"Good. I'll leave the Yin-Yang Bridge to you—open the passage now."
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate in the slightest. He had been waiting for this moment for three years.
Whoosh!
With a mere thought, the Yin-Yang Bridge appeared before him. Its aura was immense—already at the peak of the treasure grade, yet the depths of its power far exceeded even that.
In these three years, the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower had grown to 129,000 miles, reaching the peak of the Mysterious-grade Exotic Treasure—a hair's breadth from ascending to the Earth-grade. In fact, it had already met the conditions for advancement a year ago. Yet Yi Tianxing deliberately held back the upgrade, choosing instead to continually fortify the foundation of the tower—enhancing each internal space's essence.
This wasn't just a simple upgrade—it was a metamorphosis of each internal Minor Thousand World toward Middle Thousand Worlds, a transformation of the very essence of heaven and earth. It had to be tempered carefully; no one could predict what might occur during such an upheaval. And when the tower evolved, the Thirty-some Heaven-Opening Divine Artifacts inside would evolve with it.
An upgrade to Earth-grade meant the birth of Innate Spiritual Treasures.
That was over thirty Innate Spiritual Treasures emerging at once.
Even for Yi Tianxing, such a monumental shift demanded caution. Any mishap could bring disaster.
But now, all preparations were finally complete. Once the Yin-Yang Passage was opened, the Hongmeng Tower's evolution would commence in earnest. The benefits it would bring were beyond measure.
Yet for now, the focus was on the passage.
The Yin-Yang Bridge plunged into the black vortex ahead. Instantly, an endless tide of Yin energy surged into the bridge, activating its full might. In a flash, it extended into the void, piercing deep into the Yin Ruins and stretching toward the Underworld at an unfathomable speed.
It wasn't just Yin energy fueling it—the power of the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower was also driving the bridge forward. Compared to the first time the passage was opened, the speed now was many times faster.
Meanwhile, in the Underworld, not far from the Yellow Springs Inn, a towering, pitch-black ancient city had risen. Inscribed upon its entrance were the characters Nine Nether (九幽).
This was the famed Nine Nether City.
From the moment it was established, the city had drawn immense attention. Rumors had spread that it would connect to the Yang Realm, opening a Yin-Yang Passage, allowing cultivators from both sides to interact, trade, and communicate freely.
Most dismissed it as fantasy.
But on this very day, dark Yin clouds surged above Nine Nether City. A celestial bridge extended from the void, descending upon the city as billowing black mist spiraled forth. A colossal Gate of the Underworld (鬼门关) manifested within the city—initially ethereal, but quickly becoming solid under the mysterious Dao rhythms and runes converging upon it. The Yin-Yang Bridge's energies infused the gate, forming a tangible passage that floated mid-air.
It was visible even from thousands of miles away.
Though its aura differed from the true Gate of the Underworld, it was no illusion. A black-and-white corridor extended through the gate, its endpoint unknown.
"Finally, the Yin-Yang Passage is open!"On the walls of Nine Nether City, Zhao Li, dressed in an extravagant outfit, gazed at the gate with delight. The bridge at the heart of the passage was none other than the Yin-Yang Bridge itself, piercing both worlds.
"Three years. The Yin-Yang Trade Market can finally open."
Inside the Yellow Springs Inn, Meng Qi stood at the window, watching Nine Nether City with a smile. Her hand gently stroked her slightly swollen belly—clearly pregnant. The life growing within her exuded a strong vitality.
As she moved her fingers, a starlit ring shimmered on her ring finger, embedded like a tattoo.
"Soon, child... with this passage open, your father and I will be able to see each other often."She spoke softly, her eyes glimmering with warmth. Over the past few years, Yi Tianxing had frequently crossed into the Underworld. And every time he came, naturally, there would be passionate reunions—pleasures shared that neither could forget.
"Nine Nether City: the Yin-Yang Passage is now open. The interdimensional trade market will soon be operational. Free travel between the realms is now permitted."
Zhao Li's voice rang across the city, proclaiming the beginning of a new era.
