Taiyi Dao Fruit

The grand doors of the Tianxuan Hall, never opened to outsiders, slowly swung open as the youth walked inside, and immediately laid eyes on Jiang Li, who stood with his back to him, head raised admiring the stars.

Inside the Tianxuan Hall, it was as if night had fallen in the middle of the day, with stars arrayed as though one truly stood beneath the starry sky. Jiang Li, with his head held high to observe the stars, emanated an aura of lofty ambition that involuntarily instilled a sense of awe in the observers.

"It was with great difficulty that you escaped death, yet you came to see me of your own accord, Luu Wangji. Are you tired of living?" Jiang Li spoke nonchalantly.

After becoming teacher and student, Elder Tianxuan no longer concealed certain matters from Jiang Li.

For instance, the fact that Luu Wangji was still alive was shared with Jiang Li, not only to make him aware of the situation but also to let him know that his master was genuinely good, unlike Elder Tianpeng who still secretly spared the enemy's life.

As he spoke, Jiang Li slowly turned around, and in his slightly gold-flecked pupils, arcane truths began to reveal themselves. Under his direct gaze, Luu Wangji suddenly felt a suffocating discomfort.

Though both men were of the Eighth Rank, the disparity in power between them was like a chasm, vast enough to drive one to despair.

Luu Wangji, after some effort, suppressed the panic in his heart and looked Jiang Li in the eyes, saying, "It's true, I don't wish to live, which is why I've come to find you, to ask you."

A man who does not fear death has nothing to fear, and at least for now, that was the case for Luu Wangji.

He took a step forward, facing that oppressive gaze, and raised his voice, "The Third Young Master is dead, and the disciples of the Jiang family who remained within the Sect now all pledge loyalty to you. However, these disciples do not fully represent the wishes of the various branch families. Jiang Li, how do you plan on dealing with the branch families?"

His Qi Mechanism began to quicken, not out of fear for his own life, but because he was concerned about the fate of the branch families.

Jiang Li observed this change and a smile curled at the corner of his mouth, "Interesting, do you think I will use the power of the Sect to deal with them harshly? Luu Wangji, your surname is Luu, it must be quite awkward for you within the Jiang family. Why do you care so much about the clan?"

It was presumed that Luu Wangji was a false name adopted for disguise, but after he revealed his true identity, investigations by the Sect revealed it to be his real name.

Within the major house of the Jiang family, if someone committed a grave error, they would be stripped of their name by the Clan Elders and forced to take the surname Luu as a penalty.

Additionally, children born out of wedlock were not permitted to enter the family genealogy, nor to bear the surname Jiang, and were to take the surname Luu instead.

Elder Tianpeng was a case of the former, whereas Luu Wangji was the latter.

One must admit, the great clans had strict rules even for the surnames of illegitimate children; they played the game with considerable panache.

Luu Wangji's name did not appear in the genealogy of the Jiang clan. If Luu Wangji were to sever his ties of Qi Shu with the Jiang family, then he would become a clean ordinary person.

And yet, this illegitimate son was quite loyal to the Jiang family.

"Is it because—"

Jiang Li moved a step forward, "Although an illegitimate child, you were treated favorably in secret?"

There was no significant fluctuation in Qi Mechanism; not right.

"No, although you opened the Second Qi Sea, you actually did not cultivate Innate Qi; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to defeat you before. Your Second Qi Sea must have been opened by Jiang Zhuyun to win your heart."

The Qi Mechanism grew urgent; it seems he had guessed correctly.

"You are an illegitimate child, so you were fostered in a branch family. This branch family should be located near the Divine Capital, loyal to the main house, hence you were educated to be loyal to the main family."

"But you are not a blindly loyal fool; otherwise, even with protection, my teacher would not have allowed you to live. The branch family that truly raised you—"

Observing his Qi to scrutinize his heart, under the Emperor's Qi Observation Skill and Jiang Li's continuous verbal tactics, even Luu Wangji, who was a fine figure among men, found himself defenseless; his thoughts unraveled layer by layer, fully exposed before Jiang Li's eyes.

