"Good news, great news! The imperial examinations are open again! Our Da Yi is once more holding the imperial exams. The test date is set for the fifteenth of November. The court is selecting talents — this is a monumental opportunity. If one can stand out, they'll surely step onto a much larger stage."
"Excellent! I've honed my scholarly and martial skills, all for the service of the empire. I skipped the last exam because I believed I could improve further. This time, no matter what, I won't miss it. Judging by the previous exams, I should at least be selected as a candidate for City Lord. When the time comes, I can be posted to govern a city."
"I, Liu Jinyuan, am also a man of great talent. This time, I absolutely won't let the opportunity slip by. Da Yi is still rebuilding, in need of people — I, Liu Jinyuan, will not remain behind others."
...
In the major immortal cities of Da Yi, countless talented individuals could be seen brimming with fighting spirit. These cities had absorbed large numbers of people relocated from the Nightmare World — and among them were no shortage of capable talents.
There were scholars, officials who had once held high positions in their original worlds, and rulers of regions. After becoming citizens of Da Yi, they quickly familiarized themselves with the workings of the empire. With StarNet, one could stay informed about world events without ever stepping outside. The more they understood Da Yi, the more shocked they became — and the more they longed to step onto its grand stage.
And what is that grand stage? It is none other than Da Yi's court.
Only by entering the imperial court could one access the highest level of information and become a true player in the tides of history.
The reason Da Yi launched the exams in such haste was precisely because of this massive influx of new talent from the Nightmare World. These people just needed an entry point — and very few would be content with mediocrity. Naturally, they would participate eagerly. And when the time came, a large number of capable officials could be recruited from among them.
These people understood well what they had escaped from. In the Nightmare World, their existence was fragile — they could perish at any moment, vanish without a trace. But in Da Yi, they were truly alive, flesh and blood — real people. They now desired to find value in their lives and contribute to Da Yi's future.
At the same time, in the many academies and institutes across Da Yi, large numbers of students were already preparing for the exams. Compared to those unaffiliated talents, these academy students were Da Yi's own trained elites. Having undergone systematic education, with broad exposure and understanding of the nation's policies and culture, they were better adapted to the needs of the state. Historically, academy students often performed very well in the exams. Even if they didn't qualify to become city lords, they could serve as officials under them, assisting in governance.
Once the training pipeline matures, it becomes a tremendous force. It can continuously produce large numbers of usable talents. Even if most are only moderately skilled, they are still enough to fill vital positions.
"All of you, listen well. Most of our current talent reserves have already been deployed. For our next expansion, we'll need even more. Don't slack off during this period. Enter the virtual world of StarNet and begin simulation trials."
The instructors across the academies began to act.
Within StarNet's virtual world, candidates could undergo simulation trials — simulated governance of cities. However, these trials required a heavy expenditure of StarCoins. Unless absolutely necessary, most would avoid activating them.
The simulation accelerated time within the trial, offering a near-real training experience. Of course, these trials weren't on the same level as the real exams. During the actual exams, StarNet would provide vastly more resources — tenfold, a hundredfold — compared to the simulations. There would be countless unpredictable variables, making it a true test of one's judgment and adaptability.
Excelling in simulation didn't guarantee success in the real exam, but it was still incredibly valuable preparation.
The exam would be held in November — not too far away — and both civil and military examinations would be conducted simultaneously. Da Yi would recruit talents from both.
Before they knew it, half a month had passed.
On this day, while Yi Tianxing was handling some political affairs, a flash of light burst forth from his hand. The token representing his qualification to attend the gathering of Supreme Beings had reappeared — shimmering with divine radiance. The runes upon it seemed alive, flowing rapidly.
"It's reacting — the gathering is about to begin again. As expected, this time came much sooner than usual. The interval is shorter, likely due to matters involving the Nine Heavens Dao Venerable. I wonder what kind of great powers will attend and what actions they intend to take."
