Chapter 614: Meeting

The strange phenomena appearing over the capital left people bewildered.

Two arrows slashed through the sky, illuminating the night, stirring the qi of heaven and earth—so powerful that nearly every cultivator in the capital sensed them. No one could have imagined that Wang Qijun, the Guardian General of the North, would be blown apart by just two arrows, his body exploding without resistance, lacking even the courage to gather his incense faith before scattering in flight.

Everyone assumed the battle was over.

Even more shocking was a vast fire that engulfed a hundred li, utterly incinerating Wang Qijun.

Even now, the sky remained crimson, heat radiating everywhere, altering the climate—suddenly, the entire capital felt like midsummer, sweltering, drenching everyone in sweat.

Within the imperial palace, in Yongchang Hall.

The Son of Heaven, who had been reprimanding his son, sensed the shift in celestial energy. He fell silent, his expression subtly shifting, then strode with imperial bearing to the palace's threshold, his golden vertical pupils scanning the qi of heaven and earth, his face betraying surprise.

"Roar!"

Behind him, a black tiger surged forth in a gale, its fur bristling, crouched low, growling with intense agitation and unease.

"Has Wang Qijun, the Guardian General of the North, died?" The emperor's previously expressionless face now revealed a flicker of astonishment.

He knew incense deities were the hardest to kill.

Especially the Guardian Generals—having served twelve dynasties, guarding the capital for centuries, their incense faith immense, their foundations unimaginably deep. In the vicinity of the capital, they ranked second only to the Yin Son of Heaven. To slay such a deity, one must first declare their crimes, strip their divine title, then execute them—otherwise, eradication is impossible.

As long as even one statue remained, one soul worshipped, one spark of spiritual power endured, the Guardian General could instantly restore himself.

Though he wished to eliminate these Guardian Generals, the current tide had not yet turned—he still needed them to crush demons and subdue rebellious lords.

"Has cultivation on Earth reached such a level? Such a technique cannot be wielded by ordinary mortals—it resembles the culmination of some cultivation world." The emperor, sensing the shift in celestial energy, marveled inwardly at the Wind-Calling Art; the more he pondered it, the more exquisite it seemed.

If one mastered such a technique, one could defeat stronger foes, overcome greater numbers, slay enemies beyond one's realm.

"Father, Father, that is the Daoist of Taiyi casting spells—I've seen his art before: he swallows the qi of heaven and earth, then spits a torrent of flame that engulfs a whole city in an instant, turning night into day, winter into midsummer." At that moment, Prince Xin rushed out, and upon seeing the vast fire blotting out the heavens, he cried out.

This Daoist of Taiyi truly is arrogant—daring to cast spells in the heart of the capital.

"Your Majesty, Commander Lu Bin of the Embroidered Uniform Guard reports."

Suddenly, an Embroidered Uniform Guard rushed forward, drenched in sweat, wounded—but still dared not delay a moment, charging into the palace, only to be halted by the Golden Pupiled Guards beside him.

"Let him come." The emperor waved his hand.

Commander Lu Bin hurried forward and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, the Daoist of Taiyi refused to enter the palace to pay homage. Then, the Guardian General Wang Qijun suddenly appeared at Xianghu Lake, clashed fiercely with the Daoist over incense faith. I was powerless to stop them—please punish me."

The emperor said nothing, continuing to gaze into the distance. Then he let out a quiet laugh: "It seems he wants me to go to him. The palace is steeped in imperial qi, its dragon-tiger energy most potent for cultivators. To come personally would be perilous—he'd likely be trapped. Clever. Indeed, cautious. No wonder he survived crossing realms."

"Lu Bin, retire and rest. This is not your fault. To be caught in a battle between immortal and deity—your cultivation level is suicide."

He waved his hand, signaling Commander Lu Bin to withdraw.

"Rui, remain in Yongchang Hall. If anyone comes, have Heishan Jun drive them away. No one except the Golden Pupiled Guards and Consort De may enter or leave my chambers." With that, he slowly rose into the air, ascending into the clouds, vanishing in an instant.

"How could it be..."

Prince Xin, who had just been about to obey, now stared wide-eyed.

He could not fathom when his father had attained such cultivation.

Hadn't every emperor, burdened with the nation's fortune, been unable to pursue the Dao? Only after death could they receive incense offerings and become Yin Sons of Heaven.

"Prince Xin, the palace is solemn—do not shout." The Golden Pupiled Guard Wang Ning suddenly spoke up.

The fact that the emperor had succeeded in cultivation was known to the high ranks of the Golden Pupiled Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Thus, this secret remained tightly concealed—no whispers had spread, explaining why since his ascension, the emperor had spent more and more time secluded in his chambers.

