Chapter 404: Chapter 122: The Land of Serenity, The Tiger-headed Demon God
Jiang Li had once resonated with Tianxuan True Qi, helping her suppress the Third Grade Dao Fruit, keeping it at fourth-rank. This allowed for a channel of qi mechanism between them, and even now, there remained an imperceptible connection.
At this moment, as the Pure Yang Qi within Jiang Li’s body grew once more and approached Tianxuan, it naturally triggered communication, resulting in an instant of resonance.
Both sensed it and looked at each other, with Jiang Li being the first to avert his gaze.
He had long made his plans regarding his interactions with Tianxuan.
He would stick to a core principle and two concepts: do not initiate, do not reject, do not deny.
In any case, if the enemy did not move, he would not move; if the enemy moved... he would be passive.
Thus, at this moment, he avoided eye contact with Tianxuan.
Seeing this, a surge of blind rage suddenly emerged in Tianxuan’s heart, burning fiercely with a harsh glint in her eyes, but in the next instant, Tianxuan also slightly lowered her gaze, masking her excess emotions.
These nearly identical actions from master and disciple caused the Princess to raise her eyebrows in amazement, feeling as though she had finally endured until the end.
These past few days, constantly being at the mercy of Tianxuan’s temperament, she could finally alleviate the pent-up frustration in her heart.
It was only because the Princess understood the adage "haste makes waste" that she did not speak up to mock them now.
Tianxuan, meanwhile, continued to flip through the Book of Life and Death, erasing a few more names. Then, closing the book, she spoke indifferently, "The names in the Book of Life and Death, along with your household registration in Great Zhou, have both been annulled. From now on, there’s no need to worry about others using this to lay traps against you."
"Thank you, Master," Jiang Li thanked her, his expression unchanged.
"You and I are master and disciple, there’s no need for thanks."
Tianxuan had also regained her composure; her face, hidden under the veil, was as tranquil as a still ancient well, as she said, "The Divine Capital is soon to be settled. Will you return to the Sect next, or will you wander through the ensuing chaos?"
Returning to the Sect meant to advance his cultivation, to focus on cultivating with the "Qi Tomb."
To continue outside was to demonstrate the Dao Fruit, to further integrate it. Now, for Jiang Li, the most effective way to demonstrate his power was through killing, particularly those filled with evil deeds.
And what was plentiful in the upcoming turbulent chaos were precisely such individuals.
"The Sect has the Sect Leader, and with the support of Elder Martial Brother, I dare not compete with them. It’s better for me to walk outside," Jiang Li said with a smile.
He chose to advance his Dao Fruit.
Jiang Li’s power was already strong enough; the most urgent thing now was to achieve Dao Fruit Perfection as soon as possible, followed by promotion.
Fifth Grade Dao Fruit, Great Grandmaster Zhuang Zhou—that was what Jiang Li had been looking forward to for a long time.
He gently stretched out his hand, and a blue butterfly flew out from his sleeve, landing on his palm.
[Fifth Grade Dao Fruit: Great Grandmaster Zhuang Zhou]
[Category: Human]
[Fitting Conditions: Sixth Grade Human Dao Fruit, Mental State of Unity of Heaven and Man]
[Promotion Ceremony: Zhuang Zhou’s Dream Butterfly, Outer Object Transformation]
[Divine Skills: Dream Butterfly, Qi Wu’s Three Tones, Great Grandmaster, Heavenly Dao Wuwei]
As Jiang Li’s cultivation and mental state advanced, the Grandmaster Dao Fruit finally opened its doors to him, allowing him to understand the specific information about the Dao Fruit.
To achieve Sixth Grade Dao Fruit Perfection, to promote to fifth-rank, and then to use the Grandmaster Dao Fruit as a foundation to complete the Zhuangzi Dao Fruit—that was the fastest and best way to advance in strength.
’Great Grandmaster... I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,’ thought Jiang Li as he looked at the Dao Fruit.
To advance to fifth-rank, Jiang Li was willing to wade through these troubled waters.
Of course, there was also the factor of the Sect Leader...
In truth, Jiang Li did not fear Yun Jiuye, who had the support of the Sect Leader; it was the Sect Leader he was wary of.
Jiang Li had still not understood the intentions of this particular figure; it was better not to have any contact if it could be avoided.
At least for Jiang Li, returning to the Sect felt safer than mudding the waters outside.
"You decide," said Tianxuan, with a light laugh and a shake of her head, clearly discerning the caution in Jiang Li’s heart.
Who wouldn’t harbor caution towards the Sect Leader?
She had always refrained from promoting to third grade, if not to guard against the Sect Leader.
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In the dark tunnel, where daylight and brightness were absent, and a dense Yin Qi pervaded, there was a chilling absence of vitality.
Suddenly, footsteps resounded, and on both sides of the tunnel, clusters of Ghost Fires ignited, escorting the silhouette forward.
As they proceeded, the Yin Qi grew heavier until it formed black clouds and fog, dense enough that even King You, a fourth-rank being, felt a sliver of cold.
Arriving at the end of the tunnel, the Yin Qi had solidified into dark crystals, like black frost, covering the walls or growing into clusters of crystals.
King You stood there, peering ahead into a vast abyss swirling with clouds of Yin Qi.
Further below, they could vaguely make out dark flames, burning quietly and bobbing up and down.
"King You."
As King You halted, a grand and deep voice emerged from the abyss. The Yin Qi thickened into an invisible black fog, and a pair of towering horn-like structures rose from the fog, reaching the rock layers above, as three eyes burning with black fire opened within the mist.
"Great Ancestor." King You bowed deeply, showing not a trace of royal arrogance.
"You have lost."
Within the fog, an immense shadow approached slowly, each word rolling out like muffled thunder.
"The Great Ancestor’s wisdom shines brightly," said King You as he straightened up and addressed the shadow, "Gongsun Family Head’s foresight is godlike, surpassing mine. With her assistance, Princess Ji Lingguang is more fit to temporarily oversee the royal politics than the two Princes."
He paused, then added, "I have come to inquire if there have been any anomalies in Great Zhou’s Household Registration?"
"Half a moment ago, six recorded origins were erased from afar, including those of Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue."
A massive shadow extended from the black fog, revealing its true form—a head with horns like a bull but resembling a tiger, with fierce black stripes on its black tiger head and three huge eyes arranged in a triangle, burning with pitch-black flames.
Within those eyes, ghostly figures flickered as if countless vengeful ghosts were being burned, frantically dancing in the fire.
Hearing this, King You seemed to relax slightly, "It seems the Book of Life and Death has indeed fallen into her hands, and that is good."
This meant, at the critical juncture, it could be used as a hidden weapon to surprise their enemies.
At the same time, King You was also aware that this was a reminder to not sever the connection between the household registration and the Book of Life and Death.
"Additionally, Great Ancestor," said King You, "I have discovered traces of Fuxi’s descendants, who appear to be linked with the Demon God Sect."
"Fuxi’s descendants!"
The tiger head lunged forward rapidly, halting right in front of King You. Like a small mountain, the head bore down as all three eyes fixed on King You, "Fuxi’s descendants have not yet perished; no wonder we haven’t found a trace of the Book of Luo River Map or the Demon Refining Pot for all these years."
"Find him, King You. The Book of Luo River Map—at least secure one of them."
"Fuxi’s power shares the same source as Heaven, obtaining one of the Book of Luo might heal my injury and restore me to my prime."
The towering eyes blazed with pitch-black flames, just like the old ancestor’s burning heart in that moment.
"Yes," King You bowed once more and said, "Earth Uncle Great Ancestor."