The Twelve Zodiac Statues were without doubt among the greatest foundations of Xuanhuang City. They had already nurtured several innate spirit veins. Now, with the infusion of the Well of Eternity, the statues naturally began to radiate light, their entire forms glowing with potent spiritual energy. This spiritual energy, under the influence of the Well of Eternity, surged and skyrocketed at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"New Zodiac Statues have given birth to innate spirit veins."
Yi Tianxing felt a stir in his heart and immediately sensed several of the Twelve Zodiac Statues evolving — spiritual vein seeds transforming into innate spirit veins.
One, two, three!!
The Eternal Power within the Well of Eternity exhibited an incredible catalytic effect in spawning innate spirit veins.
In a mere instant, the Zodiac Statues birthed six innate spirit veins.
Yes, including the previous ones, there were now a total of six innate spirit veins.
These corresponded to: Iron Ox, Spirit Snake, Golden Rat, Golden Pig, Jade Rabbit, and Black Tiger. Under the stimulation of the Well of Eternity, these six Zodiac Statues underwent transformation. Statues that had already birthed innate spirit veins saw those veins rapidly strengthen and grow more robust. Meanwhile, those that still held only spirit vein seeds directly evolved into true innate spirit veins.
This effectively doubled the previous number of innate spirit veins.
The result? The ambient Yuan Qi throughout Xuanhuang City more than doubled in intensity. Rich innate Yuan Qi now permeated the city. Many common citizens clearly felt a sudden surge in their cultivation and mana.
"What's going on? The Yuan Qi in the city has grown immensely denser, almost doubled... and the Zodiac Statues are giving off roars. What's happening?"
Ordinary citizens didn't know the statues could nurture innate spirit veins. But they could clearly sense that Xuanhuang City was far superior to any other Immortal City in terms of ambient Yuan Qi. It was as if the difference were between heaven and earth. Now, with the Yuan Qi surging even higher, Xuanhuang City resembled a true cultivation paradise.
This made the people rejoice with heartfelt joy.
To live in the royal city was to dwell in a land blessed for cultivation. They felt not just belonging, but pride.
Even without knowing the cause, it was clear — this was no misfortune, but a blessing.
"Six innate spirit veins… The Yuan Qi in the city is too rich. That might not actually be a good thing."
Yi Tianxing felt unease arise in his heart.
When ordinary people live long in an environment of rich innate spiritual energy, it may accelerate cultivation — but there are hidden dangers. Once they start circulating their cultivation techniques, they may inadvertently draw in more Yuan Qi than they can withstand, damaging their bodies and meridians.
It was akin to someone moving from a polluted smoggy area to one rich in oxygen — oxygen intoxication could set in. The analogy was apt. A person of weak cultivation placed in a Yuan Qi-rich environment might see their body overwhelmed upon cultivation, like a dam bursting at the seams. Their body simply couldn't bear it, and the result would be inner injury, Qi deviation, or even instant death.
Nothing should be in excess. Once it surpasses the proper bounds, a blessing becomes a curse.
"Separate the Yuan Qi. The city shall hold Postnatal Yuan Qi at ten times the external world's concentration. The innate Yuan Qi shall be suppressed within the palatial sacred tree and its cloud realm branches. There, the Yuan Qi shall remain innate and segregated."
Yi Tianxing swiftly sensed many citizens falling into a daze — the symptoms of Yuan Qi intoxication due to a sudden leap in environmental quality. With a thought, he activated a massive Yuan Qi redistribution.
The roots of the palatial sacred tree had already merged with the foundations of Xuanhuang City. Each root became a mighty energy channel, madly absorbing the surrounding energy and directing it upward — into the tree, and into its various cloud realm layers.
Swoosh!!
Suddenly, the sacred tree began to expand, its trunk soaring upward. The existing canopy split and gave rise to new layers of leafy crowns, each broader than before.
The original crown expanded rapidly, while a new, larger one grew below it.
This newly formed lowest layer was the largest — like a vast sea of clouds. Each successive crown layer above it was smaller, forming a pyramid-shaped structure, each layer separated by hundreds of zhang, forming distinct realms of existence.
Atop each crown layer, palaces of varying size began to manifest — growing continuously, spaced throughout the leafy expanse.
There were now five distinct cloud realms on the sacred tree.
The topmost fifth realm still housed the royal palace.
Looking from afar, the palatial sacred tree had become truly towering — a pillar reaching into the heavens.
The Yuan Qi distribution across these realms had changed fundamentally:
First Realm: Innate Yuan Qi, 10× external concentration
Second Realm: Innate Yuan Qi, 20×
Third Realm: 30×
Fourth Realm: 40×
Fifth Realm (Royal Palace): 50×
This clearly stratified system allowed for precise cultivation control.
Each realm held countless palaces — cultivated naturally by the sacred tree. But Yi Tianxing set a restriction: only by cultivating within a palace could one gain the realm's full Yuan Qi benefit. Outside those palaces, even within higher realms, one would only access first realm-level Yuan Qi.
This ensured safety for cultivators and provided environmental control.
In his vision, each palace would contain cultivation chambers, not free of charge — users would need to pay in Eternal Coins. These would become valuable rewards for meritorious ministers and soldiers of the Great Yi Dynasty.
"What comes easily is rarely cherished. Only when one understands the value of what they receive, will they learn gratitude. Grace and authority — that is the way of the sovereign."
Yi Tianxing mused silently.
These cultivation palaces would serve as both incentive and reward in the future. Of course, the royal palace remained unrestricted — a benefit for the royal family.
Once the Yuan Qi segregation was complete, the dizziness that had plagued the citizens disappeared. Many who had been drifting into unconsciousness shook themselves awake, instantly recovering.
The Yuan Qi, now lower in density, actually felt more comfortable.
Sometimes, what's appropriate is what's best.
The current Yuan Qi density within the city was optimal for the general populace. If one's cultivation improved, they could ascend to the cloud realms and rent cultivation chambers to improve even further.
The Well of Eternity, now merged with the city, had become its perfect core.
In that instant, Xuanhuang City achieved a seamless integration.
"Now, the supreme artifact is truly complete. Xuanhuang City is not just a royal capital, but a matchless supreme artifact."
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath.
With the Well of Eternity in place, the city's foundations were now stronger than ever — not just a royal city, but a peerless Immortal City. The Twelve Zodiac Formation Diagram had now fully fused with it. Once activated, its potential would be beyond imagination.
Should he will it, the city could rise from the earth and float in the sky — forever suspended, never falling.
The Well of Eternity had already connected to some mysterious realm, continuously drawing in endless energy.
"Rainbow Bridge, merge with Xuanhuang City."
At his command, the Rainbow Bridge too fused with the city.
Suddenly, a vibrant rainbow appeared across the sky above — a magnificent rainbow arc shining brilliantly — and in mere breaths, vanished.
To the average citizen, this wasn't strange — the Rainbow Fountain had long had similar visions.
Unseen to most, the city had undergone a complete transformation. Though it hadn't formally advanced to the next tier, its foundations had grown vastly deeper. Former wondrous buildings were now fully integrated, the city walls more indestructible, and everything now in perfect harmony.
ROAR!!
As if sensing this great transformation, the Luck Flood Dragon within the Sea of Destiny clouds let out a thunderous roar. The changes to the royal city directly benefitted it.
"Hmm? Tong Huang? Could something major have happened?"
Just as he was reflecting on the changes, Yi Tianxing suddenly looked up. In the void above the royal palace, Tong Huang had appeared — wearing an anxious expression, clearly bearing important news.
With a thought, Yi Tianxing left the core space.
When he reappeared, he was already back in the royal palace.