Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Tianhui Hall Doctor Meng Yuanzhi, you have arrived late."

Yang Ji's eyes constantly flickered with the light of lightning. According to rumors in Jianghu, he had inherited Zhang Zhixuan's True Inheritance, mastered the Thunder Technique, and even cultivated his eyes into the Eye of Heavenly Punishment, wielding the authority to act on behalf of Heaven.

Although it was unknown if this wasn't a facade created by Taiping Sect's navy, Yang Ji's eyes indeed possessed divine powers. If Jiang Li were to look into them directly, he would need to activate the Emperor's Qi Observation Skill to protect his own eyes from harm.

"Young Master, please forgive me."

Jiang Li relaxed his body slightly, resonating with the Divine Soul's will within the Nuo Mask, and bowed his head in response, "Your subordinate saw a Devil Monk from Buddha Country in Jun City attempting to steal the essence of water. For fear that our rain prayer might fail, I went to expose his tricks and fought with him. Later, I encountered Zhong Shenxiu in the city and had to detour, which caused my delay."

Although he hadn't acquired Meng Yuanzhi's memories, the habits of Meng Yuanzhi seemed to become his instinct when wearing the Nuo Mask. It could also be said that Jiang Li had donned a layer of "Meng Yuanzhi" clothing so well that even significant figures like Yang Ji couldn't spot any clues.

As for Feng Manlou standing behind Jiang Li, there was not a single flaw to be found.

Yang Ji, who maintained his composure upon hearing the earlier statements, showed no trace of surprise, but upon the latter remark, he was instantly agitated.

"You said you encountered Zhong Shenxiu?" His facial muscles tensed momentarily, and the lightning in his eyes intensified, revealing his disturbed state of mind.

"Yes," Jiang Li affirmed.

It seemed that just mentioning Zhong Shenxiu provoked him as if stung. Could this Young Master of the Taiping Sect have suffered at the hands of Zhong Shenxiu?

"Zhong Shenxiu."

Yang Ji muttered the name and commanded, "Follow me."

Saying this, Yang Ji did not ask further and turned around, leading Jiang Li into the small town.

This town, named "Lishan," earned its name due to its proximity to a large mountain, a straightforward and easy to understand name. Due to its remote location and small scale, the town lacked any land and might not even have anyone affiliated with the court.

Entering the town, Jiang Li immediately saw two Yellow Turban Warriors transporting wood to the outskirts, seemingly to build an altar for a soon-to-be-carved Rain Master Divine Statue.

Not far away, there was a pergola set up, where two Taiping Sect Doctors, dressed like Jiang Li, sat and treated the local townspeople.

They only needed to check the pulse and discern the general condition before taking out a Yellow Talisman, burning it into the water, and creating a rune water for the people to drink, which marked the end of the treatment.

The talismans were unclassified ones like Rejuvenation Talisman, Qi Nourishing Talisman, but they sufficed for treating minor ailments of ordinary people.

The townspeople, grateful to the doctors, had yellow cloths tied around their arms and heads, clearly showing they had become loyal followers of the Taiping Sect. Even this small town was full of remnants of the Taiping Sect, and it wasn't incorrect to say it belonged entirely to the Taiping Sect.

'The Taiping Sect could accomplish what the court could, and even could do it better, but the court's primary aim is stability. The officials also care about the wellbeing of their territories, but they govern rather than serve, they are capable, but they will not act.'

Seeing this scene, Jiang Li knew that the Taiping Sect indeed had a foundation for rebellion.

The court needed stability, and the Earth Deities of the court also needed the faith of the people.

How to stabilize, how to believe, weak and foolish people sufficed. One must not let them eat too well or rest too much, forcing them to rush about daily, worried about their livelihoods, thus due to needs, they wouldn't cause chaos.

One mustn't be too intelligent, for only then would they obey and offer their faith.

One also mustn't let people starve or overwork to death, for that would push them to their limits and incite rebellion.

This is the way the court governs.

This method of governance is why the basic living conditions of this era are no different from the ancient times of my previous life, at most avoiding any major disasters.

From the consequences observed over the eight hundred years of the Sacrificial Altar, this method had indeed been effective. However, when someone was able to further satisfy those needs, trouble was bound to arise.

The Taiping Sect certainly didn't behave like ordinary folk, at least, according to what Jiang Li had seen, the chaos in Yong Province was all because of the Taiping Sect. Yet, this sect was still willing to perform magic and demonstrate abilities for the grassroots level, quickly consolidating the hearts of the people.

Simply put, even though the Taiping Sect caused a drought, seen as nothing but trouble, in the eyes of the common folk, it was a good sect.

At a glance, Jiang Li had already seen the embryonic form of a rebellion. It was bound to happen, it was only a matter of time.

It was just unknown, its scale, and when it would be quelled.

Focusing his gaze, Jiang Li followed Yang Ji to the only building in town that could be considered imposing, which from the outside, looked like a temple.

"Have your Powerful Warriors wait outside."

Yang Ji commanded, then walked straight into the temple.

Seeing this, Jiang Li exchanged a look with Feng Manlou and then followed in.

As soon as they entered the temple, the temperature dropped sharply, and several gazes were directed at them.

Jiang Li looked and saw two Taoists, a beautiful woman, and a burly middle-aged man positioned around the temple.

The middle-aged man was clad in a Yellow Robe, obviously a person from the Taiping Sect, his essence energy robust, clearly a Martial Cultivator. However, from his appearance, he did not seem like a Powerful Warrior.

One Taoist wore azure and the other green, both in Dao Robes, likely from the Mystic Sect, but probably from the Three Pure Ones Sect.

People from the Three Emperors Sect hardly wore Dao Robes, while it was the opposite for those from the Three Pure Ones Sect. Hence, distinguishing the two factions was easy, just by looking at their attire.

As for the beautiful woman...

"Demon energy."

Jiang Li captured an aura on the woman that was distinctly different from humans; she was a Devil Cultivator.

He even saw three faint, fluffy red tails behind her, "a fox spirit."

Taoists from the Three Pure Ones Sect, a Devil Cultivator, and members of the Taiping Sect—the components here were quite complex.

And, if Jiang Li was not mistaken, except for the young Taoist, the rest were all Sixth Rank.

"How is it, Young Master Yang? Can't bear the loneliness, looking to have a chat with sister?"

Upon seeing Yang Ji, the beautiful woman chuckled, "Sure, this bed of mine is quite large."

This beautiful woman, with her classic oval face and fox-like eyes, was radiant and enchanting, draped in a fiery red long dress, reclining on a couch, now patting the space beside her, inviting Yang Ji.

Yang Ji appeared not the least bit tempted, but instead, responded very coldly, "Zhong Shenxiu has arrived."

That statement, like a sudden cold snap, extinguished the warm ardor of the beautiful woman.

"Xiao Jiuniang, my subordinate has seen Zhong Shenxiu with his own eyes. Help him extract that part of the memory," Yang Ji told the beautiful woman.

The beautiful woman Xiao Jiuniang slowly sat up, her breasts demonstrating considerable resilience, but at that moment she was not in the mood for coquetry, but her eyes shone with a strange light.

Vertical pupils replaced that of a normal person's, three fox tails phantom appeared behind Xiao Jiuniang; she locked eyes with Jiang Li through the air, "Look at me."