Taiyi Dao Fruit

Chapter 867 144: Jiang Family’s Zhuyang, the Grief of Shang under the Sun

"Young Master? Young Master! Young Master—"

Shen Hou called repeatedly, reaching out his hand, seemingly trying to hold back Jiang Zhuyang, but to no avail as Jiang Zhuyang's resolve to leave was firm, and unless he acted, it was truly hard to stop him.

In the end, Shen Hou could only shake his head and sigh, watching the eldest son of the Jiang Family head westward.

"Bodhisattva, you see, I really can't stop the Young Master."

He glanced towards the distant battlefield, speaking softly.

"Zhuyang has such a desire, it is a fortunate thing for the Jiang family, let him go."

Although Manjusri was far away, he was completely clear about the situation here. Upon hearing Shen Hou's response, he transmitted his voice from afar, saying: "You should go too. Those hidden pieces can now be moved. This standoff won't last long."

At this time, it was already visible that the fourth-rank from both sides were retreating, some from the Buddha Country heading west, while others moved towards the Yong State Capital. It was similar on the other side, with the flying island currently drifting eastward.

The third grade remained deadlocked, while the fourth grade was joining battles at different locations, rushing to both east and west sides.

Jiang Zhuyang, as a strong member among the fourth rank, wielding the Sun-shooting Bow, could indeed act as one of the main forces to pursue Jiang Li. However, Manjusri's response was so calm, somewhat beyond Shen Hou's expectations.

He was originally prepared to give an explanation.

'The Jiang Family's internal affairs might not be that united either...'

Such a thought flashed through Shen Hou's mind while recalling the information Jiang Zhuyang had divulged.

Killing a country's ruler, seizing its foundation to advance indicates a relation between Dao Fruit and regicide. Acknowledging Jiang Li's current position as the Jiang Family Master might also be a rebellious thought, killing Jiang Li to demonstrate Dao Fruit.

Furthermore, regarding the upgrade to third grade, if guessed correctly, Jiang Zhuyang's third grade ambition was to advance as Hou Yi. Pursuing Jiang Li might not only aid in demonstrating Dao Fruit but could also be beneficial for his future promotion to third grade.

After all, when talking about Hou Yi, there is always a connection with the sun, and Jiang Li can transform into the Golden Crow.

But now the Jiang family already has one who has advanced to a third-grade Golden Crow, and if there is another Hou Yi, wouldn't the Golden Crow be restrained to death by Jiang Zhuyang?

Even if they are family, this might be too taboo.

'Could it be that Jiang Zhuyang wants to advance as Hou Yi to restrain the Golden Crow and take control of the family's leadership?'

Being a clever person, Shen Hou immediately thought of numerous possibilities but finally realized helplessly that he could not transmit the information.

Or rather, dared not transmit the information.

With Tan Wuwei by his side, even if Shen Hou wanted to send a message, he had to endure it. If his identity was discovered by Tan Wuwei as a result, it would not be worth it.

Shen Hou now only hoped that Jiang Li could obtain similar information from Jiang Zhuyang to understand the situation.

If his speculation was correct, killing Jiang Li would greatly benefit Jiang Zhuyang in demonstrating Dao Fruit and advancing to third grade. With the prior subtle application of divine skills to fan the flames, it was highly likely that Jiang Zhuyang would engage in combat with Jiang Li.

'[Fellow Daoist please stay] is not about the Fellow Daoist, but about staying.'

Shen Hou thought leisurely to himself, sitting on the Dragon Whisker Tiger's back, taking off gracefully with the tiger.

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"For now, the third grade is all trapped in Kunxu Mountain."

To the west of the Kunxu Mountain Range, beyond the vast plains and marshlands, under the surface of the desert, Jiang Li and Tianxuan carved out a small underground space, sitting cross-legged facing each other.

"The Daoist Guang Cheng and the Buddha Country's third grade are restraining each other, for the moment we only need to deal with the pursuit. However, both Manjusri and the Immortal Queen will not respond passively, they will surely find a way to break the situation."

As Jiang Li spoke, he operated his energy, the black and white Taiji spinning behind him, eradicating the last trace of extreme Yin chilling energy within.

The alien energy brought by the Su Arrow was thus dispelled.

However, the injuries had yet to recover.

The Sun-shooting Bow is a weapon that once shot down a Golden Crow. The Golden Crow is the incarnation of the sun, and the sun grants life to all things; it is not so easily killed. From Jiang Li's understanding of the Golden Crow, even if its head were pierced, it could only severely injure the Golden Crow, not kill it.

