This was the drastic transformation that occurred when cultivation powers were applied to daily life. Most wouldn't even realize it—just a shift in mindset could make the impossible possible by using a cultivator's powers in mundane affairs.
Take modern conveniences, for example. The same functionalities could be replicated, even surpassed, in a cultivation-based civilization. What cultivators lacked wasn't power, but a more divergent, open-minded way of thinking.
Open the mind, and anything becomes possible.
"With the perfect communicator Your Majesty envisions, achieving it is difficult, but not impossible," said Master Lu. "For example, communication capabilities—by embedding the corresponding runes from sound-transmitting talismans into the device, and connecting it to the StarNet, we could assign individual comm IDs and establish seamless long-range contact. Even if separated by ten thousand miles, as long as both are under the StarNet's coverage, real-time communication is possible. That part is easy."
"What's difficult is the video call function. It requires imaging and projection runes. Individually, these can be crafted with ease. But integrating them—combining unrelated runes—requires a mediating rune to harmonize them, sometimes even a binding rune."
"Then there's the scanning and detection function. That too is achievable with the right scouting-type runes. The real challenge is fusing all these runes into one complete system. If this isn't done perfectly, the conflicting runic energies will clash and interfere with each other. Rather than creating a functional device, you'd end up with something completely unusable—or worse, a rune bomb. Unstable rune integration could cause it to explode."
Runes were, after all, manifestations of Heaven and Earth's laws and Dao.
Blending different runes required a balancing act—something to mediate the differences. It wasn't as simple as throwing them together.
This required wisdom, trial, and error.
If it couldn't be perfected, it was better to create a basic communicator with a single function.
"No rush, Master Lu. You can take your time. The StarNet contains the Heavenly Eye. Once the communicator is complete and connected to the StarNet, the device's scanning abilities will be enhanced by it. If you can resolve the conflict between the runes, the communicator can be realized. If not, we'll start with a simplified version," Yi Tianxing said calmly.
He wasn't about to impose a deadline. Some things couldn't be rushed—no matter how many vows or oaths you made.
"No. Either I do it right, or not at all. Give me time, and I will craft this communicator," Master Lu declared, eyes brimming with unwavering resolve.
Nothing was more appealing to him than pioneering a new invention. This communicator would be a hallmark of the new era of the Great Yi Dynasty. It had to be flawless—nothing less.
"Very well, then I'll have to trouble you for a while, Master Lu," Yi Tianxing replied with a smile, offering no further discouragement. Without pressure, there's no motivation. Given Lu's skills, it was more than possible.
Afterward, Huang Chengyan, Jia Xu, and the others departed, carrying with them a sense of awe and anticipation for the StarNet.
But Jiang Ni was asked to stay behind.
"Mister Jiang, the topographic map you requested will be ready in a few days. What kind of geomantic formation are you planning to set up?" With only Yi Tianxing, Cai Yan, and Jiang Ni present, secrecy was preserved. This matter was too vital to be publicly disclosed.
Still, Yi Tianxing needed to understand the essence of what was being planned.
"Your Majesty, the formation I intend to establish comes from the highest level of my inherited knowledge. It is a supreme geomantic array known as the Landscape of the Nation—also called the Mountains and Rivers State Map."
—Geomantic Grand Array – Mountains and Rivers State Map!
This was the highest-level formation passed down through Jiang Ni's lineage. Once deployed, it would internalize the entire area it covered into a living embodiment of a nation. The emperor would reside at the heart, akin to a god. The formation would grant the sovereign the power to reshape reality with mere words—an unmatched divine might.
With the nation in my hands, all is sealed within a single map.
What made it even more terrifying was its ability to gather the energies of the land—rivers, veins of power, even mountain flows. It could coalesce natural spiritual veins and eventually draw forth a Dragon Vein—a supreme leyline of the Earth itself.
With this, each Immortal City would act as a formation node, anchoring and regulating the flow of spiritual energy. Around these cities, once ordinary land would evolve into spirit fields, fertile and saturated with spiritual energy, perfect for cultivating spirit herbs and grains.
This was a transformation from mortal to immortal.
It was subtle, yet perpetual—unfolding day by day, moment by moment.
More miraculously, the formation's power scaled with its size. The broader the coverage, the greater its might. So long as there was will and capability, it could expand indefinitely.
Even if the Great Yi Dynasty grew tenfold, a hundredfold in territory, the Mountains and Rivers State Map could keep stretching to encompass it. And the larger the dominion, the stronger the array. Eventually, it could even suppress the fate of the nation itself.
No one could predict how terrifying the formation might become if allowed to reach its full potential.
And most importantly—it was an imperial formation, usable only by the emperor. Even Jiang Ni, as a master of feng shui, could not fully control it. The power belonged to the sovereign, the lord of the Dynasty.
He who governs the nation governs the formation.
"A grand formation indeed," Yi Tianxing praised, his eyes flashing with light. "It's exactly what I had in mind. Jiang, as the Chief Astronomer, this task falls to you. I place my full trust in your judgment. If you need anything within the Great Yi Dynasty, you have full authority to use it. The placement of Immortal Cities and the flow of energy will be in your hands. I authorize you to act freely."
Trust must be given fully—or not at all.
This formation must be built. And the sooner, the better.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust. According to the records, and considering today's chaotic world, Immortal Cities should be placed one every thousand miles. Arranged in a crisscross pattern, and with the Mountain Driving Whip, we can reshape the terrain and stabilize the energy flows. Each city can draw in the energy from its surrounding thousand-mile radius, anchoring the wild lands. For an Immortal City, that range is ideal," Jiang Ni explained.
The capabilities of an Immortal City were more than enough to suppress and govern such a region.
"Good. One Immortal City per thousand miles. That won't be a problem, especially with the teleportation array network in place," Yi Tianxing nodded approvingly.
The transmission range was acceptable.
"I will complete this grand array for Your Majesty and for the Great Yi," Jiang Ni said, eyes bright with anticipation.
This was his opportunity. Although only the ruler could fully wield the array, as its architect, Jiang Ni would benefit from its latent power—his cultivation would skyrocket. At critical moments, he could even call upon its power, fighting far above his realm.
Building this array meant drawing the blessing of Heaven and Earth.
He left, already eager to craft the Mountain Driving Whip, a vital tool for reshaping the land.
Only Yi Tianxing and Cai Yan remained.
Smiling, Yi Tianxing turned to her and said, "Zhao Ji, now that the City Lord's Mansion has become a Royal Palace, even we haven't fully explored its transformation. Let's walk around, see what's changed, and pick a palace for you to reside in. As Queen, this is your right. You'll also need palace maids to help you decorate it however you like."
Upon founding the Dynasty, the City Lord's Mansion had evolved into a Royal Palace with dozens of grand halls.
One would serve as Yi Tianxing's personal residence. The others would house the Queen and concubines, according to custom.
"Since you brought it up, I am curious," Cai Yan laughed gently, her voice tinged with emotion. "This place will be our home now—it's only right we see it for ourselves."
"Don't worry. The Royal Palace isn't a prison. We are cultivators, not ordinary people. This place can't bind us. If we want to go out, we can leave anytime. It's just a residence. What truly binds people isn't walls, but the heart," Yi Tianxing replied with a soft smile.
"Mmm."Cai Yan's gaze grew gentler as she looked at him.
"Zhengchun," Yi Tianxing said, turning to Cao Zhengchun. "Read the imperial edict. Announce to the world: The founding of the Great Yi Dynasty—cause for celebration throughout the land."
The edict would declare the national policies of the Great Yi Dynasty and formally proclaim its establishment to the realm.