Zhen Chengxin?
True Integrity?
Yi Tianxing's lips twitched slightly.
"Back then, there was a traveling merchant named Jia Chengxin.Now another one shows up, this time it's Zhen Chengxin…These traveling merchants really love their puns.Who knows if they're truly sincere or just being playful?"
While the names amused him, what truly caught Yi Tianxing's attention wasn't the merchant himself—but the city atop the Wandering Bird. That structure clearly wasn't decorative. It was the real deal.
"Many thanks to Emperor Yi for your gracious invitation," said Zhen Chengxin as he stood on the Rainbow Bridge, bowing respectfully toward the imperial palace."However, I am not the only one who came on this far-traveling journey.There are many others aboard the bird's city—I hope Your Majesty will allow them entry into Great Yi for travel and exploration.If any among them wish to settle here,I ask that you permit it with open arms."
Yi Tianxing nodded calmly.
"Naturally.Anyone who disembarks from the Wandering Bird shall be issued a temporary status card, granting access to and from the Immortal Cities of Great Yi.However, this permission will be time-limited.Permanent residency requires full integration—Permanent Tianji Cards will not be issued to outsiders lightly."
Even as he gave permission, Yi Tianxing's thoughts were already spinning.
"This merchant's thinking is clever—He's essentially running a tourism business, selling what amounts to tickets aboard a mobile world.And judging by the size of the city, the fare is surely not cheap."
But at least he was collaborating with traveling merchants, a smart move.
"They may be eccentric,But they don't rob or kill.They're reliable businessmen."
What made this even more appealing was the Wandering Bird's inherent ability to pass through dangerous zones without attracting attacks. That alone made it the safest transport method in the Eternal World.
"As long as you survive, there's hope—there's everything."
For cultivators, safety was everything.
If this method could bring people to Great Yi, then the empire's prosperity would attract them like moths to a flame. Many of them would stay.
"After seeing Great Yi's peace and wealth,Some will definitely choose to remain."
Great Yi had long ceased to be a no-name nation.
Its fame echoed across the Eternal World,Especially among human cultivators,Where it had become a spiritual pillar.
For many, meeting Great Yi on a far-traveling journey was nothing short of a miracle.
"People who dare board such a beast for travel—Must be bold and capable.Every one of them could be a talent."
Yi Tianxing grew more and more intrigued.
"With luck, some of them may even be top-tier talents.And if Great Yi's own merchants can use the same Far-Traveler networks To expand outward—That would open doors for both trade and intelligence gathering."
Great Yi needed not only to grow stronger internally but also to extend its reach to the wider world.
"Leaving is easy,But the challenge lies in returning safely."
But even that had solutions, depending on certain treasures within Great Yi.
Meanwhile...
The arrival of the wandering merchants made the Immortal Peach Festival even more sensational.
However, far away—deep in a hidden shadow realm of the wilds within Great Yi's borders...
Two pairs of sinister eyes stared through a spatial veil, watching the Rainbow Bridge and the endless stream of honored guests crossing it.
Their eyes gleamed with malice.
"Great Yi is more glorious than ever…But this isn't in our interest."
A man in white robes, his voice cold, stared with narrowed eyes.
"The entire purpose of Hydra's founding was to destroy Great Yi.We even spread false rumors to tarnish their name—But the allure of their prosperity proved irresistible."
His expression twisted into one of bitter resentment.
"Rumors were never going to bring down Great Yi,"said the black-robed man beside him, his tone mocking."At most, they caused a few headaches.Now, it's time to deliver our real gift."
"They dared to suppress and seize our Heavenly Demon God Weapons.They will pay the price.We, the Hydra, are not ones to swallow a loss without vengeance."
His eyes burned with dangerous intent—a web of calculations flickering behind them.
The white-robed one frowned.
"Black Robe, you're still keeping the plan from me?That's too cautious.Tell me what it is. At least let us analyze and patch up weaknesses.We can't afford another disaster like last time."
He was both annoyed and curious. The secrecy unnerved him.
"In this Eternal World," said Black Robe slowly,"Great Yi seems like Heaven's favored child—Blessed beyond reason.Everything they do goes unnaturally smoothly."
"To challenge them head-on is pointless.Every direct action turns into a miscalculation.So this time—I'm using a detour tactic."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping low.
"This time…I will make Heaven itself turn against Great Yi.I will drive a wedge between Yi Tianxing and the 'Will of Heaven.'Once that rift forms,Great Yi will lose Heaven's favor,And nothing they do will ever be easy again."
A smile—cold and calculated—played across his lips.
"You're planning to antagonize Heaven itself?"The white-robed one stiffened in disbelief."What are you even trying to do?"
If the plan involved Heaven, then this was no small scheme.If something went wrong, the entire Hydra organization could be annihilated.
They had all agreed—some powers simply must not be provoked.
Yet here Black Robe was, breaking that rule.
"Relax," Black Robe said lightly."This is just borrowing strength—using Heaven's own rules against it.We won't be implicated.All we have to do…Is sit back and enjoy the show."
The white-robed figure snorted but said no more.
Soon enough, they would know what the plan was.
And if it succeeded? Excellent.
If not—they would remain untouched.
"Either way, it won't harm us.Hydra is like our namesake—cut off one head, three more will grow."
Black Robe's eyes gleamed.
Back in the Imperial Palace...
Yi Tianxing suddenly felt a strange stirring within his body.
His blood and essence churned, and he was struck by a moment of premonition.
It vanished in a flash—but he knew it was no illusion.
"Premonition…Someone is targeting me.And it's not just any threat—This one could be lethal."
Even at the peak of the True Spirit Realm, only a step from Dao Platform Realm, Yi Tianxing was not easily shaken.
"With power that lets me battle far beyond my realm—For me to still feel this warning...It must be serious."
But the source eluded him—no trace to pursue.
"Interesting," he murmured."Someone dares to mess with the Immortal Peach Festival?Let's see what cards you play.But whether dragon or tiger—you lie flat in my territory."
His divine Emperor aura surged, an undefeatable presence within Great Yi.
Time passed quietly.
On the Rainbow Bridge, the welcoming divine light continued to shine, drawing in guests from all directions.
As the festival approached, more and more beings arrived—from all races and realms.
Even winged beings like the Avians, whose spread wings shimmered with holy light, made their entrance. They resembled angels—but were a distinct race.
Minotaurs, boarmen, and even kobolds had found their seats.
A certain green-furred figure—Green Emperor—had clearly claimed a seat meant for kobolds. No one knew how he managed that.
At last, the hour arrived.
DONG—DONG—DONG!
A crisp sound of jade chimes echoed above Xuanhuang City.
"The Immortal Peach Festival is now officially open!We welcome His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Yi!"
A resounding voice rang across the skies, reaching every corner of the empire.