Faced with the Substitute Death Puppets, even the many mighty figures could not treat them lightly. Those who desired them immediately took out various top-grade heavenly treasures to exchange. Whether the value was equivalent or not depended entirely on each party's needs. For Yi Tianxing, as long as it was a heavenly treasure—or even a wondrous architectural artifact—he would never be at a loss. After all, if he wished, these Substitute Death Puppets could be produced again in the future. They were essentially a renewable resource. The ten Substitute Death Puppets were exchanged at an astonishing speed.
No matter how precious a treasure may be, nothing is more important than preserving one's life.
Not long after, the exchanges in the grand hall came to a complete end.
"This battle to slay the heavens concerns the path of the Dao for all of us. There can be no mistakes. I hope that when the time comes, all Daoist friends will give their utmost. As for the Demon among the Nine Heavens Dao Venerables—he has yet to appear. We may be facing nine Saints in total. The situation is far from optimistic. In that battle, any one of us may die. But for the sake of the Dao, what harm is there in shedding blood upon the Heavenly Road? Let us meet again in the hundredth year of the Eternal Calendar."
Ancestor Minghe took a deep breath and said solemnly.
"Take care, fellow Daoists."
In the grand hall, the many powerhouses nodded one after another.
This was the last gathering before the great war. The next time they met would certainly be on the day of battle.
Yi Tianxing and the Western Queen Mother returned together to Xuanhuang Immortal City, back to the Sacred King's Palace.
Upon their return, subtle changes began within Great Yi. The Military Soul War Realm was now sealed off; the entire Cloud Realm exuded a killing intent, a dense aura of iron-blooded resolve shrouding the void. Every day, all kinds of resources were sent into the Military Soul War Realm—whether pills, medicinal delicacies, or any cultivation supplies—in massive quantities.
The entire Military Soul War Realm had become a colossal gold-devouring beast. An ocean of resources was poured in, yet nothing came back out. In the immortal cities across the realm, there was no sign of panic. The common people were unaware that Great Yi was on the verge of ascending. In just a few short years, it would rise to the level of an Immortal Court. Day by day, it continued to draw in and release the world's spiritual energy, strengthening itself, venturing into the wilds to hunt fierce beasts—life as usual.
Overall, it appeared that nothing had changed.
Yet some sharp-sensed cultivators could faintly detect an invisible pressure spreading quietly, like a storm on the horizon. An unshakable sense of oppression was taking root in their hearts.
"Oil on a roaring fire—Great Yi's momentum is rising too quickly."
"At this rate, it's bound for transformation into an Immortal Court. But can it break the shackles and truly become a supreme immortal dynasty, an underground Immortal Nation?"
Within Great Yi, some of the hundred schools' sages looked up at the void and sighed inwardly.
It was clear that Great Yi's momentum had reached an unstoppable point. The rise to Immortal Court was inevitable.
Great Qin's Holy Court
In the Sacred City of Xianyang, a figure in a black imperial robe stood alone in an empty palace. Looking upward, he could see transparent glazed tiles above, through which countless glittering stars filled the night sky, as though he stood in a sea of stars—expansive and calming.
"It's almost time. If nothing goes wrong, Great Yi should be close to ascending to Immortal Court. The only question is—when will Sacred King Yi choose to ascend? This ascension will not be peaceful. Still, my Great Qin will not be content to lag behind."
Ying Zheng murmured to himself.
Not long ago, Great Qin had ascended from an Emperor dynasty to a Holy Court, relying on its profound foundation to complete the necessary accumulation within mere decades. Now its territory spanned four realms. At present, however, it was in a period of recuperation—mainly because its population was far too sparse, a classic case of vast lands and few people. Even with the ability to expand, they had no choice but to bide their time and nurture growth.
Without population, even vast territories were hollow. Great Qin had been striving to increase its numbers, striking deals with wandering merchants to bring in migrants from other realms—or even purchase human slaves. The costs in wealth and resources were enormous, yet the population gain was still meager.
The only real solution was for the people within its territory to have as many children as possible. But this was not something that could be achieved in the short term—it would take decades, centuries even, and ample resources to support the new generations. The strain was immense.
Yet in this era, the first step was decisive. Miss this golden age, and expansion would become ten or even a hundred times harder later.
But the population problem remained—Great Qin could not conjure people from thin air.
"It seems I must borrow the strength of Great Yi to secure enough population."
Ying Zheng thought quietly. A few years ago, Yi Ziyang had married his daughter in a grand wedding, symbolizing the alliance between Great Yi and Great Qin. A union of the strong—without conflicts of interest, and both being of the human race—they could support one another.
