Ten years!!
For ordinary people, ten years is a long time. But for cultivators, it's fleeting—perhaps just a single closed-door cultivation or a discussion of the Dao, over in the blink of an eye. For all beings, ten years could mark the start of a legend—or a complete transformation of the world.
For the Great Yi Dynasty, ten years is by no means a short span of time either.
Though it is currently only the ninth year of the Eternal Calendar, in less than a decade, the Great Yi Dynasty has already come so far. If granted another ten years, no one could predict just how far Yi Tianxing might take it. Yet in ten years, it would be impossible to reverse the gap in cultivation or realm.
Of course, the Dao of Destiny Dynasties cannot be rushed.
They govern the world, growing and transforming over time, steadily accumulating fate and merit until they eventually ascend.
Many dynasties must pause for decades or centuries before advancing to the next tier. For example, the transition from a kingdom to a dynasty can take many decades, and the step from dynasty to empire is even more prolonged. Ten years, for a dynasty, is merely the process of improving civil welfare and strengthening its foundational destiny—it's not long at all.
Can Great Yi become an empire in ten years?
Even Yi Tianxing himself dares not make that promise.
But as long as the current trajectory is maintained, it's not impossible.
Still, how far they can go in ten years remains a mystery.
That, however, is a matter for later. For now, the focus lies on the Living Buddha and the Skyhawk Royal Court.
"You ask this emperor to spare the Skyhawk Royal Court. Yet in the past, when did the Skyhawk Royal Court ever spare the people of the Human Race? Cannibalism within one's own species is a sin—no amount of pleading can change that. If you want to save them, it's simple: stop the Great Yi Dynasty's conquest. If you can resist, the strong deserve respect, and I will say no more. But if you lose, then even Jixiang Temple must be annihilated.
Those who oppose Great Yi—even if far away—must be punished."
Yi Tianxing spoke resolutely.
"Then I fear this humble monk must experience the divine might of the Yi Emperor for himself."
The Living Buddha was silent for a moment, then finally spoke.
To be honest, he did not wish to fight this battle. The Great Yi Dynasty is the foremost Human Dynasty—its strength is no joke. The fact that it could cross the seas and step beyond its continent proves its power. Most importantly, Yi Tianxing is no weakling.
To provoke a destiny dynasty—especially one that might annex Skyhawk Island into its territory—could bring tremendous trouble in the future. After all, Jixiang Temple would then lie within Great Yi's borders. This action now would only sow seeds of future strife.
But some things, though clearly known, still must be done.The Skyhawk Royal Court could not be abandoned.It was a matter of face for Jixiang Temple.
If they hadn't come, it would've been fine. But now that they had, retreating without a fight would deal a massive blow to his Dao Heart. Any flaw in his heart would be no small matter.
"So it should be."
Yi Tianxing laughed heartily.
"Here, this emperor has one question for the Living Buddha."
"Amitābha. Please ask."
The Living Buddha didn't hesitate, unwilling to miss any opportunity for peaceful resolution.
"This emperor wants to know—are you a Buddha, or are you a man?"
Yi Tianxing sneered as he posed the question.
"This humble monk is already one who walks outside the world."
The Living Buddha was silent for a while, then finally spoke.
"One outside the world? So you believe yourself fully surrendered to Buddhism. Then are you a Buddha, or a demon? You preach compassion, yet where is it?
The millions of human beings beneath Jixiang Temple are treated like slaves—walking corpses, laboring endlessly for you monks, offering up their faith day and night to worship you. Where is your compassion for them?
In all this, have you left even a trace?"
Yi Tianxing laughed bitterly, raising his head.
The Living Buddha remained silent.
The so-called compassion of Jixiang Temple—or the Buddhist sect in general—was only ever shown to themselves.
What difference did this make from evil cults?
Buddha is demon, and demon is Buddha.
"Amitābha."
The Living Buddha chanted a solemn mantra but offered no reply.
To the people, it was oppression, cruelty.To Jixiang Temple, it was of immeasurable benefit.There was no denying that.And so the matter would be settled by strength.
The strong are not wrong.
"Very well. Since you've chosen to interfere, let's see if you have the strength."
Yi Tianxing said slowly.
Without hesitation, he moved his mind.
A flash of light appeared before him. A mighty dragon's roar echoed as a golden dragon emerged from thin air, its form gliding through the void.
Lifelike and majestic—every scale, every detail, was flawlessly rendered.
[Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Diagram – Golden Dragon]
– A divine ability born of his life diagram and core cultivation manual, the Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Sutra.– This golden dragon contains the essence of Metal, embodying the laws of sharpness and penetration.– It commands the laws of Metal, capable of unleashing metal-based divine abilities with ease.
The five-clawed golden dragon radiated piercing light, its very presence enough to rend the void. Its claws shimmered with the power of Armor-Piercing Laws, and its eyes shone with sentient battle instinct.
Crack!!
The air before it shattered like glass.
In a flash, it appeared before the Living Buddha, its claw tearing down mercilessly. The terrifying Metal essence surged, its might soaring to the Nascent Soul Realm.
"Amitābha."
The Living Buddha showed no fear.He gently plucked a flower before him and smiled. A golden glow bloomed from his fingertips, coalescing into a radiant and mysterious flower that expanded rapidly until it covered the sky.
The golden dragon's claws met the flower petals—but instead of tearing through, the force was absorbed.
Hardness versus softness.
The flower negated the force, intending to wrap the dragon entirely.
But the dragon wasn't so easily subdued.
With natural battle instincts, it slashed out with claws, thrashed its tail, and let out a deafening roar. A torrent of golden dragon breath erupted—each thread of fire filled with razor-sharp destructive force.
The battle between dragon and divine flower raged fiercely.
Whoosh!!
After only a few breaths, the divine flower was torn apart. The now-slightly dimmed five-clawed golden dragon lunged once again at the Living Buddha.
This battle revealed the true power of the Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Sutra.
Even the Living Buddha furrowed his brow.
He formed a seal, then shouted:
"Dou!!"
A single syllable thundered out. Buddhist light gathered, golden Sanskrit characters swirling in the air to form a massive Golden War Lion.
Its golden fur burned like the sun, radiating awe-inspiring battle will—born purely for combat.
With a deafening roar, it lunged at the golden dragon.
Boom!! Boom!!
Divine beasts clashed in midair, their every blow tearing the heavens apart. The skies were filled with radiant destruction.
"The Buddhist Nine-Syllable Mantra!"
Yi Tianxing narrowed his eyes.
The Nine-Syllable Mantra exists in both Daoism and Buddhism, among the highest divine arts. Each syllable draws upon the powers of heaven and earth.
It's said that the Buddhist version was originally derived from Daoist truth.
The Dou (斗) Mantra: Lion Seal.
To conjure a Lion King from this is no small feat. Lions in Buddhism are sacred beasts for subjugating demons.
"Again!!"
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate. With another thought, divine light burst forth once more.
A second dragon appeared—this time, entirely crimson red. As it emerged, the temperature around them surged, the air itself ready to ignite.
[Heavenly Emperor's Dragon Diagram – Fire Dragon]
– Embodying the Essence of Fire, it burns with Apocalyptic Dragon Flame, a flame capable of annihilating all.
The fire dragon roared, scorching the sky. Its breath unleashed celestial fire, igniting the very air. Green grass withered. The earth cracked. The heavens seemed aflame.
"Amitābha—Dragon Subduing!"
The Living Buddha's eyes glinted with golden light. With a mantra and a seal—
Suddenly, a divine tree emerged from the void.