"I've seen the Emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty.His talent and ambition are in no way inferior to any other emperor, including you, Emperor Yi.The Great Shang was one of the ancient kingdoms. Before its revival, it suppressed a demon abyss with the full power of its nation.Its accomplishments are second to none, earning immense merit and gathering tremendous destiny.Its growth since awakening has been astonishing. Now, it reigns as the hegemon of the Shangqiu Domain, with countless great talents under its command."
The great cultivator Yun Zhongzi, now reincarnated as Yun Zhongjun, spoke solemnly.
"Shang Rong, Bigan, Wen Zhong, Huang Feihu, Mei Bo, Zhao Qi, Deng Jiugong…The Shang court boasts an enormous number of civil and military officials—each one a prodigious genius,and their strength is formidable.With the great fortune of the World Fusion, they've all been revived.Combined with their elite troops, there's none in the Shangqiu Domain who can oppose them.From what I know, the Great Shang has already pacified the entire domain.It now governs a trillion human beings.The non-human races have been driven into the wilderness.Their control is absolute.They are now vigorously developing the people's livelihood.The destiny of the Great Shang is steadily rising."
Yun Zhongjun's words were filled with genuine admiration.
"Today's Emperor Zhou is no longer the same as in ancient times.He is no longer a muddled tyrant but a diligent and wise ruler.He's established a complete imperial system based on the Two Chancellors, Nine Ministers, and Six Departments.He's preparing to launch the Imperial Examination System to select talent.He draws close to virtuous officials and distances himself from petty men—undeniably a ruler of grand vision and strategy.
I once saw Emperor Xin from afar and can say with certainty:
his cultivation is extremely deep.
Most likely, he is at the peak of the True Spirit Realm.
Whether this is his true cultivation or not—only he himself truly knows."
Yun Zhongjun sighed as he spoke.
The True Spirit Realm wasn't considered weak at all.Of course, emperors who walked the path of Fortune Dynasties were often the most adept at concealing their strength.They always had hidden trump cards.
What you see on the surface—don't take it at face value.Trusting it blindly is courting death.
Back during the Investiture of the Gods, Emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty appeared to be a foolish ruler—but was that not a calculated act?
He had long realized that the battle wasn't truly between Shang and Xiqi, but rather a contest among Sages.
Even if the Great Shang gave its all and Emperor Zhou played the wise ruler, it would only exhaust the human race's vitality without changing the end result.
"Investiture of the Gods… they were merely pawns.They never had the power to decide the outcome.In the face of Sages, even if you do everything right, it changes nothing.So, why not play the fool—let the disciples of the Three Sects fight each other to death,and preserve at least some of the human race's foundation."
Had the Shang truly mobilized at full strength, with its overwhelming reputation and talent, how could Xiqi have ever overthrown them?
That was Emperor Xin's personal choice.
Otherwise, that war would've looked very different.
"Whether a nation thrives or falls, it is the people who suffer."
But none of that negates the fact that Emperor Xin was a masterful ruler.
Though history labeled him a tyrant, the mighty cultivators present all understood what Yun Zhongjun meant.
"But how did the Great Shang manage to gather a trillion human citizens in the Shangqiu Domain?"Yi Tianxing asked, genuinely surprised.
After all, without his continuous population transfer from the Divine-Demon Battlefield, even the Hanhai Domain wouldn't contain that many people.Population growth takes time—this isn't like pigs birthing a dozen at a time.
How could Shang grow so fast?
"Heh, the Shang is no fool,"Yun Zhongjun chuckled."They likely possessed a small thousand world, in which they had long been raising and gathering their people.While suppressing the demon abyss, they were also reproducing in secret.Now that they control the Shangqiu Domain, they simply released their stored population.That gave them the foundation to ascend directly to an Imperial Dynasty.Otherwise, there's no way they'd dare—such a move, without solid backing, would be seen as a joke.Also, the Shang possesses unique methods for accelerating reproduction."
Without deep reserves, there's no way to secure such a lofty status.If done recklessly, one would fall from grace immediately, making a fool of oneself.
Most wouldn't dare attempt it lightly.
"I've also seen Ying Zheng, the Emperor of Qin,"added the Carefree Wanderer.
