Chapter 552: Entering the Capital

Feeling the powerful momentum radiating from Li Yi, the Nation-Protecting Divine General Zhang Wang Jian Gong did not doubt for a moment that if this Daoist truly fought, he really had the ability to destroy the capital. Although the final result would definitely be the Daoist's death, the price paid would definitely be heavy.

As a god who became one through incense fire, his image absolutely could not collapse. Once the common people saw that the Nation-Protecting Divine General could not protect the safety of the capital, his end would be very miserable.

For a time.

The Nation-Protecting Divine General Zhang Wang Jian Gong hesitated, not even daring to say harsh words to provoke this Daoist, fearing that the situation would develop in the worst direction.

"Daoist, are you truly not afraid of death saying this? This is the capital. There are three other Nation-Protecting Divine Generals who haven't appeared yet. Besides that, the various Marquises and the Underworld Emperors of past dynasties are all still here. If you dare to take action, you will be an enemy of the whole country. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you will definitely die."

Zhang Wang Jian Gong said seriously: "This divine general advises you to behave yourself and not go astray."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi laughed: "This poor Daoist using his own strength to drag a dynasty to be buried with him—this deal is not a loss. However, whether to take action or not does not depend on this poor Daoist, but on you."

"If you, Nation-Protecting Divine General, are willing to let me pass and allow this poor Daoist to enter and leave the capital, this poor Daoist will naturally not take action indiscriminately. But if you insist on blocking me, then I don't mind making what I just said a reality. Alright, enough said. Nation-Protecting Divine General, please do as you wish."

He ignored him further. The red auspicious cloud under his feet carried King Xin and himself, bypassing this incense fire god, and continued to fly toward the capital.

If this Nation-Protecting Divine General dared to block him again, Li Yi would absolutely start a war here. Whether he could win or not was one thing, but he would at least make the other party pay the price after taking action.

At this moment, Zhang Wang Jian Gong floated in the green smoke, his gaze flickering. Watching Li Yi carry King Xin straight into the capital so grandly, he felt a loss of face, but he didn't dare to take action. Otherwise, if a great war broke out, he truly couldn't afford the price, unless he could instantly kill this Daoist and prevent him from casting spells to destroy the city.

Just looking at that red-feathered purple-gold armor and the divine wood large bow in his hand.

Zhang Wang Jian Gong felt that he couldn't kill him instantly; it would likely require a fierce battle for a while to take him down.

"That Daoist knows incense fire gods very well and saw through the shortcomings of incense fire gods at a glance. If we truly fought a fierce battle, this Daoist would definitely attack this general's divine statue. Once the divine statue is destroyed and the incense fire belief collapses, this general's strength will be greatly damaged. At that time, I might truly not be able to win against this Daoist, and instead, I might be slain by him."

Then, he felt wary.

"Forget it, let him enter the capital. Although this Daoist is dangerous, he will have to restrain himself after entering the capital. He likely won't cause any major trouble, otherwise, he will never be able to walk out of the capital alive."

Zhang Wang Jian Gong thought for a moment and could only choose to compromise, watching Li Yi head toward the capital.

"The Nation-Protecting Divine General actually let us pass?"

King Xin was shocked. In his impression, Zhang Wang Jian Gong, as one of the Southern Nation-Protecting Divine Generals, was impartial, hated evil as much as he hated his enemies, and was loyal. The ghosts and monsters he intercepted never had a good end.

He didn't expect that today, he would choose to bend the law for personal gain.

Li Yi said calmly: "He had no choice. Becoming a god through incense fire has too many drawbacks. Strength relies entirely on the belief of ten thousand people, not like this poor Daoist's great power belonging to oneself, which can be unbridled. Moreover, he cannot afford the price of taking action, so even if his strength is greater, he can only stare."

Without the obstruction of the Nation-Protecting Divine General.

He carried King Xin and soon arrived above the capital.

Just upon entering the capital, Li Yi felt an inexplicable pressure, as if his magic power had been shackled, making it very unfree. Moreover, casting the Cloud-Treading Technique felt like carrying a mountain on his back, feeling very heavy, so he had to descend rapidly from the high sky to reduce the consumption of magic power.

"Is it because of that Dragon and Tiger Qi?"

Li Yi looked up at the true Dragon Qi covering the firmament.

The belief of the people of the whole country, combined with countless spiritual energies of heaven and earth, resulted in this true dragon, which symbolized the dynasty's luck, actually possessing immense divine might. Its strength was likely not inferior to a strong person of the Three Flower Realm. It was just that the dragon Qi had form but no spirit, and could only passively protect the capital, unable to manifest actively to slay strong enemies.

Such vast incense fire belief was wasted in vain. If truly utilized properly, the power of the whole country could truly produce a genuine god.

"The power of incense fire belief combined with the national luck of the dynasty can actually affect Daoist techniques. It's simply inconceivable."

Li Yi discovered that the closer he got to the core of the capital, the heavier the invisible shackles on his magic power became. Although it wouldn't make his Daoist techniques fail, their power would be greatly reduced.

However, his own martial arts and the Dragon and Tiger power contained within his body were not affected.

It seems that dual cultivation has its benefits.

"Even a Daoist like me is affected so severely, I guess those incense fire gods won't be much better off. They likely can't enter the core area of the capital either, otherwise, they would also be suppressed by the national luck and unable to do much. In this way, I can rest easy." Li Yi thought to himself.

