He didn't care whether that land was currently under the control of the Great Yi Dynasty—he named it first regardless. In Yi Tianxing's eyes, that continent must, without question, become part of Great Yi. A new continent would bring profound change to the dynasty—resources, heavenly treasures, and even fate energy—all things that must be fought for.
By naming it Snow Continent, it was already decided: this new land would be incorporated into the territories of Great Yi.
"I shall personally escort the Military Advisor to Snow Continent and investigate the situation," said Zhuge Zhengwo, stepping forward with a firm voice.
"Very well."
Yi Tianxing nodded. Then he added, "The Military Affairs Cabinet must prepare for immediate deployment. All soldiers are to be ready for war at any moment."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. The soldiers of the Military Cabinet are always prepared," replied General Yang Ye and the other generals in unison.
"Good. You are all dismissed. Since Snow Continent has been discovered in the East, we will pause our campaign there. Exploration shall continue to the South and West. Should new land be found and conditions permit, you may act independently. I want to see the territory of my Great Yi expanding day by day."
The East could wait.
But the South and West still required exploration.
At present, many islands and solitary isles had already been discovered in both directions. One by one, immortal cities were being erected across the seas, bringing more and more of the surrounding waters under Great Yi's control. No one understood this better than Yi Tianxing.
Each time the territory expanded, the Mountains and Rivers Sheji Map within his body naturally grew as well. From it, worldly fortune energy poured endlessly into him. Over time, this blend of land and sea fortune continuously refined his life diagram and body, deepening his understanding of the Dao of the Emperor—even his idle moments became cultivation.
Such was the wonder of the Emperor's Path.
Of course, no other emperor could achieve this. Not everyone possessed the Mountains and Rivers Sheji Map fused with their life diagram. This was foundation.
By now, his cultivation had risen sharply. Though he had only recently overcome the second tribulation, at this rate, the third tribulation would soon arrive—unless he deliberately suppressed it.
The Dao of the Emperor lay in shepherding the people.
Now that the Heavenly Dao Seal had been reinforced, he no longer needed to worry about advancing too fast and harming the seal. He could pursue advancement head-on. Once he broke through to the Yang Spirit Realm, his strength would rise dramatically.
The court soon dispersed.
Yi Tianxing, however, did not leave. With a single thought, he entered the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda.
Boom!!
As soon as he entered, thunderous booms echoed in his ears. Lightning crackled through the void, splitting space with thunderous roars. The terrifying might of thunder was palpable.
In the center of a vast plain stood a grand palace. Around it, lightning ceaselessly struck, yet the palace remained unharmed. Even more, the bolts were shattered by spinning Ice Soul Stars circling the palace and frozen mid-air, lifelike and eerie. The ground was coated in layers of ice crystals.
Thunder and frost clashed, yet neither gained the upper hand. This was the natural balance of this space, not their full strength.
Yi Tianxing appeared before the frozen palace, his gaze calm.
"Ice and Snow Queen, an old friend comes to visit. Will you not welcome me?"
"Hmph. You personally imprisoned me—should I greet you with joy?" a cold voice echoed from within.
The Ice and Snow Queen.
"Not inviting me in for tea?"
Yi Tianxing smiled.
"You dare enter?"
She responded with a challenge.
With a wave of her hand, the palace gates creaked open.
This was her domain. Inside, she held every advantage. Should she attack, it wouldn't be a trivial threat.
"If the Queen invites me, why should I not dare?"
Yi Tianxing stepped inside without hesitation.
This was his first time within the palace. It wasn't luxurious—simple furnishings, most carved from ice crystal. Timeless, unfading, but somewhat spartan.
Seeing Yi Tianxing actually enter, the Queen's eyes flickered with surprise. She snorted coldly. "You're not afraid I might kill you in here?"
Though her words were harsh, she made no move.
"Friend, I recently brewed a new tea—Ice Mist Spirit Tea. When steeped, mist rises and swirls into mysterious shapes. Its taste is crisp and refreshing. Would you care to try it?"
Yi Tianxing sat down at a table of ice, summoned a tea set, conjured a sphere of water, and began heating it with conjured flame. He placed the leaves inside and began brewing.
As the water heated, white mist wafted from the spout, forming ice birds and beasts in the air—transient and beautiful.
The Ice and Snow Queen slowly approached and sat across from him, silently watching.
The aroma gradually spread, sweeping away all weariness and refreshing the spirit. Even the soul felt strengthened.
When he poured the tea, it brought not warmth but a cool mist. The temperature dropped sharply.
"Please, friend."
Yi Tianxing gestured.
She picked up the cup, took a small sip, and her eyes lit up. She drained the cup and closed her eyes, visibly entranced.
After a long moment, she opened her eyes and murmured, "Excellent tea."
"In the mortal world, there are still things that astonish even cultivators. The Dao of tea is, in itself, a kind of new Great Dao."
Yi Tianxing said gently.
The Queen did not refute this.
Mortals may have short lives, but the civilizations they create are dazzling—impossible for even cultivators to erase. Tea, wine, music, calligraphy, painting—these are the wisdom of mortals, and they contain Dao, insight, and truth that even immortals pursue.
"Enough, Emperor Yi. You didn't come just to share tea with me. Speak plainly."
To a cultivator, directness was more appropriate.
"I came to ask again—about what we discussed before. The matter of deification. Have you considered it?"
Yi Tianxing didn't beat around the bush.
Yes, he was here to talk about appointing her as a god.
He had brought this up once before. At the time, she had not agreed. Now, he returned to ask again. A Innate God Spirit like her would greatly strengthen Great Yi.
Most importantly, appointing her would not cost Great Yi its own fate energy to form her divine title or divine office. Her growth potential was boundless.
The God-Sealing List had two sides—one for officials, one for gods. Officials received fate energy, gods received wish power. Officials governed the people; gods governed the elements, seasons, and nature.
As long as one was sealed through the list, those who followed the divine path could receive pure wish power, which aided their control over laws. This was essential for any divine cultivator—including her.
Yi Tianxing hadn't forgotten that when she once tried to dominate the world, the first thing she demanded was for all beings to worship her and offer her wish power.
"To accept your appointment would mean losing my freedom. As an Innate Divine Spirit, I cannot allow myself to be shamed like that," the Queen said solemnly.
She was born of the laws themselves, a goddess by nature. To accept the title from a human imperial court would be a humiliation, a blow to her pride.
Moreover, accepting it meant losing her freedom.
She would rather be imprisoned than lose her inner pride.
"My Great Yi is a Dynasty of the Great Dao, not of the Heavenly Dao. At a high enough level, we can stand alongside the Heavenly Dao itself. Accepting our appointment is not a disgrace—it is an opportunity. The billions of citizens of Great Yi offer endless wish power each day. Accept the title, and you'll gain limitless support. It will vastly enhance your comprehension and control of the laws. Why refuse such a gift?"
Yi Tianxing's tone was calm but persuasive.
He dared to seek the allegiance of an Innate Spirit because Great Yi was not a heavenly dynasty—but a Daoic Dynasty.