Taiyi Dao Fruit

The Jiang Family had once wielded considerable influence over the court and the field, with numerous officials among its ranks, particularly those from the branch families spread throughout the various provinces, prefectures, and counties.

However, the royal court's Dao Fruits had flaws, and if the Royal Family wanted to deal with a particular official, no matter how extraordinary the cultivation of that official was, it made no difference – they were just like any other person. Therefore, after the main family had relocated overseas, the majority of the branch family members resigned from their official posts, and now, one could still see a group of former officials within the branch families, possessing realms but lacking real power.

As bearers of the Earth God Dao Fruit, they had lost their cultivation upon leaving their respective Divine Domains, which were the territories under their rule previously, now reassigned to new officials by the court. Unless they could somehow eliminate the new officials and return to their previous positions, a recovery was impossible.

Yet, some did not choose to resign but persisted in their roles out of loyalty to the Sovereign and love for their country – put another way – they had betrayed [their family].

These individuals continued to serve as court officials. The current Prefectural Governor of Fufeng County from the Jiang Family, Jiang Zhaoyi, was one of them.

This was one category.

There were also members of the branch families who still held onto the thought of their main family, working for the main family's return.

This was another category.

This group had formerly made up the majority and included those from the Jiang Family who had joined the Dinghu Sect. But with the main family's departure, the branch families faced repression, especially this category, which suffered the most. After being harshly dealt with, many recognized the harsh reality and some even chose to change their surnames and hide away – now they constituted but a minority.

The remainder could be divided into two categories: one, those who wanted to band together to survive and carry on; and the other, those with relatively intact strength aiming to absorb the other branch families.

The penultimate group could be considered Jiang Li's covert allies – once they confirmed Jiang Li was truly committed, they would follow him.

The last group could actually be referred to as one family: the Jiangs of Qi Mountain in Yong Province, the fifty-sixth branch family, who had lived for generations in Yong Province, guarding their ancestral land. This lineage's ability to take root in Yong Province, a place notorious for producing rebels, signified formidable strength, and due to the complex local terrain, they managed to preserve quite a bit of their power without suffering too many losses.

The "degenerate" Jiang Yang referred to was this very family, who had been actively trying to absorb other branch families over the past two years.

"Relying on a Fifth Rank in the Qi Mountain branch family, they wish to pursue a course of absorption. I believe it's this family that's been blocking the news," Jiang Yang said indignantly.

"Fifth Rank?" Jiang Li muttered to himself.

Don't look at the many powerful figures within the Sect, with even six Fourth-Rank individuals, but in the grand scheme of the world, Seventh Rank and Sixth Rank were the mainstream. Even including the older and much older generations, Seventh and Sixth Rank remained mainstream.

As for the Fifth Rank, the Dao Fruits of the Fifth Rank and above were numbered. According to ancient Sect records, from Fifth to First Rank, all the Dao Fruits together only amounted to three thousand. In other words, even the weakest Fifth Rank could still be ranked among the top three thousand among the countless living creatures in the world.

Having a Fifth Rank within the Qi Mountain branch family meant it was currently top-tier among the Jiang branch families.

"I remember Qi Mountain is within Fufeng County, right?" asked Jiang Li.

"Of course, it's within Fufeng County, not far from Jiang Shui," Gongsun Qing Yue spoke, "When the Jiang Family left their ancestral land, it was at Qi Mountain that they formed an alliance with the Ji Family."

"That's perfect," Jiang Li said with a smile.

······

······

Continuing along the official road, the horse-drawn carriage moved forward for about twenty li, when mountains and ravines appeared en masse, and amidst the peaks lay a small yet bustling county town.

Even in the midst of a drought, Qi Mountain County remained bustling. A river known as "Seven Stars" flowed through the town, becoming the lifeline for the surrounding villages and towns. The town was so crowded that it was difficult for the carriage to make way.

Jiang Li quietly got out of the carriage, his bright red vestment robe which should have been the most eye-catching color drew no attention at all at this time. He moved through the crowd like a ghost heading toward the residence of the Qi Mountain Jiang's branch family.

Without needing to ask anyone, just following the warm wind to the coolest place in the city, there lay the residence of the Qi Mountain Jiang Family.

Jiang Li didn't take any detours and arrived directly in front of Jiang Mansion's gate.

As he approached the estate, the scorching summer heat seemed to diminish, and a cool sensation was as if still before the onset of summer.

The drought was a big challenge for ordinary folks, but for the families of higher standing, it was merely a trivial concern. With cultivators among them, with various Dao Fruit Abilities, there was no need to worry too much about the temperature inside the residences or the harvest in the fields.

At the entrance of Jiang Mansion, six sturdy servants guarded the gate; their vigorous essence energy showed they were martial artists with some achievements. The one leading them had essence energy that surpassed the ordinary limits – clearly a Ninth Rank Cultivator.

It was unknown which Dao Fruit this cultivator bore.

Jiang Li glanced at the leading servant, his figure flickering like a shadow, suddenly passing through the gate.

He shifted his presence several times, weaving into the weak spots of the six guards' vision. Although he passed right by their side, to those six, it seemed just like a gentle breeze, even bringing them a bit of coolness.

Entering through the main gate, the estate was patrolled by household guards whose orderly steps showed disciplined training, a clear indication that they were prepared to defend against external enemies.

But this was only enough to fend off average cultivators.

Jiang Li traversed the estate silently, like an invisible ghost, not alerting anyone. Mysterious patterns appeared in his eyes, discerning the Qi Mechanism, seeking the strongest presence within the house.

After winding through seven turns and eight bends, Jiang Li arrived at the side of the back main house. His gaze fell on the roof, the reflection in his eye revealed a red Qi Shu and a faint trace of fire attribute.

Wood Element Techniques and Fire Attribute cultivation were mainstream within the Jiang Family, especially among the branch families, which primarily practiced these two types of cultivation. On the contrary, the main family, due to the malleable nature of their Innate Qi, presented a diversity of cultivation, possessing techniques of various attributes.

However, the fire attribute here seemed too weak.

'Not Fifth Rank?'

Jiang Li frowned slightly.

This was the strongest Qi he had sensed so far, but it was only at the Seventh Rank, not even reaching Sixth Rank, let alone Fifth Rank.

Jiang Li's initial plan was to locate the Fifth Rank, directly activate a deadly strike left by Elder Tianxuan, and bring down divine justice to thoroughly eliminate this stumbling block. Although it seemed like an overkill to use a great trick on such a trivial target, wasting a trump card, it was the simplest and most direct way to break the situation.

Eliminate their reliance, and see what move they could make next.

If action was to be taken, it should be done with the momentum of sweeping clean all threats, not hesitating until forced to reveal a killing move.

Turns out, the Fifth Rank of the Qi Mountain Jiang Family wasn't home.

'Bad luck for you.'

Jiang Li's gaze grew cold, his steps silent, almost floating, as he swooped towards the main house.

With no Fifth Rank, nor a Sixth Rank, he needed not worry any further and decided to slaughter all Seventh Ranks in sight.

If not the support, then removing the pillars would suffice.