"The momentum of the times leaves them no choice but to agree."Yi Tianxing spoke calmly.
Without further elaboration, he and Queen Mother of the West proceeded straight to the grand hall where Patriarch Ming He awaited.
As soon as they entered, they saw numerous powerful beings already seated within. All eyes turned toward Yi Tianxing, each gaze carrying a complex expression. This assembly had been convened because of him—it was inevitable he would become the center of attention.
"Yi Tianxing, what is the meaning of this? Why have you included three of our demon race's realms within your expansion targets? Do you think the demon race is easy to bully?"Donghuang Taiyi launched into his challenge without hesitation the moment Yi Tianxing arrived.
"This is a long-established expansion policy of Great Yi,"Yi Tianxing countered without pause."I believe all fellow Daoists here are aware that ascending from a Holy Court to an Immortal Court is no simple matter. Destiny—Qi Luck—is not something that manifests out of thin air. It requires vast territory, a massive population, the development of civilian livelihoods, and the advancement of civilization. Only then can national fate accumulate rapidly. If Great Yi is to ascend in the near term, it must expand. Only by acquiring more realms can it succeed.
"As for why the targeted realms mostly belong to the demon race—that is simply due to your sheer numbers and vast domain holdings. That several demon realms happen to fall within our expansion scope is nothing more than coincidence."
Beneath his calm tone was a sharp blade. Yi Tianxing openly pointed out the demon race's vast influence and prolific reproduction. Ever since the Imperial's Nectar descended upon the Eternal World, countless new demon creatures had been born. The demon race was notoriously fertile. If they truly let go of restraints—take the pig demon clan for example—they could reproduce in litters of ten or more. Many truly were that prolific.
Furthermore, the demon race possessed a unique divine ability: "Spiritual Awakening Technique", a method that could awaken the intelligence of all living things. Once awakened, plants could become wood spirits, and animals and birds could become demonkind. However, those forcibly awakened this way would suffer from reduced potential and imperfect transformations, often bearing visible traits of their former forms.
This would limit their future path, but with enough prodigious talent, such defects could be overcome. In the previous epoch, the demon race had risen in part through massive use of this very technique. While not yet widely used today, in many realms, the Spiritual Awakening Technique was already being practiced—capable of transforming vast swathes of creatures into demons.
Each became a fledgling demon. Those who rose above the rest would become elites within the demon race.
Quantity would be used to achieve quality.
In truth, if the demon race truly unleashed its reproductive potential, they could outmatch even the human race. The sheer number of demons they could produce was staggering. That they occupied so many realms was directly linked to this.
The world was full of beasts and birds—one Spiritual Awakening spell, and enemies became kin. That was truly terrifying.
Appalling, even.
Yi Tianxing had exposed this at just the right moment, and it placed the demon race squarely in the spotlight.
Many gazes turned toward Donghuang Taiyi, filled with complex emotion. After all, what Yi Tianxing said was not false—it was undeniable truth. Everyone present could sense the terrifying potential of the demon race.
They could reproduce faster than rats.
The demon race's power had been proven in the previous epoch. The vision of a fully risen demon race left many other factions inwardly alarmed and wary. Unconsciously, a sense of dread and caution had already begun to form toward them.
"Yi Tianxing, you're twisting facts. My demon race is merely developing normally—nothing like what you describe!"Donghuang Taiyi felt a chill in his heart. It was clear that many in the room had shifted their stance toward him. Their gazes had changed entirely.
"Whether it's true or not is irrelevant to me,"Yi Tianxing responded coolly."I care only about Great Yi's future. To ascend to Immortal Court status, we must expand. More realms mean more Qi Luck, and only then can we complete the accumulation of national destiny. Three of the targeted realms belong to the demon race. I hope Fellow Daoist Donghuang can make accommodations—reduce casualties and losses—by facilitating the relocation of your people."
The words were polite in tone but sharp in meaning: the expansion plan would not change. The realms would be taken—one way or another.
"Hmph! A few casual words from you, and I'm to relinquish three whole realms? That's preposterous!"Donghuang Taiyi retorted angrily.
Three realms were not minor holdings; they represented significant territory and resources within the demon race. Surrendering them was not a decision he could make lightly.
