Huang Chengyan, Zhuge Liang, and other officials arrived one after another outside the palace gates. Exchanging glances, they saw the grave expressions in each other's eyes. This was an event capable of altering the entire world order—a momentous upheaval whose ramifications for the Da Yi Dynasty were beyond anyone's comprehension. The involvement of the Dragon Clan didn't merely affect one island or one region—it stirred the very balance of Heaven and Earth.
"Gentlemen, His Majesty summons you to the Hall of Knowledge and Action," announced Cao Zhengchun as he opened the palace gates to admit the gathered officials.
Before long, they arrived at the Hall of Knowledge and Action.
Yi Tianxing sat solemnly upon the dragon throne, surveying the officials and generals gathering before him. Taking a deep breath, he spoke first:"You all must have seen the Dragon Gate and the decree issued by the Dragon Clan. If you have anything to say, speak freely now."
This matter was too significant—its influence could derail the Da Yi Dynasty's carefully laid plans.
"The Dragon Clan's move can only be described as a stroke of genius—an act of profound foresight," said Gou Yu solemnly. "What's more, they employed an open scheme, the most fearsome kind of stratagem. One that is virtually impossible to counter—unless the Dragon Clan themselves relent, no one can change its course."
Schemes could be hidden or open, and open schemes were the most formidable.
An open scheme is done in plain sight—they tell you exactly what they plan to do, and yet even with full knowledge, you're powerless to stop them. Such a strategy embodies the momentum of the world itself—unstoppable. One open scheme can easily outweigh a hundred hidden ones.
"Indeed," Zhuge Liang agreed as he gently waved his feather fan. "The Dragon Clan possesses great wisdom. With the Heavenly Dao's restrictions now tightened, many powerful figures are sealed or immobilized, unable to intervene easily. In such a vacuum, the Dragon Clan unveils the Dragon Gate, openly courting all those bearing the Kirin Scale. Becoming a Dragon Seed means sharing the fate of the Dragon Clan—rising or falling as one. Not to mention, those with Kirin Scales already carry dragon blood. The Dragon Clan is now planting seeds across the land like locusts, spreading their influence across sea and land alike. This gives them the potential to become the main protagonist of the world."
This move by the Dragon Clan was virtually irresistible.
"By establishing the Dragon Gate, they are positioning themselves as Heaven's chosen people," Zhuge Liang continued. "With one stroke, they can cause their clan's destiny to soar to terrifying heights. I believe their ambition to become the main protagonist of Heaven and Earth is clear."
To truly attain that status, however, the Dragon Clan would have to overcome the resistance of all other races—and failure could bring unimaginable consequences.
"It's currently April," Yi Tianxing said gravely. "There are less than five months before the Double Ninth Festival on September 9th. What should Da Yi do next? How should we proceed?"
This was the most pressing issue: how to respond to the Dragon Clan's maneuver.
"The Dragon Clan's move is clear for all to see. Once they act, they won't stop until they succeed. Once the Dragon Gate is activated, expanding our territory will become far more difficult. Thus, in the four to five months remaining, we must not slow down—we must conquer the Snow Continent entirely. Simultaneously, we must continue expanding both north and south," Zhuge Liang advised.
He sensed that the world order would undergo a profound shift after the Double Ninth. The expansion plan needed to be completed beforehand, or risk disruption by the coming storm.
"Agreed!!"
"Seconded!!"
The hall resounded with firm assent.
The expansion of the Da Yi Dynasty would not be halted.
"Excellent," Yi Tianxing said. "This gathering was convened not only to discuss strategy, but to issue an order to all Immortal Cities. From today forward, begin full-scale stockpiling of resources. The grain warehouses must be filled. Resources from the wilderness must be collected with all possible speed. Furthermore, initiate unlimited bounty missions through the Hunter Hall—seek out and kill all kinds of ferocious beasts and birds, and collect their beast souls. As many as possible."
The true purpose of this assembly was to prepare the officials mentally. The days ahead would be difficult—and now was the time to prepare, to stockpile, and to entrench.
Should the worst occur, they would need to hold their Immortal Cities at all costs.
