Using the National Fate True Dragon to suppress the spiritual qi might work—but only temporarily.
It was not a permanent solution.
The True Dragon represented the foundation of the nation's fate—it couldn't be dispatched over and over without consequences.
"The True Dragon may be able to suppress the spiritual qi once or twice,but it's not sustainable.
We must find a long-term solution."
Yi Tianxing shook his head, expression solemn.
This matter of living spiritual qi was far more dangerous than it appeared.
"There is… one method,"Liu Bowen stepped forward, hesitating slightly."I possess a divine ability—Dragon-Slaying Art.
Once a spiritual vein gains sentience, it can break free of its bindings,soar into the sky, and transform into a true dragon.
I can use the Dragon-Slaying Art to strike it down,severing the will within the vein and returning it to normal."
But the price of such an art… was enormous.
Dragon-slaying meant destroying a child of Heaven.
Once a spiritual vein gained sentience and transformed into a dragon, it was considered Heaven's own.
To kill such a being meant bearing enormous karmic backlash.
It was said in history that Liu Bowen's tragic fate stemmed precisely from using this forbidden technique—he had incurred Heaven's wrath, and doom had followed.
"What are the taboos of the Dragon-Slaying Art?"Yi Tianxing asked, frowning slightly.
He knew the history well.
The backlash of slaying a spiritual dragon could be swift and fatal—even a moment of weakness could mean instant death or a lifetime of misfortune.
"It must only be used after the spiritual vein has fully transformed into a dragon,"Liu Bowen explained."Also, the spiritual veins of Great Yi are many—
even if I use the art, I cannot possibly attend to them all."
"That's too slow."Yi Tianxing shook his head."We can't afford long-term spiritual depletion.
And your life, Liu Bowen, is more important than any technique.
We'll find another way."
"Your Majesty,"Zhuge Liang now stepped forward,"I may have an idea."
"Speak, Kongming,"Yi Tianxing nodded.
"I've studied ancient texts," Zhuge Liang began,"In the era of the Heavenly Court, it was common to enfeoff local deities—mountain gods, river gods, earth spirits, and city guardians.
These terrestrial deities held power over spiritual veins in their territories,and could suppress rebellious spiritual energy.
If we do the same in Great Yi,we may be able to keep the spiritual veins under control."
These terrestrial deities had the role of regulating the qi of Heaven and Earth.
By enfeoffing such gods, the Great Yi could harness their divine authority to suppress or purify the will of spiritual veins.
It wasn't guaranteed—but it was plausible.
"But…"Xun Yu (Xi Zhicai) frowned."Isn't this contrary to Great Yi's doctrine?"
"Our people follow self-reliance—they do not pray to gods or buddhas.
If we enfeoff these deities, we'll need to build temples,and encourage the people to worship them.
That could weaken our cultural foundation."
If people could rely on gods for blessings, what motivation would they have to cultivate strength themselves?
And if prayers were useless—then what was the point of gods at all?
Great Yi taught that every man is a dragon, and strength came from within.
Letting the people rely on outside powers would lead to sloth, decay, and eventual collapse.
"That's why we won't allow public worship,"Zhuge Liang replied with a faint smile."These deities will not have temples.There will be no incense, no altars.
They will be appointed officials, under Great Yi's control.
All worship and willpower will come from official channels—they will serve only the empire, not the people.
They will be gods—but state gods—tools of governance, not faith."
If the gods received their divine merit and offerings directly from the imperial court,and the people never prayed to them directly,then the risk to the people's faith was negligible.
The gods would simply become another arm of state control.
"Moreover," Zhuge Liang continued,"in this time of living spiritual qi, when all things gain consciousness,it's the perfect time to enfeoff divine spirits.
They'll be bound to the Fengshen List (List of Gods).
If any god defies us, we can strike them down at will."
This could help Great Yi extend its reach into the wild territories—where mortal cultivators couldn't easily go.
If mountain gods and earth spirits governed the untamed wilds,they could serve as watchful eyes, enforcing the empire's will beyond its borders.
"That… might work."Xi Zhicai nodded after some thought.
If the people weren't required to worship, and the gods were fully dependent on the state,then this might actually strengthen Great Yi.
It would fill in a gap in the imperial system, fortifying every mountain and river.
"Liu Bowen, what's your view?"Yi Tianxing asked.
"Your Majesty," Liu Bowen replied,"I agree.
This approach poses no danger to us,and may enhance our control over the realm.
However, we should avoid enfeoffing city gods (Chenghuang)—they're too closely tied to mortal souls and karma."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
"Very well.
If this method works, all is well.
If not, we'll seek another solution."
He raised his hand—
And in the air, a divine light descended.
Within it hovered the Fengshen List (List of Gods).
**"By decree—
Gather the essence of rivers, mountains, and the land itself."**
The Fengshen List rose into the sky, appearing high above Xuanhuang City.
It radiated divine light that swept across the entire empire.
The order echoed throughout all five Great Domains, audible to every living being.
And then, the phenomenon began.
From every mountain, every river, every wilderness—
Wisps of spiritual essence began to rise, flowing into the sky like billions of fireflies.
They surged toward the Fengshen List, merging into its divine light.
"What's going on!?"
"That's the Holy King's voice!"
"Is that… the List of Gods? What's it doing with mountain and river spirits!?"
It wasn't just qi—it was the soul of the land itself.
At the Hydra Base…
The massive surge of divine energy in Great Yi couldn't possibly be hidden from Hydra.
They saw it almost immediately.
"He's using the Fengshen List to absorb the spirits of the land…"the green-robed man murmured."This isn't just suppression—He's trying to enfeoff the land itself."
"He's actually going to seal gods!"The red-robed one's eyes widened.
"That's insane.
Enfeoffing gods consumes national fate—a heavy toll.
If he keeps this up, it'll drag the entire empire into exhaustion!"
"Not to mention," said the white-robed figure,"Gods require faith and offerings.
Where will Great Yi get the willpower to sustain them all?"
"Terrifying…"Red-robed muttered."They're actually turning this disaster into an opportunity.
If this works… it'll make Great Yi stronger than ever."
"Old Green," he turned to the green-robed one,"will this work? Could it undo our plan?"
"I don't know."Green-robed shook his head."It's the first time such a method has been used.No one knows what will happen next."
But whether it worked or not, they couldn't stop it now.
All they could do was watch—and pray it failed.
"By decree: reduce national fate—condense Divine Seals!"
Yi Tianxing's voice echoed again.
Above the Fengshen List, a massive seven-clawed golden dragon, over two thousand meters long, emerged.
It opened its mouth—
And spat out a wave of golden light, pouring into the Fengshen List.
The dragon's body began to shrink, visible to the naked eye.
The national fate was being drawn away—sacrificed to power the divine enfeoffment.