Chapter 571

In front of the Wuji Palace, three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards were assembled. Every Embroidered Uniform Guard was an existence who had cultivated the evolution method. Although their realms were not high, such strength could be considered quite good in this world. They only needed to condense their souls in the future and accept the power of incense-fire to leap over the dragon gate and become like dragons themselves.

Such a massive operation naturally could not be hidden from others' eyes, but it did not matter anymore.

Because it was already evening, and the sky was darkening.

Inside the Wuji Palace, a young man wearing red jade and purple gold armor walked out with large strides, stepping on golden clouds and draped in lightning. Just by standing there, the clouds in the sky seemed to be gathering around him. Although he did not speak, a Qi of Dragon and Tiger radiated from him naturally, as if he only needed to stomp his foot to shake the mountains and rivers.

"Is this True Person Taiyi? It is truly incredible."

"He is also a cultivator, and his strength is extremely terrifying."

"The power of this True Person Taiyi is simply unfathomable."

The three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards all had eyes like torches. They already possessed spirit perception and could see vengeful ghosts and incense-fire deities, so they could naturally see the visions around Li Yi. And just one glance made everyone in the audience silent.

Only evolved beings could intuitively feel how great the gap in life levels was between them.

No words were needed, and there was no need to deliberately display power. Just by standing there, your life aura radiated out, naturally making people feel awe. It was just like a fierce tiger passing by a pack of wild dogs; there was no need to roar, as the wild dogs would naturally feel terrified upon smelling the scent and be scared away directly.

"This Daoist is True Person Taiyi. Today, I have received His Majesty's order to lead three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards and twenty Golden Pupil Guards to leave the capital and begin the path of breaking mountains and destroying temples." Li Yi's voice was calm but carried the power of Daoist magic, reaching the ears of every Embroidered Uniform Guard in an instant.

However, everyone had already received this secret mission, so they did not find it strange and had long been prepared.

Even before the operation, the imperial court had issued a large sum of relocation money, enough for their families to live in luxury for a lifetime. Besides that, if they performed meritorious service this time, they would definitely be granted titles and hereditary rights in the future. If they succeeded, they could even be canonized as orthodox deities later, enjoying incense-fire offerings and lasting for a thousand years.

Money, power, immortality—Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye's cost-no-object spending had long made these Embroidered Uniform Guards' blood boil.

After all, they were all from poor backgrounds and innocent families. Now that they had such a chance to turn their lives around, how could they miss it? The Embroidered Spring Swords at their waists had long been hungry and impatient.

Li Yi spoke again: "For this operation of breaking mountains and destroying temples, this Daoist will be in charge of everything. If anyone violates this Daoist's orders, they will be executed without mercy. If anyone has a weak will and wants to withdraw from this operation, they can leave immediately now. This Daoist will plead with His Majesty to pardon you."

However, not one of the three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards retreated.

Those who could be selected were naturally screened; it was impossible for them to retreat at this time.

"Very good. Since that is the case, this Daoist will not waste words. Let's go." After Li Yi finished speaking, he pointed his hand, operated his Daoist magic, and performed the cloud-treading technique.

In an instant, the spiritual energy of the sky gathered and transformed into golden auspicious clouds. Then the auspicious clouds gathered and connected into a piece, forming a sea of clouds. These golden auspicious clouds covered all three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards. Then the sea of clouds rose, actually lifting the three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards directly and beginning to ascend rapidly.

All the Embroidered Uniform Guards showed looks of shock. It was the first time they had seen someone possess such great supernatural power, actually being able to carry more than three thousand people to fly in the air. Even some powerful incense-fire deities could not do this.

As they got higher and higher from the ground, they discovered that they had left the imperial palace and arrived above the capital.

"Go."

Li Yi gave a low shout, his voice like a dragon and tiger, resounding through the firmament. Then a golden auspicious cloud rose beneath his feet, and then a fierce wind arose, rolling this sea of golden clouds and flying toward a direction.

The first thing he had to do was leave the capital.

The land of the capital had heavy Son of Heaven Qi, which interfered with his magic. Only after leaving the capital could Li Yi truly be a dragon entering the sea and a tiger leaping into the deep mountains.

"I pay respects to True Person Taiyi."

Suddenly, above the golden clouds, a beautiful woman greeted him respectfully.

Li Yi glanced at her; judging by her attire, she should be a member of the Golden Pupil Guard: "Does His Majesty have anything he wants you to convey?"

The Golden Pupil Guards were confidants around his father, Li Jiye. Arranging twenty of them to come this time, besides being under his command, they would certainly be responsible for contacting all directions. After all, many small matters did not require Li Yi to worry personally; otherwise, what were so many subordinates for?

"Reporting to the True Person, this subordinate is Flower Girl. I am a tea flower from the wild that gained Dao and became a spirit. Thanks to His Majesty's care, I was transplanted from the wild into the imperial palace and canonized as the Flower Goddess, only then gaining the power of incense-fire and transforming into a human body. Seeing that the True Person has no maidservants or attendants by his side, His Majesty specially ordered this subordinate to serve the True Person. I hope the True Person will grant permission."

This Golden Pupil Guard named Flower Girl knelt down, looking charming and moving.

"This Daoist knows. You may withdraw. If there are orders, I will call you." Li Yi glanced at her, expressionless, and waved his hand to signal.

"Yes, True Person." Flower Girl received the order and then withdrew.

Li Yi finally understood: this Flower Girl—no, including the other nineteen Golden Pupil Guards—were all maidservants sent to him by his father, not just simple guards.

