"Holy King, during this time, based on the continuous intelligence gathered by the Hall of Calamity, we now have a comprehensive understanding of the major realms. We've also assessed the various factions within them. Presently, Great Yi's military is powerful and well-prepared—this is the perfect moment to begin our campaign. The soldiers are brimming with fighting spirit. Every legion commander is eager and ready. We can depart at any moment."
Zhuge Liang smiled as he gently waved his feathered fan, expressing his stance without hesitation.
The army had been preparing for this day for a long time. Everyone knew war was coming. From the commanders to the ordinary soldiers, all had been training hard, pushing their cultivation and combat strength to the limit. The Heavenly Soldier War Codex and Heavenly General War Codex were the ideal techniques for military cultivators, and under the tempering of bloodlust and iron will, their cultivation had skyrocketed.
They had long yearned for a real war to test their strength.
"There are twelve realms: the Undead Realm, the Battle Qi Realm, the Gourmet Realm, the Totem Realm, the Volcano Realm, the Witch Realm, the Blood Spirit Realm, the Knight Realm, the Godspawn Realm, the Heavenly Fiend Realm, the Kunxu Realm, and the Grotesque Realm. Among them, the Grotesque Realm has already been incorporated into Great Yi and can be removed from the list. That leaves eleven realms."
"As for the Undead Realm," Jia Xu stepped forward and said firmly, "we recommend a full-scale frontal assault. Crush them, destroy them. We'll need Feng Shui Masters from the Astrology Bureau to accompany the army and use formations to reverse the environment of the realm, making it habitable for mortals. According to investigations, the spiritual veins there are not inherently of the Nine Yin variety—they can be reversed."
"My Feng Shui Masters have the Yin-Yang Reversal Grand Array," said Jiang Ni calmly. "It can invert underground spiritual veins, turning Yin into Yang. Once reversed, the surrounding land will naturally begin to change—Yin energy will be dispelled, life will return, and the land will become fertile again."
Now was the time for unified effort. All resources must be directed toward expansion. Obstacles were to be overcome, not avoided.
"Very good. The Undead Realm must be cleansed. Great Yi already has the Dead Sea Realm to connect with the Netherworld for inter-realm trade. That is enough. Undead are not true lifeforms. What I desire are realms suitable for my people to live and thrive in."
Yi Tianxing nodded with approval. The Dead Sea Realm had its strategic use—mainly for trade with the underworld—but there was no reason to have another similar realm. Transformation was not optional—it was imperative.
When facing the undead legions of the Undead Realm, there was no choice but direct confrontation and complete extermination. Though it would be a tough battle, it was a righteous one.
"As for the Battle Qi Realm, since it has not been unified, I suggest we also adopt a direct approach. Send Tiance strategists with the army to adapt and deploy tactics on the battlefield."
Jia Xu smiled faintly. "Notably, high-ranking officials within the Abyssal Emperor Court and the Great Flame Dynasty have already been bought off by Great Yi. Before we launch the campaign, we should stir up internal unrest in both empires to divert their attention. Then we strike quickly to gain the upper hand. Additionally, we must not only continue bribing Battle Qi Realm elites—but intensify the effort. Turn more key figures to our side."
Great Yi had already planted many spies and agents. At a moment's notice, they could spread rumors, sow distrust, and throw the realm into chaos.
Historically, the downfall of the Ming Dynasty was due to endless infighting and factionalism, with officials caring only about political battles and neglecting the people. That led to its collapse.
Jia Xu then discussed specific strategies for other realms. Most plans leaned heavily on Great Yi's overwhelming strength. With power comes change—plans that once required intricate schemes could now be replaced with brute-force dominance.
Often, no tricks were needed—just direct confrontation and sweeping victory. Let others scheme as they wish—none could resist the flood that was Great Yi.
The trend of the times was on Great Yi's side. In many realms, just hearing its name made cultivators tremble. And then came thoughts of surrender.
Smart people always follow power—they knew how to avoid danger and choose prosperity.
