Chapter 760: Imperial Edict

Liu Guzi and Qian Daoren brought Li Yi to a hidden cave within the shattered floating immortal path, where they met Feiyunzi, who had suffered severe injuries.

At this moment, Feiyunzi's condition was truly dire—his physical body had been destroyed, leaving only his Primordial Spirit, which itself was grievously wounded; his Primordial Spirit flower was nearly withered, his spirit weak and frail, as if a single breeze could cause him to dissipate.

"Feiyunzi, how did you sustain such grave injuries?" Qian Daoren's face darkened: "Didn't you just say your life was not in danger, and that rest would restore you?"

Feiyunzi's Primordial Spirit slowly opened his eyes and smiled bitterly: "The great demon's demonic energy clings to my Primordial Spirit like a burrowing parasite. Now, with my wounds worsened, I lack the strength to expel it—my injuries grow worse by the day. In a few days, I'll surely perish, my cultivation and life extinguished here."

"Has the crisis passed? Was the great demon driven off? When I saw Taiyi appear, I knew this crisis was over."

"Feiyunzi, forget that for now—your injuries are too grave. Taiyi may have a way to save you. Hold on, don't give up," Qian Daoren urged urgently.

He then turned to Li Yi with palpable urgency.

Though they were cultivation masters, they were powerless in this situation.

Li Yi, observing Feiyunzi's state, said: "The great medicine in my possession is no longer effective. With such devastating damage to the Primordial Spirit, merely surviving is already miraculous. There is only one way to restore him."

"What way?" Liu Guzi asked quickly.

Li Yi took the Cross-Dimensional Device from the Crimson Gold Five Elements Bracelet: "Cross over. In the other world, your Primordial Spirit can regain rebirth through the power of worship. Perhaps you'll turn misfortune into fortune and advance further. Several Immortal Maidens and the Goddess from the Tian Dao Sect reside in this world—I'll send a message via White Crane to guide you to them."

"They'll understand your condition the moment they see you."

As he spoke, he placed three intact miraculous artifacts upon the Cross-Dimensional Device as energy sources.

With the World Heart Gem, Dragon Scale, and Luofeng Feather, three ultimate energies converged.

The Cross-Dimensional Gate opened once more.

The others stared, momentarily stunned, unable to grasp Li Yi's meaning.

But Li Yi had no time for explanations—he cast a Dao technique, condensing spiritual power into a white crane, then imprinted the message upon it.

"No time to waste—depart immediately," he urged.

"Then we're in your debt, Taiyi. If I recover, I'll repay your great kindness for the rest of my life," Feiyunzi said, though confused, he trusted Li Yi completely.

At once, his damaged and fragmented Primordial Spirit attached itself to the spiritual-power-formed white crane.

"Go."

Li Yi pointed his finger.

The crane flapped its wings and cried out, instantly crossing dimensions into the world where worship grants divinity, then swiftly flew toward Mount Dao beyond the capital, guided by a certain aura.

At this moment,

atop Mount Dao,

spiritual energy converged from all directions, and the incense worship of the realm gathered.

Xiangxiangzi, Xuan Yuezi, Miao Huizi—recently resurrected—and the Goddess Yun Feizi were gathered at the Dao Altar, nourished by spiritual energy and incense power, discussing Dao principles and enhancing their strength.

Aside from the Tian Dao Sect's own Dragon Subduing and Tiger Taming Art, Cloud Riding and Mist Soaring Art, and River Dividing and Land Creation Art,

the Size Alteration Art and River Flipping and Sea Upheaving Art were newly learned; now, with the power of this world's incense, they studied together—even Xuan Yuezi, who disliked combat, was compelled to delve into Dao techniques.

After all, danger loomed everywhere, enemies countless; future battles would only increase. Without powerful Dao arts, how could they enhance their combat strength?

While learning, they also waited for Miao Huizi to regain her strength, and two other Immortal Maidens were still in the process of resurrection.

Time was urgent.

For they all knew the window for peaceful cultivation here was limited.