Prince Xin immediately clamped his mouth shut, terrified his voice might leak some secret.

"I return to Yongchang Hall." He turned without hesitation and entered the hall.

He understood.

Tonight, his duty was to impersonate his father, ensuring others believed the emperor still remained in the palace—and Heishan Jun and the Golden Pupiled Guards were his father's safeguards left for him.

And within the capital.

After the swift conclusion of battle, Li Yi scanned the surroundings. Wherever his gaze passed, all things fell silent. The watching eyes that had peered at him now retracted instantly; the other Guardian Generals who had prepared to appear withdrew swiftly, avoiding entanglement. All other demons and spirits fled in terror.

A Guardian General had been obliterated—who would dare provoke this newcomer, the Immortal of Taiyi?

"Just as I imagined: only a swift, decisive strike can intimidate enemies." Li Yi exhaled slightly. He appeared to have won easily, but had used every trick at his disposal.

Without the divine bow and arrows in his hands, he could never have slain that Guardian General.

After all, two arrows had not killed him—if the fight dragged on, his momentum would fade, and unforeseen complications would arise.

Moreover, Li Yi had no intention of leaving this area.

Here, his Dao arts had minimal effect; elsewhere, it would be entirely different.

Gazing at the ruined landscape—collapsed houses, shattered buildings—

Li Yi said nothing, simply pointed a finger and cast the Art of Constructing Dwellings.

Instantly, stone houses rose from the ground—unrefined, yet sturdy and durable, capable of standing unshaken for a hundred years.

As the river reversed its flow, he summoned a stranded painted boat from the street and dropped it into the lake, then descended from the sky to sit upon it, closing his eyes and absorbing celestial qi to restore his depleted magic power.

Not a single error in word, tone, or content!

The Embroidered Uniform Guards nearby, drenched and soaked by the lake water, now emerged from hiding, trembling. They stared at the painted boat in the lake's center, still glowing with light, their expressions grave.

"Evacuate the civilians immediately. No one is to approach within three li of this place." A Battalion Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard observed briefly, then issued the order.

Such a fearsome Daoist must not be provoked. Moreover, the emperor had ordered his summons—now he has defied the imperial decree. What follows is unknown. All I can do is ensure information is sealed, preventing rumors from spreading and shaking public morale.

Yet inside the painted boat, Li Yi was deeply puzzled.

For he now sensed a vast, swelling tide of incense faith converging upon him.

Clearly, this surge of incense faith stemmed from the recent battle.

His display of Dao arts, his defeat of the Guardian General—news would spread. His title as the Immortal of Taiyi was now sealed. Once belief took root, even without burning incense or worship, the collective faith of the masses would gather.

"With this much incense faith, I can open all twenty-four major acupoints without issue." Li Yi felt joy—this was an unexpected boon.

But just as he prepared to use this incense faith to cultivate—

Suddenly, his expression shifted. He turned toward a direction.

A powerful aura was rapidly approaching.

That aura harmonized with heaven and earth, like a dragon, like a tiger, its incense faith blazing like a sun rising in the night. Moreover, Li Yi sensed a robust, vigorous vitality—this was no incense deity, but a true cultivator of immense strength.

"Who could it be?"

Li Yi immediately went on guard. He had not expected such a figure to hide in this world of incense deities.

Soon—

The figure flickered and landed on the boat's prow.

He was a middle-aged man, around thirty, noble and striking, his golden vertical pupils gleaming. He wore a black-and-gold imperial robe, a sovereign's aura surging skyward—he looked less like a cultivator, more like an emperor.

Yet Li Yi did not recognize him.

But as Li Yi studied him, the middle-aged man studied Li Yi in return.

Seeing Li Yi clad in crimson jade and purple-gold armor, wielding the divine bow, radiant and majestic like a heavenly god descending, the emperor from the palace felt a flicker of awe. He gazed at the unfamiliar yet strangely familiar face, and unconsciously, it merged with the memory of a child.

"Who are you?" Li Yi asked calmly, ready to strike at any sign of hostility.

If the man showed even a trace of murderous intent, the Black Gold Divine Arrows within his Five Elements Bracelet would instantly activate.

"I am the reigning Son of Heaven—and your father. Xiao Yi, it's been so long. I never imagined I'd see you here." The man spoke, his voice trembling with emotion.

But Li Yi's vigilance did not waver: "I'm your father too. One sentence and you expect me to believe you? Tell me your name."

The man hesitated, embarrassed: "My name is Li Jiye—that's what I was called on Earth, which you know. But in this world, I am also known as Zhao Chenggan."

(End of Chapter)