The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 809 - 589: Emperors Gather

Chapter 809: Chapter 589: Emperors Gather

"The power of incense and belief has increased again, and by a large amount... It seems that after defeating the Yin Emperors, the incense from the world is converging on the few remaining individuals. Even I, as the State Preceptor, feel this way, not to mention my father."

At this moment, Li Yi could clearly feel that the power of incense and belief within him had grown even stronger compared to before, as if it had materialized into something tangible. Combined with his mana, his whole body was enveloped in a faint glow.

He now felt omnipotent, possessing a divine might capable of shaking the heavens and earth. His own strength had reached an unprecedented level, leaving him feeling somewhat unreal.

However, Li Yi was not deceived by this temporary strength, because as soon as he left this world, severed from the power of incense and belief, he would return to his usual self.

The one who benefited the most this time, however, was Xiang Xiangzi.

She used the Seven-Colored Stone to create a new body and relied on the power of incense and belief to restore her primordial spirit power. In just a few days, she had completely transformed, cloaked in rosy clouds and radiant with auspicious colors, resembling a goddess who had descended to the mortal world.

Although her own strength had not yet returned to its peak, given time, she would undoubtedly become an enlightened being in this world, and perhaps even advance further.

"Taiyi, it seems that we’re not the only ones who have made a move against the Yin Emperors recently. There must be some actions from your father’s side too, because I can sense two unreasonable increases in the power of incense and belief recently. This indicates that two Yin Emperors have perished, and together with those from the Divine Sect and Guangzong, four of the Zhao Dynasty’s Yin Emperors are already gone."

Xiang Xiangzi said, "The remaining Yin Emperors must have been alarmed. Look, this imperial mausoleum is now deserted, not a single Incense Fire God to be seen."

At that moment, the two of them arrived in front of a large mountain.

This was the tomb of Emperor Yingzong of the Zhao Dynasty.

But now, the entire imperial mausoleum was empty, obviously having evacuated upon receiving advance notice.

"It seems the remaining Yin Emperors have united, making it impossible to take them down one by one. In that case, let’s simply stop our actions, and take advantage of the strong power of incense and belief gathered during this time to continue our cultivation."

"The ones who are really anxious are not us, but them, because as time goes by, we will become stronger and they won’t." Li Yi thought for a moment and said.

Xiang Xiangzi replied, "That makes sense. It’s not suitable to strike proactively now. It’s better to wait for them to come to us."

The two hit it off and decided to conquer mountains and temples with the Jinyi Guards on one hand while focusing on their cultivation on the other.

Li Yi had currently opened sixty acupoints within his body, but his realm was still at the third level of the Five Qi Realm, with a lot of room for improvement. Originally, he planned to focus on cultivation after resolving this issue, but now it seemed that he had to change his plans.

Upon halting their actions.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, immediately received news from the Golden Eyes Guards.

At that moment, Li Jiye was hurrying towards the place where the True Emperor was. Upon hearing this news, he immediately understood that the opportunity was lost. The remaining Yin Emperors must have already united, discussing how to deal with him and Master Taiyi.

"Have Master Taiyi return to the capital, and put the conquest of the mountains and temples on hold for now." Li Jiye instructed the Golden Eyes Guards to send a message immediately.

At this moment, they needed to face the incoming enemies together and could no longer wander around aimlessly outside.

Otherwise, getting targeted would definitely lead to a disastrous outcome.

In the capital, the Dragon and Tiger energy envelops the area, suppressing the Incense Fire Gods of the world. If they were to deal with the Yin Emperors, acting in the capital would be best, at least stripping the Yin Emperors of any external support.

But there were still at least six remaining Yin Emperors.

With himself and Li Yi, could they stand a chance?

Li Jiye didn’t know, and at this point, he could only try.

After thinking it through, he immediately led his men back to the capital.

In fact, Li Jiye’s decision was the right one.

Because at the same time.

The birthplace of the Zhao Dynasty, with three hundred li of fertile land, incense flourishing, and prosperity akin to a small capital, was called Dragon City. It housed twelve divine statues of emperors, each with numerous offerings of incense before it.

However, just a few days ago, four of the emperor statues inexplicably shattered, turning into a pile of rubble.

The occurrence of this situation heralded that four Yin Emperors had met their demise.

Such significant news could not be concealed from the eyes of the Yin Emperors; they sensed the crisis and converged in Dragon City to discuss countermeasures.

At this moment, in one of the ancestral halls within Dragon City.

No less than six Yin Emperors had gathered.

Leading them was a man in armor, appearing as a general, full of heroic spirit and imposing majesty. This person was none other than Zhao Tianxing, the founding figure of the Zhao Dynasty, revered as the Grand Ancestor Emperor after his death.

And in sequence were Taizhong, True Emperor, Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Guangzong, and Emperor Li Zong.

"Has Zhao Chengqian gone mad? Not only is he collaborating with that so-called Master Taiyi, demolishing mountains and temples, but also laying hands on our ancestors. Doesn’t he know that these Yin Emperors of our Zhao Dynasty are the foundation of dynastic succession? If he touches us, it will inevitably lead to a cataclysm turning the heavens and earth, and the empire changing hands."

The one speaking is Emperor Yingzong. He is furious, his rage explosive, his voice resounding like thunder.

It seems the surrounding heavens and earth respond accordingly, as dark clouds gather instantly, suggesting a storm is imminent.

