So they're preparing to slaughter the heavens...
A thought flashed through Yi Tianxing's mind — the enemy of my enemy is my friend. With shared goals and interests, it was natural to draw in a large number of allied powerhouses. When the time came, whatever they intended to do would be unstoppable.
Slaughter the heavens?
Pulling in a group of strong cultivators to act together — it might actually work.
Take someone like Queen Mother of the West, for example. Do you really think that just because she's not a Hunyuan-level existence, she can't face off against one? Absolutely impossible. The cards in their hands, one after another, were terrifying. Take Donghuang Taiyi — officially, he wasn't a Hunyuan either, but who would dare underestimate him? If he went on a rampage, even saints would have to back away.
"It seems that Fellow Daoist has come to Da Yi this time intending to use us as the foundation for the game. Just how many other fellow cultivators are preparing to act behind the scenes?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes flashed as he looked at Queen Mother of the West and spoke calmly. His tone already revealed his deduction — her visit wasn't that simple. The Nine Heavens Dao Lords had already set their sights on Da Yi, and now she showed up? If there weren't deeper calculations at play, he wouldn't believe it for a second.
If Da Yi was going to be used as a chessboard, then of course he, the master of the board, had to be consulted.
If he didn't agree, no one could take a single step into the game.
"Many."
Queen Mother of the West looked deeply at Yi Tianxing and spoke in a low voice. Though she didn't mention a number, her answer confirmed Yi Tianxing's suspicions. Indeed, many great beings were tempted. If there was a Dark power hiding among the Nine Heavens Dao Lords, as long as they were found and eliminated, one would absolutely gain a strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi. As for how to divide it afterward, that was another matter entirely.
"Using Da Yi as the game board... can you withstand it?"
Queen Mother of the West hesitated for a moment before asking.
"My Da Yi didn't rise to where we are today by eating air. But, to face off against the Nine Heavens Dao Lords, we'll need to deepen our foundations further. Do you have a confirmed timeline for when they'll strike?"
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly and asked.
Against enemies like these, no amount of caution was too much.
"Within a hundred years, they will definitely make a move against Da Yi."
She replied directly.
A hundred years might be a lifetime to ordinary people, but to cultivators, it passed in the blink of an eye. For a fate dynasty, it wasn't a long time either. Many dynasties spent decades just to recuperate after a single expansion. Hundred-year intervals were necessary to gather enough strength for another growth surge. So a hundred years wasn't long — but it wasn't short either. There was considerable room to maneuver.
"Very well, count Da Yi in on this arrangement."
Yi Tianxing responded decisively. He had no major objection to Da Yi being used as part of the setup. Even if they didn't participate, the Nine Heavens Dao Lords would still target Da Yi. With an opportunity like this, he couldn't afford to miss it.
Queen Mother of the West was not surprised by his answer. They discussed a few more details, but the concrete arrangements would be finalized at an upcoming grand assembly of powerful beings — that would be the true moment of commitment. For now, this was only an early alignment of intentions.
"Welcome, Lady Consort of the Sacred King!"
Suddenly, a shout came from outside — it was Cao Zhengchun's voice, carrying clearly into the palace.
Cai Yan has arrived?
A thought quickly flashed through Yi Tianxing's mind.
There was no way Cai Yan didn't know Queen Mother of the West had come to the palace. What he hadn't expected was for her to show up right at this moment.
"Is the Sacred King inside?"
Cai Yan asked outside.
"Reporting, my lady — the Sacred King is currently meeting with a guest. This servant will go notify him immediately."
Cao Zhengchun responded quickly.
"No need. Since Sister Zhaoji has arrived, she may come and go freely in the Imperial Heart Palace."
Yi Tianxing's voice came from within.
Hearing this, Cai Yan smiled lightly and walked in with composed elegance.
When Queen Mother of the West saw Cai Yan entering, a trace of panic flickered in her eyes — but it quickly disappeared. Her mind and will were strong, and even in emotional turmoil, she could control herself. She stood up calmly upon seeing Cai Yan arrive.
