Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Crack—"

The rain intensified, striking Yang Ji's body, an electric spark instantly turned him into a puff of blue smoke.

Yang Ji scanned the surroundings stoically, suddenly unleashing a Palm Thunder toward a large tree by the small town, and said, "We leave."

With that, he flashed away like a bolt of lightning, retreating into the small town.

This place was already compromised, and with the Rain Master Token taken, unable to establish a spiritual idol, staying here would only invite further assaults. It was better to retreat.

The remaining members of the Taiping Sect had promptly withdrawn, quickly reentering the town, heading toward the opposite end.

In this manner, they should be able to evacuate on the other side and enter the mountains.

"Chase." Ming Yang, blocking the rain with True Qi, was ready to pursue, but Zhong Shenxiu stopped him.

"Don't chase," Zhong Shenxiu's figure appeared ahead, blocking the pursuit path, his voice low, "Securing the safety of the people is crucial."

Despite the brief duration of the intense battle, the impact on the civilians was profound. Even though Zhong Shenxiu and Ming Yang had intentionally evacuated the residents beforehand, it was inevitable that some would be injured, or even killed.

Many were now wailing on the ground.

Most importantly...

Ming Yang looked toward the town, seeing figures braving the rain, blocking the road with lines of fear and resentment in their eyes.

"These people have already pledged allegiance to the Taiping Sect, Senior Brother Zhong..."

Ming Yang intended to offer counsel but noticed Zhong Shenxiu's indifferent gaze sweeping over him, causing a sudden stabbing pain, as though blades were piercing his chest.

"Do I need to teach you that the benevolent love others?" Zhong Shenxiu said indifferently, "Harming others was a necessity before, but now if you hurt others actively, aren't you afraid of the Dao Fruit backfiring?"

"What is the Dao Fruit? The fruit of the Dao. If you harbor the Gentleman Dao Fruit, you must follow the way of the gentleman. Even if you have fully assimilated it, you must not violate it lightly. How much of your Dao Fruit Ability is left now?"

Ming Yang fell silent.

Indeed, his Gentleman Dao Fruit Ability had diminished.

"Wealth and Honor Cannot Corrupt" and "Unbendable by Force" were hard to perceive, "Poverty and Humility Cannot Be Moved," being a physical ability, was clearly felt by Ming Yang as weakened.

"Secure the civilians. If someone attempts chaos, then apprehend them immediately, those who are aggressive may be killed."

Zhong Shenxiu looked at the tree struck by the Palm Thunder and said, "Ensure everyone is aware that there must be die-hard followers of the Taiping Sect among the populace."

Yang Ji's use of Palm Thunder on the large tree was not out of frustration, but to remind Zhong Shenxiu that he could harm the townspeople at any moment. Should he be pressed, Yang Ji would definitely use the civilians as a bargaining chip for his side's retreat.

If Zhong Shenxiu insisted on pursuing, it might be difficult to spare any lives in this town.

"Yes," Ming Yang responded.

Zhong Shenxiu glanced at him; the indifference in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a touch of humanity, "I, as a Confucian cultivator, place the utmost importance on the heart. A heart with flaws, no matter how high the Realm, is but a castles in the air. Remember, one must always introspect and clear the heart, lest your true spirit be tainted."

"I heed the teachings of my Senior Brother."

Ming Yang bowed deeply, then asked, "Senior Brother, will the rain prayer ceremony proceed as usual tomorrow?"

"As usual."

Zhong Shenxiu spoke leisurely, "This time in White Mountain Black Water, I slew the Flood Dragon of the Devil God Sect and obtained his Flood Dragon Pearl. Before returning, I specifically used the Flood Dragon Pearl to control a river, buying some time for Fufeng County. During this time, we will transport water clouds from the Three States. Then, the drought can be alleviated."

"Senior Brother's Divine Power," Ming Yang replied, bowing deeply again in admiration.

The dragon has its Dragon Ball, and the Flood Dragon also possesses a Flood Dragon Pearl, both embodying the essence of their strength, endowed with the ability to collect water.

However, in the present world, the real demon kind are nearly extinct; Devil Cultivators, in essence, are human too. If a human embodies the Flood Dragon Dao Fruit, to form a Flood Dragon Pearl, they must fully transform into a Flood Dragon. That also means this Flood Dragon has reached Sixth Grade Perfection, only lacking the Dao Fruit and the ritual to advance to fifth-rank.

The ability to kill this Flood Dragon showed a glimmer of Zhong Shenxiu's prowess; naturally, Ming Yang was incredibly amazed.

"What about the Rain Master Token?"

"As long as the Rain Master Token isn't in the hands of the Taiping Sect, it's not a bad thing. Now that someone has taken the token, it's a good chance for me to see just how many in Yong Province love chaos."

Standing in the rain, Zhong Shenxiu gazed into the vast curtain of rain, "Let's see how many are willing to test my blade."

- - -

- - -

Elsewhere, Yang Ji led people into the mountains and stopped momentarily when he saw no pursuers.

His eyes, flashing with electric light, suddenly fixed on the young Taoist following him, "Where is Daoist Ming Zhen?"

Speaking of this fierce battle, the person Yang Ji was most dissatisfied with were these two Taoists from the Upper Pure Sect.

Xiao Jiuniang had at least shown up, while Ming Zhen Daoist used the "One Breath Great Capture" move against Zhong Shenxiu and then disappeared without showing his face.

If it had been someone from the Taiping Sect, Yang Ji would have struck them down with Thunder Technique as a matter of formal punishment.

When it's time to fight their own people, they seize the opportunity to strike; in facing the enemy, they wouldn't even be seen skirting the fringes.

"Please, Young Master Yang, quell your anger."

Facing those lightning-filled eyes, Fang Yesheng also felt a chill in his heart, but he maintained his composure and formally spoke, "Our sect must keep our identities hidden and work from the shadows, which is crucial for our long-term plans. We ask for your understanding."

"Additionally, my uncle has secretly followed those two who disguised themselves from your sect. We just need to follow the marks left by my uncle to catch up with these two and retrieve the Rain Master Token."

What's this about not revealing identities? Is it just for an easy escape?

As long as they do not openly oppose the court, even if it's discovered that the Upper Pure Sect has colluded with the Taiping Sect, the court would still turn a blind eye.

To undertake significant tasks but cherish their safety, no wonder they've been suppressed by the court and the Three Emperors Sect for so many years.

Yang Ji sneered at these so-called hardships, but considering Daoist Ming Zhen had followed the enemy, he decided not to pursue the matter further for now.

"Lead the way," he immediately stated.

The pressing matter now was to retrieve the Rain Master Token.

Yang Ji took the lead, rushing through the forests with several experts, while the rest of the sect members retreated to other villages.

The villages secretly assimilated by the Taiping Sect in Yong Province weren't limited to Linsan Town alone; wherever there was no village chief appointed by the court, essentially places without a land god Dao Fruit Cultivator in charge, there were traces of the Taiping Sect.

Linsan Town was just a temporary base because it was close to Jun City.

Without this place, there would be another.

Unbeknownst to others, the Taiping Sect had already spread its branches across Yong Province.

At that moment, the rain intensified, and even several miles from Linsan Town, the torrential downpour remained visible.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

In mid-air, Feng Manlou urgently called for a halt, "The Rain Master Token continues to propagate rain; if we keep going, the surrounding counties will suffer a severe drought."