Time passed silently.
After Great Yi completely halted its conquests, the entire dynasty entered a phase of focused development.
Just like that, ten years went by.
Unknowingly, it was now the 62nd year of the Eternal Calendar, the 12th day of the 2nd month.
A new round of the Imperial Examination was about to begin.
After the period of rest and consolidation, and following court discussions, Great Yi officially amended a national policy—the frequency of the Imperial Examination was changed from once per year to once every three years.
After all, although there were many scholars across the empire, and many capable and intelligent youths, holding the exams annually left too little time for genuine learning and growth. Scholars needed time to build their foundation and fully develop their potential.
Moreover, Great Yi was no longer in urgent need of city lord–level talents. Thus, after much discussion, it was decided that stretching the exams to a three-year cycle would allow for higher quality candidates—individuals of greater talent and deeper knowledge.
This turned out to be true. Since the new policy's implementation, two rounds of the triennial Imperial Examinations had already been held. Not only had the number of successful candidates increased, but many of them displayed exceptional capabilities, with higher scores and more practical experience in governance.
The policy proved so effective, it continued smoothly into its third term.
Now, it was time for the third triennial exam.
In Xuanhuang Immortal City, scholars and candidates from all over the realm arrived through teleportation arrays every day. The exam would be held on the 15th day of the third month, and many participants had arrived early to network, debate, and exchange knowledge with fellow scholars—a tradition that had become common practice over the years.
Moreover, the Immortal Academy would be completely open during this period, allowing all examinees to attend courses and receive training. Many talented individuals often experienced rapid breakthroughs during this time.
Thus, across Xuanhuang Immortal City—restaurants, tea houses, literary salons, and cloud-platform pavilions were bustling with visiting scholars and prodigies from all corners of the realm.
Suddenly—
A vast cloud of auspicious light erupted from the Holy King Palace, and a divine beam of light shot down from the heavens, piercing through the sky and descending into the palace. This was followed by radiant, colorful rays illuminating the firmament.
"The Divine Light of Heavenly Fortune! Another noble child has been born to the Holy King! If I'm not wrong, this should be His Majesty's 23rd child. I wonder if it's a prince or a princess."
"Haha, good news! A joyous occasion! Let's celebrate with a drink—waiter, bring the wine!"
All across Great Yi, the citizens who witnessed this celestial sign expressed genuine happiness and heartfelt blessings.
Though the past ten years were relatively peaceful, they were anything but quiet inside Great Yi.
After the war ended, on the 3rd day of the 12th month in the 52nd year of the Eternal Calendar, Yi Tianxing's twelfth child and seventh daughter, the Twelfth Holy Princess, was born:
Yi Liuli, born with the Heavenly Fortune Baptism, possessed the Azure Sea Glazed Eyes, capable of perceiving all things, peering into the void, and drawing power from the sea.
Date of birth: Eternal Year 52, 12th Month, 3rd Day
Mother: Ao Qing
Soon after, other royal children followed:
Thirteenth Child:
Yi Canghai, male
Born with Innate Immortal Bones and the Vast Sea Constitution.
Born: Eternal Year 53, Month 1, Day 23
Mother: Ao You
Fourteenth Child:
Yi Qilin, male
Possessed the Kirin Life Aperture, containing the Kirin Seal, a companion innate treasure.
Born: Eternal Year 53, Month 5, Day 7
Mother: Mo Xue
Fifteenth Child:
Yi Miaochen, female
Born with the Red Dust Life Aperture, capable of conjuring 3,000 Red Dust Threads—peerless among mortals.
Born: Eternal Year 53, Month 8, Day 17
Mother: Hong luan of the Phoenix Clan
Sixteenth Child:
Yi Bingxuan, male
Born with an Innate Immortal Stomach, able to refine all kinds of heavenly treasures into an indestructible body.
Born: Eternal Year 54, Month 3, Day 21
Mother: Mu Guiying
Seventeenth Child:
Yi Yuxian, female
Possessed the Jade Spirit Immortal Body, capable of refining spirit jade into flawless power.
Born: Eternal Year 54, Month 9, Day 13
Mother: Empress Tong
Eighteenth Child:
Yi Hualing, female
Possessed the Hundred Flowers Life Aperture, able to summon divine flowers to generate different abilities.
Born: Eternal Year 55, Month 4, Day 8
Mother: Hua Mulan
Nineteenth Child:
Yi Jiuyou, male
Born with the Darkness Life Aperture, wielding the Dark Heaven Spear.
Born: Eternal Year 56, Month 7, Day 11
Mother: Red Moon, the Fox of Temptation
Twentieth Child:
Yi Xukong, male
Possessed the Void Life Aperture, creating the Mirror of Void.
Born: Eternal Year 57, Month 5, Day 27
Mother: Yuyu the Jade Fox
Twenty-First Child:
Yi Qingwu, female
Born with the Water Spirit Immortal Body, possessing supreme affinity with the Dao of Water.
Born: Eternal Year 58, Month 1, Day 16
Mother: Jiao Jiao the Flood Dragon
Twenty-Second Child:
Yi Xuanting, male
Born with the Thunder Spirit Immortal Body, mastering thunder Dao divine arts with unstoppable momentum.
Born: Eternal Year 59, Month 7, Day 24
Mother: Shen Luoyan
Nearly every year, a new noble child was born in the Holy King Palace.
All were born under the Divine Light of Heavenly Fortune, granting them immense innate advantages. Each of them stood leagues above ordinary cultivators from the moment they were born.
Now that Great Yi ruled over thirty-two realms, each realm provided an opportunity for a Heavenly Fortune Baptism. This privilege was exclusive to the imperial bloodline, a benefit destined for the descendants of Yi Tianxing.
The women of the Holy King Palace knew how valuable these baptisms were. Yet, no one was allowed to force an early birth in pursuit of it—if the fetus's potential might be harmed, it was strictly forbidden. The competition always remained good-natured and natural.
Even those who had not yet conceived weren't anxious. Great Yi would continue to expand, and more baptisms would be available in the future.
Being born as the child of the Holy King was already the greatest fortune. The Heavenly Baptism was just icing on the cake.
The common folk were most curious: Was the new child a boy or a girl?
"The Holy King rejoices—the 23rd Holy Princess has been safely born! She is named Yi Bailing, and granted the title Princess Bailing. Let all under heaven celebrate!"
A divine edict echoed in the sky.
Yi Bailing, born with the Fortune Body—blessed with extraordinary luck, the world responded to her call.
Born: Eternal Year 62, Month 2, Day 12
Mother: Nishang
Her body's secrets were not made public—such things were imperial secrets, and revealing them would be a capital crime.
"Good! Another Kirin girl added to my Yi family. With this body, she'll live a life of ease."
Yi Tianxing cradled the newborn girl with a joyful smile. He was genuinely overjoyed—so many children born in recent years filled him with pride and hope. With such a vast pool of heirs, he would never lack candidates to govern the realms.
"Congratulations, husband,"
Cai Yan said cheerfully,
"Now our Holy King Palace finally feels like a real home—so lively, so full of warmth."
Indeed, the palace bustled with children, laughter, and happiness. The consorts who had given birth were all radiant and fulfilled. Those who hadn't yet given birth wore expressions of gentle envy—but many were already pregnant, simply waiting for their child to be ready.
"The Heavenly Baptism is important," Yi Tianxing said with a smile, "but as imperial scions of Great Yi, even without it, they will still grow strong. In Great Yi, resources are never lacking. Let nature take its course—this peaceful period is the best time for them to grow. I await their arrival with joy."
In the eyes of Yi Tianxing, the more children, the better.