Taiyi Dao Fruit

Gongsun Qing Yue's heart was blooming like flowers at this moment.

Having contended with Jiang for so long, although she occasionally had the upper hand, she was mostly suppressed, without a single definitive victory.

As an elder sister in their martial lineage, with a higher realm, she was still the one aggrieved, something that displeased Qing Yue greatly.

But now, things were different.

That critical push had helped Jiang Li achieve Dao Fruit Perfection and also left him owing her a life-saving debt, thus changing the dynamics of power between them.

Gongsun Qing Yue stood up.

"Junior brother," Qing Yue looked at Jiang Li with a beaming smile.

"Elder sister," Jiang Li stood with his hands tightly by his sides, a picture of reverence.

In being flexible when necessary, Jiang Li was always insightful.

"Why so haughty then suddenly so respectful?" Qing Yue looked surprised, "I still prefer your unyielding demeanor."

Although she said this, the smile nearly spilling from her lips betrayed how insincere she was.

"There will be a chance," Jiang Li said meaningfully.

You'll eventually see how rebellious your junior brother can be.

Gongsun Qing Yue sensed there was more to his words but couldn't decipher it, though it didn't matter.

With a smile, she leisurely asked, "This time, I've given you such a big hand, junior brother, tell me, how will you repay your benefactor?"

"I will spare no effort, even unto death, elder sister. Should you have any tasks, I shan't hesitate," Jiang Li declared decisively.

First, Gongsun Qing Yue saved Jiang Li's life and helped him achieve Dao Fruit Perfection and advance his cultivation, then Jiang Li dared not face Gongsun Qing Yue, and now he even promised to comply with her orders. Such words meant that Jiang Li had admitted defeat and Qing Yue had won.

So what were they waiting for? Why not hasten to welcome the affiliated son-in-law, and let the junior brother live off her?

Jiang Li mentally computed, barely resisting the urge to smirk.

A skilled hunter always appears in the form of prey.

In this round, Gongsun Qing Yue had won, and Jiang Li had indeed managed to freeload, a win-win situation creating a satisfying future for all.

It seems the Prophet of Fortune and Misfortune's auspices are the same, all warranted just a hearty laugh.

Hearing Jiang Li's words, Gongsun Qing Yue immediately burst into joyous laughter, about to speak ...

Hmm ... was this too fast? Too hasty? Should they spend more time together first? What if Jiang Li rejects after she speaks? Maybe she should think this over ...

Suddenly, a myriad of complex thoughts emerged in Qing Yue's mind, swirling again and again, until she confirmed one thing.

— She wasn't ready yet.

In short, she was frightened.

Then, the words on her lips changed, "Very well, then lend me your strength to teach that meddlesome master a lesson."

Jiang Li: "…"

I was all ready to become an affiliated son-in-law, and this is it?

"That's settled then," Qing Yue quickly said, "After we return this time, we'll show our master that a teacher should possess virtue. You can't go back on your word."

"You look worn out and have just been through an intense battle, so I won't disturb your rest. Here's a Life Creation Pill for you to recuperate."

With that, Gongsun Qing Yue threw a white porcelain bottle to Jiang Li and dashed away so quickly that she left an afterimage.

Even amid such surprises, she still noticed Jiang Li's graying temples. Realizing this herself, Jiang Li didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

But anyhow, the grand plan of becoming an affiliated son-in-law was nearly, yet so narrowly, thwarted.

Watching the slowly emerging text in front of him, Jiang Li's face was expressionless, unsure of what expression to make.

Good news: he had overcome the difficulty.

Bad news: he had just missed a bright future.

Jiang Li looked down at the Jade Ruyi in his hand, 'So is this good fortune or calamity?'

He would rather believe that all signs of fortune and misfortune were just a laugh, rather than admit that he had overcome a challenge.

"Ptui—"

A laugh that could not be held back echoed through the night. Jiang Li immediately raised his eyebrows, the clouds around him transforming into dragon claws, sparks flickering between them, as he struck towards the source of the sound.

"Bang!"

The dragon claw left a deep mark on the ground, a surge of sparks leaping and striking the nearby tree, sending wood chips and smoke flying.

But the person who laughed had already vanished without a trace.

"Good and evil will always be requited, the Heavenly Dao recycles forever. If you don't believe it, just look up, who has Heaven ever spared? Younger brother, have you realized it now?"

Those two, a man and a woman, had used him as a shield before, and now they finally got their just deserts. Seeing such a farce, Feng Manlou felt as if a weight had been lifted off his chest, his heart nearly soaring, with a surge to burst into song.

Meanwhile, back at the spot, Jiang Li's face finally darkened.

Judgment complete, a laugh is a sign of impending calamity, and...

"Good and evil will always be requited, huh? I've noted that," he gritted his teeth.

...

...

Elsewhere, Gongsun Qingyue sprinted like a startled swan, rapidly returning to the vicinity of the Divine Farmer's Statue.

With no one else around, Gongsun Qingyue finally regained her sanity, and upon thinking over her actions before, she couldn't help but clench her alabaster fingers into a fist, smashing it onto a nearby boulder.

"I gave you a chance!"

Bang!

"You're useless!"

Bang!

"Disgraceful! Disgraceful! Disgraceful!"

Were her previous actions not the same as Jiang Li's reluctance to meet her?

Wasn't it all due to timidity in their hearts?

Gongsun Qingyue had initially approached with the mindset of a victor to savor her victory, yet the fruit that was about to be consumed had been pushed away by her own hands.

Thinking back, her master's words were indeed true; the duck at hand could still fly away. Depending on herself? When could she succeed?

Thinking this, Gongsun Qingyue's rationality went offline again, feeling that she had never been this embarrassed in her life. Her little fist smashed onto the boulder, her embarrassment and annoyance transforming into a raging Flame Qi, surging forth wildly, instantly melting away much of the big stone.

The scorching magma dripped onto the ground, sizzling sounds followed, and Gongsun Qingyue then, as if awakened, looked at her own fist, sensing her True Qi.

Her Drought God Palm had made a breakthrough just now, her True Qi rising a level.

And the reason was that Gongsun Qingyue had, unintentionally, completely aligned with the Drought God's Energy through God Unification Energy.

This showed just how strong her emotions of embarrassment and annoyance were.

Realizing this, Gongsun Qingyue's rationality nearly went offline again, the violent Flame Qi surged out, the stones subtly melting, vegetation instantly obliterated, a circle of scorched earth appearing under her feet.

Although her Drought God Palm had progressed, Gongsun Qingyue felt somewhat disgraced by the manner of this advancement.

Didn't this just further indicate that she had missed a great opportunity?