Chen Sheng and Wu Guang… Others might not know, but how could he not?If it really was those two, then they were definitely the founding fathers of rebellion. True pioneers of peasant uprisings. That cry of "Why can't kings and generals come from commoners?" had sparked the most primal ambitions buried deep within the hearts of the common people.The explosion that followed was simply unimaginable in destructive power. The influence of that phrase echoed throughout the entirety of Huaxia history.
To be honest, Wang Chen felt like crying.How did the founders of rebellion end up on his turf? This was ridiculous.
"Keep a close watch on them. If there's any news, report it to me immediately. If they dare rebel against me, even if they're the ancestors of all rebels, I'll crush them myself!"
Wang Chen barked out his orders.
"Yes, City Lord,"the maid answered respectfully.
"Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, huh? I might just be a nobody, but if you dare rebel against me, I'll show you how terrifying a nobody can be! If I go all out, I'll scare even myself,"Wang Chen muttered, face twisted in fierce resolve.
He had no intention of letting his current lifestyle be ruined.Whoever dared to destroy this beautiful life—he would make sure they never lived comfortably again.
Night fell, and Xiaoyao City lit up its lanterns. Though it couldn't compare to Xuanhuang City's Enlightenment Lamps, the lights were still vivid and easy to spot in the darkness.Generally, many village strongholds and towns in the wild avoided using light at night—for fear of attracting terrifying beasts or monsters, often bringing about total destruction. Many villages had been annihilated in the dark. The monsters were drawn by the lights. So unless absolutely necessary, people didn't light up the night.Not every place could match Xuanhuang City's power.
But Xiaoyao City had that strength. They lit up the night without fear of being overwhelmed.
Howl!!
A sharp screech tore through the sky.The citizens instinctively looked up toward the heavens.
"Another vicious bird… Wonder what kind it is this time,"someone murmured.
The giant birds in the sky had long become a common sight to the people. What once struck fear now only raised mild curiosity.Though it was night and visibility was poor, faint streaks of golden light seemed to flash across the sky.
Golden-colored fierce birds?
High above in the air, the travelers were none other than Yi Tianxing and his group.They were on their way back to Xuanhuang City and had spotted Xiaoyao City from afar.
With its lanterns ablaze, the city was impossible to miss.
"Quite a number of people down there. Looks like a bustling place—probably has two to three hundred thousand inhabitants,"Zhang Fei observed, glancing below with interest.
"It's a human city. Looks like they're doing alright. If possible, we should contact them later. Ideally, we could bring them under Xuanhuang City's rule,"Yi Tianxing nodded. To encounter such a large human settlement in this era was no easy feat.
They didn't linger long and continued through the sky.
Howl!!
The night held many dangers. Countless ferocious birds and beasts hunted under the cover of darkness.Some vicious avians attempted to intercept them, but before they could get close, they were torn apart by the Golden Scale Birds—unrivaled in aerial combat.During the flight, Zhang Fei unfurled a scroll and began sketching—a map marking human settlements, villages, towns, and also foreign tribes scattered across the wild.
This would be invaluable intelligence in the future.
Time flowed silently.Even with their speed, by the time they reached Xuanhuang City, dawn was breaking.
As they neared, Yi Tianxing looked to Nine-Lives and said:
"Nine-Lives, you and the others return to the mountain peak. Keep training. When the other cubs are born, we'll form a proper aerial cavalry unit, and you'll be its core. Don't disappoint me."
"Nine-Lives will not fail you, my lord,"the feline bowed respectfully.
With a gesture, the Golden Scale Guard split off and flew toward their base. Only the Golden Roc and Windgod Wyvern King remained, carrying Yi Tianxing and his companions toward Xuanhuang City.
"We're here!!"
In the distance, the Iron-Blood Great Wall and the majestic form of Xuanhuang City came into view.
"That's the Golden Roc and the Windwing Wyvern King! Those are the Lord's mounts—don't fire!"The sentries on the wall instinctively raised their weapons, then relaxed upon recognizing the beasts.
Seeing them, many soldiers' eyes lit up with reverence.They also spotted Yi Tianxing atop the beasts and their gazes turned fanatical.
Howl!!
The flying beasts screeched and descended toward the Palace Tree.Its vast size could easily hold their weight. As true kings of beasts, they could also control their size at will—so space was no issue.
"Husband, you've returned,"Cai Yan hurried to him, her eyes filled with concern as she noticed his bloodstained robes.
"Brother Yi, did you save them?"Mu Guiying, also at the City Lord's Mansion, ran over—though a faint look of disappointment flashed across her eyes upon not seeing others.
"How could the Lord of a city return empty-handed? Come, to the square with me,"Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.No one knew the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower could store people inside.
He led them down the Cloud Ladder to the central square.
Morning in Xuanhuang City had already begun bustling.Small groups gathered here and there.Bounty hunters discussed missions; townsfolk debated breakfast choices.
But as soon as they saw figures descend from the Palace Tree via the Cloud Ladder, countless eyes turned toward the square.
Whoosh!!
With a wave, a massive silver-white spatial gate appeared in the square, glowing with divine light.
"Come out. You're safe now,"Yi Tianxing's voice echoed inside the tower.
"We're safe? Let's go check it out."
Inside the tower, the scholars and students resting immediately stirred upon hearing Yi Tianxing's call.As they awoke, they saw the huge gate open again.
Qi Jiguang was the first to step forward.
Whoosh!!
In a flash of light, the scene changed—he found himself standing in the middle of Xuanhuang City.Everything around him came into view.
"Where is this… so many people… a city? Such tall buildings, such prosperity. The people's faces—they're full of hope and vitality. This must be Xuanhuang City."
Qi Jiguang scanned his surroundings.The city teemed with life. The aura of the people, the bustle—he could sense a real, thriving civilization. Something he'd never seen before in the old world.The most striking difference was in spirit and temperament.
"Is this a human city? Are we really back in human society?""Look at that giant tree—what is that tree?""This square, these buildings, it's like something out of myth. Not a single mark of craftsmanship—pure Creation. Heaven's own work."
A Mohist disciple stared at the buildings, especially treasures like the Library Pavilion and Tongtian Tower, eyes gleaming with desire.He wanted to rush in and explore them immediately.
"So many people, such a huge city. Where's the wall? Or is it just that massive? I can't see the end of it… Is this really a human city?"
"I smell meat buns… That's definitely meat buns! And it's made with beast meat, no doubt! Gods, I haven't smelled something this delicious in so long!"
"Xuanhuang City… They say it's amidst chaos, and yet here we are—in a paradise for our kind. Incredible."
One scholar after another emerged from the spatial gate.The sight before them—the city, the people—made them feel they had finally returned to the world of humanity.
Some were so moved, they nearly burst into tears.
"People always form attachments to the first thing they see. Be it human or beast, it's the same.A newborn puppy will bond with the first person it sees. A baby bird, with the first thing it lays eyes on.After so long in isolation, returning to the world—this city they first lay eyes on will forever hold a special place in their hearts."
Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly.This was exactly what he wanted.