Only in this way, by treating the journey of the sages as an act of preaching, could it prevent other races from raising objections or speaking ill, and at the same time bring tangible benefits to the major human factions. This act of spreading the Dao was not interfering in the development of various dynasties, but entirely within the boundaries of the rules. It would not be restrained, nor would it make Great Yi the target of criticism.
Within the Human Race's Ancestral Court resided many sages.
Many of these sages had perished in the previous era, yet with the fusion of the Myriad Worlds and the projection of fantasy into reality, they were revived once more. Each one had left behind a renowned name in human history and had made tremendous contributions. Among them were the sages of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
The reason each of the Hundred Schools could survive and pass on was because they each had their truth. Their doctrines, their scholarship, and even their practices played an immense role in the development of the human race. Precisely because of their great merits, they were qualified not to sink into the red dust, but to enter Huoyun Cave, into the Human Race's Ancestral Court.
Through these years, they had been stationed in the Ancestral Court, watching the rise and fall of the human race.
Yet, having the opportunity to pass down their Dao line was of great importance to them. A Dao lineage was the inheritance of their path, and the wider it spread, the greater the benefits it would bring to them in return—an unseen gathering of fortune and destiny.
Afterward, Yi Tianxing also visited the Hall of Sages to meet with these human sages. After a round of conversation, naturally, all of them expressed without hesitation that they would go to Great Yi to preach. Everything was settled with joy.
Three days later—
Yi Tianxing and Chang'e left the Ancestral Court, and soon the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage broke through the void and arrived at Buzhou Mountain.
They did not ascend, for Buzhou Mountain had already been sealed. Even saints could not enter, let alone climb. They stood at the foot of the mountain for a while before turning the carriage back toward Great Yi.
"Buzhou Mountain has changed. Eternal Night fused the body of a top-tier demon into it, allowing the power of Eternal Night to merge with it and become part of the mountain. I fear that in the future, it will be very different from before," Chang'e said with a sigh as she gazed upon the mountain.
"Don't worry. Buzhou Mountain is Buzhou Mountain. It was formed from Pangu's flesh and blood. In this era, it has once more condensed through the power of all living beings' fantasies, evolving into something even more unfathomable, with Pangu's legacy within. A single demon's corpse cannot truly contaminate it. This fusion may not be a disaster, but an opportunity. After the trial, Buzhou Mountain will still be the Buzhou Mountain of our Eternal World—perhaps even more divine," Yi Tianxing replied with a calm smile.
Just a single demon's corpse wanting to taint Buzhou Mountain—this was but a fool's dream. If it were so easily corrupted, it could never have held the title of the Eternal World's foremost divine mountain. During their brief stay before it, though the aura was faint, Yi Tianxing could still sense a majestic will hidden deep within the mountain's core. The demon's influence was only on the surface. Inside, it remained unchanged. There was no need to worry.
Besides, Eternal Night never thought they could instantly corrupt Buzhou Mountain.
What mattered most now was preventing Eternal Night's prodigies from taking action during the upcoming trials, attempting to fundamentally alter the mountain. This was not only possible—it was inevitable.
The fusion of the two worlds was already destined.
And the importance of Buzhou Mountain was beyond all doubt.
…
Riding in the Nine-Dragon Imperial Carriage, no one dared to stop Yi Tianxing's procession, and in a short time, he returned to the Great Yi Immortal Court.
The very next day, an imperial decree spread throughout Great Yi:
"Now, the innate goddess Chang'e, virtuous and kind, is appointed as the Mistress of the Northern Palace of the Great Yi Immortal Palace. She shall stand alongside the Eastern and Western Palaces, enjoying equal status. Let this be proclaimed to all under heaven."
That very night, the Lunar Star shone brilliantly, and countless stars appeared above Great Yi. Waves of starlight poured endlessly onto the land. Across every realm under Great Yi, flowers, plants, and trees grew several times faster than before. Countless commoners felt their cultivation speed double under the influence of starlight. The joy of rapidly growing one's mana was indescribable.
"Long live the Northern Palace Consort! Now that our Great Yi is covered in starlight, everywhere has become a paradise for cultivation. My progress is many times faster than before. What once took a year to break through can now be done in just a month or two."
