Taiyi Dao Fruit

Li Qinglian is an avatar independently manifested from Taibai True Monarch, and his seniority in the Mystic Sect is not low. The only person he is willing to address as 'senior,' or whom he can address that way, should be just one person.

Jiang Li immediately locked onto the only person who fits, his gaze flickering as he said, "Senior Sister and Primordial Lord, please take care of the flying island. Li Daoyou and I will pay our respects to that senior."

Primordial Lord Rain Master, seeing this, had to suppress his words, while Gongsun Qingyue nodded in understanding.

"Please lead the way." Jiang Li said to Li Qinglian.

The two exited the Lie Mountain Hall and proceeded towards the outside of the ancestral land.

In the Jiang family's ancestral land, few clansmen remained living there, as most relocated to the Divine Capital a year ago. Now, only about twenty middle-aged and elderly people managed the ancestral land.

At this moment, they were gathered at a high place nearby, observing the island suspended in the air.

Li Qinglian also saw the flying island and implied, "Fellow Daoist Jiang's strength is truly incomparable to the past."

The island was lifted into the air by Jiang Li's magic, and now that Jiang Li was leaving the Jiang family ancestral land, he still left the island floating there.

Whether it was through some miraculous method to exert force from a distance or sheer power so strong that the remaining True Qi alone kept the island afloat remains unknown.

Either way, it demonstrated the formidable strength Jiang Li possesses today.

"You flatter me. Actually, after I leave, the Primordial Lord will take over to support it." Jiang Li said humbly.

However, whether Li Qinglian believed Jiang Li's words is unknown.

To this day, the Jiang who treats people sincerely has become synonymous with cunning in others' eyes. Even when he speaks the truth, no one is willing to believe him.

Jiang Li had grown used to the world's misunderstandings, so he did not explain further when he saw Li Qinglian seemed skeptical.

He considered taking a lower profile by storing the island inside the Heavenly Mirror Fragment, but as Chi You's Flag and the sealed Drought Demon Ba were placed on the island, it would require Jiang Li to carry them himself if stored away.

Therefore, with a smile, he changed the topic by saying to Li Qinglian, "You have also made remarkable progress, Daoyou Li. Although your current grade is fifth-rank, your power is comparable to an ordinary fourth-rank."

"I am, after all, an avatar of Taibai True Monarch. Even though I've become independent, the cause and effect are not severed. Thus, I can't accommodate a Dao Fruit, nor do I need to. Additionally, with this physical body forged from ginsengfruit, I only need to cultivate without worrying about advancement."

Li Qinglian explained and then said with some regret, "Unfortunately, even though I don't need to advance, my progress still pales compared to Fellow Daoist Jiang. It seems I have to postpone our sword duel."

Back then, Li Qinglian was defeated by Jiang Li and agreed to enlist Sword Dao cultivators for him with the promise that he could test his sword skills against Jiang Li at any time.

At that time, Li Qinglian was determined to avenge his past defeat, but upon meeting again, Jiang Li's power seemed to have advanced to an unpredictable level, making it difficult for Li Qinglian to compare, no matter how fast he progressed.

However, from Li Qinglian's appearance, he did not seem discouraged but still had the thought of another sword duel.

"I shall await your challenge at any time." Jiang Li replied with a smile.

His composed demeanor revealed confidence of assured victory, for Jiang, he was always confident with those who once lost to him. Once someone loses to him again, victory becomes harder for them, sometimes a single defeat equals countless ones.

Even though Li Qinglian is an avatar of Taibai True Monarch, possessing the comprehension of Taibai True Monarch is useless; he can no longer catch up to Jiang Li.

To have a sword duel with Jiang Li, it might be more appropriate for Taibai True Monarch himself to come.

As for Jiang Li's confidence, Li Qinglian held no negative feelings. If someone who could defeat Li Qinglian lacked this confidence, it would be truly insulting.

"Follow me, please."

Li Qinglian said no more, raised a sword light in front, and led the way.

He excelled in close-range sword fights, unlike other sword cultivators who wield flying swords against enemies, but in essence, he was still a sword cultivator, possessing a lifebound flying sword and not lacking in the means of sword flight.

Jiang Li also transformed into a streak of light, following Li Qinglian through the sky.

The two left the Jiang family ancestral land, flying along the Jiang Shui river, and soon arrived at a desolate Yellow Earth Plateau.

This place was a heavily affected area struck by the drought demon Ba. For a thousand miles, there was no sign of vegetation, an absence of vitality that made it sparsely populated. Yet within this uninhabited region stood a Daoist temple that had been standing for a century.

Laojun Temple, the resting place during Daoist Lord's western journey, was managed by disciples of the Daode Sect for a hundred years.

When Jiang Li first met Zhang Daoyi in Yong Province, it was at this Laojun Temple.

Now returning to this familiar place, Jiang Li saw a changed person, while the place...

"was also different."

Jiang Li looked at the somewhat dilapidated Daoist temple under the twilight, and softly spoke.

The small Daoist temple was not a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, yet it bore the aura of one. As I approached the temple, the omnipresent Five Vile Qi suddenly retreated, and a sense of purity hit me unexpectedly.

