Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Fight has begun."

The Candle Dragon, with eyes like the sun and moon, glanced back toward Liangzhou Province and exhaled a long mist, in front of which star symbols formed a constantly rotating sphere.

In its perception, the atmosphere in Liangzhou was changing vigorously with murderous intent brewing, apparently reaching a certain limit. Jiang Li was already engaged in combat with Zhang Zhixuan.

On the other side, the heaven and earth were reacting even more violently. A sky-high ancient tree rose from the ground, reaching thousands of miles high. As it swayed, the heavens stirred, and the earth sank and floated, making a spectacle even grander than the battle in Liangzhou.

This ancient ginseng fruit tree was recognized by the Great Venerable, being the one from Iron Pillar Temple's Treasure Extreme Cave Heaven.

Heavenly Monarch Gongsun Qi returned to the Divine Capital and summoned the ginsengfruit tree, seeming ready to stake everything, to fight against Heaven in a life-or-death struggle.

If he could find the right moment, this notorious leader of the Devil God Sect might just do a righteous deed on Heaven's behalf.

Then the question arose.

Should he let his faithful brother risk more danger to fuel the Heavenly Monarch's immortal transformation?

Or, being deeply brotherly, should he help Jiang Li by dealing with Zhang Zhixuan first?

The Great Venerable hesitated for a long breath's time, then decided to trust his younger brother's ability, to first slay the Heavenly Monarch, then—

Suddenly, the giant dragon body turned and the Candle Dragon morphed into a human shape wrapped in white mist, holding the sphere formed by the star symbols, "It seems, I need not be troubled after all."

Someone had already made the choice for him.

Purple Qi coming from the east spread three thousand miles, covering the Five Viscous, illuminating thousands of lights, as three Daoist figures of old, middle-aged, and young descent descended.

At the same time, the Great Venerable felt his usually responsive Cosmic Light Divine Ability falter intermittently, as if a bright pearl were covered in dust, losing its original lustre.

"Previously, when fighting with the Heavenly Monarch, he changed into an old Daoist form to escape from my divine ability. I thought he had just stolen some of the old Daoist's ability, but now it seems, Daoist Li, you are not clean either."

The Great Venerable spoke to one person, looking at the three figures in front.

Among the purple radiant light were three people of different ages but with strikingly similar features. To the Great Venerable, a master of Yi Dao, they appeared to be one person.

They were Daoist Lord Li Boyang of the Daode Sect, refined into avatars... or perhaps primordial spirits.

"One Qi to Three Pure Ones, eh."

The Great Venerable said, somewhat painfully, "And Daoism Rules the World, Ghosts are not Divine."

The arrival of Dao on earth makes ghosts and gods lose their mystique — a simple phrase, yet it rendered his usable Dao Fruit Divine Power ineffective.

In front of this figure, any Dao Fruit Divine Skills were useless; he could only compete in cultivation techniques and spiritual practice. Yet, this adversary was the longest-lived and possibly the strongest cultivator today.

In terms of cultivation techniques and spiritual practice, no one could claim superiority.

However, under this influence of Dao Fruit Divine Power, the opponent's Dao Fruit Abilities would also fail, and although the Dao Fruit Divine Skills were ineffective, the metamorphosis the Dao Fruit brought to the physical body and primordial spirit would not be lost.

For instance, the Great Venerable could still transform into a Candle Dragon and maintain his powerful physique and energy. Even his avatars created through Dao Fruit Divine Power would not vanish.

Just like that, the plan to first slay the Heavenly Monarch and then help Jiang Li was no longer feasible.

No, it was also uncertain whether the Heavenly Monarch would die today.

"As for Daoist Ji, he indeed managed to imitate a bit of the 'Daoism Rules the World's' power through his own ability," the middle-aged Daoist said with a smile.

"As for the old Daoist, today's act is more about helping that rebellious disciple of his."

The old Daoist, manifesting as an elderly figure, stroked his frosty beard and said helplessly.

As if responding to the old Daoist's words, a sharp sword qi that the Great Venerable found familiar appeared in the distance.

It was the Sword Qi of Taibai True Monarch.

It seemed the Heavenly Monarch had called for reinforcements this time.

"Fair enough, at worst I'll just spare your disciple," the Great Venerable immediately said considerately, "If you want me to discipline your disciple a little, I'm happy to oblige. Just say, should I beat him half to death or nearly to death? In this life, there's nothing I despise more than those unfilial disciples who defy their masters."

Unfortunately, the other party was not willing to accept the Great Venerable's kindness.

"Great Venerable, please hold."

The young Daoist gently waved his sleeve, and suddenly purple qi fell from the sky, forming a heavenly moat.

At the same time, three streams of Qi Mechanism locked onto the Great Venerable, an invisible force enveloping all directions.

Not allowing him to advance, nor intending to let him leave.

They intended to keep the Great Venerable here, neither to attack the Heavenly Monarch when he was down nor to return to Liangzhou and strike at Zhang Zhixuan.

"Was the old Daoist colluding with the Heavenly Monarch?" the Great Venerable withdrew his playful tone, speaking in a tone both icy and indifferent.

"Not at all, just following Heaven's will."

The three Daoists spoke in unison, "Please rest assured, Great Venerable; with the strength of the Eight-Nine Profound Skill, Jiang Xiaodao will not be in mortal danger."

He seemed to know well the Eight-Nine Profound Skill, confident in Jiang Li's survival.

To which, the Great Venerable actually agreed.

With Jiang Li's cunning as that of an old fox, how could he let himself be in danger? It was because he believed in Jiang Li's ability that the Great Venerable had decided to go after the Heavenly Monarch first.

But now, it was not about Jiang Li's safety but that the old Daoist was blocking his path.

"Seems there's no room for discussion."

The Great Venerable's eyes turned into dragon eyes, "Then let's not talk."

With a rotation of the sphere formed by the star symbols in his hand, the world turned upside down.