Before long, Tong Huang appeared.
"Your Majesty, there's been a development in Snake Valley."
Upon seeing Yi Tianxing, Tong Huang didn't hesitate and spoke immediately.
"Snake Valley? What happened there?" Yi Tianxing frowned slightly and asked right away.
"Your Majesty once instructed us to keep an eye on Snake Valley. So I sent elite members of the Temple of Catastrophe to monitor it from the shadows. This time, something quite unusual occurred. I dared not delay and came to report at once," Tong Huang quickly explained.
"What kind of change exactly?" Yi Tianxing pressed.
"According to intelligence, the army of the Myriad Beasts Royal Court has appeared outside Snake Valley. Among their ranks, silver-ranked Behemoths were spotted. This beastman army has completely surrounded Snake Valley. However, they haven't launched an attack yet. It seems there's something going on inside that we're not aware of."
Tong Huang laid out the situation in detail.
"What? The Myriad Beasts Royal Court army has surrounded Snake Valley? What are they planning? If I'm not mistaken, the snake people inside Snake Valley are technically part of the beastman race too. What is King Behemoth up to?"
Yi Tianxing frowned deeper.
He couldn't fathom what King Behemoth was planning. Sending an army to encircle Snake Valley was an unusual move. The Myriad Beasts Royal Court had just been established—if it wanted to assert dominance, targeting fellow beastmen didn't make sense. Something about it just didn't add up.
"Could it be that King Behemoth knows what happened between me and the Snake Queen? But that's even more unlikely. Back then, only the Snake Queen and I were present. If neither of us said anything, there's no way a third person would know. King Behemoth shouldn't be aware of it at all."
Yi Tianxing silently pondered, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.
He tried to guess the reason, but no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't find a logical explanation.
"What's the current status in Snake Valley?"
Yi Tianxing asked again.
"The details are still unclear. The Myriad Beasts Royal Court hasn't attacked yet, as if waiting for something. At least for today, nothing major is expected to happen," Tong Huang replied after a brief pause.
"Alright, it looks like I really must make a trip to Snake Valley myself."
Yi Tianxing spoke slowly.
The Snake Queen crossed his mind. No matter what, he still owed her. He had promised to endure her three strikes, but only took two. The last one never came, leaving a lingering sense of guilt.
Now that Snake Valley was in trouble, he could never just sit by and ignore it.
"Shall I notify General Yang and the others to dispatch troops to accompany you?" Tong Huang asked.
"No need. I'll go personally. Some things must be addressed, and it's time to give a proper answer." Yi Tianxing shook his head. It was just a beastman army—he hadn't feared King Behemoth's millions before; why fear them now? If he wanted to leave, few forces could stop him.
His power might not be invincible, but coming and going freely was no issue.
Besides, unless necessary, he didn't want the events involving the Snake Queen to become public knowledge.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Tong Huang nodded, curiosity flashing in her eyes, but she didn't probe further. Some things are better left unknown. Gossip can get people killed.
After she left, the Nine-Dragon War Chariot appeared out of thin air, swiftly departing the palace and disappearing into the skies.
"Husband has left," Lianxing gazed into the void and murmured.
"Hmm. He left alone—it must be personal. But we need not worry about external affairs. I heard the new Celestial City has received a massive influx of rescued human refugees. It's time to help them settle in. Why don't we visit and bring some supplies?" Cai Yan said with a smile.
Having barely escaped from a foreign tribe herself, she understood well the horrors humans endured under alien rule—utter despair, worse than death. Many of Da Yi's citizens had suffered similar fates. Even after rescue, the trauma left deep scars. Some survivors still woke up from nightmares every night.
At such times, a bit of care and comfort could mean the world.
With Da Yi's recent expansion, they had rescued millions of human refugees—and the number was still growing. Some alien tribes, fearing Da Yi's strength, had quietly released their captives as a gesture of goodwill, hoping to avoid being targeted.
As a result, Da Yi's population was soaring.
Every Celestial City saw explosive growth.
Officials like Jia Yucun were so busy they barely had time for a sip of water. Supplies were consumed at an incredible rate. These materials brought stability, but only human warmth could heal the refugees' hearts.
"That's a great idea. I'll come too," Nie Xiaoqian nodded in agreement.
"Mm, let's go," Yao Yue also agreed.
These women weren't ordinary—they were Da Yi's empresses and consorts. They represented Yi Tianxing and the imperial court. Their visit would give refugees a strong sense of belonging and make them feel seen and valued.
It would not only stabilize the people's hearts but also win their loyalty.
Meanwhile, Yi Tianxing stood on the Nine-Dragon War Chariot, streaking through the skies like a shooting star. Its speed rivaled, or even surpassed, that of a golden roc. With three dragon progeny pulling the chariot, speed was hardly a problem.
"The wilderness… still the same as always. It'll never disappear. But it can coexist with Da Yi. Its dangers forge the resilience of our people. Flowers in a greenhouse are always fragile."
Gazing into the distance, all Yi Tianxing saw was a vast, untamed wilderness—majestic and perilous.
Towering peaks, sprawling forests.
Rivers and streams. Ancient trees, dozens or hundreds of meters tall, were common here. The land teemed with natural beauty, but also hidden danger.
Countless vicious beasts lurked within. These threats were not just dangers—they were also resources and motivation for human growth.
Soon, he crossed beyond Da Yi's borders. Along the way, he passed a newly built Celestial City, bustling with life. Refugees were reclaiming their futures—building homes, tilling soil, growing crops. Bounty hunters explored and mapped the surroundings.
Tasks and projects filled the city with vibrant new energy.
Everything was in revival—renewing day by day.
"It won't be long before these Celestial Cities take root. Then, it will be time for Da Yi to rise as an Imperial Dynasty."
Yi Tianxing felt ever more certain that spreading Celestial Cities through the wilderness had been the right move.
With the Mountains and Rivers State Map covering the territory, every Celestial City drew in earth's energy—dragon veins, spiritual veins—turning them into blessed grounds for cultivation. This was the invisible power of Da Yi's geomantic array.
"Xiaoyao City… Still standing, huh? Looks like Lord Wang Chen has some talent. Not completely useless."
Before long, he arrived above an ancient city.
Xiaoyao City had clearly been expanded. On its walls, rattan-armored troops stood guard. The layout was orderly. Its population now exceeded half a million—a remarkable figure.
Above the city, the currents of fate flowed visibly.
Still, it had only barely stepped into the realm of Celestial Cities. Life was neither great nor miserable. As for cultivators, they were few and far between. Clearly, Xiaoyao City hadn't made cultivation manuals public. Only soldiers or those with luck or inheritance had the chance to cultivate.
"A ruler who fears the strength of his people is shackled by his own mind—he is no true sovereign."
Yi Tianxing shook his head.
While the city lord wasn't terrible, he could never become a true ruler. A true sovereign doesn't fear the power of his people. If you're afraid of those you govern, it only means you lack confidence. And if you don't have confidence in your control, you're unworthy of being a king. Eventually, you'll hit a ceiling.
Yi Tianxing didn't stop. Xiaoyao City was already close to Da Yi's territory. During the next expansion, it would fall under Da Yi's domain—and then, it would be dealt with.