Taiyi Dao Fruit

Walking forward, Jiang hit Wukong three times on the head, then with hands clasped behind his back, entered inside, closed the middle door, and left the crowd behind.

The Karma Collection refreshed with characters extracted from the depths of Jiang Li's memory.

Jiang Li was thinking.

"So does 'Journey to the West' exist in this world... No, that's not right. Does Master actually hold similar thoughts? That's not quite right either..."

Regardless of 'Journey to the West', Elder Tianxuan indeed had taken actions that were beyond ordinary reasoning.

She usually crossed her hands in front of her belly, moving lightly and gracefully, with moderate and steady steps, neither too fast nor too slow, demonstrating stability and nobility. Yet today, she walked with her hands behind her back which was quite unlike her usual mannerisms, definitely implying a special meaning.

Thinking about it, even without that particular context, one could interpret similar implications.

Hitting him on the head three times meant he should keep vigil during the third period of the night; entering with hands behind the back and closing the middle door suggested he should enter through the back door.

But now the question was—

To go, or not to go?

By reason, visiting a woman's boudoir at night, especially that of one's master, was absolutely taboo.

[But it's thrilling!]

By emotion, rushing into the unknown did not align with Jiang's principles of following his heart.

[But it's thrilling!]

The Karma Collection refreshed its text over and over, annoying Jiang Li to no end, so he began to clear his mind and silently wrote the word "heart" in his thoughts.

The Dao Fruit Ability "Seeking Truth" exerted itself as well, with sincere intentions calming the turmoil in his mind, making Jiang Li's mental state settle down. Switching to Wise Man Mode, his thinking became even clearer, completely removing the disturbance of worldly desires.

...

...

That night.

Firefly lights scattered shadows, and geese arranged themselves across the clouds.

It was the third period of the night. A crack in a window of Xuanji Palace's back chamber quietly opened, and Jiang Li slipped out like a snake.

Having set aside the disturbance of worldly desires, and after several hours of earnest thought, Jiang Li made his decision.

Go!

Sun Monkey visited Bodhi Ancestor at night, gaining divine skills. Jiang Li didn't seek to soar as Sun Monkey did, but to quickly harness his potential was enough.

It was certainly not because of beauty!

His filial love for his master was as evident as the sun and moon, eternally unchanging!

A geographical map of the area near Xuanji Palace appeared in his mind. Jiang Li, familiar with the paths, stealthily moved through the shadows towards Elder Tianxuan's boudoir.

Every new environment he entered, Jiang Li made sure to familiarize himself with the terrain, so he could make a swift escape in case of unexpected events. This time was no exception. After Elder Tianxuan had finished disciplining a rebellious disciple that day, she took the two of them away from the Secret Place isle, coincidentally moving Jiang Li into Xuanji Palace.

Jiang Li did two things while inside Xuanji Palace: first, he wrote the "Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs," and second, he familiarized himself with the layout.

As it turned out, his actions proved to be very foresighted. Now, it was proving useful.

After spending nearly half an hour, Jiang Li arrived at a high platform behind Xuanji Palace, illuminated by the bright moonlight of tonight. He saw a half-open wooden window not far away, and the surrounding sounds suddenly faded.

The master's boudoir had no back door, but there was a window at the rear that adjoined a stone platform, which was Elder Tianxuan's second stargazing spot besides the Tianxuan Hall.

Jiang Li, sensing the receding sounds around him, steadied his heart and then approached silently, grabbing the window door...

"Ow—"

A long moan erupted. A golden dragon burst forth from inside, rushing toward Jiang Li with bared teeth and claws.

In Jiang Li's eyes, a complex and mysterious image suddenly appeared. Innate Qi spontaneously activated, condensing a transparent Qi Shield in front of him to meet the dragon's head.

"Bang!"

The Qi Shield rippled like water. The collision energy of the golden dragon was heavily neutralized, but Jiang Li was still knocked back ten feet, stumbling several steps after landing.

"Ow!"

The golden dragon let out another low moan and gradually disappeared, followed by a light laugh from the other side of the wooden window. Elder Tianxuan's voice arose, "Disciple, instead of sleeping properly in your room at this late hour, what are you doing outside your teacher's room?"

Jiang Li replied, "Disciple didn't want to be up late either, but Master commanded me to come before the third period of the night. Your disciple dares not disobey your orders."

"Don't talk nonsense. I never issued such an order. And even if I did call you, would you just come without thinking about whether it's proper?" Elder Tianxuan scolded with a laugh.

That said, from the change in how Elder Tianxuan referred to herself, it seemed she wasn't truly angry.

"Disciple didn't want it this way either, but my current situation is perilous, and rapid progression is necessary. Even knowing it's against the rules, I had no choice but to take the risk," Jiang Li lamented.

His argument was logical and justified, causing Elder Tianxuan to fall silent for a moment.

"You do see things clearly."

She remarked softly, then said, "Fine, since you can see through my intentions, it shows you truly have the fate for it. Take out all the scales of Yinglong that you got from Jiang Zhuyun."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li knew the matter was settled.

[Even though it wasn't the kind of business he hoped for, Jiang Li felt a bit disappointed, but quickly took out Yinglong's scales.]

Jiang Li waved his hand as if to dismiss these mischievous items, then opened the jade box he took out, revealing its contents.

He had originally thought the jade box contained only Spiritual Medicine but found Yinglong's scales there too. After counting, including the one he had obtained from searching Luo Yi's body, there were thirty-six in total.

"You have received the 'Heavenly Banner Spell' from your senior brother Yaoguang and have comprehended the Breath of Yinglong in Si Fan Valley. I will pass on to you the introductory technique of the Yinglong Transformation. Remember, this technique, being a part of 'Form Tomb,' should not be taught to you according to our rules. When using this in front of others, claim it is the 'Five Dragons' God Method' from the 'Yin Talisman Seven Skills,' with your Innate Qi changes concealing the Qi," Elder Tianxuan instructed.

"The 'Yin Talisman Seven Skills' is not a technique of the Dinghu Sect; it was a fortuitous acquisition by Gongsun Qingyue. She can teach it to whoever she chooses, and the other disciples can't say much."

"Can't even Sister know?" Jiang Li asked curiously.

That narrow-minded traitorous disciple might stir up trouble if she knew.

Elder Tianxuan thought secretly.

The Yinglong Transformation and the Drought God Palm that Gongsun Qingyue practiced complemented and countered each other. With Jiang Li learning this technique, Gongsun Qingyue's chance of winning would be even smaller.

Gongsun Qingyue didn't want Elder Tianxuan interfering in her contest with Jiang Li, let alone helping Jiang Li.

"Not even her," Elder Tianxuan immediately instructed, "If she notices anything unusual, just say I modified the 'Five Dragons' God Method,' so it's different from the original. In any case, this act violates our regulations, and you must not speak recklessly."

"Yes."

"Now, affix the scales of Yinglong individually to your heavenly spirit, temples, eyes, etc., use Qi to draw talismans, integrate them with your body, and absorb the energy of Yinglong. 'Form Tomb' cultivates the dharma body, forging the body with the law to achieve divine and extraordinary appearances."