Dragon Qi.
It was not spiritual energy, but more akin to the power of divine faith.
As all under heaven acknowledged the Great Jing Dynasty, the invisible power of incense offerings and faith coalesced into Dragon Qi.
The Great Jing Emperor was merely a mortal. Not to mention the Buddhist and Daoist masters present, even powerful martial artists of the jianghu could kill him.
After regicide, the aspirations of the people would backlash.
One would suffer endless misfortune, go mad from cultivation, and undergo the Five Decays of Heaven and Man. Unless one possessed a treasure capable of suppressing fate, death would surely be miserable beyond measure, without even a chance at Liberation by Violence and Reincarnation.
When an imperial dynasty stood at the height of prosperity, not only did the emperor gather Dragon Qi, but civil and military officials also had fortune protecting their bodies. At such times, true Buddhist and Daoist cultivators generally secluded themselves in the mountains and wilderness, refusing to meddle in worldly affairs.
Crown Prince Li Zhu should have possessed the aura of a hidden dragon. Unfortunately, the Great Jing Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, and only the emperor could still gather Dragon Qi.
Zhou Yi secretly flipped his palm and activated the Corpse Suppressing Compass.
The Silver Corpse, which had remained silent outside, suddenly opened its eyes and bypassed the guards as it headed toward the main banquet hall.
The Silver Corpse's strength rivaled that of an Innate Grandmaster. If it wished to conceal its presence, only a few people within the Eastern Palace could detect it.
"If you want to put on a show, I refuse to let you have your way!"
Zhou Yi drank as he watched the Buddhist and Daoist masters bicker back and forth with a chuckle, no different from common street thugs.
This dispute over doctrine had already touched upon Dao hearts and Buddhist principles. None of them bothered maintaining their immortal-like bearing anymore.
Zhou Yi had no interest in that. He believed that fists were what truly decided Dao and reason.
Crown Prince Li Zhu had kept a close eye on Old Ancestor Tai Yin. It was said that after becoming a zombie, he had become temperamental and cruel, and that the sudden death of the previous Heavenly Corpse Sect master was connected to him.
For this reason, he had prepared gifts for Old Ancestor Tai Yin in advance. Things like century-old ginseng were beneath the notice of the True Men and Arhats, while Spirit Stones were rare throughout the world and could catch the eyes of true cultivators.
He had gathered several yin-attributed Spirit Stones with all his might, enough to calm Old Ancestor Tai Yin's anger and preserve the Eastern Palace's foundation.
If Zhou Yi had known that throwing a fit came with gifts, he would surely have regretted watching the show.
The Silver Corpse circled around behind the main hall and entered the banquet hall, where it saw two people behind a screen.
One was a middle-aged man in a dragon robe, while the other was a fair-skinned, beardless eunuch standing to his right.
"No wonder Great Jing has not yet perished. There is actually an Innate Grandmaster here, though his lifespan is nearly exhausted."
In an instant, the eunuch stood before the emperor. A slender sword appeared in his hand, its razor-sharp sword intent locking firmly onto the Silver Corpse.
The Silver Corpse's divine sense rippled. "This Daoist is Chi Xiaozi, deputy sect master of the Kunlun Sect. In the jianghu, I also bear the title Guo Bei Sword Saint."
Once divine sense reached perfection, one could transmit words directly into another's mind, though distance limited it.
"The Guo Bei Sword Saint from sixty years ago?"
Emperor Li Yu's eyes lit up. He knew Zhou Yi extremely well—or rather, the imperial family had kept special records of his travels.
Sixty years ago, the previous emperor had considered recruiting Zhou Yi, hoping that after the old prince's lifespan ran out, he could suppress the realm.
Unfortunately, news soon arrived that Zhou Yi had entered seclusion. Later came rumors that he had died young, so the emperor abandoned the thought of recruiting him.
"That is indeed this Daoist."
Controlling the Silver Corpse, Zhou Yi said, "Today, I saw that the Crown Prince is a fine piece of jade and destined for my Dao. I could not resist coming to see the Human Emperor. This Daoist is willing to accept the Crown Prince as a disciple and impart the great methods of immortality."
Li Yu did not dare put on airs before Zhou Yi. Rising to his feet, he said, "Why should the Sword Saint be so formal? I summoned all these True Men today precisely to choose a master for the Crown Prince."
"This Daoist differs from those people out front. What they seek is merely to spread their doctrines. Great Jing already has a Pu Du Ci Hang and shows three-tenths of the signs of a Buddhist kingdom. If there is another True Man Grand Tutor..."
Purple light flickered in the Silver Corpse's eyes. "Perhaps in a few decades, even the position of Human Emperor will require the investiture of the Buddhist and Daoist sects!"
"Presumptuous!"
The eunuch's expression changed. "Your Majesty, do not listen to this demonic Daoist's nonsense!"
