"Very well. Xinghai, immediately fuse with this Heavenly Cycle Star Map." Yi Tianxing spoke decisively without the slightest hesitation.
He was very clear in his heart: as long as Xinghai could truly rely on the Heavenly Cycle Star Map to spread the star network across the entire Eternal World, its importance to Great Yi would be beyond measure, and the value it could create was also immeasurable.
Most importantly, the status of Great Yi's Immortal Court would become unshakable.
Controlling the star network meant that once the Eternal World grew accustomed to it, it would no longer be possible to detach from it. The star network represented convenience, it represented civilization.
"Yes, Father."
Smiling, Xinghai drew the Heavenly Cycle Star Map to himself. At the moment of contact, the star map naturally merged with him, and in the next instant, transformed into a robe of starlight that covered his body.
Shua shua shua!!
Almost simultaneously with the absorption and fusion, one could see above the Eternal World—
Though it was still daytime, countless ancient stars, once hidden in the vast starry sky, appeared in the firmament at a speed visible to the naked eye. Endless starlight fell from the heavens, scattering across the Eternal World.
"Stars in broad daylight—what in the world is happening?"
"Stars in broad daylight… such an omen must herald something of monumental significance. Otherwise, the Eternal World could never display such a vision. And it must surely be something that can influence the entire Eternal World."
Countless cultivators, races, and mighty beings all raised their eyes toward the void. The shock in their gazes could not be concealed. The meaning of stars appearing in daylight was far too dreadful. Either a peerless demon was being born—one capable of destroying the world—or a supreme divine artifact had appeared that could influence heaven and earth itself.
As the stars illuminated the world, one could see dramatic changes sweeping countless realms. In some places, spiritual energy skyrocketed, new spirit veins emerged, and barren lands instantly came alive with vitality. Deserts transformed into oases in the blink of an eye. Plants awakened with spiritual intelligence, becoming spirit beasts and monsters. Ordinary rivers turned into spirit rivers. Mountains swelled and grew, becoming vast ranges of spiritual mountains.
Under the vast power of the stars, heaven and earth were being remade.
Mysterious rhythms spread along the starlight, blanketing the entire Eternal World.
This phenomenon lasted for a full quarter of an hour before gradually dispersing from the void.
Even so, it left an indelible impression upon all who witnessed it.
"How is it, Xinghai?"
Yi Tianxing turned toward Xinghai and asked.
"Father, I have fully absorbed and fused with the Heavenly Cycle Star Map. From this moment, the map no longer exists as an independent item—it has completely become part of the star network. The star network can now connect with the boundless starry sky, covering the entire Eternal World. Wherever it extends, all can link into the network: communication, video, contact, knowledge sharing, entry into the secondary world formed within the star network. It is no different from within Great Yi itself."
In Xinghai's eyes, endless stars seemed to flicker and change.
"Xinghai, divide the star network into three layers. The first is the Outer Net: all areas beyond the borders of Great Yi, those not under our fortune's protection. It will allow open registration and grant only basic communication and knowledge-sharing functions. Nothing beyond the most basic version.
"The second is the Inner Net: reserved for the citizens of Great Yi. Those with Great Yi heavenly citizenship cards may register and log in, enjoying all the current privileges.
"The third is the Heaven Net: the core area, only accessible to special personnel, such as officials of the court."
Yi Tianxing spoke after a moment of thought.
The star network could indeed cover the Eternal World, but other realms were not under Great Yi's jurisdiction. The star network concerned the very foundation of Great Yi—some things were never appropriate for outsiders to know. Setting limits was only natural.
"Yes, Father."
Xinghai nodded in agreement.
Since she herself was the star network, these arrangements were nothing more than a single thought. There was no difficulty at all.
"Good. From this day onward, Xinghai, you must devote great care to the star network. This is the eternal cornerstone of Great Yi's undying prosperity."
Yi Tianxing spoke with utmost solemnity.
No amount of attention given to the star network could be excessive.
With it, all realms could be linked, heaven and earth could be woven together invisibly.
Oooong!!
At that moment, above Xuanhuang City, the Eight-Clawed Purple Dragon suddenly let out a high, resonant dragon roar, full of excitement.
Yi Tianxing looked up, his eyes flashing with surprise.
On the body of the fortune true dragon, at the location of its reverse scales, scales that were once illusory began to rapidly manifest at an unbelievable pace.
One!Two!Three!!
