Chapter 0418 – Submission from All Sides

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The eight fishing hooks embedded in his body were expelled from his soul with the disappearance of the vortex in the sky. Each hook was pitch-black, radiating a chilling gleam that sent shivers down the spine. These hooks could pierce the soul itself—the sensation of being torn apart was terrifying, flickering between illusion and reality, impossible to guard against.

Yi Tianxing casually retrieved all eight hooks before him.

"What a pity. I couldn't engage in a true battle with the dark hand behind the scenes. However, judging by the mysterious figure who appeared, his cultivation and strength shouldn't surpass the Fate Aperture or Fate Map realm. The strangest thing was undoubtedly those fishing rods."

Yi Tianxing pondered silently.

He didn't rush to investigate the origins of the hooks. Instead, he lifted his eyes and scanned his surroundings. Countless eyes filled with awe and a touch of fanaticism were fixed upon him. The people's hearts had settled. The Spirit of Destiny had manifested as the Dragon-Serpent, Xuanhuang Town had transformed into Xuanhuang City, and he had driven back the mysterious figure from the dark vortex. This promotion was now complete. From this moment on, Xuanhuang City was undoubtedly a true Immortal City.

Its status and prestige soared accordingly.

"Everyone, from this day forth—we are… Xuanhuang City!"

Yi Tianxing swept his gaze across the surroundings and spoke aloud.

His voice spread throughout Xuanhuang City, reaching the ears of every citizen and soldier.

"Xuanhuang City!!"

"Xuanhuang City!!!"

...

Cheers and shouts erupted across the entire city. Joy overflowed from every face. People raised their voices to the heavens, as if releasing all the oppression they had endured before in one great roar.

In that instant, the world seemed to resonate with the cries of Xuanhuang City, shaking the very heavens.

Many citizens were moved to tears, especially those who had followed Yi Tianxing from the days of Xuanhuang Village. They had witnessed every step of the journey—from weakness to strength, from a mere village to a power that could influence the surrounding region for thousands of miles. The emotions were overwhelming.

"The people's will burns like fire, surging higher and higher. Unless some unforeseen disaster overturns everything, the position of Xuanhuang City is now unshakable. What a pity, though—this young master didn't even get a chance to make a move."

Young Master Hollow shook his fan and sighed.

Even a fool could see that Xuanhuang City was now an unstoppable force. Surrounded mostly by scattered villages, it stood as a true colossus.

Village chiefs who had come to witness the event felt an invisible pressure weighing upon them.

"It seems there's no other choice left."

Bai Yang murmured to himself.

A look of resolve flashed through his eyes. He stepped forward, bowed deeply to Yi Tianxing, and declared aloud, "I am Bai Yang, Village Chief of Baiyang Village. I greet the City Lord. The City Lord is unmatched in divine might and possesses a broad, magnanimous heart. He selflessly dispatched troops and sent supplies to rescue our people. Everyone in Baiyang Village is deeply grateful to Xuanhuang City and to the City Lord. We yearn to follow you."

"Today, I formally declare that Baiyang Village shall join Xuanhuang City. From this day on, we follow Xuanhuang City's lead. I humbly ask the City Lord to accept us as fellow members of the human race."

Bai Yang's sudden step forward drew many gazes.

No one expected him to so decisively declare allegiance on the spot. It was a direct and public pledge of loyalty, binding himself irrevocably to Xuanhuang City.

With so many eyes watching, there was no turning back.

The other village chiefs were stunned. None had anticipated Bai Yang to act so swiftly. Many cursed inwardly, "Cunning. That old fox—being the first to submit—he's sure to earn Yi Tianxing's favor and secure himself a promising future."

"Very well. Since Chief Bai speaks with such sincerity, Xuanhuang City will naturally not turn him away. We are all of human blood, struggling to survive in this chaotic world. Though Xuanhuang City is still young, I believe we now have the strength to protect our people. Baiyang Village may be further expanded—I shall dispatch men to build a teleportation array linking our two settlements. There will be no more need to cross the treacherous wilderness. Travel between us shall be safe and free."

"The people of Baiyang Village shall enjoy the same rights and benefits as those of Xuanhuang City. They will receive a Heaven Registration Card, and each will be granted access to the Scripture Pavilion, where they may freely select one cultivation method and one combat technique. All policies will apply equally."

