Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Hiss——"

A sinistrous hissing sound penetrated into Kaiyang Hall, causing an imperceptible pause in the Innate Qi surrounding Jiang Li.

With the Qi Observation Skill, he foresaw the opportunity and located the relative weakness in the Qi Force. He then synchronized with the Innate Qi, refining the Qi Force, and dispersing its power. This was the root of Jiang Li's sustained advantage.

Now, as the Innate Qi was affected, pulled by the Qi Mechanism, Jiang Zhuyun seized the moment. His Qi Force, massive as mountains and cities, transformed entirely into the fierce Fire Force, with flames dancing chaotically, displaying an unending variation of changes—each streak of flame and each sway was a bombardment based on Qi Force.

Flames surrounded him from all directions, with a momentum like wildfire spreading rapidly through prairie, unbridled and peerless.

The Innate Qi fluctuated wildly, and the red hues invaded the Qi Shield, both intricate and rapid, with endless successive waves, clearly intending to break through with speed, making it difficult for Jiang Li to fully dissolve it.

"Six Ding and Six Jia."

Jiang Li immediately uttered softly, his Innate Qi sketching the shape of a Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman inside his body, essentially drawing a talisman internally.

At the same time, a Jade Talisman in his bosom was activated, and the phantom images of the twelve Dharma Protector Gods of Six Ding and Six Jia appeared, stacking heavily upon Jiang Li.

With both internal and external talismans linked by Qi Mechanism and offering dual protection, such a method of using talismans was something only Jiang Li, bearing the appearance of the Divine Farmer, could achieve. Others, even if they could introspect and manipulate True Qi as easily as their limbs, would hardly dare to draw talismans within their bodies rashly.

A single mishap could result in internal injuries, leading to death or severe harm.

With the dual protection of Six Ding and Six Jia, as the Protective Qi Shield dispersed, the intense flames blasted out, making the golden light even brighter.

Jiang Zhuyun approached like riding wind and mounting clouds, his fists wielding immense force, his True Qi faintly forming the shape of a cauldron, the same move that injured Jiang Li before.

Jiang Zhuyun first took advantage of his intricate and rapid moves to seize the opportunity, then struck with his fists, using one force to overpower ten gatherings, demonstrating his superior power, overwhelming Jiang Li. This time, he was not in the self-harming state of the last encounter, having not suffered the backlash of True Qi, and even augmented his strength with "Patrol the Four Directions," arguably at his peak power.

Even though Jiang Li had refined Innate Qi, losing the first move made it difficult for him to overturn the disparity in power.

The premise being he indeed had lost the first move...

Suddenly, an Ink Snake attacked from behind Jiang Li, its Spiritual Power carrying the might of a Sixth Grade Daoist Device, seizing the moment Jiang Zhuyun exerted full power to attack Jiang Li's exposed weakness. It striked at his very person, employing the strategy of surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao.

Was this weakness deliberately shown?

This thought surfaced in Jiang Zhuyun's mind.

If he continued to attack forcefully, then Jiang Zhuyun would also be hit by this strike, and be the first to suffer. However, Jiang Zhuyun's power surpassed Jiang Li, and even if it did not, the quantitative gap should be enough to compensate, not to mention Jiang Zhuyun was wearing a Protective Robe.

It seems everyone wears Red Robes, but there is a difference between Inner Sect Disciples.

For those like Jiang Zhuyun and Gongsun Qingyue, coming from wealthy, powerful backgrounds, their garments are custom-made investments, not on the same level as those of other Inner Sect Disciples.

Trading injury for injury, the advantage is mine.

The thought raced through his mind, but Jiang Zhuyun did not switch from offense to defense; instead, he pushed even more True Qi, determined to defeat Jiang Li in one fell strike.

The Ink Snake struck like a spear at Jiang Zhuyun's waist, while the Fist Power descended like a meteor, both the ferocity of the move and the heaviness of the force fully displaying the power of Emperor Yan's lineage.