"Report!!"
A eunuch stepped into the hall and bowed."Your Majesty, a Dragon Clan envoy has arrived at the palace gates. Prime Minister Turtle requests an audience, claiming to bear an important matter for discussion."
The entire hall fell silent at once.
Many frowned.
Why had Prime Minister Turtle come now? Yi Tianxing had publicly declared he was in seclusion—surely the Dragon Clan knew this. Yet the envoy still came, bypassing all protocols and appearing at the palace gates.
And right after unveiling the Dragon Gate.
It was impossible to believe this was unrelated.
To meet or not to meet—both choices had grave consequences.
To meet meant acknowledging the Dragon Clan's agenda. There would be no turning back. But to refuse might offend the Dragon Clan, which had already bared its fangs. Such offense could bring catastrophe to Da Yi.
"They've come directly—so be it. Let's see what the Dragon Clan truly intends. Perhaps we can uncover their motives," Yi Tianxing decided after only a moment's hesitation."Summon Prime Minister Turtle to the Hall of Knowledge and Action."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The eunuch swiftly retreated to deliver the message.
Soon after, an elderly man with a turtle shell on his back entered the hall, his face glowing red, skin smooth and youthful.
—Prime Minister Turtle of the Hanhai Dragon Palace.
"Still as unfathomable as ever… his ability to conceal his aura is extraordinary," Yi Tianxing mused. He'd met Prime Minister Turtle once in the underwater Dragon Palace—and could tell immediately this being was like a bottomless lake, impossible to read. Who knew how many centuries the old turtle had lived?
"Old Turtle greets His Majesty Yi the Emperor. Before I came, the Dragon King also instructed me to convey his greetings," Prime Minister Turtle said, his smile calm as his gaze swept across the hall. A flicker of intrigue passed through his eyes.
The Da Yi Dynasty truly overflowed with talent. One glance was enough for Prime Minister Turtle to see which ministers were useless and which were capable. With his vast experience, his judgment was incredibly precise.
"No need for formality. Your presence here honors Da Yi. If you had sent word, we would've welcomed you without the trouble of a personal visit," Yi Tianxing replied with a polite smile.
"Haha, not at all," Prime Minister Turtle chuckled. "This is a joyous occasion. I came to share in your imperial fortune."
"A joyous occasion?" Yi Tianxing asked with a raised brow. "Why have I not heard of it?"
"Indeed, a great joy," the old turtle beamed. "I wonder—what is His Majesty's impression of the Dragon Palace's princesses?"
"The dragon princesses?" Yi Tianxing's mind flashed to a certain scene involving the Green Emperor and three notorious scoundrels. He quickly suppressed the thought and replied diplomatically, "Naturally, each dragon princess is a peerless beauty—exquisite and elegant, unmatched across the land."
"Excellent!"
Prime Minister Turtle's smile widened. "Many of our dragon princesses have reached marriageable age. The Dragon King, fond of them all, has decided to host a marriage tournament, inviting the region's finest talents to a banquet at the Dragon Palace. If mutual affection arises, marriage can be arranged. With Your Majesty's abilities, surely the princesses would admire you."
"Marriage tournament?"
The entire hall burst into uproar.
The dragon princesses were famed for their beauty. It was known that the Dragon Clan occasionally accepted sons-in-law from outside—but such men usually entered the Dragon Palace, becoming live-in sons-in-law.
But Yi Tianxing becoming a son-in-law of the Dragon Palace? Impossible.
His status and identity made such an arrangement unthinkable.
"Our emperor joining the Dragon Palace as a son-in-law? Absolutely not!" declared Huang Chengyan, stepping forward without hesitation.
This was a fundamental issue—non-negotiable.
"Indeed, His Majesty cannot become a Dragon Palace son-in-law."
"Absolutely not!"
The court erupted in disapproval, angry eyes falling on Prime Minister Turtle.
"Gentlemen, you misunderstand!" the old turtle quickly waved his hands. "This is not a case of entering the Dragon Palace! The princesses are to be married off, not seeking live-in husbands. Rest assured—this is a matter of mutual affection. No one will be forced."