Yi Tianxing immediately understood the purpose of this gathering — it was undoubtedly in response to the Nine Heavens Dao Venerable. A hint of excitement flickered in his eyes. This time, those who came would certainly be top-tier Supremes — ones preparing to defy the heavens.
Those who dared to slay heaven itself — that was the true echelon of the apex.
The previous two gatherings he attended hadn't included everyone. Even those who possessed the tokens weren't obligated to go. The actual number of participants was a mystery to most.
Now, he would finally have the chance to see for himself.
Without hesitation, he infused a stream of true essence into the token.
Swish!
The token flew into the air, turning into a divine beam of light and forming a portal before him.
Without the slightest hesitation, Yi Tianxing stood up and stepped through. With Da Yi now encompassing eight great realms, the Iron-Blood Great Wall firmly protecting its borders, and fortune flourishing, a short absence posed no great risk.
As the light flickered, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar place.
"This is... the Underworld."
Stepping out, Yi Tianxing quickly scanned his surroundings. His brow furrowed slightly as he sensed the dramatic change in atmosphere. The air was filled with a unique cold — the chill of the Nine Nether Yin Qi, present in every inch of space.
This was not the world of the living — it was the world of the dead.
He had visited the Underworld before and could easily tell the difference in environment. Still, the fact that the token had opened a passage between the realms of Yin and Yang was truly astonishing.
The methods of Supremes were far from ordinary.
What truly shocked him, however, was the ocean before his eyes.
"This is the Sea of Blood."
Yi Tianxing murmured.
Before him stretched a vast, boundless sea of crimson.
A Sea of Blood.
Indeed, it had no end in sight.
"This truly is the Underworld... and that is indeed the Sea of Blood."
Just then, a flash of light appeared beside him — it was Queen Mother of the West. Upon seeing Yi Tianxing, she calmly confirmed his speculation.
According to ancient legends, the Sea of Blood was formed from Pangu's navel. It was endlessly filthy and violent, with surging blood waves. No fish or birds dwelled there. The accumulated malice of heaven and earth gathered in this place — it was called the Nether Sea of Blood by all races.
The Nether Blood Sea was one of the most dangerous forbidden zones in the Eternal World. And yet — it had a master: a supreme being known as the Ancestor of the River of Blood (Ming He).
"This gathering… is it hosted by the River of Blood Ancestor?" Yi Tianxing took a deep breath and asked solemnly.
"That's correct. The purpose of this gathering is clear, and the River Ancestor is the one most eager for it. His will to slay the heavens is the strongest of all," Queen Mother of the West nodded.
The River Ancestor was born from the very origin of the Sea of Blood. Upon his birth, he was accompanied by immense fortune and virtue. Several innate treasures were born with him: the Yuan Tu Sword, the Abi Sword, the Twelve-Petal Red Lotus, and the Profound Water Control Banner — all top-tier innate treasures. His fortune was immense.
Yuan Tu and Abi were peerless weapons of slaughter.
It was even said: As long as the Sea of Blood endures, the River Ancestor cannot die. Even Saints could not touch him within the Sea of Blood.
His status was absolutely among the highest — possibly even above Queen Mother of the West. A supreme killer who walked the path of slaughter.
"Come. A ship is coming to receive us."
Queen Mother of the West gestured.
From the depths of the Sea of Blood, a small boat approached. It was made entirely of white bones — a vessel of skulls. On it hung lanterns made from human skin, faint smiling faces flickering eerily on the surface. A truly chilling sight.
This was a Bone Boat of the Sea of Blood. With no one piloting it, it could traverse the sea freely. Most beings could not survive long in this sea.
"Let's go. This bone boat will take us to the meeting point."
Queen Mother of the West boarded first.
Yi Tianxing followed without hesitation.
As soon as they were aboard, the bone boat turned its bow and began sailing deeper into the crimson waters.
He could see that the Sea of Blood wasn't entirely ocean — islands dotted the landscape. Each island was extraordinary in nature, inhabited by living beings. Some were small, others vast — some said there were dozens of gigantic islands in the center of the Sea of Blood, each as large as a world of its own...