Taiyi Dao Fruit

A long rainbow streaked across the sky and descended onto a hidden island within the Dinghu Sect, revealing the figures of Jiang Li and Elder Tianxuan.

After many days, Jiang Li once again arrived at the Dinghu Sect's secret place, and the site of the Ochre Whip.

The island, seemingly in perpetual early summer, was teeming with exuberant life. The medicinal fragrance carried by the wind revitalized Jiang Li, who was currently struggling to fill his Qi Sea.

Although he had inherited Jiang Zhuyun's legacy, he had not engaged in pill-consuming cultivation without the ability to discern the properties of elixirs. And no matter how rich Jiang Zhuyun's legacy was, it couldn't compare to the spiritual medicines in this secret place, not to mention the Ochre Whip.

Thinking of the Grade and abilities of the Ochre Whip, Jiang Li felt that becoming a disciple of Elder Tianxuan was indeed the right step.

"After the initiation ceremony, you will become a True Inheritor of our Sect, and you must be aware of the affairs within the Sect," Elder Tianxuan said as she walked gracefully, her long dress trailing behind her. The fragrance that emanated from her even overwhelmed the medicinal scent, making Jiang Li maintain his Wise Man Mode and dare not switch out of it.

As she walked, she explained: "Among the Six Halls, I oversee the Exchange Skill and the Alchemy Dao. All related matters within the Sect are under my jurisdiction, including the Ochre Whip."

"Next is Tianji, Tianji Lushen controls the Sect's wealth and all external trade transactions are managed by Elder Tianji. Following are Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, Yaoguang..."

Tianquan Wenqu oversees the Sect's literary fortune, and the largest library within the Sect is managed by Elder Tianquan, which contains countless cultivation techniques. Apart from a few supreme techniques, Tianquan knows of all others.

Yuheng Lianzhen symbolizes royal authority, and the Sect's law enforcement power is in the hands of Elder Yuheng, who has the final say in the interpretation of all regulations.

Kaiyang Martial Arts controls martial arts. Apart from the Sect Leader, Elder Kaixiang is the best in martial arts within the Sect; he also manages the defensive affairs of the Kaiyang Hall.

Finally, Yaoguang Breaking Army is in charge of external expansion. All missions for disciples are posted on the Yaoguang Hall's Po Jun List. For this reason, the Yaoguang Hall is the largest distributor of good deeds within the Sect.

After listening, Jiang Li suddenly realized that Elder Tianxuan was the most suitable mentor for him.

He needed to consume elixirs to progress his power, which was part of Elder Tianxuan's jurisdiction, and his Exchange Skill required guidance, which also was Elder Tianxuan's specialty.

Perhaps it was fated by the heavens for Jiang to become the affiliated son-in-law of the Gongsun Family.

As they talked and walked, it didn't take long before they arrived at the pond where the Divine Farmer Stone Statue stood.

The statue stood tall and unchanging, with the Ochre Whip in hand, emitting an aura of distant antiquity, as if immutable since time immemorial. Within the Sect, perhaps this was the only place that had remained constant. The world outside had already undergone great changes; some had died, while others had taken the opportunity to soar into the heavens.

In front of the pond, there was also a familiar figure standing. Seeing Jiang Li and Elder Tianxuan, she came forward immediately.

"Master," Gongsun Qingyue greeted the elder with a bow.

"And Sixth Brother," Gongsun Qingyue said to Jiang Li with a teasing tone, "Let's hear you call me Senior Sister."

Sixth Brother?

True Disciples were ranked by seniority, and Jiang Li was the sixth; calling him Sixth Brother wasn't a mistake.

However, the implication of this title was quite discordant with Jiang's noble character.

Jiang Li wanted to object to the nickname, but as he was in Wise Man Mode, he lacked the motivation to argue and simply went along with Gongsun Qingyue's wish, calling out "Senior Sister."

"Good Disciple," Gongsun Qingyue revealed a satisfied smile.

