Chapter 287: Chapter 11 Dao Fruit Ability
The setting sun dipped below the horizon, and night descended. Outside the Iron Pillar Temple, tranquility reigned, broken only occasionally by gusts of night wind that rustled the grass and leaves with a rustling sound.
Zhang Daoyi and Yuan Zhen walked down the path, one in front of the other, until they reached the shore of Dragon Abyss Lake. Watching the undulating water, Yuan Zhen finally spoke, "Junior Uncle, don’t you have anything to ask? You have been secretly investigating certain matters for some time."
Zhang Daoyi’s covert investigation was initially unknown to Yuan Zhen, but as time passed, with his insight, he naturally could not avoid noticing it; he simply hadn’t exposed it until now.
Now, with Yuan Zhen about to face a battle against Jiang Li, he finally opened up.
"Yes, I have been investigating. Since I discovered that our sect might also be involved in the matters of Yong Province, I have been paying attention to your movements, to see how deeply our sect is involved. But now, it no longer matters."
Zhang Daoyi shook his head, "The crucial point at the moment is to let you focus entirely on preparing for the battle. The rest we can discuss after the battle."
"After the battle..." Yuan Zhen murmured these words, a wave of emotion passing through his heart.
He did not know whether there would be an ’after the battle’ for him.
But in the next instant, Yuan Zhen cut off such weak thoughts, his mind as resolute as ever.
"Then let’s talk after the battle," he said with a light smile.
"However, there is one thing, Junior Uncle, that you should be informed of. Each time the Emperor of Zhou hosts a heavenly guest and before a new emperor ascends the throne of the Great Zhou, it’s an opportunity for promotion. Nowadays, with the Six Extremes in equilibria, the Awakened and Karma Tathagata in stalemate, the Daoist Lord and Heavenly Monarch balancing each other, and the Emperor contending with the Great Venerable—if the Emperor hosts a heavenly guest, the Great Venerable will act, and amidst the ensuing chaos, it will be a prime opportunity for third grade promotions. Should such a day come, I hope Junior Uncle prioritizes the sect’s interests."
"Also, although Nephew has hindered Jiang Li’s promotion, the daylight incident where Jiang Li was targeted by arrangement pins was not Nephew’s doing."
"Hm?" Zhang Daoyi blinked.
"Junior Uncle, don’t you have suspicions about this?" Yuan Zhen said calmly, "Do not underestimate Nephew. Although I stand as Jiang Li’s enemy, all my actions have been for the sect. Conduct like that during daylight, which is of no benefit to the sect, is something I disdain to do."
His suspicions had been perceived.
Zhang Daoyi gave a wry smile.
Indeed, he had his suspicions and had planned to inquire about this during their meeting, but then the issue of promotion came up, making it inappropriate to voice such inquiries.
Inquiring now seemed like it might disturb Yuan Zhen’s mental state.
"Nephew Yuan Zhen," Zhang Daoyi said earnestly, "you are the one most qualified to inherit the leadership of the sect. No one else compares to you."
Including himself, Zhang Daoyi.
The heir of the sect should prioritize the sect’s interests first and foremost—a sentiment in which Zhang Daoyi, despite his noble mental state, admittedly fell short compared to Yuan Zhen. Even in terms of cunning and resourcefulness, Zhang Daoyi was no match for Yuan Zhen.
Perhaps he could become a Supreme Elder in the future, but as for being the Sect Master, that seemed somewhat unsuitable.
With these words, Zhang Daoyi undeniably intended to step back from the competition, leaving the disciples of the Daode Sect to continue following Yuan Zhen.
Yuan Zhen remained silent for a long time, until darkness completely enveloped the surroundings, and then he finally said in a low voice, "Be wary of Ji Chengyuan."
Zhang Daoyi’s fist clenched.
Because of Yuan Zhen’s warning, it was clear he was not fully confident about the impending duel.
