Although Nameless City and Black Gold City were technically the same celestial city, He Shen had no intention of revealing this fact just yet. Of course, even if others figured it out, it didn't matter—after all, he wasn't some ferocious beast that devoured people. He was simply doing open business. The mutual market was a legitimate trading venue, while the black market was the illegitimate counterpart, where all sorts of shady transactions could be conducted.
Where there is demand, there is a reason for the black market to exist.
Among the myriad races, countless secrets could not be disclosed. While many dared not step foot into the mutual market, they would not necessarily hesitate to enter the black market.
Of course, even the finest wine fears a deep alley. Since the black market was now open, the world had to know. Otherwise, who would come?
Thus, sending out invitation cards was a method He Shen devised—simple and direct, and it wouldn't expose his identity. Yet it was sufficient to spread the name of the black market far and wide.
That day, a large number of black invitation cards appeared within the territory of Great Yi, and even beyond—past the Iron-Blood Great Wall.
Some invitations fell into the wilderness, others directly into celestial cities or into the camps of various tribes.
One such invitation landed in a werewolf tribe.
"What's this? A Black Gold Invitation?"
Upon opening it, a message emerged clearly:
I am the Lord of Black Gold City. I have established a black market for the benefit of all races under heaven. Within the black market, it matters not your origin, identity, cultivation, good or evil—all are welcome. Black Gold City imposes no restrictions. One may hide their identity and trade freely. Anything can be bought or sold here. Black Gold City welcomes guests from across the world. The black market will open each night on time. You may enter via the teleportation arrays in the wilderness.
The message was simple—so clear that even a fool could understand it. This was an announcement of the black market's grand opening, an invitation for customers.
"A black market? A place like that actually exists? Interesting… Might be worth checking out. Great Yi's mutual market doesn't allow tribes who have slaughtered humans to enter. But the black market... has no such rules. Anyone can come and go freely. No restrictions at all."
Within the werewolf tribe, a group of powerful warriors gathered to discuss.
The mutual market had ended recently. Although many tribes hadn't participated, it didn't mean they knew nothing about it. In fact, they were quite aware of the benefits it brought to those allowed in.
Could you imagine mountains of Eternal Coins obtained from mutual trade?
Or glowing delicacies previously unthinkable?
Or how so many tribes now possessed all kinds of elixirs and rare goods?
Paper, silk, misty brocade—all those human goods had made countless tribes drool with envy, wishing to snatch them all away.
But no one dared provoke Great Yi. None were willing to risk testing the dynasty's might.
So they watched with envy, yet dared not approach.
They feared rejection at the gate—losing not only face but possibly their lives. That would be the ultimate humiliation.
The black market, however, was a different matter. If mutual trade was structured and safe, the black market was the exact opposite—risky, murky, and unsanctioned. No guarantees, no credit.
"Let's send a group of warriors to scout out the black market. If it's legit, then we'll expand our presence. Our tribe has never lacked treasures."
The tribe quickly made its decision.
Without knowing what the black market truly entailed, the true powerhouses among the werewolves had no intention of showing up. Instead, they would send junior warriors. Even if something went wrong, it wouldn't jeopardize the tribe as a whole.
"Excellent. We've got a mutual market... and now a black market too. The world's changing faster than ever. The mutual market was bustling. I wonder what the black market will be like."
...
The Black Gold Invitations were everywhere.
In almost no time, the name of the black market spread across vast regions. Countless tribes and races stirred restlessly. If nothing else, items they couldn't show in public could now be traded freely. Things that status or strength would have previously denied them might now be within reach. In the black market, status meant nothing—only rare treasures mattered.
More and more people began to prepare to enter.
Meanwhile, back within Great Yi, in Xuanhuang City...
DONG! DONG! DONG!
From the royal palace, a bell tolled—it was the bell for court assembly.
Its clear, piercing tones echoed in the ears of every cultivator in the dynasty. All court officials of Great Yi began ascending the Heavenly Ladder toward the Palace Tree, headed for the Hall of Ascension.
After merging with Yuanming Garden, the royal palace had become even more magnificent. The Hall of Ascension was equally expansive.
Court assemblies in Great Yi weren't held on a fixed schedule. According to regulations, they were only summoned when major matters arose. Normally, the Six Ministries and other institutions handled daily affairs. Only unresolved issues would be escalated for Yi Tianxing's judgment.
Still, word always went out beforehand.
Thus, Huang Chengyan and others had already been notified. Upon hearing the bell, they ascended the ladder and entered the hall in an orderly procession.
The vast hall stood majestic, with dragon pillars reaching skyward. Its interior was carved with dragons and phoenixes, exuding awe and power. Even with hundreds or thousands present, it never felt cramped.
Civil officials lined the left. Military generals stood right.
Everyone quickly found their positions based on rank. The crowd was sizable, and the mood solemn.
Soon, even generals like Yang Ye arrived.
Also present were top scholars such as Zhuge Liang and Li Kui, who had excelled in the imperial examinations. This assembly included them too.
"His Majesty arrives!"
An eunuch cried in a sharp voice, echoing across the hall.
No one knew exactly when, but Yi Tianxing had already appeared on the dragon throne. His arrival had been utterly silent—none could tell when or how he had entered.
This left many officials inwardly awed, further convinced of their king's profound depth.
"We greet the King! May our Sovereign live for ten thousand years!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
"Rise, my beloved subjects."
Yi Tianxing nodded and motioned for them to stand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Huang Chengyan and the others stood straight, eyes on the throne.
"Today's court assembly concerns two matters. First, the Beastmen's establishment of the Myriad Beast Imperial Court. Second, the expansion of Great Yi."
Yi Tianxing wasted no time and cut straight to the heart.
"Your Majesty, with the Beastmen founding their Myriad Beast Court, the entire Myriad Beast Plains now falls under their rule. With the Behemoth King as their leader—and knowing his temperament—it's likely he bears no goodwill toward us. Once their forces consolidate, there is an 80% chance they'll strike against us."
Wu Yong was the first to speak.
The Behemoth King had once dared to lead tens of millions of beastmen to attack Great Yi. Now, with the legitimacy of an imperial court, he could build an official army. Once unified, their strength could multiply manyfold.
"With their court, the Beastmen will benefit from destiny and fortune. The Myriad Beast Plains won't satisfy their ambition. Should they march beyond, we will undoubtedly be their primary target. If they're an enemy, we must curb their growth. I propose we block their access to resources—deny them entry to the mutual market."
Huang Chengyan suggested decisively.
That was the best they could do for now.
The Myriad Beast Plains were far from Great Yi, with many tribes in between. It wouldn't be easy to apply pressure. But they couldn't remain idle.
"We'll set aside the Beastmen for now. Let us discuss the second matter."
Yi Tianxing nodded and shifted the topic. After all, it was beyond their immediate reach.
Then he turned to Xue Jin.
"Xue Jin, how are our grain reserves across the nation? Can we sustain a war? Can we support expansion?"
"Your Majesty, our granaries are already overflowing. Even if we stopped planting today, our stores could feed billions for ten years. No matter how great the war, we can sustain it."
Xue Jin responded without hesitation, radiating confidence.
"Good. Troops move only when food is ready. Grain is always the foundation."
Yi Tianxing nodded with satisfaction.
"Master Lu, how many vacant celestial cities have we completed?"
"We've built eighty fully functional cities. Each can house over a million citizens. Ready for deployment at any time."
Lu answered calmly.
"Excellent. Xue Jin, fill the granaries of all eighty cities immediately."
Yi Tianxing ordered decisively.