Taiyi Dao Fruit

"In the past, I was unable to master this sword, and my inability to use it caused Fellow Daoist Taibai to get the upper hand," Daoist Guang Cheng said slowly, sensing the flickering sword shadow. "I have always regretted it deeply, hoping that this time I can make up for the regret of those days."

On the other side, after Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue left Kunxu Mountain, they didn't go directly to Liangzhou Province; instead, they traveled southeast and entered Qi Mountain County.

The lush greenery of the Jiang Family's ancestral land soon appeared within the view below.

Once they left the territory of Kunxu Mountain, the temperature quickly rose, showing no signs of the early spring chill. Naturally, this was due to the legacy of the Drought, making the temperature changes in Yong Province far more severe than other places.

While the snow on the plains outside Kunxu Mountain had not yet melted, the climate in Qi Mountain County was nearly summer-like.

At the Jiang Family's ancestral land, thanks to the extraordinary benefits left by the ancestors, the place was brimming with life, with all things thriving and a verdant scene all around.

As Jiang Li neared the ancestral land valley, Sword Qi traversed the heavens like stars arrayed, surrounding the entire valley. On a neighboring peak, a white-robed young man sat cross-legged. His slightly closed eyes opened, his gaze sharp as a sword, and landed straight on Jiang Li and his companion.

Upon seeing Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes, then he slowly closed them again, and the Sword Qi vanished like an illusion.

This young man was naturally Elder Yuheng of the Dinghu Sect.

On noticing that someone was meddling with the Jiang Family's ancestral land, Jiang Li wrote to Tianxuan for help, who then asked Elder Yuheng to go and guard the Jiang Family's ancestral land; he hadn't returned since.

Looking at the current situation, the Jiang Family ancestral land hadn't suffered any further assaults afterward, and it seemed those returning members of the Jiang Family hadn't targeted this place again.

Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue also saw the young man. After they exchanged glances, Gongsun Qingyue said, "Let me go and invite Elder Yuheng over."

It is well known that Elders Yuheng and Tianquan were loyal... hmm... followers of Tianxuan. The elders were obliging to the disciples of Tianxuan, especially to Gongsun Qingyue, even more so than they were to their own direct disciples.

With Gongsun Qingyue going, not to mention asking Elder Yuheng to make the trip, even ten trips would be no problem.

Gongsun Qingyue spoke and then flew towards the mountain where Elder Yuheng was, while Jiang Li directly entered the ancestral land and arrived inside the Lie Mountain Hall.

The clan elder had been waiting inside the hall and, seeing Jiang Li, immediately shone with golden light and repeatedly praised, "Only today, seeing you, do I truly believe the rumors; the Jiang Family has risen again."

At this moment, Jiang Li had already put away his armor, dressed in a black shirt, his aura subdued. Yet the clan elder, who practiced the "Qi Tomb," could sense the vast expanse of Innate Qi inside him, like the vastness of the sky, whose even slight fluctuations could stir the Innate Golden Qi within him without ceasing.

The rumors weren't false, and indeed Jiang Li had risen swiftly, and under him, the Jiang Family would be rejuvenated.

Then...

The clan elder lowered his voice, somewhat sneakily, "Now that you are fourth-rank, as long as you obtain the Emperor Dao Fruit, you can advance in one fell swoop to become one of the strongest in the world. By then, not only will our Jiang Family rise, but it can also grasp Jiangshan, far surpassing the past."

Jiang Li: "..."

'Why do they all think I want to be the Emperor?'

Jiang Li felt just like the Ji Family Sect Master and Earth Uncle now; this Jiang Family indeed harbors innate evil hearts, both young and old harboring rebellious thoughts.

This was how the Jiang Family was, and this clan elder harbored such thoughts too.

The thing was, Jiang Li didn't want to touch the Emperor Dao Fruit. Even now that the Emperor had been uncrowned, he didn't want it.

"Clan Elder, let's not discuss this matter any further. I, Jiang Li, have achieved what I have with much support from the Dinghu Sect and my master," Jiang Li said earnestly, "The most important thing in life is gratitude. My sister and I share a deep bond, and filial piety towards my master and the Sect. How could I betray my Sect, betray our Sect? The sky cannot have two suns and in my heart there is only one sun, our Sect. Let's not bring this up again."

