Taiyi Dao Fruit

Jiang Li pretended to be uninterested, merely nodding as a sign of agreement.

The group proceeded on foot to the Governor Mansion, with monks lined along the way, and even the sound of conch shells resounding, making for a grand display.

Upon arriving at the Governor Mansion, they saw Shen Hou waiting with an elderly and a middle-aged person.

The elderly man, a long-bearded elder, was also an acquaintance of Jiang Li, none other than the former Liangzhou Governor, Xiao Xiyue, now a traitor to the Great Zhou.

Xiao Xiyue had opened the city gates and surrendered when Taiping Sect besieged the city, withdrawing the Divine Domain to welcome the enemy, thus preserving his status and life, but after Taiping Sect's fall, he became a traitor and rebel.

Given the court's search intensity at the time, whether Xiao Xiyue stayed in Liangzhou to resist or left Liangzhou, it was a dead end. Staying in Liangzhou, his Earth God Dao Fruit had no resistance against the royal family's Authority Seal; leaving Liangzhou would cause all his power to dissipate, leaving only his physical body's strength.

Both choices led to death, so when Shen Hou approached, Xiao Xiyue decisively surrendered again, leaving Liangzhou with Shen Hou.

The other middle-aged man, wearing brocade clothing, was the Yong Governor, Hong Haogu.

This man had performed poorly before and after the great drought in Yong Province and was supposed to be dismissed, but due to the tense situation, it was inappropriate to make changes, so instead of dismissal, he was fined. During this confrontation between the court and the Buddha Country's forces, Hong Haogu supported with his Divine Domain, using the Kui Drum to suppress the Buddha Country, but because the God-beating Whip struck and broke the Divine Domain, he now looked pale, evidently seriously injured.

Perhaps seeing no ability to resist, or maybe upon seeing Xiao Xiyue, Hong Haogu also surrendered.

"Three Great Masters, Liu Guang Family Elders."

Shen Hou first greeted the third graders, then saluted the fourth ranks, introducing: "These two are the inspectors of Yong and Liang Provinces, who have now received the grace of Buddhist Law, willing to join the Buddha Country. With their help, we can stabilize Yong and Liang Provinces swiftly."

Hong Haogu, supporting his injured body, bowed to everyone, then said: "Although I have the Dao Fruit and can govern a province, when facing the Authority Seal of the royal family, there's only subjugation. If the Emperor decrees to abolish my position, my Dao Fruit would also be nullified."

There has long been a rumor that the Emperor is the greatest Earth Deity, the Emperor Dao Fruit named Human Species, but is divine in essence, with the entire Nine Provinces being the Emperor's Divine Domain. Although various Earth Deities administer regions, they essentially work for the Emperor.

Whether this rumor is true or not is unknown, but from what Hong Haogu said today, the relationship between regional officials and the Emperor seems quite similar.

"In other words, as long as you're not decreed by the Emperor to be stripped of your position, it's fine."

Manjusri slightly smiled, saying: "My position doesn't require Benefactor Hong to oppose the royal family; just stabilize the people's hearts and promote Buddhist Law. As for the rest, leave it to Buddha Country."

Even with the Emperor's absence, how could Hong Haogu's position be abolished?

Not to mention Hong Haogu, even Xiao Xiyue is still essentially the Earth Deity of Liangzhou. As long as he returns to Liangzhou, he can still govern a province. The new Governor of Liangzhou now only has a nominal position and is not truly an Earth Deity, unable to control Liangzhou's land.

This is why Manjusri sent Shen Hou to bring Xiao Xiyue away.

'In other words, after Yong Province, it's Liangzhou.'

Upon seeing Xiao Xiyue, Jiang Li understood Manjusri's next strategic move.

By relying on Shen Hou to break open the Divine Domains of regional Earth Deities, swiftly consolidating territories, and then using the Governor to integrate a province. Yong Province is like this, and so will Liangzhou.

In the last battle, Taiping Sect's Zhang Zhixuan collapsed the Daxing Mountain Range that separated Yong and Liang Provinces, allowing the climates of the two regions to connect, facilitating movement between them. Buddha Country's next step could be to directly cross the Daxing Mountain Range and advance into Liangzhou.

Sure enough, Manjusri continued: "I have already dispatched the rescued believers back to their hometown; they were originally from Liangzhou. Now, upon returning, they can directly integrate and lay a foundation for the spread of Buddhist Law. After securing Yong Province, Liangzhou will follow."

This statement was clearly directed at Xiao Xiyue, indicating that he is next.

"Thank you, Great Master," Xiao Xiyue expressed his gratitude.

Back when there was a water disaster in Liangzhou, Buddha Country seized the opportunity to gather many followers. Now, to arrange Liangzhou's strategy, these followers are returning to Liangzhou. Being originally from Liangzhou, they can justifiably return to their former hometown, rooting Buddhist Law there.

Once Yong Province is taken, moving on to capture Liangzhou will be a natural progression, occupying both provinces simultaneously.

If Yong Province can't stop Buddha Country, Liangzhou won't be able to, either.

"The court's troops withdrew using the Human Species Bag, and the three figures didn't fight us head-on," Guanyin stated sternly, "To capture Yong Province, we must first defeat Guang Cheng and Mo Sect Master Mo Xuankong and others."

"The third grade is ultimately still difficult to deal with, but if we annihilate their troops and consolidate the Earth Deities of Yong Province, no matter how unwilling they are, they will be powerless," Manjusri said with a smile.

"This place ultimately needs human governance; unless they dare to risk attacking the converted believers, Buddhist Law will take root, and we will absorb incense, growing stronger," Manjusri concluded.

Even with the current advantage, Manjusri dared not claim the complete annihilation of the opposing third grades.

Killing a third grade is much more difficult than defeating one; their own third-grade combat power didn't hold an absolute advantage, and if the opponents wanted to leave, it would be hard to intercept them. But when the people leave, the land remains.