Though the situation came unexpectedly, Yi Tianxing gave his orders without hesitation:
"Quickly head to the Rose Palace. Midwives are to follow. Whatever is needed for the delivery, provide it without delay. Prepare everything now!"
Without pause, Wang Zhaojun was swiftly transferred to the Rose Palace, her personal residence. At the same time, midwives and all necessary items were delivered immediately. Some consorts stayed behind at Jingsi Palace to keep Cao Jie company, while others headed to the Rose Palace, awaiting the arrival of a new life.
"Husband, go see Sister Zhaojun first. She needs you more right now. I'm fine here."
Cao Jie smiled warmly, speaking to Yi Tianxing.
"Alright. I'll head over now, and come back soon to spend time with you and our son."
Yi Tianxing nodded. He gently kissed Cao Jie on the forehead, then with a flash of light, a Star Ring appeared in his hand. He placed it directly on Yi Boyun's finger, smiling before turning to leave.
The Rose Palace, true to its name, was surrounded by blooming roses. The fragrant air was warm and refreshing, giving the place an atmosphere of spring.
"Father, looks like things are going to get lively around here."
"So many of our aunts are pregnant, and they all seem to be due around the same time. I bet the Sacred King's Palace will be filled with babies soon!"
Yi Tianxing's fifth daughter, Yi Fengling, said with a giggle, blinking playfully. To her, more siblings meant more fun.
As the head of the Sacred Court, Yi Tianxing's bloodline spreading was not only joyful—it was necessary.
"You little rascal."
Yi Tianxing smiled and shook his head.
To him, one could never have too many children. He hadn't even distributed all of the Star Rings yet.
The Star Ring system worked like this: the main ring was in Yi Tianxing's possession. From it, he could produce 365 sub-rings, forming a Small Zhou Tian Star Array. Beyond that, he could forge up to 129,600 sub-rings, capable of establishing the Great Zhou Tian Star Array—a structure that could reshape a starfield at a thought.
So even if he fathered countless children, there would always be enough rings. In fact, the more, the better.
He had all the time in the world to wait and build his legacy.
Soon, activity bustled throughout Rose Palace.
Anticipation, nerves, excitement—these emotions swirled once more. No matter how many times he witnessed childbirth, the moment always stirred Yi Tianxing's heart.
"Look! Another divine light has split the skies!"
"This time, it's from the Demon Sea Realm!"
From the sky, a beam of divine light shot forth—clearly the same Heavenly Mandate Light as before. However, this one came not from the Bohai Realm but from the newly unified Demon Sea Realm.
"Another Heavenly Mandate baptism.This child really picked a fine time to be born."
Yi Tianxing couldn't help but smile.
With two realms newly brought under Great Yi, their Heavenly Destiny had now been bestowed upon his children. Naturally, this had much to do with their imperial bloodlines.
The children had likely responded subconsciously to the call of fate, choosing the most auspicious time to enter the world.
WAAAAHH!
Just as the light descended, a sharp cry rang out—a baby's first breath.
"Congratulations, Sacred King!It's a princess!"
The midwife came out cheerfully.
"Wonderful! Another little cotton-padded jacket—winter won't be cold anymore!"
Yi Tianxing laughed.
They entered the Rose Palace and found that Zhaojun had given birth to a girl. The child radiated divine charm. After being bathed in Heavenly Mandate Light, she was born with radiant ears, shimmering with divine light—blessed with the ability to hear all things.
She was named Yi Xianyin (仙音 – Celestial Sound).
On the 22nd day of the 8th month, in the 50th year of the Eternal Calendar, Yi Xianyin, Ninth Princess of Great Yi, was born—her divine ears allowing her to perceive all things in creation.
Her name was inscribed into the Imperial Genealogy of the Sacred King's Palace, to be passed down for thousands of years.
Yi Tianxing once again rewarded the entire realm—distributing wealth and supplies to every citizen in celebration.
Though the amount per person seemed small, the population of Great Yi made the total reward a staggering sum.
Still, for Great Yi, it was merely a drop in the ocean.
The empire produced massive quantities of Willforce Pearls, Demonic Thought Beads, and Eternal Coins every day. The Money Trees alone recycled and reissued wealth at an astonishing pace.
That night, across all immortal cities of Great Yi, billions of fireworks lit up the skies—shining into the void and dazzling the heavens.
The Bohai Realm and Demon Sea Realm, newly annexed into the empire, were especially moved.
For the people of these regions, this was the first time they truly felt the light of civilization, the fruits of order, and the joy of peace.
With two newborns added to the Sacred King's Palace, the atmosphere grew even more joyous. Though the other pregnant consorts hadn't gone into labor, the two successive Heavenly Mandate baptisms stirred thoughts in their hearts.
"I heard the Caribbean Realm will soon be fully mapped. If it's conquered soon… child, do seize the moment if you feel the call."
"The Dead Sea Realm's feng shui array is almost complete. Be ready, my child…"
Yi Tianxing naturally noticed these inner thoughts but said nothing.
This was a matter of fate.
Regardless of when or how they were born, each child was his. Each one, unique and irreplaceable.
Meanwhile…
Outside Great Yi, in a hidden secret realm…
There, in a secluded magic palace, lurked a large gathering of evil beings—even top-tier demon beasts and vast swarms of insectoids. If awakened, they could unleash catastrophic devastation.
At the heart of the dark palace, several figures in cloaks of white, black, red, and green stood around a mystical pool. On the surface of the pool, images shifted constantly—scenes of Great Yi: its domains, its cities, and its prosperous people.
This was a vision of Great Yi's thriving power.
The figures were none other than several core leaders of Hydra (九头蛇).
They watched in silence, brows furrowed in grim thought.
"Its power is becoming uncontrollable,"said the White Cloak, his voice heavy.
"Since being promoted to a Sacred Court, Great Yi has taken Bohai and Demon Sea in rapid succession.
Along with Hanhai, that's three realms under its control.
The immortal cities have been expanded. Each now rivals royal capitals.
Their new policy increased each city's control from 1,000 to 3,000 li.
This ruins our plan to incite conflict between humans and other races. The pressure on non-human tribes has been eased."
Their original strategy was to provoke internal strife. The old policy of one city per 1,000 li suffocated nearby non-human tribes. Under such pressure, rebellion was inevitable. Hydra hoped to exploit that.
But now, the 3,000-li policy offered breathing room.
The plan was dead before it began.
"How does Great Yi have such vast population?"said the Black Cloak coldly.
"Three realms taken with no manpower shortages?
Our intelligence estimates their population at 60 trillion, including many children.
With their policy, each realm requires 15 trillion to govern properly.
That means three realms use 45 trillion—leaving only enough for one more realm."
"The Dead Sea Realm is unsuitable for human habitation.
Even if Great Yi takes it, it'll only be symbolic.
At that point, they'll hold five realms."
Great Yi's policies made expansion incredibly effective.
Each immortal city was like a nail driven into the land—impossible to pull out.
Once territory was claimed, it was locked down and irreversible.
"We can't let Great Yi continue expanding unchecked,"said the Red Cloak.
"Even if we can't change the end, we must slow them down.
If Great Yi becomes too strong, we'll be completely passive."
"Agreed. Let's discuss countermeasures."
The Green Cloak nodded.
"To hinder their expansion, the best way is to cause internal chaos—
sow unrest among the people, or trigger disasters."
The White Cloak inhaled deeply.
"Let me act,"said the Green Cloak, eyes gleaming with eerie green light.
"I will unleash a plague within Great Yi.
Let's see how they handle death and disease."
The conspiracy had begun.