Eternal Calendar – Year 25, Month 12, Day 27.
Xuanhuang City, Imperial Palace, Hall of Heavenly Ascent.
All the ministers had gathered.
Inside the grand hall, one could see joy and solemnity alike on the faces of the gathered officials.
"Greetings to the Emperor and Empress. May the Emperor live ten thousand years. May the Empress's beauty endure forever."
The officials bowed in unison.
This was the final court assembly of the year—and also the most significant. It would be the last before the God-Demon Battlefield reopened. As such, never before had the ministers gathered in such complete numbers.
Yi Tianxing sat high upon the imperial throne, gazing over the assembly. As he looked at his ministers, he nodded with silent approval. The Great Yi now truly overflowed with talent. Over the past decade, each official had developed an unmistakable aura of authority and power. From their presence alone, it was clear that nearly all had reached the Dharma Phase Realm—and not just entered it, but progressed significantly within it.
Cultivation Realms Overview:
Divine Sea Realm: Qi Gathering → Spirit Spring → Sea Transformation
Fate Aperture Realm: Illusory Reflection → Starry Veins → Moon Mirror
Fate Map Realm: Image Condensation → Star Pointing → Scroll Painting
Dharma Phase Realm: Dharma Body → Soul Gathering → Soul Condensation
Nascent Soul Realm: Wind Tribulation → Thunder Tribulation → Fire Tribulation
Yang God Realm: Five Qi → Chaoyuan → Auspicious Cloud
All court officials were blessed by national fortune and had access to ample resources. Their cultivation speed far outpaced that of common cultivators. While it was normal for others to be stuck in the Dharma Phase Realm for decades or even centuries—especially during the dangerous Soul Condensation stage—Great Yi's ministers progressed quickly. This was thanks to resources like soul-enhancing pills, spirit grains, and, most importantly, the Primal Phantom Armor.
Not only could this armor manifest externally as divine battle gear, but it could also form internal armor, covering the Dharma Body and shielding it during tribulations. It was one of the best tools for surviving the seven tribulations of soul tempering.
In Great Yi, everyone had a Primal Phantom Armor. Upon becoming a cultivator, the first step was to choose one's phantom beast to bind with. These beasts were carefully selected for compatibility and potential.
Elite officials like Huang Chengyan, Cai Yong, Zhuge Liang, and Jia Xu had even reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Their deep foundations and peak-level talents, combined with the empire's support, made slow progress nearly impossible.
Huang Chengyan's Confucian cultivation was especially suited to court governance. Managing the populace enhanced his understanding of the Dao and deepened his perception of divine laws.
At this point, the Great Yi court was no weaker than any immortal sect—perhaps even more formidable.
"Reporting to the Emperor!"Jia Yucun stepped forward first to report:"As of today, the population registered under the Great Yi Empire exceeds 120 billion, with more than 70 billion adults. The rest are children and youths. Our demographic growth has entered a steady and sustainable cycle."
This surge in population came largely from the Void Trains, which constantly ferried human refugees from the Hanhai Region into Great Yi. After the destruction caused by the Sea Tides, countless human factions were wiped out, and the survivors eagerly accepted Great Yi's protection. Though some refused or remained independent, they were the minority.
Yi Tianxing nodded."120 billion is just the beginning. I envision a future where our people number in the trillions. Only then will the Great Yi be the ultimate paradise for human prosperity. That shall be our true golden age."
"We pledge to build this sacred land with Your Majesty!"The ministers responded in unison.
"Let us strive together," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
"Kongming, how stands the military?"
Zhuge Liang stepped forward, gently fanning himself.
"For ten years, our soldiers have trained diligently, aided by vast resources and constant tempering in the Nightmare World. Their strength has grown exponentially. All urban-based military corps now consist entirely of Ninth-Rank Heavenly Soldiers. We can mobilize 30 million of them at any moment. Many generals have also emerged from their ranks."
Yi Tianxing nodded."Excellent. After court adjourns, notify the military: prepare for war."
"Your Majesty," said Gongshu Lin as he stepped forward, "all major military corps have completed weapon upgrades. Our main armies now wield gear made of Yin-Yang Steel, and Godslayer Crossbows have been distributed to each unit. Stocks of Yin-Yang Annihilation Bomb are full and can be continually replenished."
"Additionally," he continued, "our Heavenly Craft Pavilion has successfully constructed ten Mechanical War Bastions—one per year."
These Mechanical War Bastions were terrifying battlefield juggernauts, like the Ice Crystal War Fortresses once wielded by the Ice Crystal Clan. Combining the Gongshu Clan's secret mechanisms with Lu-style engineering and powerful rune arts, they had built a battlefield killing machine capable of adapting to any terrain. With these bastions, Great Yi would always hold the advantage.
The core energy source was the Destruction Heavenly Pool, which had been researched and reverse-engineered by the Pavilion for years. Though slightly inferior to the ones taken from Godzilla's body, the new pools still held terrifying destructive and annihilating power—amplifying the bastions' might tremendously.
Yi Tianxing nodded again."The Heavenly Craft Pavilion has performed a great service. Rewards and merits shall be conferred."
This latest advancement gave him even greater confidence for the war ahead. Compared to the first time Great Yi entered the battlefield, the difference was night and day.
This time, there was only one goal: Kill. Kill. Kill!
Kill until Great Yi's banner shone across the battlefield.
Kill until the human race's prestige shook the heavens.
"According to our surveys," said Gou Yu, stepping forward, "all Immortal Cities across the Great Yi territory are developing steadily. Spirit fields outside each city continue to grow. Spirit rice is increasingly abundant. Civilian resources are surging. The ten-year rotation of city lords has also been completed smoothly. No incidents of resistance have been reported."
Each year, city lords were rotated after ten years of service, ensuring balanced governance and preventing corruption.
"From the Calamity Hall," said Tong Huang, "reports show that monsters and demons in the wilderness are still on the rise, but remain within controllable bounds."
Yi Tianxing nodded."For newly born beings with intelligence who do not commit evil or show signs of chaos and destruction, we observe. But those corrupted or inherently destructive must be eliminated immediately. Use the Tongtian Pavilion's experts if needed to suppress highly dangerous threats."
All sentient life had the right to exist—but only if they coexisted peacefully. Any who opposed humanity's survival would face swift annihilation.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Tong Huang replied.
Following this, each official took turns reporting on current affairs and future plans. With the God-Demon Battlefield reopening soon, many soldiers and even officials would be deployed. No one knew how long they'd be gone. Therefore, it was crucial that this final court session set clear guidelines for the coming period.
Everything was to be done with stability as the priority. No reckless expansion. No provocations that might trigger the already tense nerves of the three great races—especially with their top powerhouses about to break free from the Heavenly Dao's seal. Anyone provoking them now would be asking for death.
The court session lasted a full day, by the end of which the general direction had been decisively laid out.