In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of reverse scales appeared. Each one meant Great Yi's national fortune was growing. When the process ended, over twenty thousand reverse scales had emerged, raising Great Yi's total fortune to over one hundred forty thousand. Such a surge was beyond imagination.
"The star network's evolution, covering the Eternal World, has actually brought such vast fortune to my Great Yi Immortal Court…"
Yi Tianxing chuckled in amazement, inwardly reflecting.
But on careful thought, it was not so hard to accept.
This was an unexpected boon.
With the increase of fortune, he could easily condense a Dan Scroll Iron Decree.
Of course, he had no intention of doing so now.
Soon after, Fairy Ruyi reported further changes: sixteen new cloud realms had appeared within Xuanhuang Immortal City, each capable of merging with a treasure-building to give rise to entirely new cloud realms.
"Master, now that new cloud realms can be created, have you considered which treasure-buildings should be used to nurture them?" Fairy Ruyi asked.
"For the Thirty-Fourth Heaven, use the treasure-building Bank as the core. Transform it into an Eternal Unit to give rise to the Money Realm. From this moment, Eternal Coins will be circulated through the Bank.
"For the Thirty-Fifth Heaven, use the treasure-building Moon Gazing Terrace as the core. Create the Moon God Realm, drawing in endless moonlight and condensing Lunar Dew. This is a heavenly treasure— the more the better.
"For the Thirty-Sixth Heaven, use the treasure-building Sword Pavilion as the core. Form the Sword Spirit Realm, making the Sword Pavilion a place of trial for Great Yi, producing generations of sword cultivators, a battlefield of duels.
"For the Thirty-Seventh Heaven, use the treasure-building Myriad Buddha Grottoes as the core. Create the Myriad Buddha Realm, where Buddhist figures can temper Great Yi's cultivators.
"For the Thirty-Eighth Heaven, use the treasure-building Dimensional Cube as the core. Create the Heaven Prison Realm, where those who violate Great Yi's heavenly laws, villains, and even foreign enemies are confined."
Yi Tianxing swiftly made his decisions.
Among them, the treasure-building Heavenly Prison had long been part of Great Yi, hidden away, holding countless strong enemies and criminals. But with Great Yi's ascension to Immortal Court, its level and enemies had risen. Though the prison had evolved steadily, it was far inferior to merging directly into Xuanhuang Immortal City as an Eternal Unit. With the power of the Eternal Ark, it would instantly rise to the level of an Innate Supreme Treasure. The prison would become immeasurably stronger. Escaping it would become nearly impossible—even Hunyuan experts could be suppressed once confined.
This was precisely what Yi Tianxing desired.
The Immortal Court of Great Yi needed such deterrent power.
No matter who it was, even grand mighty experts—if they violated Great Yi, they would be captured and imprisoned. Until their sentence ended, escape would be impossible.
"As you will, Master."
Fairy Ruyi complied without hesitation.
Treasures flew into the nascent cloud realms, each fusing their essence to give rise to realms with unique powers.
One after another, five new cloud realms appeared, swelling under the infusion of Xuanhuang Immortal City until they reached immeasurable vastness.
The remaining realms were sealed, awaiting suitable treasures in the future.
Eternal Calendar, Year 100, Second Month, First Day.
At dawn, with the sun rising, peace began to return across Great Yi.
The coalition of the Nine Heavens was either annihilated, scattered into the wilderness, or fled back to the Nine Heavens World. The air across Great Yi still carried faint traces of blood. Countless corpses had been delivered to the Iron-Blooded Great Wall, which had feasted deeply this time.
Clearly, stability had been restored. Even if waves arose, no great storms could follow. With peace restored, damaged Immortal Cities were swiftly rebuilt, and fortune surged from all directions to converge.
Above Xuanhuang Immortal City, the Eight-Clawed Purple Dragon continuously devoured this fortune. Its body grew ceaselessly—not rapidly, but steadily, a centimeter, ten centimeters at a time. Its thousand-zhang-long body coiled in the void, overlooking all beings, impossible to look upon directly.
The path of the Immortal Court was incomparably long.
Dang! Dang! Dang!!
Clear bell chimes rang out across the void.
A ladder of clouds pierced through heaven and earth.
Officials ascended it in procession toward the Immortal Palace. Civil officials aside, every military general wore a joyous smile, and gazed at the grand Immortal Palace with reverence born from the depths of their hearts.
(End of Chapter)