I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

Du Youqian’s direct approach took Li Yuheng by complete surprise. He found it absurd, and a wave of anger naturally began to brew within him.

However, he was a deeply shrewd man and merely smiled, not starting an argument with Du Youqian directly.

After an attendant brought them Spirit Tea, Du Youqian and Li Yuheng each took a few sips before Li Yuheng finally spoke, slowly and deliberately. "My sect serves as the garrison for the Wu Kingdom, a status decided by the Upper Sect. If, as you say, Fellow Daoist, you were to have the final say in all matters concerning the Wu Kingdom, never mind how our sect would position itself—the Upper Sect would never agree to it."

Du Youqian replied nonchalantly, "All affairs of the Wu Kingdom fall under the Chongzhen Sect’s purview. It was also the Chongzhen Sect that tasked the Shengxuan Sect with garrisoning the kingdom’s Mortal World. But the truth is, they can’t be bothered to worry about such things. No one up there really cares. Even if the Wu Imperial Family was replaced, they might not find out for a hundred years. So, as long as you don’t make a fuss, I’ll handle the Chongzhen Sect."

"As for your sect, I won’t touch your share of Human Dao Fortune. I will guarantee your Tripod Cauldron has enough Human Dao Fortune to hand over to the Chongzhen Sect. In return, you will turn a blind eye to my activities. It’s a win-win situation for all of us. You must understand, Fellow Daoist, while I don’t kill indiscriminately, ruining your operations would be a simple matter. I’m quite familiar with the mining areas and Gang Domains you garrison, you know."

"This..." Li Yuheng was lost in thought.

The implications of Du Youqian’s words were terrifying upon closer reflection.

The man’s familiarity with the Chongzhen Sect, the operational mechanics of a sect, and even the obscure flow of Human Dao Fortune was frankly appalling.

’Could he truly have a Core Formation Elder Monster backing him?’

’No wonder he’s so brazen.’

If that were true, the Shengxuan Sect would have to adjust its stance.

In the end, these were just the messy affairs of the mortal world; the Shengxuan Sect wasn’t overly concerned with them. They just didn’t want to lose face.

But if the man truly had a Core Formation Elder Monster behind him, then losing face was no longer an issue for the Shengxuan Sect.

The Shengxuan Sect was only a Fourth Class Sect. The entire sect combined could not withstand the might of a single Core Formation Elder Monster.

Bowing to a Core Formation Elder Monster was no disgrace.

Seeing that he was wavering, Du Youqian decided to strike while the iron was hot. He smiled. "I’m actually quite looking forward to meeting your Supreme Elder, Yi Huai’an. How about this, Fellow Daoist Li? You don’t need to make a decision right away. We can talk again after I’ve met with Elder Yi."

Though he didn’t state it explicitly, his meaning was obvious: he wanted to spar with Yi Huai’an and demonstrate his power.

Li Yuheng naturally understood. He remained noncommittal, simply smiling and remarking, "Your Spirit Tea is truly extraordinary."

"Feel free to take some with you when you leave, Fellow Daoist Li."

Li Yuheng left after sitting for a little while longer.

Given his rational attitude, he was unlikely to deliberately stir up trouble.

The Shengxuan Sect would not cede control of the Wu Kingdom so easily, but as long as Du Youqian didn’t push things too far, they certainly didn’t want to shed blood over the matter.

Of course, some necessary probing was unavoidable.

’I can’t just hand over my turf because you say the Wu Kingdom is under your protection from now on. How could I show my face in the Jianghu after that?’

’If you want me to submit, you’d better show me some real skill.’

So, Du Youqian settled in the capital, waiting for Yi Huai’an to arrive for their spar. He hadn’t gone out to perform any rain prayers or disaster averting rituals recently.

But not performing rituals didn’t mean he was idle.

In fact, to be a successful National Guardian Celestial Master, one had to maintain a firm grip on public opinion.

After all, most of the work performed by a National Guardian Celestial Master was intangible.

Even after he had successfully prayed for rain and averted disasters so many times, some people still felt this wet-behind-the-ears kid was just getting lucky.

This was a source of great irritation for Du Youqian. ’Seriously, every time I have to pray for rain or avert a disaster, I have to fast, bathe, put on a whole performance, and even conduct precise Divination. Do you have any idea how much work that is?’

With a Celestial Master as young as Du Youqian, never mind what the officials at court thought, even the common people had their reservations.

There was a common saying: "No hair on his chin, no work you can trust him in." People would mutter, ’This Celestial Master looks younger than my own fool of a son. He couldn’t be a fraud, could he?’

Sentiments like these spread far and wide.

Du Youqian, of course, didn’t bother with censorship.

Silencing the masses is more difficult than damming a river.

The more you forbid people from speaking, the more viciously the rumors spread.

So, he decided to create the rumors himself.

He spent several months cultivating his own team and sent them out to manage a propaganda campaign.

Before long, all sorts of rumors were circulating through the streets and alleys of the Wu Kingdom’s cities, and they soon began to spread into the countryside.

"The Celestial Master is an Immortal who descended to the mortal realm. He’s an Immortal, so how could he possibly grow old?"

"Did you hear? The Celestial Master is actually over a thousand years old. He’s a terrestrial Immortal, so naturally he doesn’t age like us Mortals. Man, I’m so jealous!"

"If you worship the Celestial Master with a sincere heart, he’ll arrange for a Celestial Maiden to visit you in your dreams. Not only can you enjoy a night of passion with her, but she’ll also teach you the secret arts of cherishing your fortune, cultivating your health, and extending your lifespan."

