All things in this world are rooted in inheritance.
This applies to families, nations, and races alike. There must be top-tier powerhouses, but equally vital is the true backbone—the younger generation of elites. Only when such geniuses continue to emerge can a race demonstrate its strength and ensure a future built on solid foundations. These elites are the backbone, the strength, and the future of a people.
Much like a duel, where one must flex their muscles, these prodigies are the "muscles" of each race.
This Rare Fruit Banquet is precisely the place to flex those muscles—a stage tailor-made for the young geniuses of all races. Whether or not a race shines depends entirely on these prodigies.
This grand banquet is not only a convergence of other races, but also a rare gathering of human elites scattered across the battlefield. Even cultivators who would never meet in the vast Eternal Continent now have a chance to cross paths.
Look. Look again.
That was the thought of the white-robed daoist. Even though Yi Tianxing had already displayed formidable strength and deep foundations—clearly among the top of the human race in both talent and destiny—these things could not simply be seen at surface level. They required deeper understanding and insight.
So, even after witnessing Yi Tianxing's strength firsthand and speculating on some of his trump cards, he still had not made a final decision.
He was seeking a true wise lord—this could not be a rash choice.
"Still, I must enter Sunset City."
The white-robed daoist smiled faintly and made plans for his next journey.
To understand a force, nothing beats infiltrating it from within.
As for how he would enter Sunset City, that was no problem. The city wasn't closed off—human cultivators and even friendly non-human cultivators could enter freely.
Within a few days, the white-robed daoist had entered Sunset City.
Of course, once inside, he had concealed his identity and suppressed his natural aura. If he appeared with his usual grandeur, Jia Xu and the others would immediately notice. A true talent like him would never be ignored by the Dayi Dynasty.
By hiding his presence and restraining his aura, he was able to move freely through the city, silently observing the workings of the Dayi Dynasty.
Before he knew it, he had learned quite a bit.
Inside the city, the Dayi Dynasty's structures were no secret. With Yi Tianxing and Jia Xu's tacit approval, much of the Dayi system was deliberately made public.
"Separation of military and government. Nine-tier military system. Nine-tier official system. Opposing yet complementary. Immortal cities anchoring the wilderness. Perhaps the largest Sutra Repository in the entire human race, with countless ancient texts and techniques. Truly awe-inspiring."
"The Dayi Dynasty is fundamentally different from past human empires. Is this the nation of cultivators? A Celestial Dynasty—truly extraordinary."
In a quiet courtyard of a rented home, the white-robed daoist murmured to himself, deeply impressed. The more he learned, the more he felt astonished. This was a human regime never before seen in history. Though it drew on past traditions, many aspects were uniquely its own.
Time passed quietly.
Ever since the Stone Emperor announced the Rare Fruit Banquet and issued invitations across the land, the entire battlefield had been in a strange state of tension. The Divine-Demonic Battlefield, structured around battle cities, was now fragmented into isolated zones. Travel between them became increasingly difficult, making each city feel like a sealed-off arena.
The Evernight Army was simply too vast.
Every night after dusk, wave upon wave of Evernight troops would flood the battlefield, laying siege to every battle city. Though Evernight suffered enormous losses daily, so did the armies of the myriad races. By trading cannon fodder for elite Evernight cultivators, the cost seemed worthwhile to the Evernight faction.
In fact, it was a bargain.
Unknowingly, over two months passed. Now, only about half a month remained before the Rare Fruit Banquet.
Inside the City Lord's Mansion of Sunset City…
Yi Tianxing slowly opened his eyes. A deep, profound light flickered in his gaze. If one looked closely, they might glimpse a vast and boundless landscape scroll, shifting and transforming within his pupils.
"Good. The time has finally come."
He stood up, gazing outside with calm composure.
With the banquet approaching and the battlefield vast and treacherous, it was time to set off. The path to the Spiritual Mountain was dangerous, overrun with insectoids and Evernight soldiers. Any journey outside would be fraught with peril. No one could predict what lay ahead.
Stepping out from his meditation room, he found Jia Xu and the others already waiting.
"Your Majesty, are you departing?"Jia Xu asked.
"The Rare Fruit Banquet is near. If we don't leave now, we may not arrive in time."Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Then please take this umbrella with you."
Jia Xu bowed and presented a crimson Bloodfire Umbrella.
"What umbrella is this?"Yi Tianxing asked, curiosity in his eyes.
"It is an umbrella forged by all Dayi soldiers after hearing of Your Majesty's intention to attend the Rare Fruit Banquet. They contributed their merit points to exchange for this heavenly treasure from the Divine-Demonic Treasury. Afterward, every soldier dripped their blood upon it, infusing it with iron-blooded baleful aura. Daily, it is nourished with battle qi and bathed in the blood of Evernight enemies. It is a one-time-use item but of immense power. It is named the Bloodfire Umbrella. This is the Dayi army's only gift to Your Majesty—a symbol of our support and blessing."Jia Xu said solemnly.
This was not a gift they offered lightly—it represented the hope of the entire army.
"Very well. I thank all the soldiers of Dayi. I shall use this umbrella at the most critical moment. I will not fail them. The human race shall not be shamed."Yi Tianxing accepted the umbrella with reverence.
It was no ordinary item—it carried the collective will and blessing of the entire Dayi army. It was heavy, not in weight, but in sentiment.
Within his heart, a stronger sense of responsibility was born.
For these beloved soldiers, how could he not fight for the human race?
"If you're leaving, then take us with you."At that moment, Yao Yue and Lian Xing spoke in unison.
"This isn't just any banquet. If you come, I may not be able to protect you,"Yi Tianxing said after a deep breath, clearly reluctant to let them risk themselves.
"We don't need your protection. Are we some fragile maidens? If you won't take us, we'll find our own way."Yao Yue responded coldly, her tone unwavering.
"Take us. You are our man. Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. If you're going to this banquet of blood and fire, how can we sit back and hide in safety? If you die for the human race, we'll follow you to the Yellow Springs."Lian Xing added, her soft demeanor replaced with resolute defiance.
This would be a gathering of elites from across the heavens—anything could happen. The worst-case scenario was death on the spot. But in such a position, Yi Tianxing could not retreat. The two women had nothing to stop them from following him. If anything, they insisted.
Their hearts had already chosen him.
"You… really wish to marry me?"Yi Tianxing asked in shock, almost unable to believe it. For these two proud, aloof women to say such words—it was beyond unexpected.
"Did you think we'd marry someone else?"Yao Yue huffed.
"Of course not,"Yi Tianxing immediately replied.
"Congratulations, my lord. Congratulations, Your Majesty. Two more unparalleled companions have joined your side."Jia Xu laughed and bowed."Minister Jia Xu greets Her Majesties."
With that, he addressed Yao Yue and Lian Xing formally, making the relationship official.
Yi Tianxing, as the ruler of a Celestial Dynasty, had up to now only had Cai Yan as his empress. The royal harem was practically empty—unusual for a ruler. Most monarchs had three thousand beauties in the harem. Though this was a cultivator nation, producing heirs and securing the dynasty was still important. For officials like Jia Xu, such a situation was simply improper.
More women was no bad thing.