Taiyi Dao Fruit

The price was completely sufficient.

The precondition was that both Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue could afford it.

Upon hearing Jiang Li's words, Gongsun Qingyue also showed a look of surprise but then quickly understood that this was the proposal Tianxuan had previously made to Jiang Li.

— By offering the position of Emperor Master, they intended to tempt Daoist Guangcheng.

Gongsun Qingyue and Jiang Li had come here together, essentially representing the Gongsun Family and the Jiang family in negotiations with Daoist Guangcheng.

"Jiang Li will soon obtain the legitimate leadership of the Jiang family, replacing the previous Family Head," Gongsun Qingyue slowly began, continuing from where Jiang Li had left off.

Daoist Guangcheng narrowed his eyes as if contemplating the offer.

The title of Emperor Master had three meanings: first, a teacher of the Emperor; second, the highest leader of a religion; third, awarded as an honor to a revered official.

In reality, aside from the second meaning, the first and third, while not insignificant, were not influential enough to affect the entire country. After all, no emperor was born knowing everything and typically had several teachers.

The title of Emperor Master did not mean superiority over the Emperor.

Only the second meaning could influence the whole sacrificial altar, officially an Emperor Master but effectively a National Master.

However, even with the first and third meanings, they were not promises to be given lightly; at the least, it had to come from the Emperor himself.

Daoist Guangcheng pondered for a long time, then suddenly smiled, "I see."

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West Kunxu.

Amid the swirling snow and towering mountains, there stood a majestic peak enshrouded by clouds, seeming not of this world.

Through the ethereal mist on the mountain, faint outlines of flying eaves and contiguous palaces appeared, their overlapping roofs creating a magnificent spectacle.

A stream of cloud entered this marvelous scene from the outside world, glided past the palace complex, and entered the palace at the very top of the peak, crafted as if from pure white jade, revealing a figure in white.

This person, clad in simple and elegant white palace attire, devoid of excessive decoration, matched her indifferent demeanor.

The temperament of this master of the Immortal Palace was somewhat similar to Tianxuan's, both carrying the dignity of Divinity and the grace of a woman, yet, compared to Tianxuan, she lacked majestic composure and instead possessed a sharpness and coldness like a sword.

She was like a sword, a block of ice, a divine spirit, anything but human.

As she entered the great hall, the atmosphere grew noticeably heavier, a faint white mist dispersing with her steps, carrying an intense chill.

"Sister."

A beautiful, elegant woman came forward with her hands clasped, greeting the Immortal Queen and then said, "That person has sent news again, saying that Jiang Li's power is indeed comparable to fourth-rank, and even among those at the fourth-rank, there are few who could match him. However, this news seems of little importance."

Jiang Li's strength was now, if not known to all under heaven, certainly to the Immortal Palace.

The Immortal Queen herself had witnessed Jiang Li suppress Jiang Biehe in battle, so why would she need anyone else to inform her?

"Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch," the Immortal Queen paused, her surrounding chill intensifying, "his implication is that Jiang Li might be promoted to Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch."

Although the messenger did not reveal his identity, the Immortal Palace was almost certain that he was from Yuxu Temple. Among those in Yuxu Temple, the most likely associated with this news was the Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch Dao Fruit.

This Dao Fruit's fame was widespread, and as neighbors, the Immortal Palace was naturally aware of it. Matching the stringent criteria of this Dao Fruit with the news, the Immortal Queen deduced the implication.

"Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch? Oh no, if Jiang Li ascends to this Dao Fruit, wouldn't Tianxuan gain a powerful ally?" The elegant woman's face changed drastically, her voice faltering.

As is well-known, sometimes the gap between people is even greater than that between humans and dogs. Dao Fruits, too, originate from people and naturally vary in rank.

Even within the same grade, not all Dao Fruits are created equal; some are simply stronger than others.

However, the cultivators who accommodated the Dao Fruit were not necessarily equivalent; even if one accommodated a stronger Dao Fruit, it did not guarantee superiority over others. Likewise, accommodating a weaker Dao Fruit did not imply a cultivator's weakness, nor did accommodating a strong Dao Fruit ensure strength.

