According to legend, a mummy's internal organs—its heart, lungs, liver, and intestines—were all removed during the embalming process. If not extracted and specially treated, the body would easily decay. By that logic, the High Priest, who had been punished for heinous crimes and turned into a mummy using the most cruel and venomous methods, should have also had his internal organs removed—especially his heart.Without a heart or internal organs, the body would lack weaknesses and become even more ferocious and terrifying.
Yet now, from within that humanoid bronze coffin, a heartbeat could be heard. That heartbeat was louder than war drums, shaking the very air. It was clear that the High Priest inside the coffin still possessed a heart—and one brimming with terrifying power. This was, without doubt, a horrifying revelation.
According to ancient lore, the highest form of a mummy was one that could, in its undying state, regrow its internal organs through the power of life and death itself. Such regenerated organs would be unimaginably powerful. Once reborn, such a creature could slay gods and hunt dragons, roam unchallenged across the heavens and earth. This kind of lifeform was said to be rejected even by the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Compared to zombies, such mummies were said to rival the Four Great Royal Clans of the zombie race.
"Did the High Priest's heart and organs never get removed? Or has he regenerated them anew? If it's the latter... how many has he regrown?"Yi Tianxing's mind raced.No matter the answer, one thing was certain—the High Priest was no ordinary opponent.
Just the aura from that heartbeat alone was enough to make cultivators at the Life Aperture Realm feel suffocated. And this was merely the heartbeat. It begged the question—was the High Priest at the Life Map Realm... or even higher?
"What is that sound? Ah! Why is my heart beating so wildly?"
"Something's wrong! My blood is surging out of control—my true qi is going haywire! My blood is reversing—what's happening!?"
"That humanoid bronze coffin is cursed! It's triggering a blood reversal! Quickly—stabilize your qi and suppress your divine sea!"
Cries of alarm erupted from the cultivators and citizens.They felt their qi and blood surging in reverse, overwhelming pain erupting inside their bodies.
Splurt! Splurt! Splurt!
Large numbers of ordinary citizens bled from their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Even cultivators could barely resist. Their blood churned violently, their true qi rampaged inside their bodies, as if pulled by some monstrous force from the heartbeat.
This alone was enough to completely disable vast numbers of cultivators.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
A pitch-black ancient bell appeared above Yi Tianxing's head.As the Soul-Shaking Bell rang, it emitted piercing chimes filled with vast power. Soundwaves swept across the area, forcefully suppressing the eerie heartbeat.
The bell, capable of shattering souls and tearing apart spirits, could also stabilize the mind and pacify divine energy. Under the tolling of its chimes, the influence of the heartbeat was completely nullified. The cultivators and citizens quickly recovered.
As for Yi Tianxing himself—Even without the Soul-Shaking Bell, he would have remained unshaken.His qi and blood were firmly suppressed by two internal cauldrons, completely immovable. His divine sea and true essence were stabilized by the Primordial Heavenly Emperor Pagoda.Both his qi and divine essence were as steady as a mountain—utterly unshakable.
"Terrifying... I nearly died just now."
"That heartbeat almost burst my heart open—my qi and blood were surging in reverse!"
"I was bleeding from all seven orifices... Is that the High Priest? Said to be second only to the Pharaoh? No wonder he's so powerful."
"We're doomed. How do we even resist someone like this? His heartbeat alone nearly killed us! Didn't the Heavenly Dao seal away the powerful beings? Why would such a monster appear now?"
Fear gripped the crowd. Even without seeing the High Priest's face, they had experienced death brushing past. The mere sound of his heartbeat had reduced them to helplessness—a horror that shook their very souls.
"Surrender General's Valley... and you may live as servants."The voice echoed from the humanoid bronze coffin.It wasn't spoken with a tongue, but through spiritual power, a soul transmission—instantly understood by all, even the ordinary folk. It bypassed all linguistic barriers and communicated meaning directly.
For cultivators, language had never been a true obstacle.The spirit was the true medium. The soul—the only truth.
The voice carried a weight of absolute authority—a dominance that demanded submission. With one declaration, it sought to determine the fate of General's Valley, the people of this oasis, their future.
Offering surrender... in exchange for survival and servitude.This was the "mercy" of the High Priest.
"Hmph!"Xue Kunlun snorted coldly, standing tall in the valley, staring at the bronze coffin."High Priest, do you truly think you're some god or demon? That you can dictate life and death with a word? That no one dares defy you? That a single sentence will hand you General's Valley? You're deluded. I, Xue Kunlun... refuse!"
His tone was firm, resolute.
"You want Hua Mulan to be your servant? To bow to undead creatures? Impossible. I, Hua Mulan, will never agree!"Mulan radiated righteous valor, her voice cutting like a blade.
"I, Yue Qiang, have never been anyone's servant. You want General's Valley? Come and take it by force."Yue Qiang sneered, making his stance crystal clear.
"High Priest—either fight or retreat. If you want General's Valley, you'll have to walk over our corpses. The Undying Army is not invincible, and we will not be slaves. Even if we fall, we'll drag you to the grave. General's Valley will never kneel."Feng Xianlin declared fiercely, unmoved by the intimidation.
The attempt to demoralize them was far too naïve.
"These damned undead... how dare they demand our servitude! Undead slaves? Never!"
"What if surrender means survival? I... I'm afraid. I don't want to die..."
"But can we trust them? What if we become slaves... what future awaits us?"
"I refuse to kneel! I'm a man, a warrior—I'd rather die than be a slave to the undead!"
"If we kneel now, even our ancestors would be ashamed!"
The citizens were in turmoil.Some were tempted. Some defiant. Others hesitant and fearful.All at once, a thousand thoughts and emotions bloomed—a mirror of human nature in times of crisis.
"He's trying to break their will—to shake the morale," Yi Tianxing thought."This High Priest... he's no brute. He gives a choice, knowing that choice itself causes hesitation. No options forces people to fight with their backs to the wall. But choice... makes their resolve waver."
Clearly, the High Priest had no intention of launching a reckless assault. He sought victory through psychological warfare—with minimal losses and maximum results.
The damage done earlier by Feng Xianlin's counterattack had proven that General's Valley was no easy target.
Outside the oasis, the number of undead steadily grew. With every passing moment, more were gathering, revived by some mysterious power. The longer time passed, the more overwhelming their numbers became. The scales of victory were tipping toward the High Priest.
"Bold words. In that case... dare you enter the General's Duel Platform? A duel shall decide the fate of General's Valley.If I win—General's Valley is mine.If you win—I shall withdraw, and never invade again.Do you dare?"
From the bronze coffin, another voice echoed.
"The General's Duel Platform... deciding victory through single combat?"Feng Xianlin and the others were stunned. This sudden shift was completely unexpected.
They had anticipated a battlefield of blood and steel—a million-strong clash. Yet now, the High Priest offered a duel to settle it all.
This was a surprising turn of events.
And a double-edged sword.
Dueling was an ancient and effective method of warfare.Victory or defeat could shift morale drastically. The fate of a battle could hinge on it. The fall of a general could collapse the army's will.
It was common practice in the era of the Three Kingdoms.
Now, the High Priest proposed a duel—startling and thought-provoking.
On the surface, it seemed to offer hope. But only if they could win.
If the strength gap was too great, this "duel" would be nothing more than a death sentence in disguise.