Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Taiping Sect Leader."

Wearing a large straw hat, the Mo Sect Master in a black robe resembled a wanderer of Jianghu, with one hand on the long sword at his waist, responding to Zhang Zhixuan's address.

At such a critical moment, Zhang Zhixuan was supposed to return to his post to stabilize the community, but he was stopped by the Mo Sect Master.

He had originally planned to have the Immortal of Colossal Spirit hold off Jiang Li while he returned immediately, but now he had to change his plans.

The Mo Sect Master wasn't widely known and was relatively low-profile among third grade figures, but since he had reached that rank, he was not a simple character to deal with. This obstacle, posed by the Mo Sect Master, was not easily overcome.

"Do you intend to obstruct me?" Zhang Zhixuan asked in a deep voice.

"Soldier against soldier, general against general. If Sect Leader Zhang wishes to make a move, I shall accompany him."

The Mo Sect Master spoke indifferently as part of the Heavenly Will Sword was revealed.

An intangible yet chilling aura locked onto Zhang Zhixuan.

The current Mo Sect Master had once harbored an assassin's Dao Fruit. If assassins had a ranking, he would be the topmost assassin in the world, not to be underestimated by anyone.

Since he had appeared here, it was not easy for Zhang Zhixuan to disengage.

"No wonder Jiang Li is confident enough to make a move; it turns out he has substantial support from the Mo Sect."

Zhang Zhixuan's expression grew serious but not darkened, as if the obstruction before him wasn't worth his concern, only to hear him say, "Do you think that by stopping me you can defeat my sect?"

"At least it increases the chances of victory," replied the Mo Sect Master in an even tone.

The chilling aura still locked onto Zhang Zhixuan, expressing the Mo Sect Master's firm will that Zhang Zhixuan must not pass today.

While Zhang Zhixuan remained calm, he knew this was the greatest challenge the Taiping Sect had yet to face.

If he could overcome this, they could advance into Liangzhou Province, pressing directly towards Divine Capital, or retreat into Yong Province to continue their development. If not...

Then the best outcome would be for the Taiping Sect's upper echelons to escape, and the worst would be the complete destruction of the Taiping Sect.

The Taiping Sect had reached a critical turning point.

"Jiang family's youngster, not striking is one thing, but one stroke forces my sect into such a state. However, the greater the danger, the more it forces them to exert effort. With the previous show of weakness by the Heavenly Monarch and the current situation, the Yin Law Department should make a move soon."

Though the situation was perilous, fortunately, they had already prepared a response, and even had support from the court.

After weighing his options, Zhang Zhixuan came to a conclusion.

— The advantage is mine.

This battle was still to be fought.

Now it was time for Earth Uncle to make a move.

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Just as Zhang Zhixuan was considering letting Earth Uncle take action, in Divine Capital, the head of the Yin Law Department, King You, was quite troubled.

An hour ago, the Soul Hooker of the Yin Law Department had transmitted a message through the underworld, informing that the Clan Elder of Jiang's Ancestral Land was leading his clan southward, intending to return to Divine Capital.

The information transmission channel of the Yin Law Department was faster than that of the Divine Travel Grand Protector of the Southern Heavenly Department, allowing King You to receive the news earlier, but still, it didn't make much difference.

Jiang's return would surely have someone in Divine Capital to respond, and King You didn't need to think much to guess who that respondent was. No wonder Tianxuan had not yet gone to Liangzhou until now; he was waiting for this development.

Just thinking about how the Gongsun Family Master was going to cause trouble again, King You felt his Yin God Body miraculously manifest signs of human life—his blood pressure rose.

And reality was indeed so.

King You had just paced a few steps in the great hall of the Yin Law Department when his subordinate, Judge Zhong Wuqi, stepped in and reported, "Your Majesty, the Gongsun Family Master has summoned the court ministers to discuss the return of the Jiang family."

"As expected!"

King You stopped in his tracks and let out a cold laugh.

He knew it; this woman was up to something again.

In this crucial moment, to call back the Jiang family was indeed...

"What a tactic!" King You squeezed out three words.

Despite his rivalry with the Jiang family, King You had to acknowledge the brilliance of Tianxuan's strategy.

Due to the current state of the Jiang family having experienced a low point, and the Family Master still not having returned, the remaining branch families have already lost their ability to contend against the Ji Family. Now, the Jiang family is no longer a formidable opponent and returning to the Divine Capital would only turn them into a vassal.

