That night, no one slept.
Countless people were shaken by this declaration of war. Numerous races were stirred, turning their attention toward Xuanhuang City. Even those not participating would not miss the chance to witness such a great battle. This confrontation could serve as a window into the true strength of the Orcish coalition—and more importantly, the true power of the human race and Xuanhuang City.
Prepare for war!
Prepare with all your might.
At this moment, Xuanhuang City's immense war potential was fully unveiled.
Massive supplies and military provisions surged toward the Iron-Blood Great Wall, like tidal waves. Runic bombs, runic war arrows, and more were delivered to the frontlines as though they cost nothing. By early morning, batches of soldiers headed straight for the wall.
Inside the city, the Myriad Treasures Hall opened up its exchange listings completely. All kinds of materials were available with almost no restrictions.
Runic war arrows: unlimited purchase.
Bone war arrows: mass purchase possible.
Bone war bows: even ordinary civilians could buy them.
Talismans, both defensive and offensive, were available in endless supply. Though the Universal Printer could only produce low-grade talismans, the key was quantity—they could be mass-produced like an assembly line. In battle, if one talisman isn't strong enough, ten, a hundred, even a thousand can be hurled at the enemy. Quantity could override quality.
At the Iron-Blood Great Wall, talismans were now moved not by the handful—but by the crate.
The entire wall was stacked with military supplies.
Meanwhile, Xuanhuang City, usually bustling in the morning, was now covered in a solemn and chilling atmosphere.
Civilians brought out their savings to purchase everything they could: war arrows, talismans, leather armor, battle gear, war armor—arming themselves to the teeth.
The Dwarven Forge was booming with business.
Weapons crafted by the dwarves were of exceptional quality and very popular among cultivators. Though expensive, the looming war only increased demand.
While Xuanhuang City braced for war and even its civilians prepared to fight, a wave of fear was spreading through the Golden Desert.
Rumors, like wildfires, had taken hold.
Faced with the incoming undead army, few believed they could survive. Unlike Xuanhuang City, where every citizen had the opportunity to cultivate and grow stronger, the average person here lacked strength—and worse, they had a deep-seated fear of the undead. Their faces betrayed panic, their hearts filled with dread.
"Lord, I'm afraid we can't do business anymore. The people of General's City are paralyzed with fear. Nothing's selling except weapons and talismans. The war… it's really coming."
Wushuang Ghost looked out over the frightened crowd and sighed.
This was the face of a society in crisis.
Disaster hadn't even arrived, and already the people's hearts were breaking. Without the protection of General's Valley, riots and total collapse might already be underway.
It reminded Yi Tianxing of the apocalypse—the collapse of human society during the Great Cataclysm, a time he had witnessed firsthand. Now, those haunting memories returned with vivid clarity.
Thankfully, modern humans had become more resilient.
"War is both calamity and trial," Yi Tianxing said solemnly. "Xuanhuang City has no place for cowards. We do not need people with soft bones and no blood in their veins. Only those who can stand tall and carry the pride of the human race deserve to be citizens of Xuanhuang."
A profound expression crossed his face. His decision was made.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a divine light erupted from the small hill where Yi Tianxing and his group stood. From within it emerged a majestic silver gate—standing tall between heaven and earth.
It was a Spatial Gate.
Vast and shimmering with divine brilliance, silver light spiraled in its core, forming a swirling vortex so deep it seemed ready to swallow the world.
People nearby, still keeping an eye on this area, were stunned.
"What is that? A celestial gate? That vortex feels like it's pulling my soul into it."
"Is that a legendary Teleportation Gate? Could it lead to some hidden sanctuary? Wait… wasn't he from Xuanhuang City? Could this be a path out of the Golden Desert?"
"There's an ancient formation called a Void Teleportation Array—it can send people and objects across thousands of miles. Some treasures, like Spatial Gates, combine this power into a single artifact. Step inside, and you're instantly transported!"
"Could this really be a path to Xuanhuang City?"
Hope lit up in countless eyes.
Until now, rumors of Yi Tianxing possessing a way to freely travel between the Golden Desert and Xuanhuang City were considered fantasy. The distances involved were just too great.
But now…
Hope stood before them.
In this time of looming destruction, the Spatial Gate was a lifeline.
"Many of you may have already guessed," Yi Tianxing said calmly, "This gate can take you out of the Golden Desert—to Xuanhuang City. You can even become citizens there. But don't mistake it for paradise. Eternal Continent is a land of eternal war. There is no safe haven. Not even Xuanhuang City. We face monsters, alien races, and endless threats."
"Also, this gate is not open to just anyone. Only those with the proper qualifications can enter. What kind of qualifications? That's for you to discover. Everyone is born with it… but most have forgotten."
The crowd erupted.
"What qualifications? Who decides that? Is this some kind of joke?"
"If we can't enter while others can, isn't that completely unfair? What's the point of showing us the gate then?!"
"Are you just mocking us?"
Their hope turned to anger and desperation.
"This is Xuanhuang City's rule," Yi Tianxing said flatly. "The gate itself decides who is worthy. If you think I'm playing with you—then don't enter. No one's forcing you."
A young man gritted his teeth. "I don't believe it."
He stepped toward the gate.
Yi Tianxing did nothing to stop him. All eyes turned toward the man—he had become the focus of the crowd. This was the test.
Could he pass?
As he approached the Spatial Gate, a sense of insignificance overcame him. It was as if the heavens weighed down upon his soul.
"I will enter," he whispered to himself, bracing his heart.
He took a step—
BANG!!
The moment he touched the threshold, an invisible force slammed into him like a wall. An unseen barrier blocked his path. No matter how hard he tried to break through, the force swallowed his strength—like throwing a stone into the sea.
The barrier did not budge.
He could not pass.