The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 612 - 437: Ten Directions Absolute Spirit Array

Chapter 612: Chapter 437: Ten Directions Absolute Spirit Array

It turns out that the Divine Maiden, mentioned by Xuan Yuezi and Xiang Xiangzi, is the woman trapped in the birdcage. Thinking back to the recent upheaval in the Heavenly Dao Sect, where many disciples went missing and even the Divine Maiden disappeared, it now seems she too fell to the Tianyi Sect. If it weren’t for Li Yi’s intervention, the Heavenly Dao Sect would have already been utterly destroyed with not even a sliver of a chance to rise again.

"Taiyi, we must rescue the Divine Maiden. She holds the inheritance artifact of the Heavenly Dao Sect—the Heavenly Dao Map. If she falls into the hands of the Tianyi Sect, the consequences would be unimaginable. If we truly can’t rescue her, then I ask Taiyi to kill the Divine Maiden to prevent future disgrace," Xiang Xiangzi conveyed via mana transmission.

"If I can’t rescue her, kill her? I’ll try my best," Li Yi replied casually.

Tian Jizi spoke at this moment: "Taiyi, how about you trade my junior from the Tao Court for your Heavenly Dao Sect’s Divine Maiden Yun Feizi? In the end, you’re the one profiting from this deal. Yun Feizi carries the inheritance of an entire sect—bringing her back could ensure your Heavenly Dao Sect survives and may even seize the chance to rise again."

"What about the other disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect?" Li Yi asked.

Tian Jizi responded: "One life for one life, Taiyi. The bargaining chips in your hands are insufficient—this is the most I’m willing to exchange. If you dare to kill my junior, I wouldn’t hesitate to send your Heavenly Dao Sect’s Divine Maiden to the Yellow Springs to accompany him."

Li Yi’s gaze shifted subtly. He knew perfectly well that if he lost his leverage, the other side would undoubtedly strike mercilessly, leaving no room for negotiation. However, seeing this situation, resolving this matter through negotiation also seemed improbable. The opponent reckoned they held the advantage and refused to give up such a favorable position due to mere words.

Indeed, a fight seemed inevitable.

But it made sense—cultivators ultimately spoke through strength. Without matching strength, no words carried weight.

Li Yi glanced back at Xiang Xiangzi and Xuan Yuezi, the two Immortal Ladies behind him. Their gazes were resolute; evidently, their mana and cultivation had significantly recovered, ready for an all-out effort. Without the determination to be shattered to pieces, how would they dare to tread into the Imperial Court’s domain?

After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Yi immediately spoke: "Alright, one life for one life. I will trade Tianjiangzi for the Heavenly Dao Sect’s Divine Maiden."

"Now that’s reasonable. As a gesture of sincerity, I will first send your Heavenly Dao Sect’s Divine Maiden over. Once Taiyi verifies her well-being, you can hand over my junior afterwards," Tian Jizi said, shaking his palm. The birdcage in his hand was instantly released, growing against the wind and transforming into an iron cage over ten feet tall, landing on the cloud beneath Li Yi.

Li Yi looked at the woman in the cage and then at Tian Jizi. He hadn’t expected such forthrightness from this old Daoist—or was there some underlying scheme?

But at this moment, there was no other choice. It would come down to strength.

The next moment.

Xuan Yuezi reached out across the void, channeling her mana to crush the birdcage, then quickly whisked the Divine Maiden within back to her side, anxiously inspecting her condition.

"Taiyi, the Divine Maiden is unharmed—she’s merely exhausted of mana and gravely injured, unconscious," she said with a faint sigh of relief. It seemed the Tianyi Sect hadn’t tortured the Divine Maiden.

Upon hearing this, Li Yi nodded slightly and then used his mana to throw Tianjiangzi over.

Tian Jizi immediately caught him and examined his condition. His aged expression shifted slightly: "What grievous Heartfire Qi! It has already scorched the internal organs. Was this the Tao Court’s Call Wind Skill? Still, considering that my junior was defeated by Heavenly Dao Sect’s Taiyi and the two Immortal Ladies together, it’s not an unjust loss. No need to worry—I’ll heal your injuries, even if it means exhausting some of our foundation."

"Apologies, Senior Brother, for being useless and causing you trouble," Tianjiangzi said, ashamed. "Senior Brother, be cautious of Taiyi. He achieved Dao during the End of Dharma era, a feat unheard of in ancient or modern times. Moreover, upon entering the first layer of the Five Qi Realm, he already possesses twelve streams of Heartfire Qi—his mana is astonishingly strong."

Twelve streams of Heartfire Qi?

Tian Jizi’s expression stiffened upon hearing this. When he looked at Li Yi again, his gaze was now filled with apprehension. If this hadn’t come from his junior’s mouth, he wouldn’t have believed such an implausible thing existed in the world. Yet, this fleeting dread quickly turned into cold laughter: "No matter. In the End of Dharma era, no amount of unparalleled talent and unprecedented prowess can save him today. Rest well, Junior Brother, and watch as Senior Brother avenges you."

With that, he swept his Daoist robe, sending Tianjiangzi away with a beam of golden light, where several Daoists promptly took him in.

"Taiyi, since the matter of the Divine Maiden and my junior has been concluded, let us return to the previous topic and discuss the affairs between our two sects. This old Daoist has lived long, with little life span left, and can’t afford prolonged turmoil. I merely hope to witness the Tianyi Sect presiding over the Tao Court, ruling the four directions, inheriting for millennia, and thriving through the End of Dharma era to flourish once more."

In the same breath, the killing intent glimmered again in Tian Jizi’s eyes: "But two tigers cannot share one mountain. This old Daoist cannot gamble with such stakes, so today I request Taiyi, along with the two Immortal Ladies of the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Divine Maiden Yun Feizi, to all journey to the Yellow Springs together. With the Divine Maiden and Immortal Ladies as your companions, Taiyi, you shouldn’t consider this life wasted."

"No matter. My life is right here. If Senior has the skill, feel free to take it. However, if this battle razes the Imperial Court, it wouldn’t be the fault of your junior," Li Yi said calmly, unmoved by the old Daoist’s declaration.

After all, human nature is elusive.

The animosity between the two sects ran so deep that mere words wouldn’t settle it. Only after a battle could this matter be resolved.