He wanted to build a world filled with love. In that process, he could wield thunderous methods, even world-ending ones—but only as a last resort, only when forced to cleanse the mortal realm and reopen heaven and earth. Now, however, the arrival of the demon disaster had dealt him a heavy blow.
All things are most frightening when compared.
Compared with other realms, the Moon-Worship Realm might not be the worst, but compared with Great Yi, it was heaven and earth apart. Most importantly, he knew very well that Great Yi Immortal Court certainly harbored intentions toward its neighboring realms. The reason they had not immediately expanded outward was twofold: first, most of their strength was tied down in the Well of Gods and Demons and Demon Abyss, warring against Eternal Night; second, they lacked a legitimate pretext for expansion.
In a single phrase—Great Yi wanted to save face.
Without proper justification, without a righteous excuse, they could not act rashly against outsiders. Great Yi had to preserve the face of the entire Immortal Court. They could not casually start wars; if they marched, they had to be certain they were the righteous side. They could not fight without just cause.
This was a restraint on Great Yi.
Otherwise, given the situation, Great Yi would have already sent troops to conquer. To launch wars unjustly would only consume their reputation, and in the end, gods and spirits would loathe them, fearing them like vipers and scorpions. A ruined reputation would be of little benefit for the future.
Great Yi had clearly moved past the stage of savage plunder and conquest; they had entered a new stage.
This limitation was also a manifestation of civilization.
Just as now, when the Moon-Worship Sect Master thought of saving the people of the Moon-Worship Realm, the first he thought of was Great Yi—not any other power. Why? Because of the good reputation and credibility Great Yi had cultivated all this time.
Even though the Moon-Worship Realm was already riddled with famine and casualties, Great Yi could have entered at any time, yet they had deliberately remained outside, not overstepping by even an inch.
This, the Moon-Worship Sect Master could not help but admire.
Since it was only a matter of time before they could no longer hold out, it was better to hand everything over to Great Yi and at the same time offer a favor. In this way, everyone would benefit. Moreover, it was an opportunity to integrate into Great Yi, to become a part of it, to obtain a better identity and deeper understanding of Great Yi. As a bargaining chip, he believed Great Yi would not mistreat the Moon-Worship Sect.
"With the generous treatment Great Yi shows to those who surrender, I believe rewards will certainly come. The Sect Master will be granted a noble title. A Great Yi title is no small matter—obtaining one gives a chance to glimpse higher realms and advance to greater heights."
Elder Shi, hearing this, did not object. Clearly, this decision was not outside his expectations. In truth, only by surrendering to Great Yi could they reap sufficient benefits. Only within Great Yi would there be more opportunities.
Endless benefits awaited.
This was the greatest chance to receive them.
Back then, when the Celestial Dragon Imperial surrendered to Great Yi, even they were ennobled as counts. How much more so now, with the Moon-Worship Sect bringing an entire realm into submission? If Great Yi failed to bestow an appropriate title and treatment, they would truly lose face.
"Do not worry—these matters, Great Yi will measure carefully."
The Sect Master of Moon-Worship spoke calmly.
Once more, he raised his head to gaze at the moon in the void.
As if in heaven and earth, nothing was more worthy of his attention than the bright moon above—the most beautiful thing in the world.
Almost as soon as he made his decision, one could see floating trains appearing above the Moon-Worship Realm. From the trains, massive airdrop crates descended, filled with all manner of supplies—the most important of which was food.
They were dropped toward various villages and cities.
When the crates were opened, the sight of white rice inside made the eyes of countless starving commoners turn green with hunger.
Meanwhile, within Great Yi—
By night, ministers streamed into the Hall of Governance.
Yi Tianxing sat enthroned, with Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, Liu Bowen, and others gathered within.
After saluting, Yi Tianxing spoke in a deep voice:
"News has just arrived from the Hall of Calamity. The overlord of the Moon-Worship Realm, the Sect Master of the Moon-Worship Sect, has sent word that he intends to lead his entire realm and all its living beings to surrender and merge into our Great Yi Immortal Court, willing to become one of our subordinate realms. My beloved ministers—what do you think?"
This news reached Yi Tianxing immediately.
Ordinary affairs could now be handled by the ministers, but matters involving the fate of an entire realm still demanded his attention.
"A good thing, a tremendous good thing! In my opinion, the Moon-Worship Sect's surrender and offering of an entire realm must be greatly encouraged. As the saying goes: a thousand gold for a fine horse's bone. Though simple, the effect is profound."
