Taiyi Dao Fruit

So, it let out a bark and slipped into the nearby mountain forests.

Jiang Li continued to sit cross-legged, pondering the words Gongsun Qingyue had Xiaotian bring.

"Let me sleep earlier······"

Since achieving progress in cultivation, Jiang Li hardly needed sleep, often substituting it with meditation. His Realm had long reached the level of Sitting Forgetfulness, where meditation was even more effective than sleep and took less time.

Unless he was too lazy to move or even meditate, like after battling until dawn for three days and nights··· during such times, Jiang Li enters a state of desirelessness, even losing the motivation to meditate and simply falls asleep.

Gongsun Qingyue, of course, understood Jiang Li's habit, so what she meant was for Jiang Li to sleep.

Thus, Jiang Li closed his eyes and slept while sitting.

······

······

Vaguely, as if his soul wandered, Jiang Li traversed a veil of mist and arrived on the secret isle where he first met Gongsun Qingyue.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, as Jiang Li navigated the familiar path through the valley leading to the pond where they had first met.

The waterfall poured down into the pond, the water roared, everything was as it was on that day. The sole exception was the absence of the Divine Farmer Stone Statue in the pond. Perhaps it would feel offended, thus this pond uniquely lacked the statue.

Instead, it was replaced by a color like snow.

In the center of the pond, a mermaid swam, stirring gentle ripples and gleaming light.

The ripples were indeed grand.

The color of the water was indeed white.

Jiang Li watched the beautiful scene before him, impassively saying, "Advance openly along the plank road while covertly crossing at Chen Cang, well played, Senior Sister. However······"

"However, what?"

Another voice echoed, Pure Light brightened, a beauty gracefully approached holding a Lotus Lamp.

······A bit underestimating one's capabilities

Jiang Li swallowed the remaining words.

He almost overlooked that this was a dream.

Gongsun Qingyue's advancement to the Fifth Grade Dao Fruit·Yaoji carried the name "Wushan Divine Woman", naturally recalling the tale "Xiang Wang dreams, the Goddess is indifferent".

Among the Dao Fruit Divine Powers of the Wushan Divine Woman lies the ability to enter dreams.

And since it was dreamscape, the limit bore upon one's spirit rather than Physical Body. For Tianxuan, this might make little difference, but for the paper tiger Gongsun Qingyue, it was significant.

Moreover, at this moment, Gongsun Qingyue had acquired new moves.

The mermaid continued swimming in the water while another graceful silhouette holding a Lotus Lamp emerged, her light yellow chiffon skirt swayed by the evening breeze, beautifully outlining the scene.

"Three-Phases Transformation?" Jiang Li asked.

Gongsun Qingyue was undoubtedly a genius, or she wouldn't be entrusted with Tianxuan's regrets to vie for the Sect Leader position. Yet Jiang Li's rapid progress overshadowed Gongsun Qingyue's brilliance.

Her ability to masterful Three-Phases Transformation in such a short period spoke volumes of her talent.

The Gongsun Qingyue who blocked Xiaotian was likely her avatar, while her true body was probably still by Tianxuan's side, dutifully serving as a filial apprentice.

"I'm just a beginner, barely able to split into a Phantom, unable to solidify, it's not as exaggerated as the Junior Brother imagines."

Gongsun Qingyue smiled as though reading Jiang Li's thoughts, her fingers twirling around the strands of hair streaming to her chest, "However, in the dreamscape, it is entirely like the True Body."

She carried a tranquil and graceful demeanor, with a charm different from usual.

The legendary Awakened can externally manifest their contained Dao Fruits as past Seven Buddhas; obviously, Gongsun Qingyue couldn't reach the Awakened level, but her cultivation in Three-Phases Transformation seemed greatly akin to this concept.

If Jiang Li's guess was correct, this external aspect was actually based on Gongsun Qingyue's Sixth Grade Dao Fruit·Three Holy Mothers Transformation.

When this hypothesis surfaced in his mind, Jiang Li's Daoist Heart stirred.

His heart directed towards Tao urged him to Demonstrate Dao Fruit and refine his Realm.

"Advance openly along the plank road while covertly crossing at Chen Cang." Gongsun Qingyue, holding the Treasure Lotus Lamp, smilingly revealed a slight self-satisfaction.

"Master would never expect her action would benefit me."

The mermaid slowly stepped out of the pond, the water gurgling, drops trickling down precipitous peaks.

On one side and the other, the two Gongsun Qingyue spoke in turn, voices continuous, two as one, differing in aura, a soul split into two.

"Junior Brother."

"Jiang Li."

Both figures approached simultaneously.

"The long night stretches on, but are you unable to sleep?"

"Today, can you still defeat me?"

The pair of Gongsun Qingyue slowly closed in, like meeting at the end of victory.

Clearly, Gongsun Qingyue was brimming with confidence tonight, eager to avenge past shame.

To this, Jiang Li could only sigh, "Senior Sister, how many times have I told you, men are the most susceptible to provocation."

Now, only a battle would resolve this.

Thus——

The chiffon skirt fell, cheeks like a circle of flowers, waist like wrapped silk, moonlight glided over, reflecting a jade-like glow.

······

Jiang Li first ascended and triumphed, shifting the battleground to the pond, the two swam together, wandering above water while entangled below, floating and sinking.

Such an enduring battle seemed endless, waiting only for someone to concede.

-----------------

The red sun rose, its path radiated deeply, Jiang Li opened his eyes, in them seemed a Great Sun, facing the celestial brightness without faltering; clearly, his cultivation had advanced further.

[Gongsun Qingyue's progress was notable too. Jiang Li exchanged Divine Thought with her, revealing the mysteries of "Qi Tomb", making her Cultivation Body more harmonious with Yaoji Dao Fruit, benefiting her greatly.]

When the text in front refreshed, the book's pages flipped with a rustle, summarizing hundreds of pages into brief sentences.

The last line declared Gongsun Qingyue's utter defeat.

"In the dreamscape, maintaining the third-grade Yuan Xi throughout and still failing, just two of fifth-rank······" Jiang Li chuckled lightly.

Evidently, when Gongsun Qingyue met Tianxuan in the dream, Tianxuan deceived her, mistakenly assessing Jiang Li's Combat Power.

In the dream, Jiang Li might be even more formidable than in reality.

He exhaled gently, feeling greatly relieved, then got up, ready for today's imperial assembly.

"Dear Brother——"

The thundering sound of hooves arose, a Mechanical Carriage sped swiftly. Without waiting for the carriage to halt, Feng Manlou stepped out from the cabin, laughing heartily, "The way to the Imperial City is distant; I specifically came to escort you to court."

Going to court?

Jiang Li observed Feng Manlou's joyful expression, 'Here to see me embarrassed, aren't you.'

Mocking Feng Manlou, understanding Feng Manlou, now in Feng Manlou's eyes, Jiang Li was already becoming Feng Manlou.

'I knew that one night outside would draw the good elder brother's attention.'

Feng Manlou's smile had never been so radiant, especially after being caught by the Princess and kneeling through a night of Fire Lotus; he was eager to find a kindred spirit.

Ordinary people were evidently unqualified, at what level could they compete with Feng Manlou? Only fellow Affiliated Son-in-law, still considered kin, would suffice, so, he came.

"Let's go, we're headed to court."