Countless runes flickered, converging within orbs of light and transforming into unfathomable divine embryos, each exuding the majesty of Heaven. Nine spheres shimmered with divine light in nine colors: yellow, gray, green, white, black, blue, gold, red, and violet. Deep within each radiance lay a coiled figure, but their true forms remained hidden, indecipherable.
Crack!!
A thunderous boom erupted. From the yellow orb, an overwhelming force burst forth. The void rippled, and endless yellow light flooded space. In the blink of an eye, a realm manifested with the yellow orb as its heart—a world, with the orb as its Heavenly Dao, its ruler, its supreme deity.
Within the orb, runes intertwined. A yellow scroll loomed faintly. Even a single wisp of its aura seemed capable of crushing eternity.
That orb faded into the realm, yet felt omnipresent.
A solemn voice echoed:
"I am the Yellow Heaven—Yellow Heaven shall rise!"
The words boomed with boundless might, filled with indisputable majesty. An invisible pressure descended upon every living being across heaven and earth, a force that demanded all cultivators kneel in reverence.
But when this pressure reached the Great Yi Dynasty, the five-clawed golden dragon of fortune roared defiantly from the sea of fate. Its invisible dragon might blocked the oppressive force. The aura emanating from this Destiny True Dragon was so potent that even the Heavenly Dao could not subdue it.
Great Yi, as a Dynasty of the Great Dao, had a destiny spirit imbued with Dao itself. Unless faced with the Dao itself, no mere force could suppress it—not even this so-called Yellow Heaven.
Thus, no one in Great Yi knelt.
Then, in the green orb, runes flickered again, forming a divine embryo. A will was born. Immense force gave rise to a new world. Within it spun a green millstone, cycling through earth, fire, water, and wind.
"I am the Green Heaven—Green Heaven shall rise!"
A cold voice resounded through the void before this realm, too, disappeared from sight.
"I am the Sovereign Heaven—Sovereign Heaven shall rise!"
From the white orb came another shout. Infinite might conjured yet another world. Within it, a snow-white jade ruler appeared, suppressing the four poles of space.
"I am the Nether Heaven—Nether Heaven shall rise!"
From the black orb came a chilling cry. A pitch-black realm emerged, its aura laced with death. A black banner floated into view, seemingly linked to an endless abyss, capable of drawing out one's soul—a banner of despair.
"I am the Profound Heaven—Profound Heaven shall rise!"
A golden orb gave birth to another realm. Its air brimming with mystical truths. A golden pagoda hovered in the void.
"I am the Demon Heaven—Demon Heaven shall rise!"
From the gray orb surged violent energies. A strange black zither emitted eerie fluctuations. Even hearing its melody caused dark thoughts to arise.
"I am the Evil Heaven—Evil Heaven shall rise!"
The blue orb created yet another realm. A blue jade parasol manifested, ancient runes dancing across its surface in constant flux.
"I am the Blood Heaven—Blood Heaven shall rise!"
From the red orb, a sky-piercing murderous aura tore open the skies. A blood-stained stele emerged, engraved with fearsome "kill" characters, overflowing with boundless killing intent.
"I am the Vast Heaven—Vast Heaven shall rise!"
A voice echoed from the violet orb, resounding across the heavens. A violet ancient bell hovered above, commanding awe and submission at first glance.
As the orbs completed their transformations, nine realms manifested in the void—nine layers of heaven, each vast and unfathomable. The aura they emitted rivaled even the original Heavenly Dao. Within each heaven, a terrifying Heavenly Eye opened, each unique yet equally supreme, casting their gaze upon all beings.
Silently, the Nine Heavens vanished into the void, concealed from sight.
Were it not for the lingering pressure in the heavens and earth, one might think it had all been a dream.
"Profound Heaven, Sovereign Heaven, Demon Heaven, Evil Heaven, Blood Heaven, Green Heaven, Yellow Heaven, Nether Heaven, Vast Heaven—so these are the Nine Heavens... nine different Heavenly Daos. Including the original, that makes ten. What in the world is going on?"
Yi Tianxing muttered, his mouth twitching. The emergence of the Nine Heavens was no small matter. This could mark the beginning of catastrophic changes—perhaps even worse than the previous natural disasters. Who knew what consequences the birth of these Nine Heavenly Lords would bring?
"Nine Heavens..."
All cultivators and even other races were equally stunned. Many felt as though a Heavenly Eye might fix its gaze on them at any moment—a feeling both invasive and terrifying.
"Born of the desires and demonic thoughts of all beings… these Nine Heavens may herald unprecedented turmoil in the Eternal World," Yi Tianxie said with a smirk.
These entities wielded power equivalent to the Heavenly Dao, capable of creating their own heavens. If one expected them to be impartial, that would be a delusion.
"The Heavenly Dao has returned, the calamities are over—citizens, do not fear. Tonight marks the New Year's Eve. Let the whole world rejoice! In the 8th year of the Eternal Era, may our Great Yi Dynasty endure forever!"
Sensing the fear among his people, Yi Tianxing projected his voice across the land. It carried confidence and authority, calming the hearts of every citizen and rekindling their trust.
"If His Majesty says it's fine, then it's fine!"
"We've survived natural disasters—we can survive anything!"
Confidence returned. The people resumed their New Year celebrations.
That day, that year, would be remembered for all eternity.
In the first month of the 8th Eternal Year, the Heavenly Dao changed, the Nine Heavens were born, and a new era began.
Though the transformation of the Heavenly Dao and the birth of the Nine Heavens was earth-shaking, the Immortal Treasure Banquet continued without abrupt conclusion. The celebration lasted into the early morning before concluding.
Afterward, the city lords returned to their immortal cities via teleportation. The changes in heaven and earth made their presence critical—they had to return quickly to oversee their domains.
The next day marked the official start of the 8th Eternal Year.
At dawn, Mao Sui entered the imperial palace seeking an audience.
"Your Majesty, envoys from the Dragon Palace have arrived. They await in the guest hall."
"Dragon Palace? From the land-based dragon clans or the sea?"
"The Sea Dragon Palace—more precisely, the Hanhai Dragon Palace. Their aura is noble and bloodline pure—true dragons. It's not the Bohai Dragon Palace we dealt with before. According to them, the Hanhai lies just off the coast of Wanghai City. In fact, this land may itself lie within the Hanhai. The sea is vast—within it are many great landmasses not inferior to ours."
The sea, indeed, is more mysterious and treacherous than land.
"Did they say why they came?"
"No. No matter how I probed, they skillfully avoided the topic. They insist only His Majesty may be told their purpose."
"So they came specifically for me," Yi Tianxing mused.
Whatever the Hanhai Dragon Palace was up to, it was no small matter. The sea was always more dangerous than land.
"Summon them to court. I'd like to see what this Dragon Palace wants."
Soon after, a man and woman entered the palace alongside Mao Sui. After revealing their identity, they did not hide their true forms—dragon horns shimmered on their foreheads, exposing them as pure-blooded dragons.
Facing the ruler of Great Yi, they presented themselves at full strength.
"Indeed, the Dragon Palace produces beauties. This dragon princess is truly extraordinary," Yi Tianxing thought as his eyes fell upon her.
"Princess Ao Qi of the Hanhai Dragon Palace greets the Emperor of Great Yi. Please forgive our sudden visit."
Even as she studied Yi Tianxing, she offered flawless courtesy, proof of the Dragon Palace's strict discipline and regard for etiquette.
"No need for formality. Your arrival honors Great Yi. May I ask what brings the princess to my court today?"
"We've come to deliver an invitation," Ao Qi replied.