"Senior Carefree Wanderer."
Upon seeing the seven-colored butterfly, a faint smile appeared on Yi Tianxing's lips. He nodded slightly in greeting.
"Emperor Yi's elegance remains as impressive as ever. In such a short time, you've ascended to the Dao Platform Realm, and even forged your own altar. Truly worthy of the title of peerless genius."
A flash of light shimmered from the butterfly as a Daoist appeared—none other than a manifestation of Zhuang Zhou, the Carefree Wanderer.
"Just a modest breakthrough,"Yi Tianxing replied calmly."Nothing compared to your accomplishments, Senior."
The aura surrounding the Carefree Wanderer clearly placed him in the Dao Platform Realm as well, not significantly stronger than Yi Tianxing on the surface. However, his presence carried an ocean-like depth, vast and unfathomable.
After all, this was Zhuang Zhou's second body. Even if he had to start cultivation anew, his comprehension and insights remained at a level far beyond ordinary. It allowed him to progress at astonishing speed.
Of course, if they truly fought now, Yi Tianxing wouldn't fear him.
At the same realm, he never considered himself weaker than anyone.
"There's no need for false modesty, Emperor Yi. Your strength is evident to all.
What's more, your Great Yi Dynasty is thriving—flourishing like fire on oil. The Sacred Court is now within reach. Once you ascend, Great Yi will surely secure a rightful place in this Eternal World."
The Carefree Wanderer smiled with sincere admiration.
He still remembered how Yi Tianxing had charged into the Eternal Night battlefield when no one else dared. And not only dared—he succeeded. For decades, he wreaked havoc in enemy territory, delivering deep and irreparable wounds to Eternal Night. The resulting deterrent effect far surpassed the actual destruction caused.
The psychological blow to Eternal Night's many races still lingered today.
And now, to have reached the Dao Platform Realm in such a short time… it proved the old adage: "Times shape heroes."
Of course, this wasn't something talent alone could achieve. To ascend to this level, you needed fate and fortune, plus the resources to gather the various heavenly treasures required for forging an altar. Without them, even the most talented cultivator would be stuck.
But Yi Tianxing—favored by fate, backed by Great Yi's vast resources—was anything but ordinary.
"Naturally, Great Yi intends to reach the level of a Sacred Court.But we still need a little more time to ripen—more groundwork must be laid."
Yi Tianxing's tone was calm and composed.
"Governing a vast nation is like cooking a delicate dish"—every step must be measured. Not too big, not too small.
Stability and accumulation come first.
"You're worried about the Nine Heavens Dao Lord,"the Carefree Wanderer said with a knowing smile.
"It seems Pure Yang Sword Immortal has already shared what happened,"Yi Tianxing said, unsurprised.
He had never asked them to keep it secret. On the contrary, he wanted the story to spread. The more the Nine Heavens Dao Lord's reputation was at stake, the more hesitant he might be to act recklessly.
After all, those Pure Yang experts mingled with the most elite circles—the level of Saints and ancestral patriarchs. Even the Dao Lord had to tread carefully among them.
While it wouldn't necessarily stop the Dao Lord, it would at least add friction.
"Heh, you can't keep such events hidden for long,"the Carefree Wanderer said."The Dao Lord may be exalted, but the world holds many other great powers.
The patriarchs of the top sects, the founders of alien races—they all possess Saint-level might. Even the Nine Heavens Dao Lords would hesitate to act personally. The backlash might be more than they could bear."
Great Yi was no backwater. Despite being separated by countless realms, it was still under the observation of powerful entities across the cosmos.
"Great Yi isn't so easily bullied."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Even if the Dao Lord acts personally—I'll make him cough up blood."
"I came this time to warn you. Ascending to Sacred Court isn't simple—it may trigger calamities you can't imagine. You're a pioneer in the Dao of Fortune Dynasties. What trials await can only be known by walking the path yourself.
