Because by that time, he would definitely be a Dao-Proving Realm powerhouse, having already stepped into the Great Power level. To participate again would of course be possible, but in terms of face, it would not look good. After all, his status and position would already be different—compared to those peer-generation prodigies, he would, invisibly, be a level higher. As the ruler of a Destiny Dynasty, to still go and compete for opportunities would be somewhat shameless.
Once one rises to this level, saving face is obviously quite important.
Especially for the ruler of a Destiny Dynasty—his "face" represents the face of the entire dynasty. A good or bad reputation directly affects the dynasty's ability to attract talent and the number of external enemies it will face.
Thus, it was already decided that Yi Tianxing had no way to participate. Even the Hongmeng Purple Qi could not hold much attraction for him; something he might not even be able to use would only make him a target of public criticism. That would clearly be unwise. Of course, if his subordinates could stand out in such a competition, no one could object—in fact, it would bring glory to the Great Yi and to his own reputation. That would be all the better.
"There's still time. In the end, destiny is on my side. Eternal Coins are becoming increasingly important; their distribution covers more and more areas, their reach wider, and the fortune they gather increases by the day. The Fortune True Dragon is at 350,000 zhang now; a million is coming soon."
Yi Tianxing looked toward the skies above Xuanhuang Immortal City.
In the void, the auspicious clouds of merit had grown ever denser. As the livelihoods of the people across all regions grew stronger, the merit produced naturally thickened—dripping water wears through stone, streams gather into rivers and seas.
With the Great Yi's authority sinking ever deeper into each realm, the fortune generated daily kept increasing. The seas in particular contributed ever more fortune, as the dynasty's prestige now covered the entire ocean, leaving no place outside the law. The Heavenly Code had taken root everywhere. The pace of accumulating fortune would only accelerate.
At present, the Fortune True Dragon's growth rate had already reached a staggering seventy zhang per day. As stability increased, an even faster daily growth was not out of reach.
"Soon… it's already soon."
Yi Tianxing's gaze was deep as he murmured to himself.
Beyond the Great Yi, above the Nine Heavens
Countless gazes turned toward the Great Yi, as if they could feel that its territory was shrouded in an invisible celestial net. Within this net, trying to see its true situation was far more difficult than before.
"The Great Yi's fortune grows ever stronger, its national luck flourishing. Our prohibition hasn't affected it at all. Those dragons are truly audacious. Even with most of their strength exiled beyond the heavens, they refuse to lie low. They really have no sense of self-preservation," Motian Dao Sovereign sneered.
"From what we now know," Xuantian Dao Sovereign said, "the Great Yi's national fortune is already almost halfway to the Immortal Court threshold. With its foundations, the pace will only quicken. It won't be long before they meet the conditions for ascension, and with that ancestral vein from before, both requirements will be met. Without interference, becoming an Immortal Court is inevitable—their rise unstoppable. In my view, we should abandon targeting the Great Yi. The hidden dangers and consequences are too great. Even if we can't befriend them, there's no need to be enemies."
"Hmph. We've already made them our enemy; what other choice is there? If the Great Yi were willing to lift restrictions and let us take charge—everyone honoring our Nine Heavens—that would be ideal. Otherwise, we will never rest. Our Nine Heavens' face cannot be trampled," Xuetian Dao Sovereign rejected flatly.
"According to reports, some already believe there is a Night Eternal demon among us. If we make a move, we will face not just the Great Yi, but also those Great Power experts from the last era. Alone, they are ants, but united they will be a huge problem. They want to 'slay the heavens,'" Jiutian Dao Sovereign said with a cold smile.
The Heaven-Slaying Plan, though secret, could be faintly discerned from certain clues. Otherwise, rumors of a demon among the Nine Heavens Sovereigns wouldn't have spread.
"Regardless, the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns cannot be insulted, saints cannot be humiliated. The Great Yi has made us lose face—we must take it back. When they ascend to the Immortal Court, that will be our only chance. Either they submit to us, or we lose face again," Juntian Dao Sovereign shook his head.
As of now, relations with the Great Yi were irreconcilable.
"No need for more words. Prepare yourselves. When the time comes, the world will know the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereigns will not be lightly offended. Whatever happens, the nine of us can handle it," Xietian Dao Sovereign said calmly.
Nine saint-level powerhouses, anywhere, could not be faced with something they couldn't overcome. They could run rampant; the Eternal World was their home ground—they were the heavens themselves. Whoever dared provoke them would be slain.
