Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Amitabha."

After hearing these words that seemed both declarative and cautionary, Hui Lun brought his hands together and said, "Zhong Tanyue has a heart of compassion, truly a blessing for the people of Yong Province."

Daoist Zhang Daoyi also spoke, "Our sect follows the Righteous Path and does not engage in dishonest behavior."

Regardless of their true intentions, at least outwardly, neither of them would make their ill intentions as obvious as the Taiping Sect did.

As for Jiang Li,

he, Jiang, was the future pillar of the Dinghu Sect, and since the Dinghu Sect was aligned with the state, Jiang Li was undoubtedly one of Great Zhou's exemplary citizens, needing no words to prove his innocence.

"How shall we decide the order for Praying for Rain?" Jiang Li asked directly.

"It's simple."

Zhong Shenxiu extended his left hand, a chicken-egg-sized pale white orb glowing gently in his palm. The light patterns, like rippling waves, involuntarily made one recall the scene of turbulent waves, "Whoever takes this Flood Dragon Pearl from my hand will be the first to perform the rain prayer."

"This Flood Dragon Pearl contains the water of a river. Anyone who possesses this pearl can apply the Rain Spreading Technique to bring rain. Otherwise..."

Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly, "If someone takes this Flood Dragon Pearl from me, I will be unable to alleviate the drought."

This was bait.

With the appearance of this Flood Dragon Pearl, those who intended to intensify the drought surely could not stay calm.

The pale white light pattern slowly fluctuated, reflecting in everyone's eyes, and seemed to penetrate their hearts, stirring their minds.

Then, Jiang Li was the first to make a move.

His fingers extended through the air, a suction force already acting on the Flood Dragon Pearl.

Seeing this, Zhong Shenxiu's gaze flickered slightly, making no move to stop him.

Jiang Li was from Dinghu Sect, and just yesterday, had seized the Rain Master Token. In a sense, he could certainly be considered utterly upstanding. If even he were to cause trouble, it was likely that none present were good people.

Thus, Zhong Shenxiu remained still, allowing Jiang Li to take the pearl.

But in this moment, Hui Lun suddenly pointed, and behind him, the White Dragon moved, lunging directly to snatch the Flood Dragon Pearl.

"Amitabha, this monk also intensely desires to participate in this rain prayer," said Hui Lun with a light smile.

"A monk claims to detach from all four elements, but your heart is not pure, monk,"

Daoist Zhang Daoyi added, flicking his finger and shooting a Finger Wind that landed on the dragon claw.

"Clang!"

The seemingly frail Finger Wind was extremely solid. Striking the dragon claw, it emitted a clear sound and caused the claw to deviate from its path, sliding past Zhong Shenxiu.

The fierce wind followed the landing of the dragon claw, demonstrating its power. Zhong Shenxiu remained unfazed as the dragon claw passed by his face, but the White Dragon showed a look of irritation.

"Every phenomenon is not a true phenomenon; void is not empty; purity is emptiness, impurity is also emptiness. Daoist, you are attached to form," Hui Lun gently laughed as he controlled the dragon.

"Roar—"

It let out a deep roar, displaying a vexed expression like a living creature and exuding an aura that dominated all beasts, releasing a heavy pressure that disrupted Jiang Li's suction.

Then, the dragon claw moved again, seizing.

A vast aura suddenly surged forth. Midway, it transformed into another dragon claw aiming for the body of the White Dragon.

The palm of Jiang Li's hand revealed markings of a talisman, Innate Qi surged forth, forming a dragon claw and executing the maneuver of surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao.

"Hmm?"

Hui Lun uttered a sound of surprise, his hands forming Seal Techniques, reciting a Spell, "Om."

The White Dragon turned its head, extending a claw that solidified into a force, like a wall of Qi pushing out, directly striking against Jiang Li's attack.

"Bang!"

Claw against claw, yet they did not meet, for their Qi Forces and Strength clashed in the empty air, emitting a booming sound. White Dragon roared, its slender dragon body flexed in midair like a great bow pulled taut, pushing out a powerful force, shocking the Primordial Qi Dragon Claw into a swift retreat.

