Taiyi Dao Fruit

"The plan worked," Jiang Li's smile grew more genuine as the Eight Trigrams Image flickered in his eyes.

Yang Chong thought that his bloodline was being drawn by the Divine Farmer's appearance and was actively signaling Jiang Li, but in reality, he was simply overexcited, nothing more than his body heating up.

Jiang Li indeed could manipulate the Jiang Clan's bloodlines, but not to such an obvious extent. At most, it would involve the qi and blood being drawn toward Jiang Li, alongside a whimsical urge, but nothing significant enough to make someone submit completely.

If that were the case, Jiang Li wouldn't even need to plan further; he could simply stand before Jiang Zhuyun, send a shudder through his tiger-like frame, and all his problems would be solved.

The reason for Yang Chong's reaction was actually because Jiang Li had secretly observed Yang Chong's qi, and then used Innate Qi to stir it, causing his qi mechanism to fluctuate and unconsciously affect his emotions, all with the addition of a few Fire Cloud Talismans.

In the grass surrounding the unseen area around Yang Chong, Jiang Li had discreetly laid out several Fire Cloud Talismans, which slowly raised the temperature around them, artificially creating a sense of warmth.

It was like mistaking a fearful heartbeat for infatuation, thinking a lustful glance was love at first sight; the body's reaction and the chaos of the mind led to a very subtle illusion.

After the illusion took hold, Yang Chong, recalling his betrayal, and then considering Jiang Li's recent words about the lack of hierarchy, found himself, as if possessed, nodding subconsciously.

He agreed with Jiang Li's statement.

Because where there is no hierarchy, there can't be any question of subordination, and without a clear master-servant relationship, betrayal becomes an irrelevant concept, doesn't it?

In such a case, what right did Jiang Zhuyun have to punish Yang Chong?

There is a saying, "Upon contemplating betrayal, one feels the world widens." Having harbored the thought of turning, Yang Chong would convince himself.

For instance, if the Jiang family's blood could not remain hidden before the Divine Farmer's appearance, then even if he revealed the identity of others, it wouldn't matter.

Of course, Yang Chong didn't know the identities of the other Jiang family members; his status was not that high, but he—or rather, Jiang Li—had a way to root them out.

"Tell me about those branches of the family close to the main household and living near the Divine Capital, and I will help you with Jiang Zhuyun, making others just like you. How about that?" Jiang Li suggested with a smile.

The Jiang Clan members had concealed their names and even changed their faces just like Jiang Zhuyun, but their origins were certain; they were all loyal branches close to the main family, and some may even reside in the Divine Capital with them.

In more fashionable terms, that's the so-called "Divine Capital Circle," all part of the same group.

Therefore, finding these branches meant following the vine to the root.

There might be some oversights, but the majority should not escape the net.

"You want to use the family to coerce them into joining you?" A startled Yang Chong paled at the thought.

"Wrong, not joining, but stepping into the light," Jiang Li corrected, "Besides, we all share the same roots, why should there be a distinction between primary and secondary? In the future, there will be neither main household nor branches, or rather, we are all the main household."

We are all the main household...

That phrase struck his mind like lightning, sending his thoughts racing.

Threats, intimidation, and temptation, one after another, overwhelmed Yang Chong, solidifying his decision to take the bait crafted by Jiang Li.

A man attuned to the times is a man of excellence, and Yang Chong has always been such a man.

"Fine, I'll tell you," he said through gritted teeth.

Looking at his resolute expression, he had never seemed so straightforward, not even under water torture the last time.

"Within the jurisdiction of the Divine Capital, there are five branches of the Jiang family, originally residing in Yun County, Qiao County, Feiyun Town, Bishui Town, and Dragon Spring Town, and in addition, the three branches in Jizhou..."

Yang Chong listed all he knew, and each branch was recorded in the Karma Collection.

These pieces of information, if passed to the sect, might not constitute a threat because the Jiang Clan had identified the Ji Family as the mortal enemy and did not believe in the possibility of reconciliation, thus feeling no threat. However, if handled by Jiang Li, a member of the Jiang family, it would be a different matter.

Especially since Jiang Li also possessed the Divine Farmer's appearance.

'With this, all is ready.' Looking at the information recorded on the Karma Collection, Jiang Li thought to himself.

On Chongming Island.

A mysterious demon wind arose out of nowhere, startling Jiang Zhuyun, who was standing outside the collapsing Water Pavilion, causing him to turn and look towards the shadows.

"Heavenly Banner, Heavenly Banner, the Nine Elements Evil Child.

The Five Ding Du Si, Gao Diao Bei Weng."

A silhouette quietly appeared, muttering the Heavenly Banner Spell in a low voice, laughing softly, "Jiang Li recited this spell in the Daoist Law Pavilion with a voice booming like thunder, heard faintly by all the outer disciples around Kaiyang Hall. What do you think this means?"

It meant that Elder Tianpeng had chosen Jiang Li.

Although Elder Tianpeng appeared neutral, secluded in Si Fan Valley, he had, in his heart, already taken a side. He chose Jiang Li and the sect, abandoning the Jiang family, or rather, abandoning Jiang Zhuyun himself.

Jiang Zhuyun clenched his fists tightly, creating a crisp sound.

He did not know whether Jiang Li did it deliberately or not, but one thing was clear to him: once the spell was cast, those clan members aware of Elder Tianpeng's identity might also become restless.

Perhaps it wouldn't come to outright betrayal, but a severe drop in morale and a plunge into pessimism were certain.

"Forcing the elder to avoid favoritism, provoking me to act, not only did you gain Jiang Li as a weapon, but you also made the elder disappointed in me. I have already anticipated the current situation," Jiang Zhuyun said coldly.

When he sensed that Elder Tianpeng had been covering for Jiang Li all along, he was mentally prepared. This event was within his expectations.

"But you're still furious about it, right?" the silhouette chuckled.

"Jiang Zhuyun, you're running out of moves. When Jiang Li's Divine Farmer's appearance reaches the level where he can sense his kin's bloodline, all your clan members will be exposed. And how far are you from reaching the Sixth Rank?"

The Sixth Rank was the minimum threshold to wield a Third Grade Daoist Artifact, and the Dinghu Sect was withholding the Ochre Whip from Jiang Zhuyun, using his insufficient realm as an excuse.

Jiang Zhuyun had always aspired to advance to the Sixth Rank, but he had only been an initiate for a little over three years; reaching the Sixth Rank in one go was extremely challenging.

"But my sect can help you," the silhouette's voice rippled, as slippery as a snake's hiss, imbued with an eerie chill and a hint of seduction, "If you hand over one of the Military God's Five Weapons you possess, my sect will assist you in rapidly advancing to the Sixth Rank."

"And then become a non-human Demon who can be justifiably exterminated by Dinghu Sect?" Jiang Zhuyun sneered, "The Devil God Sect is like a rat crossing the street, everyone cries hit; I, Jiang Zhuyun, a descendant of the Human Queen, how could I stoop so low as to associate with the likes of you! Get lost!"

Jiang Zhuyun sent a punch through the air, the red flame illuminating the shadow, a face full of scales flashing by.

"Tss—"

The blazing fire seemed to corrode away, a serpent's silhouette flickered and vanished into the corner.

"Jiang Zhuyun, why persist in pretense? You have already collaborated with my sect once, why hesitate a second time? I'll be waiting for you to come and beg me."