The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 796 - 577: Masters of the World

Chapter 796: Chapter 577: Masters of the World

Li Yi commenced the mission of demolishing mountains and temples with subtlety, yet leading a large group from the Capital, passing through Xiang City, Sanchuan County, then traversing Sishui County... After arriving at Taiyue City, covering nine cities and sixteen counties in one day, the efficiency was truly astonishing.

Furthermore, countless temples were destroyed, and innumerable divine statues were smashed during this venture.

The murder of Prince Zhao Yi in Xiang City, the execution of Guanei Marquis Wu Jin, the beheading of the City God in Sanchuan County, the extermination of Wei General—an illustrious commander from three hundred years ago—along with the devastation of the ancestral hall of the eight-hundred-year-old family in Sishui County, and along the way, the spirit monsters either perished or fled in panic.

If Master Taiyi, with three thousand Jinyi Guards, were allowed to act wantonly and without restraint, it would take less than a month for the incense fire gods across the realm to be nearly eradicated.

Therefore, upon receiving this news, the civil and military officials in the Capital erupted immediately. They were also descendants of noble families, and many had deities of princes and marquises enshrined at home. If they didn’t find a way to stop Master Taiyi’s actions, it wouldn’t take long for calamity to befall them.

Henceforth,

on the early morning of the third day of Li Yi’s actions, during the court assembly,

everyone was indignant and wished fervently to condemn Li Yi to death.

"Your Majesty, that Master Taiyi, along with three thousand Jinyi Guards, demolishes mountains and temples, slaughtering countless court official gods. This deed has shaken the foundation of the nation. I request the execution of Master Taiyi."

"I request the execution of Master Taiyi."

"..."

Without any extraneous words, all civil and military officials agree impressively; the first thing they utter is to demand Li Yi’s execution. If denied, they wouldn’t hesitate to clash with Emperor Shenwu to the end.

At this moment, the incumbent Grandmaster Zuo Han Yuan, although reluctant to meddle, had no choice but to support the Emperor by bowing in agreement, lest he becomes the universal target and struggles to stand his ground in the court.

"I, as Crown Prince, earnestly ask Father Emperor to immediately execute Master Taiyi." Crown Prince Zhao Jing also resolutely stepped forward, understanding this might be an opportunity to remove this Daoist.

Watching the ministers agitated, Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, sat on the dragon throne, yet remained calm and unperturbed, evidently having foreseen this situation.

Though the plan to demolish mountains and temples was rather urgent, all necessary considerations had been contemplated.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye surveyed the ministers before slowly opening his mouth: "The day before yesterday, the late emperor decreed the removal of Master Taiyi from the position of State Preceptor. Now, Master Taiyi, leading three thousand Jinyi Guards, is destroying temples and killing incense fire gods along the cities, evidently in retaliation for the court’s changing orders. Now you plead for me to execute Master Taiyi, what is the rationale? It is the late emperor you should be appealing to."

"Moreover, Master Taiyi is no longer the State Preceptor. It’s likely that a rift has formed between him and me. How do you expect me to execute a True Immortal Daoist with boundless mana?"

Saying this, he spread his hands and sighed heavily, displaying a helpless appearance.

"Though I have achieved some cultivation, I certainly can’t lead an expedition personally. Even upon the battlefield, what good is it meeting Master Taiyi? I’m not his match. Ministers, if you have any suggestions to eradicate Master Taiyi, feel free to discuss them. If feasible, I might consider."

After Emperor Shenwu spoke, all the people in the court were momentarily dazed.

They thought the Emperor would adamantly protect Master Taiyi and were prepared for a desperate argument, but unexpectedly, the Emperor agreed with their stance on executing Master Taiyi.

This caused some slight shift in their mindset.

Yet soon, they suspiciously eyed the Emperor, pondering whether these words were genuine, fake, or had any deeper meaning?

In reality, there was no deeper meaning.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye’s thoughts were quite straightforward. With Li Yi’s current strength, who among the incense fire gods of the realm could execute him? If anyone could, then let them step forward and kill him, and then the world would be peaceful. If not, demolishing mountains and temples would continue.

Such power is this simple and direct, requiring no manipulation or plotting.

"Ministers, don’t stay silent, quickly discuss, who can subdue Master Taiyi?" Emperor Shenwu spoke again.

A certain official, uncertain whether this might be a trap, gritted his teeth and stood out to say: "Champion Marquis could possibly execute Master Taiyi."

Champion Marquis?

A thousand years ago, the most capable and valiant general under the Grand Ancestor Emperor, awarded as Champion Marquis in life, worshiped by countless people with incense after death, enduring twelve dynasties; apart from the four National Guardian Generals, he was the strongest of the court official gods, moreover, since becoming an incense fire god, the Champion Marquis had not indulged in pleasure but still dedicatedly cultivated, and how powerful he really was now, no one knew.

"Indeed, Champion Marquis, how could we forget about him? If Champion Marquis steps forward, Master Taiyi would surely die." Someone immediately nodded in agreement.

"Reasonable, Champion Marquis in life was courageous and unmatched among the military, now as an incense fire god having endured a millennium, his strength must be profound beyond measure. Master Taiyi is by no means Champion Marquis’s opponent." Other officials stroked their beards and praised, beginning to recount some life stories of this Champion Marquis.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye squinted slightly. He certainly knew this Champion Marquis. Yet if he could be eliminated, then those lofty Yin Emperors might start to become alarmed.

