Chapter 282: Chapter 6: Promotion Ceremony
By the banks of Dragon Abyss Lake, at the end of a long corridor, on a fishing platform.
A person dressed as a Taoist finished a brief exchange with the middle-aged eunuch and left, and then the eunuch moved soundlessly onto the fishing platform and reported in a low voice, "Your Highness, it was someone within Iron Pillar Temple who secretly activated the Illusion Spirit Captivating Heart Array against Jiang Li, but then the array was broken by Jiang Li, and the Taoist died immediately. Externally, it was said to be the work of the Devil God Sect."
The Fourth Prince sat on the edge of the fishing platform, holding a fishing rod in an easy, leisurely manner. Hearing the eunuch’s report, he pondered for a moment and said, "Illusion Spirit Captivating Heart Array... I remember that is one of Iron Pillar Temple’s protective formations with a focus on attacking the mental state."
"Daoist Zhang, what do you think?"
He turned his head to look at Zhang Daoyi, who was meditating next to him.
"Jiang Li has flaws in his mental state," Zhang Daoyi, with closed eyes and barely moving lips, replied in his breath control.
It was believed that the Taoist had been killed by Jiang Li.
Though lacking evidence, those in the know were convinced of this.
Setting aside whether a demon from the Devil God Sect could vanish into thin air after breaking out of Iron Pillar Temple without alarming the guards or Zhang Daoyi and the others, the reason why the demon would kill the Taoist of Iron Pillar Temple, and why this particular time was chosen for the murder, was difficult to explain.
Unless the Devil God Sect was being framed again.
This was a familiar scenario for everyone, so the Devil God Sect was immediately dismissed, confirming the person with the strongest motive, Jiang Li, as the murderer.
But why would Jiang Li kill?
At such a time, if there was any offense from Iron Pillar Temple’s side, the smartest choice would be to endure it, waiting until after the Dao Fruit Promotion Ceremony or acquiring the Dao Fruit. Yet, Jiang Li reacted violently and brazenly murdered.
From the moment the Formation was broken to the act of killing and returning to his original position, his actions were swift and decisive, revealing an unwavering resolve to kill.
Such behavior could only be explained by one reason, which was that the Illusion Spirit Captivating Heart Array somehow touched upon Jiang Li’s taboo and enraged him.
"Regardless of why Fellow Daoist Jiang was angry, he now appears to have a flaw in his mental state."
Saying this, Zhang Daoyi slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the Fourth Prince, saying with a grave voice, "Someone knows that the ascension of Daoist Dao Fruit and the mental state are connected, wanting to probe Fellow Daoist Jiang’s mental state."
The Fourth Prince and Zhang Daoyi looked at each other. The Fourth Prince asked, "Are you suspecting me, Fellow Daoist?"
After all, if the Fourth Prince could have a Taoist from Iron Pillar Temple come to report, making other Taoists take such actions would not be impossible.
Zhang Daoyi locked eyes with him for a long moment, then shifted his gaze towards Dragon Abyss Lake and sighed lightly, "I do not suspect you, Fellow Daoist. It is just a sigh, foreseeing the storm that is coming."
If a single Iron Pillar Temple was already so tumultuous, what about the entire Divine Capital?
The Fourth Prince also let out a sigh, "Indeed, a storm is coming. Just like this Dragon Abyss Lake before us, seemingly calm, but no one knows how many undercurrents lie hidden beneath the surface."
Meanwhile, Meng Xiwu’s face remained calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
For a while, the fishing platform sank into a subdued silence.
Until a Taoist came to report, breaking the quiet.
...
...
On the other side, Tong Yuanzi walked with a carefree demeanor, leading the way for Jiang Li, followed by two young Daoist attendants.
He didn’t seem the least bit perturbed, always appearing bold and composed, even his flow of True Qi was not hasty.
"Temple Master does not seem to be upset at all," Jiang Li said while walking up the stone steps.
Unlike the Taoist who had gone to heal, Tong Yuanzi, the temple master, showed no irritation over the death of a member of the temple. It was unclear whether his mental state was transcendent or his thoughts profound.
"Iron Pillar Temple is a place of pure cultivation. Those who enter cut off mundane ties, and outsiders must face the Heart Inquiry Array. With an unobstructed heart, typically, those who join our temple can find peace and clarity."
Tong Yuanzi, waving his Palm Leaf Fan, said, "However, if you cannot resist and get entangled in worldly affairs again, bringing upon yourself a deadly fate, it is simply courting disaster. Zong Ming’s private action against you, Fellow Daoist, led to his just outcome."
"After the Promotion Ceremony, if you, Fellow Daoist, are inclined, you are welcome to investigate within Iron Pillar Temple, to see if there are other accomplices. As long as you have conclusive evidence, I will not stop you."
To this, Jiang Li responded with a smile.
Nearly having his memories turned inside out, Jiang Li was naturally not going to let the matter rest, but now everything else was secondary to the Dao Fruit.
Regardless of who was behind this, since they chose to be his enemy, Jiang Li would not let them off.
"Furthermore, to express the temple’s apology, I am willing, as Temple Master, to allow you, Fellow Daoist, to ascend first. However, I must say that the sequence does not matter. The Dao Fruit Promotion Ceremony can involve multiple participants, and it is connected to the mental state. The order of ascension does not have much significance; on the contrary, hindering others for this purpose can actually affect one’s mental state," Tong Yuanzi continued.
