All the soldiers were clad in black armor. Gathered together, they formed a vast, oppressive sea of darkness, radiating an invisible pressure that commanded solemnity and awe. These were elite among elites.
Above this Immortal City stood a plaque, upon which two ancient characters were inscribed: "Xianyang".
This was none other than Xianyang City, the legendary capital of the Qin Dynasty. In Qin, its status was absolutely irreplaceable. The entire city had no walls—just like Xuanhuang City of Great Yi—it was built without fortifications.
Historical records stated that when the capital expanded, Ying Zheng himself made a decisive declaration: Xianyang needed no walls. If enemies had reached Xianyang, then walls would be no more than a prison. Qin would rather perish on the battlefield than cower behind stone. They would never defend from behind the ramparts.
"The realm under heaven belongs to the emperor; all subjects beneath the skies are his vassals."
The people of the realm were Qin's walls.
Every city under heaven was part of the Great Wall of Qin.
Qin would never stop conquering.
Xianyang needed no walls.
This was Qin's confidence—no, Ying Zheng's confidence.
One could see that atop Xianyang's imperial palace stood a high platform. A tall and commanding man dressed in ancestral dragon robes and wearing a Heaven-Suppressing Crown stood there. Even his back radiated a majesty too overwhelming to gaze upon.
"I am the First Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng. I beseech Heaven to bear witness.For fifty years, my Qin has guarded the Demon Abyss from beyond the heavens.Today, Great Qin shall be founded!"
Ying Zheng raised his eyes to the heavens and solemnly proclaimed his offering to the heavens.
In the sky, a golden eye appeared.
Upon seeing Xianyang City, it did not interfere—its silence was tacit approval.
And sure enough, immense clouds of Merit surged above Xianyang, and atop them soared a colossal True Dragon of Fate. Its size and majesty were no lesser than the Black Bird of Shang. It coiled through the sky, overlooking the heavens with imperial might.
"With the founding of Great Qin as an Empire, we receive Heaven's Mandate.The Qin Empire shall last for eternity.This domain shall be called the Xian Qin Realm.The Great Wall of Chaos shall anchor our borders and our destiny.Where the Wall stands, there lies the territory of Qin.
Any race that does not submit—kill.
Any who dare oppose—kill."
Ying Zheng gripped a Jade Imperial Seal, turned to the world, and spoke aloud to the heavens.Each word carved itself into the void, never to fade.
This declaration, too, was broadcast across the entire Eternal World. Every sentient being could witness it.
Heaven is impartial.
The contribution of Qin was real, and so the treatment it received would not be withheld. Though Qin did not emerge first, the heavenly broadcast ensured that its name would be engraved in the hearts of countless beings.
"Astounding. Great Qin. Ying Zheng."
"To call himself 'I, Zheng'—one word, yet it casts a shadow over all future emperors.
The First Emperor of Qin… now the world will grow even more turbulent.But for our human race, this may not be a bad thing."
Yi Tianxing lifted his eyes to the sky.He wasn't surprised by Qin's emergence following Shang's. He had even expected it.He just hadn't thought they'd come one after another so quickly.But both Shang and Qin were not to be trifled with.They were kings of destiny, peerless in strategy, vision, and will.
The fall of Shang had not been due to Emperor Xin's incompetence but because of sages, the Heavenly Calamity, and forces at the highest levels of power who refused to allow Shang's continued dominance.In such a world, even Xin's might and ambition couldn't flourish.
Xin had seen the truth. That was why he became the tyrant of legend.Yet his talent may have surpassed all others.
As for Ying Zheng—Yi Tianxing never underestimated him.He had unified the Seven Warring States, forged an empire from chaos, and established a legacy that endured millennia.To call him the First Emperor was indisputable.Qin had gathered countless talents, generals, and scholars—absorbing the finest of the Warring States period.With Ying Zheng's temperament, he would never be content with merely one realm. He would launch conquest after conquest, and he would never act without absolute confidence.
His use of people was godlike.
Great Qin was destined to shine brilliantly. And no one knew how many trump cards Ying Zheng had yet to play.
And these were merely two ancient human empires.
Other races would not sit idly by.This era was ripe for expansion—authority had not yet solidified. The world was still in flux.This was the best time to rise.
"Green Emperor," Yi Tianxing said with amusement, glancing at the green-furred dog at his feet."Didn't you and Liu Qu once plan to dig up the Tomb of the First Emperor?You even found a fragment of the map, if I recall."
The Green Emperor rolled his eyes.
"Who knows? Back then, Liu Qu insisted the map fragment was a heavenly treasure, said it had to be real.But it was just one piece—we couldn't find the rest.Then you dragged us back.Now Liu Qu is still collecting the fragments.So far, no news."
It had been quite the letdown.
"Interesting…" Yi Tianxing murmured.If the tomb truly existed—and was related to this Ying Zheng—then the implications were extraordinary.After all, the treasure map was a Heavenly Treasure, meaning it couldn't be false.
Then the question became:
Was that tomb tied to this Ying Zheng—or another?
Either way, it made things very intriguing.
"This world runs deep indeed," he sighed, gazing toward the heavens.
At that moment, Great Qin's armies were already mobilizing, expanding control over the Xian Qin Realm.Their tactics mirrored those of Shang: claim territory, absorb population, and build infrastructure.
"Husband," said Cai Yan gently, "With Shang and Qin now both rising…it's likely more ancient empires will appear.Will Great Yi still be the leading Human Dynasty?"
Her tone was calm, but her heart trembled.
A sense of urgency had taken root.
"Don't worry," Yi Tianxing smiled."Being the first dynasty is impressive, but it's not essential.If we're surpassed, it just means our foundations weren't deep enough.But don't underestimate us."
"Though Shang and Qin have great strength, they've only just emerged.Population and civil affairs cannot be won by armies alone.They'll need time to digest and stabilize their new territory."
"Ten years. At least. That's how long they'll need."
And in ten years, Great Yi would have completed its layout.
Great Yi stood at the peak, and others would only be chasing it.