The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 795 - 576 Sanchuan Dragon King

Chapter 795: Chapter 576 Sanchuan Dragon King

The destructive power of three thousand Jinyi Guards spread through a city is astonishing. Each of them is an Evolver, adept at climbing walls, and each has activated the Spirit Medium, leaving no specter hidden from view. As soon as they began their operation, the Incense Fire God of the city fiercely resisted.

"Who dares to make trouble in my domain without fear for their lives?"

A streak of blue smoke soared into the sky from within the city, subsequently manifesting as a middle-aged man. This man was of imposing presence and noble identity—he was a Prince, posthumously enshrined as a True God, enjoying offerings of incense.

No one could have imagined that on such an ordinary day, someone would come knocking—truly outrageous.

Bear in mind that he was an Imperial Relative, sharing fortune with the nation, resting in perpetual comfort unless the dynasty met its end.

"I am Master Taiyi, the current State Preceptor. Today I lead three thousand Jinyi Guards, beginning here to open the way of breaking mountains and destroying temples."

At this moment, Li Yi arrived, treading upon golden Xiangyun, and turned his gaze to the Incense Fire God as he slowly spoke.

"The current State Preceptor, Master Taiyi?"

The middle-aged man chuckled upon hearing the words and said, "Forget about you, even the current Emperor must call me Imperial Uncle. Now leave this city with your men, or tomorrow you’ll meet your demise."

Li Yi was silent; with a glint in his eye, a silver lightning bolt suddenly struck, only for him to catch it bare-handed. Then, Heart Fire Qi intertwined with it, turning the silver lightning blood-red in an instant.

"We have no grievance or feud, but this world cannot accommodate so many Incense Fire Gods, so I ask you to die."

His expression was cold as he lifted his hand and hurled the searing lightning.

Bang!

A thunderclap resounded across heaven and earth.

Seeing this, the Incense Fire God’s eyes narrowed suddenly. He wanted to dodge, but years of living in luxury left him ignorant of fighting techniques. Before he realized what was happening, the lightning hit him.

Ah!

A wretched scream echoed as the Incense Fire God’s body was cleaved mercilessly, scattering a great amount of Incense Fire Power. A faint fragrance wafted through the city’s sky, akin to lit sandalwood in a temple.

The Heart Fire Qi within his torn body burned him, making his pain unbearable.

"You...you dared to attack me?"

The Incense Fire God was both shocked and furious, but not foolish. Seeing the Jinyi Guards destroying the city’s divine statues, panic arose in his heart.

Could it be that the current Emperor truly wants to undertake an earth-shattering event?

How could Zhao Chengqian, that brat, dare such a thing? Does he not wish to remain Emperor any longer?

Even if he kills me, how will he eliminate every Incense Fire God? Will he extinguish even the Yin Emperor? That brat has been on the throne for less than ten years, his foundation still unstable, even with three thousand Jinyi Guards. A single powerful Incense Fire God could obliterate them all.

Could he be relying on this Master Taiyi?

To gamble the throne, national destiny, and his own life on this Daoist—a Daoist with supernatural abilities capable of making Zhao Chengqian bet everything?

Having once participated in royal disputes, the Incense Fire God contemplated the unfolding events deeply, knowing he would never dare such deeds. Hence, he initially believed Master Taiyi would not dare confront him, yet now in fierce confrontation, he was thoroughly alarmed.

Li Yi was unwilling to explain further to this Incense Fire God. He pointed across the air, and a golden light shot out, transforming into a Flying Sword falling from the sky.

That sword struck a tall divine statue within the city.

In a single strike, the statue disintegrated into powder.

With the statue’s destruction, the faith collapsed, and the Incense Fire God couldn’t hold on. Roaring loudly, his body exploded on the spot, vanishing into thin air.

In less than two hours, all the divine statues in the city were completely demolished, save for the current Emperor’s statue, untouched because the strategy of breaking mountains and destroying temples wasn’t to cut off incense completely, but to consolidate the power of incense belief.

"Although the Jinyi Guards act swiftly, the realm is vast, so eliminating all Incense Fire Gods swiftly is impossible." Li Yi, now standing on golden Xiangyun, gazed calmly into the distance: "The best method is to stir up commotion, using myself as bait to lure powerful Incense Fire Gods to confront me, then win a decisive battle."

"By exterminating most powerful Incense Fire Gods, the remaining task is just a matter of course."

Thus, he was in no rush, merely waiting for the opportune moment.

Approximately one hour later.

The scattered Jinyi Guards began swiftly regrouping, assembling. Their operational prowess was formidable, having successfully completed their mission.

"Depart, to the next city." Li Yi once again deployed Cloud Soaring Technique, leading all the Jinyi Guards straight to the next city.

Incense Fire Gods have a major drawback; their temples are built in densely populated cities. Though there are Land God Temples and Mountain God Temples in the wilderness, they house mere Little Mao Gods, worshipped by passersby and mountain dwellers, and possess minimal Incense Fire Power. Li Yi naturally targeted the major figures.

Therefore, his strategy was simple: circle the realm, visiting the heavily populated cities.

Quickly.

Li Yi arrived at the second city according to the map in his mind. Known as Sanchuan County, named after the three grand rivers passing through.

Here were worshiped Princes, River Gods, City Gods, and many famed figures through the ages.

He dispersed the three thousand Jinyi Guards once again, then with a few Golden Eyes Guards, he ascended into the skies above Sanchuan County, sensing the aura of heaven and earth, waiting for the powerful Incense Fire God to reveal itself.

And indeed, this city was anything but simple.