Yi Tianxing hadn't expected Bai Yang to act so decisively. But such loyalty was exactly what he wished for—especially now, as Xuanhuang Town ascended to city status, having just repelled a powerful mysterious enemy. Baiyang Village's pledge at this precise moment would only reinforce the perception of Xuanhuang City as the true Mandate of Heaven, its destiny blessed by fate.

Yi Tianxing silently admired Bai Yang's resolute spirit, committing his name firmly to memory. Without hesitation, he accepted the pledge and publicly declared plans to build a teleportation array and support the village's expansion—clearly hinting at future elevation to township status.

None of the village chiefs were fools. They all heard the unspoken promise in Yi Tianxing's words.

Delighted, Bai Yang respectfully bowed again. "Bai Yang thanks the City Lord!!"

He secretly rejoiced at his decision. Most importantly—he had made his mark in Xuanhuang City.

"I am Xiao Lie, Village Chief of Guyuan Village. I greet the City Lord. My village likewise wishes to pledge allegiance to Xuanhuang City and follow its lead!"

Another chief stepped forward boldly.

"I am Qingsong, Village Chief of Daqing Village. I greet the City Lord. My village also hopes to serve as a subordinate of Xuanhuang City."

"I am Liu Yiming of Green Willow Village. My village, too, submits to the authority of Xuanhuang City."

"I am Shi Lin of Shiyan Village..."

...

One by one, the village chiefs came forward to declare their allegiance. They may have missed the first opportunity, but in matters such as these, early action was better than hesitation. Delaying too long could lead to unwanted consequences.

All who had traveled to Xuanhuang City were already inclined to pledge allegiance—now that someone had taken the lead, the rest followed like a tide.

In no time at all, the scene resembled a mass ceremony of submission.

With every new village that pledged fealty, the prestige of Xuanhuang City grew heavier, more dignified—commanding awe.

"Excellent. Since all of you have chosen to trust in Xuanhuang City and in me, Yi Tianxing, I shall not disappoint. Any village willing to support our city may enter the Scripture Pavilion to choose from our cultivation manuals. Chief Baiyang may select a high-grade foundation technique—any method below the Divine Sea realm. The rest of the village chiefs may each choose a mid-tier foundation technique. All citizens may register for Heaven Registration Cards and become official residents of Xuanhuang City."

Yi Tianxing was overjoyed. This was the tide of fate—uncontrollable, unstoppable.

Awoo!!!

Just as the pledges were made, a golden Dragon-Serpent suddenly appeared in the air—it was the Spirit of Destiny.

Currently nine meters long, it floated in midair, exuding an awe-inspiring presence that stirred reverence in the hearts of all.

The spirit seemed visibly elated, letting out a high-pitched cry that resembled a dragon's roar.

Swish!

At that moment, in all the villages surrounding what was once Xuanhuang Town, golden koi appeared in the skies.

Each koi radiated a rich spiritual aura—these were the Destiny Spirits of the villages. After more than a year of cultivation, their conditions were stable and strong, without signs of decay.

Even from thousands of miles away, a dragon's cry echoed above every village.

The koi of Baiyang Village turned to face Xuanhuang City. It nodded three times, then bowed, as if in worship. A ray of spiritual light detached from its body—shimmering with essence, nearly solid—and flew toward the sky.

The koi's physical form didn't change, but its once-vivid spirit became faint, dazed, as if it had lost its soul. Then it vanished back into the Pond of Destiny.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The same process occurred in every village that had pledged allegiance.

Streaks of divine light, imperceptible to the naked eye, shot across the sky toward Xuanhuang City.

As each ray arrived, the golden Dragon-Serpent surged forward, devouring them eagerly. With every bite, its golden radiance intensified, and it began to grow.

Ten meters…

Thirteen meters…

Fifteen meters…

Seventeen meters…

...

The Dragon-Serpent swelled like an inflated balloon. In moments, it reached ninety feet in length. The pressure it emitted grew suffocating. Its body thickened like a barrel, and the horn on its head pierced through its scales, gleaming with golden light—symbol of the Dragon-Serpent's divine might.

"The Dragon-Serpent is devouring the Destiny Spirits of the villages—not completely, but specifically their lifebound essence. This signifies that the villages' destinies are now intertwined with Xuanhuang City's. As the ruler, I even possess the power to confer titles and elevations."

Yi Tianxing hadn't anticipated such a change.

But clearly, it brought only benefits. The Dragon-Serpent's massive growth to ninety feet had greatly enhanced its might—saving countless years of effort.