Chapter 609: Flaw

Li Yi was now preparing to find a suitable place within this three-hundred-li bustling capital, waiting quietly for events to unfold.

Whether or not the transdimensional figure in the palace was his father, once he received that letter, he would surely come seeking him—whether friend or foe remained unknown; he could not gamble, so he needed a place from which to advance or retreat.

"Dragon-Tiger energy envelops the entire capital, suppressing Dao arts and rendering them difficult to wield, like a vast array trapping all cultivators. But since it is an array, it must have flaws—find the gap, and you can avoid the Dragon-Tiger energy's influence."

Li Yi gazed up at the heavens, searching for the capital's weakness.

Unfortunately, his cultivation time was short, and he was not skilled in great celestial arrays—but his insight was high.

Moreover, this Dragon-Tiger array had not been constructed by a master; it arose naturally, so it was far from perfect—finding its flaw would not be difficult.

Yet while wandering the capital, Li Yi had already sensed he was being followed.

Though the follower was cautious, he had not escaped Li Yi's perception.

"Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Li Yi thought silently—he had detected the auras of several evolvers. To others, these auras were faint, but to him, they blazed like candles in the dark, impossible to ignore.

"The capital's defenses are indeed strong: guardian gods patrol the outer perimeter, Embroidered Uniform Guards patrol within, and the Dragon-Tiger energy suppresses all—unless the enemy is exceptionally powerful, no one can cause trouble here. Then again, this is where the faith and incense of all under heaven converge; chaos here would shake the very foundation of the state."

He pondered briefly, unconcerned with the hidden Embroidered Uniform Guards—let them follow if they wished; it did not interfere with his goals.

About half an hour later.

Li Yi observed the landforms and Dragon-Tiger energy, and truly found a flaw.

There, the Dragon-Tiger energies converged, chaotic and unbalanced, yin and yang in disarray, obscure and unclear—the array's influence on that region was minimal.

Without hesitation, he walked toward it.

His foot moved.

His form vanished instantly, becoming a silver lightning bolt that slashed across the sky, tearing through the air, leaving a streak of brilliance—only distant rumbles of thunder remained, and he was gone.

This sight startled nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards, who all burst out at once.

"Such a terrifying Daoist—his power is inhuman! Could he truly not be some mountain spirit or demon?"

Feeling the tremors in the air, one Embroidered Uniform Guard turned pale, daring not to approach.

Just now, that Daoist had roared like a tiger shaking the mountains—his unleashed power had reached them from afar, making their hairs stand on end and danger surge instantly.

This feeling left no doubt: one strike, and their bodies would explode into pulp.

"This Daoist entered the capital with Prince Xin—he must have a purpose. We cannot lose him." Another Embroidered Uniform Guard whispered sharply and rushed after him.

Nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards swiftly mobilized.

Though Dao arts were hindered, Li Yi's Gangqi remained intact. With his fourteen major acupoints opened and Dragon-Tiger bloodline, his vital energy was terrifyingly vast—his Gangqi had solidified from void to substance. Though he could not ride clouds or summon mist, low-altitude flight posed no problem.

Soon.

A silver lightning bolt descended from the sky, landing upon a stone bridge.

The lightning faded, revealing Li Yi's form.

Nearby pedestrians jumped back in fright, staring at him in terror.

Li Yi ignored them. Before him lay a man-made lake, dotted with countless boats, all lit with lanterns, glowing brightly, bustling with constant traffic.

"This is it—the convergence of nine waters, the union of Dragon and Tiger. The lake is circular, like a dragon's pearl. It appears to gather fortune, yet is in fact chaotic, cluttered with mixed energies."

He now felt the shackles on his magic power loosening significantly, a sense of lightness spreading through his body.

Yet he was not at the center—he still needed to walk further.

"The lake's center is the flaw." Li Yi realized, preparing to move again—when suddenly, the nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards could no longer hold back, surging out from all directions.

Not many—only eight or nine.

But each was elite: their eyes glowed faintly in the night, their backs broad as tigers, waists narrow as wasps, moving like the wind.

"Spirit Perception realm." Li Yi glanced.

With such power, they could roam this world unchecked unless facing a spirit of incense. If they advanced further, condensed a soul, and gathered incense, they could undergo a transformation—manipulate celestial spiritual energy, wield unimaginable arts, and forge a new path of cultivation in this world.

"Daoist, your abilities are extraordinary—you crossed thirty li in an instant. Had I not received word beforehand, I would never have believed I'd encounter you here."

A middle-aged man, wearing a flying-fish robe, a gold plaque at his waist, a precious saber in hand, strode forward with grave expression.

His appearance sent nearby pedestrians scattering like startled birds.

