Taiyi Dao Fruit

They knew full well that Daoist Shen Hou had come to hinder them, yet they could not strike out.

How could they attack someone who had come to express his gratitude?

Although they couldn't resort to violence against the Daoist, it was permissible to unleash an intimidating aura. Thus, an invisible tide of pressure enveloped Daoist Shen Hou, causing a thin layer of cold sweat to form on his back as he hovered on the verge of life and death.

With a third-grade and a fourth-grade Dharma Manifestation, as well as the presence of Bodhisattva Guangli, even someone with Daoist Shen Hou's experience of being hunted for many years found the situation unbearable.

Just as the strain began to show on Daoist Shen Hou's face, a voice suddenly rang out, "Senior Shen Hou, so you are here."

The night breeze stirred as Jiang Li materialized out of nowhere and saw the amiable exchange between both parties, saying, "Let us return quickly, we must yet discuss the matters that follow."

Daoist Shen Hou immediately felt the pressure lift and chuckled, "Indeed, indeed, we must return to discuss these matters."

The three from Buddha Country realized they had no grounds to detain Jiang Li.

Especially Manjusri Bodhisattva, who by now had full understanding of Jiang's conduct. If not for concern about the backlash of a grand vow, he would have attacked already.

"Bodhisattva Manjusri has indeed seen sincere conduct today, quite an eye-opening experience," articulated Manjusri Bodhisattva solemnly.

"It is my honor that the Great Master has such an experience because of me," Jiang Li humbly replied.

He always maintained sincerity in his actions without any deceit; even faced with hostility from a third-grade opponent, his conscience was clear.

"We'll rely on your assistance in the upcoming month."

Jiang Li smiled faintly, bowed, and then turned to leave.

Daoist Shen Hou also turned, riding the Dragon Xuhu, and did not forget the pleasantries, "Fellow Daoist, please stay, don't bother sending us off."

Those familiar five words made the three from Buddha Country feel as if dark clouds had gathered above them, their thoughts obstructed and years of cultivated mental states nearly breached.

Daoist Shen Hou played a crucial role in Jiang Li's success.

Had it been anyone else, they could've avoided interference with ease. And if the opposition tried to intervene, all the better; they could've been killed on the spot. But it just had to be Daoist Shen Hou—the embodiment of bad luck...

A single "Fellow Daoist, please stay" held the three in place long enough for Jiang Li to make his escape, even allowing him to taunt them.

With these thoughts, the Buddha Country Bodhisattvas barely contained their killing intent.

In contrast, Jiang Li and Daoist Shen Hou, as they left, were in high spirits, as if they had just been aided by a kind soul.

The two returned to the blood-scented ruins and met with the others, including Feng Manlou, emerging from a cave. Jiang Li announced with a smile, "The Bodhisattvas of the Buddha Country harbor compassionate intentions and are willing to protect us for a month. We can either wait for reinforcements or withdraw at our leisure."

The others looked at Jiang Li with astonishment.

They were keenly aware of the great disturbance from a hundred li away. In fact, throughout the transaction between Jiang Li and Buddha Country, the people in the back were closely monitoring the situation, and the Round Light, which projected the distant scene, had not yet dissipated.

When they learned of Jiang Li's deal, Yin Tulong was on the verge of erupting in anger.

Refugees in Buddha Country's hands would undergo Buddhist indoctrination, willing or not, and ordinary people had no chance of resisting conversion, becoming followers.

Thankfully, Jiang Li's subsequent freeloading maneuver avoided such an outcome; otherwise, he would have been greeted by the Qiankun Ring and the Chaos Sky Ribbon.

"Master Jiang has displayed great wisdom," praised Tan Wuwei with a smile.

"It's just a little trick,"

Jiang Li chuckled in response while glancing at the leader of the Mo Sect.

Tan Wuwei had timely suggested that the Taiping Sect in Luchuan County had been repelled, which pacified Daoist Shen Hou and proved to be competent. It was unclear whether the leader of the Mo Sect genuinely intended to mediate or had other motives in mind.

Jiang Li had not forgotten that someone within the Mo Sect was in collusion with Zhu Hui'an.

The group exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning back to the matter at hand—whether or not to abandon this place.

The land here was saturated with the bone and blood of hundreds of thousands of people, and the resentment lingered for a long time, the smell of blood alone was enough to make one retch. It was impossible to station soldiers here. In addition, the refugees inside the Human Species Bag needed to be settled; they could not be left here.

