Provoking the three great races was tantamount to courting death.
The Heavenly Dao's protection did not grant Da Yi the right to challenge the Three Races at will. Should Da Yi go too far, even the Heavenly Dao might not intervene on its behalf. Thus, for the foreseeable future, the Da Yi Emperor Dynasty would remain low-key, focusing on internal consolidation rather than reckless expansion. Expansion would only come after the conclusion of the Divine-Demon Battlefield. Until then, it was a critical time for building the nation's foundation—population, military strength, resources—all key elements of true national strength.
Even with an ever-growing population, Da Yi had no cause for concern. Not to mention the newly acquired Tianmu Island, even across the vast sea, countless deserted islands had been discovered. These were quickly turned into strongholds, each transformed into an Immortal City. The smallest of these could house 500,000 to 600,000 residents, while most held one or two million. At full capacity, some could even support three to four million.
And that wasn't counting Xuanhuang City, which still had room to accommodate more citizens.Nor the Cloud Realm within the palace's divine tree, which could house an immeasurable number of people. With such preparations, mass migrations could be executed rapidly when the time came—without the slightest disruption.
After the Grand Court Assembly, life within the Da Yi Emperor Dynasty remained calm and prosperous.Among the commoners, a sense of festive joy lingered. Every evening, fireworks blossomed in the skies, painting them with vibrant colors. Streets and alleys bustled with lights, stalls, and laughter. Anyone walking through them couldn't help but feel uplifted and hopeful.
Time passed quietly.
Unknowingly, it was now New Year's Eve, the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month.The last day of the 25th year of the Eternal Calendar.
DONG—DONG—DONG!!
From the Imperial Palace, the crisp sound of chimes rang out.Civil and military officials from across the dynasty converged on the palace, ascending the Heavenly Staircase that extended from it. Each carried joy on their faces, many bringing family along for the occasion.
Tonight, the legendary Immortal Delicacy Banquet would be held again.
Every New Year's Eve was always a grand celebration in Da Yi.
This time, the banquet was set in the Jade Lotus Lake Garden—a stunning natural retreat, composed of an enormous lake filled with blooming lotus flowers. Giant lotus leaves floated serenely atop the water, their lush green color radiating tranquility. During bloom, the blossoms transformed the entire lake into a breathtaking sea of color and serenity.
Now, atop these massive lotus leaves were tables and chairs—not ordinary ones, but ones forged from clouds and mist.
Palace maids, graceful as ever, walked upon the water bearing exquisite delicacies. Each looked like a celestial maiden from the lake itself, capturing the awe of all who saw them.
As more and more ministers arrived, the lake grew lively, filled with laughter and warm chatter.Maidens danced upon the water, their elegant movements enchanting the entire banquet.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
In Xuanhuang City, and throughout the entire Da Yi territory, fireworks erupted across the skies, lighting up the heavens with brilliant explosions of color. At the same time, countless Eternal Lamps began to rise into the sky—each glowing softly like a drifting star in the dark.
These lamps, engraved with Floating Talisman Runes, were light as feathers. A mere breeze sent them soaring. They rose higher and higher into the sky, illuminating the heavens.
"The 25th year of the Eternal Calendar is ending. A new year begins. May Da Yi remain peaceful and prosper further."
"Da Yi is the sacred land of the human race. May the next year be even better."
"Long live Da Yi! May the Emperor live forever! May the dynasty grow ever stronger!"
"I hope I'll have a fat son next year. With His Majesty's benevolence, we no longer fear children dying of sickness or hunger. And with the wars to come, we need more boys to join the army when they grow. That would be true glory!"
Each Eternal Lamp carried the wishes of the people, lighting up the night with their prayers.
On the largest lotus leaf in the lake, Yi Tianxing and his consorts were seated.
This was both an imperial banquet and a family gathering.
"My friends, today is New Year's Eve. The 25th year is behind us; the 26th lies ahead. The prosperity of Da Yi is inseparable from the dedication of you all. Da Yi belongs to me, but also to every one of you. Tonight, we set aside politics. Let us drink, laugh, and celebrate freely. Tomorrow, we march to war—and I shall march with you. May Da Yi last with the heavens. May Da Yi endure forever!"