"Indeed, from my perspective, Great Yi already controls enough realms. Further expansion seems unnecessary."Zeus now spoke up. One of his controlled realms had also been targeted.
"I agree—it merits further deliberation."A slovenly monk, covered in patches, fanned himself lazily as he added his opinion.
The matter of realm ownership involved enormous interests. To these powers, the realms were part of their private domain. Losing them would be an irreplaceable blow.
"If these six realms are integrated into Great Yi's system,"Yi Tianxing said with composure,"I am confident that I can shorten the time required for Great Yi's ascension to Immortal Court… by thirty years."
"What?! Thirty years?"
The words set the grand hall abuzz. Aura fluctuations surged as astonished voices rang out. Everyone knew that even reaching Immortal Court status within a century would already be a miracle for Great Yi. If it could be done in less than that—it would shake the entire world.
Most importantly, time was what they needed right now.
The shorter the time, the less preparation the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign could make. Their chances of victory would increase accordingly. In one year, dramatic changes could occur—let alone thirty.
The benefits were massive—for everyone.
Even Donghuang Taiyi's expression changed drastically. He was shaken. He couldn't imagine how Great Yi could achieve this, but shaving thirty years off was no small feat.
"Saint King Yi, can you truly guarantee a thirty-year acceleration?"Patriarch Ming He took a deep breath and asked solemnly.
"Yes. And if conditions are favorable, it may be even faster."Yi Tianxing replied without hesitation.
"Nonsense! You're just using this as an excuse to seize more realms!"Donghuang Taiyi sneered in response.
"If I fail, I'll personally offer my apologies to all present. I'm willing to stake a military oath on it."Yi Tianxing said calmly.
"Very well. In that case, I see no issue with allowing Great Yi to expand by a few more realms. Let's put it to a vote—those in favor and those opposed. The majority shall decide."Patriarch Ming He declared with finality.
"I agree. I trust that Saint King Yi wouldn't make such a claim without confidence."Xiaoyao Sanren chuckled.
"I agree as well."Lü Dongbin added.
"I object."A Buddhist cultivator voiced opposition.
"Agreed!"
…
Still, the majority in the grand hall voted in favor. Clearly, many were swayed by Yi Tianxing's promise. If achieved, the benefits would be immense—it could change the entire power structure. Seizing initiative at this moment was critically important.
"In that case,"Yi Tianxing said with a calm smile,"I ask Fellow Daoist Donghuang and others to notify the forces within the six realms to evacuate. Great Yi will provide a three-month grace period. If they refuse, then we shall settle the matter on the battlefield."
His gaze toward Donghuang Taiyi was filled with intrigue—almost as if hoping he'd resist. A real fight might not be unwelcome.
"Hmph!!"Donghuang Taiyi's face darkened. No one could tell what he was thinking, but clearly, he was anything but calm.
This outcome dealt him a heavy blow.
It was humiliation—naked aggression against the demon race.
He couldn't vent the anger in his chest. It was stifling—his face turned blue, then pale. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out of the grand hall.
The other mighty figures soon followed suit.
Back in the Saint King Palace, Yi Tianxing allowed a faint smile to surface.
"Husband, do you truly have the confidence to shorten the ascension time by thirty years?"Queen Mother of the West asked with curiosity.
"Haha, rest assured—I wouldn't joke about something like this. With these six additional realms, we'll have a total of thirty-one under our rule. Our population will surpass 400 trillion—possibly even 500 trillion. Qi Luck will flow like an endless ocean. As people prosper, national destiny rises. Qi Luck will only grow, snowballing into a force that cannot be stopped."Yi Tianxing said with absolute confidence.
Most importantly, Eternal Coins were bringing in ever-increasing amounts of Qi Luck every day. The national policy of promoting the Eternal Coin Minting Furnace had begun to yield results.
Now that Eternal Coins had been stratified into different tiers, their practical utility had skyrocketed. Competing currencies were being driven out, with Eternal Coins monopolizing the market—thereby capturing more Qi Luck for Great Yi.
They had truly become the dominant currency of the Eternal World.
And let's not forget—Great Yi still held the right to expand further.
If necessary, they could press forward and increase their foundation even more.