Chapter 626

Before Wuji Palace, three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards assembled; each was a cultivator of the Evolution Method, though their realms were low, such strength was already impressive in this world, awaiting only the future consolidation of their souls and acceptance of incense power to leap through the dragon's gate, each becoming a dragon.

Such a massive operation could not possibly escape the eyes of others, but it no longer mattered.

For it was now evening, and the sky grew dim.

Within Wuji Palace, a young man clad in crimson jade and purple gold armor stepped forward, standing upon golden clouds and draped in lightning; merely by standing there, the clouds above seemed to converge around him. Though silent, he radiated an aura of dragon and tiger, as if a single stomp could shake mountains and rivers.

"Is this the True Person Taiyi? Truly unbelievable."

"He is also a cultivator, and his power is terrifying."

"The True Person Taiyi's strength is utterly unfathomable."

All three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards stared with piercing eyes; they already possessed spirit mediums and could see vengeful spirits, malevolent ghosts, and incense deities—thus they could plainly see the anomalies surrounding Li Yi. One glance left the entire crowd utterly silent.

Only those who had evolved could directly perceive the vast gap in life layers between themselves and others.

No words were needed, nor even deliberate displays of power—simply standing there, the natural emission of one's life aura inspired awe, like a tiger passing among a pack of wild dogs: no roar required, for the dogs, sensing the scent, would instinctively cower and flee.

"I am the True Person Taiyi. Today, by the Emperor's decree, I lead three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards and twenty Golden-Eyed Guards out of the capital to begin the path of breaking mountains and toppling temples." Li Yi's voice was calm, yet carried the force of Daoist magic, instantly reaching every guard's ears.

Yet the guards had already received this secret mission and found nothing strange; they had long prepared.

Even before departure, the imperial court had distributed substantial resettlement funds—enough to ensure a lifetime of luxury for their families. Moreover, those who succeeded would be granted noble titles, hereditary and perpetual; if the mission succeeded, they might even be enshrined as true deities, receiving incense offerings for a thousand years without end.

Money, power, longevity—Emperor Li Jiye had spared no expense, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards were already fired with passion.

They were all poor-born, clean-blooded youths; now that such a chance to change their fortunes had come, how could they miss it? Their embroidered spring knives had long been hungry.

Li Yi spoke again: "On this mission to break mountains and toppling temples, I alone shall command. Whoever disobeys my orders shall be executed without mercy. Those who lack the resolve to continue may leave now—I shall petition the Emperor to pardon you."

Yet not a single one of the three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards retreated.

Those chosen had been rigorously selected; none would falter at this moment.

"Good. Then I shall waste no more words. Depart." Li Yi spoke, then raised a hand, activated Daoist arts, and summoned the Cloud-Soaring Technique.

In an instant, spiritual energy converged into countless golden auspicious clouds, which merged into a single vast sea of clouds, covering all three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards. The golden cloud-sea rose, lifting them high into the sky, accelerating rapidly upward.

Every Embroidered Uniform Guard wore expressions of shock; they had never seen such a grand divine art—someone carrying over three thousand people aloft in flight, a feat even powerful incense deities could not achieve.

As they rose higher, they realized they had left the palace and now hovered above the capital.

"Go."

Li Yi uttered a low roar, his voice like dragon and tiger, echoing across the heavens. Beneath his feet, a golden auspicious cloud surged upward; a gale arose, sweeping the golden cloud-sea forward in one direction.

His first goal: leave the capital.

The capital brimmed with the Son of Heaven's aura, interfering with his magic. Only beyond the capital's borders could Li Yi truly become a dragon entering the sea, a tiger leaping into the deep mountains.

"We pay homage to the True Person Taiyi."

Suddenly, atop the golden clouds, a beautiful woman bowed respectfully as she approached.

Li Yi glanced at her; her attire marked her as one of the Golden-Eyed Guards: "Has the Emperor sent you to deliver a message?"

The Golden-Eyed Guards were his father Li Jiye's trusted aides; assigning twenty here was not merely for his command—they would also handle communications across the realm. Many minor matters need not trouble Li Yi directly; otherwise, what use were so many subordinates?

"Respectful True Person, I am Hua Nu, a tea flower spirit who attained enlightenment in the wilds. By the Emperor's grace, I was transplanted from the mountains into the palace and granted the title of Flower Goddess, receiving incense power to assume human form. The Emperor noticed you lack maidservants and ordered me to serve you. I humbly beg your permission."

The Golden-Eyed Guard Hua Nu knelt, presenting a delicate, captivating figure.

"I understand. Withdraw. I shall call you if needed." Li Yi glanced at her, expressionless, and waved his hand.