"Our Emperor Shenwu is not mad, but rather possesses great courage. Haven’t you all realized this? Master Taiyi is merely a sharp knife in his hand, used to slay the gods of incense fire across the world. Today, he can be enfeoffed as State Preceptor; when no longer needed, a single decree, and Master Taiyi becomes nothing."

Emperor Taizhong is a composed middle-aged man. At this moment, he calmly speaks: "From my knowledge, the reason why Emperor Shenwu wants to do this is because he desires to gather the world’s incense fire power unto himself, to tread the path of cultivation in the capacity of an emperor, thus achieving immortality, ensuring the eternal existence of the dynasty."

"If an emperor relies on cultivation to attain immortality, then we ancestors naturally become useless, living only to consume the world’s incense fire. Hence, Emperor Shenwu needs to cleanse us relentlessly."

"If all the Yin Emperors are eradicated, coupled with the smooth progress of demolishing mountains and temples, the entire world’s incense fire will converge upon him alone. At that time, Emperor Shenwu will surpass anyone from ancient times till now, becoming a truly supreme being."

As these words are spoken, the other Yin Emperors are instantly shocked.

"Such a thing?" The Emperors Guangzong and Li Zong evidently did not expect that such ambitious plans are harbored by their descendant.

Desiring to utilize the world’s incense fire to sustain a single being and pave an unprecedented path.

Conversely, the Grand Ancestor Emperor, Zhao Tianxing, suddenly laughed: "My descendants are countless, yet an extraordinary figure has emerged. A thousand years ago, even when I swept through hills and rivers, and ascended the throne, I dared not lay hands on the gods of incense fire worldwide. Even the remnants of the previous dynasty were spared, for the stability of the empire, but ultimately, it was a lack of courage to demolish mountains and temples."

"Now, the world rests in ease; this Emperor Shenwu wishes to reshape the cosmos, truly unprecedented. If he succeeds, Zhao Dynasty indeed will endure for a thousand ages."

"Grand Ancestor, now is not the time to praise Emperor Shenwu. He is allied with Master Taiyi; in a few days’ time, they’ll invade Dragon City, and our lives will be at peril." Emperor Yingzong earnestly spoke.

"This world belongs to our Zhao Dynasty, not solely to Zhao Chengqian. If he intends to commit such monstrous acts against heaven and earth, then we must plan early, extinguish this Emperor Shenwu, and with a new emperor ascended, return all to its former state."

Kill Emperor Shenwu?

It’s no easy task.

The crowd instantly fell silent.

Considering the power of incense fire, this Emperor Shenwu is the current sovereign; his incense power surpasses ours greatly. Moreover, he has already slain two Yin Emperors before, showcasing atypical prowess.

Even counting Master Taiyi, the odds of triumph in this battle are slim indeed.

However, they have the Grand Ancestor Emperor.

Thinking this, they all turned their gaze towards the main seat, at the Grand Ancestor Emperor Zhao Tianxing.

The strongest among them is this Grand Ancestor Emperor.

If he says Emperor Shenwu can be slain, then surely he will die tomorrow; if he lacks confidence, then everyone present cannot make any difference.

"Regardless of whether killing Emperor Shenwu is possible, even if it is achieved, what then? What heavy losses must we bear?" At this moment, the Grand Ancestor Emperor opened calmly: "Emperor Shenwu and Master Taiyi are not ordinary folk. Once the battle starts, we will suffer grievous harm; how many of the six Yin Emperors would remain?"

"Even achieving victory would be a bitter triumph. Moreover, with both Emperor Shenwu and Master Taiyi deceased, what of the nation’s governance afterwards? Who can bear this responsibility for the masses? Then, with dynastic change, we become mere remnants of a previous era, facing inevitable extinction."

"True indeed." Several Yin Emperors furrowed their brows.

To fight means grave losses, with empires changing.

Not fighting means awaiting death, equally a path to demise.

"Grand Ancestor Emperor, since fighting isn’t viable and neither is not fighting, are you suggesting we negotiate with Emperor Shenwu?" Emperor Yingzong questioned.

Grand Ancestor Emperor Zhao Tianxing replied: "Indeed, I intend as such. Emperor Shenwu desires the world’s incense fire, while we, exalted as Yin Emperors for years, have accumulated ample incense fire, serving no use to us. If we can relinquish incense fire, becoming ordinary incense fire gods, it might not be a bad route."

"Abandoning incense fire is undoubtedly akin to severing our arms; entrusting our fate in the hands of others is unacceptable to me." Emperor Taizhong immediately retorted.

"Precisely, although we are Emperor Shenwu’s ancestors, he will not heed kinship, certain to settle scores with us." The other Yin Emperors chimed in.

Zhao Tianxing calmly said: "Whether to battle or negotiate is not for me to decide, but should be evaluated based on the opponent’s strength. If the opposition is formidable beyond us, even if unwilling, we must negotiate."

"Let us take a trip to the Capital, meet this Emperor Shenwu. If he is truly exceptional, we negotiate; if he is but a façade, then let us slay him and support a new emperor’s accession, what say you?"

Upon this, the Yin Emperors pondered for a moment and finally nodded.

Yet it can be gleaned from the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s tone that he is reluctant to destroy the kingdom of Zhao Dynasty in an internal strife.

This, however, is understandable.

After all, this world is his achievement; surely he wishes not to destroy it by his own hands.