"Hmm, this course of action is feasible. If we can gain control over the seas, our Great Yi's national destiny will certainly increase. In effect, it would be the same as expanding our territory—doubling it, even. However, the specifics will require careful consideration. Besides, we still need to establish contact with the dragon race. Merely discussing it here is of little use," Yi Tianxing said, nodding in agreement.
Anything that could boost Great Yi's destiny was a good move.
"Your Majesty, Consort Qing and Consort You are both of dragon lineage, from the Bohai Dragon Palace and the Hanhai Dragon Palace respectively. We can use these family ties to initiate communication with the two dragon palaces. If they are interested, we can proceed naturally. If not, there's no harm in trying. With Great Yi's current appeal, the dragon race will surely find it hard to resist."
Jia Xu spoke confidently.
If this could be implemented, it would be an immense boon. The benefits far outweighed the risks—there was no reason not to pursue it.
"Very well. The Ministry of Rites will be responsible for receiving them at the appropriate time."
Yi Tianxing nodded again. This kind of political marriage had always been a tool of diplomacy—for both dragons and Great Yi. As long as his own side didn't suffer, it was worth leveraging.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Mao Sui responded immediately.
"Excellent. Now, things are clear. There is no avoiding war between Great Yi and the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign—either they die, or we perish. There is no third path. This so-called life of submission and survival—I would rather die in battle than choose such disgrace. The Blood Heaven Dao Sovereign's appearance was not just intimidation, but a psychological assault meant to weaken our will to resist and shake the people's faith. After this court assembly, send orders to all Immortal Cities: the worship of the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign is strictly forbidden. Any violation will be punished by imprisonment in the Heaven Prison."
Yi Tianxing's voice grew firm.
Great Yi's body could be destroyed—but never its will.
Even in death, they would die standing.
"We shall follow Your Majesty's decree!" the ministers responded in unison.
This decree echoed their own beliefs. Though a catastrophe loomed, it was also an unprecedented opportunity for growth—such trials were rare even in a thousand years.
"My loyal subjects, how should Great Yi proceed from here? Speak freely and offer counsel. Only by growing stronger can we face the calamities ahead," Yi Tianxing continued.
"We still have a hundred years, or at the very least several decades, according to the Blood Heaven Dao Sovereign. That's more than enough time for us to expand our territory severalfold. I suggest that no matter what calamity is coming, until it arrives, Great Yi must not stop expanding. Expansion is the path to a powerful destiny dynasty. If we could even ascend to the Immortal Court, then no enemy could shake us."
Liu Bowen's eyes gleamed as he spoke with firm conviction.
Expansion could not stop.
"Agreed," said Zhuge Liang. "Let it rain if Heaven wills it, let the bride marry if she chooses. We can't freeze in fear over one threat. That's not realistic. On the contrary, we must press forward even harder. The greater the pressure, the stronger we must become."
The only issue was how to go about it.
"Yes, expansion must not cease. We still have trillions of citizens not yet incorporated into Great Yi's direct administration. Only by bringing them fully under our governance can they become part of our true strength and foundation. The Calamity Hall must dispatch agents to all surrounding realms to investigate their conditions. By the final Grand Court Assembly of the year, I want detailed intelligence on our neighboring realms," Yi Tianxing declared.
He had never planned to stop expanding. He had merely brought up the topic to set the tone.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. Our Calamity Hall agents have already infiltrated various realms and are actively gathering intelligence. We will have full reports by year's end. Should we fail, we will accept all punishment," came the crisp voice of Tong Emperor.
Failure would mean disgrace—something she absolutely refused to accept. She had full confidence in the Calamity Hall's capabilities.
"Very good. Preparations must be thorough. The imperial examinations are imminent, with another round next year. Once both are complete, our external expansion will resume."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
This was a period of recuperation—not idleness. Every step of preparation had to be in place.
