Chapter 548: Incense Fire God

Li Yi's movements were extremely grand; the twelve strands of heart-fire Qi illuminated the dark night, turning it a deep red like the evening glow, exceptionally beautiful. Moreover, this heart-fire Qi was extraordinarily scorching. Just by appearing, the temperature over the entire Xinzhou City rose rapidly, as if it had suddenly entered the height of summer, giving people a sense of sweltering heat.

But immediately after, this heart-fire Qi filling the sky retreated rapidly, now condensing entirely onto his fist.

With the power of Dragon and Tiger entwined and heart-fire Qi added, Li Yi did not employ any Daoist techniques, instead using his own physical strength to resist the two heavy hammer strikes falling from the Taiyue Mountain God.

Like two small mountains falling, it was hard to imagine that Li Yi would dare to resist them with his tiny physique.

Such a scene made the hearts of everyone inside the Yaoxing Tower jump with fear.

Is this person truly so valiant?

Although he wore Daoist robes, he gave off the feeling of an invincible, battle-hardened general who never retreated, his entire body radiating a fierce aura.

Boom!

At this collision, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded between heaven and earth. Then, sparks scattered in all directions, turning into streaks of crimson light that splashed across the firmament. A terrifying shockwave rolled out, sweeping through the clouds and cleansing the heavens. In just an instant, the sky regained its clarity, the moonlight shone down once more, and the stars filled the sky, dazzling and enchanting.

"Who won?"

The force of the impact turned into a gale sweeping through the city. King Xin opened his eyes wide, wanting to see the outcome clearly.

The wandering knight, the fox girl, and the white ape nearby were all shocked by this power.

It was hard to imagine that the Daoist's flesh and blood body could achieve such a degree, resisting the Taiyue Mountain God's golden hammers head-on.

One must know that those golden hammers were condensed from the incense fire of ten thousand people; each strike possessed the power of ten thousand, and almost no ghost or monster could withstand even one.

Yet now...

The tall Taiyue Mountain God stumbled, retreating continuously. His body was entwined with incense fire Qi, and the golden hammers in his hands hummed, as if they wanted to break free from his palms and fly away.

"Not bad power. Becoming a god through incense fire truly has some strength." Li Yi stood on a red cloud, expressionless.

This strike had revealed the true caliber of this Mountain God.

The Taiyue Mountain God was shocked and furious. He could not imagine why such powerful strength could erupt from the Daoist's seemingly fragile body. His own attack had not only failed to kill him, but had been resisted head-on.

He exerted force with both arms, gripping the humming golden hammers tightly, fearing they would be shaken away. Then he discovered that two deep fist prints had been left on his golden hammers, and cracks were spreading all around them.

If they clashed a few more times, the golden hammers in his hands would likely be smashed to pieces.

"You demonic Daoist, where did you get such strength?" the Taiyue Mountain God roared.

"This poor Daoist possesses the art of subduing dragons and tigers; my strength is naturally a bit greater. If this is all the means you have as a Mountain God, then forget about capturing me today—it's questionable whether you can even save your own life from my hands," Li Yi said. "If you have reinforcements, call them quickly. Don't be stubborn alone, or you'll lose your life for nothing."

"Demonic Daoist, you dare to repeatedly despise this god? Take this!" The Taiyue Mountain God roared, and the golden hammers in his hands erupted with golden light. Countless incense fire beliefs gathered upon them, granting them immense power.

The fist prints Li Yi had punched out earlier were also recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The next moment.

The two golden hammers turned into two streaks of golden light and charged again.

"Obstinate and unyielding."

Li Yi remained unmoved. Extreme brilliance condensed on his fist. This brilliance was not simple; it was the light of the Daoist technique 'Dividing Rivers into Land'.

Previously, through the guidance of Xiang Xiang Xiangzi, he had condensed the 'Dividing Rivers into Land' Great Technique onto his fist, granting his fists the power to split mountains and seas.

