Unknowingly, time seemed to lose its meaning in that moment.
It was unclear how much time had passed before the Yin Wind within his body finally dissipated completely.
Yi Tianxing slowly returned from that strange state, exhaling a long breath in his heart, a look of reluctance flickering in his eyes as he sighed softly.
"Primordial Purple Qi—truly mysterious beyond words, exquisite and profound. No wonder it's said to be the foundation for attaining the Dao. My understanding of the Imperial Path has deepened considerably. I actually gained a full hundred years of cultivation just by passing through the Wind Calamity. The Dao is indeed wondrous and unfathomable."
Yi Tianxing looked inward toward his Divine Sea.
There, six hundred Dao Crystals were floating within it, each radiating a unique Dao rhythm and law. During that moment of insight, his cultivation had directly soared by a hundred years—a feat that would take an ordinary cultivator several centuries, even a thousand years, to achieve. Now, it was done in an instant—a truly monumental gain.
Earlier, the Primordial Purple Qi, which had been hidden in his Nascent Soul, had emerged—not only helping him pass through the Wind Calamity, but also deepening his comprehension of the Laws of the Imperial Path. The Primordial Purple Qi truly lived up to its name as the ultimate treasure, the foundation of the Great Dao.
However, regrettably, it was still impossible to fully refine this purple qi. It had merely merged with his Nascent Soul; true control remained out of reach. For now, he could only draw on a tiny fraction of its power.
"The Wind Calamity has passed. I've now entered the Calamity-stage Nascent Soul Realm. My cultivation and Dao years can continue growing until I reach a thousand years, at which point the next tribulation will come."
In other words, before reaching a thousand Dao years, there would be no bottlenecks in cultivation. So long as he had the means, his strength could continuously rise.
And with Yi Tianxing's seventy-two-fold luck enhancement, plus the boost from the Primordial Purple Qi, and the Bodhi Seed that amplified his Dao comprehension, his understanding of Heaven and Earth's laws was extraordinary—far surpassing others. Accumulating a thousand years of Dao cultivation wouldn't be difficult. He would reach that point in no time.
"A third of my Nascent Soul has begun transforming into Pure Yang. This is the first step toward evolving into a Yang Spirit. After the Three Calamities, comes Pure Yang."
This newfound state felt remarkably good—his control over Heaven and Earth energy had become stronger, his Nascent Soul's connection to the laws of the universe more intimate. Every strand of his true essence now carried a trace of Pure Yang power, making the same spell cast by him exponentially stronger than before.
Time passed quickly.
Before anyone knew it, the third month arrived.
And with it, the entire Great Yi Dynasty began to stir—as the day of the Imperial Examination drew closer.
"It's the third month—the time has finally come! For this second imperial examination, I will make a name for myself and formally step onto the grand stage of Great Yi. I will become a pillar of the realm!"
"I've been dreaming of serving Great Yi. This is the day I've waited for! I've studied all the classics of statecraft, reviewed the standout essays from the last examination, and even read through the experiences of those who passed. My knowledge and abilities have improved greatly—I'm confident I'll pass!"
"Our wise emperor has ensured all our needs are met—we don't need to worry about food or lodging, so we can fully focus on the exam. I can't let down the emperor's kindness. I must get a good score. No dynasty in history has ever compared to this. This is truly a golden age for the human race!"
"Let's go! With only a few days left, it's the perfect time to head to Xuanhuang City and see the imperial capital of Great Yi with our own eyes."
Although there were still ten days before the actual examination, many of the examinees were already eager to set off for Xuanhuang City. Especially those who had joined Great Yi later—they longed to behold the imperial city of the dynasty with their own eyes.
Partly for preparation, partly to experience the grandeur of the capital.
From the third month onward, all candidates traveling to Xuanhuang City could enjoy free use of the teleportation arrays—and even their food and lodging would be fully covered. Naturally, this stirred excitement in many hearts. It was a rare opportunity that few were willing to miss.
Soon, a massive number of candidates were on the move.
In one city after another, teleportation arrays flared into life.
As light from the arrays flashed, countless human talents were continuously transported to Xuanhuang City.
Thanks to the arrays, there was no need to cross the wilderness. Travel times were slashed, and no danger was involved. In the blink of an eye, one could arrive at the imperial capital.
