Chapter 588

Chapter 588: Path of Offerings

After leaving Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, Yi Tianxing hurried towards the Nine Yang Immortal Domain. Dao Sovereign Lingxu, Taotie, and the others were exerting their utmost effort to forge the second Celestial Cauldron.

The dragon veins of the entire domain were all converging upon the Nine Yang Red Earth.

"Hail Lord Yi," Dao Sovereign Lingxu greeted solemnly.

"No formalities needed."

Yi Tianxing wasted no words. He activated the Human Emperor’s Path Classics, condensing the power of thousands of dragon veins and earth energies, pouring them into the Celestial Cauldron.

In the twilight era, the great task was accomplished.

Without stopping, he raced with Taotie to the Penglai Immortal Domain, reuniting with Li Ruoyu, Dao Sovereign Qingyuan, and others to refine the third Celestial Cauldron.

Day after day.

Yi Tianxing worked tirelessly.

On the seventh day.

Strange phenomena manifested in the heavens.

In the vault of the sky, nine Celestial Cauldrons materialized. Within the cauldrons, mountains, rivers, the sun, and the moon rose and fell. The will and thoughts of all living beings intertwined, converging into strands of the sound of the Dao that echoed resoundingly throughout the Nine Regions.

"The Nine Cauldrons are complete!"

The members of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion were ecstatic.

Ye Xu beamed with a smile.

With the completion of the Nine Cauldrons, influenced by Yi Tianxing, the fortunes of the nine immortal domains coalesced into a single entity, all converging into the Nine Cauldrons, stabilizing the earth of the Nine Regions.

Yi Tianxing’s strength soared dramatically.

His inherent cultivation was merely at the peak Sovereign of the World level, yet his true combat power skyrocketed to that of a top-tier Great Celestial Lord, definitely not inferior to powerhouse like Qin Huangluo or the ancestral dragon.

In fact.

Among the nine great immortal domains, Yi Tianxing could be regarded as invincible within his realm.

Yi Tianxing attuned himself to heaven and earth, his fortune surging like a dragon. Wielding the Nine Cauldrons, a single word from him could determine life and death across the Nine Regions; a single thought could extinguish stars, plunging heaven and earth into darkness.

"From this moment on, I must address Daoist friend Yi as Daoist brother… no, as Your Majesty." Taotie was filled with envy, a trace of jealousy lurking deep in his eyes.

"Daoist friend Li, as His Majesty’s disciple, doesn’t that make you the Crown Prince?"

Formless Demon Lord interjected mockingly.

"…"

Li Ruoyu’s face darkened with visible annoyance.

Formless Demon Lord was clearly taunting him.

"Daoist friend Taotie, follow me back to the Human Emperor’s Palace. I have crucial matters to announce." Yi Tianxing’s gaze swept over them. He waved his sleeve, and instantly, involuntarily, within a few breaths, everyone appeared together in the Human Emperor’s Palace.

Yi Tianxing sat high upon the throne, overlooking the assembly. A golden scroll materialized in the void, etched with streams of information.

"This hierarchy of divine officials," Yi Tianxing solemnly declared, "resulted from discussions I held with the Master, Dao Ancestor Mu. It is the foundational law of the Divine Empire. You must deliberate upon it in detail." He paused. "It involves profound cultivation concepts requiring your careful consideration."

"The Path of Offerings?"

Taotie’s expression underwent a great change.

"This is already another cultivation method. Could it be that it was a cultivation system developed by the Master?"

"It was me."

Yi Tianxing said calmly.

In the Human Emperor’s hall, one could hear a pin drop.

Was it really done by Yi Tianxing?

Dao Sovereign Qingyuan, Dao Sovereign Penglai, Dao Sovereign Lingxu, and Taotie all showed skeptical expressions.

"Everyone, in the lower realm, the human ancestor has been an innovator of cultivation systems. Developing a new system on the foundation of the Virtue and Fortune cultivation system is no surprise."

Su Mu smiled and said.

"Heaven’s Secret Pavilion truly abounds with talent."

Dao Sovereign Qingluo praised.

"Daoist friend Taotie, the advantages and disadvantages of this system have already been presented to you all."

Yi Tianxing laughed and said, "You must produce a result on how to choose."

"I will not take this path."

Li Ruoyu said decisively.

This Path of Offerings derived power from the masses but was also constrained by them. Even if it could achieve eternity, it would not bring true freedom. That was not what Li Ruoyu wanted. He had already forged his own path. Even as an affiliate of the Divine Empire, achieving greater things, Li Ruoyu would not abandon it. He was confident that his way was the strongest!

"This subordinate is willing to follow the human ancestor, to shine and warm the heavens and earth and its masses."

Su Mu and the Formless Demon Lord led the way, saying. The two were Yi Tianxing’s staunch followers, stepping forward without hesitation!

"I am willing to heed Your Majesty’s commands."