Yet Jiang Li, without a doubt, was not one of those who would disappoint the Dao Fruit, especially given that the Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch Dao Fruit itself indicated a significant threshold, evidencing undeniable strength.

Strength upon strength signified that Jiang Li's power was about to ascend dramatically.

"So, this person wants to invite me to join them in eliminating Jiang Li," the Immortal Queen remarked calmly, her aura enveloped in a chilly mist, "right when Jiang Li crosses the tribulation for his Promotion."

No matter how remarkable Jiang Li's power was, he could not easily transcend the Three Calamities. His moment of Promotion would be his most vulnerable.

"However, the Yuxu Temple has both Daoist Guang Cheng and Daoist Guang Yuan..." the beautiful woman still did not seem optimistic.

"Then, the person who will act on that day might not be just a third grade."

Yet the Immortal Queen seemed to see through the situation, saying lightly, "Even Tianxuan might..."

She gently flicked her sleeve, bringing a layer of frost and sharpness, and ordered, "This person won't just stop here, in short, two or three days, or as long as ten days, he will make his next move. Stay alert; if there is any news, report back to me at once."

"Twenty-Five Days."

On the frozen plains, a golden apparition sat on a Lotus Platform, suspended mid-air, addressing the assembled Arhats, "In twenty-five days, the grand aspirations of this monk, Guangli, and White Lotus will end, and so too will the day we encircle Jiang Li."

"The news of his attempt to attain the Promotion to Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch has leaked, and our adversaries will not miss this opportunity. Despite Yuxu Temple's protection, it cannot suppress the murderous intent from all sides."

Already comparable in power to a fourth rank, if he were to attain the status of Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch, who could then contend with him?

Even if he might not manage to cross the grade threshold again and directly compete with the third grade, he would still pose a significant threat.

Once Jiang Li ascended, he would be among the strongest in the fourth rank, his status at that rank akin to the Awakened and Karma Tathagata among the third rank.

Divine Country could not allow such an formidable character to exist!

"But Great Master, Yaoguang Breaking Army might not wait until then," Tota Arhat said.

Jiang Li wasn't foolish; knowing that the news had leaked, surely he would prepare, one of which would be to advance his Promotion before the monthly period arrived.

He could not afford to wait until the deadline set by the three Bodhisattvas of the Buddha Country, adding to his perils.

"He obviously won't wait until the end of the monthly period, but he must wait."

The apparition of Manjusri Bodhisattva spoke evenly, emanating a strategic calm, "The Promotion to Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch requires overcoming the three calamities of wind, fire, and thunder. If we obstruct just one, it can halt Jiang Li's Promotion. I have already sent Hui Lun with the Wind Stabilizing Pearl; until the end of the month, you all must protect Jiang Shizhu and prevent him from suffering the calamity of wind."

Manjusri Bodhisattva knew the Promotion Ceremony of Qingyuan Miaodao True Monarch Dao Fruit like the back of his hand, directly outlining the method of obstruction.

The mentioned Wind Stabilizing Pearl, as the name suggests, possessed the capability to stop and stabilize wind. This pearl had no other power and not even the slightest destructive force; its sole purpose was directed against any "wind."

Regardless of the size, all winds must settle before the Wind Stabilizing Pearl, even the wind calamity among the Three Calamities could not stir under its influence.

Without the wind calamity arising, Jiang Li's Promotion Ceremony naturally could not be completed.

Upon hearing this, Tota Arhats and the others immediately showed a compassionate smile.

Protecting Jiang Li and others was already part of their grand aspiration; assisting Jiang Li in suppressing the wind calamity was indeed in line with their aspiration, without fear of transgression.

Conversely, if Jiang Li's side attempted to prevent them from using the Wind Stabilizing Pearl, it would inadvertently release the three Bodhisattvas of Buddha Country from this shameless pledge.

"Good."

Happy Arhat smiled, "Jiang Shizhu treats others with sincerity, and our Buddha Country cannot be unfaithful. We will protect Jiang Shizhu for twenty-five days, ensuring he does not suffer from the calamity of wind. Once this monthly period is over..."

"Then we will transcend Jiang Shizhu, lead Jiang Shizhu to the Western Pure Land, and allow him to meet our Buddha," all the Arhats said in unison.