From the very beginning, when Awakening took away many students and scholars from the Jixia Academy, Yi Tianxing had already begun preparing. He didn't relocate them elsewhere, but instead sent them directly into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, completely cutting off their access to the outside world. Then, he returned to Xuanhuang City at the fastest speed, releasing them within the city.
The first city they saw after leaving the Jixia Academy was Xuanhuang City.Their first contact with the new world began here.
This kind of carefully constructed emotional experience leaves an indelible impression, no matter who it is.
Even if not all of them stayed, even if some left, the deep emotional imprint of what they experienced would linger—just like the bond formed when a newborn first sees its mother. Once loyalty is formed, it is almost impossible to betray.
Many had mentally prepared themselves for the worst: a devastated human world, crumbling buildings, ragged citizens, starvation and hardship. After all, in their view, the world had undergone a fundamental transformation.
With the fusion of ten thousand realms, countless races had descended upon this land and now coexisted with humanity. Among them, the human race, in terms of physical strength, was undoubtedly one of the weakest.
To them, the idea of humans living in hellish torment was within reason.
During their free time, the scholars of Jixia even simulated and predicted the current state of humanity. Their conclusions were uniformly bleak:
Humanity would face catastrophes beyond imagination.
Countless civilians would die or become food for foreign beasts.
Humans would fall to the very bottom of the food chain.
Survival would become a rare luxury. Rebuilding civilization would take not just years, but generations.
But reality shocked them.
What greeted their eyes was a complete city, smooth and tidy streets, bustling citizens, and street vendors calling out their wares. The rich aroma of breakfast foods drifted through the air—the scent of civilization—something they hadn't felt in over a year.
Strangely, many felt tears welling up.
"This is the Xuanhuang City built by Lord Yi? Unbelievable! I feel like it's even more prosperous than any royal capital I've ever seen!"
"To build such a grand city in just a year, even the greatest of emperors would struggle to achieve that."
"I want to stay here. This might be our human race's last sanctuary… a land of hope."
A wave of emotion surged through the scholars. The scene before them completely overturned their assumptions.
"This is simply unbelievable. Lord Yi's ability to create this from nothing, under threat from all sides… it's astounding."
As Lin Hai stepped out of the spatial gate, he was filled with awe at the world around him—it all felt like a dream.
Even Cai Yong, upon exiting the gate, was stunned.
"So this is Xuanhuang City? It's even more magnificent than he described. Even Luoyang, the imperial capital, never had such grandeur."
Suddenly, a voice called out:
"Brother Bokai, do you still remember me?"
Standing nearby was Huang Chengyan, smiling as he greeted Cai Yong. He had already heard from Yi Tianxing that Cai Yong was coming and had been waiting for the chance to see him.
"Brother Chengyan, you're here too?" Cai Yong's face lit up with joy. In the past, they had been close acquaintances, exchanging letters regularly. It was natural that Cai Yan (Zhaoji) had called Huang Chengyan "Uncle."
"Yes, I now serve under the City Lord. Knowing you would come, I've prepared your favorite Dukang wine—brewed personally by the legendary Wine Ancestor Dukang himself! When we meet later, we won't part until we're drunk."
Cai Yong's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Dukang himself?! He's here too?"
He swallowed hard—just imagining the taste of that wine stirred his appetite. The jar he had once owned wasn't even brewed by Dukang personally, and yet it had been intoxicating.
"Indeed. Lord Dukang is now brewing wine in the City Lord's mansion. Though the Dukang Immortal Brew isn't perfected yet, the current wine is already more exquisite than anything before. It's rare and in high demand—but I imagine your daughter won't let you go without."
"Yan'er… Yan'er is truly here?" Cai Yong's voice trembled with emotion. He had feared Yi Tianxing had only given him false hope.
"She is. In fact, Zhaoji has become the wife of the City Lord. She's beloved by the people and serves as the city's anchor when the Lord is away. Her place in the city is secure—and her relationship with Lord Yi is deep and unshakable. She should be arriving soon."
As Huang Chengyan spoke of Cai Yan, his face glowed with pride. Since marrying Yi Tianxing, she had been a model of grace and strength—a true "mother of the realm."
Suddenly, a cry rang out from atop the palace tree:
"Father! Is it really you?!"
There, Cai Yan came running down the cloud ladder, eyes glistening with tears, forgetting all decorum.
She had been standing at the City Lord's mansion, watching as scholar after scholar stepped out of the gate. She was delighted—for Xuanhuang City desperately needed this talent. Even if only a few stayed, they would be invaluable.
But the moment Cai Yong stepped out, the resonance of bloodline made her freeze—then explode with joy.
"Yan'er… it's really Yan'er…"
Cai Yong turned his head. The moment he laid eyes on her, his body shook violently, and his lips trembled with emotion.
"Father!!"
"Yan'er!!"
The two rushed into each other's arms. Cai Yan's tears streamed down her face.
The entire square went silent in awe. The students of Jixia Academy smiled warmly, eyes shining with admiration.
After all, Cai Yan—Zhaoji—was a legendary woman, a renowned talent throughout history.
And now, even the citizens of Xuanhuang City began to realize who these new arrivals were. Curiosity and excitement bloomed in their hearts.