A marriage alliance—between two forces—was indeed the simplest, most direct way to establish trust and cooperation.It was also extremely effective.
In terms of power and scale, Women Country was insignificant compared to the Great Yi Holy Court.If the two truly became neighbors, Women Country would not stand a chance. They would be wiped out in an instant.
Such imbalance made the people of Women Country extremely uneasy.Even if they were to migrate and merge into Great Yi, they feared being mistreated or ignored.Without strong guarantees, they would be helpless—no one to call on, no gods to protect them.
To them, Yi Tianxing represented the Sacred bloodline of Great Yi, a person of unmatched status and influence.He carried enough weight to speak on behalf of Great Yi itself.
He was no ordinary envoy.
His bearing, though not what you'd call classically handsome, was rich in power and presence.His cultivation, temperament, and authority all far surpassed expectations.
So when the Queen brought up the idea of a marriage alliance at court,many officials immediately voiced support.
If it succeeded, Women Country's integration into Great Yi would be secure and stable.
As for the Queen, she had no objections.In fact, she was deeply impressed with Yi Tianxing—from his identity, to his bearing, and especially to the moment she witnessed his might in battle.That image of his dominance was still burned into her mind.
"Yes," the Queen said softly, cheeks flushed."You and I. Our union will ease Women Country's path into Great Yi.May I ask… what are your thoughts?"
Her eyes shimmered like spring water.
Yi Tianxing smiled, meeting her gaze.
"Since Her Majesty has no objections, how could I reject such a gracious offer?"
"I naturally have no issue with a marriage alliance. I accept."
He understood perfectly well the meaning behind this union.
Even if it was only to reassure Women Country, it was worth accepting.
What's more, the Queen herself was stunning—no less beautiful than Cai Yan or any of his other consorts.
"A gentleman seeks a fine mate.There's nothing wrong in appreciating beauty," Yi mused.
Had she been unattractive, he might have refused.But with her… there was no reason to.
With both parties agreeing, the matter proceeded without a hitch.
All of Women Country rejoiced.
Red lanterns were hung across the cities.The people celebrated this rare moment of joy—after all, a man getting married was a historic event here!
In the palace, flowers adorned every corner.
The wedding banquet stretched from the inner court all the way to the streets.Anyone could attend—flowing feasts of spiritual delicacies provided by Yi Tianxing.
He used the Divine Food Table, where food could be drawn on demand, endless and abundant.
After all the ceremonies…
It was night.
Yi Tianxing was led to the Hall of Blossoms, the Queen's private quarters.
"Please enter, my lord. Her Majesty awaits."
A palace maid smiled and guided him through.
Beyond the beaded curtain, he saw her—a woman more beautiful than any flower, seated gracefully on a cloud-like bed.
When she lifted her veil, it was as though the heavens themselves bowed.
"Husband…"
Her voice was soft, laced with warmth and shyness.
"My name is Zhu Linlin.From this day forward, we are husband and wife.I entrust my future to you—may you care for me well."
Her words carried sincerity—a genuine surrender of heart.
Yi Tianxing gently took her hand.
"Linlin, from the moment we became husband and wife, our fates are bound together."
"So long as I live, nothing shall harm you."
"If there is only one bite of food left, it will be yours before mine."
He then added with a chuckle:
"But there is something I have kept hidden from you until now.And now that we are husband and wife, I must tell you the truth."
"What is it? Are you not of the Great Yi Holy Court?"
"Not even of the imperial clan?"
Zhu Linlin asked, startled.
"Indeed, I am not of the imperial clan…" Yi Tianxing said slowly."…I am the Lord of Great Yi."
"What?!"
Zhu Linlin's body stiffened in shock.
Her eyes widened with disbelief.
The ruler of Great Yi?!
This wasn't just a difference in nobility—it was a whole different universe of power and authority.
And yet, this great ruler had appeared quietly in the Barbaric Realm, traveling incognito.Was he not afraid of danger?Did the adage "a noble son should not sit in peril" mean nothing to him?
Her thoughts were a whirlwind.
And then, she remembered—
She had married him.
She was now the wife of the Lord of Great Yi.
It was almost too surreal to believe.
"Don't worry," Yi Tianxing reassured her.
"I possess a unique treasure—one that allows me to create a true clone,indistinguishable in body and soul from myself."
"Even if this body falls in battle, my true self remains unharmed.This clone would simply return to me."
"That's what gives me the confidence to wander the realms."
As he spoke, his features shifted—returning to his true imperial form.
"My husband… you really are the Lord of Great Yi…"Zhu Linlin whispered.
The change in his appearance, the aura of authority—it was unmistakable.
She had seen portraits before.The face of the Great Yi Lord was known throughout the Eternal World.
There could be no mistake.
"To marry the ruler of Great Yi… this must be the happiest moment of my life."
She smiled radiantly.
For women of the Eternal World, Yi Tianxing was the most desired man of all.
Seven out of ten would choose him, without hesitation.
Then her thoughts shifted.
"Husband… is Great Yi lacking in population?"
She asked seriously.
"Indeed," Yi Tianxing replied."Currently, we have around forty trillion citizens.With new waves migrating in, we'll reach sixty trillion."
"But to fully control the Bohai, Demon Sea, Caribbean Sea, and Dead Sea realms,we estimate a need for at least twenty to thirty trillion per realm."
"Even if we factor in local human populations—perhaps another ten trillion—that's still only seventy trillion.A significant shortage remains."
"The Dead Sea, as you know, is designated as a Yin-Yang Trade Realm—so it won't need normal population density."
"But for the rest—we're stretched thin."
This population shortfall was why he had set out to travel the realms himself.
He needed to find people.
Zhu Linlin's eyes sparkled with resolve.
"Then, I will stay in Women Country.We will not migrate."
"Instead, we will use our greatest resource—the River of Mother and Child."
"Its water allows women to conceive and give birth in ten days.
Far faster than the normal ten-month cycle."
"With this, we can massively increase our population in record time."
Her voice was steady, her will firm.
With this method, Daughter Country could produce a vast number of newborns in short order—relieving Great Yi's population pressure.
Yi Tianxing hesitated.
"But… isn't this method somewhat inhumane?"
"Wouldn't that reduce women to… breeding tools?"
Zhu Linlin shook her head firmly.
"There's no need to worry.This is how our people have reproduced since ancient times."
"The citizens of Women Country have no resistance to this practice."
"It is part of our culture."
Yi Tianxing sighed softly.
"If only the waters of the River of Mother and Child could be stored and transported…then we could truly solve the population crisis in Great Yi…"
Unfortunately, the river's water must be consumed on-site—it could not be bottled or moved.