Xuanhuang City.
Before the gates of the imperial palace.
Li Kuihua stood solemnly, holding a scroll of imperial decree. With reverence, he unfurled it.
Instantly, a formless wave of power radiated from the decree, sweeping across all of Great Yi. This was the divine power of a nation-stabilizing artifact, one of Great Yi's fate-bound treasures. As long as the nation's fortune endured, its energy could be instantly transmitted to every corner of the realm.
There was no delay.Any imperial edict issued could be directly heard and understood by every citizen. There would be no possibility of misinterpretation or deception.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
Within Great Yi reside twelve pieces of Zodiac Battle Armor, each an innate spirit treasure. Those recognized by a piece shall inherit it, becoming a Zodiac Guardian, champions of Great Yi who will guard the people and battle its enemies.
This selection will be conducted among all citizens of Great Yi. There shall be no formal process. The armors themselves will choose their hosts. Those chosen shall become the first-generation Zodiac Guardians, and shall gain access to the supreme cultivation scripture—the Zodiac Battle Codex—allowing them to ascend toward the Dao.
May all of Great Yi's people become as dragons."
The moment the decree was proclaimed, its words entered the minds of every citizen.
The contents of the decree left everyone stunned.Many were speechless for a long while, unable to believe what they'd heard. Then, one by one, expressions of disbelief turned to overwhelming joy. The nation surged with excitement.
"Great Yi is finally holding the Zodiac Guardian selection, and it's not limited to the imperial court. It's open to every citizen of the empire. Everyone has a chance!"
"Everyone can become a dragon… The Emperor is truly wise! Only someone like him could make such a bold decision. These are innate-grade battle armors. Legend says that even a commoner who inherits one could wield immense power—reaching the True Spirit Realm at minimum, and possibly even the Dao Platform or Dao Proving realms."
"But... what's the standard? There's no guidance at all. Are the armors choosing at random? This is impossible to predict!"
From city to city, the entire empire erupted in excitement.
In Great Yi, everyone cultivated. Everyone was a practitioner. Truly, everyone was like a dragon. Experts were not just found in court—they lived hidden among bounty hunters and scattered across the populace. Many powerful individuals kept a low profile.
Yet the allure of the Zodiac Battle Armor was irresistible.
Even if one couldn't keep the armor forever—as the first-generation host, they would be treated as its master. They would receive the Zodiac Battle Codex and be granted the chance to grow into a Dao-Proving existence.
No one could resist such a temptation.
But despite their desire, no one could see a clue.There was no hint as to how the selection would occur, or what qualified someone. No tests. No registration. It was entirely in the hands of fate. All people could do was wait, hope, and pray.
Those with lofty ambition began to steel themselves—believing that with their talent, they could very well become one of the chosen twelve.
Yet before the populace could finish digesting the news, another imperial decree was issued—this time from Empress Cai Yan.
The decree was simple: the imperial selection of consorts was to begin across the empire.
Any unmarried woman above sixteen years of age, whose innate purity remained intact, could enter the selection. Outstanding candidates would be brought to the imperial palace and potentially conferred titles, becoming imperial consorts—chosen to extend the imperial bloodline.
When this decree spread—
The entire empire was once again thrown into an uproar.
Countless households with eligible daughters rejoiced. To be chosen as an imperial consort was the highest aspiration of countless women. In the hearts of many, Yi Tianxing was the ultimate man—a lofty hero, a peerless ruler, a flawless husband.
What's more, the imperial palace was known for being free of palace intrigue. The consorts lived in harmony like sisters. To be selected meant not only love and prestige—it meant a leap in status, becoming one of the most revered women in Great Yi.
It was a dream come true.Countless young women were overwhelmed with anticipation.They wished they could leave that very instant.
And with that, waves of applicants surged forth.
The uproar over the Zodiac Guardian selection was quickly overshadowed by the excitement of the imperial consort selection.
Half a month later.
Above each celestial city, strange structures began to appear—lightning rods of unusual design.
