Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Innate Qi? Is that the name of this Qi?" Jiang Li inquired.

Although he had surreptitiously learned the cultivation technique, he only knew the method of training and was completely ignorant of the various names.

"Indeed," Gongsun Qingyue nodded. "To enter the 'Qi Tomb' is to cultivate the Innate Qi. This Qi is the Origin Qi, with infinite marvelous uses. The people of the Jiang family use this Qi to open the Qi Sea in the Nine Orifices, carrying ninefold the Qi in one body, each of the Nine Great Qi Seas having its distinct marvelous uses. The method they call for opening the Qi Sea is known as 'Nine Springs Heart Technique', and the Nine Great Qi Seas are referred to as 'Divine Farmer Nine Springs.'"

"Jiang Zhuyun must have also cultivated the 'Nine Springs Heart Technique.' Junior brother, have you acquired this technique?"

Jiang Li nodded, his expression one of regret, "Unfortunately, I've only reached the 'Nine Springs.'"

In truth, Jiang Li had only learned the method to cultivate three of the Qi Seas. But now that he understood the principle and had the foundation, given his Magician's Dao Fruit and the appearance of the Divine Farmer, it was only a matter of time before he could replicate the Nine Springs.

What was important was the subsequent Magic Door.

Fortunately, the current cultivation technique was enough for him to cultivate now, with the Innate Qi that could amalgamate all things and return to the origin, he had enough to study for a long time.

"Innate Qi..."

Jiang Li murmured softly. The Qi of his Dantian surged like a spring, racing through his meridians. Wherever it passed, the alien energy Jiang Zhuyun had inflicted into his body was refined. It could also regulate Yin and Yang, stopping blood and healing injuries.

"I actually think it should be called 'Three Points Return to Primordial Qi.'"

A faint smile graced his lips as Jiang Li positioned his palms one above the other in front of his body. Two streams of Qi Mechanism gushed out from his palms, converging into a tumbling sphere of water.

Within the sphere, the Primordial Qi boiled, refining the nature of all Qi, eliminating impurities, and exterminating weak Qi, refining the Qi in three aspects: essence, breadth, and transformation.

Jiang Li rotated his palms, and the sphere shot out, plummeting into the lake.

On the water's surface, vast volumes of mist rose, with the lake water being continuously refined, turning into vapor that ascended into the air. In an instant, a dense fog enveloped the surroundings of the boat, a white expanse.

Although its essence differed, the effect of Jiang Li's Innate Qi was somewhat similar to that of a certain mysticism-believing leader of the underworld.

'It's just not long-lasting enough.'

Jiang Li felt the depletion of nearly half of the True Qi inside his body and took a light breath.

When he first learned the Magic Door, the drain wasn't apparent. But now, with time on his side and the cultivation technique operating, his True Qi was continuously refined. While condensing Innate Qi, it also drastically reduced the previously boundless quantity of Jiang Li's True Qi.

At present, his Innate Qi could barely fill one Dantian, let alone if he were to open another Qi Sea.

No wonder Emperor Yan is the Ancestor of Pharmacology.

With such a vast demand, it would likely not be possible to satisfy it simply by inhaling Heaven and Earth Qi, even before the End of Dharma. Medicine had to be resorted to.

However, to take medicine requires true mastery of 'Qi Refinement,' able to refine away the toxicity within the medicine. Otherwise, even if one managed to cultivate the Divine Farmer Nine Springs, there would only be an advantage in Power but limitations in transformation. And in terms of quality, it would not reach the absolute peak.

Take Jiang Zhuyun, for example. He had long cultivated Innate Qi, but in terms of quality, it did not surpass that of Jiang Li's previously half-formed energy, indicating his Innate Qi was not truly authentic.

Jiang Li, however, could re-refine the Innate Qi after amalgamating the Cold Qi, acquiring its marvelous uses. He could cast "Three Points Return to Primordial Qi" with Innate Qi and use talismans to transform Qi Mechanism properties, achieving endless changes.

Who is the legitimate one could not be more obvious.

Quietly branding himself as the authentic one, Jiang Li spoke, "Elder sister, I have thought it through. You can compensate with treasure medicine."

"You are already mine, and you still seek compensation?"

Upon hearing his words, Gongsun Qingyue knew this chapter was now behind them. At least the conflict between her and Jiang Li wouldn't arise again. She immediately began to match wits with Jiang Li once more.

"Elder sister, you won't admit it," Jiang Li said with a smile, "and even if I were your man, this injury occurred because of your lack of protection, elder sister. Shouldn't you make some gesture?"

"No," Gongsun Qingyue said, refusing, "If you want an apology, go find Fifth Brother."

...

...

Though Gongsun Qingyue claimed to give nothing, by that afternoon, the promised item had nonetheless arrived.

When a disciple came to exchange a cultivation technique at the Daoist Law Pavilion, he handed a jade box to Elder Wan, who then passed it along to Jiang Li.

Upon opening the jade box, a refreshing fragrance immediately wafted out, revealing a verdant spirit grass within.

'Thanks for the treasure medicine, albeit reluctantly given.'

"Wow, Earth Spirit Grass, this is the good stuff! This plant draws from the Essence Element of the earth, it can heal injuries and also aid in cultivation. A single plant is worth at least twenty thousand good deeds. Whose favor have you curried to receive such generosity?" Elder Yun poked his head out from behind Elder Wan, clicking his tongue in wonder and said, "Close it up quickly, close it up, lest the Evil Qi invades it."

In just that brief moment, wisps of faint black vapor began to emerge, a reaction from the contact between the Five Vile Qi and the spirit grass's own energy.

Jiang Li also sensed a turbid, malicious energy and promptly closed the specially designed jade box that preserved treasure medicines, sealing out the Evil Qi.

'Twenty thousand good deeds, that's quite a fortune.'

Jiang Li was inwardly moved but maintained a righteous demeanor, "Elder is jesting. I, Jiang Li, have never accepted charity. This is a reward given by the Sect for my contributions."

As for what those contributions were, it was not a matter for outsiders.

"I'll take your word for it," Elder Yun said with an ambiguous expression, "Time flies so fast, eh? Even the pigs at home have learned to dig up cabbages, yet poor old me is still alone."

"Let's get to the point," Elder Wan interjected.

"Alright, alright, to business," Elder Yun hastily agreed.

He took a booklet out from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Li, "I'm just running an errand for someone. They asked me to pass an item on to you."

The booklet looked quite ordinary, and the material was unremarkable. However, noting Elder Yun's subtly careful manner, Jiang Li surmised the sender must be someone of significant stature.

Jiang Li: ?

He could only recall having attached himself to a rich lady, not playing two ends against the middle.

With that in mind, Jiang Li took the booklet and flipped it open, bold strokes jumping out at him.

— "Heavenly Banner Spell."

'So it was him.'

Jiang Li recalled that towering figure, 'He has been watching over this matter all along.'

The booklet recorded a lengthy spell inscription, the characters were wild and unrestrained, yet they concealed a chilling majesty. Despite not containing a trace of special energy, they gave the reader a sense of witnessing thunderbolts; their orientation and strokes were as sharp as flashes of lightning.

At the end of the booklet, there was a message from Elder Tianpeng.

'Are they only going after the ringleader?' Jiang Li mused, 'Even someone as powerful as Elder Tianpeng sometimes holds back concerns.'

'I, however, do not.'

'How many will die will depend on how many are foolish enough to challenge, life is one's own, and if they do not cherish it, they can't blame others for being ruthless.'