After the Immortal Delicacy Banquet, the world officially stepped into the fiftieth year of the Eternal Calendar.Yet, few people felt in the mood for celebration.Everyone's minds were focused on one thing: the impending Ascension.
Compared to this, Spring Festival seemed trivial.Spring Festival would come and go every year, but Ascension to Sacred Court—that was a once-in-an-era event that would affect the fate of all Great Yi.
Even the Lantern Festival went by without much excitement. Though it was lively, no one was truly focused on it.
Time flowed on, and unknowingly, it was now the sixteenth day of the first month of the fiftieth year.
The night before, countless people across Great Yi had lain awake in their beds.Even if they wanted to sleep—they couldn't.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
At dawn, as the first ray of sunlight broke through the eastern sky, a crisp bell echoed through the void.
"It's time."
"The moment has finally come.Great Yi is finally going to ascend to Sacred Court.We've waited far too long for this."
"From Emperor Dynasty to Sacred Court—that's an enormous leap.Who knows what kind of catastrophe might descend, but…even if I must give my life, I'll see this through.This time, Great Yi must ascend—no matter the cost."
"We didn't get this far by luck.All these years of cultivation, everything we have today—it's all thanks to Great Yi.If that's the case, then even if I must give my blood and body, I'll do it for the sake of my empire!"
Everyone knew the rule:When a Fortune Dynasty ascended, Heaven and Earth would unleash a trial.
Whether one could pass it depended entirely on the foundation and strength of the Dynasty.If passed—brilliant future.If failed—crippling setback, loss of vitality, and a halt to progress.
No one knew what form the trial would take.But one thing was certain—there would be a trial.
Fortunately, all of Great Yi—every citizen and cultivator—was prepared.
All eyes turned toward the sky.
And in that sky, the previously hidden Xuanhuang Immortal City emerged, revealing itself before all beings.
Its majestic form dominated the horizon.Trillions of citizens across Great Yi stared upward with passion and reverence in their eyes.
Their collective will and faith surged forward—boundless and pure.Even the powerful beings who had remained to observe this ascension felt their expressions shift.
"Where the hearts of the people go, nothing can stand in the way."Dao Lord Changsheng sighed deeply.
"The fortune of Great Yi has already reached twelve thousand zhang.Every day, an ocean of luck is pouring into the Fortune Dragon.This six-clawed azure dragon is no ordinary force."The Carefree Wanderer added.
Indeed, the Eternal Coins had become a bottomless source of destiny, drawing fortune from all corners into Great Yi.
Though outsiders didn't know the specifics, they could all feel that the Fortune Dragon was growing stronger each day.Its growth might seem subtle in the short term, but after a while—it was astonishing.
Everyone had to admit:Great Yi's foundation was profound.They waited until twelve thousand zhang of destiny before initiating ascension—a wise and cautious move.
From the Imperial Palace, a rainbow light shot across the sky, forming a massive Rainbow Bridge suspended in the void.
Yi Tianxing, dressed in the Chaos Dragon Battle Robes and wearing the Heaven-Suppressing Crown, stepped onto the bridge.
His aura of imperial majesty radiated naturally, spreading in all directions.
Anyone who laid eyes on him felt their hearts tremble.
A silent pressure gripped them.
"It's the Emperor!"
A wave of excitement swept through the populace.
"People of Great Yi—Today, our True Spirit of Destiny has reached twelve thousand zhang.Our citizens number thirty-seven trillion.We now hold full control over the Hanhai Domain.
From this day forward—Great Yi shall ascend… to Sacred Court!!"
Yi Tianxing's gaze swept across the land.Wherever it landed, the people felt as though they themselves had been seen.
That feeling sparked a surge of emotion and frenzy in their hearts.
"Sacred Court!"
"Sacred Court!!"
"Sacred Court!!!"
Millions—billions—cried out in unison.
This was their dream.To witness the rise of their Empire.To live in such an era… they were proud beyond words.
Yi Tianxing's own heart surged with emotion.
He had waited for this day for far too long.It was the culmination of decades of accumulation.
"Sacrificial Altar!!"
Yi Tianxing shouted, his voice resounding like a divine decree.
Instantly, a solemn stillness spread across all of Great Yi.
Even ordinary citizens instinctively adopted a respectful demeanor.
Swoosh!!
From the Sea of Merit Clouds, the Sacrificial Altar emerged—descending from the heavens and landing in the center of Xuanhuang City's main square.
