The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 811 - 591: Decided in One Strike

Chapter 811: Chapter 591: Decided in One Strike

The six Yin Emperors wanted to use negotiation to seek a dignified compromise.

They did not wish to engage in combat, as they were not generals, not warriors, but emperors. Since ancient times, it has been unheard of for emperors to charge into battle; only Grand Ancestor Emperor Zhao Tianxing had ever done so.

Thus, his mindset remained stuck in his past life, not as a Cultivator. Therefore, he could not understand the actions of Emperor Shenwu or Master Taiyi.

Why insist on fighting when negotiation could solve the matter?

This was foolish and irrational.

The atmosphere inside Yongchang Hall was tense, as if a conflict might break out.

At this moment, Emperor Yingzong spoke: "Emperor Shenwu, calm down. Many matters cannot be resolved solely through violence. As a ruler, you should know that a sovereign should not hastily mobilize an army in anger. This is not a brawl on the streets among common folk; it concerns the empire and its fate."

"Regardless of winning or losing, if we engage in a massive battle, there will inevitably be casualties, whether it’s your passing, Master Taiyi’s demise, or we Yin Emperors vanishing into thin air."

"Any casualties would be undesirable for any side. Given this, negotiations might not be a bad idea. Emperor Shenwu, what you desire is the incense fire of the world, while we seek tranquility alongside the nation."

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye glanced around, realizing that these Yin Emperors no longer possessed their previous ambitions. Without physical form, transformed into Yin spirits, their courage had waned, only wanting to leech off this dynasty for pleasure, disinclined to engage in major strife.

This aligned with his previous expectations.

Seeing Li Jiye calm down, Emperor Taizhong immediately proposed: "Emperor Shenwu, how about this? We concede three hundred miles of Dragon City, the ancestral foundation, it cannot be abandoned."

"Three hundred miles of Dragon City?"

Li Jiye glanced over: "The land isn’t expansive, but if you genuinely wish for sincerity, I can offer you a suggestion. I’ll grant you five hundred miles of territory, but on one condition: relinquish your Emperor title and become ordinary Princes, allowing the incense fire of the world to be handed over to me."

"Retaining the incense fire belief power within you is an enormous waste. If you agree, you may continue your domineering revelry in Dragon City. Otherwise, a conflict remains inevitable."

Relinquish the Emperor title?

This demand instantly angered the Yin Emperors.

Without the Emperor identity, they would be at the mercy of others, akin to surrendering.

Yet, at this moment, Grand Ancestor Zhao Tianxing suddenly chuckled: "Emperor Shenwu’s terms aren’t harsh. Leaving five hundred miles of Dragon City for us to live out our years is quite agreeable, though I have one more request."

"Speak," Li Jiye replied calmly.

Despite Li Jiye’s impoliteness, Zhao Tianxing wasn’t annoyed. He simply stated: "I fought for years during life, became a Yin God after death, enjoyed the incense fire of the world; now after a millennium, although most of the time was spent in confusion, I have accumulated some power."

"Letting me, an Emperor of founding stature, fade ignobly fills me with discontent. How about this: Emperor Shenwu and Master Taiyi, either of you takes one strike from me; if unharmed, we shall relinquish the Emperor title immediately and withdraw to Dragon City, never to appear again."

Then, he removed a treasure blade from his waist and placed it before him, a faint smile as he looked at Li Jiye and Li Yi.

Determine victory with a single strike?

The other five Yin Emperors looked at the Grand Ancestor.

This indeed aligned with the Grand Ancestor’s style.

During his conquest, he had once dueled an enemy commander, ultimately slicing off the foe’s head, thereby securing a crucial battle and conquering the realm.

Now, at another perilous juncture, the Grand Ancestor still sought to wager on his strength.

Moreover, it was a gamble with minimal cost.

If victorious, whether Emperor Shenwu or Master Taiyi would fall beneath the blade; if defeated, no complaints could be made, they must retreat to Dragon City and relinquish all.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye said nothing, glancing at Li Yi, seemingly seeking his opinion.

Yet Li Yi decisively stated: "Alright, let’s do as you propose. We exchange one strike, then you’ll understand that forsaking the Emperor title will be your wisest choice."

"Don’t waste time. This isn’t the place for action; head to the heavens."

Saying this, he turned and left Yongchang Hall, soon a golden Xiangyun appeared beneath his feet, carrying him skyward.

Though here in the Imperial City, the Emperor’s Aura was dense, hindering the execution of Daoist skills, Li Yi’s current strength allowed him to effortlessly employ the Cloud-Riding Technique.

Soon.

Li Yi ascended, piercing through the clouds, reaching the high altitude.

At this height, he was free from the Imperial City’s Emperor Aura influence.

However, very soon.

A young man in armor, exuding bravery, flew over, his body began to transform, a massive force of incense fire belief coursed around him, akin to a sea of clouds radiating in all directions from his center.

"This is the incense fire power of the founding emperor?" Li Yi’s expression shifted slightly.

He sensed the surrounding heavens and earth seemed altered, forming a realm unique to the opponent, where within it, this Grand Ancestor Emperor could achieve anything by a mere thought.

Like a Divine Country existing because of him.

