With another transformation, the Palace Divine Tree appeared even more mystical. Each layer of its canopy resembled an independent miniature world—a self-contained space, a self-contained realm. From the outside, it didn't seem very large, but within, the canopy's space far exceeded what the eye could perceive. It was a true manifestation of "a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru"—a boundless world like the sands of the Ganges. It could easily house countless structures and vast expanses of space.
Most notably, the uppermost layer of the canopy was even more expansive.
Streams of innate primal energy surged upward through the tree's roots, rapidly absorbed by the Palace Divine Tree and funneled into the space atop the crown. The density of primal energy there visibly increased at a rapid pace.
What had been a temporarily halted expansion now resumed in full.
Gardens, artificial mountains, and lakes emerged one after another—picturesque beyond description. The beauty was overwhelming, enchanting any who laid eyes upon it. Even after ten days or half a month of touring, one might still not finish exploring all the landscapes. Every garden was crafted to perfection, each with its own unique style, designed with meticulous attention to detail to eliminate any flaw.
Every garden could be considered a work of art.
Though they differed in theme and design, the many gardens harmonized strangely yet seamlessly, bringing a sense of natural balance and serenity. The scene soothed the soul.
"How beautiful… So this is the Garden of Perfect Brightness (Yuanmingyuan). Merged with the royal palace, it has now become a part of it. Palatial structures rise like forests, and the sceneries flow like falling rain—so stunning," Cai Yan said with awe, unable to conceal the amazement on her face.
"It really is beautiful," Lianxing marveled. "Looking at it now, both in miniature and in its actual vastness, it evokes two completely different feelings. It makes you want to dive in and wander every corner, to fully experience the sights."
Mountains, rivers, and lakes—everything was present. Ethereal mists drifted gently, causing the gardens to appear half-concealed, as if this was a realm of immortals.
"It is very beautiful indeed," Yueyue nodded in agreement.
There was simply nothing to criticize. The fusion with Yuanmingyuan had enabled the palace to undergo a miraculous metamorphosis—rendering it utterly unique and without rival in the mortal world.
Atop the canopy, the surrounding region had completely formed an independent spatial realm.
Its size could be said to span thousands of kilometers—more than enough to accommodate the current royal palace and then some.
"And that's not all. I'll be adding another treasure to the palace," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
With a flash of light, he took out a spring eye. Within it, countless vibrant flower petals seemed to be continuously blooming and fading, radiating a strange, exotic fragrance.
It was none other than the Hundred Flowers Spring Eye.
"This is the Hundred Flowers Spring Eye. Once installed, it can manifest into a hot spring. The spring water will naturally carry the fragrance and essence of a hundred different flowers. Bathing in it not only allows one's body to absorb a personal floral fragrance—one most suited to them—it also lasts for days or even a month. The water has beautifying properties, softening the skin like water, and can even heal scars and enhance one's life potential. I plan to integrate it into the palace and create a Hundred Flowers Hot Spring that you all can enjoy. A truly perfect indulgence."
As Yi Tianxing finished speaking, he casually tossed the spring eye into one of the still-forming gardens.
Swoosh!!
The moment the Hundred Flowers Spring Eye merged, a new garden manifested. It was a hot spring garden, vast in area and surrounded by miniature mountains. With the fusion complete, steam began to rise from the spring, and within the mist, countless brilliant flowers blossomed. A scene of a hundred flowers blooming in splendor unfolded—petals drifting atop the water.
These weren't real petals, but rather spiritual manifestations of floral essence produced by the Hundred Flowers Spring Eye. It was incredibly magical. The scent lingered in the air above the spring, enticing anyone who saw it to want to bathe within.
A palace enveloped the entire hot spring—it was called Hundred Flowers Palace.
"Sisters, why don't we go try out the Hundred Flowers Hot Spring later? Let's see if it's really as amazing as it sounds," Cai Yan said, her heart clearly stirred. She had never bathed in such a spring before, and the allure of its benefits was simply too tempting.
"Mm, I can hardly wait," Yueyue nodded eagerly.
She had been looking forward to this hot spring since the Divine-Demonic Battlefield. Now that it was in front of her, the desire to try it was irresistible.
"No rush—let's have dinner first," Yi Tianxing said with a chuckle.