The air compressed, exploding with sounds, Qi Forces crushed against each other, causing Zhong Shenxiu's sleeves to whip about wildly, yet his arms remained steadily raised, showing no sign of disturbance or injury.

Upon seeing the Dragon Claw repelled, Jiang Li turned his palm, ready to exert more force, but unexpectedly, the Innate Qi began to disperse as it flowed into his palm.

At the same time, Jiang Li's body began to sweat slightly, the sheen on his skin gradually faded, and even a sense of impatience began to emerge in his heart, as his Essence, Qi, and Spirit all started to drain.

"Heavenly Person Five Decays?"

Jiang Li immediately recalled the legend associated with the Heavenly Beings.

The heavenly beings in Buddhism are not eternal, and they too have a lifespan. When their time is up, five signs will appear: stained clothes, faded flowers on the head, sweat under the armpits, foul body odor, and displeasure with their seat, known as the "Heavenly Person Five Decays."

"Three Flowers Gathering at the Top."

Jiang Li instantly merged the Three Elements into one, forming three blossoms atop his head, covering his body with their light to preserve his three elements.

This, however, slightly delayed Jiang Li's counterattack, and the White Dragon swiftly reached out to claw again.

Yet, another Sword Light shot forth like a long rainbow, its energy pure and flawless, imbued with a resonating aura of killing intent — unmistakably the Geng Metal Sword Qi, the sword light fast as lightning, striking the White Dragon's body, sparks flying.

"Ow—"

The White Dragon's eyes showed rage, clearly in extreme pain.

"Unharmed?" Zhang Daoyi exclaimed in surprise.

This was Yuan Zhen's Lifebound Flying Sword, made of Geng Metal and known for its fierce killing power, yet it had unexpectedly failed to inflict a wound.

Was the White Dragon too strong, or...

With this thought, Zhang Daoyi turned to look at Yuan Zhen.

In that instant, darkness suddenly descended, all light around the altar was devoured, and the ability to perceive was cloaked, blurring everyone's senses, a harsh red light slashed directly at Zhong Shenxiu.

Without hesitation, Zhang Daoyi reached for Yuan Zhen beside him, grabbing a hand that was forming a sword formula, and seizing the pulse, True Qi surged in. The Geng Metal Sword Light paused momentarily, then flew towards Yuan Zhen.

Yet the Red Sword Light continued unabated.

It wasn't him!

No rule says Sword Cultivators can't use other swords aside from their Lifebound Flying Sword, nor that they can't multitask. However, when their True Qi is disrupted, the Flying Sword they control will surely be affected, and there can be no exception.

Since the Red Sword Light was unaffected, it indicated that it was not wielded by Yuan Zhen.

This relieved Zhang Daoyi's heart.

"Clang!"

In the darkness, the Observation Blade was unsheathed, its blade light, like a bright mirror, reflecting the red light, intertwining dozens of times in an instant.

The Red Sword Light, transformed from a Sword Orb, varied in flexion and extension as desired, fast as the wind, unmatched in fierceness. Zhong Shenxiu stood unmoved, the Sword Light he wielded flowed like water, impenetrably defensive.

"But since they've made a move, it won't be just one person."

Jiang Li, sensing the clash between sword and blade, immediately stood up.

At that moment, a chilly force swept towards Jiang Li from behind.

Indeed, it was not just one person, and they had also targeted Jiang Li.

Securing the Flood Dragon Pearl was crucial, as was retrieving the Rain Master Token. Even if they could not stop the Praying for Rain, unable to use it to win the people's hearts, they could still erect a divine statue elsewhere, drawing water resources from other regions.

Either way, it was a no-loss situation.

The chilling air wrapped a fierce Blade Light, slashing onto Jiang Li's body, instantly boosting the protecting Three Lights around him, blocking the assaulting strike, as the sword on Jiang Li's waist came apart autonomously.