Even attacks on Da Yi's celestial cities were met with swift retaliation from its military, often resulting in heavy losses for the alien tribes. In the early days, when the celestial cities were first established, these tribes had attempted assaults, only to find the cities far too fortified to breach. Realizing this, they were forced to withdraw. However, in the wilderness, they remained extremely active.
Many alien tribes, already harboring hostility toward the human race, would launch unprovoked attacks on bounty hunters traveling in and out of the wilderness—leaving many corpses behind. Within these wild lands, conflict between humans and aliens had never ceased. On top of that, ferocious beasts and deadly traps constantly claimed lives.
The hatred between the races had long since become irreconcilable.
Now, watching the human race grow ever stronger, many alien tribes felt as if a blade was being twisted in their hearts. Jealousy and dread took root. The stronger the human race grew, the more it suppressed the living space of other races.
From the void, they watched Zhuge Liang traverse the skies in his ceremonial chariot—golden osmanthus petals falling like rain beneath a gilded canopy. Many alien powerhouses stared with murderous intent.
"This Zhuge Liang must die."
Unbeknownst to him, Zhuge Liang had already made it onto the alien tribes' kill list.
What is most important to a race? Talent—offspring with potential. Talented individuals uphold the prosperity and strength of their people. A single powerhouse can protect an entire tribe for generations.
Zhuge Liang, having taken the top place in the imperial examination, was clearly a once-in-a-generation genius of the human race—a true Heaven's Chosen. If someone like him were allowed to grow, he would pose a significant threat to all alien races. Killing him was worth more than slaying thousands of ordinary human civilians.
But murderous thoughts alone weren't enough. How to kill Zhuge Liang—that was the true challenge.
The alien races couldn't simply enter a human celestial city—doing so was suicide. As for expecting Zhuge Liang to wander the wilderness alone, even the dumbest alien wouldn't hope for that.
"Isn't the Human Race preparing to open a mutual market? Isn't that supposed to be a neutral ground between us and them? Maybe… there's a way to make use of that."
An alien powerhouse sneered.
Yes—the mutual market was about to open.
With the full support of Da Yi, Wuming City (lit. "Nameless City") had been constructed as the location for this exchange. The city was nearly complete. Since it wasn't built for permanent residence, only to be used during the market, construction was relatively easy.
Naturally, its city walls were still built from Xuanhuang Bricks, a tried-and-true material.
With vast resources, Xuanhuang Bricks were constantly being forged in the Heavenfire Furnaces and distributed throughout the realm. Many new celestial cities were already under construction—not Wuming City, but full-fledged cities meant to house citizens. These had no residents or city lords yet, but they were part of a long-term strategy.
They were empty cities, prepared in advance—a testament to Da Yi's far-reaching plans.
Unlike other empires, Da Yi ruled by suppressing the wilderness through celestial cities—and these cities were mobile. They could be moved anywhere, regardless of population. When the time came, people could be relocated in afterward.
These cities weren't built randomly—they were part of Da Yi's expansion blueprint.
This… is what it means to have true depth and foundation.
Why conquer a land and then build a city, when you could build a city and move it in afterward? This would save time and instantly shatter any thought of counterattack from the alien races, making the new foothold immediately secure.
Relocatable cities. Tactical advancement. This was Da Yi's method of conquest.
Now, Da Yi had already completed over a hundred such cities—proof of how long they had been preparing for this moment.
Everything was ready. They only waited for the right moment.
Zhuge Liang's Heavenly Tour continued.
That day, golden osmanthus petals filled the skies over the entire Da Yi realm.
Countless people were overjoyed.
Later, when Zhuge Liang's tour ended and he returned to the Imperial Academy, the golden radiance receded. In front of the Azure Cloud Tower, a massive Golden Wall appeared. Upon it, names began to manifest—the list of those who had passed the provincial exam.
This was the Imperial Golden Wall of Scholars.
All who passed the exams would have their names engraved here for eternity. The higher one's scores, the higher their placement on the wall.
"Everyone may now return. Your appointments will be issued in due course. I hope you will all wait patiently. Your time to shine will come. Until then, you may stay in the Immortal Academy for further study."
Cai Yong, ascending the Azure Cloud Tower, announced this personally.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for your generosity!"
The examinees responded with joy.
What was the Immortal Academy? It was considered a sacred place of learning among the people. It housed legacies of the Legalists, Militarists, and Confucians alike. Within it, one could trace the roots of their chosen path—and meet Da Yi's most brilliant minds.
To enter the Immortal Academy was to gain much. Everyone was visibly elated.
Of course, only those who passed the exams could enter. The rest would return to their respective cities—either resuming life as citizens, bounty hunters, or craftsmen. Some would abandon the exam path altogether. All walks of life would unfold.
With the exams concluded, Da Yi's talent pool had instantly deepened.
In the next court assembly, Da Yi's expansion plan was formally set in motion. The Military Bureau was ordered to prepare all forces. But before military action, the mutual market would be opened.
"The Market will officially open on August 15th. All human and alien individuals may enter Wuming City. Inside the city, all violence is forbidden. Any violations will be punished not only by Da Yi, but also by the alien tribes in alliance.
Wuming City is located underground, not on the surface.
Da Yi will place many teleportation arrays across the wilderness. Through them, one may access the market."
After the assembly, this imperial decree was broadcast across the realm—and to the alien races as well.
Wuming City wasn't constructed on the surface. Its exact location? Unknown—even to the builders. Only Yi Tianxing knew.
Using a Spatial Gate, he had found a natural underground cavern and expanded it, reinforcing it with arrays and barriers that blocked divine sense. Workers only entered and exited via teleportation, so none could pinpoint its location.
In this way, Wuming City became both secure and secret. It wasn't just a market—it could also function as a black market.
Once the news broke…
The entire Da Yi realm exploded with excitement.
"Finally! The market is opening! I've long heard that the alien races hoard rare spiritual herbs but lack the alchemy skills to refine them properly. They waste most of the medicinal value and leave harmful residue in their bodies. Fools! I've been studying alchemy, and all I lack are ingredients. Now I can stock up!"
An old man, once a physician, now a novice alchemist, laughed with joy. Alchemy required countless resources. The market offered him a cheap, abundant source.
"Fantastic! How could someone like me, Lord Emptiness, miss out on such an event? So many treasures await. Who knows—this could be my breakthrough!"
Within Righteous Manor, Lord Emptiness grinned, already making plans.
This was a rare, world-shaking event. Missing it would be a true tragedy.
"Hah! I'm going too! I bet my porcelain wares will enchant those aliens who lack craftsmanship. I'll trade them for treasures!"
"This is great news. I've waited too long. I need to start preparing!"
Compared to the alien races, the human race was far more creative. Drawing upon traits from many merged worlds, they invented all manner of new goods. Da Yi's stable society allowed such innovation to flourish—and now, it was time to cash in.