The shadows of the Six Ding and Six Jia shattered one by one, and when the fist contacted his body, the molten-lava-like strength seared into him, clashing with the Protective Talisman inside his body.

But at the same time, Jiang Zhuyun also felt an uncontrollable restlessness surging up. His face suddenly changed, filled with disbelief.

The Ink Snake at his waist completely ignored Jiang Zhuyun's Protective True Qi; all True Qi that came into contact with the Ink Snake was dissolved by the Innate Qi, then a secret acupoint at Jiang Zhuyun's waist was hit, instantly throwing his Qi mechanism into chaos and his blood surging, weakening the fierce and dominant Fist Power.

Jiang Li took a step back, set one palm on Jiang Zhuyun's wrist to lead it, while his right hand made a clawing motion. A transparent Primordial Qi began to gather in the palm of his hand.

"Three Points Return to Primordial Qi."

This palm, carrying the Innate Qi, hit Jiang Zhuyun right at the heart, refining and dissolving the Protective True Qi. The palm force hit the Danzhong acupoint, smashing into Jiang Zhuyun's Middle Dantian, causing a dark veil to fall over his eyes and a sharp pain in his chest.

Jiang Li's Innate Qi might not have the power and dominance of Jiang Zhuyun's transformed Fierce Force, but in penetrating defenses, his Innate Qi was unmatched.

Every protective Qi was refined and dissolved, directly striking the physical body. The power of the Innate Qi was not outstanding, but each strike caused real damage, ensuring effectiveness upon hitting.

As one move met two, Jiang Zhuyun's Fist Power exploded inside Jiang Li, making him stumble two steps back. Meanwhile, Jiang Li's "Three Points Return to Primordial Qi" hit Jiang Zhuyun's Middle Dantian directly. The Innate Qi refined the True Qi of the Middle Dantian and even aimed to refine the blood, carrying a tremendous force of impact.

"Boom!"

Jiang Zhuyun was sent flying out like a cannonball toward the outside of Kaiyang Hall, vanishing in the blink of an eye. However, his voice still carried from afar, "Jiang Li, you betrayed our family. Today, I have given you one strike, but next time, Jiang Zhuyun will surely take your life."

Jiang Li stood his ground, a flush of red spreading from his chest upwards, coloring his face blood-red. Then, in the blink of an eye, the redness faded, revealing a face as pristine as jade crystal. The fierce Fist Power still simmered within him, but he was now able to suppress it.

"Brother Ji, you should quickly go back and heal from the palm strike to your mind. There's no need to worry about me anymore, lest your organs suffer damage," Jiang Li said with a long laugh.

Indeed, he had suffered injuries, but Jiang Zhuyun fared no better.

Clearly, Jiang Zhuyun didn't want to show his wounds in front of everyone and chose to retreat using that as an excuse. If he had the upper hand, he wouldn't have easily let go of Jiang Li.

Killing Jiang Li was out of the question, but seizing the chance to humiliate him certainly was on the agenda.

Unfortunately, he hadn't anticipated that Jiang Li's Innate Qi could refine his own Innate Qi. The Qi between the two, although seemingly similar, was actually incomparable, like Li Kui and Li Gui.

Adding to that, Jiang Zhuyun had fallen into Jiang Li's rhythm every step of the way, resulting in him being at a disadvantage during this second confrontation without even needing to further injure himself.

Their clash could be described as quick as a rabbit and faltering as a magpie, with the result being determined in the blink of an eye. Yet, the intensity was no less than their previous bout. From that sudden intrusion of noise, to Jiang Li feigning influence and exposing a flaw, to exchanging moves from scheming to fighting—a life and death outcome was nearly reached.

The Jiang family members present were extremely shocked by this series of events. After the confrontation between Jiang Li and Jiang Zhuyun, many displayed conflicted expressions as they started to make their decisions.

A portion of them quietly exited Kaiyang Hall, following Jiang Zhuyun.

While the rest slowly gathered behind Jiang Li.