Already, numerous underworld envoys were moving in to staff the city.
In the Yang Realm, as the Gate of the Underworld solidified in Nine Nether City, the matching gate in the immortal city also took form. Dao rhythms flowed into it, anchoring the gate firmly. The Feng Shui formation activated, making it part of the world's natural laws.
"It's done."Jiang Ni exhaled a breath of joy. His tone betrayed his excitement.
This formation would not only stabilize the gate but also bring him direct benefits—its feedback power would elevate his cultivation. This was the path of the Feng Shui Master.
"You have my thanks, Lord Jiang," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
This effort had taken years of planning. Now that the passage was open, the potential for the Great Yi Dynasty had expanded once more.
"This immortal city has effectively become a ghost realm—it's no longer suitable for ordinary civilians. We should give it a new name, and appoint a suitable governor to oversee it."Jiang Ni offered the suggestion with a warm smile.
"Then let it be called Fengdu. Fengdu City," Yi Tianxing nodded.
He raised a hand, and the name Fengdu appeared in ancient script upon the city wall. From the aura alone, one could feel an oppressive ghostly force—striking fear into the heart.
"May I ask, who will govern Fengdu?"Jiang Ni asked curiously. He had put much effort into this city and naturally cared about who would oversee it.
"Green Emperor, get over here!"
Yi Tianxing called out. A spatial rift opened, and he reached in to pull someone out.
A moment later, the Green Emperor was yanked out—still groggy, blinking in confusion, clearly just pulled from a nap.
"Who dares to touch your grandpa Green—come out and face me! I'll beat you so hard your own mother won't recognize you!"
He flailed wildly, one paw on his hip and the other gesturing indignantly like a street shrew.
"You're whose grandpa?"Yi Tianxing's face darkened, and he smacked the dog on the head.
The Green Emperor turned around, instantly groveling."Master! It was a dream! A misunderstanding! I would never disrespect you. Your loyalest dog, that's me!"
Yi Tianxing just shook his head, too used to this. "Go find the Invincible General and bring him here."
"What? You want to see him?"
The Green Emperor looked startled.
"You can find him, can't you? Don't think I don't know he's still within Great Yi."
Yi Tianxing's tone was meaningful.
"Of course! Absolutely!"The Green Emperor immediately leapt up, calling forth a Rainbow Bridge and speeding away.
As one of the Four Great Bandits, he always kept in contact with the others. In fact, they'd recently been planning another big heist—Liu Qu had discovered an ancient tomb with extraordinary Feng Shui defenses.
Before long, a flash of rainbow light descended, and the Green Emperor returned, accompanied by a rider on a skeletal warhorse—the Invincible General.
"Yi Emperor, you wanted to see me?"The general's voice was hoarse and eerie. His eye flames flickered with a trace of reverence.
How could he not revere Yi Tianxing? The man before him was someone he could not possibly defy.
"What do you think of Great Yi?"Yi Tianxing asked, meeting his gaze.
"Vigorous, thriving—like oil on a roaring fire."The general's eyes flared. It was sincere praise.
Having lived secretly within Great Yi's territory all these years, he had witnessed its phenomenal growth. No one could deny its explosive progress. Every sector was booming—population, cultivation, all rising day by day. And since acquiring the Eternal Heavenly Eye, the daily Heavenfire Baptisms had transformed the bodies of even commoners.
Now, many citizens had bodies strong enough to lift thousands of pounds with bare hands. A slap could shatter boulders. Those with even a trace of physical talent had ascended into Body Refinement Cultivators, becoming monsters in human skin.
A transformation from the very foundation of life itself.
The Invincible General had watched all this unfold. The shock was indescribable.
Anyone who underestimated the citizens of Great Yi… was in for a rude awakening.
This dynasty was well on its way to becoming a titan.
"Would you be willing to join Great Yi?"
Yi Tianxing nodded, continuing calmly.
"…You would trust me? Knowing I am of the Undying Nether Race?"The general did not shy away from the core issue.