Magical Combat (Part 1)

Dragon Qi.

It was not spiritual energy, but rather more akin to the power of divine faith.

The recognition of the Great Jing Dynasty by the millions of people across the land, the intangible power of incense and faith, coalesced into Dragon Qi.

The Great Jing Emperor was a mere mortal. Not to mention the Buddhist and Daoist masters present, even a martial arts expert from the jianghu could kill him.

After regicide, the backlash of the people's faith would strike.

A string of bad luck, qi deviation, the Five Decays of Heaven and Man—unless one possessed a treasure capable of suppressing fate, death would be exceptionally miserable, without even the chance for Liberation by Violence or reincarnation.

When a dynasty was at its peak, not only did the Emperor gather Dragon Qi, but the civil and military officials also had fate protecting them. At such times, true Buddhist and Daoist cultivators would usually hide in the mountains and forests, not meddling in worldly affairs.

Crown Prince Li Zhu should have had the qi of a latent dragon, but unfortunately, the Great Jing Dynasty was teetering on the brink of collapse, and only the Emperor could still gather Dragon Qi.

Zhou Yi, hidden from view, flipped his palm and activated the Corpse Suppressing Compass.

The Silver Corpse, which had been silent outside, suddenly opened its eyes, bypassed the guards, and made its way toward the main banquet hall.

The Silver Corpse's strength was comparable to an Innate Grandmaster. If it wanted to conceal its presence, only a few people in the Eastern Palace could detect it.

"You want to put on a show? This Seat won't let you have your way!"

Zhou Yi laughed as he drank, watching the Buddhist and Daoist masters bicker like common ruffians.

The debate over doctrine had touched upon the very core of their Dao hearts and Buddhist principles. The usual immortal and transcendent airs were dropped.

Zhou Yi had no interest in this. He believed that what truly determined Dao and principle was one's fist.

Crown Prince Li Zhu had been keeping an eye on Old Ancestor Tai Yin. It was rumored that since this man had transformed into a zombie body, he was moody, violent, and cruel. The sudden death of the previous Heavenly Corpse Sect leader was linked to him.

For this reason, he had prepared a gift for Old Ancestor Tai Yin in advance. A century-old ginseng wouldn't catch the eye of the various True Persons and Arhats, and Spirit Stones were rare in the world, the only things worthy of these true cultivators.

He had gathered a few Yin-attributed Spirit Stones with great effort, enough to suppress Old Ancestor Tai Yin's temper and preserve the foundation of the Eastern Palace.

If Zhou Yi had known that throwing a tantrum would also net him a gift, he would have regretted just watching the show.

The Silver Corpse circled to the back of the main hall, entered the banquet hall, and saw two people behind a screen.

One was a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, and beside him, on the right, was a pale, beardless eunuch.

"No wonder the Great Jing hasn't fallen yet. There's still an Innate Grandmaster here, but his lifespan is running out."

The eunuch instantly stepped in front of the Emperor, a thin sword appearing in his hand. A sharp, overwhelming sword intent locked onto the Silver Corpse.

The Silver Corpse's divine sense transmitted: "This poor Daoist is Chi Xiaozi, Vice Sect Master of the Kunlun Sect. In the jianghu, I am also known as the Guo Bei Sword Saint."

Once divine sense was perfected, one could transmit thoughts directly into another's mind, though it was limited by distance.

"The Guo Bei Sword Saint from sixty years ago?"

Emperor Li Yu's eyes lit up. He knew a great deal about Zhou Yi—or rather, the imperial family had kept special records of his travels.

Sixty years ago, the previous Emperor had once thought of recruiting Zhou Yi, hoping he could suppress the world after the old prince's lifespan was exhausted.

But soon after, news came that Zhou Yi had gone into seclusion, and later, rumors of his untimely death. The Emperor had then abandoned the idea of recruiting him.

"It is this poor Daoist."

Zhou Yi controlled the Silver Corpse and said, "Today, I saw that the Crown Prince is a fine piece of jade, fated to be connected to my Dao. I could not resist coming to see the Human Emperor. This poor Daoist is willing to accept the Crown Prince as a disciple and teach him the great arts of the Immortal Dao."

Li Yu did not dare to act arrogantly in front of Zhou Yi. He stood up and said, "Sword Saint, there is no need for this. I have gathered all these True Persons today precisely to choose a teacher for the Crown Prince."

"This poor Daoist is different from those before me. What they seek is nothing more than to propagate their doctrines. The Great Jing already has a Pu Du Ci Hang, with the makings of a Buddhist kingdom. If another True Person becomes Grand Tutor..."

The Silver Corpse's eyes flashed with purple light. "Perhaps in a few decades, the position of Human Emperor will need to be sanctioned by the Buddhist and Daoist sects!"

"How dare you!"

The eunuch's face changed. "Your Majesty, do not listen to the wild ravings of this demonic Daoist!"

