"Since everything is confirmed, I'll input this information now."
Jia Yucun said with a smile. Then he picked up a brush, poured true qi into its tip, and began writing on a white jade-like crystalline tablet made from bone crystal.
Name: Li Dafu
Gender: Male
Origin: Civilian (Xuanhuang Village)
Age: 32
Marital Status: Married, wife missing and unable to be located
Occupation: Vegetable farmer
Skills: Cultivation, agriculture
Address: Xuanhuang Village
Merit: 0
Money: 0
The crystalline tablet resembled a peculiar kind of paper, but to write on it required true qi channeled through the brush tip. Once written, the text naturally appeared on a massive bone crystal screen standing upright, so Li Dafu could clearly see the information. It was truly marvelous.
After completing the input, Jia Yucun retrieved a crystal card from the card slot and placed it before Li Dafu. "Drip a bit of blood onto this crystal card. From now on, this will be your identity proof, something every resident of Xuanhuang Village will have — a Tianji Card. In the future, if you earn merit points, they'll be recorded on this Tianji Card, along with your monetary balance."
"This is it?"
Li Dafu stared at everything with awe and curiosity. Following the instructions, he pricked his finger on a silver needle prepared for this and let a drop of blood fall onto the card. Instantly, the card emitted a glow and absorbed the drop of blood.
Then, he felt a strange connection form between himself and the card — as if it had become an extension of his body. He could sense it clearly.
Shua!
Almost instinctively, the thought of putting it away appeared in his mind.
The Tianji Card immediately vanished and entered his body.
"The card… it went into my Divine Sea?"
Li Dafu's eyes widened in shock. Moments later, he extended his hand, and the card reappeared.
Upon close inspection, he saw the exact information Jia Yucun had written displayed on the card — name, origin, gender, occupation, etc. Even those who couldn't read would understand its content, as some mysterious power transmitted the meaning directly into one's mind. One could even choose to conceal certain parts like their name or address with a thought — though the data itself couldn't be altered.
Still, it was nothing short of astonishing.
"All right, Brother Li, this card is now your Tianji Card, representing your identity and confirming you're a citizen of Xuanhuang Village. Don't lose it. If you do, you'll need to visit the Tianji Hall to get a replacement. Since it has accepted your blood, no one else can use it."
Jia Yucun reminded him with a grin.
"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Jia!"
Li Dafu beamed as he thanked him and left. He played with the card, making it appear and vanish repeatedly — like a child with a prized toy. He was overjoyed.
Holding it gave him a profound sense of security.
This was it. He was officially registered. He was now a true citizen of Xuanhuang Village.
Outside the Tianji Hall, many others were holding their cards just like him — marveling at their Tianji Cards, laughing and chatting excitedly.
"It's amazing. I always wondered why we hadn't been formally registered since the Tianji Hall was built. Turns out it was for something this incredible.""Right? Back in the old days, we had to go to the government office for registration, and they never gave us proof — just added us to some family registry. Most of us avoided it to escape taxes. But now, we each get our own identity card that even connects with our bodies!""Look! The Tianji Card shows our name, job, age, address, merit, and money. And I heard it can link with a mysterious treasure, letting you store funds and even trade!""Exactly! You can check your merit points directly. Everyone needs one of these. It's like something out of a legend — like a magical artifact. Feels like a dream.""Ever since I became a cultivator, it's like the whole world changed. I can do things I never thought possible before. It's unbelievable."
The people were full of wonder and anticipation.
For many, this was their first time owning something so mystical — and something truly their own.
With their new Tianji Cards in hand, they eagerly shared their excitement, even building a sense of trust with one another. Each card proved they belonged to the same village — that was enough to bring comfort and stability.
Inside the Tianji Hall, the card issuance continued in an orderly manner.
Everything — the crystal tablets, the screens, the card slots — had been devised by Yi Tianxing, all specially made for managing these affairs. They were connected to the Starweb, able to instantly display the information.
In function, they were no different from modern computers.
To the ordinary folk, this was a revolutionary change.
Also, soldiers receiving their Tianji Cards would have military status displayed instead of civilian — a clear distinction.
Ding dong…
That morning, Yi Tianxing awoke from his cultivation. The first strand of eastern purple qi of the dawn entered his body. Of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, six were now fully opened. Only the Ren and Du Meridians remained. Once opened, he'd complete the third stage of the Divine Sea Realm.
Yin Wei, Yang Wei, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao, Chong, and Dai Meridians — these six already linked most of his twelve primary meridians. Only Ren and Du were left.
"Just two more days, and I'll break through to the peak of the third stage of the Divine Sea Realm. That's practically a meteoric rise. I wonder how this compares across the Eternal Continent."
Yi Tianxing didn't let it make him arrogant. He knew the Eternal Continent was filled with wonders, luck, and prodigies. Someone might even leap past the Divine Sea Realm in a single step.
This world had no shortage of miracles.
Just as he opened his eyes, a soft and pleasant melody drifted into his ears. The sound of a qin — serene, flowing.
"Someone's playing… inside my residence? Could it be Wenji?"
Curious, he rose and stepped outside.
In the side courtyard, under the morning sun, a graceful silhouette stood.
Bathed in light, her figure exuded a tranquil and ethereal aura — elegant and serene, like a fairy in a painting.
Just her back view was mesmerizing.
It was Cai Yan (Wenji).
Before her sat a qin, clearly a fine instrument.
Her jade fingers danced over the strings, the music flowing like water. Within the melody was a mysterious charm. As he listened, Yi Tianxing felt himself transported to another world.
He stood atop a towering mountain.
A waterfall roared like a silver dragon, cascading over cliffs, weaving through rivers — both fierce and gentle — evoking awe and peace.
The music conjured a majestic landscape, a flowing emotional tapestry.
Clap clap clap…
He didn't know when, but he slowly returned to reality. The scenery vanished — it had all been the intent realm of the music.
Intent was enough to draw the soul in, to make one believe they had truly been there.
"What a magnificent performance of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water'. In your hands, Wenji, it's breathtaking. The lingering echoes still play in my ears — truly unforgettable."
Yi Tianxing applauded gently.
The melody might be familiar, but to play it with such depth and insight — that was truly rare.
"Brother Yi, I hope I didn't disturb your rest," Cai Yan said softly, turning around.
Still, the joy in her eyes at his praise was evident.
"Wenji, this qin of yours seems extraordinary."
Yi Tianxing's gaze turned to the qin in front of her — instantly drawn to its beauty.
This was no ordinary qin.
Most qins were made of ancient wood, crafted through complex methods. But this one… was made of white jade. A Jade Qin, flawless and refined — like a work of art, with no visible marks of carving.