Zhang Daoyi stepping aside should have been a joyous occasion, but if it meant dying in this battle, what joy could there be?
Silence fell once again.
Unnoticed by anyone, on a willow tree by the lake, an invisible Dream Butterfly fluttered its wings, elegantly moving, and flew back to the Iron Pillar Temple.
It flapped leisurely, winding through the temple and finally flew through a half-open window into the West Wing Room next to the Three Pure Ones Hall, landing on a crystal-clear finger.
"The Emperor has summoned me, just before your Promotion Ceremony," Tianxuan’s voice sounded by the ear.
"Afterwards, Yuan Zhen will use the Xiyi Sword Skill to obstruct my promotion."
Jiang Li looked at the Dream Butterfly and spoke in a low voice, "Be wary of Ji Chengyuan... It seems that this Fourth Prince might not be as disinterested in power as he appears."
Tianxuan being summoned was not a secret; anyone with connections inside the palace could easily find out. But for someone outside the city to know immediately after Tianxuan was summoned was not a simple matter.
Achieving this required deep roots both inside and outside the palace, with people on hand to serve at all times.
Others were not like Tianxuan, able to maintain communication with Jiang Li across distances from within the Imperial City.
The person with such deep roots could only be Yuan Zhen himself, or someone by Yuan Zhen’s side at the time.
The Daode Sect, indeed a significant power, but Jiang Li did not believe it had such a foundation in the Divine Capital. Moreover, if Yuan Zhen’s information came from their own forces, there would be no need for him to say, "Be wary of Ji Chengyuan."
Jiang Li could imagine a scenario where the Fourth Prince craftily revealed the news of Tianxuan’s summoning to provoke Yuan Zhen into action.
"What a tangled web of right and wrong," Jiang Li sighed softly.
Being current leader of the Jiang family and a True Disciple of the Dinghu Sect, there might indeed be many in and outside the Divine Capital with enmity towards him.
Talking about the Dinghu Sect itself could be considered a source of controversy; it is one of the stakeholders of the Great Zhou’s "big cake," and it is hard to say that it will not arouse the covetousness and targeting of other vested interests. Not to mention, Jiang Li hails from the Jiang family.
Three and a half years is not a long time; here in Divine Capital, the memory of the Jiang family is far from fading.
With Jiang Li’s two identities combined, one could almost say he is a walking troublemaker, possibly encountering tests just by walking the streets of Divine Capital.
"And there’s that Taoist who tried to probe your memory during the day; he may well have been acting on someone’s orders," Tianxuan added.
From what we can see, that Taoist Zong Ming might belong to the Fourth Prince, though it’s not certain; after all, in Divine Capital, there’s no shortage of people wanting to target Jiang Li.
"So, disciple challenges Yuan Zhen," Jiang Li lowered his voice slightly, "not only to rightfully eliminate Yuan Zhen, but also to see how many would act because of it."
Historically, these kinds of challenges before a battle often have much room for maneuvering, with numerous underhanded tactics emerging that could affect even the slightest condition, potentially leading to downfall.
Jiang Li is precisely using this to lure the snake out of its hole.
Additionally, it’s to kill Yuan Zhen.
"The only concern is that it may cause the Sect to make enemies with the Daode Sect," said Jiang Li.
"No matter," Tianxuan replied serenely, unafraid, "Since Yuan Zhen dares to obstruct your promotion, not fearing making enemies, our sect naturally does not fear being enemies with the Daode Sect. The real worry is not making enemies, but you."
The dignified yet restrained voice became soft, laced with a trace of concern, "Do you feel confident?"
Yes, concern.
Jiang Li suddenly felt a strange sensation; he felt as if he could understand Tianxuan’s emotions, truly feeling the care.
It wasn’t a direct experience of emotional activity, but an understanding derived from the other’s words and actions—a natural comprehension.
