The stalemate didn't last long.
In the sky, a flash of light—The Celestial Phenomena Dao Pillar collapsed in an instant.
In its place, four divine figures emerged, each shrouded in radiant divine light (shenxi).The brilliance was so intense that ordinary people could not gaze upon it, nor even pierce the divine mist.
To behold them directly was to court madness.
"Mortals cannot gaze upon gods."
To look upon something beyond one's limits could drive one insane.
But this was Great Yi—there were no ordinary mortals here.Everyone was a cultivator, and not weak either. With the Four Elemental Gods intentionally restraining their auras, most citizens couldn't see past the divine mist, but also weren't harmed by it.
Of course, that divine veil meant little to Yi Tianxing or the upper echelons of Great Yi.
They saw everything clearly.
And they were visibly impressed, especially by Dianmu and the Rain Goddess—truly worthy of the title "goddess." Their beauty and aura were awe-inspiring and carried an unapproachable sanctity.
"Thunder God!"
"Dianmu!"
"Rain Goddess!"
"Wind God!"
"We greet the Emperor of Yi."
The Four Elemental Gods exchanged glances, then bowed slightly toward Yi Tianxing.Their tone was respectful, without the slightest hint of arrogance.
They could clearly sense the formidable pressure radiating from him—and they knew exactly what it meant.
"Rise, Four Divine Ones."Yi Tianxing nodded, raising a hand to lift the formality.
"The matter of joining Great Yi should have already been conveyed to you by the Ice and Snow Queen.I wonder—have the four of you reached a decision?Does Great Yi meet your standards?"
This invitation had been extended long ago—through the Ice and Snow Queen.By now, the Four Gods had had ample time to consider whether or not they would accept the appointment and become ordained gods of Great Yi.
If they accepted, all the better.If they declined—well, they could still remain friends. These were four top-tier innate deities, after all—there were few in Great Yi who could match their strength outside of Yi Tianxing himself.
If they could bring the Four into the fold, it would be a monumental boost to Great Yi's foundation.
The Divine Path was, after all, another road to the pinnacle—with limitless potential and unique advantages.
"Great Yi is one of the most civilized sanctuaries in all of humanity,"said the Thunder God sincerely."Its prosperity rivals the stars, and its citizens number in the trillions.No other realm can compare to its grandeur.Its destiny burns like oil over fire—ascending rapidly.At this rate, it will ascend to Sacred Court status in no time."
His words were not flattery, but objective truth.
"The Sacred Court ascension ceremony will be held next month,"Yi Tianxing declared without hesitation,"on the 15th day of the First Moon of the Eternal Era's 50th year—just after the Lantern Festival."
"Great Yi will not only be the first Emperor dynasty, it will become the first Sacred Court under the heavens."
Now that the Four Gods Array had been broken, and the CelestialPhenomena Dao revealed, all obstacles to ascension had been eliminated.
Nothing could stop this step forward.
The Four Gods were visibly shaken.Though they had mentally prepared themselves, hearing the words "ascend to Sacred Court" still delivered a tremendous shock.
A Sacred Court was worlds apart from an Emperor Dynasty.
It was like a supreme holy land among sects—but even more powerful.
No matter how mighty the enemy, overturning a Sacred Court was no small feat.A Sacred Court could rule over countless trillions of beings; its sovereign could transform the world with a word, dim the sun and moon with a thought.
Even the Sages could not ignore a Sacred Court.
And now, Great Yi was about to become one.
The last shred of hesitation in the Four Gods' hearts vanished completely.
"We pledge allegiance to the Emperor of Yi."
They exchanged glances, then bowed once more—this time, in full submission.
This was no polite greeting.
This was
loyalty.
Surrender.
Devotion.
"Excellent,"Yi Tianxing said with delight."With your help, Great Yi will be even stronger.And now that you've chosen to join, there is something I must share with you."
He raised a hand, and divine power surged to seal the space around them—drawing on the full power of Xuanhuang Immortal City to block out all external perception.
The Four Gods instantly knew—whatever was coming next was extremely important.