This wasn't the first time Jiang Li had called her Senior Sister, but in the past, the title was just a form of address. Now that Jiang Li had truly become her junior, the title made Gongsun Qingyue truly feel that Jiang Li was beneath her.

Repeatedly defeated, Senior Sister Gongsun tasted for the first time the flavor of being superior to Jiang Li.

"Look at your little ambition."

Elder Tianxuan shook her head upon seeing Gongsun Qingyue's demeanor. Just hearing the word "Senior Sister" satisfies you? This child has lost miserably.

Then she asked, "Have the herbs been chosen?"

Gongsun Qingyue immediately reined in her smile and nodded, "According to what is recorded in the Hundred Herbs Scripture, all kinds of herbs have been selected and transplanted to the surrounding area."

"Mhm."

Elder Tianxuan gave a slight nod and continued, "Jiang Li, as your mentor, I've said that after dealing with Jiang Zhuyun, I would allow you to wield the Ochre Whip. As of now, you've not reached the Sixth Rank and are unable to attain ownership of the Ochre Whip. However, starting immediately, you can use the Ochre Whip to aid your cultivation."

With graceful steps, she moved toward the pool, stretching out her hand and waving it lightly to gather Medicine Qi, "In the past, it was said that the Divine Farmer tasted hundreds of herbs and composed the Hundred Herbs Scripture to pass down to future generations. However, people do not know that the widely disseminated Hundred Herbs Scripture has actually been abridged. The real Hundred Herbs Scripture describes the nature of the world's plants and details their medicinal strength and principles, and it can be called the source of medicinal knowledge."

"This book has been passed down within the Jiang family. To distinguish between the two versions of the scripture, the Jiang clan named it the Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs Scripture. Jiang Li, do you understand how useful this scripture is to the Jiang clan?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li's mind instantly spawned various conjectures, and his mental state, deep in Wise Man Mode, allowed him to quickly work out the most likely answer.

"Could it be that it enables the Jiang clan to transform Innate Qi into the medicinal power of hundreds of herbs?" he guessed.

If that were the case, the Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs Scripture's value to the Jiang family would extend far beyond that of a mere handbook on herbs; it would also be a wonderful method treasure.

When healing was needed, one could directly emulate the healing power of spiritual medicines and recover without needing actual medicine.

When facing an enemy, one could transform it into poison or even create a compound poison, causing the foe to die without being aware. Moreover, one could detect the poison at the first instance and transform Innate Qi into the corresponding detoxifying power.

While it may not match the Ochre Whip's ability to transform all medicines and poisons and manipulate their effects at will, it was still no small feat.

"Correct, but more accurately, it is for those like you who have cultivated true Innate Qi," praised Elder Tianxuan with a nod of approval.

"Does the Sect possess the Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs Scripture?" Jiang Li now had a profound interest in the herbal scripture.

"No, but you, who bear the Divine Farmer's appearance, can use the Ochre Whip to compose another Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs Scripture. This is the first lesson I intend to teach you. This act will also help in gaining the approval of the Ochre Whip. The essence of a Dao Artifact still lies in the Dao Fruit, and the more you resonate with the original master of the Dao Fruit, the easier it will be to gain the Artifact's recognition."

Elder Tianxuan's hands flowed with Qi Mechanism, and the gathered Medicine Qi condensed into a liquid in her palm. Then with a flip of her hand, she solidified the Qi into form, and a Jade Bowl appeared in her palm, with droplets of liquid potion about to fall.

"The first medicine."

Elder Tianxuan handed over the Jade Bowl. "Drink it, Jiang Li."

The ominous green liquid potion rippled in the bowl, and its unpleasant color seemed to foreshadow an uneasy essence.

In myths, there were accounts of the Divine Farmer tasting hundreds of herbs and dying. Not all of these herbs were harmless.

Though with the Ochre Whip, Jiang Li could not die, he still had to endure pain.

'But compared to power, what does a bit of pain matter?'

Jiang Li took the Jade Bowl and drank it in one gulp.

Cheers!