Its body shrank within the tribulation lightning, but it was clear that this was a form of refinement and baptism—a transformation emerging from its own bloodline. Though the tribulation lightning carried the power of destruction, it also contained fortune and rebirth. As it underwent the lightning's baptism, the impurities in its bloodline were purged, allowing it to continuously ascend toward a higher bloodline level. One after another, golden scales were shattered and peeled away, disintegrating midair into divine radiance, radiant and multicolored.
Just the first bolt of lightning had already blasted the auspicious Flood Dragon of over 180 zhang in length down to only 150 zhang, yet its spiritual aura grew even denser. The brilliance in its eyes became even more dazzling.
AOOO!!
The Flood Dragon let out a high-pitched roar, charging directly into the second bolt of tribulation lightning falling from the sky.
Boom—!!
The second strike landed squarely on its body.
Without a doubt, this was a Heavenly Tribulation, and simultaneously an extremely rare form of baptism. Only by bathing in tribulation lightning could one wash away the old self and awaken a purer bloodline. Of course, this came at a price—if the creature's foundation was insufficient, it could be reduced to ashes within the tribulation. There was the risk of not advancing, but instead regressing. Hence, foundational strength was crucial.
Only with a powerful foundation could one undergo this transformation within the tribulation.
As the second bolt dissipated, the Flood Dragon's body shrank once again—now only 140 zhang long. Most of its scales had been shed, but new golden dragon scales regenerated in their place. These bore ancient and mysterious dragon patterns, unmistakably showing that the Flood Dragon was undergoing a true draconic metamorphosis.
Its previous scales were merely those of a Flood Dragon, still far inferior to those of a true dragon.
The third bolt!
The fourth bolt!
Each successive bolt of tribulation lightning grew fiercer and more tyrannical. But the auspicious Flood Dragon possessed overwhelming foundations. Even as its scales shattered and regenerated repeatedly, with each strike, its transformation became increasingly miraculous.
The regenerated scales transformed into true Dragon Scales, and a layer of golden reverse scales appeared across its body. Yes—Reverse Scales, the signature trait of true dragons. Touching them meant death. They were the dragon's most invulnerable part, but also its greatest weakness—its vital point. Yet they were also the most defining trait of a true dragon.
The Flood Dragon continued to shrink.
And yet, more and more characteristics of a true dragon emerged.
From its head sprouted real dragon horns, resembling antlers but more majestic and regal—true Dragon Horns. From beneath its body extended fierce Dragon Claws, each with five talons, radiating an aura of supreme nobility.
By the time the ninth bolt of lightning fell—
AOOO—!!
A piercing dragon roar shattered the skies, echoing across the void.
Within the territory of Great Yi, countless fierce beasts, predatory birds, livestock, even war horses—everything—collapsed to the ground at that moment, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. It was a primal fear, a bloodline-deep reverence, a soul-shaking submission. All bowed down instinctively.
The Dragon Race was one of the most supreme races in the world, standing atop all others. To most beasts, it was a presence beyond reach—worthy only of worship.
Now, the auspicious Flood Dragon had fully transformed into a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, completing its metamorphosis into a true dragon.
"Five-Clawed Golden Dragon—Auspicious Spirit of the Imperial Capital!"
Yi Tianxing sensed the transformation of the Qi Luck True Spirit and couldn't help but feel immense joy in his heart. Without a doubt, the most critical step in ascending from a kingdom to an empire had been accomplished.
At that moment, lightning continued to bombard Xuanhuang City, but even those fearsome bolts couldn't break through the Zodiac Array. The barrier alone was incomparably strong, and the Well of Eternity devoured the incoming lightning effortlessly, turning it into nourishment for the Eternal Divine City.
BOOM—!!
As the Qi Luck True Spirit completed its transformation into a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, the entirety of Xuanhuang City began to transform.
A pillar of divine fortune light pierced the heavens, enveloping the entire city.
"This is Heaven's blessing... the Dao's bestowal... a gift of creation."
Yi Tianxing instantly understood.
The first change occurred in the Qi Luck Heavenly Pool.