Once launched into the sky, the lightning rods took position in the upper air. Immediately, bolts of lightning that were originally striking random targets suddenly changed direction, pulled toward the lightning rods.
The bolts smashed into them—but the rods remained intact.
The lightning energy was swiftly drawn into a Lightning Collection Pool, where intricate formations spun into motion, refining the energy into shimmering droplets of Lightning Essence Liquid—Heavenly Thunder Elixir, of unparalleled value.
Even a single drop was enough to send cultivators into a frenzy.
It could refine one's muscles and bones, banish evil, and strengthen the soul. Its benefits were countless.
Moreover, when enough elixir gathered, it would condense into Heavenly Thunder Crystals, which were even more precious, their value incalculable—truly priceless treasures.
Crack!!
With each lightning rod anchored above a celestial city, the surrounding region—spanning a thousand kilometers—fell under its influence.
Any lightning that appeared would be drawn in, like rivers converging into the sea.
These weren't just lightning rods—they were lightning attractors.
Crafted by the combined efforts of Heavenly Works Pavilion and the Immortal Academy, the new rods were finished and immediately mass-produced using the Universal Printer, then rapidly deployed to every celestial city—without exception.
"This is fantastic. The court has officially announced that the celestial cities are protected by lightning rods. As long as they remain intact, all lightning within a thousand kilometers will be diverted to them. We no longer have to fear getting struck while traveling the wilds!"
"As expected of Great Yi. No matter how dire the challenges, the empire always finds a solution. Even natural disasters can't stop us. We can go out again—hunt, travel, just like before."
Smiles spread throughout the cities.
Citizens, bounty hunters, and travelers all felt a renewed sense of safety.
They had already seen the rods at work on the Star Network, and now watched them absorb lightning in person. Their hearts were at ease.
Just like that, order returned. Hunters and adventurers once again set out across the wilderness and the seas.
Meanwhile, in Snow Province, within the Temple of Ice and Snow...
The Snow Queen stood before four divine figures, each cloaked in divine radiance—the Four Elemental Gods: Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning.
Of course, these were not their true bodies, but avatars. If an avatar died, it mattered little. But if a true body were harmed, the consequences would be devastating—unacceptable.
"Sister Ice, I never expected to find you here," said the Rain Goddess, her gaze filled with surprise."During the great calamity, we innate gods were forced to descend into the world, causing catastrophe. Afterward, we regained Heaven's protection and resumed our growth. But your whereabouts remained unknown—we feared you had perished. Yet here you are… within Great Yi, under imperial decree."
The moment she received Yi Tianxing's decree, the Snow Queen's aura vanished from the world, hidden by the empire's power.
They had believed she had perished in the disaster.
"Indeed, we were all born together," said the Thunder God, nodding. "And back then, it wasn't the Four-God Formation—it was meant to be the Five-God Formation. With you, it would be complete. Perfect. Flawless. It's good to know you're safe."
Their joy was genuine. The past bonds were real.
"You've come on a mission, haven't you?" the Snow Queen said coldly, her voice like frost."Did the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign send you? Are you here to unleash calamity upon Great Yi?"
She had learned of the sovereign's existence from Yi Tianxing himself.
"Yes," said the Lightning Mother."The Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign has commanded us to use the Four-God Diagram to form the Wind-Rain-Thunder-Lightning Formation. Its purpose is to alter the weather patterns of Great Yi and trigger disasters—to suppress the empire's fortune. We don't wish to do this... but we cannot defy the Sovereign's will."
She spoke honestly.
If Great Yi found a way to counter their plan, they could withdraw without offending either side. That would be ideal.
For instance—the new lightning rods. They did draw lightning—but only because Thunder God and Lightning Mother weren't resisting. If they channeled their full will into the lightning, the rods might fail to absorb it.
They didn't want to make an enemy of the Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign…But they also didn't want to become Great Yi's enemies.
"The Emperor asked me to deliver a message," the Snow Queen said softly.
"What message?" the Thunder God asked.
"Great Yi can break the Four-God Formation. We can force you out from behind the laws of Heaven and Earth—and suppress you completely," said the Snow Queen.