Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Nine Yang Divine Skill, Supreme Yang. Shout!"

As Jiang Li roared like the rising morning sun, he leapt from the pool. His majestic body, wrapped in protective golden light, was as commanding and radiant as the sun itself, emitting an energy so pure and powerful that Gongsun Qingyue could not bear to look directly at him.

Previously, only his upper body had been visible above the water, but with this leap, he was fully exposed.

Now was her chance!

At the moment Gongsun Qingyue averted her eyes, she lost her grip on Jiang Li. She could no longer suppress him with her exquisite Qi Observation Skill.

Jiang Li skimmed across the water, his pure True Qi making him as light as a swallow. Stepping on water and nearing the Divine Farmer Stone Statue, he grasped the red wooden whip in the statue's hands.

In an instant, a vast torrent of intentions flooded Jiang Li's mind, flashes of medical knowledge causing a splitting headache.

This Ochre Whip came with strong effects.

Enduring the intense pain, Jiang Li swung the whip through the air. The incoming sword light shattered upon impact, the red sword sent spinning and eventually vanishing into thin air.

As Gongsun Qingyue began to gather her True Qi to counterattack, the Ochre Whip emitted a wave of energy—gentle as the sun yet as commanding as the scorching sun—which spread out, causing her to tremble and her True Qi to dissipate.

Simultaneously, an aura of Demonic Qi began to emerge—an aura that corrupted everything in its sight, affecting even the exotic flowers and grasses around Jiang Li.

"Five Vile Qi."

Jiang Li shuddered and placed the Ochre Whip back in the hands of the stone statue.

Just the sight of that Demonic Qi made Jiang Li feel unwell, an instinctive repulsion rising from within, his body instinctively warning him about the imminent danger.

Sure enough, it was the Five Vile Qi.

Fortunately, as soon as the Ochre Whip was returned, his perception of the Demonic Qi disappeared and the surroundings returned to normal. Likewise, the flood of knowledge in his mind vanished.

Were it not for holding the Ochre Whip, he certainly would not have sensed these changes.

'It seems I cannot truly take the Ochre Whip now,' Jiang Li thought regretfully.

Despite anticipating that the Sect would not hand over the whip easily, Jiang Li still felt disappointed. Moreover, since the whip was related to the survival of this spirit land, even if he could obtain ownership of the whip, it would probably need to remain with the Sect to contribute to it.

Despite his disappointment, Jiang Li hadn't forgotten that he still had to deal with Senior Sister Gongsun.

He walked on the water, his fingers flicking continuously, sending streams of Finger Wind flying towards Gongsun Qingyue like a net.

"Yin Talisman Seven Skills, Circular Technique Fierce Beast."

Though shaken by the power of the Ochre Whip and with her sword shattered, and in a moment of weakness, Gongsun Qingyue still managed to gather her True Qi. Qi Forces revolved around her, forming layers of Qi rings that merged into a circular shape.

Most of Jiang Li's Finger Winds were dispersed, but one slipped through, striking Gongsun Qingyue on the side of her waist.

"Um—"

In that moment, Gongsun Qingyue trembled as if struck by lightning, her beautiful composure twisting as if she were suppressing intense pain.

Jiang Li took the opportunity to go ashore, picked up his storage bag, and extracted a spare green robe to put on, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

A young man should always protect himself.

Without any protection, he truly felt exposed.

Straightening his clothes, Jiang Li then nonchalantly looked towards Gongsun Qingyue and smiled, "Senior Sister, thanks for going easy."

Though it was just a burst of Finger Wind, the outcome had been decided—for after all, this was a nearly unmatched Divine Skill.

"You…," Gongsun Qingyue still trembled, she gritted her teeth, glaring at Jiang Li, "What martial arts is this?"

"Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand," Jiang Li declared sternly, "A newly created martial arts technique by your junior brother, for striking and pressing acupoints. If senior sister wishes to learn, I can teach you."

Yes, it was indeed "Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand," not Bending Flower Hand—Jiang Li could assure that on the reputation of the Jiang family.

"Really? Hehe, hahaha," Gongsun Qingyue forced a laugh, clenching her teeth in secret, "Junior brother is indeed learned and talented."

She was furious, but had to endure.

One couldn't just say it all open and lose face.

Even though Jiang Li knew her situation and she knew that Jiang Li was aware, they both pretended to be oblivious.

Gongsun Qingyue gritted her teeth while secretly channeling her True Qi, attempting to expel the True Qi that had entered her body.

However, Jiang Li's Innate Skill's True Qi, in terms of purity, was not inferior to hers at all, and furthermore, after having perfected the "Crystal Belly," he had made some minor adaptations to the magic door techniques he knew, making them more suitable for himself.

Therefore, Gongsun Qingyue found herself unable to expel that strand of True Qi in a short time.

If she had reached Sixth Rank, or had she not been shaken and affected, she might have been able to forcefully expel the True Qi, but now, she truly felt powerless.

"Senior sister, your face is quite red. Are you hurt?" Jiang Li then asked with concern, "Perhaps you should go and treat your injury quickly, to prevent it from worsening."

A forced smile appeared on Gongsun Qingyue's face as she responded, "It's nothing serious, junior brother. Let's continue discussing the 'Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand.' Senior sister wants to learn."

She desperately needed to know the technique to save herself from agony.

"No problem, under this bright moon, it's perfect for a seated discussion."

The last four words, Jiang Li emphasized.

—Want to learn, huh? Exchange something for it.

"Hehehe..."

Gongsun Qingyue laughed as she tossed out a Jade Scroll.

She didn't say much, but her eyes clearly revealed her determination.

—No more nonsense!

Jiang Li caught the Jade Scroll and sensed it slightly.

"Yin Talisman Seven Skills·Real Intent Technique Python. The name seems to be related to the 'Yin Talisman Scripture.'"

Having confirmed the genuineness of the Jade Scroll, Jiang Li did not dawdle and delineated his unique martial arts technique, "Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand."

He had no choice, as senior sister was about to explode.

However, Senior Sister Gongsun was more impatient than he expected; after hearing about the Acupoint Technique, she immediately flicked her sleeves, vanished in a blink, leaving only a trace of faint fragrance behind.

Jiang Li chuckled secretly at this anxious scene.

Ah, you Gongsun Qingyue are petty-minded, and I, Jiang, am no magnanimous either. This trick of the Bending Flower Hand, consider it a lesson for you.

Even after offending Gongsun Qingyue, there might still be some retaliation.

Though a fatal injury was unlikely as Jiang Li's current worth was high, it wouldn't save him from humiliation. This senior sister, seeming proud and arrogant, would not reveal the details of her being tricked, and would likely make things difficult for Jiang Li.

Jiang Li tossed the Jade Scroll in his hand and began considering his options for escape.

Upon arriving at this island, he hadn't seen any boats nearby, which meant normal departure was out of the question. Thus...

"Swim back?"

Thinking of swimming a hundred or so li, Jiang Li instinctively felt a pain in his teeth.