Chapter 238: Chapter 233 Rebellion Against My Teacher Duan Li
Flame Waves scorched intensely, their force rivaling that of a volcanic eruption, or the magnificent Great Sun, granting the virtue of illuminating all things and also the fierceness of incinerating all.
At such a sudden burst, were it anyone else, they would likely suffer heavy damage immediately, but for Jiang Li...
Jiang Li possessed the Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill and also carried the "Qi Tomb," perfectly in line with the Fire Element. While this Flame Qi was certainly intense, to threaten him was hard!
"Princess, that wasn’t very effective."
Had the Princess infused a bit more Flame Qi, Jiang Li might have been affected, going along with her intention to influence his master’s mind. But with this meager amount...
Seeing how his master never once looked back, it was clear how much trust she placed in Jiang Li’s strength.
Jiang Li grasped the horsetail whisk firmly, a misty Qi forming around his body. The enveloping Flame Wave met with this Qi and immediately began to merge, the Innate Qi and Flame Qi combining into one, swirling around his body like reddish clouds and then being gradually absorbed by Jiang Li.
At the same time, the information in his mind transformed into a form he could understand, unfolding before him.
[Sixth Grade Dao Fruit: Daoist]
[Category: Human]
[Fitting Conditions: Seventh Grade Human Attribute Dao Fruit, diligent practice of Mystic Sect methods]
[Promotion Ceremony: Breathe essence energy, stand guard over the spirit alone, muscles unified as one, neither dead nor alive, neither empty nor full]
[Ability: Daoists Realm, Carrying Heaven and Earth, Grasp Yin and Yang, Life Extending Heaven and Earth]
What Elder Tianxuan mentioned about enhancing the Mental State was exactly the "Daoists Realm" mentioned here.
[Daoists Realm: The Ancient True Man, when resting, does not dream; when awake, has no worries; when eating, finds no flavor; breathes deeply. Keep the spirit unified as one, with all thoughts retracted; the mind is not invaded by internal or external distractors, breathing through and connecting the whole body, internal and external.]
But right now, what drew the most attention wasn’t the Dao Fruit already in hand, but rather the sudden and unexpected outburst of Flame Qi from the Dao Artifact.
Ji Lingguang saw how easily Jiang Li absorbed the Flame Qi and couldn’t help feeling a bit frustrated.
The first plan to affect Tianxuan’s mind, allowing Feng Manlou to take action, had failed.
She had already tried to overestimate Jiang Li’s strength. Even a sixth-rank would be in danger facing this stream of Flame Qi, but she still fell short in her estimation, not considering the change in Jiang Li’s power after mastering the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate.
Plus, since Ji Lingguang intended to influence Tianxuan’s mind and had no intention to harm, the vigorous Flame Qi, though fierce, made it easy for others to detect, losing the element of surprise.
Elder Tianxuan, however, simply lifted her jade arm, stopping Gongsun Qingyue’s forthcoming question, her gaze shifting, looking at Ji Lingguang with slightly raised eyebrows.
That’s all?
Although she didn’t say it outright, Ji Lingguang had already grasped her disdain.
"This woman, still so irritating."
Ji Lingguang silently fumed.
However, her Mental State remained unshaken. Able to stand against Tianxuan for years, Ji Lingguang was not ordinary. Despite her annoyance, she said, "You have indeed entered the gates of the Jiang family’s ’Qi Tomb.’ Take this Flame Qi from me, let it help you comprehend the mysteries of Innate Fire Qi. But remember, the Jiang family’s days of glory are gone. Do not be too hasty in your actions."
Her words suddenly took on a deeper meaning, both covering for her actions and genuinely warning Jiang Li.
A single whale falls, and myriad creatures flourish. The fall of the Jiang family had fed many, and for Jiang Li to lead a resurgence, these people would be his greatest obstacle. Any attempt to reclaim former splendor before his strength reached a certain level was premature.
"The Jiang family lacks the old house’s ambition, seeking only self-protection, longing for nothing more," Jiang Li responded indifferently.
