Don't be fooled by how easily the Dragon-Slaying Demoness was dealt with—Yi Tianxing did not underestimate her in the slightest. If not for his unexpected counterstrike, this time might not have ended in complete success. Even so, he had paid the price of enduring her Dragon-Slaying Needles. Injuries to the primordial spirit were far harder to heal than wounds to the flesh. Still, with the Reincarnation Holy Liquid, repairing this damage was possible.
But the peril contained within was something that could never be explained in just a few words.
"Was that truly the Dragon-Slaying Demoness's real body? Or did she leave behind other contingencies outside?"
Such a thought flashed quickly through Yi Tianxing's mind.
Regardless, for now, this blade hanging over him had been removed.
"Next comes a race against time. My Great Yi will never submit to fate."
Taking a deep breath, Yi Tianxing gazed into the void, his eyes unfathomable. Making the most of every moment to strengthen and develop Great Yi was the most important task.
"Now… it's time to use this."
As his words fell, before him appeared Dragon Orbs. On their surfaces shimmered starlight in differing numbers. They were none other than the Wish-Seeking Seven Dragon Orbs. Not just one set—he had collected three complete sets, from the One-Star to the Seven-Star Orbs, all gathered together.
Through countless means, especially relying on the mysterious auction house, and with unyielding persistence, he had finally amassed three full sets. The immense power contained within the orbs surged forth, vast and unfathomable.
"The plan must begin."
Yi Tianxing murmured softly, then waved his hand, putting the Dragon Orbs away.
"Pass down my order—tomorrow, a Great Court Assembly will be held."
The decree spread from the Immortal Palace.
Dang, dang, dang!!
The next morning, bells tolled in the Immortal Palace. A celestial staircase descended, and the officials of Great Yi ascended, entering the Observing-Heaven Hall.
Inside, the civil and military ministers lined up to the left and right.
"Greetings to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
As Yi Tianxing appeared, the court bowed deeply.
"Rise, my loyal subjects."
Yi Tianxing nodded, raising his hand in a gentle gesture.
After the formalities, Liu Bowen stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, why has a Great Court Assembly been called at this time? Is there some urgent matter to announce?"
All ministers turned their attention upward.
This was unusual. A Great Court Assembly would never be convened without great importance.
"Indeed."
Yi Tianxing nodded. "My Great Yi now holds dominion over seventy-two great realms, with a population numbering in the countless trillions. Yet under Eternal Night's deliberate suppression, the surrounding realms have become a cage around us. Expansion has reached a bottleneck; there is no suitable opportunity. The situation between the two worlds grows ever more severe. Though we expanded into dozens of realms, it was only a preliminary occupation. We must delve deeper, grow stronger—only then will Great Yi truly become mighty. But that requires time."
The officials all nodded in agreement.
Great Yi needed time. The path of a destiny dynasty could not be rushed; the development of civilization was not something achieved overnight. It had to be step by step, change by change, growth by growth. Power could not appear out of thin air.
Only with time's tempering could the sweetest fruits be harvested.
"Does Your Majesty perhaps have a way to resolve this?"
Xun Yu spoke up.
The officials' eyes turned toward Yi Tianxing, filled with anticipation.
"Correct. I do have a way. Since we lack time, then we will make up for it. If there is no time—then we shall create time. This assembly is to announce that Great Yi will soon enter a grand banquet of time. The Power of Time will shroud our entire domain. A vast temporal disparity will form between us and the outside world. A year outside… may equal a hundred years within, even a thousand. Therefore, our borders shall be sealed. The Iron-Blood Great Wall will fully activate, barring all passage. The Star Network will sever connection between inner and outer realms—no information from within Great Yi shall leak out."
Yi Tianxing's voice carried steady authority.
This court assembly was to prepare all ministers mentally for what was to come.
"Excellent, truly excellent! With enough time, what need have we to fear Eternal Night?"
The ministers burst into applause, eyes burning with fervor.
In just a little over a century, Great Yi had reached its current greatness. If granted further centuries, even millennia, what kind of world-shaking transformation might occur? None could predict.
