Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Hmm?"

Within Kaiyang Hall, Jiang Li, who was meditating in a seated position, suddenly opened his eyes. His Dao Fruit ability was fully deployed, and the Star Battle, Eight Trigrams, and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches represented by the Yisi Divination, Lin De Calendar, and Tuibei Diagram all emerged in his gaze.

A group of Outer Disciples dressed in green robes surrounded him, and upon seeing Jiang Li open his eyes, they all revealed looks of surprise and joy.

However, when they locked eyes with Jiang Li's profound gaze, the words they wanted to speak were pushed back by that all-seeing look.

"Jiang... Young Master,"

Yet it was Jiang Luo who broke the eerie calm. He deliberated over his words, and ultimately addressing him as "Young Master," he said, "Is the Young Master's injury without issue?"

Jiang Li took everyone into his sight, along with the other Disciples still inside the hall, and the hall's golden pillars, floor, and lectern—all were scanned, one by one, as a sense of discord lingered in his heart.

Something was off.

But he couldn't articulate what exactly was amiss.

Jiang Li continued to ponder in his heart but on the surface, he showed a gentle smile, "We are all of the same clan; there is no distinction of high or low. I am not Jiang Zhuyun and do not have the thick skin to let my fellow clanspeople call me 'Young Master'. If you don't mind, from now on, simply call me 'Senior Brother'. As for my injury, it is no longer serious; thank you all for your concern."

The punch from Jiang Zhuyun indeed had astonishing power, but after it was filtered through the defense of the two-layered Six Ding and Six Jia Protection Talisman, its power was reduced. Jiang Li, using the Innate Qi to refine and resolve it, managed to minimize his injury.

Thereafter, since both of them cultivated Innate Qi, and after Jupiter completely refined Jiang Zhuyun's Fist Power, he not only did not suffer significant depletion, but on the contrary, his power grew stronger. As for his injury, Jiang Li, having grasped the essentials of circulating True Qi, would naturally heal his wounds over time with every move he made, even without tending to them.

Upon hearing that the injury was no issue, everyone relaxed, then exchanged looks and spontaneously called out in unison, "Senior Brother."

Calling him Senior Brother felt much more natural than calling him Young Master; at least they didn't feel they were always a step below him. Though people from the branch families were accustomed to being lower, if they could address each other as equals, the feeling was indeed very pleasing.

But after calling him Senior Brother, Jiang Luo had a different opinion.

"Although we have no distinctions of rank among us, a snake cannot move without its head. I would ask, Senior Brother, to lead us to prevent us from becoming a loose collection of individuals." Jiang Luo earnestly supported Jiang Li with his words.

"Indeed, indeed," Yang Chong also added, "We should center around Senior Brother Jiang Li, resolutely follow the commands of Senior Brother Jiang Li, to continuously advance, strengthen ourselves, and reciprocate our family, so our kin do not continue in decline."

And to think, despite Yang Chong's lack of steadfast resolve, he was quite eloquent when it came to making speeches, which actually sounded quite pleasant to the ear.

Ultimately, he was from the main family and had his merits.

"This is precisely my intention to unite everyone," said Jiang Li, "We from the branch families are not dogs and horses; we don't toil for personal ambitions. Our unity is for mutual aid and benefit, to support each other and advance together."

"However, let's not talk about centers and obedience. If I, Jiang Li, am to be the leader of you all, I must fulfill the duty of leading, guiding everyone forward. We share the same roots; your affairs are my own. Repaying our family and settling our debts and grievances are duties that Jiang Li cannot shirk."

Indeed, having experienced a former, more advanced era, Jiang Li's speechcraft was not inferior to anyone; his words roused everyone's spirits so much that they all but wanted to kneel in a show of reverence.

Whether they genuinely wished to kneel was one thing, but the sentiment was certainly there.

Those who chose to side with Jiang Li from the Jiang family totaled twenty-three, while twelve had quietly left. By numbers, Jiang Li was already in the advantageous position. Yet, as Jiang Li looked at the faces of the people before him, he still felt a sense of discord, causing his heart to be devoid of joy and his thoughts entirely focused on this unsettling feeling.

After all, this was a man capable of conducting divination seven times in a single pursuit; any fleeting premonition would not go unnoticed by him.

The Karma Collection continued its faithful record of events, but with slanderous words before him, Jiang Li had no intention of retorting. His mind was wholly occupied by a subtle discord.

Jiang Li had always disdained scenarios where someone sensed something was amiss yet still stepped into a pitfall. Whenever he sensed even a hint of danger, he would grasp at that sensation and investigate thoroughly, never tossing it aside.

This was the self-cultivation of someone who followed their heart.

'Is it because of Jiang Zhuyun? Or was it that hiss just now?'

Jiang Zhuyun was already being backed into a corner; it was very likely he might be forced to stake everything on one last desperate move.

And that hiss had filled Jiang Li with a bone-chilling dread; it was clear at a glance that it was no tactic of the righteous path.

If it weren't for his ability "Seeking Truth" sustaining his mental state, Jiang Li might have indeed been lured into an unfavorable situation by this surreptitious ploy.

Holding this thought, Jiang Li decided to seek out Gongsun Qingyue for a consultation.

Today's events were crucial for rooting out the thorn Jiang Zhuyun had embedded within the Sect. It was certain that Gongsun Qingyue would be nearby, watching; she might even be observing right now.

Just then, a long and profound breath emerged, and a vast presence like the sea surged through Dinghu, spreading throughout the Sect.

In that moment, everyone's heart envisioned a pair of tremendous vertical pupils, as well as an increasingly distinct and imposing dragon head.

"The Yinglong Dao Fruit!" Jiang Li couldn't help exclaiming.

Jiang Zhuyun had indeed gone all in, especially after their recent confrontation. Jiang Li had to admit that this time, Jiang Zhuyun was truly decisive. But could the Yinglong Dao Fruit alone truly shake the Dinghu Sect?

Before he had much time to ponder, a graceful, red shadow flitted into Kaiyang Hall. Gongsun Qingyue arrived in haste, and as soon as she entered the hall, she made straight for Jiang Li.

"Junior Brother, Jiang Zhuyun has once again induced an upheaval of the Yinglong Dao Fruit. Follow me, we need to retrieve the Ochre Whip..."

Gongsun Qingyue swept her hand, creating a gust of Qi that cleared away the crowd surrounding Jiang Li, quickly approaching with the intention to pull him outside the hall.

However—

An icy sword tip barred the way before Gongsun Qingyue's fair wrist, with Jiang Li wielding his sword at the forefront, staring intently at Gongsun Qingyue.

"Junior Brother, what are you doing?" Gongsun Qingyue asked in bewilderment.

"Crude tricks, and yet you dare to flaunt them!"

Jiang Li huffed coldly. Without hesitation, his sword swept forward, the icy tip swiftly grazing past Gongsun Qingyue's arm.

That petty woman wouldn't dare to come close to him, and she always looked for opportunities to act when she and Jiang Li were together, eyeing his waist for a chance to strike. It had almost become a habit for her, never forgetting, not for a moment.

After all, from the time Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue had met, their physical contact was minimal, with the most direct encounter being when she once kicked him into a pond.

Besides, Jiang was an actor of the highest caliber—performing in front of him was clearly an overestimation of one's own abilities.

A fair wrist went flying, and in an instant, blood mixed with blue streaked through the air.