Taiyi Dao Fruit

Night had fallen, and the rooms within the Daoist Law Pavilion remained brightly lit, with Jiang Li and Qi Changsheng sitting opposite each other, their expressions solemn.

After ridding himself of the enthusiastic Outer Disciples, Jiang Li had once again made use of Elder Wan's chambers as a temporary residence, for they were safe enough.

And now, he was discussing an important matter with Qi Changsheng.

"I had only just returned when I heard that the 'Spring Palace Storybook' is a bestseller among the Outer Disciples, and even many in the Inner Sect are buying it secretly," Jiang Li said slowly. "Senior Brother, you must have earned quite a bit, right?"

"Junior Brother," Qi Changsheng's face was serious. "Just tell me, how much do you want?"

"Straight to the point, I want half," Jiang Li stretched out five fingers. "Otherwise, I'll report your trafficking of Spring Palace storybooks."

Although many knew of Qi Changsheng's sales, because he operated cleanly without leaving any evidence, even the Law Enforcement Disciples couldn't easily catch him, despite being aware.

But it would be different if Jiang Li reported him.

"You're the author, if you report me, you will also be punished," Qi Changsheng helped Jiang Li to lower two fingers, saying, "At most, I can give you thirty percent. Moreover, all the good deeds you collected from last time's challenge are yours."

"I have influential backing." Jiang Li remained unmoved, a snake scale pattern appearing between his brows.

This influential backing was naturally Gongsun Qingyue.

The snake scale pattern was like a mark of Gongsun Qingyue, making everyone believe that Jiang Li had a close relationship with her.

Although their relationship was indeed not shallow...

'Senior Sister Gongsun knows you write Spring Palace storybooks?' Upon hearing this, Qi Changsheng couldn't help but scornfully think to himself.

Then he gave it more thought, and realized Senior Sister Gongsun might actually know.

To write Spring Palace storybooks and still be favored by a Senior Sister, impressive!

After thinking carefully, aside from admiration, Qi Changsheng actually couldn't find any extra words to say.

'Forget it, half is half then.'

Sensing the strength of Jiang Li's backing, Qi Changsheng silently sighed in his heart, and was about to produce the Disciple Jade Token to transfer the funds.

But just then, a whiff of fragrant wind drifted into the chamber, and the voice of Gongsun Qingyue rang out: "Junior Brother Qi, I have important matters to discuss with Junior Brother Jiang. I hope you can step aside."

Gongsun Qingyue leaned against the door of the chamber, looking on with a smile that was not quite a smile at the two serious faces.

Her words were somewhat impolite, directly asking Qi Changsheng to leave, but he was overjoyed, quickly stashing the Disciple Jade Token back into his sleeve, standing up, and saying, "Yes, Senior Sister."

With that, he flashed out, fearful that if he left too late, he would be held back by Jiang Li.

"Senior Sister, go ahead with your busy matters, I'm leaving now, right now."

The door was promptly closed from outside, and Qi Changsheng's footsteps rapidly faded, soon silent.

Inside the chamber, however, Jiang Li's face darkened, talismans on his body activated one after another, not only the Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman but also about a dozen other Protective Talismans. His eyes became slightly vacant, entering the Mental State of a Sage.

He hadn't even had time to concern himself with the good deeds from Qi Changsheng, as all his attention was on guarding against Gongsun Qingyue.

This place was not Si Fan Valley; Gongsun Qingyue could exert her full strength here.

Even now, as a Ninth Grade Perfection, Jiang Li still felt incompetent to contest with a fully powered Gongsun Qingyue.

However, Gongsun Qingyue seemed to have no intention of instigating a fight. She gracefully moved to sit opposite Jiang Li, crossed her left leg over her right, and said with a light chuckle, "Don't be nervous, I have no ill intentions."

"Hehe."

She had just arrived and already thwarted his chance of collecting good deeds, yet claimed to have no malice.

Jiang Li forced a smile and said indifferently, "With common sense, every time I gain an upper hand, I think of repaying the great kindness and grace of my Senior Sister, not to mention you, Senior Sister."

No ill intentions, who would believe that.

