A once-in-a-millennium opportunity—this was truly a rare chance not to be missed.
Until now, the ministers of Great Yi had been wracking their brains trying to figure out how to ascend to the status of an Emperor Dynasty. Sandwiched between the three powerful races, the survival space for the Great Yi Dynasty had been awkward and perilous. One misstep could lead to total annihilation, cities razed, and corpses strewn across the land. The dynasty dared not relax for even a moment. Every marriage alliance had been a delicate move to balance relations among the three clans.
They had thought that ascending would only be possible if the three clans became embroiled in a mutual slaughter, distracted to the point of no longer paying attention to Great Yi.
Who could have imagined that such an opportunity would suddenly present itself?
There was no need for Great Yi to initiate anything—foreign races from across the heavens were petitioning Great Yi to ascend to an Emperor Dynasty.
It felt like a dream.
The common folk of Great Yi were even more stunned. How had it suddenly come to pass that other races now supported Great Yi's ascension? Even the **three clans—Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin—**had not objected in the slightest. Their silence was a form of tacit approval.
Not that they had a choice.
Even the Hanhai Dragon King and the other clan leaders were stunned by the current situation.
Who would've thought that a Nightfiend would suddenly appear, and that the Evernight World would extend its hand into the Eternal World? What could anyone do about that now? Nothing. Their only hope was that the Great Yi Dynasty could hold the line.
If a dynasty wasn't enough, then it would have to be an Emperor Dynasty.
"Ascend to an Emperor Dynasty then. Let's hope it can suppress that Gate of Evernight. It's a pity that the Heavenly Dao remains sealed. Our dragon clan's top experts cannot intervene, the sky is shrouded in calamity, and the heavenly patterns are obscured—we didn't foresee the Evernight's movement. How detestable."
The Hanhai Dragon King took a deep breath and gave a decisive shout.
"Ascend to an Emperor Dynasty—may it be enough to suppress the Gate of Evernight."—Qilin King, solemnly.
"Ascend to an Emperor Dynasty. If Great Yi truly rises after this, it won't be a mere dynasty anymore. It will soar beyond reach."—Phoenix Queen, meaningfully.
Still, the three clans held no fear.
If Great Yi ascended to an Emperor Dynasty, their intertwined bloodlines through marriage would allow them to share even more in its fortune. The only concern was whether the destiny of an Emperor Dynasty could suppress the Gate of Evernight. If not, the consequences would be dire.
Ancient records from every major race spoke of the Evernight World.
In each Epoch, the Eternal side had always been on the defensive—until the last Epoch, when a supreme powerhouse emerged, leading a group of elite experts into Evernight.
Yet even that culminated in the end of the Epoch, giving way to the new Eternal Epoch.
"We humbly request our Sovereign to ascend to an Emperor Dynasty!"
Countless ministers and city lords of Great Yi shouted in unison.
"We beseech His Majesty to ascend to an Emperor Dynasty!"
Billions of citizens echoed the cry.
The voices carried profound anticipation. Once they became citizens of an Emperor Dynasty, their very identities would be elevated. Their sense of pride would swell beyond measure.
"Very well. If a dynasty cannot suppress you, then let the might of an Emperor Dynasty do so. Nightfiend, once I ascend, your seal shall be forged. And now, with all races petitioning, how could I refuse?"
Yi Tianxing felt a surge of confidence. Though his face remained stoic, his voice thundered out with resolve.
This moment had not come easily.
Today would be the day of ascension—and it had cost them unimaginable toil to arrive here.
"Heaven-Sacrificing Platform!"
Yi Tianxing looked up and issued a commanding cry, solemn and sacred. Instantly, every citizen of Great Yi felt a sudden reverence take hold of their hearts—a natural, instinctive awe.
Whoosh!
At his call, the Heaven-Sacrificing Platform, still floating within the cloud sea of fate, descended from the sky, landing directly in Xuanhuang City's central plaza.
This altar had changed since its last appearance. Its runes had multiplied, its aura grown heavier, and its shadows shimmered with an unfathomable will.
It now stood nine zhang tall, two-tiered.
The first tier was square.The second tier was circular, connected by a heavenly stairway of eighty-one steps, representing the true meaning of Nine-Nine Return to One.
Square and round—symbolizing Heaven and Earth.
Once it landed, it was as if it took root, linking its earth altar to the will of the land, and its sky altar to the heavens.
A formless will gathered from the heavens and earth.
