Taiyi Dao Fruit

Seemingly wary of the Upper Pure Sect's background, or perhaps feeling that such minor conflicts were not worth the fallout, Yang Ji finally retracted his bursting lightning and spoke indifferently, "When engaging Zhong Shenxiu, I want you to take the lead."

"You're going to make a move against Zhong Shenxiu?" Xiao Jiuniang couldn't help exclaiming.

From her demeanor, she seemed to fear Zhong Shenxiu to the bone, Jiang Li could even see her several ghostly fox tails bristling.

"It is not I who wish to act against him, but he who will force my hand."

Yang Ji swept his gaze over those present and said, "Zhong Shenxiu prefers a head-on confrontation. If I'm not mistaken, he will make his move very soon."

Coincidentally, almost the very moment Yang Ji's words fell, a flash of lightning streaked beyond the shattered gates and a figure swiftly appeared, saluting towards the temple and reporting, "Report to Young Master, the governor's mansion has issued a notice, the Praying for Rain will commence tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Yang Ji frowned, "Where does he have the water reserves to expend?"

Praying for Rain couldn't just be initiated on a whim, unless, like the Taiping Sect and the previous monk, one engaged in the practice of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Otherwise, locating a source of water for transportation was the first prerequisite.

Previously, the Taiping Sect had mobilized clouds from Yu State, Jizhou, and Liangzhou Province for some time, diverting many of Yong Province's water resources. If the court wished to remedy this, it had to start from these three provinces.

This was no small project and could not be completed overnight.

"Quickly investigate the situation in Jizhou, Yu State, and Liangzhou Province," Yang Ji immediately ordered.

If there was to be a large-scale transfer of water resources, it was definitely something that couldn't be hidden.

The messenger who brought the news acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Meanwhile, Yang Ji turned to the crowd and said, "As I have just said, Zhong Shenxiu will force our hand. My friends, the time left for you to consider is running out."

After finishing, he took Jiang Li and walked directly out of the temple.

The two of them, plus a Daoist Powerful Warrior, walked onto the streets of the small town. Jiang Li pondered over the recent encounters, deliberately showing a look of confusion on his face.

"Do you have something to say?" Yang Ji asked.

As a doctor of the Taiping Sect, holding a not-insubstantial position, Yang Ji was still willing to entertain the doubts of this important subordinate.

"It's just that I find the people of the Three Pure Ones Sect unreliable. Is it wise, Young Master, for you to collaborate with them...?" Jiang Li feigned hesitation.

"The Three Pure Ones Sect and the Three Emperors Sect have always had a subtle rivalry. Of course, they cannot be trusted," Yang Ji shook his head and said, "Even the earlier move against you was with the intention of testing my strength."

"Testing?" Jiang Li played along insightfully.

"The Three Emperors Sect, backed by the court, has always suppressed the Three Pure Ones Sect. Now, as our sect undertakes a major task, it suits the wishes of certain individuals," Yang Ji spoke calmly, "They do not dare to confront the court outright, so they choose to support our sect instead. The Upper Pure Sect represents the first force expressing their support towards our sect. Even the previous continuous removal of clouds from Yong Province was possible due to the covert support of the Upper Pure Sect."

"Then there's Xiao Jiuniang; behind her stands Huqi Mountain. Her presence here signifies a similar mindset. Our sect may be weak, but we are by no means isolated."

"However, once our sect starts to disturb the current situation, they will likely no longer stand with us. Hence, if they have a chance to gauge my strength, they will take it. After all, I will be enemies rather than friends with them in the future; this is already the second such attempt."

Yang Ji's words suddenly gave Jiang Li an epiphany.

The court was more stable than Mount Tai, a fact clear to any insightful person. The Taiping Sect dared to defy the court in such circumstances because it had confidence in its backing.

Everyone who was dissatisfied with the contemporary Great Zhou was a potential ally of the Taiping Sect.

If this were so, could the Great Zhou truly be destabilized?

The thought sparked a sudden intrigue in Jiang Li.

Two things most stimulated a man's interest: women and political affairs. Indulgence in libidinous pursuits and politics were by far, for most men, the greatest hobbies to occupy their leisure time; Jiang Li, though he didn't consider himself a common man, was no exception.

Thus, after Yang Ji went out of town to continue supervising the sculpting of the statue, Jiang Li telepathically asked the Powerful Warrior who followed him closely, "Brother, do you think the Taiping Sect could succeed?"

As he spoke, Jiang Li's hand reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small jade statue, holding it in his hand with the statue's horn aiming behind through the fabric of his sleeve.

This was precisely the Xiezhi Jade Statue Jiang had plundered from Jiang Wuming's body.

This jade statue was also a Dao Artifact, containing a Xiezhi Dao Fruit. The Dao Fruit's information was as follows:

[Sixth Grade Dao Fruit: Xiezhi]

[Category: Demonic Attribute]

[Fitting Conditions: Seventh Grade Monster Dao Fruit, a heart of honesty and integrity]

[Promotion Ceremony: Discern a thousand lies]

[Abilities: Discern truth from fiction, ???, ???]

Since Jiang had little to do with honesty and integrity, he only had access to incomplete information. Still, it sufficed; being able to detect lies justified the Dao Fruit being rated Sixth Grade.

Jiang Li revealed this Dao Artifact to hear Feng Manlou's true thoughts.

If Feng Manlou spoke truthfully, Jiang Li could determine his leaning, whether it favored the court or belonged to those dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.

After all, people tend to unconsciously defend their own positions.

Unexpectedly, Feng Manlou answered with a question, "Little brother, what's your take?"

"Don't answer a question with a question," Jiang Li frowned.

"I just want to know which side you favor more," Feng Manlou replied.

While claiming to be inquiring, he was actually probing for a stance.

"Then, naturally, it's the court. The Great Zhou is as solid as gold, the Emperor is wise, the bureaucracy is clean – it should last for thousands of generations." Jiang Li didn't hesitate to lay it on thickly, even though he was only in front of a Prince Consort, not a true member of the Royal Family.

After he spoke, the jade statue in his sleeve immediately glowed red.

"It seems you and I share a common vision." Feng Manlou maintained the stiff expression of a Yellow Turban Warrior but his words betrayed a hint of emotion, "Indeed, the world is in a state of great peace, and the societal order is clear. Even minor obstacles can be easily overcome. The actions of the Taiping Sect and those Rebel Parties are like moths to a flame, utterly foolish."

The red glow from the Xiezhi Jade Statue remained.

'Good heavens, this Dragon King's Son-in-law has a rebellious streak!' Jiang Li was taken aback.

As for his own rebelliousness, that seemed inconsequential.

He, Jiang, dared to defy his own family and even harbored some unmentionable thoughts towards his master. How could he possibly have any loyalty towards the court?

'Also, if the Sixth Grade Daoist Device works on him, what exactly is his true strength? Maybe it's worth another try to probe?'