Taiyi Dao Fruit

"In this world, there are no rules that remain unchanged forever," said the temple master of Yuxu Temple. "Even in our temple, there have been many precedents for changes to the inheritance of the Dao Fruit."

Daoist Guang Cheng reached out, summoning red and blue Sword Lights that orbited him, slowly descending with him toward a mountain peak below. He went on to say, "For example, inheriting the Dao Fruit is not fixed to a specific lineage. Initially, disciples of the Yuxu Temple were predestined to inherit a certain Dao Fruit upon admission. However, due to various reasons, our predecessors changed the rule to allow for arbitrary selection of the Dao Fruit, provided the Fitting Conditions are met."

Take Daoist Guang Cheng's own inheritance of Guang Chengzi's Dao Fruit, for example. If the old rules had been applied, he would have been predestined to inherit this Dao Fruit upon his admission, and no one else could have accommodated the Guang Chengzi Dao Fruit.

The same was true for others.

Everyone followed the existing regulations to house the Dao Fruit.

But as time passed, some Dao Fruits of Yuxu Temple were lost, and new Dao Fruits were found by disciples, leading to changes in the rules.

Most of the time, disciples of the Yuxu Temple still followed the corresponding lineages to house the Dao Fruits because the compatibility with ancestral Dao Fruits was typically high. However, they were not obligated to house a particular Dao Fruit.

Take Shen Hou, for example. The Dao Fruit of Shen Gongbao he housed had nothing to do with the Dao Fruits of the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Take Jiang Biehe. After he housed the Mu Zha Dao Fruit, he went on to house the Jin Zha Dao Fruit. While the former was considered part of the lineage of the Universal Benevolent Real Person, the latter belonged to the lineage of Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun.

By the way, according to what Jiang Li knew, even among the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Yuxu Temple, there had been changes, such as the replacement of the Yellow Dragon Immortal with Yun Zhongzi.

Whether it was because the Dao Fruit of the Yellow Dragon Immortal had been lost or for some other reason, such as the weakness of the Dao Fruit...

During the conversation, Daoist Guang Cheng, Jiang Li, and Gongsun Qingyue landed on a snow-covered mountain peak.

Daoist Guang Cheng sat cross-legged, with Pure Light misting beneath him, creating a blue lotus flickering in support of his form. The two Sword Lights laid across his knees, transforming into two archaic swords, one with a grid shaped like Flames, the other coiled with the shape of a flood dragon.

"Although there is no precedent for a Fourth Grade Dao Fruit being passed to outsiders, the rules can be changed and made flexible," said Daoist Guang Cheng indifferently. "After all, I am the temple master."

Daoist Guang Cheng emphasized his status once again, indicating his limitless power as the temple master.

Jiang Li could obtain the Dao Fruit of Qingyuan Miao Dao True Monarch, provided that he could pay a satisfactory price.

"It seems that your sect is not in the best situation," Jiang Li probed.

"Indeed, it's not good," Daoist Guang Cheng did not try to conceal and candidly admitted, "Yuxu Temple has been an enemy of Buddha Country for many years, and our enmity is deep. Even the Dao Fruit of Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun has fallen into the hands of Buddha Country. Now as Buddha Country advances eastward, our temple is its primary great enemy. Although I and my fellow brothers are fearless of the strong warriors from Buddha Country, a major war could jeopardize the foundation our ancestors have built, forcing us to take action."

"But with Daoist Guang Yuan and another third grade Daoist Guangyuan present in the Yuxu Temple, Awakened do not emerge, and Buddha Country may not truly threaten Yuxu Temple, unless..." Jiang Li silently voiced two words.

— Jiang family.

With the major figure of Buddhist Zhen Ru from Buddha Country leaking the secret, Jiang Li was already aware of the collusion between the Jiang Family and Buddha Country. The Jiang Family now sought to return to the Nine Provinces with the support of Buddha Country. It appeared that Daoist Guang Cheng had also perceived this connection between the Jiang Family and Buddha Country.

And within the Yuxu Temple, there were also members of the Jiang Family.

Once a conflict arose between Yuxu Temple and the Jiang Family, the issue would become where these people would stand.

Yuxu Temple had a total of about thirty people, and the defection of even one or two individuals could have a significant impact.

Daoist Guang Cheng saw Jiang Li's implication and nodded slightly, keeping his words brief.

The Jiang Family desired to return to the Nine Provinces and rise again, necessarily opposing the Great Zhou Imperial Family and the Dinghu Sect. Yuxu Temple, however, could not possibly join the ranks of the rebels for the sake of individual disciples, braving dangers for the Jiang Family.

On the other hand, Buddha Country's desire to spread Buddhist Law was inherently opposed to Great Zhou, making them a perfect match with the Jiang Family.

The only concern was that Buddha Country and Yuxu Temple were natural enemies, making it impossible for both to be satisfied.

"On behalf of the court, I am willing to make an agreement with Senior Guang Cheng that when Buddha Country advances eastward, the court will undoubtedly provide substantial support," said Gongsun Qingyue immediately.

However, Daoist Guang Cheng shook his head, "Not enough. This is the court's duty, insufficient as a price. If the court is unwilling to take action, we, the outsiders, have even less responsibility to stop Buddha Country."

Despite their enmity, expecting Yuxu Temple to engage in a deadly battle with Buddha Country without any support would be taking Yuxu Temple for granted.

If Buddha Country advanced eastward, the most anxious entities should be the rulers of Nine Provinces, not Yuxu Temple, the Outer Disciple sect.

Therefore, it was not enough.

"Then, what about the position of Emperor Master?" asked Jiang Li.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Guang Cheng's expression grew stern, and the two swords on his lap seemed to slightly burst with Sword Qi, sparking like sharp electricity upon the blades.

"Is the position of Emperor Master enough?" Jiang Li queried again.

Daoist Guang Cheng's Mental State fluctuated in a manner unprecedented.

For cultivators, the most difficult temptation to resist is a higher Realm, and now, Daoist Guang Cheng faced such a temptation.

Even with his years of cultivation and mental strength, he was stirred by this enticement.

Once Guang Chengzi served as a teacher to the Yellow Emperor, and now, Daoist Guang Cheng, bearing the Guang Chengzi Dao Fruit, would reap clear benefits if he became the Emperor Master. Moreover, the Yuxu Temple itself would benefit, receiving the full support of the court.