Volume 9: Founding the Nation
"This is... the opening of a Life Orifice!!"
At this moment, even someone with Yi Tianxing's powerful mental fortitude couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
He hadn't done anything unusual—just enjoyed a delicious meal—yet a Life Orifice was suddenly being opened. Normally, such a thing required top-tier natural treasures or divine wonders to accomplish. For example, Devil Fruits—those were a kind of treasure capable of directly opening Life Orifices.
However, the type of Life Orifice created depended on the nature of the Devil Fruit itself.Devil Fruits came in all varieties, and the Life Orifices they formed were equally diverse. The critical issue was that Life Orifices formed through such fruits always had a flaw, a hidden defect within them.
But now, without consuming any miraculous herbs or divine treasures, his body was naturally beginning to form a Life Orifice.
It was a completely natural process.
The transformation was mysterious and profound.
"I remember that Gourmet Cells can extract the essence from food, not just to strengthen the body, but also to draw out the mysterious properties within. The Food Cauldron was born from the power of Gourmet Cells. Could it be that it can refine the essence of gourmet food, even drawing out the primal forces hidden within and merging them into the self? Not just enhancing the flesh, but also extracting the essence needed to open Life Orifices…"
A thought flashed rapidly through Yi Tianxing's mind.
It was a very plausible idea.
Previously, perhaps the food didn't contain enough primal force to open a Life Orifice. Or maybe the Food Cauldron hadn't yet developed enough power. But now that it had condensed into a Life-bound Star, and with his Life Orifice essence greatly enhanced, its power was on a whole new level.
On top of that, the Golden Wheat used in the meal contained a trace of pure Metal Essence. Under the influence of the Food Cauldron, that essence was drawn forth, fused with the laws of heaven and earth, and alchemized into something far beyond ordinary nourishment.
By some fortuitous coincidence, this mutation occurred.
Regardless of how it happened, this was certainly no bad thing.
To suddenly gain a new Life Orifice—what a tremendous blessing.
He immersed his mind inward to observe the process of its formation.
Golden runes naturally flowed into his lungs, and there, amidst the explosion of the golden dragon, a Life Orifice space violently formed—a golden void filled with countless radiant symbols. These mysterious golden runes merged with the spatial walls of the orifice. A Metal Essence was born naturally within the orifice, and unlike previous times, it carried a unique imprint belonging solely to Yi Tianxing.
This was a power he could fully control, one that originated from his own might.
"Metal God Life Orifice!!"
The moment it was fully formed, an ethereal message surfaced in his consciousness, merging seamlessly into his soul. He instinctively understood what kind of Life Orifice it was.
The lungs correspond to metal in the Five Elements.
"The power of metal, now under my control. Counting this, I've already opened the Water God Life Orifice, the Wood God Life Orifice, and now the Metal God Life Orifice—three out of the five elemental Life Orifices. Only Earth and Fire remain. I wonder what will happen once I complete all five?"
Yi Tianxing felt a spark of anticipation.
All things in heaven and earth stem from the Five Elements. The Five Elements are the foundation of all existence.
Though these events seemed long, they happened within mere breaths. So fast, it felt surreal. No one on the outside noticed a thing. Who would've imagined that Yi Tianxing could open a Life Orifice... simply by eating a meal?
Yet the boost to his physical strength was undeniable.
After that one meal, his physical strength had reached 370,000 jin.
He was not far from achieving the Four Chimes of the White Cauldron realm.
"Good! Lai He, your culinary skills are getting better and better. This Golden Wheat—entrusting it to you was the right call. In a few days, I'll speak with the Scarecrows and see if we can buy Golden Wheat in bulk from them. That way, we won't have to be so cautious each time we eat."
Yi Tianxing smiled as he spoke.
"Indeed. Lai He's cooking is second to none. Honestly, I've grown quite dependent on your food," said Cai Yan with a soft laugh, her expression one of genuine satisfaction. This golden feast had been an unparalleled delight.
"As long as the Lord and Lady enjoy it, that's the highest recognition for Lai He," he replied with a smile.
After breakfast, Yi Tianxing and Cai Yan strolled hand-in-hand through the garden.
