Taiyi Dao Fruit

The True Qi within his body became even more agile. Jiang Li could only feel the Qi mechanism flowing continuously, with a sustained forcefulness like spring water flowing throughout his body, purifying his entire being, brightening his eyes. When he looked around, his gaze was so intense that it actually made the surrounding people somewhat hesitant to meet his eyes directly.

The progress of the Dao Fruit integration had increased once again.

And as the integration deepened, his Dao Fruit abilities grew stronger, especially the "Dual Cultivation of Life and Spirit," which brought great benefits to Jiang Li's Three Elements.

In this way, carrying the momentum of two victories in two battles and with his power on the rise, Jiang Li exuded an imposing aura that seemed to deter any potential third challenger from appearing.

"Don't be frightened by him; he's been through two fights, and his True Qi must have depleted significantly. He's merely putting up a strong front but is weak inside."

Amidst the crowd of onlookers, a voice suddenly sounded.

Following that, someone echoed, "Exactly, exactly. Even if he's strong, he's still just at the Ninth Grade Realm. He might manage one or two, but could he really take on five or ten?"

"Go for it, a victory would earn you five hundred good deeds, equivalent to the reward of one pursuit mission."

"With so many of us, surely we're not afraid of him, are we?"

Amidst the instigating comments, the crowd of disciples began to stir once again.

Setting aside the five hundred good deeds, the temptation of ending Jiang Li's winning streak was enough to make them eager.

Unlike Jiang Li, who could keep a low profile, for them, fame was a stronger lure than good deeds. Not to mention the advantages that came with renown.

Defeating Jiang Li, being valued by the Sect, reaching the pinnacle of one's life—doesn't that thought make you a little excited?

Just as the disciples' desires were being stirred up, and the next challenge was about to begin, suddenly—

"Hmph."

A cold snort burst forth like thunder, creating visible ripples in the air across Wuqu Ping. The onlooking disciples were pushed back several steps by the wave of Qi from the snort. Jiang Li also felt an invisible force crashing over him like a tide, his clothes flapping and hair pulled straight back. He quickly circulated his True Qi with full force before finally managing to stand his ground, stabilizing himself without moving.

'Just a cold snort forces me to resist with all my might. This person must be at least at the Seventh Rank. Could it be him? Has Jiang Zhuyun shown up already?'

As Jiang Li thought this, he looked toward the source of the sound.

He saw a swordsman in a red robe, holding his sword, making his way from the east side of Wuqu Ping. With a face like carved jade and expressive eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows, his demeanor was cold and stern, embracing an unmistakable sharpness.

"Dressed in green, altering voice, provoking hearts, Qi Changsheng, are you aware of your crime?"

The swordsman spoke with a cadence that rang with the clash of metal, sharp and extraordinary. Even the short sentences sounded somewhat strange to listeners.

From what Jiang Li knew, there was only one Inner Sect Disciple who had this habit—none other than the second senior brother of the Inner Sect, Feng Ziyang.

This person, holding the position of a Law Enforcement Disciple, was known for being uncompromising and for speaking in terse sentences. In the Sect, everyone knew him, everyone was aware of him.

And the so-called "Qi Changsheng"...

Both Jiang Li and the other Outer Disciples turned their eyes to the only one in the crowd who hadn't scrambled back in disarray.

An Outer Disciple in a green robe... or rather, an Inner Sect Disciple who deliberately wore a green robe.

Coincidentally, Jiang Li knew him and was very familiar with him.

This Senior Brother Qi was Elder Yun's proud disciple and had received the True Inheritance of Elder Yun. If anyone could pull off such a stunt as a solo performance, it would indeed be him.

"Who? Who are you talking about?"

Qi Changsheng scratched his head, his well-featured face showing a look of distress, and complained, "Senior Brother Feng, it's a misunderstanding. I just didn't wash my clothes last night and had to wear an old green robe for the day. I didn't do anything bad."

"Si Fan Valley, a three-day ban."

Feng Ziyang, however, didn't bother with his sophistry and directly issued the verdict, before turning to Jiang Li, "Fighting privately is forbidden within the Sect, Junior Brother Jiang, please restrain yourself."

"A friendly spar between fellow disciples doesn't count as a private fight, right?" Jiang Li raised an eyebrow and said.

Feng Ziyang, pointing at Li Chongyue and Zhang Zhenyang, said, "Their injuries are not light, it's not a spar but a private fight. Junior Brother Jiang, if you are intent on this, wait until tomorrow, when Fengyun Platform is open for disputes."

Fengyun Platform was the only place within the sect where fighting was legally sanctioned, but ascending the Fengyun Platform required the consent of the Inner Sect elders. Generally speaking, an Outer Disciple wouldn't have the influence to disturb the Inner Sect elders, let alone gain their consent to open Fengyun Platform.

'It seems Elder Wan was right, there really are people among the Inner Sect elders who are quite dissatisfied with the Jiang Family,' Jiang Li thought to himself.

The only reason he could think of was this.

It wasn't that he, Jiang Li, had the influence to disturb the Inner Sect elders, but that the Jiang Family had the qualifications to be targeted by the Inner Sect elders.

Joining the Dinghu Sect while in disguise was a way to guard against enemies, but for the members of the side branch to also enter the sect under assumed names and make secret connections was going too far.

Even if the Dinghu Sect had a relationship with the Jiang Family, it wasn't a reason for the Jiang Family to act this way.

Thus, this incident occurred.

Now, Jiang Li was truly curious about what exactly Jiang Zhuyun wanted to achieve to go to the lengths of damaging relations.

"If that's the case, then let's battle again tomorrow," Jiang Li thought and conveniently agreed.

This was both an opportunity and a challenge—if Jiang Li couldn't win on Fengyun Platform, he might well become the biggest joke of recent years. But if he could win, he would be the most outstanding one in the Sect.

Even those of the eighth and seventh rank wouldn't look as good as he.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for making the trip," Jiang Li thanked Feng Ziyang.

"It's part of my duties, no thanks necessary."

Feng Ziyang shook his head, turned, and walked away, not forgetting to add before he left, "Qi Changsheng, report here before tomorrow, Si Fan Valley, a three-day ban."

A long sigh from Qi Changsheng followed behind.

As for Jiang Li, he turned to look back at Kaiyang Hall and met Luo Yi's gaze, staring at this place, and gave a crooked smile.

[He looks really angry, about to explode with rage.

I'm being quite wicked, but it feels so good.]

Then, these two lines appeared on the Karma Collection, making Jiang Li's crooked smile stiffen a bit.

And this slightly stiff smile looked even more sardonic, which infuriated Luo Yi even more.

"Ingrate," Luo Yi couldn't help but say hatefully.

He refused to look at that sardonic smile, lest he couldn't help himself and strike out, and instead briskly walked away.

Jiang Li, meanwhile, collected his long banner and headed towards the Daoist Law Pavilion.

He had decided that he would fulfill more of his duties as a junior; tonight, he would not return to the disciple dormitory to sleep.

Um... this definitely wasn't because he feared that Jiang Zhuyun, pushed to desperation, would take a dangerous risk and strike at him within the Sect. Could the vast Sect not protect him, a mere Outer Disciple?

Moreover, my Jiang Family is a descendant of Emperor Yan, would the son of the main family really act so foolishly?

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

So, Jiang Li was just showing respect to the elder, that's all.