If he were to participate, once word spread, he would surely be criticized by all the myriad races. Of course, Yi Tianxing was not afraid of criticism. The problem was that this Ladder Road was useless to him. He had already stepped off that stage; why should he jump back in? His status and position were already different. Once you step off the chessboard, you are the chess player, not the chess piece. This was the difference in perspective.
When Yi Xianhuang and the others heard this, their eyes all revealed strange light, along with a deep sense of pride and respect.
Their father's identity and position were already equal to that of Saints. Within Heaven and Earth, there was no existence more exalted than him. How could this not be a matter of pride? But at the same time, it was also a kind of pressure. Under such a halo, if one's mental resilience was insufficient, it could become a tremendous weight, making it hard to breathe.
"Father, I want to go to Buzhou Mountain. Since you cannot go, and in terms of status, position, and even strength, we juniors have a great gap compared to those so-called Heaven's Chosen, then let me go in your stead. Even if they are the top Heaven's Chosen of the myriad races, I wish to face them personally."
Yi Xianhuang spoke with a smile, her brows showing eagerness and anticipation.
Over the years, with the resources of the Great Yi Immortal Court, their cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Placed anywhere, each of them was worthy of the title of Heaven's Chosen. Coupled with various trump cards, when it came to combat, even the Heaven's Chosen who had once stood in the same generation as Yi Tianxing might not necessarily be their match.
With the backing of the Destiny Dynasty and the blessing of fate, their cultivation speed was simply too fast.
"Indeed. Since Father cannot go, this battle will be ours to fight in your place. If we don't go, wouldn't that allow the myriad races to belittle the Great Yi Immortal Court, saying that our dynasty has no one worthy? Rest assured, this battle can be left to us."
Yi Ziyang also stood up, declaring his stance.
To fight with the Heaven's Chosen of the myriad races, to contend for supremacy—just the thought of it made their hearts boil with passion, their blood surge with excitement. To miss it would be the greatest regret of a lifetime.
One after another, the others who had reached adulthood and attained sufficient cultivation also spoke up to request participation.
This battle for the Ladder was an opportunity that might appear only once in an era. Miss it, and the next chance might not come for a thousand, even ten thousand years. If missed, it truly would never come again. The Primordial Purple Qi was not something that could be casually brought forth.
The legacy of Pangu was not given lightly.
As the bloodline descendants of Yi Tianxing, their courage did not disappoint.
"Very well. Since you have made your choice, then you must also have the courage and preparation to bear the consequences. Since you wish to go to the Ladder Road, as your father, I naturally must give you support. Now, I shall give you one more chance to choose. This time, you may choose three out of ten."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly and said calmly.
"First, the choice of an Innate Spirit Treasure.
Second, the awakening of the Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign Physique bloodline that belongs to me.
Third, a Substitute Doll.
Fourth, a jade talisman sealed with one of my own innate divine abilities.
Fifth, a guardian Dao soldier.
Sixth, the forging of an Immortal Garden.Seventh, a World Seed.
Eighth, a River of Wish Power.
Ninth, one cycle of Reincarnation.
Tenth, a single wish upon the Seven-Star Dragon Pearl."
"You may now choose three among these ten. Each person can only pick three. Among them, the tenth—one wish from the Seven-Star Dragon Pearl—may only be chosen once in total. Consider carefully and make your decisions."
Yi Tianxing looked at his children.
His love for them was no less than that of any parent.
But a qualified parent must know when to protect and when to let go, when to guide and when to hold back. Otherwise, excessive indulgence would only harm the children. Thus, Yi Tianxing had always set strict rules: at the age of eighteen, his children must make choices, leave the protection of their parents, and walk their own path, blooming with their own brilliance.
Of course, he would also give them appropriate support.
This was such a moment.
Three choices out of ten—gaining any of these treasures would grant them the qualifications to tread the Ancient Ladder Road. They might even reap endless benefits.
The value of an Innate Spirit Treasure needed no explanation. To any cultivator, it was a supreme aid. Back then, after slaying that demonic war-weapon, the Great Yi had acquired thousands of Innate Spirit Treasures. They were once demonic treasures, but under the Pure Sound Treasure Tree, they had been continuously purified and refined. Now, those thousands of Innate Spirit Treasures were displayed openly in the Star-Seizing Pavilion. This was well-known throughout Great Yi.
Countless cultivators were desperately accumulating merit, just to gain the chance to enter the pavilion and seize a star. If fortunate, one could obtain an Innate Spirit Treasure—an enormous opportunity, a visible fortune.
Many strong cultivators had submitted to Great Yi for this very reason, willing to serve under its banner.
