief—his mission was nearly complete.
Yi Tianxing stepped in.
Despite being made from sand, the mansion was solid and seamless—not loose grains, but a cohesive whole. Strange, yet impressive.
"Mr. Yi, I did not come out to greet you personally—please forgive me."
Beneath a yellow sand tree—clearly formed of the same fine desert grains—a table was laid with dishes. Sitting below it was a man in a cyan robe, exuding a unique aura and a natural noble presence—A regal bearing that seemed to come from his very bloodline.
It commanded respect—Not through pressure, but through innate majesty.
He stood and smiled as Yi Tianxing entered.
"With an invitation from General Wind, how could I not come?" Yi Tianxing replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man. "You don't feel like a general. More like… a descendant of the royal bloodline."
The aura was unmistakable.He didn't seem like a general at all.Yet… he was one.That contradiction made Yi Tianxing feel uneasy.
"His background isn't simple."
That thought popped into his mind.The surname 'Feng' (Wind) was exceptionally rare and carried heavy connotations.
Legend said that Fuxi, the ancestral emperor of mankind, had descendants bearing the surname Feng.
According to ancient texts, Fuxi's mother, Huaxu, once walked through Leize Marsh and stepped into a gigantic footprint. She conceived a divine child—Fuxi—after dreaming of the Thunder God.
"Fuxi of the Taihao line bore the surname Feng," recorded ancient chronicles.
The Feng clan was considered one of the earliest surnames of Huaxia, yet had vanished from modern name records—Because it was too rare.Without the proper fate, using it would bring untold misfortune.
The man before him…Not only bore the surname Feng, but radiated the noble aura of imperial blood.How could Yi Tianxing not wonder—Could he truly be a descendant of the legendary Fuxi?
"My name is Feng Xianlin," the man introduced calmly. "I invited you here for a transaction."
"That's what I do. As long as the price is right, I buy or sell anything," Yi Tianxing replied without hesitation, sitting down across from him.
He remained composed—unshaken by the man's possible divine heritage.
In this age of chaos, lineage meant little.Even the sons of heaven could be overtaken.
"Straightforward. I like that." Feng Xianlin smiled. "Before the deal, though, I must ask something. I hope you'll answer."
"I might not," Yi Tianxing responded calmly.
"Are you truly from outside the Yellow Sand Desert—from Xuanhuang City?"
"Yes."
Yi Tianxing didn't deny it.
Feng Xianlin murmured to himself, "So the world has indeed changed beyond measure. The Eternal World… is something entirely new."He looked at Yi Tianxing again.
"Can you really lead people out of this desert? Cross the void? Return to Xuanhuang City?"
"I can."
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate this time.Hearing the confirmation, Feng Xianlin's eyes gleamed, though his expression held no malice.
"Can you return again?"
"No."
Yi Tianxing's tone was still firm.That answer cooled Feng Xianlin's fervor.He paused briefly—then asked again:
"The Bone War Bows, Rune Arrows, Rune Bombs—how much of this war gear can you provide?"
"As much as you want, I have." Yi Tianxing grinned.
Inside the Heavenly Emperor's Tower, such supplies were piled like mountains.Enough to shock any army.
"Excellent." Feng Xianlin's face lit up with joy."With these war materials, we may have a sixty to seventy percent chance of surviving the coming crisis."
His gaze toward Yi Tianxing became even more friendly.
Yi Tianxing watched quietly—Heart unsettled.
A massive threat must be approaching…
Even with the power of General's Valley, such preparations wouldn't be necessary unless something overwhelming was about to descend.