To kill a Golden Crow with a single arrow requires a fatal wound that cannot be eliminated or healed.

Just like Jiang Li at this moment, even though he had extinguished the extreme cold energy transformed from the Su Arrow and already healed the physical wounds, he could still feel an intangible wound within himself.

In the chest and abdomen region, where the arrow pierced, there was an invisible wound, causing his essence energy to continuously leak out. If not for Jiang Li's enduring capability being the highest in the world, he would be nearing collapse by now.

"The injury caused by a Third Grade Dao Artifact, especially the Sun-shooting Bow, which targets the Golden Crow specifically, is indeed somewhat difficult to resolve."

Jiang Li frowned and said, "The Jiang Family's foundational reserves are truly profound."

"A family with inheritance over many years, ruling alongside the Ji Family for eight hundred years, it's no wonder they have such reserves," Tianxuan also sat cross-legged, replying upon hearing, "The Ji Family's foundational reserves are actually deeper. Besides the Xuanyuan Sword, they also possess the 'Celestial Map' which carries the Purple Emperor Tao Fruit. Unfortunately, like the Xuanyuan Sword, since the Grand Ancestor, no one has been able to synergize with it, so it can only be kept as foundational reserves."

Hearing this, it indeed seemed quite tragic.

Although they have Second Grade Dao Artifacts, and the Dao Fruits they carry within should be at the forefront among the second grades, quite powerful, yet precisely because of this power, the ascension of Dao Fruit becomes exceedingly difficult.

Just thinking about the advancement difficulty of the Emperor Yan's Tao Fruit, Jiang Li could infer how hard it would be for the Emperor Huang's Tao Fruit to advance.

The Purple Emperor should also involve imperial power and relate to the position of Emperor, making the ascension of this Dao Fruit essentially impossible for a non-Emperor.

"No wonder Master was interested in the West Queen Mother Dao Fruit." Jiang Li chuckled softly.

Upon hearing this, Tianxuan's face showed a moment of surprise, then shook his head with a smile, "Indeed, it's impossible to hide from you."

This old demon was willing to assist the Immortal Queen not merely for utilizing the Immortal Queen's combat prowess, but also had an eye on the West Queen Mother Dao Fruit.

To advance, the Immortal Queen must become the premier female cultivator, suppressing all female cultivators. But to become the premier female cultivator, there is actually another path, which is to defeat the current premier female cultivator.

Once the Immortal Queen becomes the premier female cultivator, Tianxuan could defeat the Immortal Queen next, then she would become the premier female cultivator, fulfilling a key requirement for the ascension of the West Queen Mother Dao Fruit. Even in this situation, it could still achieve this condition.

When the Immortal Queen's only enemy left is Tianxuan, Tianxuan's only enemy is also the Immortal Queen.

Even if Tianxuan's Third Grade Dao Fruit is not yet perfected, it doesn't matter; to first become the premier female cultivator, securing the West Queen Mother Dao Fruit, and dealing with the rest gradually.

Unfortunately, it seemed that the Immortal Queen gave no opportunity, so Tianxuan's scheming remained underwater, yet to be revealed.

"You, always so understanding of my thoughts."

Tianxuan's eyes carried a hint of entrancement, reaching out to align her hand with Jiang Li's palm.

"If I didn't understand your thoughts, how could I ever conquer you, this fairy."

Jiang Li smiled, then connected his Qi mechanism with Tianxuan, channeling Yin Yang Qi for healing.

The injuries inflicted by the Sun-shooting Bow were formidable, but they were not insurmountable. Jiang Li could tell that if life transformation abilities were cultivated through Yin Yang techniques, then even the calamity of sun injuries could potentially be resolved.

The sniper wasn't a true Hou Yi, nor had he ascended to third grade, not to the extent that Jiang Li was left helpless.

He and Tianxuan were precisely adept in creation and transformation skills.

As the two operated their Qi simultaneously, brilliance appeared in their eyes, and subtle scale patterns emerged faintly on their skin beneath clothing. One had large, round scales resembling Dragon Scales, the other with fine, dense patterns like Snake Scales, each responding to Yin and Yang, complementing and countering each other. As the hazy aura appeared, the invisible wounds on Jiang Li's body gradually healed.

Just at that moment, a cold Qi mechanism seeped through the strata, instantly permeating hundreds of miles around, with a chilling cold rapidly spreading.

The Immortal Queen, truly, pursued tenaciously.