Taiyi Dao Fruit

"He succeeded."

Onlooker Gongsun Qingyue witnessed this scene, feeling both emotional and regretful.

Jiang Li's strength had advanced, reducing her chances of regaining an advantage. Moreover, not being able to kill Jiang Zhuyun outright was also a regrettable matter.

But despite her regrets, Gongsun Qingyue knew she had to make a move.

Jiang Li had achieved his aim; it was now her turn to step in to tip the scales, then take her people and leave.

A gorgeous flying sword materialized next to her, blades of sword light converging into the form of a fierce bird, Gongsun Qingyue was about to strike. Just then, a fleeting stream of Qi, like a blade edge, cut across the flying sword, emitting a light chime.

The flying sword slowed down momentarily.

In that brief pause, a deafening rumble erupted from the sinking half of the Water Pavilion, and a gigantic red cauldron, like a small mountain, burst forth flying straight towards Jiang Li who had just landed.

"Jiang Li!"

Within the slightly transparent walls of the cauldron, Jiang Zhuyun's killing intent was palpable, his fist power directed the movement of the great cauldron, a forceful pressure facing Jiang Li. It made him feel as if his blood was rushing madly, almost bursting from his nostrils and mouth.

Jiang Zhuyun's full force was incredibly formidable.

At this moment, Gongsun Qingyue was a beat too slow, unable to assist in time. Jiang Li had to fend for himself. His mind clear and calm, his eyes roiling with Star Battle formations, Eight Trigrams positioning, and the flow of the stems and branches, capturing the essence of the four directions, he perceived the direction of the strength in a split second and struck without hesitation.

"WHOOSH—"

With the breath of Yinglong Dragon swirling, Jiang Li wielded his long sword, its tip touching the wall of the cauldron, transmitting great strength into it, causing his face to blush and the long sword nearly slipping from his grasp. Simultaneously, the cauldron wall emitted a sharp screeching sound, and the solid fist power slackened.

"True Intent Technique Python."

Feeling the momentum of the great cauldron, Jiang Li retreated backward; his intention fused with his sword, the image of a Python wrapping around the sword hilt and his arm. The sword moved furiously like a fierce storm, each strike targeting the weakest points of the strength.

Ten consecutive strikes, and the momentum of the great cauldron halted. Seeing this, Jiang Li's visions fixated, his footsteps paused, and his intention conjured up numerous talismans out of thin air, each imbued with spirit light around his body.

Giant Power Talisman, Rejuvenation Talisman, Energy Activation Talisman...

Numerous talismans, including the Six Ding and Six Jia Talisman, protected his body. Though complex, they did not conflict. Jiang Li launched another sword strike, the force immense.

The air cracked like tearing silk, the great cauldron suddenly split open, Jiang Zhuyun's fist power collided with the sword tip, clashing in an instant. His face turned pale, and he tumbled backward.

"BOOM!"

The explosive qi force kicked up a pile of scorched grass ash, wildly swirling in the fierce wind.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li's feet left deep imprints in the ground, penetrating three inches deep into stone.

"What a pity."

Jiang Li sheathed his sword, flicked his sleeves to dust off, and said lightly, "If you had been a bit more ruthless just then, determined to take my life at the cost of your own, you might indeed have had a chance to kill me."

But if so, Jiang Zhuyun would also have to die.

Killing a sect mate was a serious crime, and something the Sect would eagerly exploit.

"The lord's son seems to be just another unimpressive man afraid of death, nothing more."

Some contemptuous fellow who feared death terribly jeered and then, flinging his sleeves, turned around, "Senior Sister, let's go."

Gongsun Qingyue came to his side and was about to speak when she saw Jiang Li, who had turned his back, with his mouth full of blood, the aura of a master he displayed before had vanished like rain driven by the wind.

"Still pretending to be strong."

Gongsun Qingyue couldn't help but sneer in her heart, discreetly supporting Jiang Li's body with her Spiritual Power as the two left the courtyard together and went straight away.

However, before leaving, Gongsun Qingyue intentionally or unintentionally glanced to the right.

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A paper effigy moved with the wind, flying out from the island, drifting and falling onto a hillside on the southern side of the island.

Then, figures outlined around the paper effigy, and Gongsun Qingyue's form emerged, staring coldly at the young man in the Red Robe on the hillside, and said, "Fifth Brother, you've gone too far."

"Jiang Li is a significant aid to the Sect's future and is essential for dealing with Jiang Zhuyun. How dare you lay a hand on him? I will report this to the elders and have them judge your punishment."

"If Jiang Zhuyun had killed Jiang Li, he would have to die too; the Jiang family's peril would resolve itself. As for the Ochre Whip, maintaining its current function is enough, there's no need for another variable to take control," the young man in the Red Robe shook his head, "It's a pity Jiang Zhuyun lacks ambition and is too fond of life; otherwise, he would have had a chance to kill Jiang Li."

"Is this your idea, or your master's idea?" Gongsun Qingyue's expression grew colder.

The Sect elders were united regarding the Jiang family, but they had different opinions on other matters.

Even the decision regarding the Ochre Whip had divided opinions among the elders; had the Jiang family not confirmed their enemy status with the Dinghu Sect, some elders might still consider returning the Ochre Whip. There were also split views on whether the Ochre Whip should recognize Jiang Li as its master, but eventually, Elder Tianxuan, who advocated for it, prevailed and settled the matter.

"Does it matter?" the young man in the Red Robe spoke indifferently, "I will go and accept my punishment, there's no need for you to intercede, Third Senior Sister."

"I understand."

Though Gongsun Qingyue's face was as cold as ice, her voice remained steady, as she said, "I will tell our master that this was the intent of First Senior Brother."

As soon as she finished speaking, the previously composed young man in the Red Robe's expression drastically changed, and a hint of Blade Energy suddenly formed.

But Gongsun Qingyue's figure had already dispersed ahead of time.

"Fifth Brother, today was just a minor lesson. If you dare to commit the same mistake again, don't blame me for being ruthless. Take good care of yourself."

The Spiritual Power on the paper effigy quickly dissipated, revealing its true form and being slashed by the Blade Energy, it drifted down in two pieces.

"Gongsun Qingyue." The young man in the Red Robe gritted his teeth and spat out four words, his complexion ashen.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

On a boat off the shore, Gongsun Qingyue opened her eyes and saw Jiang Li sitting cross-legged with his back towards her in meditation.

She hesitated for a moment, but still spoke, "I was unable to act in time just now, it was my fault. If you have any demands, feel free to make them."

After some thought, Gongsun Qingyue still decided to obscure the fact that someone had covertly interfered, to avoid creating a rift between Jiang Li and the Sect.

[However, although Jiang Li was facing away from Gongsun Qingyue, he could clearly see her hesitation and knew there was more to the situation.

Was it someone else within the Sect who had intervened?]

As Jiang Li read the words appearing on the Karma Collection, his expression remained neither happy nor sad, and he slowly said, "I heard that the Sect Leader and five of the Six Hall Elders have taken disciples, but other than Senior Brother Feng and Senior Sister Gongsun, I have hardly met the others. Sister, could you introduce me to the remaining brothers?"

Those who could intervene at that moment could only be the other disciples of equal rank and the elders.

The Six Hall Elders would not stoop to such actions, and the Outer Elders would not dare to intervene, so that left only the other disciples apprenticed to the Sect Leader and the Six Hall Elders, those within the Sect called the True Inheritors.