If it were a Heavenly Dao Dynasty attempting to subdue an innate god, it would be practically impossible. That innate pride rooted deep in their bloodline made it impossible for them to bow easily. Even after being suppressed for a thousand or ten thousand years, they would still remain defiant.
Even in death, they would hold onto that pride.
However, a Great Dao Dynasty might be a different matter.
A Great Dao Dynasty, with its ruler akin to a child of the Dao itself, held a status equal to that of the Heavenly Dao.
Moreover, the potential of a Great Dao Dynasty was unprecedented. Since ancient times, such a dynasty had never emerged. No one could predict the transformations it might undergo or the heights it might reach.
The unknown represents infinite possibilities.
"The Da Yi Dynasty is a Great Dao Dynasty?"The Ice and Snow Queen couldn't help but reveal a trace of astonishment on her face upon hearing this. Apparently, even she had not known this information.
When Da Yi ascended to the status of a dynasty, although it offered sacrifices to the Dao, few noticed the implications. After all, few understood the difference between a Great Dao Dynasty and a Heavenly Dao Dynasty. Even now, Yi Tianxing hadn't perceived much difference—royalty was still royalty.
"That's right. Da Yi is a Great Dao Dynasty,"Yi Tianxing affirmed with certainty.
"How is that possible? I've never heard of a Great Dao Dynasty before,"the Ice and Snow Queen said, still struggling to believe it.
"Great Dao or Heavenly Dao—right now, it makes little difference. Both exist under the Heavenly Dao and within the Eternal World. The title merely indicates potential. To surpass the Heavenly Dao, the dynasty must grow stronger. If you are willing to join Da Yi, you'll become one of its foundational pillars on the path to becoming a true Great Dao Dynasty."
Yi Tianxing continued his persuasion.
The Ice and Snow Queen fell silent.
Her earlier refusal was because submitting to a Heavenly Dao Dynasty was a line she could not cross internally. But if it were a Great Dao Dynasty, the seed of temptation had been planted. Most crucially, if she remained imprisoned here, it would severely impact her future potential and cause irreparable losses.
"Recently, we discovered a new continent to the east, which I have named Snow Continent. Most of its terrain is covered in ice and snow. If you accept the conferment, you can be assigned to guard Snow Continent. It will also aid your comprehension of the laws and Dao-rhythms of ice and snow."
Yi Tianxing explained his true purpose for coming. As a goddess born of ice and snow, her control over the element was unmatched. With her help in the conquest of Snow Continent, Da Yi could turn the environment to their advantage, significantly reducing the casualties among their troops.
"If I agree, what rank will you bestow upon me?"The Ice and Snow Queen asked after a moment of thought.
Hearing this, Yi Tianxing immediately smiled. Her words clearly indicated that her heart had softened. That was a good start.
"In Da Yi, you shall be conferred as the Goddess of Ice and Snow, holding a First-Rank Divine Position, enjoying divine offerings and wish power,"Yi Tianxing said without hesitation.
He had already prepared for this.
When conferring divine titles, especially within a divine hierarchy, one couldn't assign ranks too high. First-rank was already the pinnacle. Conferring a godhood consumed Da Yi's national fate and required ongoing offerings of wish power. Too many high-ranking gods would become a huge burden.
In ancient dynasties, many emperors indiscriminately conferred gods, unaware that this depleted their dynasty's fortune. The more gods there were, the greater the strain, and the shorter the lifespan of the kingdom. Many emperors therefore detested rogue gods and cults, often ordering their temples destroyed—this was a battle over incense and wish power.
Conferred gods had specific ranks, and each rank received a set amount of pure wish power—akin to spiritual tribute—with no impurities. This was the benefit of being a legitimate divine being sanctioned by the dynasty.
"First-rank, huh..."The Ice and Snow Queen mused, then looked at Yi Tianxing."Very well. I will accept your conferment. But—I will not be forced to do anything against my will. If I choose to leave, I must be allowed to do so at any time. If you agree, then I shall agree."
Yi Tianxing pondered this seriously.