As Jiang Li advanced step by step, Luu Wangji also began to retreat unconsciously, with fine beads of cold sweat quietly forming on his forehead.

He had come here prepared to sacrifice his life, fearing nothing, but now, fear was taking root, sprouting, and growing in his heart.

"You believe that the return of the Jiang Family Head can improve the situation of the branch families, but now, the one who truly has the power to decide the fate of the branch families is me, so you sought me out."

Suddenly, Jiang Li's figure flashed like a Divine Dragon soaring through the sky, his movement so fast it was unbelievable, appearing behind Luu Wangji in the blink of an eye.

The marks of talisman on his legs flickered, boosting his speed to be as swift as a startled swan.

"You want to know my thoughts, if I were to forcefully subjugate the branch families, you would die at my hands, thereby creating friction between Elder Tianpeng and me."

Luu Wangji heard and struck out with his palm, pushing backward with a reverse strike, unleashing the explosive repelling force of the Controlled Cranes Skill, sending a surge of robust True Qi forth.

However, Jiang Li's body instantly manifested Primordial Qi flowing like water; the tumultuous True Qi collided and instantly dissipated, continuously refined by the Innate Qi.

Jiang Li struck out with one hand, blocking Luu Wangji's turn, and then placed his palm on his shoulder, pressing down with irresistible force. Luu Wangji had no power to fight back and was forced to kneel on one knee.

Outmatched in True Qi, even his physical strength was inferior—his Divine Body, with two Divine Attribute Dao Fruits' abilities, was now no match for Jiang Li.

He himself was enhanced by the Dual Cultivation of Life and Spirit, with a perfect balance of the Three Elements, and had begun to practice the Yinglong Transformation. The strength of his body had been unlocked, and although Luu Wangji was a Martial Cultivator, he was unable to compete with Jiang Li now.

"You!"

His True Qi crushed, his strength suppressed, Luu Wangji, filled with shock and anger, immediately intended to sever his own meridians, hoping to achieve his goal.

But as soon as the thought arose, Innate Qi had already crazily poured in from the shoulder acupoint, instantly suppressing his power and sealing his meridians.

"You have two misconceptions about me."

As Jiang Li infused him with Innate Qi, he spoke, "Firstly, in front of me, you do not have the privilege to take your own life, so don't be so reckless next time. Secondly, I always advocate winning people over with virtue, to refrain from killing if possible and not resorting to violence against the branch families unless absolutely necessary. Now, as for how to subjugate the branch families—"

The surging Innate Qi rushed back into Luu Wangji's Lower Dantian, merging with Luu Wangji's True Qi just as it had with Jiang Zhuyun's powers on a previous day, but this time, the Innate Qi was aiding in tempering Luu Wangji's Qi.

"I've said that there is no distinction between higher and lower within our branch families, both in status and in cultivation techniques. Innate Qi should not be exclusive to the main family."

Luu Wangji himself had some understanding of the Qi Tomb's fundamentals, and though he hadn't cultivated Innate Qi, he already had a foundation. With Jiang Li's assistance, his True Qi constantly condensed and was transforming towards a liquid state, gradually taking on the rudiments of Innate Qi.

Sharing Innate Qi was Jiang Li's method of winning over the branch families.

No member of the Jiang Clan could resist the allure of Innate Qi; not even the former Jiang Li, let alone others.

Nor would any clan member who had shared Innate Qi betray Jiang Li, because this Innate Qi was cultivated with his help.

'My plan is indeed feasible. With my assistance, those who practice the Jiang family's Cultivation Techniques can cultivate a lower-grade version of Innate Qi. And since their Innate Qi originates from me, as long as I circulate my Qi...'

Luu Wangji's rapidly transforming Qi experienced a momentary pause.

'They would be utterly powerless to resist.'