"Husband, don't tell me you're planning to go out and flirt with other women," Yao Yue said, looking at Yi Tianxing with deep suspicion.
Yi Tianxing's expression froze for a moment, then he replied solemnly, "Of course not. How could women from the outside compare to my three beloved wives? Besides, this time I truly want to take you all with me to tour the magnificent landscapes of Da Yi—to see the scenery, the customs, and the people. This is our foundation. If we don't explore it ourselves, it would feel incomplete."
They were cultivators, and Da Yi was a cultivation-based empire, vastly different from mundane dynasties.
In an ordinary kingdom, the emperor might appear lofty, but in truth, he was confined within the palace, rarely venturing out due to the costs and safety concerns. Inside the palace, even those with rebellious thoughts could hardly pose a threat. But once outside, even the tightest security could falter, creating potential for deadly danger.
While emperors dying from assassination were rare, those who had been attacked were not.
Because of this, many emperors remained trapped within their palaces for life, never stepping foot outside their capital—sometimes not even outside the palace itself. Though they held supreme power, weren't they no different from prisoners locked in a golden cage? That cage was made of power... and life and death.
But Yi Tianxing refused to become such an emperor. He was the ruler of Da Yi, but also a supreme powerhouse. His strength was unrivaled within Da Yi—few could even pose a threat to him. His confidence stemmed from power.
The territory of Da Yi was his domain. Standing within it, he could draw upon its power far beyond what he could elsewhere—his strength was virtually limitless.
This was one of the abilities granted by the Map of Rivers and Mountains of the Nation (Jiangshan Sheji Tu).
As the ruler of a Destiny Dynasty (Yun Dynasty), he was the master of Heaven and Earth. Whether in the palace or beyond, Heaven's power protected him. An assassination attempt? Wishful thinking. His strength would remain undiminished regardless of location.
Besides, he was curious to see how many of the alien races within Da Yi would dare to reveal themselves—how many would jump out to try and kill him.
"Alright," Cai Yan said with a smile. "There's nothing urgent right now. The imperial examination is still about a month away. A trip to clear our minds and admire the beauty of Da Yi sounds good."
"I'd love to see the other immortal cities," Lian Xing added gently. "Are they all as wondrous as Xuanhuang City?"
"You may be disappointed, sister," Cai Yan chuckled. "Xuanhuang City was personally built from scratch by our husband—from a village to what it is now. He incorporated countless Heaven-and-Earth treasures and rare structures into it. The city itself is nourished by Willpower Orbs, making it matchless not just in Da Yi, but likely in the entire Eternal Continent. Still, each immortal city has its own charm."
"Then what about An Ning?" Yao Yue asked suddenly.
During their month in the palace, she had grown fond of An Ning. Despite not being her biological child, the little girl had a natural charm that melted even the hardest of hearts.
Should they bring her along?
"No need," Cai Yan answered after a moment's thought. "Let sister Mu Guiying take care of her for a few days. Besides, if needed, we can return instantly through the space gates that our husband controls."
Though reluctant, she understood the risks. An Ning was still too young. If anything unexpected happened on the road, it would be bad. The safest place was still the palace. And since spatial travel was available, bringing her or not made little difference.
Besides, An Ning was obedient and never cried.
"Then it's settled. We travel during the day, and return to the palace each night," Yi Tianxing agreed with a nod.
They didn't set out immediately. After checking the time, they decided to depart the next morning.
Meanwhile, in the Tongtian Pavilion, Cao Zhengchun delivered the decree. Upon hearing it, the many enshrined experts revealed expressions of both excitement and solemnity.
That very day, Fu Hongxue left the pavilion carrying his warblade, saying only:
"I'm going to sharpen my blade."
Ye Zhiqiu followed shortly after, saying:
"I'm off to slay monsters."
Lu Zhishen grabbed his iron spade and sneered:
"This monk might not follow the precepts, might not like vegetarian food or prayers, but I kill those who deserve death and set fire only where it ought to burn. Whatever demons or monsters are out there, I'll bury them with this shovel."
The rest of the pavilion's enshrined warriors followed suit.
After all, soldiers are raised for times of war. In Da Yi, they had access to cultivation resources that the average citizen could only dream of. Their powers had soared thanks to the state's provisions. And now, the empire called—they would answer.
Many knew they might die in the upcoming battles. But none hesitated. No one turned away.
The next morning, after breakfast, the Nine-Dragon War Chariot tore through the void, setting off under the morning sun.
On the chariot, Yi Tianxing and the three women stood together, gazing at the scenery below—at Xuanhuang City itself.
"So beautiful," Cai Yan murmured. "I wish Xuanhuang could stay this way forever, untouched by the outside world."
Below, commoners emerged from their homes. The streets grew lively. It was a scene of human prosperity—a rare and precious thing.
"I've never seen such peace before," Lian Xing said wistfully. "Had I not witnessed the chaos of the Eternal Continent firsthand, I wouldn't believe such a place even existed. Here, people live and work in peace. The streets bustle with life."
"In this age of war and strife, with myriad races vying for supremacy and the Eternal Night lurking outside, peace is but a dream," Yao Yue said coolly. "Only true strength can protect it."
"True. But as long as Da Yi never backs down and continues to grow stronger, then no one will destroy this peace easily. They'll have to think twice—whether they've got the teeth for it," Yi Tianxing said firmly.
As he finished speaking, the chariot soared past Xuanhuang City and officially left its airspace.
The war chariot didn't fly fast. Hidden by stealth magic, it moved through the void almost completely undetectable.
Along the way, they admired the surrounding landscapes. With Heaven-and-Earth Vitality abundant, the Eternal Continent's environment was breathtaking. Dense forests stretched endlessly, ancient trees towered into the sky, and strange flora thrived—some beautiful, some dangerous.
Some mutated plants filled the wilds with both wonder and peril.
They saw vines like coiled dragons, stretching for hundreds of miles like giant webs, crisscrossing the forests. The wilderness was a land of deadly beauty.
These sights delighted the three women, who chatted and laughed, marveling at the changes wrought by the merging of worlds.
By noon, the Nine-Dragon War Chariot descended suddenly toward a patch of wilderness.
"What is this place? Why does it feel so eerie?" one of them asked.
"There's a temple—ruined, from the look of it. Who knows how long it's been standing…"
"Look over there, a broken monument—it says... Lanruo… Lanruo Temple!"
As they stepped down from the chariot, the three women scanned the surroundings.
Amid the wilds stood a dilapidated temple, clearly man-made. Though the sun shone high in the sky, a deep, chilling gloom seemed to emanate from within the temple's walls.
Though it caused them no harm, the cold was undeniable.
"Lanruo Temple," Yi Tianxing murmured. "Now there's a name with history. According to legends, it once thrived with worshipers. But those days are long gone. Still, it's worth investigating."
Indeed, this was his first destination: Lanruo Temple.
Having heard whispers about it, he'd grown curious. Once a name known to all, what secrets did it now hold?