’So it indeed relates to the mental state,’ thought Jiang Li silently upon hearing this, ’and that Zong Ming was trying to find the flaw in my mental state.’
While contemplating, a murderous intent still lingered in his heart, but at the same time, Jiang Li delved deeper into his thoughts.
The true goal of the person behind Zong Ming was to obstruct Jiang Li’s ascension, and Jiang Li’s rivals weren’t only Zhang Daoyi, who also aimed for the Dao Fruit, but others as well. His current task was to proceed with the ascension as quickly as possible.
"Is there something you’re clinging to in your heart?"
The gentle and melodious voice sounded by his ear as Tianxuan slowly spoke, "I thought that your heart was only occupied by cultivation."
Clearly, she too had noticed the murderous intent revealed in Jiang Li’s actions and expressed her concern.
For in Tianxuan’s eyes, Jiang Li had always been a rather perfect cultivator.
Able to bend and stretch, he might covet external things, but he was always able to restrain himself well; even the feelings he had for Gongsun Qingyue couldn’t entangle him, and his family likewise couldn’t influence him. Jiang Li could almost be said to be a natural-born cultivator.
Could it be that even such a cultivator harbored stubborn attachments?
Or was his attachment indeed to cultivation itself?
But if that were the case, there would be no need for Jiang Li to reveal his murderous aura.
"Everyone has attachments; I am no exception," Jiang Li replied in his mind, "The disciple appears to be free of attachments, only because my obsession occupies all of my desires. And furthermore..."
And he had the determination to change.
When he had first arrived in this world, Jiang Li was no different from an ordinary person, and one could even say he was rather cowardly.
But he had the Karma Collection, and through constant effort, he was shaping his confidence and continuously... changing himself. His efforts were rewarded, and as he constantly sought to become braver and made attempts to do so, the Karma Collection provided feedback, causing gradual changes.
If he wanted to become more meticulous in thought, he would engage in continuous, relevant training.
If he sought inspiration, he would read incessantly, accumulating a wealth of knowledge.
The Jiang Li of today was completely different from the Jiang Li of three and a half years ago.
"What is your obsession?" Tianxuan asked.
"My obsession--"
It seemed that Tianxuan’s magic artifact had not yet reached the point where it could fully share perceptions with Jiang Li. In that case...
After a slight pondering, Jiang Li replied, "In the Illusion Spirit Captivating Heart Array, I saw the moon of the past few days."
"The moon from the past few days, was it full?" Tianxuan whispered, her voice growing distant.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li followed Tong Yuanzi through temple halls and passages, with Tong Yuanzi introducing each to Jiang Li as if he were truly a guest, leading him through every hall of Iron Pillar Temple.
This inexplicable behavior would surely have made anyone else impatient long ago, because outsiders would certainly have come here seeking something rather than merely to sightsee at Iron Pillar Temple.
But Jiang Li was a remarkably patient person, or perhaps he was able to restrain any negative emotions in his heart. Besides, if he couldn’t even bear with this much, how could he possibly pass the Promotion Ceremony? Moreover, he had his own speculations about the Promotion Ceremony.
Nevertheless, while he could endure, the two young Daoist acolytes could not.
They were already familiar with every blade of grass and tree in Iron Pillar Temple, and moving back and forth was not an exciting novelty for them but a bore.
"Temple master, nearly an hour has passed, hasn’t it? Let’s hurry up and let Fellow Daoist Jiang proceed with the Promotion," Ming Yue couldn’t resist saying.
That way, he could go and rest.
Qingfeng did not speak, but his face too showed signs of tiredness.
In contrast, related party Jiang Li showed no sign of anxiety.
At this time, the sun was close to setting, and the evening colors gradually turned dim. From not far away, a whiff of the scent of food floated by, making the two young Daoist acolytes unconsciously swallow their saliva.
This was the Iron Pillar Temple’s Daoist cooking.
Tong Yuanzi led the three to a nearby pavilion to sit down, shaking a palm leaf fan and smiling, "Fellow Daoist has a good mental state, this poor Daoist thought that Fellow Daoist needed to grind away murderous intent, but now it seems there is no need for this poor Daoist’s help."
From his words, it was all goodwill.
If Jiang Li proceeded with the Promotion Ceremony filled with murderous intent, it was highly likely to fail.
"Temple master’s kindness, I have taken it to heart."
Jiang Li nodded and said, "Now, an hour has passed, temple master, could you reveal the Dao Fruit now?"
"Ha," Tong Yuanzi laughed heartily, "Why reveal it, Fellow Daoist can proceed directly with ascension."
Just at this moment, a gentle breeze came through, bringing the fragrance of rice, and Jiang Li’s vision blurred suddenly as if he were once again enveloped by the Illusion Spirit Captivating Heart Array.
Instinctively, he prepared to resist, but before his Divine Sense could explode, Jiang Li suddenly suppressed the urge to resist and quietly said in his heart, "Master, please protect me."
The strong fragrance of rice entered his nose, and Jiang Li’s consciousness gradually became blurry, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.
’Indeed, it is a Yellow Millet Dream.’
The last thought before sleep was suspicion being answered and the relief that came with it.