This journey home was destined to be a battlefield of blood and fire.
There would be death and bloodshed—not just from alien races, but from their own kind as well.
When Yi Tianxing chose this path, he was already prepared. Not just him, but every soldier here had long set aside thoughts of life and death. They were ready to be buried beneath the Iron-Blood Great Wall.
It was a supreme honor.
To fall at the Wall, to leave behind a name in iron and blood!
Without hesitation, the army continued moving forward behind Yi Tianxing. As if the earlier battle was nothing more than a minor skirmish. No fear, no retreat—their steps remained firm and steady.
The conviction in their eyes never wavered.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!!"
"Heavenly thunder as drums, the earth our grave, blood clouds stretch across the path we brave."
"The wilds fierce, the aliens mad—yet the human race shall not be shamed!"
"Heads may roll, blood may flow, but our steel-boned souls shall battle across the Nine Provinces!"
"With 99 steel blades in hand, we vow never to rest until the aliens fall!"
Wang Dahu let out a long howl toward the sky.
The war song rose once more.
Each verse seemed to strengthen their beliefs, their determination. Their fighting spirit, after surviving that battle, burned even fiercer, as if it could tear the heavens and shatter eternity.
They used their blood to prove that this war song was a reflection of themselves. Even in death, their souls would not fade.
They offered their lives to forge the glory and dignity of the human race.
They didn't have to walk this road—but they chose to. All to ensure that the human race could stand tall in this world, with the dignity of being human, rather than fall as mere blood-meal in shame.
Where does dignity come from?
It's carved out by the blade.Forged in blood and fire.
"Such terrifying morale... The human race may be prone to infighting, but when pushed to the brink, they unleash unimaginable strength."
"The real threat isn't this army's spirit—it's the true leader of Xuanhuang City. A strong leader raises strong troops; a cowardly one breeds only weakness. There's a saying among humans: One cowardly soldier is just a coward, but a cowardly general makes the whole army weak."
"If we truly want to end this, we must kill Yi Tianxing."
An alien narrowed its eyes, watching Yi Tianxing's distant figure with a murmur.
Some races knew humans well—perhaps too well.
Defeating the army wasn't the true issue. If they were willing to pay the price, it was possible to break the formation and slaughter them all.
After all, even during the giant race's suicide assault, they still reaped casualties. Humans were not invincible; they bled, they died. If death was possible, then the formation could be broken. With countless alien races attacking, two thousand was far too small a number. And aliens wouldn't always fight fair—they had many tricks.
But even if every soldier died—so what?
As long as Yi Tianxing lived, he could raise another two thousand, ten thousand, even a million troops.
Yi Tianxing was the source.Killing him was worth more than slaughtering a million soldiers.
Unseen, a sinister air of conspiracy began to thicken.
The army marched on.
Unknowingly, they covered another hundred li.
Up ahead, a towering mountain appeared.
At the mountain's foot lay a wide, open clearing. The view was unobstructed. In that clearing stood a modest thatched hut made from mountain bamboo. Surrounding it were several acres of farmland, freshly tilled and clearly well cared for. Vegetables, melons, and fruits grew in abundance—some in bloom, some already bearing fruit, others just sprouting.
Nearby was a paddy field planted with a special kind of rice—nearly ripe—and astonishingly, each grain bore a smiling face.
Smiling-Faced Rice: The rice bore radiant grins, and faint, melodic laughter seemed to echo from the fields, spreading a strange joy—the joy of harvest.Clearly, this was no ordinary rice.
In front of the hut, an old man in rough hemp clothing was digging the earth with a hoe, tirelessly turning over soil to expand his farmland.
He was, by all appearances, just a humble farmer.
His face was filled with simple hope and a yearning for life.
"My lord, there's a mountain ahead. At its base, a thatched hut, with a farmer tilling the land. Seems to be a fellow human—but only a single household, no other buildings in sight."
The scout quickly delivered his report.
Yi Tianxing had already noticed it. With the clear view, it was impossible to miss.
"There's definitely something off about this," Jia Xu stepped forward."A thatched hut in the wilderness, crops and rice growing safely? That kind of peace shouldn't exist here—not without some kind of protection. Either the beasts would've devoured it, or the aliens would've taken him as food."
"Indeed," added Ye Zhiqiu, shaking his head."No ordinary farmer could survive alone like this. It would require godlike luck."
"It's almost dusk," said Yi Tianxing, glancing up."Let's not approach the hut. No matter who that old man is, his survival means he must have his own means. If we go too close, we might bring disaster upon him. Let's move on and find another campsite."
He cast a long look at the thatched hut and the farmer working the land. With a wave, he signaled the army forward.
Just then, a song drifted through the air:
"My home lies beneath the southern hills,A house and fields my heart fulfills.A simple life without a care,This old farmer's joy is rare."
"With healthy legs I plow the land,And calloused hands draw water by hand.Farmer's spring—a little sweet!"
The song rang clear, full of carefree joy. A self-sufficient contentment, a simple pleasure in life. The singer felt no shame in being a farmer.
He was a happy old farmer.He found joy in cultivation.
"Generals! You look weary from the march. Come drink some spring water and refresh yourselves. My mountain spring is very sweet!"
The old man beamed, calling out with a sincere smile. He didn't seem afraid of the army at all.
It wasn't normal. It wasn't right.
Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed. What kind of ordinary farmer invites a whole army into his home? Shouldn't he be terrified?
"Shall we go?" Jia Xu asked.
"Let's go," Yi Tianxing replied, inhaling deeply."Let's meet this happy old farmer."
If he was truly human, perhaps they could even bring him back with them. This land was far too dangerous to survive alone.
"Come, come generals," the old farmer grinned."This is fresh mountain spring water. Flows right down from the hill. Clean and sweet. No tricks. Just saw you all looked exhausted from battle—thought a good drink and meal would help you rest. Tomorrow, you'll be strong again!"
His face was tanned, seemingly sun-darkened. His hands were thin but strong—farmer's hands.
Yi Tianxing glanced at the stream—it did appear to be real spring water, still flowing. Poison seemed unlikely.
"Dahu, take some men and draw water. Let's not waste the old man's kindness," he said with a smile."Yan Ping, have the troops set up camp here. We'll rest for the night and move on tomorrow."
"Yes, my lord!"
Both men responded and moved into action—one to fetch water, the other to make camp.
"Old sir, may I ask your name? And why you live here alone? Aren't you afraid of beasts and aliens?"
Jia Xu smiled and asked.
"Old man's surname is Nong. Don't bother with the rest—it's been so long I forgot. Folks just call me Old Farmer. I don't have any other skills. I just farm. Grow what I eat. Live where I plant. All from my own strength."
He laughed easily, showing no sign of defensiveness.
Whatever they asked, he answered. Calm and unbothered.