Taiyi Dao Fruit

Jiang Li had always respected his teachers and his filial piety was commendable. The reason he visited his master's chambers three times was actually due to his unavoidable predicament.

He wanted to ask for some lifesaving techniques, lest he die before his endeavors had reached their halfway point.

What he never expected was that there was no need for him to be so anxious, as Elder Tianxuan would grant him the means to protect himself when he left, trying his best to ensure his safe return.

This was a bit embarrassing.

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was eventually resolved, and Jiang Li's filial intentions were never doubted. Embarrassing as it may be, it didn't matter much since Jiang Li's skin was thick enough.

"Thank you, Master," Jiang Li immediately expressed his gratitude.

Sigh—

A gentle breeze suddenly arose, and the wooden window of Elder Tianxuan's chamber slowly opened, revealing a figure as beautiful as a dream within the dim room, suddenly flickering.

That feeling, as if time had come to a standstill, happened again. Elder Tianxuan's figure made no movement but seemed to pass through the window sill like nothingness and appeared on the observatory.

Unlike her complicated robes during the day, Elder Tianxuan wore only a thin white gown at night, her black hair cascading down, fluttering in the wind. Her figure hovered a foot above the ground, not touching the mundane world, and floated over directly.

Jiang Li couldn't help but focus—

[It's confirmed that Master's bosom at night is not as exaggerated as it is during the day; she must have been padding.]

This line of text refreshed before his eyes, and Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and tears. His admiration for the goddess's beauty and slight fascination were swept away in an instant, all ripples and disturbances smoothed over.

At this moment, his gaze became as pure as the protagonist in those popular novels and stories, clear and devoid of any impure thoughts.

Elder Tianxuan drifted over and seeing Jiang Li's pure gaze, she praised his temperament internally. Perhaps it was precisely because of such a temperament that he had such a thick skin.

She slowly raised her hand, and her jade-like fingertips lightly touched the air. The brilliance of the stars emerged at her fingertips, evolving into mysterious and indescribable patterns.

"Each Sect has its own ways to protect its disciples. For example, in the Taiping Sect, the high-ranking members are all Dao Fruit Practitioners of Divine Attribute, who collect Faith Telekinesis on normal days and store it within the statues of gods in various places. Should a disciple encounter danger, they can recite the divine name to borrow this power to repel enemies. If they are near a fourth-grade expert, they can even request Divine Descent, though that usually renders the host body useless."

"And then there's the Upper Pure Sect, where the elders will personally draw talismans and embed them into the younger ones' bodies, integrating with their Divine Essence. Even if the Divine Essence is insufficient, it can still activate the talisman. This is one of the most common practices within the Mystic Sect."

As Elder Tianxuan spoke, the stars at her fingertips began to subtly form a Star Map, approaching Jiang Li like a talisman.

The grade of a talisman determines the consumption of activating it. Even if a talisman itself can store True Qi, ensuring a minimum level of power, if Divine Essence is insufficient, it will still be difficult to use. Forcing its activation would most likely deplete the user's Divine Essence and cause their soul to scatter.

Therefore, the predecessors came up with a method of nurturing talismans using bodies, discreetly drawing a bit of spiritual power daily, and nurturing it within the talisman, so that it can be activated directly when needed without excessive consumption.

Elder Tianxuan was using this method of nurturing talismans using bodies.

"Your talents are extraordinary, and your Divine Origin Cultivation far exceeds that of an ordinary Eighth Rank; even some Seventh Rank cultivators are not your match. You should be able to contain my three moves."

Drawing a star to create a talisman, the Star Battle manifested, "The first move is an attack technique, named 'Sun at Noon, Sunshine in the sky.'"

The talisman manifested a pattern of the sun, and with a gesture, it entered Jiang Li's forehead, bringing forth a warm, hot sensation in the Mud Ball Palace.

"The second move is a defensive technique, named 'Taiyin at Midnight, Water Clearing Gui E.'"

The pattern of the coldest and most yin star emerged and entered the forehead, standing in contrast with the Sun Qi, one cold and one hot, promoting and restraining each other.

"The third move is an escaping technique, named 'Life in Desolate Places, Unbeatable in Splendor'."

Star Battle patterns were drawn, and in the blink of an eye, a phantom talisman formed and merged into the glabella, appearing like a dream, a bubble, a shadow—granting a sense of the unreal, unlike the palpable presence of Taiyin and Taiyang.

However, the consumption within the body was very much real.

With the three moves absorbed within, Jiang Li felt that about a tenth of his Divine Essence had been cut away, while his Mud Ball Palace experienced a sensation of slight fullness, as if he had eaten until he was eighty percent full.

Three moves were Jiang Li's limit; any more would be too much.

"Remember, do not use these three moves against your equals in combat. Those from big Sects might also have moves given by their elders. And these are for saving your life. If used in skirmishes among peers, you'll have nothing left for when true danger comes," warned Elder Tianxuan.

"Also, after using the third move, regardless of whether the other two are still available, hurry back to the Sect immediately."

The third move was for saving one's life, and its use almost guaranteed survival. The first two moves, on the other hand, did not ensure enduring every threat.

Jiang Li took this to heart and sighed to himself—this was the feeling of security that came with having a strong backing.

As for those not from a big Sect, who didn't have such support...

Well, one could only hope they didn't encounter threats beyond their limits.

The world where great powers returned to oneself was desirable and also cruel; the higher one went, the greater the disparity in class. Hence Jiang Li seized every opportunity to climb higher and successfully latched onto Elder Tianxuan's powerful support.

"Thank you, Master," Jiang Li gave his thanks again.

"Mmh, go ahead."

After imparting the three moves, Elder Tianxuan had no intention of further conversation with this annoying disciple. With a light wave of her hand, an Invisible Power enveloped Jiang Li.

"Whoosh—"

The wind howled as Jiang Li was flung like a ball, flying around Xuanji Palace and finally crashing through the window into his room with a bang.

It seems that his thrice-repeated visits had somewhat irritated Elder Tianxuan.

And judging by Elder Tianxuan's disposition, she was typically direct with her retaliation, and Jiang Li had just tasted her form of revenge.

However, in comparison to what he had gained, such minor reprisal was nothing.

With these three life-saving moves, his safety outside the Sect was ensured, and a few tumbles meant nothing compared to one's life. Besides, his nightly visits to the Master's chambers brought additional gains; Jiang Li's Divination and talismanic magic skills had improved significantly.

The premise was that Elder Tianxuan would let go of her anger.

If she hadn't, the revenge was likely far from over.

Jiang Li rose from the ground, dusted off non-existent dirt from his clothes, contemplated a counterstrategy, but felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

Elder Tianxuan might remain awake without rest; Jiang Li had not yet reached that Realm. These past days had been thoroughly exhausting. His previous concerns for safety kept him alert, but now that he had life-saving methods, the tension eased, and sleepiness came.

[I am too tired to deal with this petty woman any longer. But if she keeps this up, let her not blame her disciple for being unfilial.]

After a last glance at the Karma Collection, Jiang Li fell onto the bed and drifted deep into slumber.