Haven't you seen that even the current Family Head, Jiang Li, has become an affiliated son-in-law? Even some people believe that Jiang Li began his rise by living off his wife.

Therefore, when discussing the return of the Jiang family to the Divine Capital, it's not necessarily universally opposed. Tianxuan's support for the Jiang's branch family and repression of the Jiang Family are actually quite popular.

If it weren't for Jiang Li's unexpected emergence, King You would actually have thought this approach quite excellent and supported it.

But if Jiang Li were involved—

"That Jiang boy, naturally rebellious, had previously dared to slaughter our kin; once the Jiang family returns and acquires power, he will surely harbor rebellion. Tianxuan's actions are foolish!"

King You stated with a flick of his sleeve, "The Jiang family must not return."

Before even officially becoming the Jiang Family Master, ranked among the Three Dukes, he dared to kill a Zong Zheng. If that naturally wicked Jiang boy gained power, what he would do, King You dared not contemplate.

Such a person must be struck with heavy blows.

Though in reality, it was Zong Zheng who struck first, and Jiang Li was merely defending himself, unfortunately, King You did not reason with responsibility but with stance.

Jiang Li is an enemy; thus, since he is the enemy, naturally everything he does is wrong.

There are quite a few who think similarly, like the old master of the Meng Family and those aligned with the Second Prince.

Supporting the Jiang's branch family was indeed a clever move and could obtain approval from some within the Ji Family, but the move required cutting flesh from other factions within the court.

When the Jiang family left in the past, one whale fell and myriad beings thrived, everyone feasted; now that the Jiang family might return, they would have to regurgitate some portion.

Thus, even if this move was quite popular within the Ji Family, King You remained confident he could suppress it.

However, just as King You was about to leave, a dense Yin energy suddenly accumulated within the great hall, and a massive Fire Eye slowly opened.

"Liangzhou, the war has begun," Earth Uncle's voice carried a hint of sternness.

"The Jiang boy launched a surprise attack on Taiping Sect's stronghold, assassinated Luu Tianpeng, suppressed the incense accumulated by the Taiping Sect, and Feng Manlou took the opportunity to dispatch troops, about to battle the Taiping Sect."

That brief statement outlined a series of shocking scenes in King You's mind.

Jiang Li was making moves there; the Taiping Sect was currently at a disadvantage, genuinely needing the assistance of the Yin Law Department.

But now, Tianxuan was in the Divine Capital, joining forces with the Imperial Governing Princess, controlling the court. If the Yin Law Department split too much power to Liangzhou, Tianxuan would make her move here, forcibly pushing through the return of the Jiang family and possibly even striking against the Yin Law Department.

Don't think that woman wouldn't dare; she has always been bold.

Previously, asking the Emperor to move to the West Garden had been led by her.

Not to mention Earth Uncle had previously intercepted Tianxuan.

Once the Yin Law Department made a move, especially Earth Uncle, if he left the Yin Law Department, Tianxuan would definitely act.

The Ghost Gate was in Tianxuan's hands; if she decided to act, only Earth Uncle could stop her.

"She stays in the Divine Capital, not just to facilitate the return of the Jiang family but also for now," King You murmured lowly.

With those words, the cracks in Earth Uncle's Fire Eye deepened, from which countless tiny souls could be seen wailing, bearing witness to the anger in Earth Uncle's heart.

Before it was Earth Uncle who intercepted Tianxuan, now the roles were reversed, with Tianxuan intercepting Earth Uncle.

Yet this instant karma seemed far too swift; there was no need for thirty years or even thirty days for retribution to arrive—and it struck precisely at the vitals.

However, Tianxuan seemed much more magnanimous than Earth Uncle, at least offering a choice.

Would you choose to go to Liangzhou to support, or to protect your own home?

Once the Yin Law Department diverted too much power, even if Earth Uncle was still there, Tianxuan might still make a move against the Yin Law Department. She was not alone.

So... what to choose?

King You pondered back and forth and eventually sighed with a wry smile.

When your enemy gives you a choice, that's exactly when you have no choice at all.

How to choose had been determined from the beginning.

"Judge Zhong, accompany this king to the Imperial City," King You said.

The actions were exactly the same as before, but this time, there was an added touch of despondency to King You.