It had originally measured 365 zhang in diameter, but now under this formless divine power, it rapidly expanded. Divine light of fortune surged into it, and with every breath, it grew larger—tenfold, reaching 3,650 zhang, nearly covering the entirety of the sky above Xuanhuang City.
At the same time, the immense Qi Luck hovering over the Great Yi Dynasty surged toward the heavenly pool. The Qi Luck Spring Eye inside it acted like a bottomless pit, devouring all the surrounding Qi Luck without pause. In moments, the heavenly pool was drained entirely, and even the skies above were cleared.
The Spring Eye rotated counterclockwise, forming a terrifying devouring vortex.
Once it had swallowed everything, the spring began spinning clockwise, spitting back out the absorbed Qi Luck.
Within this process—fortune was born.
"Blue… The Qi Luck has turned blue. It has transformed. This is Imperial Qi Luck!"
Yi Tianxing's heart surged with excitement.
The colors of Qi Luck, from low to high: gray, white, red, yellow, blue, cyan, gold, purple, purple-gold.
The color of an Imperial Capital was blue, resembling the ocean and the sky, symbolizing vastness and boundlessness. It was the color of heaven itself—what one might call "Heavenly Blue."
From this point forward, no longer was the Qi Luck of Xuanhuang City the former earthy yellow, but a vibrant, oceanic blue, hinting that the capital could embrace all rivers and contain all things.
From the Spring Eye, this blue Qi Luck water flowed like a fountain, rapidly refilling the dried heavenly pool. The liquid surged visibly with every moment.
Blue—the color of sky and sea.
It brought an unspeakable sense of comfort to anyone who saw it.
This marked the complete transformation from Royal Qi Luck to Imperial Qi Luck, and the Spring Eye itself had undergone the earliest changes under Heaven's fortune.
However, the conversion between different tiers of Qi Luck wasn't equal. The blue Qi Luck was ten times or even dozens of times more concentrated than yellow. As a result, even the previously sky-shrouding cloud sea of Qi Luck now appeared much smaller.
Yet, the Great Yi Dynasty's accumulation was far too vast. Even after the full conversion, the new blue Qi Luck cloud sea still spanned several hundred zhang.
AOOO—!!
The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, now only seven to eight dozen zhang long, let out another deafening roar. Though still massive, it was much smaller than before. Had it attempted this transformation earlier, it would have been even smaller.
Roaring proudly, the dragon plunged into the Qi Luck Heavenly Pool, swimming excitedly, weaving through the blue cloud sea. Within that fog, its full form could no longer be seen—only glimpses of golden scales or a flick of clawed tail. A true imperial dragon, majestic beyond compare.
"Wonderful! Our Xuanhuang City has truly become an Imperial Capital!"
All across the city, citizens felt a surge of pride and joy.
This was something to boast about for a lifetime.
There were many immortal cities in the world, but to truly ascend to Imperial Capital—Xuanhuang stood alone.
As the Qi Luck Heavenly Pool completed its transformation, so too did Xuanhuang City.
Divine light of fortune flooded the city. The city walls, forged from Willpower Beads, visibly evolved—stronger, more stable, and far more indestructible. Countless Dao patterns etched themselves into the structure. The Zodiac Array's runes embedded deeper into the city body.
Unseen by most, the entire city expanded underground—tenfold, possibly dozens of times. With every breath, it grew larger.
This wasn't just divine fortune at work, but the accumulated foundation of Xuanhuang itself.
Even before this, the Eternal Divine City had long held far more power than shown—only limited by the artifact's form. Now, with this opportunity, all was finally released.
The expansion wasn't just inherited—it was newly forged by the power of creation.
The city gate glimmered, the characters "玄黄" (Xuanhuang) radiating divine brilliance.
Within the Palace Tree, a mysterious force surged. The once modest royal palace visibly expanded, and the Palace Tree itself grew rapidly. Its trunk thickened, branches stretched wide like a canopy blotting out the sun, and its roots extended like a web, anchoring deep within the city, spreading to every inch of the newly grown terrain.
As the city grew, the Palace Tree followed—covering and protecting it all.