"Master Taiyi, regrettably."

At this moment, Zhao Tianxing looked at Li Yi with a solemn expression. His body began to expand continuously, reaching a height of nine zhang in a mere moment, like a divine being descending to the world.

Soon, the incense-filled clouds around them began to churn, rapidly transforming into armored soldiers and war horses. In no time, they formed a force of thousands of troops.

He then slowly drew a treasured blade from his waist.

This treasured blade was not some powerful magic treasure, just an ordinary sharp weapon. However, due to centuries of incense worship and accompanying Zhao Tianxing in his conquests, it gained sentience over time, becoming a unique weapon.

When Zhao Tianxing grasped the treasured blade, the entire world seemed to tremble slightly. An endless might surged from this world, continuously gathering at the blade’s edge.

This was not merely the power of incense belief but the augmentation of the world’s power.

"Is this world working in unison with him? Does the path of incense undergo such changes after reaching this level?" Li Yi observed this scene, his eyes showing a hint of astonishment.

Fortunately, this opponent’s world wasn’t vast enough. If it were larger or could encompass the entire world, wouldn’t a single strike from him contain the power of a world?

Realizing this, Li Yi thought the incense fire skill had significant potential to be tapped. If perfected, its future achievements would be undoubtedly high.

But now didn’t seem to be the time to ponder this.

This Grand Ancestor Emperor’s blade edge, at this moment, already carried the power of the world. This strike was destined to be astounding, yet he didn’t stop his actions. Instead, he opened his mouth and inhaled. The swirling cloud sea, now transformed into a thousand troops, turned into a stream of power rushing toward the treasured blade.

Such power already exceeded what this Grand Ancestor Emperor could control.

The massive force caused his grip on the blade to tremble. His nine-zhang-tall body even started to crack continuously.

"A body with great power, yet you don’t know how to use it. I’ve cultivated for so long and never seen someone break himself while mobilizing power." Upon witnessing this, Li Yi spoke directly.

"Don’t disrupt my spirit. This blade represents the Zhao Dynasty’s rivers and mountains, the incense belief of billions of people. You can’t withstand it." Zhao Tianxing suddenly shouted, his voice rolling like thunder across the sky.

"Whether it can be withstood isn’t for you to decide." Li Yi had no intention of underestimating the situation. He directly took out the Divine Wood Great Bow from his Five Elements Bracelet, followed by a black gold arrow appearing in his hand.

He nocked the arrow and drew the bow.

The Dragon and Tiger Power erupted, the mana in four colors surged. Merely opening this Great Bow slowly caused the air around to wail, the world seemingly being rent by a colossal force.

"With just a bow and arrow, you think to withstand the imperial blade of mountains and rivers? Foolish dream!" Zhao Tianxing shouted as he lifted the heavy and substantial treasured blade.

At that moment, the world seemed to take the shape of a massive blade, within which lay the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, the myriad people, and incense beliefs.

Because so much power was infused, too terrifying to behold, Zhao Tianxing’s body shattered once more, large chunks peeling away to transform into azure smoke.

Yet, he dared not let Li Yi continue drawing the bow. Though he didn’t know what was magical about that Great Bow, being wielded by Master Taiyi must make it an extraordinary divine weapon.

Suddenly, the blade dropped with a thunderous roar.

Its immense power enough to easily cleave mountains, sever rivers, and the explosive energy within could easily annihilate a world.

The Incense Fire God reaching such heights had surpassed Li Yi’s expectations, reaching an inconceivable level.

Li Yi did not dodge. His expression remained severe as he drew the Divine Wood Great Bow as far as possible. The moment the blade fell, he released his grip, shooting out the black gold arrow.

This Godly bow and arrow from the Demon God Realm could easily pierce through Daoist Artifacts on Earth. Back then, to bring down that Great Demon, several Daoist Artifacts were lost, along with Xiang Xiangzi’s life.

Now, the Divine Bow’s power showcased once again, though this time against enemies.

The black gold arrow transformed into a radiance that vanished in a flash.

The speed was ridiculously fast, appearing to span space itself. Even Li Yi couldn’t track its trajectory, only identifying its impact direction at the moment of the shot.

The worldly semblance of a treasured blade split open as the black light tore through, ripping apart land and rivers, toppling all beings, scattering incense.

The entire world seemed severed.

Such a scene left the Grand Ancestor Emperor with eyes wide open, full of disbelief.

Yet before he could process the shock,

He looked down to find a hole in his chest, surrounded by black gold radiance. This glow seemed aggressive, covering his body in cracks in an instant.

"I, lost? How is that possible." Zhao Tianxing couldn’t believe his eyes.

He couldn’t conceive defeat. With this blade, he had the confidence to cut down Master Taiyi and reclaim his lost power and status.

Bang!

The realm shattered along with the blade’s breakage.

Countless terrifying forces spread in all directions, swallowing Zhao Tianxing and the nearby Li Yi in an instant.

"Not good." Li Yi’s expression changed abruptly as he circulated mana, quickly empowering the Red Feather Purple Gold Armor on him.

The Daoist Artifact-level armor glowed crimson, transforming into a divine bird that enveloped him, blocking the aftershock of the blade.