Yi Tianxing raised his glass with a warm smile. After tonight, the campaign would begin—and some among them may never return. Yet this moment, he wished, would become eternal.
"May Da Yi last with the heavens! May Da Yi endure forever!"
"To the Emperor!!"
Everyone stood up on cue, raising their glasses in unison. Their voices boomed across the lake, their spirits brimming with pride and passion. Even the looming Divine-Demon Battlefield could not shake their belief that under Yi Tianxing, Da Yi would shine the brightest on any battlefield.
Da Yi was destined to become an undying dynasty. The status of "Emperor Dynasty" was not the end—but merely the beginning.
"Drink!"
Yi Tianxing downed his cup in one gulp, as did everyone present.
The banquet reached its climax.
Merriment echoed across the lake. Families introduced children to one another, looking to resolve matters of marriage amidst the joy.
"Husband, the 26th year is almost here. Do you have any wishes for the new year?"怜星 (Lianxing) asked gently.
All the women looked at him, eager for his answer.
Yi Tianxing took a deep breath.
"I wish that those who follow me into the Divine-Demon Battlefield can survive… as many as possible. That will be enough."
"No need to worry too much," said Cai Yan (蔡琰) with a smile. "With Da Yi's current strength, unless something truly catastrophic happens, we won't suffer heavy losses. If there are casualties, they'll be within acceptable bounds."
"Indeed," added Ao Qing (熬晴). "Da Yi's armies are even stronger than the ones I saw in the Dragon Palace. We'll be fine."
"Alright, no more gloomy talk. Tonight is New Year's Eve. Let's enjoy our meal. We might not see each other again for quite a while," Yi Tianxing said with a smile, steering the conversation away.
DONG—DONG—DONG!!
Midnight arrived. As the chimes rang to welcome the new year, fireworks lit up the sky across the entire realm. Night turned into day, dazzling as a dream. The Immortal Delicacy Banquet concluded, and guests gradually departed.
The Eternal Calendar Year 26 had officially begun.
Over twenty years had passed since the founding of Da Yi.
"Eternal Year 26… It's finally starting."
"It's been ten years. What will the Divine-Demon Battlefield be like this time?"
"Time flies. It feels like I just finished a closed-door retreat, and ten years have already passed."
This moment was not only being watched by humanity. Though other races did not celebrate New Year's Eve, they too paid close attention. This was the tenth year—the day the Heavenly Dao's deadline arrived. Many hearts were filled with silent unease.
But the Heavenly Dao did not react at midnight.The night passed uneventfully.
That night, in the Emperor's Heart Palace, Yi Tianxing and his consorts once again shared a night of passion. The details—left unsaid—were evident in their radiant faces the next morning.
—
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!!
At dawn, as the first ray of sunlight touched the earth, a thunderous roar erupted from the void.A formless pressure swept across heaven and earth like a tidal wave. Countless beings felt shackled, utterly powerless beneath the weight.
The roar jolted all living beings awake. Countless eyes turned skyward.
"The Heavenly Dao is warning us… it's finally coming."
Yi Tianxing immediately awoke. With a thought, his imperial robes draped themselves onto his body. He walked out of the palace and looked up.
A massive golden Eye of the Heavenly Dao appeared in the sky.
Within its gaze, an ancient gate materialized—slowly becoming fully visible.
"The Gate of Divine and Demons... it's back."
Yi Tianxing's pupils contracted sharply. He saw within the gate countless silhouettes of divine and demonic beings, rivers of blood, and mountains of corpses. He saw the fearless charges of heroic predecessors—and the bloodstained path of the Divine-Demon Battlefield.
His mind flashed back to everything he'd once experienced there.
"This time… it won't be as easy. I can already smell the blood ahead."
A grim thought surfaced.
The Divine-Demon Battlefield has reopened. The Gate of Divine and Demons will appear every three years, each time for one month.Miss the window—and you'll have to wait three more years.