"The Divine-Demon Battlefield? Is it really opening again so soon? What's the reason this time?"
Yi Tianxing frowned slightly as he asked.
If the battlefield was to open, it would undoubtedly shake the heavens and earth. No one could remain unaffected. Even if the Great Yi Emperor Dynasty practiced isolationism, it would still be involved. Once the battlefield opened, they would be drawn into it.
"The world is saturated with the Qi of calamity and slaughter. Every great tribulation coincides with the opening of the Divine-Demon Battlefield. When such a catastrophe arises, the distance between the Eternal World and the Eternal Night realm shortens, and the channels connecting them open. At that moment, the Eternal Night will surely invade. The Divine-Demon Battlefield is the frontline against Eternal Night. If the battlefield falls, Eternal Night will pour into the Eternal World."
As the Netherworld King (King of the Underworld) spoke, a rare solemnity appeared on her face.
"Why are only Eternal Night forces allowed to invade our Eternal World? Why can't we invade Eternal Night?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes grew cold, his voice sharp.
"If you have the strength, you're welcome to try."
The Netherworld King blinked mischievously and chuckled. She even looked like she was egging him on, entirely unconcerned by the implications.
"It's only a matter of time."
Yi Tianxing replied calmly, a faint smile on his lips.
The Netherworld King didn't linger much longer. Just as suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished. Soon after, Zhao Li and Meng Qi began a heated discussion about how to construct the Immortal City.
This Immortal City would naturally require a Village Creation Token to establish. Unlike the Great Yi Dynasty, where any city built with a token could be directly elevated to an Immortal City by decree, the netherworld realm required a gradual process. Even with ample resources, promotion required time.
This waiting period served as a buffer.
Without staying further in the netherworld, Yi Tianxing soon disappeared from it entirely. He reappeared on the Bridge of Yin and Yang, walking toward the world of the living.
Along the way, he could still see countless eerie yin demons emerging from the Abyss of Shadows outside the bridge, trying to lure, terrify, or instill fear to drag him down into the abyss. But these attempts were futile.
His steps remained steady, unwavering.
Before long, he returned to the meditation chamber in the living world.
"The energy cost is truly immense. Traveling between the two realms can't be done casually. I should wait until I complete my breakthrough before doing this again."
He stored away the Bridge of Yin and Yang, pondering quietly.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Suddenly, Yi Tianxing felt a strange tremor in his spirit—not ominous, but rather a rhythmic pulse from his bloodline origin.
"Your Majesty! The Empress is going into labor! She's in the palace now preparing for childbirth!"
Cao Zhengchun's delighted voice came from outside the door.
"What? Zhaoji is about to give birth?"
Yi Tianxing stood up immediately, realization striking. No wonder he had sensed something—his child was about to be born.
"Inform Lord Cai—tell him the Empress is in labor and request his presence."
Striding out of the chamber, Yi Tianxing issued orders to Cao Zhengchun.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Cao Zhengchun acknowledged and quickly left the imperial palace.
Within the Phoenix Immortal Palace
The palace was bustling with activity. Eunuchs and palace maids scurried about, tense yet excited.
"Quick! Boil the water!"
"Where's the jade basin? Prepare it immediately. Once the imperial child is born, we must bathe them right away in moon spring water infused with immortal life dew!"
"Prepare the bedding made from snow fox fur!"
"Bring the beastmilk nectar! Once the Empress delivers, she must drink it!"
Everywhere, voices echoed. Treasures of every kind were brought in. The Great Yi Dynasty now possessed deep foundations and spared no effort. Everything was meticulously arranged—from the cleansing waters to the nourishing milk.
The beastmilk nectar was a mixture of the milk from a hundred fierce beasts, combined with rare spirit herbs like Immortal Life Dew and Millennium Stalactite. It was incredibly nutritious and gentle—ideal for newborns to absorb and fortify their bodies and life essence.
This wasn't about granting them instant cultivation, but about laying a powerful foundation—physique, vitality, and spiritual roots. Yi Tianxing wouldn't artificially raise their cultivation. That, they would earn themselves.
Inside the palace, excitement filled the air.
Nie Xiaoqian, Yao Yue, Lian Xing, and the others were present, along with Yi Xianhuang and her younger siblings, all gathered nervously.
"Husband, you're here."
"Daddy… will Mother be alright?"
Seeing Yi Tianxing arrive, the women and children bowed. Yi Xianhuang, eyes full of worry, asked softly.
"Don't worry. It's only childbirth. Everything will be fine."
Yi Tianxing smiled gently, offering comfort.
"Mother and child must both be safe… Please let everything go smoothly. I wonder if it'll be another daughter this time…"
Though he'd been through this before, each time felt the same. Every child was a new life, equally precious.
"Emperor, there's no need to worry. Yan'er already has experience. This time will go well too. Just wait patiently. Let's hope for an Emperor's son this time."
Before long, Cai Yong arrived. After greeting Yi Tianxing, he spoke with hope in his eyes.
Everyone hoped for a prince—an heir. It would mean true succession, the foundation of the dynasty, the stabilizer of the people's hearts.
"Whether it's a boy or a girl doesn't matter. As long as they are safe."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Look! There's a celestial phenomenon!"
A shocked eunuch pointed at the sky.
Without warning, crimson clouds surged across the heavens. Within them, flames danced as a massive phoenix tree appeared. Atop it stood a gigantic phoenix, its body radiating seven-colored light, so regal and noble it seemed beyond comparison—divine perfection incarnate.
SCREEEE!!
The phoenix cried, perched atop the tree.
Throughout the imperial palace—and even the entire Xuanhuang City—people could see the phenomenon in the sky.
"A phoenix!"
"No—look! Gold light! So intense!"
A five-clawed golden dragon suddenly coiled through the clouds, its roar shaking the heavens.
The phoenix and dragon danced around each other in the sky, as if alive. A mystical aura spread out in waves.
"Dragon and Phoenix Auspice!"
Cai Yong beamed with joy. This was a heavenly omen of supreme fortune.
Then, a torrent of purple Qi from the east swept across the sky and descended upon the Phoenix Immortal Palace.
"Purple Qi from the East—an omen of supreme nobility!"
Cai Yong was ecstatic.
WAAAH!!
A baby's clear cry pierced the air.
With it, the celestial phenomena began to fade. The cry rang out three times before ceasing.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Empress has given birth to a son!"
A palace maid ran out, beaming with joy.
"Congratulations to the Emperor on the birth of an imperial prince!"
Eunuchs and palace maids around immediately bowed in celebration.
"Congratulations to the Emperor! Long live the imperial son!"
From the imperial palace, the news spread like wildfire. In an instant, Xuanhuang City erupted in celebration. All across Yi Prefecture, Xue Prefecture, and the entire Great Yi territory, cheers resounded.
With the Star Network, the news spread faster than lightning.
An Emperor's son—an heir—had finally been born.
Countless citizens wept with joy. After so many princesses, some had felt unease. But now, with a prince born, the people's hearts were finally at ease.
"Issue an imperial decree: In honor of the Empress's childbirth, all under Heaven shall celebrate for three days!"
Yi Tianxing, smiling, gave the order.
He quickly made his way into the palace.
Inside, Cai Yan lay on the bed, radiant with maternal glow