"Chang'e the Immortal Maiden—the legendary Lunar Goddess, the number one beauty under heaven—has become part of our emperor's palace. Not only that, she has brought us the blessing of starlight. Such merit is immeasurable. For her to be named Mistress of the Northern Palace is only right."
"Starlight has immense benefits for body refinement. It replenishes blood and bone, strengthening the physique. Under its blessing, our people will soon reach the third or even fourth stage of body cultivation. With this, our Great Yi will truly become the supreme Immortal Nation."
The people of Great Yi, with heartfelt sincerity, accepted Chang'e as the Mistress of the Northern Palace.
Even the other women of the Immortal Palace raised no objections. With this achievement alone, no one could dispute her place.
Within the palace, Cai Yan personally held a banquet, warmly inviting Chang'e. At the feast, the two conversed freely, laughter filling the hall, harmoniously easing any potential tension. Chang'e blended smoothly into the palace, becoming familiar with the other women.
Time passed quietly.
Historical Record: Eternal Year 160, during the year-end Immortal Banquet—The sages of the Hundred Schools of Thought suddenly descended upon the feast, celebrating alongside the Great Yi court.
After hearty drinking, Cai Yong, master of the Immortal Academy, personally invited the sages to the academy to inspect the skills and studies of the myriad disciples. The sages gladly accepted. Upon witnessing the talents of the younger generation, they were filled with joy. Thus, they held a grand assembly of land and water, preaching and answering doubts within the academy, leaving behind their inheritances. Countless disciples, bathed in the sound of the sages, entered sudden enlightenment, reaping tremendous gains.
Eternal Year 163, February—The sages departed, journeying to other realms of the Eternal World.
Though the Immortal Academy tried hard to retain them, they would not stay.
Through their preaching, in the three years that followed, talent in Great Yi multiplied, all fields flourished, and every school of thought shone brilliantly.
Inventions and creations poured forth endlessly, and Great Yi's transformation was as if renewed daily.
Though the Demon Calamity continued, its impact within Great Yi had become negligible. Unknowingly, Great Yi grew even stronger. The newly annexed realms integrated swiftly. Within a few short years, the sense of estrangement vanished. They became true citizens of Great Yi, transformed in both body and spirit.
Everywhere, people proudly declared: "I am an Yi citizen."
Meanwhile, the surrounding realms suffered ever more. On one side was the Demon Calamity, on the other, the pressure of Great Yi's invisible might. Countless top factions lay awake at night, terrified that when they awoke, their realm might already have become Great Yi's territory, their subjects defecting overnight. The fear was suffocating.
Yet to surrender willingly was bitter and difficult to accept.
A complex dilemma, unspeakable to outsiders.
Difficult.
Far too difficult.
The ministers of Great Yi saw all this, sneering inwardly.
"Those who recognize the times are heroes. Those who resist the tides of destiny will only be crushed into dust. Even if Great Yi does not start wars lightly, the sheer difference in scale cannot be stopped. To block the carriage with one's arms is only to seek self-destruction."
Eternal Year 163, August—A decree spread across the borders of Great Yi:
"Because of the Demon Calamity, many realms of our Eternal World have suffered barren harvests, with people unable to live. Out of compassion, His Majesty the Immortal Emperor decrees: the human people of the surrounding realms may come to the border and receive grain to endure these years of disaster."
Following this decree—
Along the borders of Great Yi, Immortal Cities were erected. These cities were negotiated beforehand with the surrounding realms: no troops stationed, no citizens settled. They existed solely as distribution points, where food would be provided to the suffering people.
This move triggered an uproar of joy. Countless families rushed to these Immortal Cities. There, they received ample grain, even long-lost meat. On the verge of starvation, they were saved in an instant. The stark contrast brought many to tears on the spot.
Their gratitude toward Great Yi surged to its peak.
This was the grace of saving lives.
Many declared then and there that they wished to join Great Yi and become its citizens.
But the overseers firmly refused:
"This mission carries an order—we may not interfere in the internal affairs of the surrounding realms, nor accept their citizens. This is the agreement made with them. Great Yi, as an Immortal Court, must keep its word. We are only here to relieve disaster and distribute grain. After receiving food, you may stay temporarily at the borders, but must eventually return home."
Everywhere, the same righteous refusal was given.
Only food distribution. Nothing more.
This left countless people who longed to join Great Yi with deep disappointment.