At this moment, the Cloud-Treading Technique was difficult to cast, so he simply didn't use it, falling straight down from mid-air.

Soon, he and King Xin landed publicly on a main road.

It was brightly lit nearby, and pedestrians were coming and going incessantly. Seeing Li Yi, this Daoist, arriving on a red cloud, they weren't afraid, but instead excited and agitated.

"Look, look quickly! An immortal has arrived in the capital on an auspicious cloud."

"It's truly an immortal. I saw with my own eyes that he floated down from the sky."

"Immortal, I am a wealthy merchant in the capital. My family has quite a bit of wealth. Please, immortal, enter my mansion. I am willing to offer ten thousand gold." Someone had already smelled an opportunity and shouted crazily at Li Yi.

"A mere merchant has no qualification to serve an immortal. My father is a Minister of the Imperial Court. I invite the immortal to enter my mansion." A man in brocade robes walked over with large strides and bowed respectfully.

Li Yi didn't respond. He hadn't landed for a moment before the surroundings were surrounded by people—men, women, old, and young. They all had inexplicable excitement on their faces, as if they had seen something rare.

King Xin nearby explained: "In the capital, the style of seeking immortals and asking about the Dao is very heavy. Any Daoist who understands some magic techniques will be sought after and treated well. Daoist, you stepped on a red auspicious cloud and descended from the sky, no different from an immortal. Now that you've been seen, you will naturally be surrounded."

"So that's how it is." Li Yi finally understood.

However, in this capital, where the Dragon Qi covers everything, ordinary Daoists couldn't cast magic techniques at all. This invisibly screened out a large group of Daoists who were swindlers and had poor skills. Only Daoists who truly had ability and skill could show a trick or two here. And such people, when placed outside the capital, would naturally have even stronger skills.

King Xin said: "This King has a mansion in the capital. Daoist, if you want to seek someone, you must have a place to stay. Why not stay at the mansion first?"

Li Yi glanced at him: "Are you trying to delay time?"

【Note: Repetitive filler phrase.】

"I wouldn't dare."

King Xin immediately said: "It's just that it's the middle of the night, and you, Daoist, have come from afar from Xinzhou. Where can you seek someone in a moment? And the capital is so large, covering three hundred miles. Even riding a horse would take several days. Daoist, stay at ease first. In these few days, this King will contact old acquaintances and send people to inquire. After the person is found, I will make arrangements for you to meet that person."

"I can't trust your words. The lyricist is in the capital, so he must have a residence. Just take me there directly." Li Yi said, grabbing his hand and walking forward with large strides.

"Immortal, immortal, please give me some money. I borrowed a lot of money a few years ago to buy a house in the capital, and now I can't pay the interest. I hope the immortal can help me pay off the debt. This little person will be eternally grateful." Someone blocked Li Yi's path, knelt down, and begged with a crying face.

Upon hearing this, Li Yi's face turned black. Good fellow, you took out a mortgage to buy a house, can't pay the mortgage, and you're asking me to help you?

He wanted to refuse, but considering that his identity as an immortal might help gather incense fire belief, he held the idea of giving it a try and said directly: "This poor Daoist will teach you a method. You can use your current house to mortgage it to a money shop, take out a sum of money, then go buy a second house, then use the second house to mortgage another sum of money to the money shop, go buy a third house, and so on. Soon, you will have countless houses in your hands."

Upon hearing this, the man shivered and said in terror: "Immortal, wouldn't I be carrying more debt this way? For one house, this little person needs to work for fifty years without sleep. If there are several more houses, this little person fears I will never be able to pay off the debt for generations."

"Stupid! The capital is three hundred miles, and there are only so many houses. If you buy more, the houses will naturally rise in price. At that time, you raise the price of the first house to twice or even three times the previous price, then sell it, and use this money to repay the subsequent debts. Repeat this, and you will soon be wealthy." Li Yi said.

As soon as these words were spoken, many people nearby were shocked.

Can it be played like this?

But thinking about it, it seems it really can.

Upon hearing this, the man felt as if he had been enlightened. His face turned red with excitement, and he knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times.

"Immortal, your great kindness, this little person will never forget. Please tell me your name. When this little person becomes wealthy in the future, I will definitely worship you for generations." The man stood up excitedly and wanted to leave, but after walking a few steps, he knelt down and bowed again.

Li Yi said: "This poor Daoist is Tai Yi. Go. If you become wealthy in the future, do more good deeds and don't do evil."

"I will strictly follow the teachings of Immortal Tai Yi." The man finally left as if fleeing, clutching his excited mood.

Others seeing this situation also woke up one after another.

He can do this, why can't I?

For a time.

More than twenty people surrounding him left, and the scene immediately cleared up.

Seeing the road clear, Li Yi continued to pull King Xin forward.

Although King Xin wanted to delay in every possible way, he could only sigh helplessly.

"Immortal, I am thirty-eight years old and still unmarried. I want to ask the immortal where my marriage is?" At this moment, someone else knelt before Li Yi, blocking his path, kowtowing and requesting repeatedly. The man was short and ugly, naturally not liked by women.

With your configuration, isn't this making things difficult for me, Li?

But Li Yi still thought for a moment and said: "Leave the capital and head south. Pass by ruined temples in the wilderness, worship and offer sacrifices more, and perhaps marriage will come to your door."

Since you can't find a living person as a wife, then go find ghosts and monsters. They might not mind your appearance.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 553 =====