"Those who are not of our race must have different hearts!"This saying originates from the human race itself. It plainly reveals that racial differences inherently breed suspicion, fear, and distrust. It's like how yellow-skinned people distrust white-skinned ones, and vice versa—their vigilance runs deep. If mere differences in skin color can breed such divergence, how much more so with different races altogether?
The Great Yi was a human-dominated empire. For others to join it—who could truly feel at ease?Would the Invincible General trust the humans? And would the humans trust him? This was undoubtedly a dilemma.
"General, you overthink it. My Great Yi Emperor Dynasty embraces all rivers. Though we stand against foreign races, those we've fought and killed were enemies of our people—those who slaughtered the human race. As for friendly races, even within Great Yi's borders, non-humans thrive. For instance, the elves, dwarves, and goblins all live well among us. The barbarians have even blended into our own culture. Great Yi has never shown racial prejudice. As long as they are friendly to humanity, we can accept any race."Yi Tianxing responded without hesitation, his expression calm and resolute.
This was indeed the truth. Within Great Yi's territory, it was not only humans. Races like elves and dwarves had already assimilated. Dwarven smithies could be found in nearly every celestial city. Elf bounty hunters teamed up with humans to hunt ferocious beasts and sea monsters—their archery skills made them sharpshooters one and all. Goblin engineering and inventions were no less impressive than those of humans.
It was precisely the inclusion of these races that enabled Great Yi to flourish day by day, constantly evolving.
If Great Yi could accept so many races, how could it not accept the Invincible General?
"If one day, I wish to leave, Great Yi must not stop me,"the Invincible General said slowly, his eyes gleaming with meaning.
He already understood all this. What he truly needed… was Yi Tianxing's stance.
"Naturally. Great Yi has never been a trap. As long as you do not break our laws, coming and going is your freedom. By entering Great Yi, you'll enjoy the blessings of our dynasty's fate and receive official stipend. As long as you act with integrity, all will be well."Yi Tianxing gave a slight smile.
In Great Yi, being part of the court was vastly different from being outside it. Who wouldn't desire to bask in Great Yi's fortune, perhaps even earning deification after death?
To walk with Great Yi…"To walk with destiny."
"In that case, I accept,"the Invincible General nodded solemnly.
"Excellent. This celestial city is called Fengdu. It connects the realms of Yin and Yang. It will become a trade hub between the two worlds. However, it is unsuitable for the living to linger here, so I ask you to become its governor. Bring your skeletal army here, and we will formally integrate them into Great Yi. This place will benefit your cultivation."Yi Tianxing nodded and decisively laid out the arrangement.
Fengdu had already been transformed into Yin-soil. For ghosts, demons, and monsters, it was a supreme cultivation site. Progress here would be rapid—even breakthroughs would come like an unstoppable tide. Underground, a Nine Nether Yin Vein flowed.
All these elements together made Fengdu an unparalleled spiritual treasure.The Invincible General's willingness to join was greatly influenced by this place.
Joining Great Yi meant gaining this treasure trove and its protection. No matter how one looked at it, it was a win-win.
"Thank you, Emperor,"the Invincible General replied, with a flicker of shock in his eyes.
Even with some guesses, he hadn't imagined this place to contain a permanent Yin-Yang passage—a gateway between life and death. That was almost unfathomable.With such a trade hub, Great Yi's foundation would rapidly ascend.
"Now, go bring your army into the city. From now on, you'll oversee Fengdu and maintain its order. Unless absolutely necessary, we will not interfere."Yi Tianxing continued.
"Yes, my Emperor,"the Invincible General responded without hesitation, then turned to leave, clearly heading to fetch his skeletal legion.
With his appointment as Fengdu City's governor, a third-rank noble of Great Yi, he now enjoyed fortune's blessing and unimpeded access throughout the empire.
Yi Tianxing then proclaimed:
"Announce to all under heaven:
My Great Yi has established the Celestial City of Fengdu, where the Yin-Yang passage opens, linking the two realms.
From this day forth, an inter-realm market shall commence—accessible to both the living and the dead.
All races may enter, provided they obey the rules.
The market will officially open in seven days."
This proclamation spread across Great Yi with lightning speed.
Countless citizens, non-human tribes, and sects were shocked. None had expected such news. It was earth-shattering.
At Green Mountain Sect
Qingyunzi was stunned.
"To open a Yin-Yang gateway? How? Traditionally, only the Gate of Ghosts allowed passage, and even then only for souls, not the living. It was temporary and fraught with danger.
A permanent passage? This... this is divine!"He murmured in disbelief.
At Zhengqi Villa, Lord Emptiness was dumbfounded.
"Unreal. Absolutely unreal.
If Great Yi pulls this off, it'll soar like never before.
Trade between the two realms? The profit alone could make a man faint.
I must go witness this!"
This inter-realm market was the first of its kind in the Eternal World. From the moment of its birth, it was destined to explode in popularity.
The Yin Realm teemed with rare treasures and spiritual materials—exactly what the Yang Realm lacked. The potential for divine weapons, rare pills, and unfathomable resources was beyond imagining.
Countless sects and cultivators would be drawn in like moths to a flame. It would outshine the black market. And only Great Yi had the strength to pull it off without being devoured.
Anyone else would become a target.Only Great Yi had the might to make others dare not interfere.
"Brilliant! Locking the country down first was genius.
Had they stayed open, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin races would've swooped in like vultures.
This way, Great Yi can quietly reap untold riches."
Many cultivators privately marveled.
Only by sealing the empire could they shield the trade and siphon resources from the Yin Realm undisturbed.This strategy—backed by death itself—would let them accumulate wealth at unthinkable speeds.
Among Great Yi's people, excitement spread.
In the past, ordinary people feared ghosts and the dead. Now, after fighting beasts and demons, that fear had lessened.Many even fantasized about a "One-Day Yin Realm Tour."
All eagerly awaited the inter-realm market's opening.
Meanwhile, foreign spies within Great Yi were horrified. But the sealed realm prevented them from sending any messages.They could only watch, powerless.
With backing from the Yin Realm, Great Yi's rise became terrifying.
The sense of an unstoppable giant awakening was now undeniable.
After issuing the proclamation, Yi Tianxing returned to the imperial palace and entered a quiet chamber.
With a thought, the Heavenly Emperor Hongmeng Pagoda appeared before him.
"It's time to ascend,"Yi Tianxing took a deep breath, his eyes filled with anticipation.
While at the Mystic Tier, the pagoda was powerful—comparable to an innate spiritual treasure—but it had not yet become one in truth. Its tower body lacked the innate essence to clash evenly with the highest-ranked artifacts.
Only by ascending to Innate Spirit Treasure status could it stand unafraid before all power—eliminating its last weakness.
The thirty-four-layered pagoda radiated purple light.Golden streaks danced within—merit light.The Six Paths Reincarnation Disc had fully taken root, cycling all souls within Great Yi directly through the pagoda, bypassing the Yin Realm entirely.
With each soul's reincarnation, a strand of merit infused the pagoda.
It was gradually transforming into a Merit Spirit Treasure.
While not yet fully converted, the signs were clear.Layers of merit light flowed inside it like a sacred river.