With a flick of his wrist, he produced yet another treasure—this one a fountain, glowing in seven colors.
It was the Rainbow Fountain, acquired from the Divine-Demonic Battlefield.
Rather than placing it in the royal palace, he dropped it into the plaza below, where it merged naturally with Xuanhuang City. It stood near the Moonwell.
Splash!
Waves of heaven-and-earth primal energy surged toward the fountain, and before long, that energy condensed into droplets of liquid—so concentrated it had become fluid. Each drop was pure innate primal essence.
The accumulation progressed swiftly. Before long, the pool at the fountain's base was visibly filling.
Then, with a mighty burst, a fountain jet shot upward from the pool—soaring higher than the Palace Divine Tree. In the air, it transformed into a dazzling rainbow, shining with multicolored brilliance. Countless droplets scattered from the peak and fell in radiant beams across Xuanhuang City.
The falling droplets resembled not rain, but light—a rain of rainbow light.
It was like something out of a dream.
The people of Xuanhuang City looked up in astonishment.
"How beautiful… Is this… a fountain? How could a fountain be so breathtaking? Unbelievable!"
"When it erupted, it looked like a real rainbow stretching across the sky. These beams of light—they're all glowing. I feel like I'm dreaming."
"It's a treasure! His Majesty has embedded another treasure into the city!"
"Wait, something's strange—this isn't ordinary rain. When the droplets touch your body, they enter directly into your flesh. My fatigue just vanished. This is incredible!"
"Yes! I feel so refreshed, physically and mentally. It's amazing."
As the citizens bathed in the rainbow light, their astonishment grew. The sensation was not just sensory—it was spiritual. Their morale and unity deepened naturally.
The Rainbow Light Rain, formed from condensed primal energy, brought genuine comfort and euphoria to all lifeforms bathed in it. It soothed body and soul.
And this was only daytime. At night, it would no doubt become a hundred times more dazzling.
"What a beautiful rainbow rain… Under its glow, even hidden ailments or injuries seem to fade quickly. It's truly a miracle—light rain formed of pure innate primal energy. Bathe in it, and you'll be free of disease," Cai Yan exclaimed with delight.
"Yes, the Rainbow Fountain will erupt once every evening. Each eruption lasts for half an hour. What you saw just now was only a brief moment—once the energy gathered. The true splendor will be seen tonight," Yi Tianxing explained, smiling.
This fountain was meant as a blessing for the people of Xuanhuang City. At night, they would be able to bathe in the rainbow light, washing away the day's fatigue. And after doing so, their cultivation would advance more effectively—with half the effort, twice the results.
A rainbow rain falling from the night sky—it was something one could only dream of.
But it didn't end there.
In the city's plaza, the Twelve Zodiac Statues—now fully assembled—accelerated their absorption of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy. Not just the Iron Ox and Spirit Snake; the other ten statues all seemed on the verge of evolving innate spiritual veins as well.
Unseen, their auras interconnected.
The twelve zodiac signs corresponded to the heavenly stems and earthly branches, and to the twelve hours of the day. As time shifted, each corresponding statue became cloaked in a mysterious power of heaven and earth, causing their energy-gathering abilities to surge, as if time itself had accelerated. The phenomenon was profound.
Anyone standing before the active statue during its corresponding hour would also be affected—their cultivation speed greatly amplified.
With the twelve zodiac statues anchoring it, Xuanhuang City had become even more formidable.
Next, a series of arrow towers, magic towers, and other defensive towers were deployed across the city, rising into the air and casting a powerful aura of deterrence.
They formed a defensive web with virtually no blind spots, able to react instantly to any disturbance.
Only after completing all this did Yi Tianxing, holding little Anning in his arms, walk toward the already-prepared banquet.
It was an evening feast.
Lai He's culinary skills needed no praise—every dish was a delight to the senses. Each glowing meal brought joy to Yi Tianxing's heart and soul.
After dinner, Cai Yan, pulling along Yueyue and Lianxing, headed straight for Hundred Flowers Palace, eager to bathe in the hot spring.
Yi Tianxing, on the other hand, quietly left for the core space of Xuanhuang City. He stayed there for half an hour before returning.
During that time, the Twelve Zodiac Statues in the plaza had silently shifted their positions once more—aligning their energies even more precisely.