"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, it would be impolite of me to decline."
Yi Tianxing smiled calmly.
"As for this so-called position of Deputy Palace Master, it's merely a hollow title.If any of you have need of me, feel free to come. If I can help, I will.The Great Yi Dynasty welcomes all Heaven's Chosen to visit.As long as you abide by the laws of Great Yi, the gates will always be open."
He didn't reject the title—even if it was nominal only.
Soon after, a second Deputy Palace Master was also chosen.This time, it was a Westerner named Allen Walton, an Arcanist.
He wasn't just anyone—he had founded an Arcane Kingdom,a dominant power, though not quite on par with Great Yi,but still advanced to the status of an Imperial Dynasty.
His fame wasn't as widespread as Yi Tianxing's,but among Westerners and within the Heaven's Chosen,his name carried great weight.
With the Heavenly Palace officially established,the first Heaven's Chosen exchange event began.
Of course, everyone was cautious.Few dared to take out truly valuable treasures,but even so, the items presented were far from ordinary—many were self-forged or crafted by the powers under each person's command.
There were alchemist pills, apothecary potions, talisman scrolls,and even paper puppets from origami masters—countless kinds of cultivation artifacts and skills were displayed, dazzling the eyes.
Heaven's Chosen—by virtue of their fate—were anything but useless.They all had remarkable talents.
Especially those with unique specialties:
Qian Xiaojia's spiritual incense.
A man named Tang Ren who specialized in brewing spiritual wine—a massive hit among cultivators.
Yi Tianxing also exchanged for many unusual and precious items.While not exactly a windfall, he still came away with solid gains.
Once the exchange concluded, the gathering naturally came to an end.Everyone departed from the Sun Palace,returning to their original locations through the Karmic Jade Talismans.
From where they came, they returned.
Zhao Hao sat alone in the Sun Palace.
Before him unfurled a golden divine banner,on which a three-legged Golden Crow soared—its wings spread as though it were about to burst free and fly across the heavens.
Names flickered across the divine banner.
"Golden Crow Banner… The first step has been taken."
"Palace Master of the Heavenly Palace—what a perfect opening."
"So what if Emperor Yi is there? Within the Heavenly Palace, he still ranks below me."
"And this is only the beginning."
"They call it a hollow title… But hollow titles can become real power."
Zhao Hao's smile was faint but satisfied.He had never expected to conquer all Heaven's Chosen at once.That would be naive.
Every one of them was proud and guarded.One wrong move, and the entire Heavenly Palace would never have existed.
But now it did.
That meant: mission accomplished.
It was a medium.
A bridge.
And with a bridge—one could reach the other shore.
Back in White Crow City,light shimmered as Yi Tianxing and his group returned.
"Brother," Zhao Ziyan asked curiously,"What do you think of all this?Zhao Hao's plan surely goes deeper than this.What is he really after?"
It had all seemed a little too smooth:
Heaven's Chosen gathered,
shared a meal,
tasted some innate spirit fruit…
…and suddenly, a new organization was born: the Heavenly Palace.
It now allowed Heaven's Chosen from across realms to meet, trade, and support each other—essentially a marketplace for Heaven's Chosen.
And somehow, Zhao Hao had secured the Palace Master's seat.
"Zhao Hao's plan was to create the Heavenly Palace from the start,"Yi Tianxing said calmly."He has the Golden Crow Banner. He can link all Heaven's Chosen."
"That's a great trend, and the position of Palace Master—who else could take it?"
"Yes, it's only a hollow title for now,but don't underestimate the power of titles.Hollow titles can become real ones."
"This was his first step—and he succeeded."
"What comes next depends on his methods.Will he remain a figurehead?Or will he become a true ruler of the Heavenly Palace?"
"We'll watch and see."
Yi Tianxing's voice remained serene.
So what if Zhao Hao made a flashy move?
These Heaven's Chosen weren't idiots.They'd grown up in a world of information and savvy.Tricking them was no small feat.
In fact, Zhao Hao's light touch made everyone relax instead.
But Yi Tianxing was sure—Zhao Hao wouldn't settle for a symbolic role.
"He wants the real thing."
"Emperor, then what should we do next?"asked Li Zhilin.
"Nothing changes. We act as normal."
"If the Heavenly Palace holds a gathering—we attend.If there's trading—we participate."
"There are no venue fees, and the benefits are immense."
"Heaven's Chosen hold countless rare treasures.That last exchange was only a warm-up.The real goods haven't even surfaced yet."
"What we need to do is simple—introduce Eternal Coins into the Heavenly Palace and make them the universal currency."
Yi Tianxing's smile deepened.
The existence of the Heavenly Palace could be a great asset.
A hub connecting the Heaven's Chosen.
If Great Yi could use this platform to circulate Eternal Coins throughout the Eternal World—then the coins would gain influence far beyond Great Yi itself.
No one could distribute Eternal Coins faster than the Heaven's Chosen—who wandered all corners of the world.
With the Heavenly Palace,they could continuously acquire Eternal Coins from Great Yi.
In return, Great Yi would harvest endless rare resources.
The benefits were unparalleled.
Other Heaven's Chosen would only get scraps.But for Great Yi, it was a golden opportunity.
That's why Yi Tianxing didn't interfere during the Palace's formation.He even accepted the title of Deputy Palace Master without hesitation.
Compared to status, economic dominance mattered more.
If Eternal Coins became the mainstream currency of the Eternal World,Great Yi would gain destiny itself.
An Emperor Dynasty would not be the end—only the beginning.
"Heavenly Palace… Excellent."
"If Zhao Hao wants to lead the Heaven's Chosen, let him."
"But I will always be me."
Yi Tianxing looked calmly into the void,his eyes carrying a profound light.
"Brother, you want to hatch eggs with someone else's chicken,"Zhao Ziyan said with a laugh.
Smack!
Yi Tianxing flicked her on the forehead.
"Nonsense. I'm enlightening the Eternal World,spreading the brilliance of Great Yi's civilization,and bringing warmth to the masses!"
"Your Majesty speaks the truth,"Li Zhilin said passionately."Eternal Coins carry destiny.If accepted across realms, they'll become the orthodox currency."
"I'm willing to lead the charge!"
No method was more convenient for promoting Eternal Coins than the Heavenly Palace.
If he could take charge of this effort,his position in Great Yi would soar.
This was his chance to prove his worth.
Only Heaven's Chosen could enter the Heavenly Palace—he was the perfect agent.
"Yes, you're the best choice for this task,"Yi Tianxing nodded."But since no one knows your connection to Great Yi,perhaps you can serve as our secret card."
"Brother, let me represent Great Yi publicly,"Zhao Ziyan offered.
"As the Imperial Princess, I can freely supply Eternal Coins without raising suspicion."
"Li Zhilin can support me from the shadows—together, we'll be far more effective."
One in the light, one in the dark—complementing each other.
"Very well. Ziyan, you'll act openly.Zhilin, you'll remain hidden."
"For now, just observe.Focus only on distributing Eternal Coins."
"The Heavenly Palace is nothing special.Nor are the Heaven's Chosen."
"Our foundation is in Great Yi.Against absolute power—everything else is illusion."
"No matter what Zhao Hao plans—as long as we remain unmoved, all will be well."
Yi Tianxing's voice was calm.
"Let the storm blow.I am the mountain breeze."
The establishment of the Heavenly Palace—he welcomed it.
It saved Great Yi countless efforts.
What a truly generous man.