Thus, granting his children the right to choose one was no hardship.
Each option was a creation and fortune that ordinary people could not even dream of.
His children also understood very well that many of these things were beyond even their reach as heirs to Great Yi. They could not normally enjoy such transcendental privileges.
Now, each of them began considering carefully. The right choice could double the gains of their Ladder expedition; the wrong choice might bring complications.
"Father, I choose to awaken the Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign Physique bloodline, a Substitute Doll, and one cycle of Reincarnation."
Yi Xianhuang's eyes flickered with light, and after a brief pause, she was the first to speak.
None of them knew exactly how powerful Yi Tianxing's Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign Physique was, only that it was the ultimate physique forged along his path, a supreme war body, an unparalleled divine constitution that proved the Dao through strength. Once awakened, her cultivation and combat power would skyrocket. As his direct bloodline, awakening this physique was a supreme honor.
The Substitute Doll was a life-saving trump card in a critical moment. And Reincarnation meant entering the Reincarnation World within the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda. Although only a trace of true spirit would enter, the experiences there were real, the insights gained were real. For a cultivator, it was a tremendous opportunity, equivalent to living life anew.
"Very well. As you wish."
Yi Tianxing extended a finger, and Yi Xianhuang instantly felt an indescribable force surge from the depths of her bloodline. Her heart beat violently as drops of golden blood emerged. For a moment, she seemed to see a supreme Heavenly Emperor suppressing all heavens, covering the sky with one hand, surrounded by three thousand True Dragons. The shock and yearning it evoked were unimaginable.
Moreover, when the bloodline of her Immortal Phoenix physique met the Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign Physique, they naturally fused, evolving toward a special transformation.
With a wave of Yi Tianxing's hand, he sent Yi Xianhuang into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda. While her bloodline was transforming, she could undergo Reincarnation trials. When she emerged again, she would certainly have undergone an astonishing metamorphosis.
"Father, I choose the World Seed, the awakening of the Heavenly Emperor Divine Sovereign Physique bloodline, and a River of Wish Power."
Yi Ziyang made his choice.
The World Seed was no ordinary treasure. It could allow the opening of a perfect inner world within one's body—a supreme treasure whose value was no less than the Primordial Purple Qi. It was a shortcut on the path of proving the Dao through worlds. By continuously expanding the inner world, one could step by step break through shackles and ultimately prove the Dao of Hunyuan. Even Yi Tianxing had only one, obtained through rare fortune. Yi Ziyang's choice showed his sharp insight, already planning the path he would walk.
The bloodline awakening was naturally essential. As for the River of Wish Power, it was entirely formed of wish-power beads. A single river contained 1,296,000,000 of them. This was an astonishing number. Spread to the outside world, even great powers would kill to seize it. Wish-power beads could rapidly elevate cultivation, a universal resource of the highest grade. In critical moments, they could save countless years of accumulation.
For one walking the path of worlds, accumulation was key. Clearly, Yi Ziyang had thought this through: by relying on this River of Wish Power, he would quickly grow his inner world.
"Very well. As you wish."
Yi Tianxing nodded and granted the treasures with a wave of his hand.
Afterward, the other children who intended to join the Ladder battle also spoke, each making their own choices. Everyone, without exception, chose to awaken their bloodline. No one overlooked it. Within the Ladder, if fortune favored them, each might carve out their own path.
Yi Tianxing was very pleased to see this.
Eternal Night World.
Inside the Demon God Hall.
Countless demon gods gathered, each seated upon their respective thrones. Among them sat a familiar figure—was that not Yi Tianxie?
This was no surprise.
He had proven the Dao within Eternal Night, his body brimming with sinister aura, perfectly aligned with Eternal Night. He was the purest of the pure.
In Eternal Night, he bore the title of Myriad Evils Demon God. He even held a seat within the Demon God Hall at the very core of Eternal Night. With Yi Tianxie's identity and strength, within Eternal Night he moved like a fish in water. The fame of the Myriad Evils Hall had spread throughout Eternal Night, attracting countless powerful beings under his banner, all obedient to his command.
Normally, the Demon God Hall would never be convened lightly.
But now, with so many demon gods summoned, clearly something monumental was about to be decided.
In Eternal Night, matters that could alter its direction had to be decided within the Demon God Hall.
"How interesting. It seems Eternal Night is about to make a major move."
Yi Tianxie's eyes flickered with light, a smile curling on his lips as he murmured to himself.
"Everyone, this council shall once again be presided over by this seat."
At the head of the Demon God Hall, a towering figure appeared, speaking slowly.