Taiyi Dao Fruit

Jiang Li, having just experienced a great battle, was in a moment of soaring momentum, further boosted by the refinement of Jiang Wuming's residual power which gave him a second wind, leaving him with ample room to breathe.

Even though Jiang Zhihuan was also of Seventh Rank, he dared not even entertain the idea of making a move against such a powerful opponent.

His only option was to stay alert, looking for an opportunity to try and escape.

Yet Jiang Li was entirely indifferent to Jiang Zhihuan's thoughts, leisurely saying while hovering in mid-air with the aid of Wind Control, "The branch families of our ancestral land have all acknowledged me as their leader. The Qi Mountain Jiang Family is already a thing of the past. Who do you guess will be next?"

Next, naturally, would be those who chose to turn their backs on the Jiang family, like him, Jiang Zhihuan of Fufeng County.

Jiang Li had resolved two-thirds of the Jiang family's current problems, with only the final third remaining.

"As loyal subjects to the Emperor and serving our country, His Majesty will certainly not neglect us," Jiang Zhihuan said while raising his guard to the utmost.

"What about Jiang Wuming then?"

Jiang Li smiled and said, "He's also supposed to serve the Emperor loyally, isn't he? How did he end up with such a fate?"

This was precisely the reason for Jiang Zhihuan's deep concern.

No matter what kind of ambitions Jiang Wuming had before, he had at least been in cahoots with Ji Chengye, effectively becoming one of the Ji Family. Yet, he was so easily sacrificed.

If Jiang Wuming, a fifth-rank Cultivator, could be cast aside, what of the other members surnamed Jiang?

Waves of turmoil surged in Jiang Zhihuan's heart, as he already foresaw the potential fate that could befall him.

Learning from the past, the future could instruct, and there may come a day when he, Jiang Zhihuan, could suffer a similar downfall.

Yet Jiang Zhihuan still resolutely said, "Do not think you can make me turn my back on the Emperor."

Jiang Li now also relied on the Ji Family; he had joined the Dinghu Sect, and his master and senior sister were also members of the Ji Family. With such a background, how could Jiang Zhihuan entrust his life and fortune to Jiang Li's hands with peace of mind?

If the Royal Family were to become enraged at the betrayal of Jiang Zhihuan and the others and ordered Jiang Li to deal with them, would Jiang Li act or not?

Therefore, he could only refuse.

Upon uttering these words, Jiang Zhihuan was already braced for a tempest, but contrary to what he had anticipated, Jiang Li remained suspended in mid-air, showing no sign of taking action.

"It seems you have no desire to return to the Jiang family. In that case..."

Jiang Li gave a slight smile, "You may go."

"Go?" The response was so bizarre that Jiang Zhihuan was left stunned in place.

Suddenly appearing like a ghost, speaking divisive words, only to let him, Jiang Zhihuan, leave just like that.

Jiang Zhihuan now wondered if Jiang Li would strike him down the moment he turned to leave, possibly staging another scene of ruthless betrayal.

But Jiang Li indeed had no intention of making a move.

"What else?" Jiang Li said, "Am I supposed to kill you? Or capture you and control you?"

He laughed at the absurdity, "How could that be? I'm not some Demon with the power to control one's mind."

Jiang Li was self-aware, knowing well he couldn't simply flex his might and make Jiang Zhihuan submit to him. The capital he had now was also largely thanks to the Sect; how could he expect it to make people like Jiang Zhihuan switch sides again and join him?

Therefore, from the very start, Jiang Li had no intention of subduing Jiang Zhihuan. The purpose of his appearance was not that.

"Having had this conversation with you, I can consider my objective achieved."

Jiang Li said profoundly, "Tell me, when you go back, will you report everything in detail to Ji Chengye, or will you keep something hidden?"

Jiang Zhihuan's face, initially brimming with suspicion, gradually became vacant, as a sense of anxiety unlike any he had known before overwhelmed his tightly strung nerves.

If he were to detail all of this to Ji Chengye, would that member of the Royal Family trust him? Jiang Zhihuan indeed felt a deep connection to Jiang Wuming's death, a sense of a shared fate, how could Ji Chengye possibly place his trust in him?

But if he were to conceal the truth and it were to be exposed later, Ji Chengye could immediately conclude that Jiang Zhihuan harbored ulterior motives.

Jiang Zhihuan indeed had rejected Jiang Li's recruitment attempt, but to make Ji Chengye believe that, to convince the Ji Family, was necessary.

Even if Jiang Zhihuan were to reveal all of Jiang Li's schemes, Ji Chengye would still be unlikely to trust in Jiang Zhihuan's loyalty.

"Demon…" Jiang Zhihuan stared intently at Jiang Li, "You are nothing short of a heart-manipulating demon."

Indeed, Jiang Li did not possess the ability to brainwash or manipulate hearts, but his actions, in Jiang Zhihuan's eyes, were no different from those of a heart-manipulating demon.

Upon hearing these words, not to mention whether Ji Chengye would trust Jiang Zhihuan, even Jiang Zhihuan himself felt an urge to defect rather than face such doubt.

Rather than enduring suspicion and potentially being purged later, it would be better to truly defect, as this might carve out a new path for him.

"The choice is entirely up to you," Jiang Li said with a smile, nodding as if paying his respects, "Please."

Then, he took off, carried by the wind.

This time, Jiang Li truly departed.

But his words continued to echo in Jiang Zhihuan's mind.

Jiang Zhihuan wandered distractedly through the underground passageways, returning to the county government of Qi Mountain County.

Here, Ji Chengye and Ming Yang had already arrived ahead of him, even the fierce-looking cultivator was in attendance.

Jiang Zhihuan reported the outcomes of the battle, but when he reached the aftermath, he quietly omitted the curse of Jiang Wuming, simply stating Jiang Wuming was dead and had not conversed with Jiang Li. Even the details of Jiang Li's departure and return were concealed.

Between losing trust and future suspicions of disloyalty, Jiang Zhihuan made his choice in silence.

Of this hidden decision, Ji Chengye knew nothing.

After hearing the report, Ji Chengye applauded, "Good! Although Jiang Wuming is dead, Jiang Li has exhausted all his life-saving tricks. If he opposes me again, he will only have his own strength to rely on. Rashamon Ghost King."

The Ghost Cultivator bowed slightly.

"Do not withdraw the bounty in the Ghost Market just yet. Those Devil Cultivators last night, although they did not cause Jiang Li any injuries, they did delay him, which was somewhat useful. Keeping the bounty may still cause some trouble for Jiang Li."

"Yes," the Rashamon Ghost King nodded in agreement.

"Jiang Zhihuan."

"Present," Jiang Zhihuan replied.

"Put out a proclamation and call for able individuals from across Yong Province to come to Fufeng County to Pray for Rain," Ji Chengye continued to instruct.

He came to Yong Province to trouble Jiang Li, which happened just in the right moment. However, his initial purpose was not such.

Now that Jiang Li had played his last card, although Ji Chengye still harbored wariness, he also felt that Jiang Li was no longer as threatening as before, and he could begin his own endeavors.

As for Jiang Wuming…

The dead need not be mentioned.

Ji Chengye had no desire to speak further of this now worthless figure. Upon seeing this, Jiang Zhihuan felt a chill rise silently in his heart, encircling his chest, growing ever more solid.

If this was the case with Jiang Wuming, what would it be like for him, Jiang Zhihuan, if he were to reveal everything that had happened before?