Even the Heavenly Soldiers found it difficult to stay here for long, let alone ordinary people.

Yet if they were to give up on this place, they would be leaving the way clear for the Taiping Sect to pass through.

Besides, there was the question of what to do next.

The battle at Donglin set aside the Great Venerable for now, and the court came out slightly ahead, but it was a pyrrhic victory. If the Taiping Sect were to make a comeback, the situation on the court's side would be troublesome.

Although in terms of overall strength, the court had the upper hand, and if Yellow Heaven were to reappear, Heaven would lend a hand, the internal struggle within the court itself was not easy. Far-fetched as it may be, the problems posed by both the Yin Law Department and some members of the Ji Family were significant.

Moreover, in the south, with the Dragon Palace coming ashore, there might be a great need for combat power for defense.

Although this battle was won, after discovering the backers of the opposition, the situation seemed even less optimistic.

However, it was not an insurmountable problem.

After the great war, especially the month that Jiang Li had gained after tricking Buddha Country, was to be used to recruit troops and rally supporters.

"This battle saw the Taiping Sect defeated, and their losses were even greater. They will need to seek allies, and so must we," Tianxuan looked at everyone and said, "The next battle may not see the intervention of supremes, but it will certainly be far more intense than this one."

The implication was naturally an invitation for people from the Mo Sect and Yuxu Temple to join them.

With the impasse now resolved, Daoist Shen Hou no longer mentioned disbanding. Stroking his long beard, he said, "In my opinion, the next move of the Taiping Sect would be to cause unrest in Yong Province as well, even sending people into Yong Province to instigate rebellion. The Yuxu Temple and the Kunxu Immortal Palace are also located within the boundaries of Yong Province, and I fear they may not escape being embroiled in these muddy waters."

The Kunxu Mountain Range bordered Yong Province and was located in a remote area, having never been involved in the affairs of Yong Province. But that might change if the Taiping Sect were to act.

Furthermore, both sects had already been implicated before this.

The Immortal Queen of the Kunxu Immortal Palace had an understanding with the Taiping Sect, and they had previously collaborated. The reason why she could not intervene later was due to Daoist Guang Cheng of Yuxu Temple blockading the palace gate under the pretext that the Immortal Queen was attempting to advance in rank, forcing her to return to the palace.

Daoist Shen Hou and Yin Tulong had also taken a stance by participating in both the flood, the Golden Dam issue, and this great war.

Thus, both sects were sure to be involved.

'And as this conflict evolves, more and more third-grade individuals will probably get involved,' Jiang Li thought to himself, 'This is a rare opportunity that comes once in eight hundred years, the biggest chaos since the establishment of Great Zhou. Chaos is the ladder to ascension, an opportunity to fish in troubled waters.'

"I plan to take my junior brother Dragon Slayer back to the temple for healing, and I will also consult my senior brother Guang Cheng on whether he can allow the brothers to come down the mountain," Shen Hou said.

It was about returning as well, but this time not to disband, but to raise the stakes.

With Daoist Shen Hou stating this, Tan Wuwei of the Mo Sect also said, "In light of the battle, I must report back to Juzi; the Mo Sect will definitely put forth all efforts to eradicate the scourge of the Taiping Sect."

Now there were two parties involved.

Jiang Li, Tianxuan, and Gongsun Qingyue exchanged glances, and all three showed a trace of happiness.

Then, Jiang Li proposed, "In that case, let this junior escort Daoist Shen Hou and senior Dragon Slayer back to Yuxu Temple. The road to Yong Province is perilous, and I also need to contribute my modest efforts. Moreover, regarding the matter of the Great Circle Sword, I also need to explain in person."

Yin Tulong originally wanted to show off his strength and refused the protection offered by Jiang Li, but when it came to the Great Circle Sword, he had no objection.

Shen Hou also expressed his agreement.

With someone as cunning... no, as strategically minded as Jiang Li accompanying him, he needn't worry about encountering danger on the road.

As for Tianxuan and Gongsun Qingyue...

"I will accompany my junior brother on his journey, and the master will return to the Divine Capital to decide on the junior brother's achievements," Qingyue said.

As she spoke, she turned to look at Tianxuan, meeting his meaningful gaze, and the two exchanged a look filled with an indescribable understanding.