Chapter 450: Chapter 168 I’m Not Lawless Freedom
Above the flood between two mountains, Buddha Light revealed several apparitions, belonging specifically to the Crossing River Arhat’s Dao Fruit.
Tota Arhat took out a bowl and collected the Dao Fruit, then looked toward the place where Jiang Li had fallen, his eyes shimmering with a strange light.
"Tota Senior Brother."
Riding Deer Arhat and Happy Arhat gathered around, addressing him as "Senior Brother," with Happy Arhat also looking towards the same mountain, his words hinting at a question.
"It’s Yun Jiuye, the current top disciple of the Dinghu Sect," Tota Arhat whispered.
He used Heavenly Vision to observe, and Yun Jiuye made no attempt to hide, allowing Tota Arhat to recognize him instantly.
"Yun Jiuye..." Happy Arhat transmitted his voice, "Senior Brother, should we..."
"No need, our only enemy right now is the Devil God Sect," Tota Arhat shook his head.
He clearly understood Happy Arhat’s intention, which was to inquire whether they should attack this top disciple of the Dinghu Sect.
They had previously dealt with Jiang Li and because of the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique, they had been restricted to close combat, but changing opponents now would allow them to fully utilize their abilities.
However, Yun Jiuye was not an easy opponent either, being the first among his peers to ascend to the fifth-rank and also a disciple of the Heavenly Monarch. And the three of them were not in their prime.
Most importantly, Buddha Country was yet to heavily advance eastward, and their current enemy was solely the Devil God Sect. Even the Daode Sect, unless "Li Qinglian" chased thousands of miles to kill, and as she now belonged to the Devil God Sect, these Arhats would not consider holding her.
In the words of Jiang Li’s previous life, it was international humanitarian support, only for disaster relief and saving innocent civilians poisoned by the Devil God Sect.
Although the Dinghu Sect might become an enemy in the future, there was no need to make enemies at the present.
As he spoke, Heavenly Vision saw Yun Jiuye wiping away his footprints on the ground, then his body transformed into a Dragon Shadow, and he soared into the clouds.
He just left like that.
"This person came targeting Li Qinglian," Tota Arhat said somberly.
Disregarding the people of Buddha Country and only focusing on Li Qinglian, the waters in Great Zhou were deeper than imagined.
...
...
Fifty miles away, Jiang Li’s figure quietly appeared on the branch of a large tree, watching Yun Jiuye leave from afar.
"Being able to transform into a dragon, Yun Jiuye’s strength is even higher than the other fifth-ranks I’ve seen."
This wasn’t the low-quality version of transforming shape with Qi as Jiang Li had done, but genuinely transforming the physical body into a golden dragon. Yun Jiuye’s accomplishment in Form Tomb was even higher than Jiang Li’s. Even with preparation, Jiang Li had struggled to counter that claw attack.
Most crucially, Jiang Li had not noticed Yun Jiuye was nearby previously.
This either meant he possessed Dao Artifacts and Dao Fruit Divine Powers capable of shielding senses and divination or he was similarly skilled in this art, allowing him to conceal his traces.
Either scenario underscored the trouble that Yun Jiuye represented.
"However, I’m not just passively receiving attacks."
Thinking of the footprints he had deliberately left, Jiang Li chuckled cryptically and then drifted into the wind, continuing towards Shu County.
The distance to Shu County was not far, as Jiang Li rode the wind, passing several turbulent river stretches. Suddenly, a "fish mouth" appeared in the middle of the river, which was a diversion dam.
By constructing the dam in the middle of the river flow, the fierce current was divided into two, channeling the water. First, it dispersed the water momentum, and second, it utilized the divided water flow. It was named "fish mouth" because the typical shape resembled a fish mouth.
Seeing this "fish mouth," Jiang Li knew he had entered Shu County.
This place was one of the iconic structures of Shu County.
Shu County was an area prone to water calamities, with Devil Cultivators frequently causing trouble in prior years, especially during floods, which were their times of revelry. It was only after the establishment of the Great Zhou that capable individuals were dispatched to eliminate water demons, construct the Golden Dam, using three dams to divert, block, and drain floods, turning the disaster into a usable force.
Subsequently, each Emperor would confer members of the Royal Family with strong abilities to this area, finally putting an end to the menace here.
’If I were from the Taiping Sect, I would find a way to break the three dams of the Shu County Golden Dam and lay the foundation for rebellion,’ Jiang Li thought while looking at the diversion dam in the river.
Qimen Dunjia also involved feng shui, and having studied the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate, Jiang Li had a deep understanding of this. His experience allowed him to immediately identify the key aspect of Shu County; if the three dams were broken, the floods would surge for thousands of miles. In combination with the trouble caused by the Devil Cultivators, much of Liangzhou Province would turn into marshland.
The importance of Shu County was clear.
The King of Shu being able to gather cultivators in Shu County was not just through persuasion; it was also grounded in reason, as Shu County was indeed crucial.
At this moment, human figures were visible on the "fish mouth," standing alert, while armored figures could be seen on both riverbanks, exuding a murderous aura.
Jiang Li concealed his form, bypassed the Golden Dam from the side, and reached a nearby mountain peak. From this high vantage point, he overlooked the surroundings.
