Chapter 395: Chapter 113 Waiting for the Right Moment
Dinghu Sect, behind Yaoguang Hall.
A stone platform was carved out from the serene foothills, where a chessboard was set horizontally, and two figures sat opposite each other.
Elder Kaiyang picked up a piece, and suddenly, as if he realized something, looked towards the mountains outside. He saw a light boat departing on the lake.
On the boat, there was a man in blue, standing tall with a strikingly ancient appearance, his vigorous vitality causing Elder Kaixiang to watch intently.
"Meng Changlin of the Divine Capital’s Meng Family, huh," Elder Kaiyang chuckled, "it seems he has failed to persuade the Sect Leader to come out of retirement."
Opposite Elder Kaiyang sat Elder Tianpeng, who also looked like a small giant. He gazed in the same direction and said, "The Divine Capital’s situation is ever-changing. With the Emperor relocating, it’s stirring within the Mystic Sect. The Three Pure Ones Sect is also getting restless. It’s natural for the Sect Leader to be wary of the Daoist Lord, he certainly won’t head to the Divine Capital."
"It’s better that he doesn’t go," Elder Kaiyang shook his head, "It was hard enough persuading the Sect Leader to return; we can’t afford to get mixed up in that again."
At that time, he had genuinely feared that the Sect Leader and Heavenly Pivot would come into conflict. He had prepared for everything, but fortunately, the Sect Leader had returned, so there was no need to worry about internal strife within the Dinghu Sect.
"I, on the other hand, believe that the Sect Leader has achieved his purpose," Elder Tianpeng stated calmly, "He was able to suppress us and ascend to the position of Sect Leader years ago, not a character to easily let go. He will return, and that could only mean he feels it’s safe to do so. In the future, things might still change."
"Let’s talk about the future when it comes," Elder Kaiyang smiled, "after all, we live in the present."
While saying this, he was about to place his chess piece on the board when suddenly—
"Something’s not right."
Elder Kaiyang looked doubtfully at the chessboard, "How come one character is missing? I clearly remember I was almost killing your great dragon; how come it’s alive again?"
"It was always alive, you saw it wrong," Elder Tianpeng argued.
"I, a fourth-rank, how could I see it wrong? You must have done something while I wasn’t paying attention," Elder Kaiyang sternly stared at Tianpeng.
"I, a dignified elder, how could I do such a shameful thing? If you have no evidence, don’t falsely accuse me."
"So how did the game come alive?"
"It’s simply because my chess skills are superior to yours, you crude Martial Artist," Elder Tianpeng showed his Magic Practitioner’s pride.
"Nonsense! I was an Imperial College Scholar in my youth, in terms of knowledge, in terms of chess skills, I was far superior to a noble offspring like you!"
While they were talking, the Qi Mechanism surged sharply, and behind the Yaoguang Hall, the wind and clouds changed.
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Since the Eldest Prince didn’t receive the necessary support, the struggle at the court maintained a stalemate.
The two factions, perfectly matched, engaged in daily battles with great enthusiasm. At least until the two princes recovered, they would maintain this tense state.
This situation allowed Jiang Li some respite, freeing him from being harassed by both sides, focusing entirely on the sacrificial cultivation of the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, sensing the changes in Primordial Qi, hoping to make a breakthrough in the "Qi Tomb."
In the Underground Palace, the ancient large cauldron absorbed the treasure light similar to the Great Sun. Jiang Li sat cross-legged above the cauldron, bathing in the treasure light, seemingly absorbing the essence of the Great Sun, his acupoints fully open. Veins of Tao Yuan Qi flowed, refining his body, imbuing him with a profound vitality that began to surface.
Suddenly, eight qi emerged from his body, dancing like dragons, among which four qi transformed mysteriously: Life, Death, Growing, Moving. The magical principles of qi were imprinted within his body, evolving into various anomalies, all of which merged back into Jiang Li himself, making his figure appear more majestic and unfathomable.
"Good heavens! The Lord’s realm is becoming more and more unfathomable; sometimes I even doubt whether he is still Sixth Rank."
Nearby, Bull-headed held a piece of silk, carefully wiping the wheelchair, making sure to remove all dust, while resonating with this qi mechanism, he whispered in awe.
He felt exhilarated, believing his decision to defect was correct. Being Sixth Rank himself, Bull-headed felt he wouldn’t last more than three moves under Jiang Li, such was his tremendous strength.
He even felt that fifth-rank was nothing special anymore.
With such potential and the background of being an affiliated son-in-law of the Gongsun Family, Bull-headed deeply believed that his lord had a promising future and would eventually revitalize the Jiang family. By then, as an early elder, Bull-headed would also rise swiftly.
Being a significant figure in the Jiang family was much better than being a Soul Hooker in the Yin Law Department.
Thinking this, Bull-headed wiped even more diligently.
This made the small crimson puppy squatting on the wheelchair furrow its brow and grind its teeth, pondering whether to bite Bull-headed when the opportunity arose.
With such bootlicking skills, Xiao Tian began to wonder who the real dog was.
While wiping the wheelchair, Bull-headed suddenly felt a chill down his spine, a frosty sensation.
He immediately scanned his surroundings with a stern expression, meeting a pair of crimson pupils.
His long experience in the Yin Law Department sparked an inspiration, and he blurted out, "Our lord’s divine power is unmatched, and with Brother Dog’s support on either side, the Jiang family’s restoration is just around the corner."
"At that time, if merits are discussed, Brother Dog should take the foremost position, and I, Little Bull, would still rely on Brother Dog’s support."
Even flattering a dog?
Xiao Tian scoffed disdainfully, turned his head, and swayed his tail left and right.
Although disdainful, Bull-headed truly was adept at flattery.
Let him keep his little life for now.
Thus, a ghost and a dog temporarily came to an unspoken agreement.
Xiao Tian became pleased, and Bull-headed also secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Jiang Li, who was meditating, opened his eyes, as Dragon Essence Qi returned to his body, attracting various natural phenomena.
Bull-headed and Xiao Tian simultaneously leaped forward, arriving before the large cauldron, ready to take orders.
"It should be about time...," Jiang Li murmured.
The standoff between the two forces wouldn’t last long because they were bound to recover.
Similarly, Cui Jue’s injury would eventually heal, and if the Taiping Sect wanted to remove this threat, they should act now. Otherwise, once Cui Jue healed and returned to the Yin Law Department, it would be difficult to handle.
So, now was the best opportunity.
However, this also involved significant risks. The Heavenly Pivot Technique was renowned; challenging Cui Jue meant risking being counter-attacked. The opponents also had to consider whether this was a trap.
Yet, missing this opportunity would be a great pity.
It all depended on whether they were determined to take the risk.
If they still didn’t act...
Then Jiang Li would have to increase pressure on the significantly less injured Eldest Prince, forcing him to stay bedridden for a while longer.
’If they still haven’t made a move by the end, then I will.’ Jiang Li secretly harbored a murderous intent.
If the Taiping Sect did not act, those enjoying Lawless Freedom would.
Killing Cui Jue would lead to the same outcome.
After Cui Jue’s death, even if someone compatible with the Dao Fruit emerged, advancing would take time. This would be the Taiping Sect’s opportunity. This was still if the Dao Fruit ended up in the court’s hands; if it were lost, even better—then the Taiping Sect wouldn’t need to worry about this weapon.
Jiang Li had spent this time in deep cultivation purely to prepare for assassinating Cui Jue.