Taiyi Dao Fruit

July 26.

By the calendar, autumn had arrived, but the scorching heat in Fufeng County remained unbearable. The merciless afternoon sun baked the earth, and the air shimmered with misty shapes forged by the fiery temperature.

Jiang Li walked the streets of the county, where the passersby did not reflect the town's usual bustle. Shop fronts on either side were deserted, occasionally showing lethargic shop assistants nodding off in the heat.

It was too hot.

If this continued, the town's water supply would eventually run out, and a major disaster was already brewing.

For this reason, the government had widely posted notices seeking talented individuals with the aim of praying for rain to alleviate the drought.

However, the court itself was not short of people able to perform cloud seeding and rainmaking. If they truly wanted to bring rain, they wouldn't need to recruit others; they could simply send their own people. What Fufeng County and the entirety of Yong Province lacked was not rainmakers, but water sources.

No matter how skilled a person was, without a substantial amount of water to transport, the increasingly severe drought could not be resolved.

The notice was illogical.

That's why Jiang Li had come.

His mission was to gather information while Gongsun Qingyue coordinated with the Divine Travel Grand Protector to mobilize personnel. If Ji Chengye was found to be exploiting the drought for personal gains, they would seize the initiative from the government, enabling Gongsun Qingyue to take charge and gradually deal with Ji Chengye.

For now, Jiang Li's goal was to visit the governor's mansion and to meet privately with Jiang Zhihuan to see what decision he had made.

Dressed in commoner's blue robes and carrying a long sword, his face purposefully made waxen yellow, he blended in like any other Cultivator, hurrying towards the governor's residence.

After crossing two main streets and reaching the central part, the governor's mansion was not far away.

Suddenly, a loud boom resounded.

"Boom!"

Out of the clear sky, a thunderclap, followed by the appearance of a serpent-like shadow at the crossroads of two main streets ahead. It soared into the sky, moving gracefully and gathering faint wisps of moisture.

Gradually, dark clouds formed overhead and gusts of wind brought a coolness to the stifling town.

Residents both on the streets and those hiding indoors were drawn to the sight, overjoyed by the gathering clouds and the cooling breeze.

"It's the Dragon King! The Dragon King has revealed his presence."

Someone shouted excitedly.

At the same time, people noticed a yellow-robed monk sitting cross-legged beneath the shadow, hands pressed together, chanting.

His skin was golden like a gilded Buddha in a temple, with the serpent-like apparition circling above his head. It became more animated with his chanting, and the gathering clouds grew larger, commanding ever more reverence from the onlookers.

Some had even begun to kneel in the street, calling out "Dragon King Bodhisattva" and bowing in worship.

Strangely enough, as they worshiped, the apparition grew stronger and gathered more moisture. This delightful surprise made those with intentions to bow in worship do so even more fervently and respectfully.

"This is a Summoning Technique that can summon the spirits of demons, divine beings, and ghosts, as well as draw upon people's thoughts to benefit oneself," Feng Manlou said, appearing silently behind Jiang Li and explaining with a smile. "To put it simply, it's a method of gathering faith, which is quite popular in the practices of the Buddha Country."

"As for that apparition, calling it a Dragon King isn't incorrect. It is one of the Naga from the Eight Tribes, dragon-like in appearance but without legs or horns, and also capable of Cloud Movement and Rain Formation. The title 'Dragon King' originally described the Naga."

"This monk has absorbed the Naga Dao Fruit and naturally possesses the relevant powers. He is currently using this to perform all sorts of supernatural tricks, practicing the Summoning Technique,"

The monk, who was sitting in meditation and chanting sutras, twitched slightly, though it was very slight, it did not escape Jiang Li's notice. Clearly, the monk had also heard what Feng Manlou had said.

Jiang Li wasn't surprised that Feng Manlou could find him. Seeing him appear, he said sarcastically, "You've hidden for several days; you finally deign to show up."

"It's not about hiding. My brother, I have important matters to attend to. Please don't wrong me," Feng Manlou defended himself.

Indeed, his trip to Yong Province had a purpose—he represented the Southern Heavenly Department to investigate the Taiping Sect and the drought.

However, judging by his actions over the past few days, they didn't seem at all like those of someone dealing with serious matters. Instead, it looked like he was skiving on his journey, a wage thief. As for his disappearance over the past few days, Jiang Li guessed that the Dragon King's Son-in-law had other matters; he definitely wasn't engaging in any official business.

"Heh."

With a slight smile and eyes half closed, Jiang Li offered no agreement or disagreement.

As the two were conversing, the dark clouds gradually expanded to cover the sky above the streets, the wind grew stronger, and it looked as though it would start raining at any moment.

Just then, another boom resounded.

"Rapidly as the Decree,"

A bolt of lightning suddenly appeared, piercing the dark clouds and striking the illusory form of the Naga Dragon King, causing the breeze to stop instantly.

"Audacious Demon Monk, you actually dare to practice forbidden sorcery!"

A Taiping Sect healer emerged from the crowd, cloaked in yellow and wielding a staff, followed by a Yellow Turban Powerful Warrior.

Having split the dark clouds with a bolt of lightning, he proclaimed loudly to the people around, "Everyone, do not be deceived by this demon monk. The moisture he has gathered is all from the water of the city's rivers. This ensuing rain will only bring a momentary coolness, offering no relief to the drought; it's even squandering water resources."

"The healer from the Taiping Sect has come to disrupt the scene," Feng Manlou noted, and he went on to explain, "The government issued a proclamation seeking people to pray for rain, and many well-meaning individuals have come. Just like this monk, who aims to make a name for himself as one who prays for rain, in order to gain the respect of those in Fufeng County and practice the Summoning Technique."

"As for the followers of the Taiping Sect... heh, although they caused the drought, the common folk are unaware. They too wish to use the rain prayer to achieve their goal and win over the hearts of the people."

With these statements, he managed to strip away the façade of both parties, pointing out their true nature right to their faces.

Feng Manlou did not bother to disguise his voice. Although it was low and the common people couldn't hear him clearly, both the healer from the Taiping Sect and the monk from Buddha Country, being cultivators, could clearly hear everything within this distance, if not perfectly, at least seventy to eighty percent.

Both parties felt a surge of anger towards the one pointing fingers, but in that moment, their priority was to condemn their opponent.

"Taiping demons dare to slander this monk," the monk opened his eyes and stood up, countering, "Others may not know the true face of you Taiping demons, but I do. The drought was caused by your Taiping Sect, you have no right to reproach this monk."

"Oh!" The crowd exclaimed in shock.

The Taiping Sect healer rebuked angrily, "Audacious Demon Monk, you dare insult our Sect!"

"Taiping demons, today this monk will use the righteous dharma of Buddhism to subdue your evil ways," the monk said, making an angry face like a Wrathful Guardian Deity.

The two sides, inflamed by harsh words, successfully provoked anger in each other, and without further ado, a fight was about to break out.

"Rapidly as the Decree."

"Dragon King protector."

Thunder roared mightily, the Naga soared into the sky, and the scene became quite lively for a moment.