Dao Sovereign Qingyuan bowed and said. She keenly sensed the great potential of the Path of Offerings system.

"We are willing to heed Your Majesty’s commands."

Dao Sovereign Penglai, Dao Sovereign Lingxu, and Dao Sovereign Qingluo chorused. Their cultivation paths were nearing an end. Shifting to the Path of Offerings might let them advance further.

"I have no interest in official positions."

Feng Wuji laughed and said, "But this cultivation system is truly inventive. Elder Brother, when we have free time, let’s have a thorough discussion."

"Hmm."

Yi Tianxing said.

"Daoist friend Taotie, what are your thoughts?"

He looked toward Taotie. Taotie was a Celestial Sovereign, commanding the Tao Tie Heavenly Palace faction. His strength was immense, making him one of the most powerful forces in Tianxia. His choice would influence the decision of Tao Tie Heavenly Palace.

"I have attained the status of Celestial Lord—free and untethered—so I naturally would not choose the Path of Offerings."

Li Ruoyu could see the drawbacks; as a Celestial Lord, Taotie would not pretend to be blind.

Though the Path of Offerings was wondrous, even ordinary mortals could cultivate it, becoming Tianxia divine officials meant they would be bound by all living beings.

Taotie was no benevolent entity; he had no desire for his arduous cultivation to benefit the well-being of the masses.

He preferred to cultivate independently, eternally free.

"Your Majesty need not worry about my former cohorts. If they have no prospects in the path of qi cultivation, they will naturally transition into the Path of Offerings system," Taotie said solemnly.

"That is good."

Yi Tianxing wore a smile.

"Su Mu, you are tasked with designing the official robes for all grades and departments."

Yi Tianxing commanded.

"As you command!"

Su Mu accepted the order.

"Di Wuyou."

"I am present."

Dao King stepped forward, respectfully bowing.

From start to finish, he had little presence, almost as if he were transparent.

"The deployment of the national founding ceremony is entrusted to you," Yi Tianxing said with a sharp glint in his eyes, "This concerns the dignity of the state. Do it well, and you will be richly rewarded. Botch it, and the law will handle you."

"Your servant will not disgrace the mission!"

Dao King said solemnly.

"All of you, withdraw for now."

Yi Tianxing dismissed the crowd and descended to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, reporting to Ye Xu, "Master, I have entrusted the major matters of founding the state to Su Mu, Dao King, and others to oversee."

"The selection of divine officials will also reach completion in the shortest possible time."

"At most ten days, at least three days."

Ever since unifying the domains, Yi Tianxing had recorded the personnel information of each sect and school, with Dao King responsible for organizing and compiling it.

Thus, he was fully aware in his heart of every talented individual from each sect.

With the Path of Offerings system established, he began to make arrangements.

Today,

the reason he laid bare his intentions to Taotie and others was that he had long secretly appeased the sects of the Nine Regions; in the days ahead, he only needed to follow the file data, select wise and capable candidates from it, and sequentially fill the vacancies in all official positions.

The nine great immortal domains teemed with talent; there was no shortage of capable people.

Perhaps the only thing lacking was top-tier experts exclusively nurtured by the Tianxia Dynasty.

This was the greatest flaw.

"I trust your handling of affairs."

Ye Xu chuckled, glancing at Mu Fanyin beside him with a smile, "Fanyin has already, representing Tianxia, delivered the invitations to the five veins of the yang realm and the major factions."

"The time is ten days later."

"No problem,"

Yi Tianxing said.

Ten days were more than sufficient.

"Once the Path of Offerings system is established, the first thing it touches will be the foundation of the immortal court," Mu Fanyin said, "Therefore, we must define a strategic target."

Yi Tianxing’s expression shifted subtly.

He glanced at Ye Xu, but Ye Xu remained silent, clearly indicating his tacit approval of Mu Fanyin’s intent.

Yi Tianxing understood implicitly.

"It seems that after the founding, Tianxia’s primary target will be the Third Young Master’s immortal court," Yi Tianxing thought bitterly, knowing it meant opposing Nuwa.

"Then this old man will go attend to matters."

Yi Tianxing departed.

"Master, I have detected the trail of the Great Celestial Lord of the Haotian lineage. It appears they are prepared to stake everything this time, challenging Heaven’s Secret Pavilion in a contest of true abilities," Mu Fanyin said gravely.

"I know,"

Ye Xu responded dismissively.

Four from the Haotian lineage entered Canglan Immortal Domain; among them, three—one Celestial Lord, Shen You and Shen Le—lurked in Canglan Divine City.

That Great Celestial Lord lay low in Penglai Immortal Domain.

From the instant they set foot in the Nine Regions, none of their movements escaped Ye Xu’s perception.

To Ye Xu, it was akin to seeing the lines on his palm.

"Do not stir the grass and startle the snake," Ye Xu said with a cold glare, "This time, strive to catch a big fish."

"Strike with one punch to ward off a hundred."