"Zhao Ji, how has your cultivation been lately? Has it been going smoothly?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"With the help of the Tiangang Pill, my cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. I've already reached the 9th level of the Divine Sea Realm. With some time for refinement, I'll soon be ready to break through to the Life Orifice Realm."
The Divine Sea Realm was the stage of foundation-building. For the highly talented, it wasn't difficult to break through—just a matter of time and resources. But it was only upon entering the Life Orifice Realm that one's true combat power underwent a drastic transformation.
"Don't rush. The 9th level of the Divine Sea Realm is a time for merging origin forces. The stronger the essence you absorb, the deeper your foundation. Your physique is water-aligned, and you also possess a Sonic Constitution. Hold off on the breakthrough—I'll see if I can find a fitting treasure infused with elemental essence for you to refine in your Sea of Transformation. That will form a more solid base."
Yi Tianxing nodded thoughtfully.
He didn't want her to break through hastily.
Not because it was bad—but because foundation mattered more. Cai Yan was his wife, and naturally, he wanted her to grow stronger alongside him, to keep up with his journey through wind and storm.
"Alright, then I'll take this time to reforge my foundation," Cai Yan replied without hesitation. She trusted him.
"In the coming days, I may need to go into seclusion again. The Xuanhuang City is on the verge of breaking through to the next level. The next step is becoming a Royal City, which qualifies us to establish a dynasty and form a Fortune Dynasty. But right now, our foundation is still a bit thin. I plan to use the Immortal Wandering Talisman once more—to seek out hidden strength for our people."
The moment to ascend was near.
Establishing a dynasty in this chaotic world was a declaration of intent—a gathering of fate and will. The sooner it was established, the faster it would gather human destiny and earn the people's allegiance. Once the kingdom was founded, the people would finally feel at peace.
A city and a dynasty were worlds apart.
In status. In perception. In everything.
"Don't worry. With me, Father, and Elder Huang holding the city, Xuanhuang is stronger than ever. It grows more powerful each day. With your earlier actions still fresh in people's minds, no foreign force will dare strike so carelessly. At most, they'll resort to underhanded tricks—but they won't shake our foundations."
Cai Yan smiled confidently.
"Zhao Ji, thank you for everything," Yi Tianxing said gently.
"Husband and wife are like birds of the same forest—we share honor and shame alike. Where you lead, I will follow," she replied, her words full of warmth.
They said no more. The affection between them was already understood—deepened by mutual trust, familiarity, and a shared journey.
After their walk, Yi Tianxing personally went outside the city to negotiate with the Golden Scarecrow. After long discussion, they agreed on an arrangement: the scarecrows would help defend the grain fields and vegetable plots. Furthermore, the city would purchase Golden Wheat with Eternal Coins, at generous rates—ensuring the scarecrows felt fairly treated.
The Golden Scarecrow was very satisfied.
After the defense against the Rat Army, tens of thousands of scarecrows had sensed a massive increase in strength. The Golden Scarecrow himself felt a surge of power within.
It was wonderful.
This strength was a gift from nature, a return from the people's gratitude.
These were the true sources of power for the scarecrows.
Once they experienced it, there was no reason to turn away from something that both fulfilled them and made them stronger.
As for Golden Wheat—it was valuable, but it was symbolic more than essential. Now that it could be traded for Eternal Coins, they naturally had no reason to refuse.
That night, Yi Tianxing didn't cultivate. Instead, he spent the evening in intimate union with Cai Yan. They ascended the peaks of dual cultivation again and again, their cries of passion sealed behind wards that prevented sound from escaping.
He spent three full days with her—eating together, living together, wandering the city like common folk. At night, they reveled in each other's embrace. With Yi Tianxing's physical strength, few women could keep up. But Cai Yan welcomed each challenge, even when utterly exhausted.
Yi Tianxing understood.
She wanted a child.
Not just for them—but for the future of Xuanhuang City.
A child would mean everything.
Because of this, Yi Tianxing held nothing back. Each day, countless billions of his offspring found their way into her body. Whether life would be conceived... that was up to fate.
Though, under normal circumstances, there shouldn't be a problem.
As he stepped into his meditation chamber, Yi Tianxing whispered to himself:
"I hope she really does conceive this time. Now, I finally have the strength to protect my wife and family."