"The sun also sets, and now it's your time to be that sun."

The clan elder waved his hand with a grand tone, "Currently within the Ji Family, those related to you, the Gongsun Family Master, and the Princess are females, and both are walking the path of the Divine Dao and cannot inherit the Emperor Dao Fruit. If you do not stand up, what will you do when another Prince takes the throne in the future? Or do you think being an affiliated son-in-law makes things alright? Gongsun Qingyue hasn't become the family head yet, and your role as son-in-law doesn't hold that much power."

"But Tianxuan has already become the Family Head..."

Jiang Li thought to himself and felt a headache coming on.

Of course, he couldn't possibly reveal his motivation to his master, so naturally, he couldn't alleviate the Clan Elder's concerns.

After the purges of the past, the Clan Elder was deeply wary of the Ji Family and had no trust in the princes of the Royal Family. In his heart, Jiang Li taking the position of Emperor was the best solution.

Jiang Li had no doubt that if one day he had the opportunity to reach that position, the Clan Elder would be the first to bring him an Imperial Robe.

"Sigh, although I am an affiliated son-in-law, I do not wish to usurp my master; I only want to advance my learning."

With a deep sigh in his heart, Jiang Li had no choice but to change his approach.

"Let's discuss this matter another day. Right now, the most important thing is to regain the Jiang family's rightful position," Jiang Li said. "Clan Elder, I will ask Elder Yuheng to escort you and some Elders to Divine Capital to represent our Jiang family's return and help my master regain the position of Jiang Family Master. Please take care of this."

Since speaking openly didn't make sense, Jiang Li had to use delay tactics.

As soon as he mentioned regaining the Jiang family's position, the Clan Elder's eyes lit up with a smile and he replied, "Even if I have to stake this old life of mine, I will help the Family Head reclaim the position of the Three Dukes."

Once the Jiang Family's rightful position as Family Master was regained, and with influence over both court and field, even if the Family Master did not wish to rise to a higher position, he would have to be pushed toward it.

The Clan Elder, old and cunning, immediately turned over hundreds of thoughts in his mind, including but not limited to, draping the Imperial Robe over his shoulders, carving the Jade Seal, and pretending to be a fox crying "Great Zhou prospers, Long live King Jiang Li..."

A series of chapters were planned out in the Clan Elder's mind.

"The Family Head is wise indeed."

He immediately cried out "wise indeed," directly elevating Jiang Li's status.

Wasn't "wise indeed" a phrase reserved for the Emperor?

Jiang Li truly felt the ambition of the old man; indeed, every member of the Jiang family was rebellious, and only he, Jiang Li, was a good man, growing up in such a family without a shred of rebellious heart.

With a throbbing headache, he said, "Clan Elder, once you leave this place, do not mention this again. Also, I have some allies of considerable status within the court and field; they will respond to you when the time comes. Just focus on securing the position; do not worry about the rest."

"The Family Head truly harbors great ambition, fitting for our Jiang family to be great again under the Family Head," the Clan Elder continued to press the issue, relentlessly reminding Jiang Li of his ambition.

Ultimately, Jiang Li had to let the Clan Elder go and prepare, while he himself quickly left Lie Mountain Hall to find Elder Yuheng.

"To think that under the watchful eye of Gongsun Family Master, the Family Head could win hearts in court; Family Head, do you still say you have no intention for the Emperor's position?"

The Clan Elder watched Jiang Li's departing figure, internally marveling at the deep and immeasurable cunning of the Family Head.

In such a private setting, to not reveal a hint of his intent, that was the way to accomplish great things.

As for the possibility that Jiang Li truly had no interest in the Emperor's position... even if such a possibility existed, as a Jiang family Clan Elder, he had to extinguish it.

Thinking this, the Clan Elder's blood boiled, and he longed to fly directly to the Divine Capital to handle the great affair.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li sensed the soaring emotions through the Heavenly Escape Sword Intent, continuously sighing inwardly.

However, with this conviction, there was also no need to worry about the situation.

With Tianxuan leading, the Clan Elder representing the Jiang family's return, and the potential allies from Zhu Hui'an aiding the process, his own set of 'Powerful Ministers' would soon be secured.

As for Jiang Li himself, it was time to deal with the Taiping Sect.