In the great river emerged a spirit monster, a crocodile turned spirit, known as the Sanchuan Dragon King. It had several Dragon King Temples, received offerings from passing ships and incense from the city’s people. However, this spirit monster did not belong to the court’s official gods. Because it was powerful and without much ambition, the court had not interfered.

When the Jinyi Guards began destroying the Dragon King Temples, the crocodile spirit did not appear at first. Only when they targeted the third Dragon King Temple did the crocodile spirit become intolerable, stirring up storms and gathering dark clouds, intending to kill the Jinyi Guards who were demolishing the temples.

Although the Jinyi Guards had the cultivation of the Spiritual Realm, they appeared small and powerless against a spirit monster that had received incense.

On the great river, giant waves, tens of meters high, surged, attempting to engulf the Jinyi Guards on the shore.

However, in the next moment.

From above the sky, a resplendent fist light descended, accompanied by the roar of dragons and tigers. The tens of meters high waves instantly recoiled, and the river turned red with blood. A massive black silhouette exploded out of the water.

A giant crocodile, resembling a jiao dragon, ran aground on the shore, its back marked by a fist mark, its spine shattered, blood spraying, and its aura instantly wilted.

Though it was strong.

But unfortunately, it encountered the even stronger Li Yi, who defeated it in a single strike.

"What a huge crocodile, is this the Sanchuan Dragon King?"

Seeing this mutant beast, a Jinyi Guard Captain couldn’t help but twitch his eyelids, filled with surprise.

"Don’t waste time. Master Taiyi is watching from above. Quickly finish the task," urged another Jinyi Guard nearby.

They did not linger to watch the spectacle. Once the crisis was overcome, they immediately demolished the last Dragon King Statue and swiftly retreated, destroying the Land God Temple along the way.

"I am the Sanchuan Dragon King. I have not committed any evil, but rather, I have helped the court quell the river disaster. Why do you execute me today?" At this moment, the Primordial Spirit Light, accompanied by Incense Fire Qi, soared into the sky. The giant crocodile manifested its true form: a young man in his early thirties with a handsome appearance.

This man, filled with indignation, glared at Li Yi, feeling a great injustice.

Incense Fire Gods have existed in this world for so long; naturally, they could not all be bad. Since they aimed to receive the people’s incense, naturally, they needed to do things for the people. Otherwise, why would they be worthy of worship?

"I apologize." Li Yi, with a calm expression, unexpectedly apologized.

The Sanchuan Dragon King was momentarily shocked.

How could this sudden enemy be so polite?

But Li Yi continued, "This matter is my fault. You may be innocent, but this involves the struggle for incense under heaven. I can only err on the side of caution. If you had hidden deep in the mountains, I might have spared you. But your Dragon King Temples spread across Sanchuan County, affecting the court’s incense allocation, so today, there can only be annihilation."

"I see, the court wants to compete for incense, huh?"

The Sanchuan Dragon King was not a foolish person. He immediately understood the situation. Seeing his body heavily wounded, the statue destroyed, and the Jinyi Guards rampaging through the city, it was clear this was under imperial orders, not a rogue action.

"Daoist, can you grant a chance? I am willing to surrender and help the court conquer the incense gods of the world. Daoist, your strength is great, but you lack manpower. I am willing to exert all my efforts in exchange for a chance at survival."

He took a deep breath, immediately clasped his hands in salute, and bowed to Li Yi.

Having lived for hundreds of years as a spirit monster, he had experienced all sorts of things. Naturally, he understood that in the face of such a great trend, how could a local Dragon King like him dare to resist? Only by aligning with the tide could he find the correct path.

Li Yi was startled, but then began to ponder.

Incense Fire Gods surrendering was not in the original plan, but the Sanchuan Dragon King’s words reminded him as well.

This world is vast, and the way of incense is deeply rooted. It is impossible to eliminate all incense gods. It is necessary to leave some, which would also contribute to the stability of the world.

Upon this realization.

Li Yi nodded and said, "Alright, seeing your sincerity, I allow you to surrender. From now on, follow me in cutting down mountains and temples, conquering the incense gods of the world. Should we succeed, you will not be denied the title of a True God Dragon King. But if your heart harbors other intentions, execution will be swift and merciless."

"Thank you, True Man." The Sanchuan Dragon King let out a long breath of relief upon hearing this.

No matter what, his life was preserved. As for other matters, they could be dealt with later.

"Taiyi Demon Path, I was granted the title of Guanei Marquis by the late Emperor. How dare you destroy my temples and cut off my incense? You court death." Yet the next moment, an earth-shattering roar echoed, and they saw a person wrapped in the blue smoke of incense, eyes blood-red, wielding a Coiled Dragon Staff, charging over.

It was Wu Jin, the Guanei Marquis, who was conferred as a True God after his death and enjoyed nearly a hundred years of incense offerings. Now that his temple was destroyed, how could he endure it? He immediately charged out.

Li Yi saw this and did not say much, stepping on the Xiangyun, transforming into a golden light and instantly charging out.

Boom!

With a thunderous boom in the heaven and earth, the Guanei Marquis’ body was instantly exploded, incense scattering, divine thought flying chaotically.

"With such meager strength, you dare come to kill me?" Li Yi shouted, punching into the void, his body donned in lightning, wrapped in Dragon and Tiger Energy, filled with murderous aura.

Such a scene made the nearby Sanchuan Dragon King’s heart pound with fear.

This Daoist’s strength was indeed terrifying. If he had used his full strength against himself earlier, surely his true form would have been shattered like the Guanei Marquis Wu Jin.