Taiyi Dao Fruit

Human Species? Buddha Attribute······

Jiang Li's heart stirred, "Because the Awakened had not accommodated the Bodhisattva Dao Fruit."

"Indeed," said Karma Tathagata.

In the Buddha Country, Cultivators naturally wouldn't bully the Awakened over different Dao Fruit Categories, nor would they dare to bully. However, differences brought about by disparate paths were tangibly present.

The Dao Fruit of the Awakened was of the Human Species, and the most significant characteristic of the Human Attribute Dao Fruit was to follow one path to the end. Human Attribute paths could be converted to any other paths, but other paths could not convert to the Human Species.

The previous Dao Fruits had to be of the Human Species, or at the very least, include the Human Species, to be eligible for promotion to Human Attribute Dao Fruit.

Since the Awakened's Dao Fruit belonged to the Human Species, it meant he did not possess the ability to absorb Dao Fruit ability through faith in incense, nor could he promote to the Bodhisattva Dao Fruit of the Buddha Attribute. The high echelon of Buddha Country was assumed to be loyal to Buddha Country because they all took vows under the "Bodhisattva Vehicle," adhering to the Dao of Buddhism.

Others in the high echelon had no chance of betraying Buddha Country, but the Awakened did, even if theoretically his position as Chief made it impossible for him to betray, the possibility still existed.

Even, this possibility might well become reality.

Even if it wasn't about betraying Buddha Country, what about deviating from the Dao of Buddhism?

With this possibility, along with evidence, and Manjusri's own thoughts... it was the beginnings of a poisonous scheme.

"Heart Demon obscures, bringing calamity onto oneself," Karma Tathagata said indifferently.

Bringing calamity onto oneself; that was his judgment on Buddha Country.

"But fake can never become real," said Jiang Li, his gaze intent, his voice deepening.

This was his final confirmation.

In the Great Freedom Heaven, transformations are mysterious, perfectly aligned with the Heavenly Demon Formless saying. With Karma Tathagata's ability, impersonating anyone without revealing any flaws based on appearance was possible. If Karma Tathagata's face was a facade, then the Awakened might well dissolve this attack into nothing.

By speaking out, Jiang Li wished to understand the development of the situation and... confirm the connection between the Awakened and Karma Tathagata.

Regarding this, a dark aura finally emerged from Karma Tathagata, laced with a hint of irony, "The real cannot be feigned, just like one who is clearly the Awakened, yet insists on calling himself the Mazer."

Was it a humble self-address?

Or some kind of subtle indication?

Jiang Li didn't know whether the Awakened meant the former or latter, but Karma Tathagata's answer was definitely the latter.

This statement was a sufficient response.

After the words fell, a gentle breeze suddenly arose, stirring Karma Tathagata's white hair, also causing Jiang Li's embodied form to dissipate like smoke.

Their conversation's purpose having been achieved, Karma Tathagata didn't keep Jiang Li any longer, rather discourteously sending off the visitor.

After Jiang Li left, slight ripples appeared on a huge halo, and Luo Hou's towering figure stepped out from it.

"Worldly Venerable," he slightly nodded to Karma Tathagata, showing respect without excessive deference.

"Did you swear by the Karma Spell?"

Karma Tathagata remained seated and motionless, only his faint voice resonating.

"Yes," Luo Hou nodded, "Jiang Li has already shown sincerity; it's only proper I reciprocate. However, my Dao Fruit is special, there are ways to resolve any backlash. As for Elder Jiang, he's not as scheming as intelligence suggested, at least not in this contractual agreement."

This did cause Luo Hou, a true practitioner of the Demon Path known for ruthless tactics, a rare sense of shame—for in his past dealings, simplicity and straightforwardness were unheard of, but—

That's just how we of the Demon Path are; don't play if you can't handle it.

Luo Hou's feeling of shame lasted only a moment before dissipating into nothingness, he said, "The chess piece has been placed, a showdown between Buddha Prison and Buddha Country is finally imminent. Let us hope that Manjusri does not disappoint."

"Manjusri could have left years ago, but he chose to stay for promotion in Buddha Country, harboring hidden ambitions, he won't miss this opportunity,"

Karma Tathagata appeared extremely certain, as if he had already foreseen the situation's development.