Let this Champion Marquis provide a practice session for Yi as well.

After all the ministers discussed thoroughly, Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye finally spoke: "Since all of you believe Champion Marquis could eradicate Master Taiyi, then I shall request Hidden Official to pen a document and inform Grand Ancestor, mobilizing Champion Marquis. Hidden Official, do you have any objections?"

As the incumbent Emperor, he couldn’t mobilize Champion Marquis.

With each new Emperor comes new ministers.

The fierce generals who helped the Grand Ancestor Emperor conquer the world naturally would only obey the Grand Ancestor.

Immediately.

Everyone turned their eyes simultaneously towards a Hidden Official in the corner of the court.

Each person’s gaze was intense, and some even carried a hint of threat; if this Hidden Official disagreed, they wouldn’t mind using today’s sword to cut down this official of the former dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to try." The Hidden Official, sweating profusely, stepped forward and spoke hurriedly.

Faced with the anger of the officials, he felt more uncomfortable than confronting Master Taiyi.

Master Taiyi might at most just kill him, but these ministers, when ruthless, could destroy his entire family. After all, this matter concerned the world’s aristocratic families and the survival of the Incense Fire Gods, so the officials might do anything insane.

"Relying on just one person, the Champion Marquis, may not be secure. Ministers, do you have recommendations for any powerful Incense Fire Gods?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, continued.

"During the reign of Emperor Yingzong, there was a Heavenly Might General known for his fierce reputation, leading armies to search mountains and inspect seas, exterminating countless spirit monsters and fiends. If he could assist, it would certainly be more reliable." Suddenly, a minister stood up to speak.

"Indeed, the Heavenly Might General is also an extremely formidable figure. It has been said, first came the Champion Marquis, and then the Heavenly Might General. These were the most ferocious generals throughout the ages. Now that he has become an Incense Fire God after death, his divine might would be even greater." Everyone unanimously agreed.

"Heavenly Might General? Very well, is the Hidden Official from Emperor Yingzong’s era present?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, glanced over.

"I am here." A Hidden Official stepped out, his expression not very pleased; being named at this moment was far from a good thing.

Emperor Shenwu said, "Ask Emperor Yingzong if he is willing to let the Heavenly Might General come forth to join forces with the Champion Marquis against Master Taiyi."

"I will try my best." This Hidden Official dared not refuse and agreed immediately.

"We already have two generals, and although victory seems assured, this matter is significant and only success is permissible, not failure. Do any other ministers have further recommendations?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, asked once again.

"There is a deity in Shoushan, a thousand-year-old pine tree that gained essence, known as Qing Song. Later, Emperor Renzong conferred him as the Shoushan Mountain God, enjoying five hundred years of incense. It’s said this deity possesses unfathomable abilities of Gods and Ghosts, capable of inverting day and night. Perhaps Your Majesty could issue a Holy Decree to invite the Shoushan Mountain God to come forth and assist." Immediately, another official stood up to recommend someone.

"Shoushan God Qing Song? Very well, I approve." Emperor Shenwu said with a smile that seemed more like a smirk.

"There is also a deity in Taihu named White Water Lady, originally a talented woman from the previous dynasty. Now, having lived over twelve hundred years, her incense is still flourishing. During the reign of the late Emperor, she was posthumously honored and could possibly be invited to lend a hand." Another official continued to recommend.

"Approved." Emperor Shenwu nodded.

Other officials also began to recommend various experts.

None of the recommended figures were without great reputations, whether they were spirit monsters or Incense Fire Gods, having accumulated either a thousand years of legacy or cultivation. Or they were those who had fought alongside the Grand Ancestor Emperor to conquer the world, individuals with centuries of accumulation, none of whom even had the qualification to be nominated, because when Master Taiyi left the capital, he had already directly killed three National Guardian Generals.

Therefore, any invited Incense Fire God or spirit monster must not be weaker than the National Guardian Generals; otherwise, it would be pointless to go.

You never know until you ask.

Upon asking, Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, was truly surprised.

He never expected that there were so many hidden experts under heaven. This time Li Yi stirred up such a huge commotion, causing all these usually hidden experts to be revealed at once.

Which is also good.

This is an opportunity to catch them all in one go.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, was already prepared for this. He had several blank Holy Decrees ready, intending to strip all these people of their divine titles, disperse their incense, and diminish their powers if necessary.

In such circumstances, if Li Yi still could not prevail, then the operation would be declared a failure.

After all, these experts weren’t the strongest Incense Fire Gods. If they couldn’t be defeated, then there was no need to continue breaking down mountains and demolishing temples; the priority would be to find a way to survive across realms.

Following a court meeting, experts from all over the world began to surface one after another.

But very quickly.

The information from the court meeting was instantly transmitted by the Golden Eyes Guard, with the goal of reaching Li Yi in Taiyue City at the fastest speed possible.

Meanwhile, Li Yi did not continue advancing with the Jinyi Guard but stayed in this city for a rest.

Three days and nights of action, even Evolvers couldn’t withstand it.

He needed to see whether his uproar caused any response from the world’s Incense Fire Gods. If not, after resting for a day, he would take action again.