Before long, the number of examinees in Xuanhuang City began increasing at a shocking rate.
In a certain tavern...
One could see Xun Yu and Xu Shu sitting near a window, gazing out. The tavern windows were crafted from enchanted glass—clearer and far sturdier than ordinary glass, infused with runes to resist shattering. It lent a high-class feel to the establishment.
Xun Yu and Xu Shu had already spent some time traveling throughout Great Yi.
What they'd seen and heard had thoroughly transformed their worldview.
"Brother Xun Yu, have you made your decision yet? I've already resolved to join Great Yi—even if I only become a humble ninth-rank clerk in a city, I'll do so willingly," Xu Shu said, sipping a glass of Hero's Blood, a strong liquor.
"Hmm. The Great Yi Dynasty shelters billions of our people. It is the foremost imperial dynasty in the Eternal World. For the human race, its significance is unparalleled. And now, Yizhou has become the supreme sanctuary for human survival and growth. How could I, Xun Yu, not contribute? After the exam, I'll request an official position from the emperor. My knowledge should be used to secure greater space for the human race to thrive," Xun Yu replied firmly.
Over time, he had come to understand the harsh reality of the Eternal World.
Humanity was struggling. Every inch of land was soaked in the blood of their kin. In such dire times, all personal ambition had to be set aside—the survival and rise of the race was the foremost priority.
Learning about Great Yi's rise from obscurity and the countless crises it had overcome filled Xun Yu with burning passion. He wished he could have been part of it from the beginning, fighting alongside its people.
He no longer had any resistance toward the dynasty. Instead, he held deep admiration for it—and for Yi Tianxing.
To follow such a ruler was not disgraceful—it was an honor.
"I plan to join the military and enter the Military Affairs Pavilion. I want to contribute to our people," said Zhao Yun, dressed in a white robe, calmly taking a seat beside them.
Here, he could feel his blood surging with excitement.
The fighting spirit and vitality of Great Yi's citizens deeply moved him. This was an era where every man was like a dragon. Great Yi gave even the most common people a chance to rise and grow strong. That kind of boldness was something he admired from the depths of his heart.
What ruler didn't oppress the people to maintain control, fearing the rise of an enlightened populace?
Only Great Yi dared to empower its citizens.
To him, this was the ideal age for the human race.
Great Yi—was an imperial dynasty like no other.
"There are so many candidates this time. Based on reports, it's in the millions. They must pass through all ten examination subjects and accumulate enough points. The exam covers all schools of thought—this is a new age of a hundred schools contending. And I suspect Great Yi is preparing for something big," Xun Yu said thoughtfully.
The information he'd gathered in recent days had given him a strong hunch.
"Do you mean Great Yi is about to expand again?" Xu Shu asked calmly, seemingly having come to the same conclusion.
"Great Yi's policy of using immortal cities to suppress the wilderness is a stroke of genius. Through this method, the entire Yizhou was brought under control. But now, with another wave of talent from this second exam, Yizhou won't be able to absorb them all. Only a year after the first examination, another is held—clearly, there's an urgent need. Expansion is inevitable," said Xun Yu gravely.
The Eternal World was vast, and Yizhou too small. Great Yi needed a bigger stage.
"When Great Yi marches to war, I, Zhao Yun, am willing to lead the charge," Zhao Yun declared without hesitation.
This was an era of grandeur. Xun Yu and the others were eager to be part of it.
But first—the examination.
Because of the influx of examinees, Xuanhuang City grew increasingly lively. Many candidates moved in small groups, discussing governance, administration, and strategies. They all understood that the ten subjects of the imperial exam reflected the actual governance of a region. Compared to the first round of examinations, this generation was better prepared in every way.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
On the fifteenth day of the third month, as the ceremonial bell rang, millions of candidates arrived at the Imperial Academy.
Under the strict inspection of the academy's guards, they entered the testing grounds.
Within the academy, one could hear the faint echoes of sage voices, purifying the heart and causing thoughts to flow like a spring.
Identities were verified, and the Four Treasures of the Study were distributed.
"For the Ten Subjects of the Imperial Exam—The Literary Section's topic is: 'The Future!'"
A eunuch, holding the imperial edict, read aloud the final topic.