"Yes, True Person." Hua Nu bowed and retreated.

Li Yi now understood: this Hua Nu—and the other twenty Golden-Eyed Guards—were his father's gift of maidservants, not mere bodyguards.

He casually scanned the other Golden-Eyed Guards.

Each was young and beautiful, slender and graceful, with unique charms; their pale golden eyes added further allure, and their loyalty was absolute—truly captivating to any man. But he had not come to this world to indulge—he had come to cultivate. Women would only delay his progress toward the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

He turned his gaze away.

Li Yi stood atop the golden auspicious clouds, gazing into the distance. The golden cloud-sea, carrying three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards and twenty Golden-Eyed Guards, was nearly beyond the capital's three-hundred-li boundary.

He had a premonition.

A battle awaited him the moment he left the capital.

The moment he was appointed Imperial Preceptor, he had become a thorn in the eyes of nearly all incense deities across the land; the hidden Yin Son of Heaven would never let him go.

The sky grew darker still.

Night was the time when incense deities stirred.

Only just after dusk.

Streams of incense energy rose from every direction of the capital, intertwining into layers of smoke, forming clouds; within them, incense deities manifested.

"Where is the True Person Taiyi?"

A thunderous voice echoed across the heavens. Li Yi's golden clouds had barely left the capital when they were blocked by a wall of incense energy—dozens of deities who had ascended through incense power stood before him, halting him mid-air.

"So soon? I thought I'd have to wait a while after leaving the capital before the incense deities noticed me. But only you three? It seems I've been underestimated." Li Yi's gaze remained calm, fixed on the three most distinctive deities among the dark clouds.

One he recognized: Zhang Jian Gong, the Southern Guardian Deity.

Zhang Jian Gong now wore armor, towering and muscular, wielding a precious sword, his expression grim, his spirit uneasy.

Beside him stood the Western and Eastern Guardian Deities—one holding a long spear, the other twin battle-axes—equally majestic, their bodies thick with incense energy, now solidified as if possessing flesh and blood.

"By order of Yin Son of Heaven: the True Person Taiyi, as Imperial Preceptor, harbors ill intent and commits grave crimes. Today, we revoke your title and execute you." One Western Guardian Deity stepped forward, holding a decree, shouting aloud.

Though the decree came from Yin Son of Heaven, it was recognized by the imperial court. As soon as it was issued, heaven and earth responded—Li Yi's title as Imperial Preceptor seemed truly stripped. The incense belief energy clinging to him began to unravel uncontrollably; vast amounts of incense energy ceased gathering around him and dissipated into the heavens.

Sensing this change, Li Yi frowned.

Can it really be done this way?

A single decree, and incense energy refuses to gather?

"True Person Taiyi, you're finished. Without your title, your incense power is crumbling. Without it, you'll soon be reduced to your original state." The Western Guardian Deity sneered.

"So that's it." Li Yi now understood why he had trained the Embroidered Uniform Guards to break mountains and topple temples.

All incense deities enshrined across the land were controlled by successive emperors. A single decree could cast them from their thrones, preventing them from gathering incense power again. There had been twelve emperors in succession, their power entangled and interwoven, impossible to clear away—only cultivators could break this system.

"True Person, have no fear—we hold the Emperor's decree as well." At that moment, Hua Nu, the Golden-Eyed Guard, stepped forward, holding a decree issued by the current Divine Martial Emperor.

The decree's text was blank, but bore the Emperor's seal—once written upon, its contents would become truth.

Li Yi waved his hand: "No need. Breaking mountains and toppling temples relies on men, not a decree."

He turned to the incense deities before him: "You know well my strength. Earlier, a Northern Guardian Deity—Wang Qijun, I believe—opposed me and was slain in the capital. I wonder what courage you now possess to speak of killing me?"

"Today, if only you three stand before me, then I'm sorry—you've reached the end of your tenure as Guardian Deities."

"Audacious! You've lost your title—today is your death day!"

"Arrogant! The three of us, Guardian Deities united, can slay you effortlessly!"

The two Guardian Deities roared in anger, but Zhang Jian Gong, the Southern Guardian Deity, knew well: this Daoist had grown stronger since last time. Had they not summoned the decree to strip his title and scatter his incense power, he would never have dared come.

Yet they did not know: Li Yi never relied on incense power.

Even now, as much of his incense energy had dissipated, his true strength had not weakened a whit—he walked the path of borrowing illusion to cultivate truth, not depending on incense power.

Li Yi smiled, laughing at the stupidity of these incense deities.

He was now at the third layer of the Five Qi Realm—his power had multiplied many times over. If these three Guardian Deities had once stood a chance together, now they were nothing but eggs striking a stone.