"What is it, Emperor?"asked Dianmu, curiosity piqued.
If Yi Tianxing was being this cautious, it could only be something truly extraordinary.
"This concerns the very foundation of Great Yi,"he said solemnly.
"Great Yi is not a Heavenly Dao Dynasty…It is a Great Dao Dynasty."
His words echoed with an unshakable, commanding resonance.
"What?! A Great Dao Dynasty?!"
The Four Gods were shocked—genuinely stunned.
No pretense.
No exaggeration.
Just pure, honest disbelief.
Even the Ice and Snow Queen, who often visited them, had never mentioned this.
Of course, they didn't blame her.
This secret was too big.If even a whisper of it got out, it would draw the attention of countless great powers, provoke top cultivators, and enrage other races. The consequences would be immeasurable.
The Ice and Snow Queen had never dared breathe a word.
Only now—after they had sworn allegiance—was it safe to say.
But after the shock… came uncontainable joy.
They had thought they were serving a Heavenly Dao Dynasty.
But no—it was a Great Dao Dynasty.
This was like a golden meteor falling into their laps.
"Emperor… is this truly… a Great Dao Dynasty?"asked the Wind God with trembling anticipation.
"It is,"Yi Tianxing said calmly.
"Great Yi is a true Great Dao Dynasty.As we rise—Sacred Court, Immortal Court, Heavenly Court—all shall come in time.We will one day stand equal to the Heavenly Dao itself."
"To accept Great Yi's divine appointment is no shame.It is a heaven-sent opportunity.I promise you—you will never regret this choice."
Great Yi possessed endless willpower, oceans of wish beads, and immense destiny.
These were unparalleled advantages in comprehending and mastering the laws of the universe—the ultimate dream of any innate deity.
"So that's why Ice-Snow Elder Sister accepted the appointment…"Rain Goddess murmured.
She had always wondered—why had the Ice and Snow Queen accepted the title of a mere dynasty's god?
Now she understood.
The Nine Heavens Dao Sovereign likely suspected the truth and had tried to interfere, hoping to gain from it—only to be rebuffed.
"Of course,"Yi Tianxing added,"at present, there's little practical difference between a Great Dao Dynasty and a Heavenly Dao Dynasty.It's just a title—for now.But remember it.In the future, it will matter."
This title might not do much now.But one day, it would be everything.
"Now then—let us formalize your titles.Cao Zhengchun, read the edict."
"Yes, my Emperor."
Cao Zhengchun stepped forward with a golden imperial edict already prepared—ready to be unveiled the moment the Four agreed.
He ascended into the sky, unfurling the scroll, its golden light radiating across all of Great Yi.
Wherever citizens looked, they could see the divine decree unfold.
"By Heaven's Mandate and the Emperor's command:
The innate deities of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning,Having emerged from primordial chaos,Shall be appointed as the official elemental gods of the Great Yi Dynasty.
Let them govern wind and rain, thunder and lightning—Ensuring gentle seasons and abundant harvests.
Each shall hold first Rank Divine Status, Enter the Hall of Ten Thousand Gods,And partake in the incense and merit of the realm."
Every citizen could hear the decree in their hearts.
And they rejoiced.
"Incredible! Four new innate deities!They'll guard against disasters and bring gentle rains!"
"A golden age… this is truly a golden age for Great Yi!"
The people were overjoyed.
They looked skyward with awe.
WHOOSH—!!
From the void, the Dragon of Destiny appeared and opened its jaws—
Out flew the Divine Appointments List.
The list had two sides:
One for Immortal Officials, one for Divine Spirits.
Only a single name had been recorded until now:
The Ice and Snow Queen, titled Goddess of Ice and Snow.
Now, four more names were inscribed in glowing golden seal script:
The Wind God.
The Rain Goddess.
The Thunder God.
The Lightning Mother.
"Approved."Yi Tianxing pronounced solemnly.
The Xuanhuang Seal appeared and stamped the scroll.
A dragon's roar echoed.
And four beams of divine light fell from the heavens—Enveloping the Four Elemental Gods.