Taiyi Dao Fruit

After taking seven or eight elixirs to replenish her Essence Qi, Gongsun Qingyue was finally able to stand up straight.

She controlled her sword to hover above the water's surface, took out a Jade Mirror, and infused it with True Qi.

A faint ripple appeared on the mirror, and a woman dressed in elaborate finery with a light veil over her face appeared.

"Master, he's becoming impatient," Gongsun Qingyue said as she looked at the woman.

"Indeed, he's becoming impatient," Elder Tianxuan responded with a hint of amusement in her voice, showing no annoyance at being threatened, "If he had used this trump card at a critical moment, it indeed could have caught us off guard. Unfortunately for him, the card has now been revealed."

"The Jiang family's knife has indeed proven to be useful."

"What should we do next..." Gongsun Qingyue asked.

"Let nature take its course," Elder Tianxuan said, "After this incident, Yaoguang should lose hope in the Jiang family and merely stand by and watch. The only moves the Jiang family has left at Dinghu Sect, aside from stirring the Yinglong Dao Fruit, are their low-grade disciples."

"Tell Jiang Li that if he can resolve the issue with Jiang Zhuyun, then when he ascends to Sixth Rank, he can try to control the Ochre Whip. This is an opportunity given to him by the Sect; he should cherish it."

Sixth Rank…

Gongsun Qingyue was inwardly shocked.

Cultivators could usually only handle a Dao Artifact up to three grades above their own. Since Jiang Li would be attempting to wield the Ochre Whip at Sixth Rank, that indicated that the Ochre Whip was a third grade artifact.

It was the first time Gongsun Qingyue had heard that the Ochre Whip contained a First and Third Grade Dao Fruit.

Even the Sect Leader of Dinghu Sect, in his current realm, was only third grade. If a cultivator could ascend to third grade, they could roam the world unchallenged.

Yet, ascending to third grade required perfect timing, geographical and human conditions, and exceedingly strict terms. It wasn't merely a matter of possessing a Dao Fruit. Otherwise, the Dinghu Sect wouldn't have just their Sect Leader at third grade.

Even so, the value of a third grade Dao Artifact was exceedingly high, capable of being a prized treasure passed down within Dinghu Sect.

"Isn't it a bit premature to let him handle a third grade Dao Artifact?" Gongsun Qingyue asked, "Observing Jiang Li, he tends to be rebellious; he needs to be disciplined a bit more."

Gongsun Qingyue offered this suggestion, tinged with personal grievances.

Hearing this, Elder Tianxuan did not immediately reply but instead studied her disciple's face.

After a moment, she cracked a smile, "Jade True Pill is indeed a good medicine for replenishing Essence Element, but due to its comprehensive nature, it's actually not very effective for your current condition. I'll have someone send you some Kunyuan Grass later; it's best suited for replenishing kidney Qi."

Gongsun Qingyue tensed her face immediately, nearly blushing. Struggling to maintain composure, she replied, "Disciple has indeed been overly eager in her practice recently. Thank you for your kindness, Master."

No matter, as long as she didn't admit it, she was merely suffering from depleted kidney Qi, definitely not fainting.

"Haste makes waste; just remember to take care."

Elder Tianxuan's smile deepened but she didn't elaborate, instead continuing to answer Gongsun Qingyue's earlier question, "As for Jiang Li, you need not worry. In ancient times, our ancestor killed the Warlord and transformed his essence into one of the Six Dharma; today our gate can absorb the Jiang family just the same, realizing the unity of Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang. Both Yaoguang and Jiang Li will become a part of the Sect."

"Interest, allegiance, Magic Door, Jiang Li cannot betray them."

With those meaningful words, the mirror rippled again and the figure of Elder Tianxuan slowly vanished.

At the same time, the ripples of Dinghu also calmed gradually, and the occasional shadows appearing on the lake's surface faded into oblivion.

Everything seemed to be returning to normal.

On the island where Si Fan Valley was located, the low yet commanding breathing sound was fading, the pervasive Calamity Clouds were dispersing, and consequently, the sweeping power enveloping Jiang Li was also vanishing, causing the invisible pressure of Si Fan Valley to surge back once again.

However, at that moment, the golden scale in Jiang Li's hand began to warm slightly, and a resonance emerged between him and the pervasive power around. The pressure that was about to be exerted on him dissipated instantly like clouds scattering after a rainstorm, no longer affecting him.

"If I'm not mistaken, this must be the scale of the Yinglong Dragon..."

The scale of the Yinglong Dragon saved Jiang Li from the suppression of the Divine Domain, a connection that inevitably provoked deep thought.

At this moment, there were still echoes of the Dragon Roar within Si Fan Valley. Entering now might yield some discoveries, but Jiang Li's most prominent trait was his self-awareness. He knew all too well that curiosity could kill a cat, so after this thought flickered in his mind, it sank into the lake of his heart, no longer pondered upon.

For now, Jiang Li only needed to know that his time to rise had come.

The greater the threat displayed by Jiang Zhuyun, the more the Sect supported him, Jiang Li. The so-called greater the storm, the more valuable the fish, that was the principle.

The Sect truly needed this fish, Jiang Li.

Thinking this, Jiang Li simply sat down on the ground, guarding Luo Yi's corpse, waiting for the Law Enforcement Disciples to come and clean up.

...

...

Inside the Stone House at the deepest part of Si Fan Valley.

Elder Tianpeng sat on the ground, his robust body possessing an imposing aura.

"Just this morning, I delivered the Mo Wu Battle Box to Jiang Li, and by night, someone came to assassinate him. Tell me, who informed Jiang Zhuyun? They even triggered a Yinglong Dragon uprising, quite a feat."

The dark Stone House was filled with a suffocating atmosphere, occasionally lit by flashes of Thunder Light which illuminated Elder Tianpeng's angry face and a small figure kneeling inside.

During the time Elder Tianpeng closed his doors, someone had come to this place in the guise of a paper effigy to pay respects to Elder Tianpeng.

"This is for the family..." the small figure replied in a low voice.

"But I have said, once you choose to follow me and learn, you should not get involved in the disputes between the Jiang family and the Sect," Elder Tianpeng shook his head and said, "I merely showed a bit of intent, and you thought to eliminate Jiang Li. What if one day I stand with the Sect, will you seek to eliminate me? Do you realize this was just a test I gave you?"

At this point, Elder Tianpeng took a deep breath.

"Both from the Jiang family, Jiang Li tries everything to be free, and yet you, who could be free, insist on wearing these chains. Go now, do not seek me out again in the future."

Upon hearing this, the kneeling figure trembled but still heavily kowtowed nine times to Elder Tianpeng before drifting away.

He left unwillingly, yet with a resolute air and without any regret.

Seeing this, Elder Tianpeng shook his head.

"Fool!"

He muttered under his breath, then looked forward, his gaze focused as if looking at a non-existent figure.

"To prevent the Yinglong Dao Fruit from causing another upheaval, I will sit here continuously from now on. I will not concern myself with matters of the Sect. However, you must ensure that only the wicked are punished, without involving everyone else, else I will not let this go!"

"The Sect has its own rules; as long as they are not violated, there will be no implications, please rest assured, Elder Yaoguang."

A melodious and soft voice responded from within the Stone House.

Only then did Elder Tianpeng slowly close his eyes, "It had better be so."