It's not as if Buddha Country desperately needs Manjusri to advance to the third grade. If Manjusri had been unwilling all those years ago, would the Awakened have really pleaded for his promotion to Manjusri Bodhisattva grade?

Plainly put, Manjusri had the desire.

It was a promotion virtually handed to him on a platter, with the added oversight of the Awakened, making failure almost impossible. Missing this opportunity might mean never being able to advance to the third grade in this lifetime.

Manjusri seized this opportunity and thus remained in Buddha Country.

Today, it seems like a replay of the events of that year, with another opportunity laid before him, and Manjusri would likely seize it nine times out of ten.

Should he replace the Awakened as the chief of Buddha Country, he could collect the most incense offerings and fully use this to achieve Dao Fruit Perfection and even advance to Second Grade.

The Dao Fruit of the Buddha Attribute is closely related to incense offerings.

The Dao Fruit of the Awakened is of the Human Species and cannot take advantage of this benefit, but Manjusri can.

Such an opportunity, let alone Manjusri, would tempt anyone, even a monk who believes in the emptiness of earthly existence.

"So it is very good." Luo Hou's hair, thin as needles, fluttered slightly, revealing an aura of sharpness.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

"Luo Hou is so sincere; it makes me seem not sincere enough, Amitabha, my sin, my sin."

On the other side, Jiang Li repented and then realized he was guilt-free, he could not help but reflect, "Indeed, my every word is true, and when I make a vow, there is no falsehood; how could I not be sincere? It seems I was attached to appearances."

Jiang realized his understanding was clear, and he suddenly felt the world open up; the wind force around him stirred, his figure faded, blending into the wind.

He traveled with wind control, and soon he saw the buildings of Yuxu Temple.

At that moment, two Daoist boys in Yuxu Temple were still entangled in a fight, suddenly feeling their evil thoughts recede, they couldn't help but yell and spring apart.

Also at that time, Jiang Li, holding an Ancient Sword, entered the Daoist hall, walked up to the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover, and observed the fading Big Snake Illusion.

"There really is a split-off somewhere else; nothing could be more cunning than this."

Seeing the Big Snake Illusion had not completely dissipated, Jiang Li knew the opponent was not yet dead; given time, it might recover its full glory.

And the Big Snake Illusion stared at Jiang Li with resentful, chilling eyes, saying sinisterly, "Jiang Li, do you know why I initially went to the Dinghu Sect to seek the Drought Demon Ba? It was by the Great Venerable's command. The Great Venerable was once the behind-the-scenes promoter of the Taiping Sect, but now, it's you who collaborates with him."

"Sooner or later, you will be betrayed by the Great Venerable and become his enemy, and that day is not far off."

The snake's eyes were filled with a blood-like color, cold and resentful, and in an instant, they flashed with a clear, piercing yellow light.

Yellow Heaven?

Jiang Li caught this flicker of yellow light; he knew that it was likely the party behind Giant Snake Baqi that was trying to influence him.

He deliberately revealed the yellow light, making no attempt to hide it, because his words were not false; every sentence was true. This was a technique to sow discord, yet also true speech.

Jiang Li, the Great Venerable, and Gongsun Qi each gained some power scattered from the explosion of Blood Sun, and for the other two, acquiring the power of the heavens was imperative.

They would reclaim what the other two had gained, then confront Heaven directly.

And the Oath of Heaven between Jiang Li and the Great Venerable, it can only be said that the shelf life might be experiencing some minor issues at present, which might have some effect.

But these need not be said further.

"Evildoer! How dare you try to drive a wedge between the affection among brothers."

Jiang Li's brow furrowed, divine light flickering, a beam of light penetrated the Divine Fire Cover directly striking the Big Snake Illusion.

Impacting with the force of Heavenly authority, in just an instant, the Big Snake Illusion was dispersed into a coil of black vapor.

"Hmph! Absolutely preposterous!"

The cold and stern voice was the last thing the Big Snake Illusion heard, as the words fell, the divine light shone, and the original body of the Big Snake Illusion, now like a candle in the wind, had most of its remaining black vapor extinguished by the divine light, with a bit more completely burned away by True Fire.

However, Jiang Li's words still reached the other side through the Big Snake Illusion.

"Brothers? The Great Venerable is really in good spirits."

A faint intention flowed within the yellow light, and soon this trace of yellow light was also burned up by True Fire.