And since the Emperor himself had declared this, none doubted the feasibility of the temporal disparity. Such a matter would never be spoken of lightly.
Of course, such a grand endeavor required sealing off the nation entirely. Great Yi would enter a state of closed borders.
Not completely severed, however—through the Star Network, Great Yi could still monitor the outside world, always keeping a grasp of the situation, ready to intervene if needed.
"Good. Whether we rise will depend on seizing this opportunity. The Demon Calamity still ravages outside, but Eternal Night cannot spare attention for Great Yi. This is our best chance. Together, let us strive."
Yi Tianxing nodded, and they began discussing the specific details of sealing the borders.
Once begun, the process would not end until the accelerated time cycle concluded.
In this era of war, even Eternal Night could not intervene.
The assembly lasted the entire morning.
When it ended, the ministers' faces were filled with excitement and joy.
Opportunity, fortune—this was Great Yi's destiny, and also their own.
At the same time, across the Great Yi border, the hidden Iron-Blood Great Wall erupted in divine light, instantly cutting off Great Yi from the Eternal World.
"What's happening? Why can't we see inside Great Yi anymore?"
"The messages aren't getting through. It's as if something is severing communication—must be the Great Wall's power. Why has Great Yi suddenly sealed itself?"
"Strange, truly strange. Something huge must be happening inside. Could it be because of the Demon Calamity?"
The countless spies and scouts stationed near the borders immediately sensed something was wrong. Where once information had flowed, now there was only a veil of mystery. The entire domain seemed covered by an unfathomable fog, impenetrable by any means.
Even great powers turned their gaze upon it, but found themselves unable to pierce the veil.
"This Great Yi… what trick is it playing now?"
They muttered in frustration. Even attempts to send messages to Yi Tianxing yielded no response.
But Great Yi's path would never bend to their will.
Within Great Yi, upon the Rainbow Bridge, Yi Tianxing stood with Cai Yan, the Queen Mother of the West, and the ministers. Together, they gazed over the vast dominion. Excitement stirred in every heart.
"These are the Wish-Seeking Seven Dragon Orbs. With them, we can summon the Wish-Granting Divine Dragon and make a wish. Any desire within its power will be fulfilled. Years ago, I made a wish once, and it came true. This second time shall grant wings to our Great Yi's ascension."
Yi Tianxing surveyed the many realms of Great Yi, then smiled.
With a wave, he brought forth seven Dragon Orbs. They shone with dazzling golden light, brilliant beyond compare. Once gathered, their spirituality stirred, becoming vibrant in a way unlike when separate.
Pointing toward them, Yi Tianxing declared:
"Wish-Seeking Dragon Orbs—summon the Divine Dragon!!"
Shua, shua, shua!!
The seven Dragon Orbs converged, forming a mysterious runic array. From it burst dazzling golden radiance, drawing upon the infinite power of human wishes. A majestic aura of Dao descended—
The Dao of Wishes.
A law of the Great Dao itself was manifesting.
In an instant, the Wish Dao merged with infinite wish-power, coalescing into a colossal golden dragon. A Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon, stretching hundreds of thousands of miles, its vast body blotting out the sun, golden brilliance covering the heavens, illuminating all directions.
Within Great Yi, every citizen lifted their eyes, beholding it clearly. The oppressive aura descended like the might of heaven and earth itself.
"What is that? A Nine-Clawed Golden Dragon! That's a sovereign of the dragon race. How can it be so enormous?"
"No… I remember—I've seen this once before. Yes, it appeared suddenly long ago and vanished just as suddenly. Now it returns, even more magnificent."
Memories resurfaced among the people who had lived since the earliest days.
The Wish-Granting Divine Dragon lowered its massive head, gazing upon Yi Tianxing and those on the Rainbow Bridge. Its voice resounded, calm yet filled with majesty:
"Respected master of a Destiny Dynasty… was it you who summoned this Divine Dragon?"
Though not loud, its words carried across all realms, heavy with awe. Yet in its gaze toward Yi Tianxing was no arrogance—only respect. For Yi Tianxing's identity was too great, even for the Divine Dragon to ignore.