Liu Bowen smiled. "Our Great Yi has ascended to Immortal Court status; we must maintain the dignity of an Immortal Court and cannot casually conquer. But that does not mean other realms cannot voluntarily submit to us. The Moon-Worship Sect's act sets a precedent for others. Naturally, it must be rewarded—lavishly rewarded."
Once a precedent was set, it would be far easier to break the mental defenses of other realm lords. Ultimately, the balance in their hearts would tip toward Great Yi.
"Indeed, this act of Moon-Worship greatly benefits us and must be rewarded. As for ennoblement, I suggest a marquisate. A kingly title would be excessive, even with the surrender of an entire realm."
Xun Yu nodded in agreement.
Great Yi was now an Immortal Court, and titles within it had risen in value. Each noble rank was incomparably precious.
A count in the Immortal Court was equal in status to a king under the Holy Court.
Granting the Moon-Worship Sect Master a marquisate was already a heavy reward, surpassing normal standards.
"In that case, let it be decreed: the Sect Master of Moon-Worship shall be ennobled as a Marquis of Great Yi, of the Third Rank. Title: Marquis of Embracing the Moon. He shall enjoy Great Yi's offerings, be granted a Cloud-Realm Marquis Mansion in Xuanhuang City, ten billion Eternal Coins, a thousand bolts of cloud brocade, a hundred measures of pearls, a thousand bottles of elixirs. One month's access to the Sutra Repository. And a Innate spiritual treasure—the Moonlight Immortal Robe."
A flash of light shone in Yi Tianxing's eyes as he decisively issued the decree.
If he was to reward, it would be thorough—from title to residence, from treasures to even an innate spiritual treasure. Such generosity was astonishing.
Wherever the news spread, no face would be lost.
"The ennoblement is settled. Next, how to govern the Moon-Worship Realm will be up to you, my ministers."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty—we have long been prepared. With the preparations Great Yi has made over these years, not only one realm, but ten or twenty could be incorporated without issue. Our talent reserves are abundant. All that was lacking was opportunity."
Liu Bowen smiled.
For twenty years, Great Yi had not been idle. While fighting Eternal Night, its interior had developed steadily. Civil examinations held every three years provided a constant stream of talent. By now, the number of individuals capable of serving as city lords exceeded imagination.
From childhood onward, Great Yi had cultivated education, producing an endless surge of talent.
The ability to govern cities was no longer unreachable.
"Excellent. In that case, I entrust the entire Moon-Worship Realm to you all."
Yi Tianxing nodded again.
It was only one realm—he believed his ministers could perfectly bring it under control, making it part of Great Yi. As for the details, he did not need to concern himself; he only had to wait.
The next morning, as the sun rose, a Green Skyship appeared above the Moon-Worship Sect. Upon it stood Cao Zhengchun, shrouded in immortal radiance, holding an imperial decree.
"By order of the Immortal Emperor: The Moon-Worship Sect, with the Moon-Worship Realm, has surrendered to Great Yi Immortal Court, rendering great merit. Therefore, the Sect Master Shi Jieren is hereby ennobled as Third-Rank Marquis of Great Yi, title Marquis of Embracing the Moon. Granted a Marquis Mansion in Xuanhuang Immortal City, and other rare treasures."
Cao Zhengchun proclaimed the decree.
His voice instantly spread throughout heaven and earth, covering the entire realm.
Countless commoners raised their eyes to the sky, beholding the scene.
"The Moon-Worship Sect Master has submitted to Great Yi. Our entire realm has joined the Immortal Court!"
"This isn't a dream, is it? We—we are truly citizens of Great Yi now? We are Yi people?"
"Mother, why did you pass so soon? If only you had waited a little longer—we are saved now. Joining Great Yi means endless good days ahead. Why couldn't you wait?"
Cries erupted among the people—some filled with joy, others with grief.
A thousand emotions unfolded.
"Shi Jieren receives the decree. Long live the Emperor!"
The Sect Master of Moon-Worship appeared in the void, bowed, and received the decree.
At that moment, it was certain: the entire Moon-Worship Realm was incorporated into the Great Yi Immortal Court, officially becoming part of it.
Rumble!!
Almost immediately, the Iron-Blood Great Wall, long hidden outside the realm, manifested. The vast wall swept forward at impossible speed, passing through countless people and cultivators like an illusion, without pause. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared—yet in only a few breaths, the entire Moon-Worship Realm was encompassed within it.
As it enclosed the realm, countless Great Yi Immortal Cities descended from the heavens, each spaced three thousand li apart. As they landed, the local earth veins and spirit veins instinctively converged beneath them, forming complete spiritual networks. Invisible forces flowed, making the qi of the land more harmonious.
(End of Chapter)