A faint radiance shimmered over their wounds. Within that gentle glow, the injuries healed naturally, as if touched by some mysterious power. The process was truly miraculous—no wound medicine could compare. It was utterly outclassed, not even worthy of comparison. This was a divine miracle in the form of a sacred remedy: the Moon Essence formed from the moonlight concentrated by the Moon Well.
"The wound... it's really healing! What a miraculous elixir—this water could save lives!"
Yang Ye was shaken to his core as he personally experienced the mystical power of the Moon Well's waters. This kind of rare treasure was something unimaginable in the world he once knew—an artifact for which even an emperor would stop at nothing. It was divine medicine in the truest sense.
"Unbelievable... That such magical water exists in this world. This is wonderful! Father, let me apply it for you!" said Yang Yanping, his face full of joy.
With wounds as severe as theirs, even survival would have likely left behind hidden ailments, some areas of flesh ripped clean off—ghastly and terrifying. But with the Moon Well's water, their injuries could now heal without lasting harm. The process was vastly faster than natural recovery. Even flesh torn away could regenerate in a short time.
Their village, lacking both doctors and medicine, had been on the brink. Now, with the Moon Well, many soldiers and civilians who would have perished could be saved. Its significance was immeasurable.
"Chief Yi, I, Yang Ye, thank you for your great kindness."
Yang Ye's face turned solemn as he bowed deeply to Yi Tianxing in sincere gratitude—pure and without ulterior motive.
"General Yang, you're too kind. This is merely what I should do. I believe that any human faced with this situation would do the same. In a chaotic world like this, we humans must support each other to survive."
Yi Tianxing quickly helped him up.
"No, this gratitude must be given. But, I have something I wish to entrust to you," Yang Ye said seriously.
"Please speak, General. If it's within my ability, I won't refuse."
"I hope Chief Yi can take in these villagers and civilians."
His words were shocking—so much so that even Yang Yanping looked surprised. The statement was too sudden, leaving everyone speechless.
"Why? Didn't Yangjia Village just fend off the wolf pack? The wolves have scattered, their king slain—they won't pose a threat again anytime soon. There's still a chance to rebuild your village," Yi Tianxing asked, though he already had a suspicion.
"I've thought carefully about what you said earlier—you were right. Truly leading and sustaining a force, helping people survive and rebuild in these times… perhaps I could have done it during peace, but not now, not in this chaotic era. Making sure everyone is fed and clothed—it's no longer something I can achieve."
"Rather than letting them continue to suffer under my failed leadership, it's better to entrust them to someone who truly has the power to give them a stable life."
"That person… is you."
Yang Ye's voice was firm and unwavering—his mind clearly made up.
He had realized that under the Wolf King's Moonblade, the Fate Pool had been damaged. It meant the village had essentially been broken. Even if it could recover, the time required would be too long. Worse yet, despite having so many people, the village hadn't accumulated much fate energy—because no one felt truly secure. Hungry, poorly clothed, like refugees, they had no peace of mind—and thus, no fate could gather.
After meeting Yi Tianxing, Yang Ye felt certain—he wasn't fit to lead a village. If he couldn't bring peace to his people, then he'd rather surrender that role to someone who could.
Yi Tianxing had not only founded Xuanhuang Village, but had also led it to stability, even managing to fend off beasts and move freely. His abilities in village management surpassed Yang Ye by more than a margin.
"General Yang, perhaps you should reconsider…"
Yi Tianxing, though pleased—since this had been his goal in coming to Yangjia Village—still offered a polite refusal. No need to appear too eager.
"No need. I've thought this through."
Yang Ye turned to address the villagers around them, who had clearly been listening closely.
"Fellow villagers—this man is Yi Tianxing, chief of Xuanhuang Village, which lies just beyond this forest."
"I, Yang Ye, have failed you. I could not give you a peaceful life. You have lived each day in fear, some even starving to death. It haunts me, waking me from my dreams. After much reflection, I realize I lack the ability to build a stable home for everyone. I am ashamed."
His expression reflected deep regret—feelings he truly bore.
"General Yang, it's not your fault. Without you gathering us together and the Yang Family Army protecting us, we'd all have been dead long ago!" a villager cried out.
"Yes! It's this damned world's fault! Without the Yang Family Army, none of us would have made it through this," another added.
The villagers had seen with their own eyes how hard Yang Ye and his soldiers had fought. Over ten thousand people, and only a fraction had died of hunger. Given the circumstances, it was already remarkable.
"Thank you, everyone. But I have made my decision. I believe under Chief Yi's leadership, you will live better lives and find the peace you seek. From now on… there will be no more Yangjia Village."
Yang Ye's voice carried a trace of sorrow. This was his creation, built with his own hands, imbued with hope. That it had to end like this filled his heart with complex emotions. But as a soldier, he had the decisiveness to follow through.
Yi Tianxing stepped forward, drawing the gaze of every villager.
Eyes filled with curiosity, awe, anticipation.
Until now, they had only seen Yi Tianxing's strength. Now, they learned he was the leader of an entire village—and one that even Yang Ye trusted enough to hand over his people.
"Fellow villagers, you may already know—my village, Xuanhuang Village, lies just on the other side of this forest. Since General Yang has entrusted you to me, I, Yi Tianxing, will not refuse. Truthfully, we need you. But let me be clear—Xuanhuang Village is no paradise."
"There is no bliss, no luxury. Only the passion of building our home together. Only the shared belief that we must face beasts, monsters, and disasters together."
"I cannot protect everyone alone. I cannot fight off every monster by myself."
"But you can!!"
His tone wasn't rousing, just simple and sincere. But every word struck a chord in the villagers' hearts. His message was clear, and for the first time, they saw a future they could shape themselves.
There was a stirring in their hearts—a feeling that they mattered.
"I can't guard you all, but I can give you the power to guard yourselves. I will give you cultivation techniques. Everyone will have the chance to become a cultivator. You will gain strength beyond mortals. You will gain the ability to protect yourselves."
"If you don't fight for your own survival, the heavens themselves will destroy you. But I hope—everyone will strive to be strong. Everyone… will become a dragon."
Yi Tianxing's voice echoed through the air.
This was the worst of times. But it was also the best.
Never before in history had a world offered every person the opportunity to cultivate, to rise, to seize strength for themselves. Yi Tianxing dared to give that chance—and those who failed to take it deserved neither sympathy nor mercy.
And within the villagers, something awakened.
Their view of the world—everything they once believed—was shattered by Yi Tianxing's words.