Taiyi Dao Fruit

The next day.

Before dawn, the area in front of Lie Mountain Hall was filled with kneeling figures.

Members of the Jiang Family from Feiyun Town and those adjudged as die-hard loyalists to the main family were all forced to kneel in front of Lie Mountain Hall.

Last night, Jiang Li had exhibited divine power, killing the Sixth Rank Jiang Jingyuan, shocking all the Jiang Clan members who knew of it and fully consolidating the power situation on their ancestral land.

Jiang Li didn't even need to speak, as others voluntarily attacked his opposition to clean up the situation, even the Clan Elders did so covertly in the end.

They aimed to present the Young Master with a unified ancestral land before dawn.

From the current situation, the plan was successful.

When Jiang Li, accompanied by the Clan Elders and the only appropriate, virtually unharmed Luu Wangji, arrived, everyone automatically cleared a path to the front doors of Lie Mountain Hall.

Led by Jiang Wujiu, the fourteen heads of the branches they had previously met said in unison, "Greetings, Young Master."

Standing in front of Lie Mountain Hall, Jiang Li saw everyone calling out to kneel. With a lift of his palm, the clouds around him transformed into a wave of Qi, powerfully emanating and simultaneously supporting everyone's form.

"Seeing everyone's loyalty rejoices my heart immensely, irresistibly so."

Jiang Li maintained his raised hand gesture, facing everyone's gaze, he spoke, "However, seeing everyone bowing and scraping displeases me greatly."

His straightforward "dislike" expressed his aversion.

He helped everyone up with True Qi, stretched out three fingers, and passionately said, "I, Jiang Li, have come to our ancestral land for three things: equality, equality, and more equality."

"We are all of the same blood, who stands above the rest? Those who wished to stand above have already gone overseas to become outcast dogs."

"A snake without a head cannot function, so I accept this title of 'Young Master.' In the future, once my cultivation reaches the level, if everyone still wishes to follow me, Jiang Li, as the head of the Jiang Family, I would accept. But—"

Jiang Li raised his voice, "The leader is only at the forefront, not above everyone else. Even if one becomes the Family Head, we are still the same clan, still equal. There will be no main or branch families in the future Jiang Family. For this, I will share Innate Qi with all clan members."

"Regardless of whether he has been my enemy, as long as he is not blindly loyal to an irresponsible main family, fully dedicating to our clan, he can practice Innate Qi."

At this, Jiang Li paused, and behind him, Luu Wangji timely manipulated True Qi, the surge of Qi Mechanism gushing forth.

"The illegitimate child of the main family, Luu Wangji, who once followed the main family against the Young Master, was the first to be granted Innate Qi," Luu Wangji announced loudly.

At his words, it was as if a stone caused a thousand ripples, making everyone's emotions surge.

Even those who had been enemies were able to practice Innate Qi; all the more them.

Even those who were being forced shouted, "I surrender," "I swear to loyally serve the Young Master unto death."

Equality and Innate Qi, the two things most lacking among the branch family members, were now being offered by Jiang Li himself; how could this not drive them mad?

Those currently on their ancestral land were just the beginning; other branches—those scattered around, even those who had changed their names and gone into hiding—would likely come and pledge loyalty once they heard of Jiang Li's generosity.

Upon hearing this speech, Jiang Wujiu and those in the front row were amazed at Jiang Li's approach.

Status and cultivation techniques—Jiang Li was so willing to give them away; as long as he didn't die young, the future Jiang Family was destined to be his to lead. Even if the main family returned, it would be useless.

Who would want to be a dog if they could be a human?

And would a master ever allow a dog that was treated as an equal?

The ambition of the branch family members was already ignited, pressing it back down was extremely difficult, almost impossible.

Even Jiang Li, who incited this, couldn't do it.

The Clan Elder beside him recognized this and immediately communicated via message: "Without distinction between higher and lower, it might incite some unnecessary ambitions."

A stable foundation of power relies on class; the more stable the class, the less likely it is to collapse.

Not to mention afar, speak of the Great Zhou Dynasty which has been stable for eight hundred years; this is because the rigid class system of the Great Zhou is hard to shake. Eight hundred years is not the endpoint; as long as this class system doesn't collapse, it's not impossible to last forever."

But now, Jiang Li intended to publicly claim there was no class.

Even if classes still formed in the end, his declaration could become a destabilizing factor in the future.

"Our priority now is to integrate the family; we'll discuss the rest later," Jiang Li communicated back.

Those who practiced Innate Qi were his people, Jiang Li's; people thinking of rebelling would be impossible.

The class system hadn't disappeared; it simply moved from the foreground to the background.

Previously, the Jiang Family was divided into two parts—the main family and the branch families. The future Jiang Family would still be divided into two parts—Jiang Li and the others.

"Now, please follow me, uncles. I will first assist you in cultivating Innate Qi. Those containing the Earth God Dao Fruit can bring one person in, to be among the first batch practicing Qi Refining," Jiang Li walked towards Lie Mountain Hall and spoke.

Jiang Wujiu and others exchanged glances, seeing the excitement in each other's eyes; they spontaneously followed, their steps slightly hurried, losing the calm of the next day.

"Brother."

Luu Wangji approached, speaking softly, "How should we deal with those scum? Do you need me to..."

Murder flashed in his eyes; he was ready to execute on behalf of Jiang Li.

Leaders of power always have a scapegoat, someone to carry out the dirty work, bearing the infamy. Devoted to the family and having pledged his allegiance, Luu Wangji was prepared.

But Jiang Li shook his head and said, "Brother, I've said that we are equal. How can I let you bear infamy for me? Anyone who hasn't harmed the family, I can tolerate. Conversely, those who have harmed the family, I must kill."

"Today, let everyone understand this principle."

Jiang Li turned his gaze around, sweeping over the kneeling individuals and ordered blandly, "Kill them."

At his command, clearly reaching everyone's ears,

the clan members in front of Lie Mountain Hall, still amidst joy and fervor, acted upon his words, executing the prisoners.

With this beginning, others also acted—everybody who had been brought before Lie Mountain Hall was killed.

One after another, bodies fell, revealing Jiang Li's ruthlessness towards his enemies and startling those immersed in his benevolence, realizing that their leader's consolidation of the branches did not rely solely on generosity but also on the threat of strength.

A mix of admiration and fear established Jiang Li's authority among the branches.

A carrot and a stick—a timeless effective strategy, just as now.

And those who had heard Jiang Li's earlier words further recognized his boldness. Regardless of whether it was a show, his consistent actions and words alone elevated Jiang Li's charismatic influence.

They couldn't help but slow their slightly hurried steps, respectfully following behind Jiang.