"The altar is bound to the earth. As Great Yi is a Dynasty aligned with the Great Dao, the Heavenly Dao can no longer interfere with its ascension. It may observe, but not judge."
As the Lord of the Destiny Dynasty, Yi Tianxing could feel the shift. This time, two wills had been summoned—one from the Great Dao, the other from the Heavenly Dao. Normally, the Heavenly Dao would judge whether a dynasty could ascend. But with Great Yi, it had no such authority.
"Great Yi has not yet touched the Dao—it will be tested through the Heavenly Dao."
A message appeared in Yi Tianxing's mind. He understood.
There was no humiliation here—this was a tremendous boon. It meant the nature of Great Yi as a Great Dao Dynasty would remain hidden. So long as he kept silent, no one would know.
Yes—this was a major victory.
If the Great Dao had descended, Great Yi's true identity would have been exposed, bringing unpredictable consequences.
This concealment was exactly what Yi Tianxing desired most at this moment.
"Present the offerings!"
With a wave of his hand, Yi Tianxing summoned several strange and wondrous items onto the altar—treasures collected throughout Great Yi.
As they landed, the items transformed into streaks of light, vanishing—seemingly accepted by some mysterious will.
"I, Yi Tianxing, Lord of the Great Yi Dynasty, once again sacrifice to Heaven and Earth, to the Great Dao. Since the founding of our state, we have pacified the people within, repelled beasts and invaders without. We have allowed our citizens to live with dignity, strength, free from oppression and calamity. Today, our territories have expanded manyfold, and our populace nears one hundred billion, all living in peace and prosperity."
"The status of a dynasty can no longer support Great Yi. May the Dao show mercy. May Heaven and Earth descend and permit our ascension—to become an Emperor Dynasty!"
Each word of Yi Tianxing's proclamation carried a unique rhythm, a sacred cadence recounting the dynasty's achievements.
"I, as the Lord of Great Yi, humbly request the Great Dao to bear witness. Let the Heavenly Dao descend!"
He bowed toward the altar from afar.
As the ruler of a Destiny Dynasty, no one could easily endure such a bow. Ordinary cultivators would suffer the collapse of their fate and fortune. But now, his bow atop the Heaven-Sacrificing Platform carried an invisible might into the heavens.
"We respectfully invite the Great Dao to bear witness. Let the Heavenly Dao descend!"
At this moment, nearly one hundred billion citizens bowed and chanted in unison, their voices rising in pure willpower and fervent prayer.
This tide of wish power surged toward the altar.
It began to glow. Strange runes flickered across its surface.
Though the Great Dao's will appeared, it remained hidden—it neither descended nor revealed itself. Instead, the Heavenly Dao's will manifested, forming a giant golden eye suspended in the sky, gazing down upon the altar.
"The Eye of Heaven. The will of the Heavenly Dao has descended."
"Excellent. Our plea has been acknowledged. But what sort of trial will this be? Every ascension invites disaster. If we endure it, we ascend. If not, we fail."
Within the dynasty, countless people felt both hopeful and anxious.
This was the ascension from a dynasty to an Emperor Dynasty.
The gap between them was immense—and the trials, surely daunting.
At that moment, Cai Yong, dressed in a ceremonial robe, stepped naturally onto the altar. As Great Yi's chief ritualist, it was his role to preside over this sacred moment.
His heart swelled with emotion. This would be a moment etched in history—the birth of the first Emperor Dynasty in this world.
"First bow—to the Earth. The Earth nurtures all life. Humanity stands upon it. The Earth is our mother!"
Cai Yong's voice was solemn.
Yi Tianxing stepped onto the first level of the altar and knelt.
This bow honored the Earth for providing a home and sustenance to the human race—allowing them to thrive and endure.
At that moment, the land quaked faintly. Across Great Yi's territory, Xuanhuang energy surged. Earth's invisible power gathered into the altar. The runes on the first level lit up, and its might surged.
"Second bow—to the Heavens. The Heavens are our father. Heaven's movement is powerful—humankind must be self-reliant."
Yi Tianxing ascended to the second tier and bowed again.
Heaven granted the space for humans to live—only through self-reliance could they perpetuate.
A formless power from the sky poured down, enshrouding the second level in divine light.
"Third bow—to the Dao. The Great Dao is impartial. It created Heaven and Earth. The Dao is boundless. May it pity our human struggle—and safeguard our legacy forever."
Cai Yong continued the sacred rite.