"For the Gourmet Realm," Jia Xu continued, "I recommend we directly deploy our Immortal Cities to cover the entire realm. Spread our destiny, deploy the Star Network and Iron-Blood Great Wall, and promise to respect the Gourmet Hunters. Acknowledge them as citizens of Great Yi and integrate the realm peacefully."
This realm was unique.
Many officials had already explored it. They found that it lacked any centralized authority. Gourmet Hunters and the so-called Food God race weren't even based on bloodline—they were defined by their Gourmet Cells. They had no racial divisions. As long as their pursuit of cuisine wasn't interrupted, they didn't care who ruled them.
It was indeed a very unorthodox realm.
"Since there are no objections, the day of expedition is set—the fifteenth day of the sixth month," Yi Tianxing declared solemnly. "The War Council will prepare for deployment. As before, the War Council and Tiance Strategist will jointly devise the strategy. I will not interfere with the process—only the result matters. This is everyone's opportunity to be ennobled. Such chances do not come twice. Let us strive together."
There was decisiveness in his voice.
After years of preparation, it was finally time to use the army. Whether his officials could earn their titles and glory depended on their own ability.
"We obey Your Majesty's decree!"
The officials replied in unison.
"Court is dismissed!!"
At that moment, countless cultivators across Great Yi raised their eyes to the heavens, sensing a dramatic shift in fate.
"Destiny is changing. Killing intent is rising. The sword is drawn—and it points outward. Great Yi is finally expanding again."
"When humans stir the killing intent, heaven and earth tremble."
"Good! Good! Good! Great Yi's armies will rise again. With such strength, who can stand against us?"
Smiles bloomed on the lips of countless Great Yi cultivators.
The world was at peace. The newly annexed realms were running smoothly. The people were happy, and their identification with Great Yi had never been stronger. Even if forced to leave, most would refuse.
They had seen Great Yi's development with their own eyes—it was like watching heaven and earth transformed. The daily changes were visible to all, and their pride and hopes for the future were immeasurable.
Time passed, and quietly, the fifteenth day of the sixth month in Eternal Year 52 arrived.
Swoosh!
From the void, massive rainbow bridges appeared, streaking across the sky toward every direction.
One rainbow spanned the boundaries of realms and appeared high above the Gourmet Realm. Then, beams of divine light descended from the rainbow.
Each beam rapidly expanded into a colossal Immortal City, descending into the Gourmet Realm.
With no unified Destiny Dynasty or realm-wide Qi presence, the Gourmet Realm had no way to block Great Yi's cities. They could only watch as the massive cities fell from the heavens.
The drop points had clearly been calculated in advance—cleared of lifeforms, surrounding creatures driven away, and the cities spaced exactly three thousand li apart.
In the wilds of the Gourmet Realm, Gourmet Hunters lifted their eyes at the divine changes in the sky, their expressions startled… but quickly calm again.
"Immortal Cities from Great Yi? Looks like they're finally making their move. The realm is already covered. Guess it belongs to them now. Whatever—so long as they don't get in the way of my hunting and tasting, I don't care. I've heard there are incredible delicacies in Great Yi. Maybe I'll go explore sometime."
A hunter casually bit into a glowing roasted meat chunk, chewing with satisfaction.
"Great Yi? Let them come. As long as I get to enjoy my meals in peace. I've heard they don't discriminate against non-humans, as long as you're peaceful. I've eaten many things—but never a human."
A non-cannibalistic ogre grinned as he stuffed a bear paw into his mouth, oil dripping from his lips.
To them, food was everything.
Who ruled the realm? Irrelevant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunderous rumbling resounded.
The Immortal Cities crashed down from the sky. Whether mountains or hills, all were flattened beneath them. The cities replaced them entirely.
Within each city, countless citizens of Great Yi had already settled in.
The moment the cities stabilized, people climbed the walls, looking outward—curious about their new environment.
Above each city, destiny dragons soared, absorbing and consolidating the realm's ambient Qi.