Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Currently, the advantage is mine."

In the Lie Mountain Hall of the Jiang's Ancestral Land, Jiang Li sat at the end of the central hall and spoke thus.

Seated on the stone chairs to his left and right were those who had accompanied him on this trip, each analyzing the aftermath of the battle.

"Although we lack the assistance of soldiers and horses, our high-end combat power surpasses the opponent. The Buddha Country failed to seize this opportunity to secure an advantage and has already fallen behind," Jiang Li continued.

"Minister, astute observation."

Mo Xuankong of the Mo Sect, seated on a stone seat to the left, displayed an attitude of equality, not considering Jiang Li as a fourth rank. "However, Tan Wuwei is known for her intelligence and strategy. She may already have prepared for the current situation. Moreover, even if we surpass in numbers, it doesn't necessarily guarantee the slaying of third-grade opponents."

The origins of the Dao Fruits of the third grades are all from renowned figures of ancient times. Even though today's third-grade individuals only carry those Dao Fruits, they are still not easily slain.

Zhang Zhixuan was killed because he was ambushed by the Immortal Queen, suffered severe injuries, and found it difficult to escape. Furthermore, he was unwilling, choosing to fight to the death.

If it were a third-grade at peak condition, even if they could be defeated, it might not be possible to kill them.

Even if the third-grade combat power is twice that of the opponent, it cannot be said for certain they will be slain, let alone...

'It might not even be twice the opponent's.' Jiang Li narrowed his eyes slightly.

He did not forget that Tan Wuwei might have a connection with the Heavenly Monarch, and currently only the Buddha Country has emerged; the power of the Jiang Family's main branch has not yet come to light.

Not to mention, the existence of the suspected third-grade Golden Crow...

While contemplating, Jiang Li suddenly felt a stirring in his heart.

An invisible connection traversed the spatial distance to link with Jiang Li; at the same time, Gongsun Qingyue and Primordial Lord Rain Master showed a change in expression.

The connection, using Gongsun Qingyue's Wordless Heavenly Scripture as a springboard, was first sensed by her. Primordial Lord Rain Master, who had previously served as Elder Tianxuan, was also familiar with the Void Illusion Realm.

Such a connection based on the Wordless Heavenly Scripture could not be hidden from her.

Both of them were aware that it was Tianxuan reaching out to Jiang Li.

Indeed, as they had surmised, a phantom image gradually took shape in Jiang Li's eyes, revealing a graceful figure. Tianxuan's voice echoed in Jiang Li's mind: "A Great Sun appeared over the Yellow Sea and entered the Qing State, where the sky displayed the phenomenon of two suns. The kings of the Ji Family, using this as an excuse, refused to send troops northward."

"Speaking of the Golden Crow, the Golden Crow has arrived."

Jiang Li exhaled lightly, replying in his heart, "The Jiang Family's main branch has also made their move."

With two suns in the sky, the climate prematurely entered summer, rapidly becoming extreme. Coupled with the Dragon Palace's lurking presence, it was enough to hold back half of the Great Zhou.

The damage of the Three-legged Golden Crow to the people's livelihood was enormous; failure to address it promptly would result in endless troubles.

However—

"The Golden Crow will inevitably head northward. The Jiang Family's main branch's intent is not to destroy the Qing State but to assist the Buddha Country in winning this war. The Ji Family's kings are expressing their discontent with the court," Jiang Li criticized, "Truly a group of pests. With such pests present, how can the Great Zhou possibly prosper?"

"I actually think they are dissatisfied with you, Jiang Sikong."

Tianxuan replied, then her voice turned solemn, "With the Emperor absent, even the kings have begun to nominally comply while secretly opposing."

The key to the world of the Great Zhou lay with the Emperor. With the Emperor present, the world was at peace. Under this premise, members of the Royal Family could exercise their abilities.

For example, the Princess, who held the Southern Heavenly Department, and the other kings, governing various provinces, wielding authority seals, capable of suppressing local Earth Deities and cultivating manpower and military strength. As long as the Emperor was present, the stronger the kings became, the more prosperous the Great Zhou.

Unfortunately, now the Emperor had been excluded.

Thus, all sorts of demons, ghosts, and monsters emerged.

To be honest, it was quite remarkable that the kings had tolerated it until now before starting to defy authority openly. One need only look at King Shu and King Yue, who had long been stirring up trouble.

"Truly bad news,"

Jiang Li shook his head, a faint light flickering between his brows, the scene of Jiang's Ancestral Land unfolding in his eyes. "Ironically, I also have bad news coming my way."

Perhaps it was because he had declared "the advantage is mine" that the situation, which had just been favorable, now showed signs of rapidly deteriorating.

As Jiang Li finished speaking, a middle-aged man hurriedly entered from outside the hall, reporting, "Family Head, Lady Yun Fei, the Fourth Palace Master of the Kunxu Immortal Palace, requests an audience."

Upon hearing this news, Jiang Li smiled. He looked at Mo Xuankong and said, "Mo Juzi, Tan Wuwei's maneuver has arrived."

With that, he gently waved, signaling for Yun Fei to enter.

Those around, hearing this, underwent changes in expression, knowing that Jiang Li meant there was a development on the side of the Kunxu Immortal Palace. If the Immortal Queen defected, that would indeed be significant bad news.

Yet, the demeanor of Jiang Li, the person in charge, remained exceptionally calm. Even when repeatedly receiving bad news, he remained unhurried, even conversing and joking, embodying the idea of remaining unperturbed even as Mount Tai collapsed in front of him.

Amidst everyone's contemplation, strands of cloud Qi flowed in from outside the Lie Mountain Hall, and a beautiful woman in a luxurious palace robe stepped into the hall.

