Taiyi Dao Fruit

"I understand now."

Daoist Guang Cheng smiled, his eyes flashing brightly as he appraised Jiang Li, "Fellow Daoist Tianxuan truly has impressive courage and skill; I admire you."

While he spoke of Tianxuan, Daoist Guang Cheng was in fact continuously observing Jiang Li, with a look that seemed to say, he had expected as much.

'What do you understand?'

Jiang Li had a premonition that Daoist Guang Cheng might have misunderstood something.

It was plainly targeted for Tianxuan to offer the position of Imperial Tutor; it was not an empty promise, like the ploy Jiang Li had in mind.

Currently, the most influential figures within the court were still Tianxuan, Ji Lingguang, Jiang Li, and their allied faction—a power overwhelming the court. If they chose to support a particular Prince, it was highly probable to elevate him to the throne.

And they had to do so.

If the Emperor ultimately remained trapped and the Emperor Dao Fruit failed to be passed down, then the next Emperor would not be an absolutely impartial sovereign but a mortal full of personal desires. If the successor was not one of their own, wouldn't they face retribution?

However, should the Emperor Dao Fruit be inherited, then the next Emperor would be devoid of human flaws, and as long as Tianxuan and others did not cross the line, that Emperor could naturally accommodate them. An Emperor containing the Emperor Dao Fruit need not worry about powerful ministers, for he himself would be the embodiment of the Sacrificial Altar.

Therefore, regardless of the future, Tianxuan and Ji Lingguang intended to support a Prince.

And given the chaos to come, the future Great Zhou urgently required strong support—even if the Emperor possessed the Emperor Dao Fruit, they would need external assistance to fill the void. Yuxu Temple was the prime choice for this support.

Whether the Emperor held the Emperor Dao Fruit or not, they would not hesitate to acknowledge an Imperial Tutor, thereby forming an alliance between Yuxu Temple and Great Zhou.

On this matter, Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue could swear an oath to Heaven, offering assurance.

There was, however, one piece of insider information unknown to Daoist Guang Cheng.

—That was the side effect of the Emperor Dao Fruit.

Daoist Guang Cheng did not know that a person harboring the Emperor Dao Fruit would become a perfect sovereign machine, the embodiment of a dynasty; his understanding of the Emperor was greatly skewed.

Regrettably, the present Emperor, who was offline, could have confirmed such a bias—his actions before being sealed did not resemble those of a wise ruler, but were filled with personal desires.

In Guang Cheng's view, the fact that Tianxuan could make such a promise indicated that Tianxuan had already schemed for the throne, confident in making the future Emperor pay a price. Coincidentally, there was a handsome and eligible contender present, who in terms of talent, potential, and power, could outshine any of the Ji Family's Princes.

He was indeed the most powerful competitor for the throne.

Yes, it's you—Jiang Li.

The promise made by Jiang Li seemed more like an invitation to collaborate in the pursuit of the throne.

As for who would inherit the throne after Jiang Li, that would be a matter for the future. And with Heaven as a witness, Tianxuan had no reason to worry about the throne slipping from their grasp.

Everything connected in Daoist Guang Cheng's mind.

His face showed a look of understanding.

"Fellow Daoist, you've really posed a difficult challenge for me. Such a significant matter is not without risk. However, if I were to invest a Fourth Grade Dao Fruit, I might be willing to try," Daoist Guang Cheng said slowly after sizing up Jiang Li.

As long as Yuxu Temple did not fall, even if Jiang Li's attempt to seize the throne failed, Yuxu Temple could still separate itself.

If Yuxu Temple was to decline, even without this event, it would fall into other predicaments eventually.

In the end, it's strength that speaks in this world.

Daoist Guang Cheng saw this clearly, and so he did not mind investing a Dao Fruit to consider the grand opportunity Jiang Li had depicted.

And Jiang Li...

'He couldn't really have misunderstood, could he?'

With his keen senses, he could detect the slight discrepancy. Daoist Guang Cheng's understanding was most likely different from what he had intended to convey.

Nevertheless, the result was consistent.

'Forget it, let it be,' Jiang Li thought after pondering for a moment, deciding to say no more.

His goal had been achieved; it was best not to complicate things further.

Besides, Jiang Li had no intention of going back on his word—if he said he'd give the title of Imperial Tutor, he would give it.

"Since Daoist has agreed, I will now make an oath with my senior sister under Heaven's witness," Jiang Li immediately said.

"Agreed," Daoist Guang Cheng waved his hand, "But I have one suggestion regarding the content of the oath. If you ultimately fail to secure the position of Imperial Tutor for me, Fellow Daoist will have to take on the responsibility as the protector of Yuxu Temple, safeguarding our Daoist lineage and legacy."

Well, it seemed he had taken a liking to him.

Jiang Li could now be certain that Daoist Guang Cheng had indeed misunderstood, and he was fixated on Jiang Li—the person or rather, his potential. Even if Jiang Li couldn't become the Imperial Tutor, Guang Cheng still wanted to secure him as the protector.

This would also circumvent the external narrative surrounding Qingyuan Miao Dao True Monarch.

From the outcome, Jiang Li would ultimately be associated with Yuxu Temple, and it truly couldn't be considered a loss of the Dao Fruit.

However, Jiang Li was determined to obtain the Qingyuan Miao Dao True Monarch Dao Fruit, and this request did not exceed his limits. Hearing this, he did not say much and simply agreed.

He and Gongsun Qingyue swore an oath to Heaven, with Heaven as their witness, establishing an astral oath. With an invisible gaze descending from the skies, both parties could sense the establishment of a solemn vow.

"Good."

Daoist Guang Cheng laughed heartily, showing a hint of closeness and a joyful expression.

He stood up from his lotus seat, shooting up in a golden light, and took the two with him, splitting the sky as they left.