He scanned the other Golden Pupil Guards casually.

These women were all young, beautiful, and graceful, with different charms. A pair of light golden eyes added a bit of flair, and they were loyal. They were indeed enough to make any man's heart flutter. However, he had not come to this world to enjoy himself, but to cultivate. Women would only delay his speed of gathering the three flowers at the crown.

Withdrawing his gaze.

Li Yi stood on the golden auspicious clouds and looked into the distance. At this moment, the golden auspicious clouds, carrying three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards and twenty Golden Pupil Guards, were about to leave the three-hundred-mile territory of the capital.

He had a premonition.

After he left the capital, a battle was definitely waiting for him.

The moment he was appointed as Imperial Preceptor, he was destined to become a thorn in the side of most incense-fire deities in the world, and the Yin Son of Heaven hiding in the dark was even less likely to let him go.

At this moment, the sky was getting darker.

Night was the time for incense-fire deities to be active.

Just as night had fallen.

Streams of incense-fire Qi rose into the air from all directions of the capital, and the blue smoke intertwined, forming layers of clouds. And within the clouds, incense-fire deities manifested one by one.

"Where is True Person Taiyi?"

Soon, a huge voice that resounded through the sky came over. He saw that as soon as Li Yi's golden auspicious clouds flew out of the capital, they were blocked by a piece of incense-fire Qi. Among them, orthodox deities who had attained Dao through incense-fire blocked his path, intercepting him in mid-air.

"So fast? I thought I would have to wait until I left the capital for a while before being targeted by incense-fire deities. But with just you lot, I seem to have been underestimated." Li Yi's gaze was calm, staring at the three most special incense-fire deities in the black clouds.

He recognized one of them: it was the Southern Guardian Divine General, Zhang Jian Gong.

At this moment, Zhang Jian Gong was draped in armor, his figure burly and tall, holding a precious sword, his gaze gloomy, seemingly having some thoughts.

And beside him, there were also the Western Guardian Divine General and the Eastern Guardian Divine General. One held a long spear, and the other held double maces, equally majestic and extraordinary. The surrounding incense-fire Qi was thick, and their bodies had turned from virtual to real, as if they possessed flesh and blood.

"The Yin Son of Heaven has ordered: True Person Taiyi, as Imperial Preceptor, has impure intentions and is guilty of heinous crimes. Today, your position as Imperial Preceptor is stripped, and you are to be executed immediately." A Western Guardian Divine General stepped forward, holding an imperial edict, and shouted loudly.

Although the imperial edict was issued by the Yin Son of Heaven, it was also recognized by the imperial court. At this moment, as soon as the edict came out, heaven and earth resonated, and it seemed his position as Imperial Preceptor was truly revoked. The power of incense-fire belief all over his body actually began to dissipate involuntarily, and a large amount of incense-fire Qi no longer gathered on Li Yi but dissipated between heaven and earth.

Feeling this change in himself, Li Yi could not help but frown.

It could be done like this?

With one imperial edict, the incense-fire Qi could not be gathered?

"True Person Taiyi, you are finished. You have lost your position as Imperial Preceptor, and the power of incense-fire is dissipating. Without the power of incense-fire, you will soon be beaten back to your original form." The Western Guardian Divine General sneered and said.

"So that's how it is." Li Yi understood at this moment why he had to train the Embroidered Uniform Guards to begin breaking mountains and destroying temples.

The incense-fire deities canonized by the world were all controlled by the emperors of successive dynasties. With just one imperial edict, they could make you fall from the divine altar and never gather incense-fire power again. And there were twelve emperors of successive dynasties, checking and balancing each other, intertwined and difficult to clean up. If one wanted to break this situation, only a cultivator could do it.

"True Person, do not worry. We also have His Majesty's imperial edict in our hands." At this time, the Golden Pupil Guard Flower Girl from the side stepped forward. She also held an imperial edict, which was given to her by the current Shenwu Emperor.

It was just that the content of the edict was empty, but it was stamped with the Emperor's seal. As long as the content was written, it could become true.

Li Yi waved his hand: "No need. Breaking mountains and destroying temples relies on people, not an imperial edict."

After speaking, he turned to look at these incense-fire deities in front of him: "You should be very clear about this Daoist's strength. Previously, there was a Northern Guardian Divine General, who seemed to be called Wang Qijun. Because he opposed this Daoist, he was beheaded by this Daoist in the capital. I really don't know where you get the courage now to dare to say you will execute me?"

"If there are only you today, then I am sorry, your time as Guardian Divine Generals has come to an end."

"Audacious! You have already lost your position as Imperial Preceptor. Today is your death day."

"Arrogant! The three of us Guardian Divine Generals joining forces will execute you with ease."

Two Guardian Divine Generals scolded loudly at this moment. Only the Southern Guardian Divine General, Zhang Jian Gong, knew very well in his heart that the Daoist in front of him had improved again compared to some time ago. If it weren't for inviting the imperial edict, stripping him of his position as Imperial Preceptor, and dissipating his incense-fire power, he really would not have had the courage to come.

But what they did not know was that Li Yi did not rely on incense-fire power at all.

Even if a lot of his incense-fire power had dissipated now, his own strength had not weakened in the slightest, because he was walking the path of borrowing the false to cultivate the true and did not rely on incense-fire power.

Li Yi laughed at this moment, laughing at the stupidity of these incense-fire deities.

Now he was at the third layer of the Five Qi Realm, and his strength had increased several times compared to before. If these three Guardian Divine Generals had joined forces before, they might have had a chance of winning, but now, it was undoubtedly throwing an egg against a rock.