Jiang Li was sure that if he wasn't in the Daoist Law Pavilion right now, his Senior Sister would likely want to teach him a lesson first before discussing serious matters.

Gongsun Qingyue's smile stiffened slightly as she felt as if a knife had been thrust into her heart.

After clashing with Jiang Li several times, she had indeed put Jiang Li at a disadvantage, but the bitter taste she herself had experienced far surpassed Jiang Li's, leaving her at a constant lower hand.

However, she then remembered the purpose of her visit today, and an ironic smile appeared on her face.

"So, I'm leaving?"

Gongsun Qingyue flipped out two pieces of jade from her sleeve, tossed them in her hand, and made to stand up.

"Hold on!"

Jiang Li stood up promptly, with a respectful look on his face, "Senior Sister, I admit I was too loud just now. Let's talk it over, don't leave, please."

Those two pieces of jade—one was shaped like a Jade Sword, and the other was a small Jade Compass. Both contained a hint of mysterious aura that firmly captivated Jiang Li's perception.

If he wasn't mistaken, these were two Dao Artifacts!

Gongsun Qingyue was here to deliver Dao Fruit.

"You were acting pretty arrogant just now, weren't you?" Gongsun Qingyue propped up her leg, her toes flicking back and forth, "Go on, continue being arrogant."

"How dare I, my respect for Senior Sister is pure and sincere, how could I dare to show the slightest disrespect. If Senior Sister doesn't believe me, I'm willing to shout out my admiration for you loud and clear right on Wuqu Ping," Jiang Li declared with conviction.

But if he really went to Wuqu Ping and shouted out his feelings, rumors would surely start circulating within the Sect.

Jiang Li didn't care about losing face; if the interests were right, he didn't give a damn about his reputation, but Gongsun Qingyue might not feel the same.

This was a threat.

"Junior Brother Jiang, has anyone ever told you that you're quite petty?" Gongsun Qingyue said with a smile.

"It doesn't matter if Junior Brother is petty, as long as no one else knows that Senior Sister is petty," responded Jiang Li calmly, "By the way, Senior Sister, do you still remember the measurements I mentioned last time? Actually, I forgot to say, if those numbers were in inches, then it would be twenty-seven..."

"Stop it."

Gongsun Qingyue lightly scolded him and tossed the two jade pieces onto Jiang Li's table as if they were too hot to handle.

Just the thought of Jiang Li announcing her measurements in public made her realize how the nature of her relationship with this rogue would be speculated.

Jiang Li had no shame, but she, Gongsun Qingyue, still valued her reputation.

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Jiang Li thanked her with a smile and bowed, then pressed his hands onto the two Dao Artifacts. Two streams of information simultaneously flooded into his mind.

[Eighth Grade Dao Fruit: Sword Cultivator]

[Category: Human]

[Fitting Conditions: Ninth-grade Human Dao Fruit, proficient in Swordsmanship]

[Promotion Ceremony: Refine a sword with blood and sweat, continuously purify it with True Qi day and night until there is telepathy between heart and blade]

[Abilities: Lifebound Flying Sword, Sword Heart Clarity, Man and Sword Integration]

This was the information for the Eighth Grade Dao Fruit of a Sword Cultivator, while the other was for a Magician.

[Eighth Grade Dao Fruit: Magician]

[Category: Human]

[Fitting Conditions: Ninth grade Human Dao Fruit, skilled in Divination Skill]

[Promotion Ceremony: Absorb the Dao Fruit at the most opportune moment]

[Abilities: Star Observation, Dragon Seeking and Acupoint Location, Observing People's Appearance]

The promotion of a Daoist's Dao Fruit wasn't limited to just these two types, but within the Dinghu Sect, other Eighth Grade Dao Fruits were more auxiliary in nature, with lesser enhancements to Combat Power, which is why Gongsun Qingyue brought only these two Dao Fruits.

However, the promotion ceremony for the Magician's Dao Fruit was somewhat baffling.

Absorb the Dao Fruit at the most opportune moment...

It sounded like it was said, yet it also seemed as if nothing had been said at all.