Chapter 642: Negotiation

At this moment, Li Yi and Xiang Xiangzi returned to Jingcheng, took up residence in the imperial palace, and devoted themselves to cultivation, intending to use this vast power of incense belief to push their realms and strength to a new height.

Thanks to Xiang Xiangzi's use of the Heaven-and-Earth Talent Art, she gathered the spiritual energy of eight hundred li in mere moments—not only did the palace where Li Yi resided become enveloped, but the entire imperial palace was shrouded in this celestial energy.

"So this is the Dao art fueled by incense belief? Indeed, its power is greatly amplified." Xiang Xiangzi herself was astonished by this situation.

Her strength had not yet fully recovered; logically, she should not have been able to gather spiritual energy from eight hundred li.

Yet she had done it anyway.

She had only borrowed a fraction of Li Yi's incense power—if all the incense belief in the world were hers, the consequences were unimaginable.

Under such terrifying spiritual energy enhancement, Li Yi now activated his Dao method, swallowing this celestial energy like a whale, steadily filling new acupoints.

"The Five Qi Realm is unique—it requires sequentially absorbing the Five Elements' energies to nourish the five viscera, so cultivation here is exceptionally slow. Even with your unique bloodline, astonishing physique, and incense power support, crossing this realm in one go remains extremely difficult."

"So you must remain calm, take it slowly, and not rush—otherwise, imbalance among the Five Elements will easily harm your body."

Xiang Xiangzi repeatedly warned Li Yi not to be impatient during cultivation, lest problems arise.

After all, Li Yi needed to absorb spiritual energy into sixty acupoints—twelve times the amount of an ordinary cultivator, unprecedented in history—and if anything went wrong, she could not easily resolve it.

Li Yi understood this well—he knew that haste leads to failure.

Yet cultivation here, fueled by incense belief, was astonishingly swift—even without deliberate effort, within just a few days he reached the fourth layer of the Five Qi Realm, though only twelve acupoints were filled; the remaining ones still needed refinement.

But the deeper he cultivated, the stronger his body's hunger became.

Each acupoint required divine blood to fill, yet he had no source of blood replenishment in this world, causing his divine blood to develop too slowly—even stalling entirely. If he continued like this, his body would not only fail to transform but might even regress.

After enduring for several more days, Li Yi was forced to abandon cultivation again.

His realm remained at the fourth layer of the Five Qi Realm—he had absorbed only Earth Qi, filling six acupoints, with six still empty.

"I can't stay in this world any longer—I must leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, I fear I'll starve to death here." Li Yi now entertained the thought of crossing dimensions again.

He had crossed over hastily, unprepared—he never imagined incense belief here could accelerate progress so drastically. Had he known, he would have prepared thoroughly and perhaps blossomed the Three Flowers in this world.

Just as he ended his cultivation.

Outside the grand hall, the Golden Iris Guard awaited.

"True Person Taiyi, His Majesty commands: as soon as you emerge from seclusion, proceed immediately to Yongchang Hall." One Golden Iris Guard spoke with utmost reverence.

"Understood," Li Yi nodded, then realized trouble was approaching.

Yet he was not worried—his current strength meant few things in this world could threaten him.

When he arrived at Yongchang Hall, his expression subtly shifted.

For Li Yi saw that above Yongchang Hall coiled streams of Dragon-Tiger energy. Though deliberately restrained, they were still identifiable—and several of these Dragon-Tiger energies carried a chilling yin aura.

This was not the aura of the living, but of the dead—or rather, the hallmark of the Yin Emperor.

"Could it be that during my seclusion, the Yin Emperor has already come to the palace?" Li Yi's expression changed—he was stunned by his own suspicion.

If so, then his father, Li Jiye, was likely in grave danger.

Yet no battle had occurred in the palace these past few days.

An enemy of this caliber, if he struck, would create a massive commotion—impossible to remain so silent.

"Let's see what's happening—go inside and find out." Li Yi's face remained calm; clad in his Crimson Feathered Purple Gold Armor, Dragon-Tiger energy coiled around him, he strode toward Yongchang Hall, ready to fight at any moment.

Creak.

As the heavy doors slowly opened.

A thick scent of incense belief surged forth.

Though it was daytime, Yongchang Hall remained dark, grim, and oppressive—not like an emperor's bedroom, but like a royal mausoleum, swallowing anyone who entered.

When Li Yi reached the threshold.

Dozens of eyes turned toward him from within the solemn hall.

"It really is the Yin Emperor." Li Yi's eyelid twitched.