This was not a trivial request. If agreed to, it would mean that the Ice and Snow Queen retained tremendous autonomy, with very little restraint. She could leave at any moment, making the conferment nearly meaningless. What if she resigned the next day and vanished? It would be a significant loss.
However, he didn't deliberate long. After a few breaths, he nodded.
"Very well. I, as Emperor, agree."
After all, if you suspect someone, don't use them. If you use them, don't suspect them. At worst, it would be a lesson—one he could afford.
Conferred Divine Wish Power Rates:
King-tier: 10,000 white wish pearls/month
First-rank: 7,000/month
Second-rank: 6,000/month
Third-rank: 5,000/month
Fourth-rank: 4,000/month
Fifth-rank: 3,000/month
Sixth-rank: 2,000/month
Seventh-rank: 1,000/month
Eighth-rank: 500/month
Ninth-rank: 100/month
King-tier, the highest, would never be conferred lightly. Even First-rank gods receiving 7,000 white wish pearls monthly was already staggering—equivalent to 7 million Eternal Coins per month. It was a tremendous amount of tribute. Too many high-ranking gods would be an astronomical cost.
Not long after, Yi Tianxing returned to the imperial palace.
Shua!!
Suddenly, over Xuanhuang City, a wave of frost swept across the skies. The sunny skies quickly darkened as snowflakes drifted down. Within moments, it became a heavy blizzard, and the temperature plummeted.
Even though everyone in Xuanhuang City were cultivators, many instinctively shivered at the sudden drop and looked up in confusion.
A figure had appeared in the skies without anyone noticing.
It was a woman of ethereal beauty, draped in a flowing robe of ice and snow. Her long blue hair shimmered, and on her head rested a blue crown of icy thorns, inscribed with ancient runes. A hexagonal ice crystal adorned her forehead, emitting a strange, majestic glow.
Her skin was as white as snow, cold and stunning.
She held a long, slender staff, around which danced snowflakes like playful spirits, forming the train of her divine gown.
Hovering in the sky, she surveyed the vast lands of Da Yi—the Yi Continent, surrounding seas, and countless human cities teeming with life.
"What's going on? Why did the temperature drop so suddenly?"
"Look, someone's in the sky!"
"Wait—that's… the Ice and Snow Queen?"
"Didn't the Emperor suppress her? Is another blizzard disaster about to strike?"
Panic spread through Xuanhuang City. Many remembered the horrors of the previous natural disaster, and fear gripped their hearts.
Especially now, with many newborns across the cities, any extreme weather could be a deadly nightmare.
"For the Da Yi Dynasty to have come this far… to hold such dominion among all races… truly impressive,"the Ice and Snow Queen murmured, sensing the changes in the heavens and earth. There were invisible shackles locking the heavens, proof of the strict laws of this land.
Then—
Cao Zhengchun, holding an imperial edict, stepped into the skies. The golden light from the decree illuminated the entire Da Yi Dynasty. Whether in Yi Continent or the Serpent Island, every soul under Da Yi's rule could see it.
An imperial decree, a proclamation to the world.
"By mandate of Heaven, His Majesty proclaims:The Ice and Snow Queen, born of the primal chaos, a goddess by nature, shall now be conferred as a True God of Da Yi—the Ice and Snow Goddess, holding the rank of First-Rank True God, and enshrined within the Hall of Myriad Gods, enjoying the incense of national fate."
Shua!!
The Divine Sealing List appeared in the sky.
It turned to a blank side, on which golden characters emerged—the edict conferring the Ice and Snow Queen.
The Xuanhuang Imperial Seal manifested and stamped her name into the Divine List. A dragon's roar echoed. A golden light descended from the heavens, enveloping the Ice and Snow Queen.
In the sea of merit clouds, a white palace appeared out of nowhere.
It was nearly identical to the Hall of Ten Thousand Immortals, but above the gate, three ancient characters blazed—Hall of Myriad Gods!
This was a new national treasure, forged with countless wish pearls.
As the conferment was completed, a wisp of the Ice and Snow Queen's divine consciousness naturally flew into the palace, manifesting as a Divine Avatar of Fortune, taking her seat within.
Thus, she received the incense and wish power of Da Yi.