Chapter 0722: Heaven’s Interrogation

This was heavenly might—a majesty originating from the very will of Heaven and Earth. Its power was overwhelming and unshakable. At least for now, there was no force that could resist it. Not even elite figures among humanity like Huang Chengyan could stand against it. This was something that came from the soul itself, a natural submission.

One by one, devout gazes turned toward the Sacrificial Altar of Heaven.

All eyes locked on the figure ascending the altar. At that moment, he appeared immense, supreme, and unparalleled.

"Why isn't he moving? Why has the Lord stopped climbing?"

"Could it be that there's some kind of taboo on the altar?"

"I can feel the pressure from here. It's like a mountain pressing down. If even the aftershock is this intense, how immense must it be atop the altar itself?"

Master Lu and others revealed grave expressions.

This Heavenly Altar was no longer a mere sacrificial platform. The moment Yi Tianxing stepped onto it, he began offering a sacrifice to Heaven and Earth.

As soon as his foot landed, two terrifying forces emerged—one from the earth below, the other from the heavens above. These two forces were like a cosmic millstone, crushing Yi Tianxing in the center. The pressure sought to grind him into nothing but flesh and blood.

This kind of force was not something anyone could endure.

For an ordinary person, just stepping on the altar would mean certain death or crippling injury.

But at that moment, an immense power surged from within Yi Tianxing—the will of the people.

✴️ New Term – Will of the People (民愿之力): A manifestation of popular support and destiny, formed by the collective trust and hope of millions.

This was fortune, vow power, the strength of the people's hearts. A king must have the people's support to stand against the momentum of Heaven and Earth. Without it, stepping onto the altar meant instant death.

But this power only helped him survive. It didn't make the pressure disappear. It was like carrying mountains upon his back. At that moment, his physical strength and cultivation were all sealed—not gone, but inaccessible, as though locked away under the suppression.

Then—a celestial voice echoed from the void.

"You wish to establish a Destiny Dynasty—what qualifications do you possess?"

It boomed beside Yi Tianxing's ear, filled with unstoppable heavenly might. This was not the founding of an ordinary kingdom—it was the birth of a Destiny Dynasty (运朝). A true Dynasty bore Heaven's Mandate, destiny, and the fate of all living beings.

Heaven would never grant such divine authority lightly.

This question was not just heard by Yi Tianxing—it echoed in the minds of every citizen of Xuanhuang City.

"I, Yi Tianxing, from the day the myriad worlds merged and the Eternal Continent was born, rose from chaos. I fought ferocious beasts and monsters, gathered the people, protected the human race so they could live in peace and multiply. Today, over three million people dwell safely under my protection in Xuanhuang City, and tens of millions more live across the regions we govern. None starve. Today, to unite our people and concentrate humanity's strength—I hereby declare the founding of a Dynasty!"

Yi Tianxing spoke calmly, each word ringing with iron conviction.

Everything he spoke was truth. On this altar, no lies could be told. Heaven would instantly know if one spoke falsely—and respond with punishment.

His words echoed in the hearts of every human in the region. Countless minds recalled the early days when Xuanhuang City was just a village, constantly under siege by beasts and death was a daily possibility.

That fear, that helplessness—they hadn't forgotten.

With this, even more faith and support surged toward Yi Tianxing, causing the pressure on him to drop drastically—then disappear entirely.

He stepped forward.

One step.Two steps.Three steps.

He climbed easily past nine steps, each step carried effortlessly by the power of the people's will.

But as he stepped onto the tenth step, the pressure suddenly increased—a leap in intensity.

"You wish to establish a Destiny Dynasty—what qualifications do you possess?"

The voice echoed again.

"I built a village, then a town, then a celestial city, and finally a royal city. We have a complete infrastructure—daily necessities, restored human civilization. I created currency—Eternal Coins—standardized prices, and revived commerce. How am I not qualified?"

Yi Tianxing roared to the heavens, his black hair whipping behind him. Without waiting for Heaven's response, he lifted his foot and stepped upward.

More will and belief gathered around him.

The pressure faded again.

The ascension continued—step nineteen, and the pressure returned.

These were not just steps. This was the Path of Heart Inquiry, known as Heaven's Interrogation (天问).

To climb the eighty-one steps and stand atop the altar, one had to answer nine Heavenly Interrogations. If even one was failed, the qualification to found a Destiny Dynasty would be lost. At most, one could form a regular kingdom—a neutered version of a true Dynasty.

The third interrogation arrived.

"What is the people?"

Yi Tianxing answered without hesitation:

"The people are water—able to carry the boat, or overturn it. They are the foundation. A tree without roots cannot live."

Chinese history had long proven this point. The people could lift a ruler to greatness—or destroy them.

With this answer, his people's support soared once more, his steps grew lighter.

The fourth question came:

"What is the ruler?"

"The ruler is the boat, and also the tree. The people's will carries it. If they turn against it, the boat sinks. The people are the roots; the ruler the tree. Without strong roots, the tree cannot stand tall. The ruler and the people are one. Without a ruler, the people are like snakes without heads—chaos will reign."

He dismissed the idea that "no ruler equals peace." That only benefited ambitious warlords, not ordinary people.

The fifth question followed:

"What is the nation?"

"The nation is home. Blood ties form the family; countless families form the nation. It does not only belong to the king—it belongs to every citizen. Strong people make a strong nation."

Then, the sixth interrogation:

"If you are king, how will you govern the nation?"

"With inner sagehood and outer kingship (内圣外王)!"

A powerful reply that embodied both personal virtue and external governance.

The seventh interrogation arrived:

"The ruler of a Destiny Dynasty bears Heaven's authority to shepherd a people. Can you bear it?"

"I can!!"

Yi Tianxing responded firmly. He could feel the hope of all the people pressing down—tangible, like mountains.

The eighth question:

"Can you bear the hopes of the masses?"

"I can!!"

There was no hesitation.

The ninth and final question:

"Can you bear the weight of the nation?"

What is a nation? It's the rivers and mountains, the wellbeing of the people, the future of civilization itself.

Yi Tianxing took a few breaths, then firmly declared:

"I can!!"

At that moment, he passed all nine Heavenly Interrogations, ascending all eighty-one steps to stand atop the Sacrificial Altar of Heaven.

As his foot landed, Yi Tianxing felt—for the first time ever—that he was truly close to Heaven itself.