Moreover, Li Yi could condense at most two 'Dividing Rivers into Land' Great Techniques.

If refined in the future, perhaps he could operate the Five Elements, condensing five Daoist techniques, allowing his fists to possess unfathomable power.

He punched out once more.

With just one strike, the golden light covering the area was torn to shreds by a divine light in an instant. The extreme fist radiance broke through everything in its path, nothing able to stop it. In a split second, the fist light reached the Taiyue Mountain God, and the two golden hammers in his hands shattered on the spot.

"This is impossible."

The Taiyue Mountain God was terrified.

These were weapons condensed from incense fire, refined day and night by countless people, long since having gained sentience. Yet today, they were shattered by a single punch from this wild Daoist.

However, before he could react, the fist light, its momentum undiminished, slammed directly into his body.

The armor on the Taiyue Mountain God's body exploded, flying in all directions. A thick incense fire Qi filled the sky. Before he could react to what was happening, a hideous gash was torn into his tall body, and cracks began to appear all over his physique.

Pain—it was as if a part of his soul had been destroyed.

The Taiyue Mountain God screamed, retreating all the way. The incense fire Qi actually began to show signs of collapsing, and this trend was becoming increasingly obvious.

His body was shrinking, and the incense fire power was leaking out.

Having been a Mountain God for who knows how many years, he felt deep fear at this moment, because he understood that he might truly be killed by this Daoist, and even being a righteous god appointed by the imperial court could not save him.

"City God, come quickly to save me!" The Taiyue Mountain God could no longer care about his dignity and called for help immediately.

If he took another punch, his soul would definitely scatter.

His words finished. The next moment.

In a City God Temple in Xinzhou City, a light invisible to mortals shot into the sky. Similarly, incense fire Qi filled the air, and a middle-aged man appeared, wearing divine robes and looking exceptionally majestic. Simultaneously, as he appeared, streaks of green smoke rose from all around the city.

The green smoke rapidly transformed into yakshas, ghost generals, and underworld envoys.

In just a moment, numerous gods and ghosts appeared one after another.

They turned into dark clouds and hid within them, preventing mortals from peeking.

"Truly a very fierce demonic Daoist. I didn't expect that even you, Mountain God, would be no match for him." The Xinzhou City God frowned deeply.

He had been watching the battle from the shadows since it began, preparing.

If the Taiyue Mountain God could take him down, that would be best, and he, as the local City God, would not need to show himself. But if he couldn't, he had to help. After all, the imperial court had already issued an Underworld Decree; tonight, no matter what, this demonic Daoist could not be allowed to see tomorrow's sun.

Seeing reinforcements arrive, the Taiyue Mountain God breathed a slight sigh of relief, then gritted his teeth and said, "It's not that this god is incompetent; it's just that I came in a hurry and was not fully prepared. Had I known he had such ability, I should have brought the Mountain-Suppressing Sword and led three hundred monsters from the mountain to encircle and suppress this demonic Daoist. Even if this Daoist had heaven-reaching means, he would have had to drink hatred on the spot."

While speaking, the injuries on his body stabilized, the cracks stopped spreading, and the incense fire Qi gradually gathered again.

Because it was not a flesh-and-blood body, but an incense fire body, the Taiyue Mountain God's recovery ability was very fast.

【Note: The text contains a repetitive filler phrase here.】

But even so, he still felt extreme pain in his chest and was filled with lingering fear.

"Taiyue Mountain God, you are truly old. You can't even take down a demonic Daoist and still need this Marquis to take action. In my opinion, you should retire and yield to the virtuous early. Don't occupy the incense fire of Taiyue Mountain. You should know that many people are eyeing your position."

However, apart from the City God, another voice came from afar at this moment.

A man in brocade robes and fine clothing was seen arriving from the distance amidst a dark cloud, accompanied by over a hundred spirits and minor deities.

