Taiyi Dao Fruit

Time stands with Jiang Li.

He is like the rising sun, at the dawn of great glory in his path, with much greater potential for growth than his adversaries.

In contrast, the enemy side consists mostly of old men and women, or those stuck at a bottleneck. A few, like Tan Wuwei, have just advanced to a new Realm, yet their progress speed should not match Jiang Li's.

The only concern should be the Heavenly Monarch. The Heavenly Monarch and Taibai True Monarch joined forces to cut down the Heavenly Incarnation. Though Heaven suffered for it, the two gained progress in the Heaven Seizing Technique. He's now hiding to heal and digest what he gained, refining his Realm.

However, with the Heavenly Incarnation gone, it's possible even Heaven intended it, and theoretically, Jiang Li now fears this Supreme being the least.

With the Heavenly Incarnation gone, Jiang Li is the only vessel left. He could easily call upon Heaven to aid him in beating down his foes. Even if Heaven is damaged, repelling the Heavenly Monarch is still feasible.

The Heavenly Monarch threatens Jiang Li's side, but to Jiang Li, it's not a threat for now.

Young Jiang Li can fully develop, then unprincipledly beat up a bunch of old-timers.

Moreover, from the perspective of the situation, it truly allows Jiang Li to remain undisturbed for a while. Various figures suddenly retreated into seclusion, and the Heavenly Monarch hid away, which actually gave Jiang Li, who had been rushing around for a year, a chance to rest.

'This situation is coming so wonderfully, it's simply a gift from the heavens for me... no, perhaps not a gift from heaven, maybe it's intentionally fostered by the Heavenly Monarch. He manages various sides, with pieces in both the Buddha Country and the court, perhaps his actions led to the current scenario. He's buying time for himself to recover.'

'Does this imply that the Heavenly Monarch thinks his injuries are severe enough that he can't meddle with the situation, hence letting it stabilize?'

'Well, whatever the case, it benefits me.'

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, yet they did not disturb Jiang Li and Zhu Hui'an performing a wave of sovereign and chancellor dialogue.

Judging from the outcome, both achieved what they wanted, a true win-win.

When Zhu Hui'an departed, although appearing calm, the subtleties showed this Fourth-Grade Expert's Mental State was not steady. Clearly, the events of the day greatly stirred his mind, difficult to calm for a long time.

As for Jiang Li...

'I've acquired a dedicated Palu.' Jiang Li smiled slightly.

Jiang Li was certainly aware of the reasoning Zhu Hui'an mentioned.

Though Jiang Li didn't much care for power, looking at his actions so far, one could see that he intentionally consolidated power to serve himself. The reason for pretending to be persuaded by Zhu Hui'an was only to make him voluntarily and willingly attach himself.

Zhu Hui'an actually resembled the strategists and famous ministers from history, emphasizing being a good minister choosing a good lord. Jiang Li couldn't actively compel him to submit but must let him voluntarily approach and attach himself.

Jiang Li recruiting people was like employees working for a boss.

Voluntary allegiance was more akin to striving for their own dream.

The latter would undoubtedly work harder than the former.

Moreover, Jiang Li's persona, indifferent to power, was quite aligned with Zhu Hui'an's preferences. Such a lord would delegate more power, thus making it easier for Zhu Hui'an to realize his ambitions.

'As long as you understand a person's obsession, you can guide their direction forward. Zhu Hui'an is indeed wise, but his obsession is too obvious.'

Thinking like this, Jiang Li gently clasped his fingers together as if capturing someone's thoughts, holding them firmly in his palm.

'With Zhu Hui'an present, I can put more thought into cultivation.'

Thinking of cultivation, Jiang Li wanted to return.

Now that the situation has entered a rare period of stability, without demons and heterodox paths for Jiang Li to suppress, if he wanted to advance his strength, aside from arduous cultivation, he could only deal with Old Demons and paper tigers.

Thinking of this, Jiang Li suddenly felt a bit helpless.

It really wasn't due to lust, but merely the reality that to advance strength, this is the best and quickest method.

"Helpless indeed."

Jiang Li sighed lightly, stood up, and left the side hall, greeted the Clan Elder, before heading back to find his master and senior sister.

He had always been someone with strong adaptability, regardless of adapting to changes in status or peculiar cultivation methods. Life is like this, if you can't resist, then you can only close your eyes and enjoy.

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On the other side, in Tianxuan's residence.

In the spacious mansion, most of the garden courtyards, pavilions, and towers were destroyed, the remnants of the invasion by the Yin Law Department. Fortunately, Tianxuan's Jade Tower was unharmed, which spared her and Gongsun Qingyue from worrying about their dwelling.

As for Jiang Li, he could casually find a room for meditation. Being able to reach the fourth-rank at such a young age, with both his Power and moves being extraordinary, already suggests Jiang Li's diligence in cultivation.

He never particularly cared about these.

This is the external narrative.

Internally, of course, they lived together.

While Jiang Li and Zhu Hui'an were playing out the scene of a good minister meeting a great lord, Tianxuan was also meeting a guest.

—Elder Yuheng from the Dinghu Sect.

After Elder Yuheng escorted the Jiang family's group into the Divine Capital, he naturally sought out Tianxuan to report the situation.

At this moment, in the hall of the Jade Tower, Tianxuan was dressed in a white palace outfit embroidered with cloud patterns, wearing a veil, and sitting in the main seat.

