Taiyi Dao Fruit

The Yin energy pervaded the Dark World, where black clouds twisted into a massive vortex, and a figure of a Demon God descended from the center, landing on a mountain range, shaking the area for miles around.

"Jiang family's boy, one day I will tear your body into ten thousand pieces!"

Along with the chilling voice of murderous intent, a cold wind ravaged the surrounding mountains, whipping up clouds of dust like waves.

"It seems Earth Uncle has been at a disadvantage."

From afar, two figures watched this scene, their forms ethereal, indicating they were not of flesh and blood, and their appearances would shock anyone who recognized them.

These two were the Heavenly Monarch and Taibai True Monarch.

At this moment, they appeared in this place in the form of their Primordial Spirits, in this land of the Yin World.

"To make Earth Uncle so furious, Nephew Jiang truly must have angered him severely," said the Heavenly Monarch, his tone a mixture of jest and seriousness.

Although they were far from Earth Uncle, theoretically, Earth Uncle could still sense them and hear their conversations. But from the current situation, it appeared as if they were separated by a world, completely unconnected.

Next to him, Taibai True Monarch remained expressionless, merely commenting, "Earth Uncle probably can't defeat that master and disciple."

"Not being able to defeat doesn't mean he can't interfere or cause trouble,"

Heavenly Monarch shook his head, "Ever since the expulsion of the Jiang family, the Ji Family has dominated this Yin World; even if Earth Uncle can't defeat Tianxuan and Jiang Li, he is still well able to defend himself. That alone is enough time for us to recover."

At this point, the Primordial Spirits of both the Heavenly Monarch and Taibai True Monarch began to waver slightly, showing signs of instability.

The battle against the Heavenly Incarnation had caused both of them severe injuries, which tended to worsen if they stayed too long in this Yin World.

However, the Heavenly Monarch was no ordinary man; by merely stabilizing his mind, he managed to stabilize his Primordial Spirit.

His key injury was in his Physical Body; the damage to his Primordial Spirit wasn't as severe, and he could still suppress it.

Having stabilized, Heavenly Monarch continued, "After cutting down Heaven, I have obtained what I desired, and you have gained too. Our next collaboration will be when you ascend."

"The earthly wars..." Taibai True Monarch pondered quietly, "How much longer?"

The uprising of the Taiping Sect, sweeping across a whole province, was certainly the most impactful in the last eight hundred years, but it was still insufficient for Taibai True Monarch's ascension requirements.

A stronger, fiercer war was needed, one that would sweep through at least half of the world.

"That will depend on the Buddha Country," Heavenly Monarch said with a light laugh, "In the past, when the Buddha Country spread the Buddhist Law to the east, they brought the Dragon Flower Treasure Tree to the west. Now that the Dao Fruit from the Dragon Flower Treasure Tree has been absorbed by someone, she will soon begin to widely spread the Buddhist Law."

Despite being heavily engaged in the battle with the Heavenly Incarnation, knowing the affairs of Liangzhou Province so thoroughly caught even Taibai True Monarch by surprise.

Yet what Heavenly Monarch said also set his mind at ease.

With the war, the Buddha Country would grow stronger, and the eastward spread of the Buddhist Law was inevitable. Even if the Buddha Country wished to bide its time, the court would make its move.

Although the Taiping Sect had been vanquished, it had already fulfilled its role in paving the way for what was to come, leaving no buffer between the Buddha Country and Great Zhou. War was inevitable.

"Good."

Taibai True Monarch nodded slightly, "Then I will take my leave."

"Until we meet again, Fellow Daoist," Heavenly Monarch nodded.

Taibai True Monarch left without any delay.

Heavenly Monarch, however, remained standing there, his gaze deep and haunted, recalling that previous battle, feeling as if his injuries were flaring up again.

"Heaven's will... huh, Heaven's will."

Light and shadow shifted, and Heavenly Monarch's Primordial Spirit underwent a transformation. Donning a Dao Robe, he instantly became a Daoist.

Then, his figure gradually faded, disappearing into this dark world.

---

The color of Taibai Steel blanketed everything, turning the world into a realm of steel, its ultimate sharpness present everywhere, seemingly poised to shred bodies into the tiniest particles.

As his own form shifted, reversing three formations, disrupting the Five Elements, all the Sword Qi and the realm of Taibai Steel were utterly shattered, yet a hand emerged from the void, carrying with it the wonders of the universe and the power of creation to strike.

"The universe in my hand, all transformations born from my body."

The entire cosmos was in one palm strike, hitting his own body.

"Heaven, in the end, I won."

With Heavenly Monarch slicing through all creation, this palm strike infiltrated his body, akin to the creation of the universe, intending to disperse the body into all things, continuously absorbed and refined by Heavenly Monarch.

Meanwhile, the ginseng fruit tree descended from above, countless roots entwining his body, connecting to the earth, applying purity and turbidity simultaneously, sealing everything.

Hearing the words of Heavenly Monarch, he remained unswayed, merely grasping Heavenly Monarch's arm, indifferently stating, "How do you know this isn't Heaven's will?"

As his words fell, all forms twisted, everything crushed under the irresistible force.

"Whew—"

Jiang Li suddenly opened his eyes and looked down at his chest, the Divine Intent that shattered all creation lingering on his body, causing his heart to race and leaving him to savor the experience.

At this moment, he had returned to the Divine Capital, residing within Tianxuan's estate.

The experience that felt as if he had lived through it himself was the last message the Heavenly Incarnation had left for Jiang Li.

The eyes left by Heaven transformed part of the great battle into memories in Jiang Li's mind, letting him understand the formidable strength of Heavenly Monarch and leaving him with lingering mysteries.

Before being struck by the palm that determined victory or defeat, Heaven had actually been able to avoid it, at least from what Jiang Li felt from the memories. But he hadn't avoided it, taking the decisive strike, and while being drained of his power, he had forcibly interrupted the process, leaving some power behind.