As soon as she entered the hall, she sensed numerous gazes falling upon her, causing her body to tense instinctively. Even though she was a fourth-rank, facing so many gazes was inevitably nerve-wracking. If not for the Immortal Queen's orders, Yun Fei would have had the impulse to turn and flee.

Although she was a fourth-rank, apart from Gongsun Qingyue and Li Qinglian in the hall, who wasn't beyond fourth-rank?

Jiang Li, the fourth-rank supreme, and Mo Juzi aside, either Primordial Lord Rain Master or Heavenly Charm Demon God could keep Yun Fei here if they acted.

Yun Fei forcefully suppressed her panic, stepped forward into the grand hall, and after advancing closer, she saluted, "Greetings, Jiang Sikong."

She took a letter of invitation from her sleeve, respectfully presenting it with both hands, saying, "Our Great Palace Master, upon hearing of Sikong's visit to Yong Province, was overjoyed and specially ordered me to invite your respected teacher to the Immortal Palace to discuss the agreement made in the past. The Great Palace Master mentioned that the initial agreement is about to be fulfilled and is willing to offer the East King's Dao Artifact in hopes of Elder Tianxuan's cooperation."

'As expected...' Jiang Li confirmed his suspicions.

Back then, Tianxuan made an agreement with the Immortal Queen to assist her in completing the final Promotion Ceremony. In return, the Immortal Queen would help Tianxuan kill a third grade, and offer the second-grade East King's Dao Artifact to compensate for the loss of a certain rebellious disciple.

To show sincerity, both sides agreed to trade in batches.

First, they resolved the issues with the Princess and Primordial Lord Rain Master, requiring the Immortal Queen's intervention to kill a third-grade.

This part of the agreement was already fulfilled by trading with Zhang Zhixuan's life.

Then, it was to deal with Guanyin, the maker of this third-grade, and to admit defeat in exchange for the East King's Dao Artifact.

According to the initial plan, they would 'borrow' the power of the Immortal Queen's combat strength to jointly deal with the Buddha Country. But now, it seems the Immortal Queen has solved the obstacle of Guanyin herself, pushing the transaction to its final stage.

— The East King's Dao Artifact, in exchange for Tianxuan's concession, leaving the Immortal Queen's Promotion Ceremony without hindrance.

The Immortal Queen so openly divulged her dealings with the Buddha Country to force Tianxuan to complete the trade.

If Tianxuan is unwilling, then he will face Heaven's punishment. When making the agreement, Tianxuan swore an oath to the Heavens under its witness. Breaking the oath would inevitably subject him to divine retribution.

Moreover, the Immortal Queen would certainly become an enemy.

Conversely, if Tianxuan completes the trade...

'The Immortal Queen will seize the opportunity and immediately advance.' Jiang Li couldn't help but admire the Immortal Queen's ability to seize opportunities. Jiang Li had previously underestimated the Immortal Queen, focusing only on her hard-headedness while overlooking her decisiveness and boldness.

A second-grade Dao Artifact is given away just to remove the obstacle of Tianxuan.

Moreover, the ability to switch sides skillfully is impressive—first forcing Guanyin of the Buddha Country to bow under pressure from Jiang Li's side, and now using Buddha Country to force Tianxuan to complete the trade. Meanwhile, seizing the perfect timing to advance as well.

This is not delivering an invitation; this is delivering a choice.

In an instant, various thoughts flashed through Jiang Li's mind, clearly piecing together the Immortal Queen's simple yet highly timing-dependent plan. He then reached out to receive the invitation, saying, "My teacher is still on the way, please inform the Immortal Queen that once my teacher arrives, the past agreement will be completed at the first opportunity."

"The Immortal Palace awaits your esteemed teacher's arrival."

Yun Fei was delighted by Jiang Li's promise, immediately giving another salute before leaving hastily but steadily.

Judging by her demeanor, anyone unaware might think this place was some sort of demonic lair.

After Yun Fei left, everyone's gaze fell on the invitation in Jiang Li's hand.

Being intelligent people, even without knowing the exact details of the trade, they could roughly guess the general situation by now.

Facing their gazes, Jiang Li weighed the invitation in his hand and said, "The Immortal Queen uses her own circumstances as a leverage to balance both sides. Before completing the trade with her, this battle will probably be difficult to initiate."

Until the trade is completed, the Immortal Queen will certainly support the Buddha Country to force Tianxuan to concede. So, this is not the time to fight.

Once the trade is complete, and the Immortal Queen achieves her goal, she will be eager for both sides to engage in battle.

Moreover, with the Buddha Country entering Yong Province in large numbers, if the battle is delayed, it becomes increasingly advantageous for the Buddha Country. This time, time is not on Jiang Li's side.

Either solve the trade issue or address the Immortal Queen, one must be resolved, and quickly. Delay tactics to stall Tianxuan's arrival may not be wise.

The Immortal Queen holds the situation firmly.

Either side holds more power than the Immortal Queen, but at this delicate moment, neither can avoid being balanced by her. One could say, despite suffering losses due to Tianxuan's plotting, the Immortal Queen's intelligence and strategies are by no means inferior.

"In other words, once the trade completes, war with the Buddha Country will be unavoidable." Mo Juzi spoke with sharpness, his voice tinged with murderous intent, seemingly eager to personally execute Tan Wuwei, the traitor.

Afterwards, everyone discussed some minor matters, and the meeting was considered concluded.

Primordial Lord Rain Master rose from the stone seat, her eyes flowing softly as she looked at Jiang Li, her gaze carrying a hint of hesitation. After a brief silence, as she was about to call out to Jiang Li, Li Qinglian unexpectedly spoke ahead, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, a senior wishes to see you."

"Senior?" Jiang Li furrowed his brow.

Someone whom Li Qinglian would call a senior... perhaps there is only one such person.