He followed Ji Lingguang’s train of thought, helping to divert the topic.
"Let’s hope so."
Ji Lingguang nodded slightly and then her eyes flashed with fire, "Tianxuan, what do you think, who stands higher in realm between you and me now?"
"My niece-in-law is well-versed in the changes of seasons and seems to be promoting her Dao Fruit. In terms of realm, you walk ahead of me," Elder Tianxuan said with a light smile upon hearing this.
When mentioning her niece-in-law, her eyes curved into a smile, while the three people around her showed varied expressions.
Feng Manlou was frustrated and shot Jiang Li an intense look.
Gongsun Qingyue confirmed her previous guess, a clear understanding in her heart, and with the mood to enjoy the show, she wanted to see the two women clash.
Jiang Li was also interested in watching the two women fight; after all, this was a fourth-rank moment, but he was more concerned about whether the red thread could be tied to Tianxuan.
"By saying that, niece-in-law, do you think you can subdue me by force?"
Elder Tianxuan covered her mouth with a hand, revealing a smile, "Surely you don’t think today’s meeting with me is your attempt to turn defeat into victory?"
"Guess."
Ji Lingguang’s eyes suddenly burned with two blazing flames, and the weather, which was just entering autumn, abruptly shifted forward, as if the sun in the sky suddenly enlarged a few times, its scorching heat descending upon the mountain area. Yet it didn’t bring suffocation; instead, it seemed to burst forth with the resplendence of life.
It wasn’t just a simple release of Fire Qi; it was a transformation of the climate, as if forcibly pulling time forward by two months, back to the height of summer.
One plan failed, so she launched a second, and this one was very straightforward and plain: it was to create an opening through sheer strength.
Faced with Ji Lingguang’s climate change at that instant, even Tianxuan dared not be careless. Moreover, she was wary of Ji Lingguang’s other schemes, needing to stay cautious, and could very likely fall into a disadvantage because of it.
Elder Tianxuan finally put away her smile. Stars emerged around her, and suddenly, she appeared as if she had stepped out of the dusty world, physically still before the eyes, yet as if she had stepped into the starry sky, infinitely distant.
The summer heat could not touch her, and as a pale moon slowly rose, night descended, swiftly seizing the sky.
This time, it was not limited to just a few dozen yards; it spread for hundreds of miles around, as if stealing the day and switching it with night. In that instant, a vast area transitioned from day to night, the moon’s light hazy, stars twinkling within it.
"Niece-by-marriage, in terms of realm, you have indeed surpassed me. But in terms of strength, I am not beneath you."
Elder Tianxuan chuckled softly, uttering true words, "Taiyin Ju Zi, Water Clearing Gui E."
Opposing yang with yin, veiling the summer with night, Elder Tianxuan did not move an inch and yet she demonstrated the power to change heaven and earth.
"Perhaps not."
Fiery patterns faintly shaped like talismans flickered within Ji Lingguang’s eyes. On her crimson robes, exquisite, vivid patterns emerged, like a deity amidst flames, majestic and imposing.
Yellow Emperor’s Six Phases, Zhu Rong Phase.
Being a Princess, Ji Lingguang naturally also understood the "Form Tomb." Presently, as she revealed her cultivation, her flame qi spread through the night sky, turning it into a summer night. Shortly after, a slightly hesitant croak resounded, restoring the scene of a summer night.
Their exchange of words alone alternated the sky repeatedly, abruptly shifting from autumn back to summer, turning daylight into a starry night, and reversing the climate again and again. Though they hadn’t clashed directly, their unrivaled divine skills were unmistakably manifested.
Ji Lingguang, with her Dao Fruit, pondered the changes of the four seasons, particularly summer, governed by the Fire Element. Meanwhile, Tianxuan was aligned with Taiyin, supported by all the stars, marvelously incorporating the Star Dao.
"Command the strong, govern the transformations."