If the Great Yi would not cooperate, it would be destroyed—reduced to ruins, and from the ruins a new civilization would be rebuilt.
They kept constant watch on the Great Yi. Any movement would not escape their eyes. And in the Nine Heavens World, preparations for war had long been underway. If they struck, they would completely annihilate the Great Yi, to restore the honor of the Nine Heavens. In every world, unimaginably terrible weapons were being nurtured.
Time passed quietly.
Another thirty years went by in the blink of an eye.
Eternal Calendar, Year 92, Month 5, Day 11.
In these thirty years—aside from the grand Peach Banquet held at the end of Year 62, which caused a huge sensation and drew large numbers of powerful figures and Great Power experts—there were few external upheavals. The Dark Domains saw over a hundred Great Powers attend, pushing the event to its peak. Afterward, the Peach Banquet's fame spread throughout the Eternal World and to many realms. Countless strong cultivators yearned to attend, envious of those who could take part, and all who attended spoke highly of it.
Over these thirty years, the Great Yi completely concealed its sharp edge.
It devoted itself to internal governance and encouraging the people's livelihood. Astonishing changes took place—territories it had seized were fully integrated, with no chance of reversal. The dragon clans controlled rain and clouds within the Great Yi, openly manifesting, accepting enfeoffment and offerings. The seas were brought under control as one region after another was incorporated.
Among the people, nearly everyone was a cultivator. Upon reaching a certain age, even the weakest had cultivation at the Life Aperture Realm, and their physiques were strong, each movement containing strength of a thousand jin. It fully displayed the bearing of an Immortal Dynasty.
Even small children had complete cultivation training systems. Various academies ensured that upon reaching the proper age, all could pursue study.
The teachings of the Hundred Schools of Thought flourished throughout the Great Yi. Whatever one wanted to pursue, one could find a suitable path of study.
Overall, the land was still thriving, like oil boiling over a great flame. The people of the realm were deeply proud to be citizens of the Great Yi. Over thirty years, intermarriage with other races produced nearly two generations of offspring. These descendants were now little different from the native Great Yi people, with unique traits blending into their bloodlines, becoming inherited gifts.
For example, dwarves who married into the Great Yi had first-generation offspring who were still somewhat short—around 1.6 meters—but by the second generation, the height was around 1.7 meters, considered normal. The dwarves' talent for craftsmanship became part of the bloodline, giving descendants extraordinary skill. Among their peers, they stood out.
Such assimilation was welcomed by the other races. Only within the Great Yi could they appreciate its civilization and vastness. Integration was the fastest path forward; bloodlines were a continuation of life.
"One million three hundred thousand zhang!!"
In the Saint King Palace, Yi Tianxing looked up to see the vast clouds of merit blotting out the sun, covering the entire void. Hidden within them was an immense seven-clawed golden dragon. Even Great Powers could not perceive its true size with the naked eye—it was impossible to see through to its essence. Only Yi Tianxing knew just how vast the fortune accumulated over these thirty years had become.
From just over 300,000 zhang in the past, it had surged to over 1.3 million zhang. Such speed would scare people to death if told.
Once a Sacred Court accumulated a Fortune True Spirit of 1 million zhang, it could meet the requirements to ascend to an Immortal Court.
If he wished, the Great Yi could have ascended years ago.
But Yi Tianxing had chosen not to ascend immediately. Instead, he quietly hid the Fortune True Dragon within the sea of merit clouds. No one else knew the Great Yi had long since met the qualifications.
With just 1 million zhang, ascension was possible—but with foreign enemies and an inevitable great war ahead, it was clearly not enough. To be safe, Yi Tianxing had no qualms about taking more time to strengthen the foundation further.
Now, with the Great Yi's foundation surging, the national fortune gathered each day caused the True Dragon's growth rate to soar to an astonishing 120 zhang per day. Each extra day made the national fortune stronger. Even though it seemed to have reached a bottleneck, the dynasty could still add nearly 50,000 zhang a year.
"Eight more years. Soon… it's already soon."
A deep light flashed in Yi Tianxing's eyes.
He had already decided—the Great Yi would begin its ascension in Year 100 of the Eternal Calendar. That meant less than eight years to build up its strength. For ordinary people, eight years might be long, but for cultivators—especially Great Powers—it was only the blink of an eye.
For the Great Yi, these eight years would pass in an instant.