"Yaochi Sister, I heard rumors in the palace that you'd entered the Sacred King's Palace. At first I thought it was just gossip, but it turns out to be true."
Cai Yan's smile lit up the room as she said warmly, "If I had known earlier that you were coming, I'd have gone out to welcome you personally. My husband often speaks of you to us sisters. We've long admired you."
Her tone was intimate and friendly.
"This... Sister Zhaoji..."
Queen Mother of the West had originally expected Cai Yan to be confrontational, to challenge her authority, maybe even cause a scene and embarrass her. But unexpectedly, Cai Yan was warm, welcoming — not even a hint of hostility. This caught her completely off guard. She opened her mouth, uncertain how to respond.
Cai Yan, however, didn't stop.
"My husband and all of us sisters have been hoping for Yaochi Sister's arrival. Your Yaochi Palace in the West Wing of the Sacred King's Palace is already fully prepared — all it needs is its mistress to move in. Now that you're here, we can all get to know each other better."
She even announced the arrangement of Yaochi's residence in the West Palace — it was all settled. It was a gesture of total welcome.
Queen Mother of the West was stunned. She glanced at Cai Yan, her mind churning. The entire setup left her with no room to back out. If she refused now and left, rumors would surely spread that she'd been driven out of the Sacred King's Palace. Her reputation would be destroyed — that was unacceptable.
If this was Cai Yan's doing, then it had to be acknowledged: this woman was not simple.
She had been thoroughly outmaneuvered.
Whether she stayed or not, the result was the same — she had no choice but to remain.
"In that case, thank you, Sister Zhaoji."
Queen Mother of the West took a deep breath and smiled as she replied. Her tone now also carried a trace of intimacy.
"In that case, let me take you over now and show you the residence. If anything's missing, we can have the attendants take care of it. Husband, I'll take Sister Yaochi to inspect her chambers — the other sisters are helping with preparations and would love to meet her."
"Alright. I leave it to you, Zhaoji."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
This kind of matter wasn't something he should interfere in. If the women could get along, that would be for the best and save him plenty of trouble.
Once Queen Mother of the West realized she had no choice but to stay, she followed Cai Yan out of the palace. They walked side by side, chatting and smiling, looking for all the world like they were close companions without the slightest hint of tension.
"This could get troublesome... East Palace and West Palace. Please let there be no chaos in my Sacred King's Palace."
Yi Tianxing watched their departing figures and sighed inwardly, his head throbbing.
"Big Brother!"
Just then, Zhao Ziyan came bouncing in from outside, looking at Yi Tianxing with a sly grin and a twinkle in her eye.
"So your sister-in-law found out about Queen Mother of the West from you, didn't she?"
Yi Tianxing looked at her knowingly. He hadn't mentioned anything about Queen Mother of the West to Cai Yan, so clearly it had been Zhao Ziyan secretly tipping her off.
"Hehe~ What's wrong with that? It was her own decision in the end."
Zhao Ziyan giggled and said, "She only has your best interests at heart. Queen Mother of the West's status is beyond extraordinary — she's the ruler of West Kunlun. If she officially takes her place as mistress of the West Palace, it'll bring Da Yi countless benefits — and you, big brother, will gain another unparalleled beauty. Win-win!"
"But that's unfair to Zhaoji."
Yi Tianxing naturally understood the massive advantages of having Queen Mother of the West fully integrated into Da Yi. West Kunlun was a top-tier force, and its resources, talent, and connections vastly surpassed even Da Yi's current power. She alone could save Da Yi thousands of years of development. Her influence as the number one immortal woman was no joke.
"You underestimate her, Brother. She's far more generous than you imagine. As soon as she heard, she made her decision. The Yaochi Palace was already tidied and ready. She doesn't care about the title of Sacred Queen — the only thing she truly cares about is you."
Zhao Ziyan said with a mischievous smile.
She saw it more clearly than most — clearer even than Yi Tianxing himself.