Taiyi Dao Fruit

"The two elements can transform into the Four Symbols, Yin and Yang also can transform into the Five Elements," Jiang Li attempted to return from the Eight Trigrams to Yin and Yang, not only requiring the "Form Tomb" to be successful and combining the physical body with the Eight Sceneries, but the transformation of Yin and Yang was also essential to understand.

If one could deduce Yin and Yang from the Five Elements, it would save him many detours in the future.

He immediately communicated with Gongsun Qingyue's Qi Mechanism, observing the transformations with the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, and together they deduced the return of the Five Elements to Yin and Yang.

The two, who already knew each other thoroughly, were almost of one mind, their thoughts in harmony, and as they deduced, they also tacitly used their Qi to derive the Five Elements.

Around them, the Eight Sceneries condensed and interlaced, with streams of Tao Yuan Qi manifesting, forming a spectacle of five-color brilliance that engaged with each other.

However...

"I am fundamentally of the Fire Element, and while I can aid with my Fire Element, if we were to evolve Yin and Yang, it would be discordant."

Gongsun Qingyue, feeling the changes in her Qi Mechanism within, lowered her gaze with reluctance, "If it were a Taiyin Body, it would be completely able to assist you in deducing Yin and Yang."

Besides reluctance, she felt an unspeakable fear, afraid that her role would be inferior to another. After all, that person, in terms of strength, intelligence, and compatibility with Jiang Li, surpassed her.

'Maybe that's why Sister pretended to be her?'

Jiang Li sensed this deeply buried fear, tightened his grip on her soft hand, and said lightly, "But Sister's breadth of spirit is greater than hers. Besides, although I may depend on others, our relationship is neither a marriage of convenience nor for the sake of cultivation."

Saying this, Jiang Li embraced Gongsun Qingyue, "I am with Sister simply because I like you."

As their bodies touched, Jiang Li's Qi Mechanism reversed, changing from fire to water, perfectly combining with Gongsun Qingyue's Fire Qi.

"You..."

Gongsun Qingyue, feeling the shift in Qi Mechanism, widened her eyes, "Why are you so adept at this?"

Here it was again, this skilled maneuver.

From Yang comes Yin, reversing Yin and Yang, such effortless control could not be attained without hundreds of attempts.

Gongsun Qingyue immediately felt agitated, but soon she deflated in Jiang Li's embrace, whispering, "For the sake of your sweet words, I'll let you off this time."

Unlike the shock and anger from the previous time, Gongsun Qingyue felt a sense of deja vu. At this point, it was strange not to be skilled. However...

"You knew all along?"

Gongsun Qingyue was resigned yet amused, "It seems that Old Demon was also kept in the dark."

At the same time, she felt a secret thrill, "She still doesn't know."

Success is relative, now she, Gongsun Qingyue, was privy to the situation, while the Old Demon remained oblivious. The Junior Brother had already confessed to her, while the other remained ignorant.

What does that mean?

It means victory!

The paper tiger's defenses, as always, were low and easily breached. Or perhaps, she was already prepared mentally, and now that she truly discovered the truth, there came a sense of inevitability.

'It could also be said that we both had our mental preparations, each guessing a certain possibility, but as the involved parties, we were confused, either unclear or unwilling to see the truth, consciously avoiding these speculations,' Jiang Li mused internally.

Having reached this point, it only lacked a showdown; just breaking through the last layer would bring about the outcome.

And as he spoke, the Five Qi circulated, and with Jiang Li's focused thought, a small mountain shadow appeared before him.

The variation of the Five Finger Mountain was now thoroughly understood.

However, the Six-character Great Brightness Mantra had not yet been fully mastered.

...

"Wang?"

Within the fragment of the Heavenly Mirror, Xiao Tian, who had been lying perfectly still, suddenly sat up in surprise, the chain around its neck radiating a faint light.

A ring-shaped talisman seeped from the chain into Xiao Tian, causing it to involuntarily perk up its ears, with a distant voice entering its hearing.

Xiao Tian revealed an alarmed expression.

Clearly inside the mirror, it could vaguely hear the voice of its master and the third master, and this chain...

It was the first master employing magic.

"Woof woof woof woof..." Xiao Tian immediately began to bark chaotically, pressing its two front paws against its ears.

