Of course, the clothes in question were all men's garments — flowing collars and waist sashes — not only elegant and appropriate but also completely unrestrictive during combat. In fact, they were even more comfortable than the tight-fitting outfits of martial artists. In Da Yi, the fabrics used were all of top quality: spirit cotton spun into spiritual-texture cloth. Wearing them felt soft and smooth, warm and filled with spiritual energy. Even mundane swords and blades wouldn't easily tear the fabric, even if no mana or true essence was used.
There were various other materials as well — the most common being spiritual cotton-silk, but also silk from spirit silkworms, spider silk woven into cloth, wool refined through a special process into fat-lamb fabric, and even cloud brocade and mist brocade formed from gathered spirit clouds.
In Da Yi, the most ordinary clothing was already made from spiritual cotton-silk.
Compared to the rough linen worn in other regions, there was simply no comparison.
And these garments were issued freely by Da Yi — three full sets per person for rotation and washing. The moment many citizens donned these clothes, countless people were moved to tears on the spot. These were garments they had never worn even during New Year celebrations — perhaps not once in their entire lives.
In the past, just having clothes was already fortunate. Who dared dream of new ones? Let alone ones made from such high-grade materials. But in Da Yi, they received three complete sets, and upon receiving them, everyone immediately discarded their old, ragged clothing without hesitation. Wearing their previous garments would be a disgrace to their new identity as citizens of Da Yi.
At the time, the master monks like Master Zunsheng could only cover their faces in shame and walk away.
Under their rule, the common people could only eat plain food and live without hope — surviving day to day with no future. But under Da Yi's rule, in just a few days, everything changed dramatically: the food, the water, the clothing — all of it far superior even to what their sect disciples enjoyed.
Then there were the pills in the city.
Many of the elixirs were so valuable that even True Spirit realm experts like themselves couldn't help but swallow nervously at the sight.
Heavensteel Pill, Yin-Yang Pill, Body Tempering Pill, Spirit Restoration Pill, Blood Refining Pill, Blood Essence Pill, Soul Tempering Pill, True Spirit Pill, Divine Origin Pill… From the Divine Sea realm to the True Spirit realm, elixirs for nearly every level were available. Of course, those for the True Spirit realm were exceptionally rare — but still there.
For example, the True Spirit Pill, which could strengthen a cultivator's true spirit and enhance their cultivation and mana.
This pill was among the strongest made by the Medicine King, Sun Simiao.
Due to its scarcity, the cost was astronomical. Even Master Zunsheng grimaced in pain at the price.
Yet cultivation resources that could benefit the True Spirit realm were of unimaginable value. Such things were incredibly rare. It was universally true: the higher the cultivation level, the rarer the resources.
"Da Yi's foundations are truly unfathomable — even possessing cultivation resources for the True Spirit realm. And this is just a standard celestial city. If this were the legendary Sacred City of Da Yi, Xuanhuang City… What kind of spectacle would it be? Da Yi's rise is unstoppable. We must act now and select a talented disciple from our sect to study in Da Yi. We have one available position to become the lord of a Da Yi celestial city. After completing their studies, they can assume command. No doubt, our entire sect will benefit."
Master Zunsheng sighed.
"Senior Brother Abbot speaks the truth. Da Yi is the chosen of Heaven. How can we go against the will of the heavens? Amitabha, the Buddha is compassionate."
The other Master of the "Zun" generation all nodded in agreement.
Just the picture painted by a single celestial city was enough to show how deep and vast Da Yi's foundations truly were — completely beyond imagination.
One can tell how powerful a nation is simply by looking at the quality of life of its people.
And it wasn't just Mount Wutai.
Other sects that had been forced to relinquish control of the human cities under their dominion due to Da Yi's "gate-blocking strategy" were also sending their disciples into the nearest celestial cities. Once inside, they saw the difference with their own eyes: abundant cultivation resources, treasures, magical weapons, divine elixirs — too many to count. Da Yi's unique Primal Phantom Armors in particular left many sect disciples shaken.
Many immediately began purchasing them.
These Primal Phantom Armors could grow with their wearer and potentially evolve into top-tier battle armor.
For defense and survival, there was nothing better.
The countless benefits within Da Yi's celestial cities began to subtly dissolve the resistance many sects initially held toward Da Yi.