High-grade cultivators can constantly perceive the existence of the Five Vile Qi, even faintly touch the feeling of this Five Turbid Evil World. When they find themselves gradually unable to endure this feeling, they need to enter a Cave Heaven Blessed Land to prevent themselves from being assimilated by the Five Turbid Evil World.

This is also why it's rare to see expert loose cultivators in the world.

Those from major sects can extend the life of their experts by relying on Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, whereas loose cultivators don't have such protection. Once they realize they've reached their limit, they're usually not far from death. If death comes suddenly and there's no time to pass on important secrets, like the key points of Dao Fruit advancement or cultivation technique tricks, it might cut off the inheritance.

In this situation, only the major sects and large forces can orderly pass down inheritance from one generation to the next.

In theory, only Cave Heaven Blessed Lands can prevent the intrusion of the Five Turbid Evil World, but now, this conventional theory has been challenged. Laojun Temple, where a Cave Heaven Blessed Land should not exist, has now become a Cave Heaven Blessed Land standing amidst the Five Turbid Evil World.

"It's often said that where one resides, one's Qi changes, and the body changes with nurturing; the right environment can change a person, but now, these words ought to be reversed."

Jiang Li looked at the Daoist temple before him and slowly pushed open the old door. "Some people, in places where they reside, naturally create a Blessed Land."

Behind the doors, the Daoist temple appeared peaceful. There was no Dirt Qi present, but a spiritual mechanism was born. Although there were no special phenomena, it was a Pure Land in the mortal world.

A Daoist stood in the courtyard of the temple. There seemed to be no special phenomena, nor any mystical aura, yet he was one of the unique individuals in the world.

"Jiang Li has met with the senior."

Jiang Li entered the Daoist temple and paid respects to the Daoist.

The Daoist turned around, revealing the image of an old man with white hair and a youthful face, wearing a gray-white Dao robe. His clear eyes reflected the figures of Jiang Li and Li Qinglian. He chuckled, "Little friend, do you recognize this old Daoist?"

"The place where one resides naturally becomes a Blessed Land; the Primordial Spirit roams, unburdened by vile impurity. In today's world, those possessing such capabilities are likely only you, senior, and I, the junior," Jiang Li replied calmly.

Roaming by Primordial Spirit is not difficult, but for the Primordial Spirit to long remain outside is exceedingly challenging.

Without the protective layer of the physical body, the Five Vile Qi can directly contact the Primordial Spirit. Long-term roaming of the Primordial Spirit would mean a detailed perception of the dreadful Five Turbid Evil World and constant erosion by the Five Vile Qi. Over time, the Primordial Spirit might be assimilated by the Five Vile Qi.

Throughout history, those with insight have created special magic doors to resist the erosion of evil qi, like the Primordial Spirit attaching to an artifact, using a magic artifact to replace the physical body for defense, but ultimately, they still can't resist the evil qi for long periods.

But now, there has been a change. Someone has created the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique, transforming impurity into purity. If practiced to perfection, it can withstand the Five Vile Qi, allowing the Primordial Spirit to roam freely.

And theoretically, only one person has fully mastered this technique.

— "Daoist Lord" Li Boyang.

The old Daoist, hearing Jiang Li's answer, couldn't help but smile. He chuckled, "Only the old Daoist and little friend? With such confidence, no wonder you dared to meet the old Daoist."

"Could it be that the senior is a demonic person who would harm my life?" Jiang Li feigned surprise. "I've come to meet the Mystic Sect senior, why wouldn't I dare?"

"The old Daoist is not a demonic person, but with little friend's caution, you wouldn't come lightly to meet the old Daoist without confidence in protecting yourself," the Daoist said with a light-hearted laugh and mischief.

Examining Jiang's past experiences, aside from being described as sly as an old ghost, one can see that Jiang Li rarely fights without assurance.

It might seem like he often takes risks, but in reality, he has great assurance; otherwise, he would simply avoid it. This skill of self-preservation could be described as a master-level prowess in the way of precaution.

Others may not know Jiang Li's true strength, thus thinking he's taking risks rather than acting out of assurance.

But this point, Li Boyang can see.

Jiang wasn't daring to meet this supreme being because he trusted his moral character, but because Jiang Li was confident in escaping from the hands of the supreme.

Though unable to defeat the supreme, escaping wasn't a problem.

This was Jiang Li's real confidence.

Of course, Jiang Li would never admit this openly. He came purely out of admiration for the senior's morality, trusting in the Daoist Lord's character, which is why he was willing to come alone, for he is such a person too.

Heroes cherish heroes, good people trust good people, isn't this a basic principle?

"The name of morality is known throughout the world. I've always admired the Dao De Sect's virtue and respected the senior's moral demeanor. How could I harbor petty thoughts and use them to judge the senior?" Jiang Li looked at the old Daoist with clear and sincere eyes, saying earnestly, "My life's principle is to treat others with sincerity, and I hope the senior won't misunderstand my intentions."

The genuine and heartfelt words made the Daoist restrain his smile, seeming to be moved by Jiang Li's sincerity.

He looked at Jiang Li, equally sincere, and said, "Seeing you, little friend, is like seeing an old friend."

"May I know who this old friend of the senior is?"

"His name is unknown to the old Daoist, only that his surname is Feng. The world calls him the Great Venerable, also known as the 'Number One Troublemaker Under Heaven.'"