Once the nobility system was initiated, it would not be restricted solely to surrendered rulers. Many officials within Great Yi would also have the opportunity to be granted titles. However, too many recipients would place an immense burden on the empire's national fate. Therefore, the system required careful regulation.
The most important safeguard was this: noble titles would degrade over time, eventually fading into commoner status unless merit was continually earned to sustain or advance the title. It was a merit-based system rooted in survival of the fittest.
In the hall, many ministers' eyes flickered with subtle excitement.
To anyone—even those already powerful—nobility represented prestige and recognition.
"I concur with this policy,"said Huang Chengyan."It will win the hearts of the people.
Any ambitious individual will now see a clear path forward.
It will also make future conquests far easier,
by undermining resistance from within."
As long as titles weren't granted in perpetuity, Great Yi's core destiny would remain secure.
"Your Majesty,"said Su Shi, stepping forward,"I believe the nobility system must remain distinct from the nine-tier civil service system.
Confusing the two would cause disorder and damage the structure of our national fate.
They must be kept entirely separate.
That will benefit both the state and its citizens."
Su Shi had served dutifully as Minister of the Ministry of Rites and never shied from truth.
"Well said. Titles and positions must not be mixed."
"Agreed!"
"Seconded!"
One voice after another echoed across the hall.
Administrative rank was the foundation of Great Yi's governance. It could not be undermined.
Titles, merit, preservation of fate, control—these were all critical factors to balance.
Soon, the ministers collectively drafted a detailed plan and presented it to Yi Tianxing for final approval.
"Excellent,"said Yi Tianxing, nodding in satisfaction.
Looking around the court, he announced:
"This Holy King decrees:
In addition to the Deification Roll, I shall establish a new national artifact—the Nobility Roll (封王榜), also known as the Royal and Noble Roll, or simply The Nobility Roll."
"This artifact shall be used solely for noble ennoblement."
"Six noble ranks shall be instituted:
– King (王)– Duke (公)– Marquis (侯)– Earl (伯)– Viscount (子)– Baron (男)"
"Only those of imperial bloodline may be granted the title of King.
Foreign surnames shall not be granted Kinghood unless under extraordinary circumstances.
The Nine-Rank Nobility System shall be implemented.
Titles are not tied to land.
Each title shall be passed down every thirty years.
If no heir claims the title in time, it shall degrade.
Once it degrades past the ninth rank, the title is lost, and the line becomes commoners again."
An ancient saying goes:
"At thirty, a man stands firm."
In the cultivation world, where lifespans stretch for centuries, such longevity could otherwise allow titles to leech off national fortune forever.
Setting a time limit now, at the birth of the nobility system, would allow it to become immutable law, accepted by all future generations as custom, tradition, and truth.
A noble title passed every thirty years could last up to 270 years—longer than the lifespan of many mortal dynasties.
"The Nobility Roll shall operate on a separate fate system, distinct from the Deification Roll,"Yi Tianxing continued.
He then explained the cultivation fate enhancement values for each tier:
RankFate Boost
Holy King (Yi Tianxing)×288King
(Empress, Consorts)×216Marquis
(Princes, Princesses)×168
Below these:
Official GradeFate Boost
1st Grade×144
2nd Grade×128
3rd Grade×112
4th Grade×96
5th Grade×80
6th Grade×64
7th Grade×48
8th Grade×32
9th Grade×16
The Nobility Roll functioned independently.
For example, a King title granted via the Nobility Roll offered ×168 fate boost—equivalent to a Marquis under the Deification Roll.
The titles under the Nobility Roll were valued as follows:
King: ×168
Duke: ×144
Marquis: ×128
Earl: ×112
Viscount: ×96
Baron: ×80
Each of these were further broken down into nine internal grades, with fate bonuses decreasing as follows:
Baron: 80 → 72 → 64 → 56 → 48 → 40 → 32 → 24 → 16
Viscount: 96 → 87 → 78 → … (decrease by 9)
Earl: 112 → 101 → 90 → … (decrease by 11)
Marquis: 128 → 115 → 102 → … (decrease by 13)
Duke: 144 → 130 → 116 → … (decrease by 14)
King: 168 → 151 → 134 → … (decrease by 17)
"If one holds both office and title,"Yi Tianxing continued,"whichever grants the higher fate value shall apply.
If one holds no office, the noble fate boost shall be used."
"Nobles may exchange merit for higher titles."
"Soldiers may do the same—
Nobility shall be attainable through military merit.
But no man shall be granted Marquis, Duke, or King without proven battlefield achievements."
"As for surrendered rulers,
regardless of their former status,
the highest they may be granted is Earl."
"Nobles shall receive stipends,
and if they also hold office,
they may receive double pay."
Fate cannot stack, but wages can.
The ministers' eyes lit up. For them, with their accumulated merit, acquiring noble titles was well within reach.
Even if they didn't pursue Dukes or Marquises, lower-ranked titles would allow them to bless their descendants.
This was undoubtedly a benevolent and forward-looking reform.
"Your Majesty is wise and merciful!"the ministers chorused in praise.
The policy would enhance national unity, making it an irrefutable strategic benefit.
"Now that the nobility system is settled,"Yi Tianxing continued, smiling,
"let us decide on the specific titles for the Tianlong Emperor and the Five Elder Stars.
The Demon Sea Realm must be stabilized swiftly."
"In my opinion,"Pei Ju stepped forward,
"to win hearts as one would pay dearly for a fine steed,
we cannot appear stingy.
While Duke or Marquis are too high, we may grant the Earl title."
"The Tianlong Emperor may receive First-Rank Earl,
and the Five Elder Stars may receive Second-Rank Earls."
"This not only displays our graciousness,
but also spreads the nobility system throughout the realms."
"Very well. Grant him the Earl title—let him live in wealth and leisure."
Yi Tianxing nodded and issued the imperial edict.
He then withdrew to the inner hall to begin the ritual forging of the Nobility Roll.
With treasures such as Rainbow Spider Silk and the Seven-Colored Celestial Silkworm Thread, refining the artifact was not difficult.The national fate of Great Yi would nurture it like any sacred treasure.
The process did not take long.
Within a few hours, the Nobility Roll was complete.It was placed into the Auspicious Clouds of Merit and swallowed by the Fate Dragon, to be nourished with Great Yi's destiny.
Though all this took time to describe, only a few hours had passed.
Yet for the Tianlong Emperor, every moment was agony—his fate hanging in the balance.
As dawn broke, golden sunlight rising over the eastern sea…
SWOOSH!!
A brilliant seven-colored rainbow split the skies.
Amid the divine light appeared Cao Zhengchun, holding the Imperial Edict.
"Imperial Decree Arrives!!"
he declared with great authority.
"Greetings, imperial envoy!
We welcome the Holy King's decree!"
Firecloud Evil God and the city lord bowed deeply.
Even the Tianlong Emperor and the Five Elders bent at the waist, despite themselves.This was the moment that would seal their fates.
"By the decree of the Holy King,"Cao Zhengchun recited solemnly:
"Tianlong Emperor, seeing the suffering of the people,
chooses to avoid war and submit his nation to Great Yi.
For his contribution to the peace of the realm and the welfare of millions,
he is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Earl of Great Yi.
His descendants may inherit the title through to its natural end."
"The Five Elder Stars are granted the title of Second-Rank Earls of Great Yi,
likewise inheritable to their descendants."
"Thus decrees the Holy King!"
The decree echoed across the entire Demon Sea Realm, carried by invisible divine might.
All who heard it instinctively understood what the noble ranks were, and what fate enhancements each title carried in the empire of Great Yi.