Clearly, he too had been ordered to come and suppress the Daoist demon Tai Yi.

"Marquis Lord Zhongwu."

The Mountain God of Mount Taiyue's expression sank instantly upon seeing this: "You certainly know how to pick your moments. Why didn't you come out after I had already died?"

He naturally knew that his position was coveted by many, so he had immediately obeyed the order to come and capture the Daoist demon, all to perform a meritorious service and secure his position as Mountain God.

"Greetings, Marquis Lord Zhongwu." The City God of Xinzhou bowed and performed a salute to show his respect.

This Marquis Lord Zhongwu had been a great general of the imperial court during his lifetime, with brilliant military achievements; he had shrines built in his honor and was posthumously titled Marquis Lord Zhongwu after his death, enjoying the incense offerings of ten Battalion Commander, which was how he became a god.

Marquis Lord Zhongwu nodded slightly, but then glanced sideways at the Mountain God of Mount Taiyue: "You have disgraced the imperial court entirely. If the local Prince Xin were to suffer any misfortune because of your incompetence, do you think the current Emperor wouldn't issue a decree to strip you of your position as Mountain God of Mount Taiyue and demote you to a wandering ghost? And yet you still dare to clamor before me."

"You—"

The Mountain God of Mount Taiyue was furious, but he then clutched his chest and forcibly swallowed his anger.

This Daoist demon was not yet dead, and the situation was uncertain; now was not the time to fall out with this Marquis Lord Zhongwu.

Better to join forces and deal with this Daoist demon first.

"Are you the Daoist demon Tai Yi?"

Marquis Lord Zhongwu scrutinized Li Yi, who was above the crimson auspicious clouds, his eyes flickering slightly: "Truly extraordinary. A wild Daoist actually possesses the aura of a dragon and tiger. However, your dragon aura seems impure; it does not resemble the aura of an emperor, but rather that of a baleful dragon, an evil dragon. Heh, I was just saying, how could someone with the aura of the Son of Heaven be born in such peaceful times? It must be that someone failed to recognize a true dragon and was mistaken."

"Now that I see you, it is indeed so."

He saw that although the silver tiger on Li Yi's body had a pure and terrifying aura, the dragon aura had an irregular form. Though it had a dragon's head and sharp claws, it had wings on its back; it should be of the dragon kind, but not a true dragon. After all, he, Marquis Lord Zhongwu, had met the Son of Heaven and experienced the true aura of the Son of Heaven.

But even so.

This person's dragon and tiger phenomenon had already formed. If not removed early, he would likely split the world in the future and proclaim himself a false emperor.

"Blah, blah, blah. I've waited for you for so long, and today only you three incense gods have come? If there is anyone else, I can wait a bit longer. After all, it's better to be neat and tidy when you head out on your final journey." Li Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his red-feathered Daoist robe fluttering in the wind. His eyes swept over them casually, with a hint of killing intent emerging.

"Do you think the three of us gods cannot take down a Daoist demon like you? It seems that when the mountains are high and the Emperor is far away, even a Daoist demon dares to disregard the righteous gods of the imperial court. Men, bring me my weapon. Today, I shall slay this Daoist demon." Marquis Lord Zhongwu gave a cold laugh and gestured with his hand.

Soon.

A squad of ghost soldiers behind him walked slowly with heavy steps, carrying a great spear.

The great spear was over a zhang long and as thick as a bowl. Although it was cast from refined iron, a line of large golden-lacquered characters was engraved upon it: "Imperial Gift, Nation-Stabilizing Spear."

Just by having the words "Imperial Gift," it carried the power of the incense faith of more than just ten thousand people.

No wonder it required a squad of ghost soldiers to carry it.

If one person were to bear this weight, it could easily crush a ghost soldier to death alive.

From this, it could be seen that this weapon was indeed extraordinary and could not be compared to the golden hammer in the hands of the Mountain God of Mount Taiyue.

(End of chapter)