"So the meaning of Junior Brother Yuheng is that since you have been stationed at the Jiang's Ancestral Land, no enemies, either openly or covertly, have come to attack?" Tianxuan asked with a hint of doubt.

Elder Yuheng was seated at the first position on the left hand side, wearing a simple robe, with a sword that he never parted with resting on his lap. Upon hearing Tianxuan's query, he gently nodded and then said, "Is there anything peculiar?"

"There certainly is," Tianxuan said in a serious tone, "Junior Brother is unaware that Manjusri from the Buddha Country is a person of the Jiang family. The Jiang family's main household ostensibly moved overseas years ago, but in reality, a group had gone to the Buddha Country. Yong Province borders the Buddha Country, so if the Jiang family main household truly intends to deal with the people of the Jiang's Ancestral Land, even with Junior Brother stationed, it wouldn't be possible for no enemies to appear."

Upon hearing this, Elder Yuheng furrowed his brows.

Yong Province is inland in the northwest, and to go there from overseas requires crossing more than half of the Divine Country. Gathering forces to invade the Jiang's Ancestral Land would be quite difficult.

But the Buddha Country doesn't have these concerns.

Which means, there must be something unusual here.

Thinking of this, Tianxuan immediately said, "Junior Brother, I must trouble you to stay at the Jiang Family Territory during this time to protect the people of the Jiang family. Now that Jiang Li has taken power, the rest of the Jiang family will soon move to the Divine Capital, and even if the other side schemes anything, under my eyes, they won't be able to gain traction."

At this point, Tianxuan smiled wryly, "Actually, Jiang Li should have been the one to oversee the Jiang Family Territory, but Jiang Li... "

She gave a look that said "you understand."

Elder Yuheng naturally understood.

Jiang Li is now powerful and requires Tianxuan to watch over him, lest he takes a wrong step or is misled by others down a crooked path.

Young people are always prone to ideological slippage and need guidance from their elders.

Moreover, watching Jiang Li also reassures the clansmen of the Ji Family and the Gongsun Family, preventing them from worrying about Jiang Sikong possibly seizing the throne one day.

So both emotionally and logically, Tianxuan must keep Jiang Li by her side, passing on teachings and offering guidance at all times.

Elder Yuheng nodded understandingly, thinking of his disciple Feng Ziyang, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Being a master always involves paying attention in these aspects.

His own disciple is missing to date, Kaiyang's disciple has further caused him significant trouble, coupled with Yun Jiuye having cooled off, so the Dinghu Sect is left relying on the three leading figures. Jiang Li, being the most promising among them, naturally requires extra attention.

"I will return immediately."

Elder Yuheng is a straightforward person, though he wished to see Tianxuan more; the importance of this matter prompted him to promptly proceed to the Jiang Family Territory.

"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brother." Tianxuan said.

She stood up to see him off and returned to her seat after Elder Yuheng left, removing her veil and leaning back somewhat relaxedly.

"Uncle Yuheng is gone."

Gongsun Qingyue appeared as if out of nowhere, speaking quietly, "Giving him a task also prevents him from interfering with your discipleship, am I right?"

"You little rascal, how dare you speak to your master like that! Who wouldn't cling to my rebellious disciple like a vine," Tianxuan rolled her eyes gracefully, jesting.

"I only did it for cultivation." Gongsun Qingyue defended herself staunchly.

Her Fifth Grade Dao Fruit·Yaoji indeed derived from the Jiang family, with Yaoji herself being the Daughter of Emperor Yan. By closely experiencing Jiang's physique and constructing a corresponding talismanic dharma body using the technique from Form Tomb, she aimed to align herself with Yaoji, thus advancing her Dao Fruit's fusion.

Moreover, it could benefit her cultivation of the Drought God Palm.

Though how much of this is genuinely for cultivation, only she knew.

Her relationship with Jiang Li barely spanned a few months, at the stage of savoring the sweetness, naturally indulging in matters of intimacy.

Not just Gongsun Qingyue, even Tianxuan had similar intentions.

Besides, compared to Gongsun Qingyue, Tianxuan hadn't been close to Jiang Li for a long time since their first encounter. With their relationship finally out in the open, naturally, she was as bold as she could, making Gongsun Qingyue's face flush.

One could only say, this master-disciple duo was a match for each other.

Of course, Tianxuan also had substantial reasoning on the surface.

"I'm also doing it for cultivation." Tianxuan said calmly and naturally.

Taiyin and Taiyang, the cycle of Yin and Yang, truly is the Great Dao; wouldn't you agree it is cultivation?

"Moreover, having Junior Brother Yuheng sit at the Jiang Family Territory is justified."

Tianxuan reached out to retrieve a Jade Scroll and handed it to Gongsun Qingyue, "News from Liangzhou arrived that former Liangzhou Governor Xiao Xiyue has escaped. According to the soldiers guarding the city, a Daoist Riding Tiger took Xiao Xiyue away."

Gongsun Qingyue took the Jade Scroll and after examining it, questioned, "For what purpose? He's an Earth Deity, so leaving Liangzhou, he'd just be an ordinary strong-bodied person."

"Because he is an Earth Deity, and Daoist Shen Hou possesses the God-beating Whip," Tianxuan stated lightly, "The connection between the two is solely related to the Divine Fruit and the God-beating Whip. Then consider this—where are there high-grade Earth Deities now?"

Where?

Gongsun Qingyue's eyes widened, blurting out, "Jiang's Ancestral Land."

The Jiang's Ancestral Land certainly has many Earth Deities who once held high positions and were forced to leave the Divine Domain.

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