If Great Yi could ascend to Immortal Court, it would be of immense benefit to all humankind.
The Primordial Continent – The Human Race's Ancestral Court
In the ancestral temple, the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns appeared, their expressions grim.
"Recently, the human race's luck has been rising continuously. By our information, Great Yi is about to ascend to Immortal Court. This time, the Nine Heavens Dao Venerables will surely interfere. Many mighty powers are plotting to slay the heavens. Great Yi will become a true battlefield. Brothers, what do you think we should do? Should we intervene?"
Fuxi asked.
Each race could develop its own destiny dynasty without interference from the ancestral court—so long as only peers competed. But if forces beyond the same rank meddled, the ancestral court had grounds to step in.
"If Great Yi's ascension faces no outside obstruction, we naturally can only watch from the sidelines. But if the Nine Heavens Dao Venerables truly disregard their status and meddle in Great Yi's affairs, then we old fellows must move. If we say nothing and do nothing, the world might really think we've all gone mute."
Xuanyuan said with a cold smile.
"Agreed. At that time, we will go to Great Yi to witness the ascension ceremony. Whatever happens, we can adapt as needed. Great Yi is a pillar of our race—no accidents will be tolerated, not even from the Nine Heavens Dao Venerables."
Shennong nodded.
"Great Yi is our race's pillar. We can do nothing else, but this much support we must give."
Fuxi also nodded. He had even attempted to divine Great Yi's fate—but the threads of destiny were in complete chaos. He could not see the truth, only that this ascension would not be peaceful and that the chance of war was extremely high. Great Yi now stood on the very tip of the storm.
Too many eyes were watching Great Yi.
Time passed.
Unknowingly, it was now the thirtieth day of the twelfth month of the ninety-ninth year of the Eternal Calendar.
Within the Holy Court of Great Yi, in every realm, there was a festive air. Everywhere was full of joy. Countless households replaced their door couplets with new ones. Even before night fell, the aroma of meat wafted from every home.
Things normally too precious to eat or drink were bought in abundance today for the New Year's Eve feast. Families gathered together—it was the most important day of the year.
Xuanhuang Immortal City was even more lively.
The teleportation arrays did not rest, glowing without pause as waves of citizens stepped out. Many were Great Yi officials—the lords of immortal cities from across the realm—returning to attend the Immortal Delicacy Banquet, an annual tradition.
With Great Yi's expansion, the number attending had grown each year, reaching staggering figures.
The returning lords all wore faint smiles.
In the Zhixing Hall of the Sacred King's Palace, Yi Tianxing was with Liu Bowen.
"Left Chancellor, how are the preparations?"
"Sacred King, please rest assured. Everything is ready. I guarantee there will be no mistakes. All ministers of Great Yi are in position. Once it begins, everyone can return to their posts at once."
"Good. Let's go to the banquet."
Yi Tianxing nodded, his gaze deep, as though a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
This year, the Immortal Delicacy Banquet was once again held in the Cloud Sea Retreat within the Yuanming Garden of the Sacred King's Palace. Naturally formed clouds of many colors gathered there, beautiful and ethereal like a celestial realm.
Tables were set upon the sea of clouds, and countless maidens bustled about, serving fine dishes and rare fruits. It was a feast worthy of immortals.
On every cloud sat guests, smiling and speaking softly. Any one of them, if seen elsewhere, would be a figure of great prestige. To attend this banquet was a mark of status in Great Yi. A single glance showed—there were not merely thousands, but over a million attendees.
Artists painted the scene in scrolls, preserving it as a testament to history.
"The Sacred King arrives!!"
A sharp cry echoed across the sea of clouds.
"Greetings to the Sacred King! May the Sacred King's fortune and longevity be boundless!"
"Greetings to the Queen Mother, and to the Sacred King's consorts!"
The ministers rose in unison, bowing respectfully to Yi Tianxing, Cai Yan, and the Western Queen Mother. Their voices, perfectly aligned, carried sincere respect.
"Rise, my beloved ministers!" Yi Tianxing nodded with a smile. "Today is New Year's Eve—the old year ends, and the new begins. At this Immortal Delicacy Banquet, there is no need for formality. Now, as the ninety-ninth year of the Eternal Calendar gives way to the hundredth, this is destined to be a special New Year's Eve. Let us rejoice together—congratulations to the human race, to Great Yi, and to all of you."
Yi Tianxing raised his cup.
"Congratulations to the human race! Congratulations to Great Yi! Congratulations to the Sacred King!"
The ministers raised their cups in unison.