"Disciple is very afraid of dying; without being absolutely sure, I wouldn’t dare to challenge," Jiang Li said with a smile.
"There is nothing absolutely certain in this world."
"Then at that time, disciple can only shout ’Master, save me.’"
"Heh~" Tianxuan seemed to want to laugh but, feeling that it was inappropriate to laugh in such a conversation with his disciple, restrained himself, though Jiang Li could still sense the amusement.
"It’s good that you are confident; as your master, I would not wish for Qing Yue to become a widow before she has even crossed the threshold."
Tianxuan chuckled, "It’s late; you’ve just been promoted, so first comprehend the Dao Fruit, and we’ll reconnect tomorrow."
"Yes, Master."
The jade hairpin atop his head slowly dimmed its brilliance as Jiang Li gently raised his finger, and Dream Butterfly took flight, dancing around him.
’Confidence... my confidence has never been this strong.’
Jiang Li slowly circulated the True Qi within his body and, as his perception touched the lower Dantian, he smiled slightly.
He had always kept his Demon Cleansing True Qi and the Great Circle Sword in his lower Dantian unused.
The strength he displayed at dusk was not all that Jiang Li was capable of.
Jiang Li’s strength would not be the same as it would be on the first day of the ninth lunar month.
Jiang Li had set the date on the first day of the ninth lunar month partly to allow Yuan Zhen time to heal, showing fairness, and partly to give himself time to familiarize himself with the Dao Fruit and increase his strength.
Lu Dongbin’s Dao Fruit Ability possessed eight aspects; excluding the passive abilities like "Pure Yang Dao Body," "Carrying Heaven and Earth," and "Life Extending Heaven and Earth," there were two abilities that directly enhanced combat power—"Flying Sword Slash Yellow Dragon" and "Sword Light Division."
The remaining three required Jiang Li’s own cultivation.
"Sky-reaching Spirit Sword" was akin to a sword cultivator’s "Lifebound Flying Sword" ability, enabling one to sanctify a sword as their lifebound sword, achieving Man and Sword Integration to create the Sky-reaching Spirit Sword.
"Golden Core Technique" was a method of gradually melting the Three Elements.
Heavenly Escape Sword Skill, similarly, while described as a Dao Fruit Ability, was more akin to a cultivation technique, representing the Sword Dao of the Pure Yang Sword Immortal.
Jiang Li gradually circulated his energy; an invisible Sword Qi quietly emerged within his right arm, precisely the Great Circle Sword.
Jiang Li designated the Great Circle Sword as his lifebound sword, and with the use of Dao Fruit abilities, he could clearly sense the merging of this Sword Qi with his own Qi; Innate Qi circulated, and the Great Circle Sword, like an Azure Dragon absorbing water, continuously absorbed Primordial Qi, rejuvenating itself.
Although Jiang Li used to use Innate Qi to restore the Great Circle Sword, the progress had always been less than ideal, only allowing the Great Circle Sword to grow half an inch each day. Now, as his lifebound sword, almost unified with Jiang Li, the Innate Qi blended perfectly with it, causing the Sword Qi to rapidly grow in strength.
While sensing the Sword Qi, Jiang Li employed the Dao Fruit Ability, and in an instant, all manner of essence emerged in his mind, and various sword Dao techniques resonated in his brain.
"Within the Spirit Sword Box hides, gathering causes and containing Taoist sentiments, the sword heart must not rest, Divine Destiny holding the Wuwei. A righteous three-foot sword, warding off evil residing in Imperial City, tied in Lingxiao palace, illuminating together in all directions..."
Invisible sword Qi materialized around him, roaming aimlessly, the intent to slash annihilating spirits.
’This Lu Dongbin’s Dao Fruit...,’ Jiang Li perceived the sword formulas, feeling deeply moved, ’its method of derivation seems nine out of ten times related to punishing the evil and promoting the good, slaying demons and exorcising devils.’
’So, it’s suggesting I be a good person?’