Compared to before, it had grown more divine.More inscriptions covered its surface.It emitted a heavy, awe-inspiring aura—a sacred, immeasurable power.
The altar had two layers and stood nine zhang tall.
The bottom was square
The top was circular
A heavenly staircase of 81 steps connected the ground to the top—symbolizing the perfection of "Nine-Nine Return to One."
Round and square—Heaven and Earth in harmony.
As it landed, it seemed to take root in the earth, its Earth Altar linking to the will of the world, and its Heaven Altar linking to the heavens above.
Invisible forces began to gather from the world.
"What a Sacrificial Altar.As Great Yi's national artifact, it has been refined by boundless destiny and cleansed by the will of the people.Its power rivals even the most ancient innate spiritual treasures.It is a true treasure of the nation."Dao Lord Changsheng's eyes gleamed.
Among all the treasures of a Fortune Dynasty, the Sacrificial Altar was one of the most vital.It wasn't just symbolic—it was a functional engine of divine will.
But only Fortune Dynasties could use it.Even if others seized it, it would be no more than a lifeless object in their hands.
"Keep watching. This is just the beginning."Empress Yaochi added calmly.
Watching a Dynasty ascend—it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
"The altar is connected to the land.Though Great Yi follows the path of the Great Dao,because it resides in the Eternal World, the Heavenly Dao still has the right to intervene—so long as it does not overstep the bounds of fairness."
Yi Tianxing, as Lord of the Dynasty, immediately sensed the change.
Yes, Great Yi was a Great Dao-Level Dynasty, normally untouchable by the Heavenly Dao.But its level was still low, and the Heavenly Dao could still execute the trial process, acting on behalf of the Great Dao so long as it remained fair and impartial.
When the altar activated, Yi Tianxing sensed two wills descending:
One from the Great Dao—ethereal and imperceptible, which only he could detect.
One from the Heavenly Dao—manifest and obvious, felt by all the other cultivators present.
Thus, most people only noticed the descent of the Heavenly Dao's will.
At that moment, the scholar Cai Yong stood beside the altar, wearing his solemn ritual robes.
"Present the offerings!!"he announced with authority.
Immediately, attendants brought forth the pre-prepared offerings.
These weren't mere items—they were Heaven-Earth treasures.
Each one was worth a fortune, the kind of thing that could help a cultivator forge a Dao Platform.
And today, they presented nine of them at once.
It was an astonishing display of wealth and resolve.
Yet no one thought it excessive.Compared to ascension, these offerings were nothing.
The treasures merged into the altar, transforming into light and vanishing.It was as if some mysterious force had taken them.
The will surrounding the altar became even denser and more powerful.
SHRING!!
Suddenly, in the skies above the altar, a golden eye appeared.
From this eye radiated an irresistible pressure—a weight borne from the authority of the cosmos.
Even Dao Lords like Changsheng instinctively bowed.
"The Eye of Heaven."
The Heavenly Dao had arrived.
Yi Tianxing stepped forward and began his declaration:
"I, Yi Tianxing, ruler of the Great Yi Emperor Dynasty,do hereby submit this offering to Heaven and to the Great Dao.
Since the founding of our nation, we have brought peace to our people within,and repelled beasts and enemies without.
On the Divine-Demon Battlefield, our soldiers shed blood and died in droves,their corpses wrapped in horsehide.Yet they never retreated.
We marched beyond the stars.We fought on the Eternal Night battlefield.We slew countless enemies and brought honor to the Eternal World.
Within, we have raised up our people so that all may be dragons,strong, dignified, and free from oppression and calamity.
Today, we control the entire Hanhai Domain.Our citizens now number close to forty trillion.Peace reigns.The old are cared for.The young are nurtured."
"The status of Emperor Dynasty can no longer contain the might of Great Yi.I beseech the Dao for compassion, and the Heavens for grace:
Grant Great Yi the right to ascend—and become a Sacred Court!"
Each word was filled with rhythm and resonance, echoing through the heavens.
This was the official record of Great Yi's achievements.
The message was clear:
**Great Yi has shed blood for all beings.Great Yi has killed in the name of the Eternal World.
Our merit is real. Our service undeniable.
Heavenly Dao—you have no right to stop us.
In fact, you should clear the path for us.**
Of course, this only worked because:
Strength
Foundation
Destiny
Merit
—Great Yi had all of it.
They were ready to ascend. There was nothing to fault.