In the capital, who didn't know: never provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guards. They could execute first and report later, wielded immense authority, and each possessed astonishing power. Someone had seen a common Embroidered Uniform Guard punch a mad tiger that had escaped from a pharmacy—three blows, and it died. Then he walked away, vanishing.

"I am Liu Lingyun, Battalion Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I salute Daoist Taiyi."

He stopped three zhang from Li Yi, bowed with clasped fists, neither humble nor arrogant.

The other Embroidered Uniform Guards did not approach, only resting hands on their sabers, standing guard, intimidating the crowd into dispersing. Li Yi said: "Within this short time, you learned my Dao name and found my location—your Embroidered Uniform Guard truly has ability. But I have no interest in you. Go play yourselves. Don't disturb me."

He waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

"Daoist, you are such a formidable figure—I dare not be careless. What is your purpose in entering the capital with Prince Xin? As a Battalion Commander, I have some influence—if I can assist you, I will spare no effort and ensure your satisfaction," Liu Lingyun said.

"Want to help? Fine. Who taught you Embroidered Uniform Guards to cultivate? Bring that person to me." Li Yi said calmly.

Liu Lingyun froze, then replied: "That is a state secret—I cannot reveal even a word. To do so would mean extermination of three clans. Daoist, please choose another request."

"If you cannot do it, stop wasting my time. A mere Spirit Perception realm has no authority to interfere with my affairs." Li Yi said.

At these words, Liu Lingyun's pupils shrank sharply.

Not just him.

The other Embroidered Uniform Guards also turned pale with shock.

Spirit Perception realm?

How did this Daoist learn such a critical imperial secret? Every scrap of information about the Embroidered Uniform Guard was forbidden to leak—even Battalion Commanders spoke with utmost caution. A single slip meant death—for either the speaker or the listener.

No error, no mistake, no misstatement—this was absolute!

Yet this vital secret had been casually spoken by this Daoist.

Instantly.

They all drew their swords, glancing around.

One Embroidered Uniform Guard leapt up, sprinting into the nearest shop, ready to kill everyone inside—regardless of who they were.

Because Li Yi's words might have been overheard, better to kill the wrong than let the right live.

Who in the capital could stop a Spirit Perception realm Embroidered Uniform Guard from killing?

But now—

BOOM!

A silver lightning bolt split the air.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard about to commit murder sensed mortal danger and tried to dodge—but too late. Half his body was struck, and he collapsed unconscious.

Li Yi's face remained expressionless. "Is this kind of secrecy effective? If I shout a few more things, will you kill everyone in the capital? Save your strength. If you want to silence me, better kill me first—I live, your cultivation secret stays exposed."

Liu Lingyun and the other Embroidered Uniform Guards now wore grim expressions.

That silver lightning had struck from nowhere, powerful enough to kill a master—if they fought this Daoist, even if they sacrificed every Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital, it would be useless.

Indeed.

This mission was truly difficult—worse, it might trigger a major disaster.

"I dislike forcing others. You won't reveal anything by speaking. Tomorrow, many things will naturally resolve themselves." Li Yi finished, waving his Dao robe again, signaling them to depart.

Liu Lingyun said nothing—he was no match for this Daoist, but he must watch him; if anything stirred, he would know immediately.

Seeing they still stood motionless, Li Yi suddenly roared, condensing his fist intent, revealing murderous intent: "Go."

Instantly.

Every Embroidered Uniform Guard triggered their Spirit Perception—they felt a lethal killing intent engulfing them, unavoidable, inescapable. Their spirits shattered, and they suddenly saw a wrathful Vajra, riding a coiled dragon and a tiger, descending in crushing authority.

In that moment, they felt themselves as grass, as ants, crushed beneath boundless divine might, trembling uncontrollably.

PUFF!

Each Battalion Commander spat blood, faces instantly pale, eyes darkening, collapsing in exhaustion, grievously wounded.

When they regained consciousness, the Daoist had vanished—gone without a trace.

"Who is this Daoist Taiyi? How does he possess such terrifying power? What are those guardian gods doing? They've received twelve dynasties of incense—how could they allow such a being into the capital?" Liu Lingyun trembled violently, wiping blood from his lips—his saber now slipped from his grip.

His spirit was crushed under the fist intent, as if draped in an unbreakable shadow.

Merely recalling it, he faintly saw again the wrathful Vajra, riding dragon and tiger.

Under this condition, he found his fighting spirit gone entirely—even the thought of drawing his sword and killing vanished. All he wanted was to be a coward, flee this place, escape far away.

"Report this immediately."

One Battalion Commander gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He called a subordinate, ordered him to bring a horse—he would ride to the palace.

But after only a few steps, his vision darkened, and he collapsed unconscious.

His soul was damaged.

Only Liu Lingyun and one other Battalion Commander managed to hold on, taking charge of the matter and galloping away on horseback.

(End of Chapter)