Li Yu's expression was grim, but he did not refute it. "Great Companion Chu, Chixiao True Person speaks the truth. At least half of the court ministers have already defected to Pu Du Ci Hang. If another Daoist Grand Tutor appears, this seat of mine would be unstable."

"Your Majesty, if that Demonic Monk dares to harm you, this servant will fight to the death to make him suffer!"

"Great Companion Chu, do not say such things. You and I are one in body and spirit. The Great Jing's rivers and mountains cannot do without either of us!"

"Your Majesty treats me like this, how could Chu Xiu not give his all!"

"When I was still the Crown Prince, I told you, Great Companion, that we are no longer lord and subject, but brothers!"

"Your Majesty..."

"Great Companion..."

"Ahem..."

Zhou Yi did not like mutual flattery. He had not wanted to interrupt, but the two seemed to be continuing.

"This poor Daoist has no interest in power, nor do I need Dragon Qi to extend my life. I only ask that the Human Emperor agree to provide resources for my cultivation in the future."

Li Yu's face lit up with joy. "Is what the Daoist says true?"

"This poor Daoist swears by my Dao heart. In the future, I will only need the court to gather techniques and Spirit Stones. I will take nothing else!"

"The Daoist is a true immortal! Zhu'er is intelligent and gifted. It is only fitting that he is fated to be with you."

Li Yu suddenly frowned. "But there are many eminent figures from the Buddhist and Daoist sects outside. What do you think..."

Zhou Yi gave a wry smile. His Majesty truly wanted both the benefits and to avoid offending the Buddhist and Daoist powers.

A man who begrudges his own skin in great matters—such a disposition cannot bear the Mandate of Heaven!

For now, Zhou Yi needed the court's support, so he let it slide. He would settle the score another day.

"This humble priest will discuss it with a few fellow Daoists. I doubt they will refuse."

As he spoke, the Silver Corpse leaped with a thunderous crash from behind the screen, landing directly in front of the banquet—right where Ku Bu Luohan stood.

At the same time, Zhou Yi's true body tipped back a jar of wine, drained it, and smashed the vessel to the ground.

"What use is bickering? Real skill is what counts! This Seat has the Grand Tutor position in the bag!"

Before the words faded, Zhou Yi soared into the air.

A longsword of True Essence materialized in his hand as he charged at Du E Luohan of Jinguang Temple.

A three-inch Dark Gold Flying Sword, like a streak of light, shot toward Mingkong Arhat of Puzhao Temple.

"Bold Daoist, how dare you!"

"Taiyin, you unworthy wretch!"

"Grandmaster, be careful!"

"..."

The shouts came from the younger disciples, but the three Arhats had already struck.

The Arhat Golden Body, once activated, blazed with golden light, dazzling and awe-inspiring—far better at swaying believers than any Daoist True Man.

"Amitabha!"

Du E Luohan clasped his hands together, catching the True Essence longsword between his palms.

"Om—"

Pu Zhao uttered a Buddhist mantra, and a golden Buddha phantom enveloped his body. The Dark Gold Flying Sword clinked and clattered, unable to break through.

"Roar—"

The Silver Corpse bellowed, its form swelling to two zhang in height, its corpse claws swiping at Ku Bu Luohan's head.

Ku Bu Luohan's withered frame inflated like a bladder, and he met the Silver Corpse barehanded in close combat.

The nearby monks had long since fled far away. When Innate Grandmasters clashed, anyone beneath them couldn't withstand even a single blow.

The four Daoist True Men—Xuan Qing Zi of White Crane Temple, Guan Lan Zi of Tianxing Temple, True Person Taisu of Seven Yuan Dao, and True Person Taiyuan of Tianxin Temple—

Exchanged glances and sighed.

"Fellow Daoists, let's join the fray. We'll discipline Taiyin afterward!"

Guan Lan Zi struck first, tossing four array flags to the ground—the Four Manifestations Demon Subduing Array.

Earthquake, freezing ice, wind blades, and raging flames all descended upon the three Arhats.

Xuan Qing Zi, most skilled in thunder arts, formed hand seals, and bolts of purple lightning rained down into the array.

Whether by accident or intent, one bolt struck the Silver Corpse, leaving a scorched mark.

True Person Taisu and True Person Taiyuan each commanded a flying sword—one azure, one crimson; one wind, one fire.

Wind and fire swept through, tormenting Pu Zhao Arhat and Du E Luohan. These two artifacts had been passed down for ages and were renowned across the land.

Zhou Yi freed himself and, together with the Silver Corpse, charged at Ku Bu Luohan.

"Great Master, This Seat has come to sample the Buddhist Sect's divine arts!"

The Silver Corpse!

The Dark Gold Sword!

Purple Sun Sword Qi!

All struck at once!

Ku Bu Luohan's eyes snapped open—revealing hollow, pitch-black sockets.

"If this humble monk guesses correctly, in the past century, only one man has attained Innate through the sword—Guo Bei Sword Saint!"