Due to the existence of the Golden Dam, the water disaster did not affect Shu County. Although there were water demons causing turmoil, and the river water rushed fiercely under the darkening sky with disturbing news coming in, causing panic among the people, the overall situation was still relatively stable.
But how long this peace would last was a question that needed to be asked.
The Devil God Sect was a scourge, the Taiping Sect were like tigers and wolves, Buddha Country was not necessarily benign, and the other parties were not living Bodhisattvas. How long the Golden Dam could hold depended on how long it was needed.
"Long sighs mask my tears, alas, the hardships of the people’s lives," Jiang Li murmured softly.
"I never expected you to have moments of concern for the country and its people."
A faint laugh followed from behind, and soon, Sword Light flashed past, revealing a silhouette.
"It was merely a spontaneous feeling. I’m not a heartless stone statue; I do have basic empathy, although that’s about all," said Jiang Li lightly, "This poem, after all, was copied by me."
As a transmigrator, it was somewhat embarrassing when he first awakened his memories and could barely recollect any poetry or essays. However, as his cultivation rose and his brain developed, his past memories had become as clear as if they were carved on his palm, and becoming a literary copyist was no issue for him.
But at this level, Jiang Li saw no need to act as a copyist anymore.
While speaking, Jiang Li slowly turned around to find a face identical to his own reflected in his eyes.
Li Qinglian had arrived.
Subsequently, a chilling wind abruptly arose, and the Bull-headed Yin God Soul Body silently coalesced. With a flash of crimson, Xiao Tian lunged forward in front of Jiang Li, fiercely eyeing Li Qinglian.
It was nearly impossible for others to track Jiang Li’s whereabouts, but it was a different case when he chose to reveal himself.
This time, in visiting Shu County, Jiang Li had summoned his two followers to join him. However, they had already been trailed by Li Qinglian, who even arrived here before them.
Thus, both Bull Head and Xiao Tian were glaring ferociously at Li Qinglian.
Li Qinglian, however, was thoroughly unconcerned with their hostility and said to Jiang Li, "You seem quite indifferent."
"And you?" replied Jiang Li, "Coming from the Daode Sect, do you still retain any sense of morality?"
Li Qinglian smiled and said, "In my heart, there is only the Dao, no morality."
According to what Li Qinglian had stated last time, their next meeting would be another occasion for a duel. Their current exchange was a clash of words, as both seemed to be seeking any weakness in the other.
Even the slightest gap could become the point of defeat.
Yet, both Jiang Li and Li Qinglian were inscrutable, their emotions as still as deep waters, making it impossible to discern any turmoil from their demeanors.
Even in Jiang Li’s eyes, Li Qinglian seemed indifferent and gentle, showing no weaknesses.
As they faced each other, their identical faces displayed distinctly different auras—one sharp, the other lofty.
Looking at that face,s Li Qinglian chuckled, "I didn’t expect you to embody Lawless Freedom. You’ve certainly caused me quite some trouble lately."
Killing the Black Water Mysterious Snake and the Flood Dragon’s Crown Prince—these two burdens were placed on Li Qinglian’s shoulders, and he was hated by many.
However, he didn’t particularly care.
To him, the troubles he accumulated were far less significant than his identity as one with Lawless Freedom.
These words were like a sharp sword, directly targeting Jiang Li’s heart.
However, Jiang Li showed no sign of perturbation; he even smiled similarly.
He shook his head and said, "You’re mistaken."
"Mistaken?"
Jiang Li looked at Li Qinglian, his face shifting, and reverted back to his true face before calmly saying, "I am not the one with Lawless Freedom; you are."
He stepped firmly on the ground, taking a step forward, "As everyone knows, those with Lawless Freedom should not touch the ground."
Now, Jiang Li’s feet were firmly on the ground, walking freely, while there was a slight distance between Li Qinglian’s feet and the ground, separated by a thin layer of True Qi.
Thus, Jiang Li was not the one with Lawless Freedom; Li Qinglian was.
This was the proof.
This step, like severing ties with Lawless Freedom, finally caused some disturbance in Li Qinglian.
"Ha, I am Lawless Freedom..."
Li Qinglian couldn’t help but laugh heartily; he seemed unable to contain his amusement and continued laughing,"Indeed, now I have become Lawless Freedom."
The ripple in his heart was not of annoyance but of astonishment, and even delight.
"Clear and turbid attract is an ultimate truth; even I can only sever these connections at any time, unlike you who freely move ignored,"Li Qinglian clapped his hands and said, "Based on this alone, you have already surpassed the younger Li Xuan."
"Not the current Taibai True Monarch?" asked Jiang Li.
"Certainly not, do you think a mere incarnation of mine could truly embody his realm? Even my memories only go up to age thirty,"Li Qinglian said, "But this suits me, allowing me to tread a different path."
While speaking, Li Qinglian laid his hand on his sword.
"Knowing that I no longer fear Dirt Qi, you still wish to duel me?" Jiang Li understood his intent to duel upon seeing this action.
"The sword technique of Lawless Freedom has spread across the Nine Provinces. How could I not witness such swordsmanship?"
As Li Qinglian spoke, his sword momentum was already gathering.