"I heard that even though the Celestial Master is over a thousand years old, he’s still strong and full of vigor, able to pleasure several women a night. His Celestial Master’s Mansion is hiding dozens of them—Commandery Princesses, regular Princesses, Noble Ladies, beautiful Daoist Nuns... They have orgies every single night."

...It must be said, that last rumor was genuinely not one Du Youqian had arranged himself.

Du Youqian figured it would be at least a year or so before Yi Huai’an showed up.

After all, he was a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator; a casual closed-door cultivation session could easily take a few years.

Besides, although this matter was important, what could possibly be more important to a Cultivator than their own path on the Dao?

In the end... he waited for three years before Yi Huai’an finally made his belated appearance.

Over those three years, Du Youqian’s Cultivation hadn’t advanced very quickly. He had only reached the Foundation Establishment Third Layer.

This was mainly due to the limitations of Human Dao Fortune. Furthermore, the Body Refining Treasures he had collected in his previous life were more suited for the Middle and Late Stages of Foundation Establishment; he had relatively few for the Early Stage.

Du Youqian intentionally controlled his Cultivation progress in order to push his Physique to the absolute limit of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage before breaking through to the Middle Stage.

Over the past three years, Du Youqian had also been steadily extending his influence, seeking supporters among both the Civil Servant and Nobility factions.

For the political animals, he promised bright political futures.

For the ambitious, he provided the space to showcase their talents.

For the sentimental, a dose of Fetus-Protecting Medicine or a Water Pill that allowed a frail, terminally ill elder to rise from their deathbed was a small, effortless gift for Du Youqian. Yet, for the recipients, it was a kindness that moved them to tears of gratitude.

For those who were unyielding... there was the Enchantment Art and the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. Different versions, brand-new experiences—there was always one that would suit their needs.

In the rear courtyards of the Imperial Palace, countless members of the Imperial Family and their relatives were indebted to Du Youqian for his favors.

Meanwhile, the common people had come to worship him as a god, thanks to his years of unfailingly accurate rituals and the relentless propaganda campaign.

Du Youqian was drawing on the advanced experience of rebels from Earth who had risen up in the name of religion, like the Yellow Turban Army and the White Lotus Sect.

The only difference was that Zhang Jiao’s Spirit Talisman Water was a fraud—nothing more than a placebo.

Du Youqian’s Spirit Talisman Water, on the other hand, actually had something to it...

As for the few Shengxuan Sect Guardian Disciples stationed in the Imperial Palace, they were even less of a concern.

Who had ever seen a Qi Cultivation Stage disciple dare to talk back to a great Foundation Establishment Cultivator?

Even Du Suxin, who was nominally his sister-in-law, was like a mouse before a cat in his presence—respectful, polite, and not daring to raise her voice.

In their capacity as guardians, the Shengxuan Sect disciples had turned a blind eye to all of Du Youqian’s meddling in court affairs over the past three years, including his use of the Enchantment Art to "handle" disobedient officials.

The most notorious incident occurred last year, shaking the entire nation. The Vice Head of the Cabinet had spontaneously confessed to his own crimes during a grand court assembly. He was subsequently interrogated by the Three Judicial Offices, stripped of his post, exiled, and ultimately died on the road.

This Vice Head of the Cabinet had suddenly stepped forward during the assembly and loudly repented. His confession covered everything: from doctoring memorials to deceive the emperor, conspiring to falsely accuse other ministers, and embezzling disaster relief funds, all the way down to accepting the sexual favors of his subordinates’ wives, taking gifts from merchants, having an affair with his widowed sister-in-law, and using his power during a regional posting to frame the innocent and steal other men’s wives...

The court was thrown into turmoil, with everyone assuming the Vice Head of the Cabinet had lost his mind.

Emperor Shunde feigned great fury, ordering the Three Judicial Offices to begin a trial and the Jinyiwei to investigate. Ultimately, every single accusation was proven true.

The Shengxuan Sect’s Guardian Disciples knew perfectly well that this was just a small trick performed by the National Guardian Celestial Master. He had used his Enchantment Art to make the Vice Head of the Cabinet spill his guts at the assembly.

Toward such a clearly forbidden act, the Shengxuan Sect disciples had all suddenly gone blind and deaf.

After three years, Du Youqian’s position as Celestial Master was as solid as a fortress.

No one in the entire court dared oppose him. The officials who now openly impeached him were merely following his orders, creating a false front of opposition to bait his true enemies.

To put it bluntly, if Emperor Shunde wanted to replace him now, Du Youqian wouldn’t even have to lift a finger—countless others would step in to urge the emperor to reconsider.

So, although Yi Huai’an had taken his time getting there, the wait had not been difficult for Du Youqian to endure.

"Greetings, Master Baili. I trust you have been well?"

Yi Huai’an was an old man with a full head of white hair and a matching beard, though his skin was still surprisingly well-preserved.

At his age, he had no hope of reaching Core Formation in this lifetime; his Life Force was already in decline.

However, one could tell he had a good disposition and was able to face this fact with composure.

Seeing his courteous demeanor, Du Youqian was not one to strike a smiling face. He responded in kind, "I am very well. Elder Yi, please have a seat. Qingfeng, serve the tea."

The two of them took their seats as host and guest in the Grass Tower Temple. Du Youqian got straight to the point. "Elder Yi, have you come to a decision?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!