Not only were they freely entering and leaving the cities — they even began registering at the Heavenly Registry Hall, applying for celestial ID cards. At the same time, they sensed something new: above them in the skies, an invisible Heavenly Net was silently forming, like unseen shackles over their heads. Anyone who committed a crime would face severe consequences.
…
Time passed quietly.
Both the Shushan Realm and the Dark Ring Realm had effectively fallen under Da Yi's full control. For some reason, the major sects within the Shushan Realm turned a blind eye to Da Yi's expansion and the proliferation of celestial cities — as if they had already accepted this fate. They no longer resisted, and a tacit agreement seemed to be in place.
In fact, when Da Yi fully entered the Shushan Realm, the top experts of Emei, Qingcheng, and other major sects visited Da Yi's Sacred City. They entered the Sacred King Palace and met with Yi Tianxing. After three hours of discussions in the Hall of Knowledge and Action, they returned to their sects, and from that moment on, all resistance disappeared. The celestial cities were established without obstacle.
The Iron-Blood Great Wall was also extended immediately, spreading across both the Shushan and Dark Ring Realms. This time, the Wall was not a projection but a real structure. The current Great Wall was being continuously enhanced — massive amounts of Ice Crystal Race beings were sacrificed and absorbed into its structure. Corpses of vicious beasts and birds were also fed into it. The real wall offered unmatched protection.
Unknowingly, a full month had passed.
On this day:
Eternal Calendar – Year 51, Seventh Month, Day 3
Dragon-Beast Realm
At the border of the realm, an endless horde of ferocious beasts and dragons surged like a tide, densely packed and overwhelming. Each beast radiated terrifying pressure, their eyes filled with murderous intent. The air was thick with killing aura. At any moment, they seemed ready to unleash destruction and annihilate everything in their path. Their numbers were countless — easily in the billions.
Among them were fearsome dragon-beasts whose aura far surpassed the rest. Each exuded immense power that suppressed the surrounding beasts and birds.
Winged Dragons, Triceratops, Stegosaurs, Seismic Dragons, Mosasaurs… All manner of powerful dragon-beasts appeared.
There were even Dinosaur-people — humanoid forms with retained beastly features — standing in the air.
These were the nobles of the Dinosaur Race, symbolizing their high bloodline.
Some had swords embedded in their backs — evolved from Stegosaurs. Some had wings — evolved from Winged Dragons. Others had armor-like shells. All had auras at the Nascent Soul Realm level — fifth-tier powerhouses.
In the sky above, on a massive throne made of bones, the Dragon Emperor sat coldly, gazing down at the gathered army.
Though not the entirety of the Dragon-Beast Realm's forces, half of its full might was already assembled. The rest could be summoned at any time to join the war.
"The time has come. I'll go first. Follow after me."
The Dragon Emperor looked to the void and spoke coldly. Then, before the troops, a ripple appeared in the air. The Dragon Emperor and his bone throne sank into it and vanished.
When he reappeared, he was hovering over a vast sea.
Ripples spread around him, and divine lights flashed — the Fire Emperor, Gold Emperor, and others appeared one by one.
They exchanged glances.
"Let's begin. I'll strike first. Da Yi will fall this time."
The Gold Emperor's eyes gleamed. In front of them, the space looked empty — but to their eyes, an immense wall stood in the void.
"Four-Directional Celestial Gold Cauldron, suppress!"
The Gold Emperor took a deep breath and waved his hand. Instantly, four massive divine cauldrons appeared — one black iron, one bronze, one silver, one gold. The moment they emerged, they exerted a terrifying pressure on the surroundings, distorting the void itself as if it couldn't withstand their weight.
The cauldrons pulsed with fate and divine power. A metallic hum echoed through the air.
Without hesitation, the four cauldrons merged into one even larger cauldron, radiating four-colored divine light and exuding an eternal aura — as though it contained an entire world.
Boom!!
The merged Four-Directional Celestial Gold Cauldron smashed toward the void.
With a thunderous boom, a majestic wall emerged from the void — the Iron-Blood Great Wall. A massive barrier rose to meet the cauldron. Energy surged. Countless divine lights clashed.
Invisible fate and barrier powers collided violently.
At that moment, on the Iron-Blood Great Wall, countless guards turned pale. One of the generals, witnessing the assault, roared with fury:
"Enemy attack! Light the signal fire! All soldiers to the walls! Defend the Great Wall with your blood! Defend the territory of Da Yi! Whoever offends Da Yi — no matter how far — shall be executed! Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"This is Da Yi's territory! Any who invade it — shall die!!"