Wherever it passed, it was as if the city itself gained meridians and bones, becoming sturdier and more stable. This was a complementary process, perfectly integrating into Xuanhuang City—indeed, the Palace Divine Tree itself had become an indispensable component of the city's main structure, a crucial part of its core.
At that moment, the twelve Zodiac Statues standing tall within Xuanhuang City began to undergo a transformation. Those that had not yet birthed innate spirit veins now, under the infusion of endless providence and creation power, naturally began to manifest new ones.
One!
Two!
Three!…
In just a breath, all remaining Zodiac Statues had given rise to innate spirit veins. In other words, as of this moment, Xuanhuang City possessed a total of twelve innate spirit veins.
Vast amounts of innate vital energy spread instantly, rushing through the entire city.
At the same time, the Palace Divine Tree began to grow explosively.
Its canopy split once again, and in the blink of an eye, layer upon layer of new cloud realms materialized in the void, each transforming into a distinct realm. Originally composed of five layers, under the dual catalyst of ascending to an imperial city and acquiring six more innate spirit veins, four new cloud realms emerged, bringing the total to nine layers.
Naturally, these new realms were generated from the bottom upward.
The uppermost layer remained where it was—the royal palace atop the canopy, still at the pinnacle. Henceforth, it was no longer just a royal palace; it had become an imperial palace.
Cloud realms began to grow new palaces out of thin air, forming directly atop the Divine Tree.
"Nine cloud realms. The imperial palace shall be the First Cloud Realm," Yi Tianxing declared decisively upon witnessing the scene. Since the realms emerged from the bottom up, the topmost would remain fixed as the First Cloud Realm—the seat of imperial power.
Xuanhuang City had undergone an earth-shattering transformation. If it were to house civilians, it could easily accommodate tens of millions without feeling crowded. Its sheer scale was truly awe-inspiring.
"The military district shall ascend to the Second Cloud Realm. Henceforth, it shall be named the War Soul Battle Realm."
Taking advantage of the city's transformation, Yi Tianxing began restructuring its layout. The army could no longer be stationed within the main city; it was far more fitting to relocate it into the cloud realms atop the Divine Tree.
Third Cloud Realm: Seat of major institutions like the Heavenly Virtue Hall, Heavenly Medical Hall, and Heavenly Artisan Pavilion.
Fourth Cloud Realm: Headquarters for the Six Departments of the Dynasty and key administrative offices.
Fifth Cloud Realm: Designated residential quarters for honored nobles and retired officials with meritorious service.
The remaining realms were to be gradually developed into sacred lands for cultivation, increasing population capacity and strengthening Xuanhuang City's foundation.
The surge of innate vital energy was swiftly distributed among the cloud realms, each realm boasting a distinct concentration of spiritual energy.
Meanwhile, the Well of Eternity began to gush forth torrents of eternal power, reinforcing the city's structure to unparalleled levels. The city's enchanted buildings—arrow towers, magic towers, crystal cannons—all silently evolved, now elevated to the pinnacle of the Profound Tier, some even approaching a higher class.
Even greater destructive capabilities were now within reach.
Other constructs—Moon Well, Rainbow Fountain, Sky-Piercing Pavilion, Star-Reaching Tower, and Rainbow Bridge—also evolved. These wondrous structures broke past former limits and achieved a new state, fusing even more deeply with Xuanhuang City.
The innate spirit veins within the Zodiac Statues surged madly, expanding hundreds or even thousands of times faster than usual. The transformation was beyond description.
Even the Well of Eternity itself evolved, becoming a Profound Tier pinnacle artifact, drastically enhancing the speed and volume of spiritual energy absorption. The entire city had transformed into a colossal, peerless fortress.
BOOM!!!
A sharp, clear tremor resonated from within Xuanhuang City.
The entire divine city erupted with resplendent divine light.
Xuanhuang City had ascended—From a royal city to an imperial city.
From a supreme treasure to an Unparalleled Supreme Artifact.