Li Yu's face darkened, yet he did not refute him. "Great Companion Chu, True Person Chixiao is right. At least half the court officials have already turned to Pu Du Ci Hang. If another Daoist Grand Tutor comes along, how could I keep my seat secure?"
"Your Majesty, if that demonic monk dares harm Your Majesty, then even at the cost of my life, this servant will make sure he pays dearly!"
"Great Companion Chu, do not say such things. You and I are one, ruler and subject alike. Neither of us can be missing from Great Jing's realm!"
"With Your Majesty treating me thus, how could Chu Xiu fail to offer up his life?"
"I told you when I was still Crown Prince that we are no longer ruler and subject, but brothers!"
"Your Majesty..."
"Great Companion..."
"Cough, cough..."
Zhou Yi disliked mutual flattery and had not wanted to interrupt, but the two seemed inclined to continue.
"This Daoist has no interest in power, nor does he need Dragon Qi to extend his lifespan. So long as the Human Emperor agrees to provide cultivation resources in the future, that will suffice."
Li Yu's expression brightened. "Is what Daoist says true?"
"This Daoist is willing to swear upon his Dao heart that the court need only gather cultivation methods and Spirit Stones in the future. I shall take nothing else!"
"Daoist is truly an immortal! Zhu'er is gifted and intelligent; he is surely fated to be with you."
Li Yu suddenly frowned. "But there are many Buddhist and Daoist masters outside. As for you..."
Zhou Yi laughed soundlessly. His Majesty truly wanted the benefits without personally offending the Buddhist and Daoist powers.
He cherished his own safety in great matters. With such conduct, he could hardly bear Heaven's mandate!
Zhou Yi currently needed the court's support, so he did not fuss over it. There would be time to settle the score later.
"This Daoist will discuss it with several fellow cultivators. I trust they will not refuse."
As he spoke, the Silver Corpse leaped with a thunderous crash, smashing directly through the screen into the banquet ahead. It landed precisely where Ku Bu Luohan stood.
At the same time, Zhou Yi's true body tipped back and drained an entire jar of wine, then fell to the ground with a bang.
"What use is arguing? It still comes down to real skill! This seat is taking the position of Grand Tutor!"
Before his words finished, Zhou Yi soared into the air.
A True Essence sword appeared in his hand as he charged at Du E Luohan of Jinguang Temple.
A three-inch Dark Gold Flying Sword flashed like a streak of light, targeting Mingkong Arhat of Puzhao Temple.
"You thieving Daoist, how dare you!"
"Tai Yin, you shameless bastard!"
"Master, be careful!"
"..."
The ones shouting were all juniors. The three Arhats had already made their moves.
Once the Arhat Golden Body was activated, golden light radiated in all directions, dazzling and brilliant. It was even more capable of intimidating believers than Daoist True Men.
"Amitabha!"
Du E Luohan brought his hands together and caught the True Essence sword between them.
"Om—"
Pu Zhao uttered a Buddhist mantra, and the phantom of a Golden Buddha enveloped his body. The Black Gold Flying Sword struck again and again, yet could not break through.
"Roar—"
With an enraged roar, the Silver Corpse's body swelled to two zhang tall, its corpse claws reaching for Ku Bu Luohan's head.
Ku Bu Luohan's gaunt body expanded as though inflated, and he engaged the Silver Corpse in bare-handed combat.
The monks nearby had long since fled far away. When Innate Grandmasters fought, those below them would not withstand even a single move.
The Daoist side had four 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.
They exchanged glances and sighed.
"Fellow Daoists, let us strike together. We can discipline Tai Yin afterward!"
Guan Lan Zi was the first to act, flicking four array flags onto the ground—the Four Manifestations Demon Subduing Array.
Collapsing earth, icy frost, wind blades, and blazing flames surged together at the three Arhats.
Xuan Qing Zi was most skilled in Thunder Method. Forming a Hand Seal, he sent streak after streak of purple lightning crashing into the array.
Whether intentional or not, one bolt of lightning struck the Silver Corpse, leaving behind a charred mark.
True Person Taisu and True Person Taiyuan each controlled a flying sword, one green and one red, one wind and one fire.
Wind and fire swept through the field, leaving Pu Zhao Arhat and Du E Luohan in misery. These two Magical Artifacts had been passed down for ages and were famous throughout the world.
Zhou Yi freed up his hands and joined the Silver Corpse in attacking Ku Bu Luohan.
"Master, allow this seat to witness the Buddhist Sect's divine abilities!"
Silver Corpse!
Black Gold Sword!
Purple Sun Sword Qi!
All attacked at once!
Ku Bu Luohan opened his eyes, revealing two black, hollow sockets.
"If this humble monk has guessed correctly, in the past century, only one person has entered the Innate Realm through the sword Dao—the Guo Bei Sword Saint!"
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