At this moment, Yi Tianxing couldn't help but wonder if the decision to open interracial trade markets should have been more carefully considered.
But then again, perhaps it wasn't necessary. As long as the alien races remained unaware of the coming Heavenly Catastrophes, the trade markets could be a powerful tool to reap even greater benefits. They could be used to acquire rare and unique resources from the other races. In fact, with the right preparations, the calamities could be leveraged to siphon wealth continuously from the alien races. Items they normally wouldn't trade away—under the pressure of disaster and the need for survival—would now be exchanged without hesitation.
"We must expand large-scale grain cultivation," Yi Tianxing murmured.Be it ordinary crops or true spiritual grains, every effort must be made to stockpile. The same applied to animal husbandry—they had to begin intensive breeding programs immediately. Material reserves must begin now. There could be no negligence, no delay. No one knew what might happen next or how long the catastrophes would last.
Under Heavenly Catastrophes, anything was possible.
Almost every catastrophe drastically altered the output of resources. Total crop failure was the most immediate effect. One year might be manageable. Two years survivable. But if it lasted three or four years, the result could be extinction.
Taking a deep breath, Yi Tianxing forcibly suppressed the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.The catastrophes had not yet arrived—this was not the time to dwell on them.
"Whatever comes, I, Yi Tianxing, will not be crushed. Nor will my Great Yi Dynasty."
He returned his focus and set the matter aside. Ultimately, all they could do was prepare for every possibility. Whatever came—soldiers meet with arms, water is blocked with earth. Until the end, who could say who would be laughing and who would be weeping?
Rising, he left the Hall of Heavenly Administration and made his way to the royal palace's rear courtyard.Still, he couldn't help but feel concerned—what would happen when Cai Yan, Yao Yue, and Lian Xing finally met? Although he trusted Cai Yan's temperament not to provoke any conflict, without witnessing it himself, he couldn't be completely at ease.
With the Grand Court Assembly concluded, one imperial edict after another was rapidly dispatched across all of Great Yi.
Thanks to the communication talismans, information could now be spread to the entire realm in moments—something unimaginable in ancient times. The news of Yi Tianxing's return with his army had already reached countless citizens, who eagerly awaited confirmation of the final outcome.
Had the human race achieved glory in the Divine-Demon Battlefield?Had they been humiliated by the alien races?The lack of clear news had left everyone anxious.
Then the first imperial edict resounded across the land.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the King proclaims:In the Divine-Demon Battlefield, our human race fought valiantly against the alien races and clashed with the evil entities of Eternal Night.Ultimately, we claimed the top position on the Hongmeng Ten Thousand Spirits Ranking with overwhelming strength.Though it may be an honorary title, it has immeasurably lifted the morale of our people.From ancient times, the human race has never been weaker than any other.Great Yi shall celebrate this with the entire nation!!"
The moment the edict was issued, it ignited a firestorm of joy across the land.
In every celestial city, voices of jubilation and celebration rose into the heavens. The sheer emotional intensity was staggering. That humans—who had long been marginalized—could seize the top ranking, was an outcome no one had dared to dream of.
From the outset of this chaotic era, humans had always been at a disadvantage—often bullied by other races. But now, they had achieved a miraculous reversal, claiming the highest honor over all powerful races. It was an unthinkable victory.
At first, many were stunned, even suspecting it was a joke. But after confirming it was real, tears of joy streamed down their faces.
"The human race is number one! We've surpassed all others! Our King was right—we're not weaker than anyone!"
"We've proved it. The alien races may be strong, but we humans can rise through effort. Even ordinary people can become powerful cultivators capable of slaying beasts and aliens."
"I'm going to train harder. Even if our current strength doesn't truly match the ranking, one day we'll make that title a reality. No one will dare question it."
All across Great Yi, countless humans shouted from their hearts.A wave of national pride surged, flooding through their spirits and invigorating their resolve. Everyone wanted to become stronger.No one wanted the top rank to remain a hollow title—they wanted the human race to stand eternally atop the myriad races.
Once they'd climbed up, they would not fall again.
It would be difficult.But they were willing to pay any price—even their lives.
Before, what frightened them most was the lack of hope, the sense that the human race had no future. But now, this top rank lit a beacon in every heart.
The human race is not weak. The human race is powerful. With effort, no one can oppress us.
"Come on! Let's go drink—I'm buying!"
"Let's celebrate! Eat and drink our fill!"
"Prepare the wine! Bring out every last jar and dish we've stored up. Who cares if the shelves are empty? We can earn it all back later. The King declared a national celebration—so let's make it count!"
"Discounts! All food and drink at seventy percent off today—even if we lose money! I'm doing it for joy, not profit!"
The celestial cities turned into seas of merriment.Bounty hunters, merchants, and citizens alike flooded taverns and restaurants. Many shops offered massive discounts, some even operating at a loss—but no one cared. Everyone was smiling.
This joy was worth more than profit.
If there was ever a time to describe Great Yi as a nation in celebration, it was now.
The deafening cheers echoed into the wilderness, reaching the ears of nearby alien tribes, whose faces darkened upon hearing the reason for the celebration.
"The human race topped the Hongmeng Ten Thousand Spirits Ranking? Impossible. They must have used some despicable trick!"
"Ridiculous! Those humans are too arrogant. They must have gotten lucky."
"Hmph. It's only the beginning. We'll see who's laughing in the end. Just because they laugh now doesn't mean they won't cry later."
Each alien tribe had its own opinion, but hostility and disdain were common threads.Most believed the humans had no right to the top spot. To them, it was all luck and deceit. Let them enjoy it now—they would weep later.
Meanwhile, the second imperial edict was issued:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the King proclaims:To select talented individuals for the human race, the imperial court shall establish the Imperial Examination.The examination shall be held in July, divided into written tests and practical trials.Whether you are a peasant or a fisherman, a craftsman or a guard—if you have talent and confidence, you may participate.The Four Books and Five Classics will be only part of the test.Let all under heaven take part with eagerness."
The news spread like wildfire.
If the first edict brought tears, this one brought excitement and purpose.
"The Imperial Exam! It's finally happening! I've waited so long!"
"This one's different—written and practical. If I excel in one, I could stand out! Twenty years I've studied—my time has come!"
"No thresholds? Anyone can participate? This will be a true gathering of the brilliant!"
Anticipation soared. The exam was not far off—right around the corner.
In a celestial city, inside an ordinary courtyard…
A young man in scholar's robes calmly flipped through a scroll. Despite the celebrations outside, he remained unshaken. Raising his head, he gazed into the sky.
He was strikingly handsome, the kind of man that even other men envied.
"The human race taking the top rank… it's not entirely good or bad. It depends on how we handle it," he murmured.
"But this Imperial Exam… I think I'll have to make an appearance. Great Yi's exam is different from others—it blends knowledge and real-world ability. That's intriguing."
A thoughtful smile played on his lips.
He wouldn't miss this opportunity. Only in Great Yi could one feel the true difference—here, the human race possessed dignity.
If one looked closely, they'd see that the book in his hand was a historical novel:
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms."