"Hoo—"
Jiang Li imperceptibly exhaled, and text floated up on the Causality Collection before him.
[He felt his body becoming active, his True Qi growing agile. It seemed... the integration progress of his Dao Fruit had advanced slightly again.]
The Causality Collection meticulously recorded Jiang Li's information, even the Dao Fruit integration progress, which was normally impossible to perceive clearly.
And this prompted deep thought from Jiang Li.
Because over the past month, Jiang Li had seen similar information appear in the Causality Collection more than once, but each time it was only a 'slight' increase, not a 'minor' one as described now. He had been drawing talismans, meditating—consistently doing things a Daoist should do—but the benefit from those activities was less than what he gained from this single fight just now.
*'Is it because I won? No, after accommodating the Dao Fruit, I've defeated more than just Li Chongyue. The first two times didn't result in further integration. Then...' *
An idea popped into Jiang Li's mind: 'Is it competition?'
Speaking of Wang Chongyang, one couldn't help but think of the title "Central Divine." At least in Jiang Li's memory, this Wuxia version of Wang Chongyang left the deepest impression.
If Jiang Li's Dao Fruit was truly rewritten based on his own cognition and memories, then this progress made sense.
Competition, and winning in battle—this should be one of the 'enactment' methods for his Dao Fruit.
If Jiang Li were currently the number one under heaven, his Dao Fruit might reach its peak immediately upon integration, achieving Great Perfection instantly. However, if Jiang Li were number one under heaven, he wouldn't need this Dao Fruit.
'Becoming the true number one under heaven is impossible, so I can only aim for number one among Rank 9.'
Being number one among Rank 9 is still being number one under heaven, right?
Jiang Li felt this path was viable.
"Next."
He repeated the word again, scanning his surroundings as if searching for the next challenger.
However, Jiang Li's attention remained primarily focused on Luo Yi.
Again, the same thought—It doesn't matter; the Jiang family will make a move.
Luo Yi couldn't be unaware of the consequences of Jiang Li making a name for himself. He would surely do his best to turn this "Unrivaled Among Rank 9" into a joke. Thus, Jiang Li could also seize the opportunity to confirm the identities of his enemies.
At this moment, although Jiang Li wasn't looking directly at Luo Yi, the Causality Collection was constantly monitoring the area near Phecda Hall, not missing a single movement.
[Seeing Li Chongyue defeated, Luo Yi's expression immediately darkened. Then his lips moved slightly, and another disciple stepped out from the crowd.]
"Outer disciple Zhang Zhenyang, here to experience Junior Brother's skills."
Zhang Zhenyang wasn't as burly as Li Chongyue, but he wasn't short either. His shoulders were broad, his body sturdy—clearly someone specializing in martial arts who had accommodated the Heavenly Soldier Dao Fruit.
This was likely the common situation for his opponents.
Becoming a Daoist required three years of 'Entering the Dao,' but only three years had passed since the great upheaval in the Jiang family. If they chose the Daoist path, they would reach Rank 9 too late, unable to assist the Third Young Master, Jiang Zhuyun.
'Thinking this way, the probability of Jiang Zhuyun taking the God-category path is even higher.'
This thought flashed through Jiang Li's mind, while his hands skillfully began receiving the merit points.
"Hah!"
Zhang Zhenyang let out a deep shout. As soon as the battle began, he stomped his foot, assuming a rooted stance. His arms shook, and Qi permeated his entire body.
"Hunyuan Gong (Primordial Chaos Skill)," Jiang Li murmured upon seeing this.
He had seen this martial art when selecting techniques in the Dao Arts Pavilion.
Hunyuan Gong cultivated both internally and externally. Internally, it cultivated a breath of Hunyuan Qi that covered the whole body. Externally, it trained muscles, bones, and skin, developing great strength while possessing defensive capabilities comparable to body-hardening arts. It was a body-refining martial technique.
His opponent had clearly recognized Jiang Li's adaptability and intended to rely on his toughness to endure.
A Hunyuan Gong practitioner's physique was comparable to hard Qigong, supplemented by internal Qi circulating throughout the body, plus the physical enhancement from the Heavenly Soldier Dao Fruit. He had essentially maxed out his toughness. As long as Jiang Li didn't hit a vital weak point (Zhao Men), it would be difficult to injure him.
Even with Fire Thunder Talismans, it probably wouldn't work.
Although Jiang Li's Fire Thunder Talismans surpassed their limits thanks to his refined True Qi and talisman proficiency, they were ultimately still below Rank 9. Injuring this Zhang Zhenyang would be difficult!
However, defeating him wouldn't be hard.
Jiang Li suddenly erupted with force, cutting straight towards his opponent, attacking like a hungry tiger pouncing on a sheep. This time, instead of using the Louguan Sword Art to counter-attack, he took the initiative.
Sword light shot from his hand like a shooting star chasing the moon, aiming directly for Zhang Zhenyang's lower body.
As everyone knows, no matter how powerful an external martial art is, it's difficult to train the groin area. Even the specialized Iron Crotch Skill wasn't truly about making one's 'little brother' indestructible, but rather a technique focused on strengthening kidney essence and vital energy.
As for how to avoid attacks on this weak point, the options were naturally projecting True Qi for protection or retracting the genitals into the abdomen.
Those young men who thought practicing Iron Crotch Skill allowed their 'little brother' to withstand blades and spears—nine out of ten ended up eunuchs, losing the joys of manhood forever.
Zhang Zhenyang clearly lacked the ability to protect his 'little brother' with True Qi or retract his genitals. Seeing Jiang Li's menacing sword light, he immediately turned his toes inward, bent his legs slightly, clamped his knees together in a Goat-Clamping Horse Stance, and simultaneously swung his arms downwards as if striking the earth.
But unexpectedly, the menacing sword light suddenly became illusory and shifted upwards.
It turned out that after closing the distance, Jiang Li had suddenly tossed his long sword into the air, letting it rise, while striking out with both palms, landing them on Zhang Zhenyang's forearms.
Two talisman papers were thus stuck to his forearms. Spiritual light flared, and Zhang Zhenyang instantly felt his body lighten. He couldn't help but cry out internally—trouble!
These were clearly two Lightness Talismans.
One needs firm footing to exert force. If both feet leave the ground, even the strongest physique falls into a passive disadvantage.
Jiang Li exerted force with both palms, colliding with the True Qi vibrating from Zhang Zhenyang's arms. Amidst a bang, Zhang Zhenyang, despite being superior in strength, flew up like a willow leaf.
"Hmph!"
Zhang Zhenyang decisively snorted, attempting to intimidate his formidable opponent with Divine Might. But even Li Chongyue, whose presence was stronger than his, couldn't affect Jiang Li, let alone him.
Jiang Li pressed his advantage, slapping a Giant Strength Talisman onto himself. He executed six consecutive Chasing Wind Palms, concentrating the force on a single point, striking Zhang Zhenyang squarely over the heart.
"Thump!"
Amidst the muffled sound, the Hunyuan Qi protecting Zhang Zhenyang's heart was broken. The palm force struck his heart meridian, causing immediate sharp pain. He was sent flying two zhang away, colliding with two onlookers who couldn't dodge in time.
Jiang Li reached out and caught his long sword just as it fell. His body moved like a startled swan goose as he thrust straight forward.
"Clang!"
The sword finally stopped right before Zhang Zhenyang's left eye. The cold tip almost touched his eyeball, making him freeze stiff, afraid to move recklessly.
Victory decided!
Zhang Zhenyang, who seemed tougher to deal with, was defeated even faster. Between the toss and fall of the long sword, he had already suffered a crushing defeat on the spot.
This stunning scene shocked not only Zhang Zhenyang, who was directly involved, but also the surrounding onlookers. Luo Yi, watching from a distance, couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, the sound of knuckles cracking audible.
"Next."
Jiang Li said casually. The "Unrivaled Among Rank 9" banner fluttered behind him in the distance, complementing his figure perfectly.