Not destroying Great Yi? That's simply unacceptable to them. The face they lost—no matter what—they had to recover it. If the Hydra had one thing going for them, it was their relentless tenacity. They had locked their sights firmly on Great Yi, merely waiting for a moment of vulnerability. When the time came, they would unleash another thunderous strike. However, after this defeat, they had learned a valuable lesson—next time, they would never make a move so carelessly again.
Though the Hydra had suffered a heavy loss, they had also truly come to grasp how terrifying Great Yi had become.
That terrifying Xuanyuan Immortal City—they had now personally witnessed its power again.
Once it descended, even fleeing was impossible. It crushed everything in its path, even shattering Heavenly Demon God Weapons. A city like that—simply horrifying. They had never seen such a terrifying immortal city. Only during the last era, when they had faced the Eternal Heaven Arks, had they felt a similar level of dread. Xuanyuan Immortal City was in no way inferior to those Heaven Arks. In some ways, it might even surpass them.
…
Time flowed quietly by.
Great Yi continued its orderly development. In the eight newly annexed realms, the growth of immortal cities progressed with wings of speed—new changes arose every day. The overall strength of the realm surged forward. Around the immortal cities, spirit fields were cultivated and planted with various spiritual herbs and crops. Floating trains crisscrossed the land, passing through the wilderness and soaring through the skies, presenting a thriving and prosperous scene.
Even in the Skyfire Realm, whose land had been scorched by divine flame, vitality had returned. Thanks to the conditioning of the primal gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, it was regaining its prosperity. Though much of the Skyfire Realm had been reduced to wastelands and now lacked foreign races or fierce beasts, areas outside the cities were still left wild, allowing those ferocious creatures to repopulate freely.
The people who had once emerged from the Nightmare World had now fully adapted to life in Great Yi.
The citizens of Great Yi had always known how to be content.
With such a peaceful and abundant life, everyone felt immense gratitude toward Great Yi. Many even set up long-life tablets in their homes to pray for Yi Tianxing's health and longevity, hoping he might live forever and stay youthful.
Lately, all the immortal cities of Great Yi had become increasingly lively.
The reason? The imperial examination was about to begin.
Countless scholars were preparing to travel and participate.
In every immortal city, the hottest daily topic was discussing who among them possessed the greatest knowledge or unmatched skills. People speculated about who might stand out—who might become part of the talent reserves for Great Yi or even possess the ability to someday govern a city. Many hidden talents had begun to emerge.
Some recited poetry; others openly competed in "King's Battle Chess." Everyone sought to build fame and reputation.
All across the land, it was festive and bustling.
That day, Yi Tianxing was in the Sacred King Palace handling state affairs when a graceful figure in a green palace dress entered, holding a bowl of soup. Upon seeing Yi Tianxing, a gentle smile lit up her normally cool face.
"Qiang'er, what brings you here?"Yi Tianxing smiled and set aside his memorials.
"My lord husband," said Wang Qiang (also known as Wang Zhaojun), "I heard that the Hall of Delicacies collected a batch of top-grade Snow Jade Lotus Seeds. So I personally cooked a bowl of Snow Lotus Seed Soup to refresh you. While governance is important, you must also care for your health."
She was none other than Wang Zhaojun—Consort Qiang, the Sacred King Consort of Great Yi.
Historically known as one of the Four Great Beauties famed for their impact on history—hers being the "Falling Goose"—her influence was undeniable. While many shared comparable beauty, few left such a mark on history. Her allure was not diminished by time.
Yi Tianxing loved her as he did the others—without favoritism or neglect.
Within the Sacred King Palace, he always treated his women with calm fairness. He offered them genuine tenderness and respect—far more than most men would. His upbringing had cultivated this nature.
He treated them well from the heart, and they responded with genuine affection and unwavering loyalty.
The palace itself operated with harmony. Every evening, if Yi Tianxing was in residence, the consorts would take turns spending the night—sometimes one, two, even three or four. Such was common, and jealousy among the sisters was rare.
Wang Zhaojun, though unable to help in political matters, knew Yi Tianxing loved food. So she had studied cooking, learning to make fine delicacies and pastries as a heartfelt way to express her affection.
"You're so thoughtful, Qiang'er. Come, let's enjoy it together," Yi Tianxing said warmly, setting aside his documents.
Zhaojun didn't hesitate. She poured the soup into two jade bowls. The Snow Lotus Seed Soup glistened with culinary radiance. Its flavor was delicious, awakening the gourmet cells in their bodies.
They didn't speak as they ate.
Everyone knew Yi Tianxing disliked conversation while savoring food. Eating was eating—it required full attention to appreciate the emotions and flavors within, especially when the food was lovingly prepared by his consort. That made him even more attentive.
Zhaojun watched him, a soft smile curling on her lips.
A warm atmosphere filled the air.
"The imperial exams are about to begin. I plan to travel through Great Yi for the next few days," Yi Tianxing said after finishing his soup. "You should come with me, Qiang'er. It'll be a good chance to admire our land's lakes, mountains, and customs—and to see how many rising talents are emerging."
"You're going out in disguise?" Zhaojun's eyes lit up with excitement.
Though they often traveled, going out with Yi Tianxing was an entirely different matter. The mood, the significance—everything changed. It was a rare opportunity.
"Yes, I want to visit the eight newly annexed realms," Yi Tianxing replied with a nod.
"I would be honored, husband," Zhaojun said without hesitation.
She left with the dishes soon after.
…
Three Days Later
Dark Ring Realm – Moonlight City
Moonlight City sat beside Moonlight Lake, from which it derived its name. Many races lived nearby—Dwarves, Hobbits, and Moon Elves. The city quickly became the central hub for the region. Though these races had submitted to Great Yi, they still could not reside permanently inside the immortal city. However, free entry and exit were permitted, leading to a vibrant and diverse population. Day and night, the city bustled with life.
At that moment, three figures stepped out of the central teleportation array in Moonlight City's main plaza. One man, two women. Their appearance was oddly plain—nothing stood out. Their faces were so generic, they were instantly forgettable.
They were, of course, Yi Tianxing, Wang Zhaojun, and the Queen Mother of the West.
Upon hearing about Yi Tianxing's plans to travel incognito, the Queen Mother of the West had decided to join him. Of course, since they were in disguise, they couldn't appear in their usual forms. Otherwise, their mere presence would cause a massive stir—completely defeating the purpose of their hidden journey.
Changing appearances was as simple as a thought. Ordinary people couldn't see through their disguises.
Now, they could wander the city naturally.
"Teleportation arrays truly hold immense value for an Sacred dynasty's rule," the Queen Mother of the West said, watching the glowing teleportation array behind them. "They greatly ease communication and movement between cities, avoiding the dangers of the wilderness. Though... the cost is still high."
"Fees are based on distance," Yi Tianxing replied. "After years of improvement, things are now standardized. If two cities are within 3,000 li of each other, a single teleportation costs ten Eternal Iron Coins—five for energy, five for administrative costs. The further the distance, the higher the cost. But overall, it's very affordable. Any citizen who wishes to use it can."
He smiled as he explained.
No longer did teleportation arrays need personnel to operate them.
Each array had a coin box. Once a destination was selected from the display screen, the system would show the fee. Inserting the proper amount would activate the array. It was incredibly convenient.
Even in the newest cities, citizens were already used to it.
What once amazed them was now routine.
"Truly astonishing," the Queen Mother of the West said with admiration. "This Star Network of Great Yi... it rivals creation itself."
Ever since joining the Western Palace, she had been granted access to the Star Network and had come to understand its unimaginable power. It was the foundation of Great Yi's transformation and development.