What was going on?

The Yin Emperor was supposed to fight him—why was he so courteously inviting him into Yongchang Hall? And why had the past several days been so peaceful? Had he reached some agreement with his father?

With these thoughts in mind,

Li Yi stepped into the hall. As soon as he entered,

The great doors closed behind him.

Instantly, countless oil lamps ignited within the solemn, dim hall.

With the light, the entire hall transformed into a dazzling, majestic spectacle—and six figures now sat on either side, like ministers in court.

Yet each radiated an aura of imperial majesty.

Seated on the main throne was Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye.

"True Person Taiyi, allow me to introduce you: this is Zhao Taizu, the founding emperor of the Zhao Dynasty, Zhao Tianxing. The others are Emperor Taizong, Emperor Zhenzong, Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Guangzong, and Emperor Lizong."

The six Yin Emperors now turned to Li Yi.

"You are the True Person Taiyi who shattered mountains and destroyed temples? Truly extraordinary—bearing Dragon-Tiger energy, clad in lightning and thunder, no wonder no spirits or incense deities in the world can match you." Emperor Taizong studied Li Yi.

At first glance, all could sense Li Yi's uniqueness.

!

This was the life-tier difference brought by realm—no words needed.

"Six Yin Emperors of the Zhao Dynasty? All gathered today?" Li Yi narrowed his eyes. "Hard to imagine you'd sit calmly to negotiate with me—don't you know I killed your Emperor Shenzong just days ago?"

"Emperor Shenzong was at fault—he forcibly detained True Person, provoking conflict and violence. Under normal circumstances, True Person Taiyi had no intention of opposing the Yin Emperors, correct?" Emperor Yingzong spoke.

Li Yi said: "Not necessarily. I killed one Emperor Shenzong—I won't hesitate to kill a few more Yin Emperors."

"True Person, don't be so bloodthirsty. I understand your stance—if you've acted, you might as well go all the way. But not everything in the world suits unilateral force." Emperor Taizu, Zhao Tianxing, spoke now.

"We six Yin Emperors came to the palace, agreed to negotiate, and have no intention of fighting—True Person Taiyi, you should understand our intent."

"If we fight, it will be mutual destruction—harmful to the Zhao Dynasty."

Li Yi was now surprised: "You want to negotiate?"

"You and Emperor Shenwu fight only for incense belief. For us Yin Emperors, incense belief is worthless—why not negotiate properly?" Zhao said.

Li Yi's gaze shifted to his father, Li Jiye, seated on the throne.

Li Jiye spoke: "If you six Yin Emperors abandon incense power and retreat into seclusion, I am willing to show mercy and grant you a path to survival."

He displayed strength while stating his terms.

"Emperor Shenwu, we are negotiating, not begging." Emperor Taizu's face was cold.

Li Yi said: "You won't fight—that's begging. The cultivator's rule is simple: the victor takes all, the loser eats dust. You lack the resolve to fight to the death, yet seek peace—then you are begging. Otherwise, none of you will leave Jingcheng alive today."

"True Person Taiyi, do you truly dare fight all six of us here in Jingcheng?" Emperor Taizu stared at him.

"Why not? I'll just destroy Jingcheng and rebuild later. Kill you six, and the world stabilizes—afterward, recovery will be swift, and I alone will claim all incense belief. This deal is profitable either way." Li Yi said.

The other Yin Emperors' faces darkened instantly.

They hadn't expected True Person Taiyi to be so extreme—nor had they expected Emperor Shenwu to be equally tyrannical.

The two shared similar traits.

No wonder they had instantly aligned to launch the campaign of mountain-shattering and temple-destroying.

Yet how could they know the cruelty of the cultivation world?

The law of the strong devouring the weak was laid bare—no scheme or trickery mattered more than raw power.

"Emperor Shenwu, is this also your view?" Emperor Taizu turned to Li Jiye again.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye said: "I've given you your chance. If you refuse, fight if you wish—here in Jingcheng, or anywhere else—I'll meet you."

"Frankly, I don't fear you six Yin Emperors. This is the perfect chance to settle everything in one battle, so you won't cause trouble again."

His expression was cold, his tone authoritative and serious.

As if he held absolute confidence he could easily crush them.

In truth, Li Jiye had little confidence he could annihilate all six at once—especially Emperor Taizu, whose strength was far from ordinary. But before actual combat, unwavering confidence was essential.

Otherwise, any sign of weakness would lead to catastrophic consequences.

(End of Chapter)