"He was born to rule—his talent, vision, bearing, and ambition are among the highest.No one could match his strategic depth.The Immortal Qin Empire is governed by strict law and order,and its officials—both civil and military—are the cream of the crop."
The list of legendary Qin-era figures was dazzling:
Bai Qi, Lü Buwei, Shang Yang, Jing Jian, Gan Ying, Ying Qian, Li Si, Wang Jian, Wang Ben, Wang Li, Meng Tian, Li Xin…
It was an age of brilliance.
In the Immortal Qin, they too had an independent small thousand world to allow population growth.Their total population was no less than that of the Shang—perhaps even greater.
With such a massive pool of talent, Qin had already brought its entire domain under control.
Qin's policies were iron-fisted:
Anyone who resisted was annihilated.
All non-human races were enslaved, branded with slavery seals, and sent to forced labor across the empire.
They ruled with an iron grip—but few dared to challenge them.
Moreover, the Immortal Qin focused intensely on the Art of Constructs, producing countless mechanized Qin Clay Soldiers—each uniquely powerful.
Their civilization was also extraordinary, drawing from the philosophies of the Hundred Schools and fusing them into every corner of daily life—resulting in constant innovation and magical evolution.
"With Ying Zheng's ambition, he won't remain confined to the Qin Domain.He's already begun investigating nearby territories.A bloody conquest is surely approaching,"Carefree Wanderer sighed.
Other great powers also began sharing their insights about the Fortune Dynasties they had seen.
They spoke like collectors sharing their prized treasures.
For example:
Great Xia's Nine Cauldrons were said to each contain an independent world,where vast populations continued to grow.These national artifacts were unimaginably powerful.
Other dynasties included those of non-human races—and there were many.
Yi Tianxing listened silently, but his vision had clearly broadened.He couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
This world is far greater than I imagined… I need to travel, explore more, and see it for myself.
"Once Great Yi completes its ascension and stabilizes,I'll begin my next Immortal Journey.Only through travel can one broaden horizons, gain experience, and discover new opportunities."
This thought surfaced naturally in Yi Tianxing's heart.
The Immortal Travel Talisman had long since recovered its power.He could depart at any time.
But due to endless obligations, he had been unable to spare the time—until now.
Once the ascension to Sacred Court was complete, Great Yi would enter a stable phase, and he could finally venture out again.
After a bit more discussion, the grand gathering came to an end.
Yi Tianxing opened the connection between that isolated realm and the outside world.A portal appeared—anyone who stepped through it could enter Great Yi's territory.
Many of the powerful cultivators present had only heard of Great Yi.Few had witnessed it personally.Now that they had the chance, they naturally wouldn't let it pass.
"Over a thousand great cultivators…If even a fraction leaves behind their legacies within Great Yi,that alone would be an incredible fortune,"Yi Tianxing said with a deep, thoughtful smile.
The benefits from this gathering were immeasurable.
Among the exchanged treasures were numerous rare artifacts, many of which Great Yi had never possessed before.They would greatly enrich the imperial collection of scriptures.
Some of the most unique items included:
Card-Crafting Machines
Telescopic Eyes
Magnifying Lenses
Miniaturizing Lenses
Confidential Writing Pens
While these may not seem powerful at first glance, in the right hands, they could rival even the greatest of treasures.
Time passed quietly.
The arrival of so many powerful beings caused no disturbances—they kept their identities and cultivations hidden as they explored the realm.
Without noticing it, New Year's Eve arrived.
The Immortal Delicacy Banquet was formally held.
This year, the event was larger than ever before.The number of participants broke all previous records—including the visiting great cultivators.
The banquet went without a hitch—laughter and merriment abounded.
Even Dao Lord Changsheng and others praised Great Yi's cuisine and exotic fruits.Compared to the famed Jade Wine and Immortal Food of the Heavenly Court—it was every bit its equal… if not superior.
When the banquet concluded, the world formally entered the
Fiftieth Year of the Eternal Calendar.
Afterward, the various city lords returned to their own Immortal Cities, swiftly putting affairs in order.
Unbeknownst to many, a subtle aura had begun to spread.
In every Immortal City, the citizens' eyes shone with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
Great Yi is about to ascend to Sacred Court.
What will happen next—no one knows.