Just… stay vigilant."
The Carefree Wanderer offered his sincere advice.
He truly didn't wish to see Yi Tianxing fall short—his demise would be a loss not only for the human race, but for the entire Eternal World.
"Since you're here, why not stay for a proper feast later?
We've recently gathered some rare delicacies—Gemstone Meat among them.Paired with Dukang's Immortal Wine, we'll have a fine time chatting."
Yi Tianxing smiled warmly, expressing his goodwill.
"That… I wouldn't mind,"the Carefree Wanderer's eyes lit up.
Great Yi's cuisine was legendary. The last time he tasted it, he'd never forgotten. Especially Gemstone Meat—a top-tier delicacy among all ingredients.
"However, I also came to tell you this: The time of the Gathering of the Mighty must now be finalized."
"Then let's set it for next month,"Yi Tianxing said decisively."I'll handle the arrangements. Everyone may come as they please."
The Gathering of the Mighty he referred to was the one he had attended previously—a meeting of mighty beings, among the highest-level circles in existence.
At the last meeting, it had been decided that the next host would be Yi Tianxing—a huge honor and opportunity.
To host it within Great Yi would be tremendously beneficial:
Knowledge exchange
Strategic alliances
Personal connections
Even without discussing Dao or trading treasures, the social ties alone were priceless.
"The invitation token is a connate spiritual treasure.It has no combat function, but it allows instant teleportation from any region.
If you handle this well, it could become a turning point for Great Yi.Many attendees are extremely interested in what your dynasty has to offer."
The Carefree Wanderer reminded him:
"Also—this time, many more will attend than last time. Be prepared."
"No matter how many come, I'll make sure they feel right at home."
Yi Tianxing spoke with confidence.
"Excellent,"the Carefree Wanderer smiled.
Then his body shimmered with light once more, transforming back into a seven-colored butterfly that fluttered lightly through the sky.
His voice echoed faintly in the air:
"I'll go tour some of Great Yi's fairy cities.This beautiful mortal world… truly a paradise of freedom."
And just like that, the butterfly vanished, free and unbound.
Those who attended the Gathering were all mighty experts, many of whom had been famous in the previous era—such as Zhen Yuanzi. If even a few of them left behind inheritances or teachings within Great Yi, it would become a tremendous advantage.
Leaving an inheritance also forged a bond—a subtle connection to Great Yi's fate.
And those bonds might become future pillars of strength for the dynasty.
With Great Yi's current prosperity and momentum, many great cultivators were already tempted to invest a stake in its future. That kind of soft alliance would act as a ticket onto the grand stage of the Eternal World.
This realm—like all others—was built on circles.
If you were outside the circle, entering would require tenfold the effort and cost.
But if you were inside, it was easy—natural progression.
The Heavenly Palace's gatherings, the mysterious auction houses—all were inner circles.
This Gathering of the Mighty was the same.
If Great Yi could bring more of these powerhouses into its camp, it would gain access to higher platforms. Even if Great Yi didn't depend on them, they would still greatly reduce the cost of expansion—shortcuts on the path to greatness.
And who wouldn't take a shortcut, if they could?
"They're bridges—mutually beneficial ones.I believe they'll make the right choice."
Yi Tianxing looked up at the sky, thoughts racing.
He looked forward to discovering who would attend this time—perhaps some names he'd only heard in legend.
"Master, you must be thirsty! Your most loyal subject—the Green Emperor—has brought your favorite Jade Spirit Tea. Please try it!"
A voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
The Green Emperor stood upright like a man, holding a floating teapot in front of him with invisible force. He wore a pleased grin, eyes full of flattery.
Yi Tianxing turned and chuckled as he glanced westward.
"Green Emperor, I was starting to think the sun had risen from the west.What brings you here being so helpful?Not off playing with your dog-girls?"
"Hehehe, Master, I was just missing you."
The Green Emperor grinned, completely shameless.