"Your Majesty, the delegation from the Great Qin Empire has arrived. They are currently staying at the state guest residence. We await Your Majesty's instruction on when to grant them an audience."
At this moment, Mao Sui spoke again.
"The Great Qin delegation?"
That phrase caused a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the grand hall. All eyes turned to Mao Sui in astonishment.
Great Qin—what kind of destiny dynasty was that? In the annals of history, it was a name carved into eternity. The first empire to unify the Warring States. The fame of the First Emperor, Ying Zheng, resounded through all ages. Even in death, his name endured.
After the fusion of all realms, Great Qin had re-emerged. This time, it would not be a short-lived dynasty ending with the Second Emperor. It was one of the true top-tier dynasties.
Great Qin's domain was the Immortal Qin Realm. Great Yi had yet to pinpoint its exact coordinates. For them to find Great Yi and dispatch a diplomatic mission was… intriguing, to say the least.
"Who is leading the delegation?" Yi Tianxing asked calmly.
"The crown prince of the Great Qin Empire, Fusu. He is accompanied by the Left Chancellor Lü Buwei."
Mao Sui replied respectfully.
Fusu?
This name was well known within the hall. In Great Qin, Fusu's status was second only to the emperor. His inclusion in the delegation indicated the great importance Great Qin placed on this mission.
"Since the Great Qin delegation has arrived, and we're currently in session, summon them now to the Celestial Hall for an audience," Yi Tianxing instructed.
There was no harm in receiving them now. It would not delay the court proceedings, and it was a good opportunity to meet them.
"By decree—summon the Great Qin delegation to the Celestial Hall for audience!"
A herald's voice echoed from outside the hall.
The Great Qin envoys were clearly prepared and had been waiting outside. Upon hearing the summons, they filed into the hall.
At their lead was a refined young man with a calm, scholarly demeanor. Regal bloodline emanated from his body. Beside him walked a spirited elder whose aura was elusive and profound. His wisdom and steadiness were obvious—this was someone who had long held great authority.
It was none other than the second most important figure in the delegation—Lü Buwei.
In Great Qin, Lü Buwei's status was immense. A mere stomp of his foot could shake the entire empire.
As they stepped into the grand hall, their hearts were filled with caution.
This is the heart of the Great Yi Sacred Court…Truly majestic. Even more imposing than our Four Seas Unification Hall. No wonder it's called the number one Sacred Court in all the heavens—the foremost court of the human race. Great Yi is indeed extraordinary.
Such thoughts flashed through Lü Buwei's mind. He was secretly in awe.
This was no mere sightseeing mission. It was a calculated diplomatic visit to better understand Great Yi—the fastest-rising destiny dynasty of the age. To reach such heights in under a century was a miracle even within the walls of Great Qin.
He had to see it for himself.
Great Qin had used a special method to locate Great Yi's realm and had traversed worlds to reach it. Along the way, they had witnessed the empire's prosperity—more advanced and orderly than anything in Great Qin. Many innovations defied imagination. It was a cultural revolution that made even mighty Qin seem outdated.
The only pity was that they couldn't experience Great Yi's true core—the Starweb. They had only heard vague references to it, but its mysteries remained out of reach.
These thoughts flickered through Lü Buwei's mind as he composed himself and stepped into the Celestial Hall.
The moment they crossed the threshold, it was as if they had entered another world. Invisible pressure filled the entire hall—a vast and sacred presence that weighed on every inch of space. It fell upon them like a divine will, giving the impression that any false move would mean instant death.
So this is the intimidation tactic…Lü Buwei thought silently.
He could feel the many eyes falling upon them—each carrying immense pressure, like crashing waves slamming into their bodies. Fortunately, he was no ordinary man. His cultivation was deep, his mind unwavering.
He adapted quickly.
Indeed, a court of unmatched talent. These ministers—each one steeped in national destiny, their fates noble and elevated. Not a single one is ordinary.
Lü Buwei's eyes flashed with insight as he silently evaluated what lay before him.