"The Goat Battle Armor fusion is complete. The armor possesses divine abilities: Evil-Banishing Divine Light, Heart's Protection, and Triple Sun Radiance. It is equipped with the divine weapon: Goat Staff. While wearing the armor, the wearer can wield power comparable to the 8th-tier Dao Platform realm. Due to the host's current cultivation level, full 8th-tier strength cannot be sustained, but 7th-tier True Spirit-level combat power is available as standard. The stronger the battle intent, the stronger the power. Zodiac Guardians are connected by fate; their powers amplify each other. With each additional guardian, the amplification doubles. When all twelve Zodiac Guardians fight together, their power multiplies twelvefold. Though the Goat Warrior specializes in support, they are by no means weak."
The voice of the Goat Spirit echoed swiftly in Yi Shuo's mind.
These three innate divine abilities of the battle armor were all top-tier techniques.
Evil-Banishing Divine Light could repel all evils and nullify all techniques. As long as the divine light enveloped her, no harm could befall her. It offered supreme defense and was especially lethal to evil beings—much like sunlight to snow, their clash resulted in instant suppression.
As for Heart's Protection, it provided mental fortitude, soothing unrest, granting courage, and resistance to all psychological or spiritual attacks. It granted powerful defense against all forms of mental intrusion.
Triple Sun Radiance, on the other hand, was a healing divine ability. It could manifest three radiant suns, illuminating the surroundings. Under their light, injuries healed instantly—regenerating limbs, reviving flesh and bone. As long as one clung to life, they could not die. Unless killed outright, one would recover beneath this radiance. But it wasn't just restorative; if wielded offensively, it could become a deadly solar force capable of incinerating all.
Though a support-focused warrior, Yi Shuo now wielded a combat strength not to be underestimated.
"Zodiac Guardian Inheritance—Goat Divine Codex."
Moments later, a fundamental inheritance surged from the armor and fused into her. Like it had done with Lin Feng, it reshaped her foundation, transforming her cultivation and refining her life force to align with the Goat Divine Codex.
Once the transformation completed, she felt a complete unity with the Goat Battle Armor. At that moment, Yi Shuo had officially become the Goat Warrior. A sense of responsibility settled onto her shoulders—natural and undeniable.
"Look! Another divine light descends—it's another Zodiac Guardian! Two in one day? That one… looks like a pig. Could it be the Boar God? Who could it be this time?"
Before Yi Shuo could return, another beam of light erupted in the sky. It was the mark of another Zodiac Guardian's awakening—the third one.
This time, it was the Zodiac Pig.
"Zhu Fengchun, do you wish to become the Zodiac Guardian—the Boar God Warrior?"
At that moment, in Zhu Village, a burly yet scholarly-looking youth was bathed in celestial light. It was none other than Zhu Fengchun, who had once attended the Immortal Peach Banquet.
After the banquet, the Zhu family had moved to the Vast Sea Domain and fully integrated into Great Yi. And now, he had been chosen by the Boar God Armor.
"Me? A Zodiac Guardian… and the Boar God Warrior? Of course I do!"
Though shocked at first, Zhu Fengchun was quickly overwhelmed with joy. This was like a pie falling from the sky!
The Zodiac Pig had never symbolized laziness or foolishness—in truth, it represented courage. The reason Zhu Fengchun was chosen was because his fate resonated perfectly with the Boar God.
Even the Boar Armor felt a strong sense of affinity with him.
Without incident, Zhu Fengchun soon received the full inheritance of the Boar God Armor.
"Boar God Armor inheritance complete. The armor possesses divine abilities: Boar's Fattening Curse, Moon-Gazing Dream, and Heavenly River Falls on the Moon. Equipped with the divine weapon: Moon-Gazing Rake. With this armor, the wearer can exert power equal to the 8th-tier Dao Platform realm. Due to host limitations, 7th-tier True Spirit strength can be sustained. Power increases with battle intent. Zodiac Guardians are linked by fate—each adds a double amplification. When united, their strength is multiplied twelvefold."