Yet now, the cry of a celestial crane shattered the serenity.

"It's Taiyi's White Crane message," Xuan Yuezi rose instantly, assuming Taiyi needed aid—she was already prepared to cross dimensions.

After all, Taiyi must not be allowed to perish.

"Wait—that's Feiyunzi's Primordial Spirit? What happened to him? How did he get so badly wounded?" Xiangxiangzi noticed something and flew over immediately.

The still-weak Feiyunzi's Primordial Spirit bowed to the Immortal Maidens: "Greetings, Immortal Maidens."

"I sense the great demon's aura—you were wounded by a great demon?" Xiangxiangzi recognized the lingering energy, for she herself had died at the hands of a great demon.

Though she had been resurrected, her hatred for great demons ran deep.

"There must have been a change on Earth—the great demons of the Demon God Realm have invaded. We must aid Taiyi!" Xuan Yuezi grew anxious, a cloud of auspicious energy forming beneath her feet as she prepared to act.

"Immortal Maidens, do not worry—Taiyi is no longer what he once was. His combat strength far exceeds imagination; those great demons have already been slain by him," Feiyunzi hurriedly said.

"Is this true?" Xuan Yuezi was doubtful, glancing at Xiangxiangzi.

Xiangxiangzi was also surprised, but then said: "Taiyi must have gained a breakthrough in the Crimson Gold Mountain—his bloodline has awakened, and his power has surged. Even so, for him to slay several great demons is no small feat. Could there be other changes we don't know of?"

"Xuan Yuezi, worry clouds judgment. Taiyi's White Crane message contained no plea for aid—this means he doesn't need our help now. Sending wounded Feiyunzi here clearly means he wishes us to heal him using this world's incense power."

At that moment, a composed, elegant, gentle woman walked forward with a smile, her voice soft as spring breeze.

The woman was none other than Miao Huizi, recently resurrected.

"Sister's words are wise. Right now, saving Feiyunzi is paramount. His injuries are too grave—he's nearly beyond saving. Only the incense power of this world can heal him."

Xiangxiangzi added, then took a scroll from her storage artifact.

The scroll was blank, yet bore the Jade Seal of Emperor Shenwu, inscribed with eight grand characters: "Endowed by Heaven, Long-Lived and Everlasting."

"This is the imperial decree Emperor Shenwu granted me—it can be used to enshrine a true deity and receive the incense of the people. I now enshrine Feiyunzi as the Mountain God of Mount Dao, so he may gather incense and restore his Primordial Spirit."

Xiangxiangzi then used spiritual power to form a brush and swiftly wrote upon the decree.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Dao cultivator Feiyunzi has rendered great service to the nation. Today, he is hereby appointed Mountain God of Mount Dao, to receive the incense of mortals. So decreed."

Though the decree seemed frivolous, because it bore Emperor Shenwu's Jade Seal, the world itself recognized it as valid.

The moment she finished writing,

the surrounding heavens and earth churned with storm and wind—waves of incense power surged instantly toward Feiyunzi.

The title of Mountain God of Mount Dao was no minor position—it granted immense incense, especially since Li Yi had shattered temples and reshaped the world; every divine position was now precious. Had Xiangxiangzi not obtained this blank decree from Emperor Shenwu under the pretense of being Taiyi's dual-cultivation partner, he would never have granted it so freely.

"This is..." Feiyunzi felt the incense power converging upon him.

This force was unlike anything he had ever encountered—divine and extraordinary.

His fragmented Primordial Spirit restored at an astonishing rate; the lingering demonic energy was swept away by the incense's belief force, and his nearly withered Primordial Spirit flower began to bloom anew.

Yet the petals that bloomed were not translucent crystal—they were pure white.

This was power forged from incense belief; should he leave this world—or should the incense collapse—he would instantly lose his power and revert to his former state.

"Feiyunzi, you've gained a rare opportunity. Taiyi is always generous. You fought great demons alongside him—he won't let you down. Since he sent you here to the world of incense divinity, he clearly intends for you to claim this divine position and receive the incense of all mortals."