Tianxuan’s "Taiwei Fu" unfolded in succession, scrutinizing the cycle of generation and conquest, governing and transforming the flame qi to reveal the stars.
"When stars dominate their temple, seizing the opportunity of creation and control."
One by one, stars materialized in the night sky, and the vast expanse of stars slowly gained dominance.
’What profound mastery of the Star Dao. She has not taken the path of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady but has chosen the Star Dao instead.’ Feng Manlou, upon seeing this, couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
The Nine Heavens represent Qian and metal; although the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady is a goddess, she bears Qianyang Qi and golden energy, corresponding to the rationale of war. For Tianxuan to embrace the Dao Fruit of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, she would need to align her innate qi with Qian and metal; otherwise, integrating with the Dao Fruit would be challenging.
The aura she now displayed undoubtedly revealed that she had no desire to follow the path of Lady Xuan; the legacy of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady Dao Fruit passed down through generations of the Dinghu Sect was not her choice.
This woman, even the worldly Feng Manlou found her unfathomable.
But no matter how unfathomable, she still hadn’t advanced to the third grade, and her strength was on par with Ji Lingguang. Without a direct confrontation, Tianxuan was thoroughly stalled by Ji Lingguang’s tactics.
Having been silent until now, Feng Manlou focused intently, ready to make a move at any moment.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Tianxuan’s eyes swept across in a wise gaze towards Feng Manlou.
In an instant, an immense divine power accompanied by a murderous intent rolled towards him, two fierce stars shining in the night sky.
Seven Killings and Army Breaking, Yang Ling relentlessly assaults.
The dreadful might of the killing stars launched an assault straight towards Feng Manlou, turning the warm summer night’s breeze cold and stern as Tianxuan’s gaze turned into killing swords.
The Seven Killings and Army Breaking are notorious stars, and paired with Yang Ling, one of the Four Evils, known for their destructive and traumatic power, this combination was absolutely deadly and destructive.
This was the true purpose of Tianxuan’s visit today; she was testing Feng Manlou.
As the gaze of killing swords struck, Feng Manlou’s heart grew cold, but he outwardly had to appear stunned and immobilized like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
"How dare you!"
With a sharp, soft exclamation, Ji Lingguang’s fiery figure turned into a red flash, moving in front of Feng Manlou, her red sleeves swinging, shattering the two killing swords.
With that, the standoff finally saw its victor, as the bright moon hung high, the faint Taiyin Moonlight completely dispelling the flame qi.
In this invisible contest, Tianxuan had won.
"Niece-by-marriage, it seems I still have the upper hand," Elder Tianxuan said leisurely.
Though she was unable to probe Feng Manlou, which was somewhat regrettable, in this game, she seemed to have won again.
’What a pity,’ Feng Manlou thought regretfully.
Tianxuan was truly suspicious, still not persuaded at this point, which led to her not taking the final step, and the connection was never made.
’It seems I’ll have to step in,’ thought Jiang Li.
This Old Demon was indeed at a high level; not even the great brother, the Dragon King’s Affiliated Son-in-law, could succeed.
But it didn’t matter; Jiang Li would take action.
"Master’s divine skills are vast; the mysteries of ’Taiwei Fu’ have truly been an eye-opener for your disciple," he said, with a significant undertone to his words.
Initially, he had intended for his senior sister to confront their master, while he watched from the sidelines for amusement. Now, to show filial piety, he had no choice but to step in himself.
"As the saying goes, ’the ocean is vast because it admits all rivers’. Master, your embrace of the stars and your transformation of mysteries have deeply impressed Qing Yue," Gongsun Qingyue immediately chimed in.
She was much more direct, emphasizing "embrace of the stars" and making "embrace" carry a heavier tone in a clear challenge.
At the moment of Tianxuan’s victory over her old adversary, and while she was pleased with herself, her two disciples launched a splendid rebellion against her, disrupting her composure.
Opportunity!
With a slight movement from Feng Manlou, an invisible red thread had already attached to Tianxuan’s right foot, tying itself spontaneously.