The Boar God Armor's powers were no less formidable than the others—and perhaps even more ferocious.
The divine ability Boar's Fattening Curse was essentially a curse technique. Once afflicted, enemies would instantly grow fat like a pig, their body weight surging uncontrollably until it crushed them—absolutely terrifying.
After swearing his oath, Zhu Fengchun was accepted as a true guardian.
Soon, both Yi Shuo and Zhu Fengchun were summoned to the Rainbow Bridge, where they received imperial edicts and formal titles. Like Lin Feng before them, they were granted three days to settle worldly matters before taking up residence in their respective temples to begin cultivation.
"Interesting. Yi Shuo and Zhu Fengchun… that makes three Zodiac Guardians now. Looks like the pace of selection is much faster than I expected."
Yi Tianxing raised his eyes toward the sky. Only nine zodiac stars remained. At this pace, all twelve guardians would soon be in place.
With Great Yi's vast population, finding fated matches wasn't difficult. But naturally, only the best of the best would be chosen.
Yi Tianxing was quite familiar with both.
Yi Shuo—the Little Divine Healer—was a household name in Great Yi, not only known for her medical skills in Green Marsh City but also as a contributor to medical divine arts in the Eternal Academy, alongside Sun Simiao.
Zhu Fengchun wasn't just some ordinary fellow either. His name and fate echoed one particular character from an old TV series—a man born under the sign of the pig. Being chosen by the Boar God Armor was no surprise.
"A natural-born boar fate. No one can compare."
Yi Tianxing shook his head with a smile, though he secretly grew more curious about the others yet to be chosen.
Only Rat, Rabbit, Snake, Rooster, Ox, Horse, Dog, Tiger, and Monkey remained.
They were close.
At this rate, the remaining Zodiac Warriors were likely to appear very soon.
Yi Tianxing had no intention of interfering—he simply cast a glance at the sky.
"Emperor, the Empress, imperial consorts, and concubines request your presence at Hundred Flower Garden to finalize the list of chosen palace maidens."
At that moment, Cao Zhengchun appeared and respectfully delivered his message.
The Great Yi's selection of palace maidens was naturally a grand affair. But compared to ancient imperial dynasties, their process was far more streamlined. In the past, it might take months—sometimes half a year—for candidates to travel and gather. But with teleportation arrays, every eligible young woman across Great Yi could arrive at Xuanhuang City in just a single day.
Experienced court attendants handled the screening.
Appearance came first—any blemishes or disproportions were immediate grounds for dismissal.
Next came physical verification—ensuring purity—and background investigations. If a candidate's character was found lacking, no matter how beautiful she was, she would be eliminated.
Layer after layer, the filters were strict and swift.
Even so, the process progressed rapidly.
In less than two months, it had already reached the final stage.
Now, it was time for Yi Tianxing to personally make the final selection.
"Very well. Let's go."
Yi Tianxing smiled and nodded. With a wave of his hand, he turned and walked toward Hundred Flower Garden.
Before long, he arrived.
The Hundred Flower Garden was home to every variety of rare flower, blooming all year round. Fragrance filled the air—not clashing, but harmonizing beautifully. The environment uplifted the spirit.
And yet, today, the flowers paled in comparison to the beauty of the women present.
Dozens of young maidens stood gracefully on a large plaza within the garden. Above them, Empress Cai Yan and the other consorts sat in judgment, observing the candidates.
Their faces were calm and smiling. Several of them were visibly pregnant, their maternal glow making the scene even more serene. None of them seemed jealous or resentful about the selection—they were, in fact, amused by it.
Among themselves, they discussed their impressions of the candidates. Many of the girls before them would likely become their future sisters.
"The Emperor arrives!!"
An attendant loudly announced.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
All the ladies—including the candidates—bowed in unison as Yi Tianxing approached.
Even in formal settings, the women of the palace adhered to proper etiquette with natural grace.