Taiyi Dao Fruit

The next morning, Jiang Li woke up.

After a night's rest, he felt refreshed and full of energy, thinking that even if the scenario of visiting the lady's boudoir thrice were to be enacted again, it would be no trouble at all.

However, considering the serious matters at hand, Jiang Li thought it best to temporarily set aside his addiction to learning and start dealing with the affairs of the Jiang's branch family.

After freshening up, Jiang Li did not immediately seek leave from his master but instead went straight to find his senior sister, who had been almost nonexistent these past few days.

As a wealthy senior sister, she could ensure that they would have no worries about expenses on the road, and as a wealthy senior sister with connections, she could guarantee that Jiang Li would have people to rely on and power to borrow from once outside the Sect.

So, what was there to hesitate about?

Why not invite senior sister to travel together?

Thus, fifteen minutes later, in the small pavilion outside Xuanji Palace, Gongsun Qingyue leaned against a pillar, toying with her fingers, her face full of playful amusement, "Beg me."

It was rare to see Jiang Li seeking help from someone, and naturally, Gongsun Qingyue was not going to let this opportunity slip by; she would not bear the name Gongsun if she did not peel a layer off this petty man.

Begging was just the beginning, next, he would have his fill.

However, since Jiang Li sought out Gongsun Qingyue, he naturally came prepared.

With a slight smile and a subtle movement of lips, he employed a secret sound transmission technique to say, "I have Master's weakness in my hands."

"Hmm?" Gongsun Qingyue straightened up, her eyes seemingly sparkling with light.

She scanned the surroundings inconspicuously, ensuring no one was listening, before eagerly asking via sound transmission, "Really?"

"I vouch for it with my reputation, there's absolutely no falsehood."

"You don't have a damn reputation."

That said, Gongsun Qingyue still believed Jiang Li wouldn't aimlessly shoot his arrow, and moreover, having long suffered under Elder Tianxuan, she wouldn't let go of this opportunity when it presented itself.

"Let's hear it," Gongsun Qingyue communicated through sound transmission.

"Beg me," Jiang Li replied succinctly.

The tide was turned; the guest became the host.

Gongsun Qingyue was not pleased to lose control, but the weakness of Tianxuan was too tempting.

After weighing her options repeatedly and hesitating for a full three breaths, she couldn't help but say, "Junior Brother, I beg you~"

By the end of her speech, Gongsun Qingyue's face was flushed, and her voice, due to shyness, was irresistibly soft and delicate, like a spring of water, rippling with touching whirls.

It just goes to show that once you soften up, even the hardest mouth can turn soft.

Jiang Li could even double down on the attack and pursue the victory, letting senior sister taste the junior brother's prowess. However, considering the need to tap into Gongsun Qingyue's power, this idea had to be put on hold for the moment.

Moreover, having senior sister contend with master, like using one to consume another—an encouraging spectate—was also a great joy.

So, Jiang Li did not play any more games. Through a secret sound transmission, he informed senior sister of the only weakness of the perfect master that had been exposed.

Gongsun Qingyue listened with great excitement, almost unable to resist going straight to Tianxuan and asking, "Is my sword sharp?"

'No, I must not be too impatient; this is the only chance and must not fail.'

Gongsun Qingyue cautioned herself in her heart, barely managing to suppress the urge to draw her sword against her master.

'If I strike, it must be accurate at once, leaving no room for her to counter... and furthermore...'

Her gaze flicked over Jiang Li, Gongsun Qingyue's eyes conveying a profound sentiment, 'I cannot give him the chance to gloat.'

The Master's Sword still needed honing, and the counterattack strategy required long-term planning. Gongsun Qingyue decided to wait until she returned to the Sect before reporting to her master, Tianxuan Sword.

Thus, Gongsun Qingyue, settled.

With her greatest support included in the team, if she were there, one wouldn't need to worry about much else; the court's Divine Travel Grand Protector could be directly summoned. In this way, even if they encountered enemies above their own Grade, it might not be necessary to use lifesaving trump cards.

In summary, in two words, it meant—safety.

Then, pick two errand-runners from the Jiang Family Disciples. One shall be Luu Wangji, having this former enemy promote Innate Qi. Another one, Jiang Luo, to witness the consolidation of the Jiang's branch family and incidentally begin cultivating Jiang family's Cultivation Techniques so that Jiang Li can help him develop Innate Qi.

With the team formed, Jiang Li planned to ask his master for leave. However, just as he entered Xuanji Palace, a female Disciple rushed to report that Elder Tianxuan already knew and instructed Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue to go directly.

"Three days ago, my master left me with three moves..." Gongsun Qingyue paused in surprise upon hearing this, her heart filled with both astonishment and discontent.

Did her master really think she was completely committed to going with Jiang Li? Absolutely certain that she would leave with him?

Thinking about it realistically, it was indeed so, and she had lost again this time.

'But, Master, did you calculate that your weakness would be exposed?' Gongsun Qingyue pondered this thought in her heart.

...

...

Prepare luggage, pack supplies, say farewells to acquaintances like the Elders Wan and Yun, then gather the team; four people ready to depart.

Unexpectedly, just as they arrived at the ferry crossing, they heard calls from behind, a familiar figure hurrying over.

"Junior Brother, wait for me."

Qi Changsheng ran over, shouting loudly, disheveled, and dirty faced—apparently having experienced some ordeal.

"Senior Brother Qi, what's this..." Jiang Li quickly noticed the slight disorder in the fire energy, "Artifact Refining failure?"

Qi Changsheng had been focused on forging a Seventh-grade Magical Artifact lately, aiming to advance to a seventh-grade artifact refiner; he even missed Jiang Li's apprenticeship ceremony.

Jiang Li thought that he wouldn't be able to bid farewell to Qi Changsheng this time as he left the Sect, but it turned out that Qi Changsheng had already emerged from seclusion.

"I succeeded."

Qi Changsheng hurriedly stopped, then gasping for breath, said, "But I accidentally collapsed the Artifact Refining Room while testing the Magic Artifact, and now a brother from the Artifact Pavilion is heading to Yuheng Hall to find the Law Enforcement Disciples."

"Junior Brother, you're about to leave, right? Take me with you."

Collapsing the Artifact Refining Room was a minor issue; compensation was the major concern.

For his promotion, Qi Changsheng had already spent all his earnings from selling Spring Palace Storybooks, leaving him utterly insolvent. If caught, he would face confinement first, then the Law Enforcement Disciples would assign him a mission that he must execute.

And these missions were often troublesome or dangerous, generally ones that Disciples were reluctant to take on; Qi Changsheng was certainly not keen on filling that pit.

"Junior Brother, I know how to earn good deeds; just give me some time, so..."

Qi Changsheng clung to Jiang Li, "Junior Brother, take me with you."

Crying loudly, he looked as if he would weep himself to death right there if Jiang Li refused to take him.

So, what could Jiang Li say?

Of course, he took him with him.

Being a seventh-grade artifact refiner might not enhance combat capability like a Dao Fruit, but having achieved that Realm surely counted for something. Taking him along could be useful at some point.

[How convenient.]

Jiang Li's gaze drifted past the text before him, taking one last look at the Sect, his eyes sweeping across the Seven Halls before turning around to embark on the journey.