Xiangxiangzi smiled: "Feel the incense power. Once your condition stabilizes, use this false form to cultivate truth. But first, you must learn how to be a proper incense deity."

She then briefly explained the duties of an incense deity.

If a deity does not frequently manifest miracles, even an imperial decree cannot gather much incense.

Even Xiangxiangzi and Xuan Yuezi must occasionally descend to bring rain, avert disasters, repair bridges, move mountains, and bless the people.

Only then will incense flow endlessly.

"So that's how it is..." Feiyunzi understood, astonished by this world.

There existed such an unusual realm—no cultivation required, yet incense power granted eternal life.

"Thank you, Immortal Maiden, for your guidance. I shall immediately build a Mountain God temple to bless the pilgrims below Mount Dao. Once I regain my strength, I'll serve Taiyi again."

Having understood, he bowed and immediately acted, flying from the summit of Mount Dao to find a suitable location to erect a temple and divine statue.

The sooner he gathered incense, the sooner he restored his cultivation.

As for granting blessings—it was simple: heal the sick, guide the lost through dreams, occasionally manifest to save the faithful. These were common acts among Dao cultivators who wandered among mortals—nothing remarkable.

"Xiangxiangzi, you're biased—you gave Feiyunzi a divine position to receive incense, yet why not grant me one too?" The Goddess Yun Feizi, watching, could not help but feel envious—she too wished to become a deity here and receive incense worship.

Xiangxiangzi's beautiful eyes twinkled as she laughed: "Among the Seven Immortal Maidens under Master Taiyi, only I, Xuan Yuezi, and Sister Miao Huizi have returned. Now that the Tian Dao Sect is gone, why not fill this vacancy, Goddess? The incense you'd receive would far surpass that of a mere Mountain God."

"My title as Goddess is already hollow—I'm willing to fill the vacancy of the Seven Immortal Maidens," Yun Feizi agreed at once.

"Goddess, think carefully," Xuan Yuezi interjected: "Don't listen to Xiangxiangzi's nonsense. There's no such thing as 'Seven Immortal Maidens under Master Taiyi'—she made it up. Those divine statues were all obtained by her lying to Emperor Shenwu, claiming to be Taiyi's dual-cultivation partner. When Taiyi finds out, how will you explain?"

"What's there to explain? Dual-cultivation with Taiyi must be delightful—I'd welcome it gladly," Xiangxiangzi giggled. "Xuan Yuezi, if Taiyi comes to you and asks to dual-cultivate, how will you refuse? You've already enjoyed the incense benefits of being called his partner—don't deny it later."

"What's there to explain? Pairing with Taiyi must be a joyous thing—I'd welcome it with open arms," Xiang Xiangzi giggled. "Xuan Yuezi, if Taiyi comes to you seeking a partner, how will you refuse? You've already reaped the spiritual benefits of being called Taiyi's consort—don't try to deny it later."

"What?" Yun Feizi stared, stunned—she hadn't realized there was such a backstory.

Hearing this, Miao Huizi beside her also blushed.

She had only just been resurrected, and Xiangxiangzi had already sold her as Taiyi's dual-cultivation partner—someone she'd never even met.

"This is ridiculous," Miao Huizi scolded.

Xiangxiangzi merely covered her mouth and laughed merrily: "I'm doing you a favor—don't waste my good intentions. If you're worried, I'll take the lesser role and you take the greater one. After all, you've spent your whole life in celibacy—why not enjoy some pleasure? By the way, shall I teach you some dual-cultivation techniques? I've studied them thoroughly."

Xiang Xiangzi now covered her mouth and laughed softly: "I'm doing you both a favor—don't waste my good intentions. If you must, I'll take the lesser role and you take the greater. After a lifetime of solitary cultivation, why not enjoy some pleasure? By the way, shall I teach you some pairing techniques today? I've studied them thoroughly."

(End of Chapter)

(End of Chapter)