When these immortal cities (仙城) were first established, they had no names. Only after reaching their designated locations and fully settling down were they given names based on their surroundings. Take Broken Spine City (断腰城) for example—it was built atop Broken Spine Mountain (断腰山), so it naturally took on the same name. Though it sounds rather crude and unrefined, it was appropriate. After all, names are trivial matters.
The moment Broken Spine City descended, it naturally connected with the earth and also established a mysterious link with the Great Yi Dynasty (大易王朝). This invisible connection bound the immortal cities into a single entity. One could clearly see wisps of destiny energy (气运) emerging in the void, enveloping a thousand-li radius around the city. It connected to the earth meridians (地脉), and the Star Web (星网) followed suit, spreading to cover the surrounding region along with the expanding destiny.
The Mountains and Rivers State Map (江山社稷图)—this supreme geomantic array—automatically integrated with Broken Spine City. This was a linkage of earth vein energy, incorporating the new immortal city into the defensive array and bringing it officially into the territory of Great Yi.
Mountains and Rivers State Map (江山社稷图): A grand geomantic formation that connects all immortal cities of Great Yi, tied to its territorial integrity and destiny.
"Star Web coverage over Broken Spine City is complete."
"The teleportation array is now active, coordinates fully stabilized. Integrated into the Great Yi teleportation network. Designation code: Broken Spine City."
Almost as soon as the city settled, the capital—Xuanhuang City (玄黄城)—received the updates. The Star Web responded instantly, and the information was relayed to the Military Cabinet, the royal palace, and even the court.
Each immortal city had its teleportation array established during its construction. However, the arrays couldn't operate while the cities were mobile, as teleportation required fixed coordinates—only after settling could they become part of the permanent teleportation network.
From now on, soldiers, civilians, and bounty hunters from other Great Yi cities could freely teleport to Broken Spine City.
"I hope the people who live in this city in the future would rather break their backs than bow to foreign races. We humans have never been inferior to anyone."
Standing on the city wall, Guan Yu (关羽) gazed out. This vantage point was the highest in the area—an open, plantless platform. The city's location made it extremely defensible. Any approaching enemy would find it impossible to stay hidden; they'd be discovered immediately. It was, in short, easy to defend, hard to attack.
"Raise the beacon tower. Notify the court immediately. Dispatch a city lord and officials to take over governance of Broken Spine City and settle the refugees and civilians. Assume control of the city's defenses," Guan Yu ordered again.
The Military Cabinet and military were responsible only for territorial conquest and ensuring the cities landed safely. Governance was left to civil officials. This strict separation of military and civil affairs was one of Great Yi's core principles, one that Yi Tianxing had upheld since the beginning.
"Armies conquer; officials rule."
Shortly after the city landed, a team of prepared civil officials from Xuanhuang City immediately teleported in.
The city's beacon tower began to flash. Even in daylight, the light was visible, and at night, it was even more conspicuous. This served not only to declare the territory as part of Great Yi, but also acted as a summoning beacon to draw human refugees and survivors from the surrounding wildlands. It was a silent influence upon the scattered human settlements.
—
Xuanhuang City, Royal Palace.
Yi Tianxing lifted his gaze to the sky. The moment Broken Spine City landed, the geomantic array expanded, and he immediately sensed it.
With a thought, his consciousness entered his Sea of Consciousness , where an awe-inspiring Life Diagram floated, radiating imperial majesty. It was none other than his Life Diagram—the Heavenly Emperor Dragon-Taming Diagram !
Heavenly Emperor Dragon-Taming Diagram : Yi Tianxing's personal life diagram, linked to his cultivation path and the territorial might of Great Yi.
Within the diagram, under the foot of the Heavenly Emperor and atop a chaotic dragon nest , an expansive, lifelike landscape had formed. Upon close inspection, it was a perfect miniature of Great Yi's territory—every mountain, river, tree, and city reproduced in detail.
And now, a new stretch had been added—a thousand-li region, marking the newly annexed Broken Spine City.
"The broader Great Yi's domain, the greater the benefit to my cultivation. The growth rate accelerates significantly. At this point, my Heavenly Emperor Dharma Body is being nourished far faster than any ordinary cultivator."
Yi Tianxing's thoughts churned. His foundation was now so deep that the time had come to form his Three Souls and Seven Spirits. The Heavenly Emperor Dharma Body had enough strength to support the process.
Three Souls and Seven Spirits (三魂七魄): A key cultivation step involving the refinement and integration of soul and spirit, usually needed to reach a new realm.
As the Mountains and Rivers State Map expanded, it infused his Life Diagram with vast geomantic energy, continually tempering and empowering it.
This time, it wasn't just Broken Spine City. At the same moment, twelve immortal cities descended simultaneously across designated locations, each linking into the state map and vastly expanding Great Yi's territory.
He could sense them the moment they landed—an uncanny sensation. The entire realm felt like an extension of himself. Its expansion translated directly into a rise in his personal power and a deeply fulfilling satisfaction.
—
"How do you plan to manage all these newly founded immortal cities?" asked Cai Yan, curious.
"Wherever an immortal city stands, it becomes Great Yi's territory. All Great Yi citizens may relocate to these new cities. And in the wildlands, there are countless human refugees waiting to be saved. Once freed from foreign tribes, they too will become our citizens," Yi Tianxing calmly replied.
He continued, "And of course, there are already many human villages and towns scattered across the wilds. These are potential new citizens as well. Our doors are always open to any human settlement willing to join Great Yi."
"I suggest sending people with supplies and gifts to those villages. Let them feel our warmth and care for themselves," Cai Yan offered, blinking thoughtfully.
Indeed, while these settlements had survived thus far, they had done so through strength and adaptability. But without a justified cause, Great Yi would not and should not use force against fellow human settlements.
War against alien tribes was one thing—there was no morality or justice in conflicts between races. Only power and survival mattered. But to attack fellow humans without cause would stain Great Yi's name with a mark it could never erase.
Unless provoked, Great Yi would not lift its blade against human enclaves. This wasn't weakness or sentiment—it was righteous governance.
This was a matter that Yi Tianxing had once discussed with Jia Xu.
At the time, Jia Xu had smiled and said, "There's no need to worry, Your Majesty. Right now, Great Yi has the people's will, the hearts and minds of the populace. There's no need for bloodshed. Just bestow kindness. As we did before, but this time—do it louder, do it clearer. Show the difference between us and the others, and soon, the world's hearts will turn toward us."
Jia Xu : A master strategist known for his subtle, insidious tactics. Famous for achieving results without overt confrontation, manipulating events with invisible hands.
He was the one who had orchestrated the division of lords that shattered the Han Dynasty's final integrity. Even when rivals saw the trap, they still took the bait—because the lure was irresistible.