It didn't want to listen, too much listening would kill a dog.

The little red dog, having learned its lesson, did not wish to repeat the same mistake, lest it also offend its own master, yet that person would not heed its resistance.

"Jiang Li's methods are not bad, having even tamed you, a dog with three surnames. But even your master has to obediently obey my words, so why not you?"

Bound by a restriction that controlled its body, and with a star map evolving around it, blurring the boundaries of space, Xiao Tian struggled with a look of utter dejection, eventually lowering its forepaws and listening to the increasingly clear voice.

"Woof—" Xiao Tian wailed mournfully.

I'm sorry, Master, I've betrayed you again.

...

...

Meanwhile, at the Food Finger Peak of Five Finger Mountain, Tota Arhat was holding a pagoda, looking distantly upon this scene.

Within the pagoda, something resembling a golden finger bone was shining with light.

Although both are called "Tota," Tota Arhat and the Pagoda-Bearing King had no real connection, not even their pagodas were related.

The Pagoda of the Pagoda-Bearing King was a magic treasure with immense power, having a specific efficacy against offspring, while Tota Arhat's pagoda had only one function: to carry Buddha Bone Relics. It was more a vessel for carrying things than a treasure used for attacking the enemy.

Nevertheless, this did not affect the pagoda from exerting certain special functions.

At this moment, as the relics within the pagoda circulated with brilliance, a tiny shadow appeared outside the relics.

Upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably in the form of Manjusri Bodhisattva.

"It turns out it's related to Five Finger Mountain. Could Five Finger Mountain also be something transformed from the void into reality? There's also the act of Lou Shuangying before..."

The small apparition muttered to itself, its face showing solemnity followed by a hint of a smile.

"Unable to make Lou Shuangying force Jiang Li to exert all his strength, losing the opportunity to disrupt the Sword Qi, but this discovery is also not an unacceptable compensation."

"A blessing in disguise. Awakened one, if you really are related to Karma Tathagata, do not blame this humble monk."

Saying so, the apparition of Manjusri looked ahead, seemingly piercing through the walls of the pagoda to see the current state of Jiang Li.

"He came to Yong Province, presumably to go to Yuxu Temple with Yin Tulong; he will certainly meet Daoist Guang Cheng. With Daoist Guang Cheng's perception, there's an 80% chance he will detect the subtlety of my Wisdom Sword and inform Jiang Li about the clues."

Also known as one of the Four Swordsmanship Extremes, Daoist Guang Cheng's mastery of the Sword Dao was no less profound than that of Manjusri, and their respective swords were quite compatible with each other. Manjusri had no doubts about Daoist Guang Cheng's observation skills; if he encountered that Sword Qi, it was almost certain he would uncover the secret.

And after Jiang Li's encounter at Five Finger Mountain, he might also realize Manjusri's intentions.

However...

Before coming to Five Finger Mountain, it was unlikely that Jiang Li had any such awareness.

And since Yong Province had arrangements made by Buddha Country, and now Buddha Country's three Bodhisattvas were forced to ensure the safety of Jiang Li and his companions, in theory, there was no need for Jiang Li to worry about Yin Tulong and Shen Hou being attacked.

After all, the greatest danger in Yong Province was the Bodhisattvas of Buddha Country.

But Jiang Li still came.

The apparition of Manjusri Bodhisattva's eyes flashed like lightning as he silently calculated.

"Does he... want to ascend?"

Manjusri recalled a well-known Dao Fruit, "The Dao Fruit of Qingyuan Miao Dao True Monarch... With Jiang Li's capabilities, it is indeed possible for him to host this Dao Fruit."

Considering this possibility, a chill emerged in the apparition's demeanor.

If that were the case, it would give him a chance to eliminate a foe.

The ascension of Qingyuan Miao Dao True Monarch's Dao Fruit requires enduring the Three Calamities, each one with the danger of obliterating the spirit and form of a fourth-rank being. Undoubtedly, Jiang Li would be at his weakest during that time.

Moreover, the Three Calamities are Heavenly Tribulations, and external parties can serve as additional calamities. During this time, any enemy could become part of the Promotion Ceremony.

The only concern was the timing of Jiang Li's ascension.

If it were within a month, then Manjusri would truly have no way to act against him.