This double ascension marked a leap in both its realm status and artifact grade. As a supreme-tier immortal city, it now possessed the terrifying might to suppress even innate spirit treasures. Once mobilized, it would be a cataclysmic force.
Before witnessing it firsthand, no one could fathom its true might.
"With Xuanhuang City's ascension, today we declare the rise of the Great Yi Imperial Dynasty!"
Cai Yong, witnessing this moment, was visibly moved. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his emotions.
Upon the Heavenly Altar, several sacred items had appeared:
A seal forged from Xuanhuang jade.
An ancient Heaven-Sacrificing Cauldron.
A dignified imperial palace structure.
An official ranking board (Fengshen Bang).
A scroll containing imperial edicts.
These were none other than the Destiny Treasures—artifacts designated to stabilize the dynasty's fortune and fate.
In the cauldron, the Sacrificial Incense for the Nation burned, releasing five-colored clouds that rose into the sky. These Destiny Treasures descended from the sea of providence only once approved by the Dao—but the rituals could not be skipped. This was the Way of Ritual, the Way of Worship, and the Way of Dynastic Mandate.
Yi Tianxing stood solemnly before the cauldron.
"First Kneel—to the Dao."
Cai Yong called out with a dignified tone, brimming with reverence. This was the first-ever dynastic ritual of its kind in the Eternal Continent and would echo through eternity.
"Bow."
"Bow again."
"Bow a third time."
"Rise."
"Second Kneel—to the Earth."Repeat."Third Kneel—to the Nation."Repeat.
Three kneels and nine bows—Yi Tianxing completed the sacred ritual.
"Today, the Great Yi rises to become an imperial dynasty. Let Heaven and the Dao bear witness. Bestow upon us the position of Empire!"
As his voice echoed, the five-colored clouds in the cauldron began to swallow vast amounts of azure providence pouring in from the heavens. It fused into the Destiny Treasures, empowering each with divine resonance.
Each of the treasures began to evolve:
The Fengshen List (Sealing Board) glowed with newfound majesty, closely tied to the fates of Yi's officials.
The Xuanhuang Imperial Seal radiated even greater authority, now inscribed with the ancient characters:
"Mandated by the Dao, may it endure and prosper eternally!"
The Wanxian Hall grew larger.
The Imperial Edict Scroll exuded infinite might.
Only after this sacred evolution could they be called true Nation-Stabilizing Artifacts, capable of anchoring an imperial dynasty's vast destiny.
BOOM!!
The Heaven-Sacrificing Cauldron trembled as the treasures rose and returned to the sea of providence.
Across the entire territory of Great Yi, streams of azure fate energy surged from every citizen and from the land itself, converging at Xuanhuang City. The surrounding ground began to transmute—the earthy aura turning sky-blue, a sign of imperial elevation.
"Henceforth, the Great Yi shall be known as—The Great Yi Imperial Dynasty!!"
Yi Tianxing's voice boomed across the heavens, echoing through every inch of the Great Yi domain.
"Incredible! We've... We've become an imperial dynasty!"
"The Great Yi Imperial Dynasty! We're part of a true empire now!"
Across the land, the people wept and trembled with joy, their very souls resonating with pride.
ROAR!!
The True Dragon of Providence let out a thunderous cry and dove straight into the Imperial Seal, its massive form swallowed whole.
Moments later, the seal entered Yi Tianxing's body, filling him with surging power. His body was cleansed of all impurities, merging perfectly with the empire's providence.
He was now the one and only sovereign of the Great Yi Imperial Dynasty.
In the sky, the Fengshen List burst into radiant light, pulling massive waves of providence into itself. As the seal absorbed more and more fate, the heavens above were shrouded in golden brilliance.
ROAR!
The True Dragon of Providence re-emerged from the seal, biting into the Fengshen List and soaring into the sky amid thunder and lightning. Wherever it passed, blue light rain fell like a heavenly blessing.
Cities across Great Yi basked in this miraculous rain, marking the beginning of a new era under Heaven.