Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1112 - 338: Old Tricks Reused, to Decide Victory and Death

"If you keep thinking of it, there must be an echo..."

The Heavenly Monarch's eternally calm face finally changed, he furrowed his brows, and the yellow cloud in the sky gradually parted, as a ship-shaped vertical eye slowly opened.

A similarly grand thought surged forth, colliding with the traversing spiritual power, the heavens wind and clouds churned, as if two gigantic entities were battling. Jiang Li's mind was intercepted, but he did not retreat, instead evolving into an aura as profound as the Dao.

Dimly and distant, vast and majestic, spiritual will manipulated the wind and clouds in a form and above fashion, suddenly turning, transforming into Jiang Li's figure.

'Indeed, it has succeeded.' The Heavenly Monarch upon seeing this, glimpsed a shadow of dimness in his eyes.

Speaking of being unsure before, now seeing Jiang Li manifest a form with telekinesis, he knew Jiang Li truly reached a realm akin to that of the Awakened, where if someone thinks of his name, he will undeniably sense it.

Such a realm, even the Heavenly Monarch had not achieved.

Though he was proficient in Yi Dao, he had long been blacklisted by Heaven. Should he frequently employ divination techniques, he might have been detected by even Heaven and the Great Venerable.

Employing Yi Dao Xuan Technique for divination inevitably establishes a connection with the target, and might even leave traces. During such divinations, it's possible for others to detect and counter-divine.

As Jiang Li said in a past life, causality lines are like a network, you can find what you want through this "network," but others can also trace the network to find you.

The Heavenly Monarch was blacklisted by Heaven, and the Great Venerable had tracked Ji Jiji's traces, stopping only after Ji Jiji's physical body was slain by the Daoist Lord a hundred years ago. Under these circumstances, the Heavenly Monarch naturally wouldn't dare to rashly utilize the Exchange Skill.

He even created a method to sever the lines of cause and effect to prevent others from divining him.

Things like Yi Dao Xuan Technique might sound mysterious, but essentially follow the principle of use it or lose it; if rarely used, maintaining without regression is commendable, and progressing is even more difficult than for others.

Not to mention, to possess the ability of "if you keep thinking of it, there must be an echo," requires insight into cause and effect, understanding various connections, and also notable achievement in mind cultivation. Before this, although Great Venerable surpassed the Awakened in Exchange Skill, he didn't possess this ability.

Jiang Li learned the "Mountain Tomb," thereby gaining the skill to trace people through network lines.

Otherwise, he would only possess similar capabilities within his dominions, requiring the Divine Skill "I am the State" for coordination.

Now that Jiang Li showcases such a realm, naturally calls Heavenly Monarch to alert.

Jiang Li's figure, transformed using the wind and clouds as a vessel, fell to the high platform as if a real person, his gaze landed on Taibai True Monarch, saying, "True Monarch ultimately stands opposing me. Fine, I haven't forgotten the trouble True Monarch once caused me, this time I can reclaim the scene."

Emperor Jiang declared adherence to gentlemanly virtues, lacking none of expected conduct, such as "a gentleman's revenge, ten years is not too late," past troubles will eventually be settled.

Only Taibai True Monarch stands with a Daoist Lord behind, thus entangles enmities with the Daoist Lord.

While Jiang Li previously opposed the Daoist Lord due to differing stances, without deep-seated grudges, but if Taibai True Monarch is killed, that may change.

Heavenly Monarch heard and subtly remarked, laughed lightly, "It seems the Emperor is brimming with confidence, fearing not even the Daoist Lord."

"Why should I fear the Daoist Lord?" Jiang Li replied easily, also smiling, "I hold no enmity with the Daoist Lord."

While speaking, Taibai True Monarch and Heavenly Monarch simultaneously perceived a sword intent remotely locking onto this place.

"I come to see who dares to directly name me, also to issue a challenge."

Jiang Li looked at Taibai True Monarch, saying, "Daoist Guang Cheng from Yuxu Temple desires to challenge Taibai True Monarch, deemed the first in Sword Dao, does True Monarch dare accept?"

As he finished speaking, Taibai True Monarch's sword heart instantly stirred.

A sword light abruptly pierced through the sky, sweeping past Jiang Li's side, heading straight for Taibai True Monarch.

The sword speed was such that even swift wind and thunder couldn't match, no other sword in the world could rival it. Had not Taibai True Monarch's sword heart sensed it beforehand, he might only realize its presence when it reached him.

At that moment, sword shadows floated before Taibai True Monarch, an ancient sword rang as it embedded into the ground, the sword light met the sword, causing the blade to recoil, and then swiftly vibrate, dispersing the sword light.

"Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword!" Taibai True Monarch looked at the sword and slowly identified the name of the sword light.

This sword is the exclusive swordsmanship of Daoist Guang Cheng—the Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword.

And this sword light was the battle letter.

Daoist Guang Cheng challenges Taibai True Monarch, openly and honorably, if he accepts the battle letter, it's akin to signing a life-and-death agreement, life determined by fate, grievances not to arise.

At least for a man like Daoist Lord who possesses Dao De, he wouldn't retaliate for such reason.

The current issue is—

"True Monarch, do you accept the challenge?" Jiang Li asked Taibai True Monarch.

Taibai True Monarch similarly looked at Jiang Li, feeling this scene was so familiar.

Back then, his disciple accepted Jiang Li's battle invitation, the parties openly battled over Divine Capital Dragon Abyss Lake, resulting in Taibai True Monarch's disciple Yuan Zhen's death.

Now times change, but a similar scene reoccurs, Jiang Li issued a battle invitation for Daoist Guang Cheng, not personally attending but the idea surely originated from him.

At the time, Yuan Zhen accepted Jiang Li's challenge for the Sect's reputation, whereas now Taibai True Monarch lacks similar concerns, but likewise cannot refuse, unable to decline.

In the past, Daoist Guang Cheng was defeated by Taibai True Monarch, and the title of the first in Sword Dao was established by defeating three other strong competitors. Now that the defeated is challenging again, it's natural for Taibai True Monarch not to fear him, and he should accept the challenge.

If not, does this mean Taibai True Monarch is afraid?

It's important to know that Daoist Guang Cheng is no longer the same as before, and in this battle, Daoist Guang Cheng also has a significant chance of winning. Even if Manjusri were not dead, there would still be a considerable possibility of defeating Taibai True Monarch.

Had it not been for Jiang Li's scheming and Manjusri falling victim to Shen Gongbao, with his ability of the Tathagata Undestructible True Body, it would have been nearly impossible for Jiang Li to overpower him with brute strength at that time.

The other strong Sword Dao practitioners have made significant progress over the years, and if Taibai True Monarch doesn't confront them, it's an admission of inferiority.

Given his nature, if he doesn't face the challenge, it's only because he believes himself inferior.

Taibai True Monarch has no choice; he is now facing a mental hurdle. If he refuses, it will only intensify this obstacle, and even if he manages to suppress the Gouchen True Spirit, he will have no hope of successfully advancing.

"It seems I have no choice," Taibai True Monarch coldly stared at Jiang Li.

The real reason for issuing the challenge was not fearing vengeance from the Daoist Lord but preventing Taibai True Monarch from having the option to refuse.

Using any other method, even if Jiang Li's plan were meticulously laid out, it would be difficult to bypass the Heavenly Monarch. With the Heavenly Monarch's assistance, dealing with Taibai True Monarch would not be easy.

Only this move can ensure a one-on-one between Taibai True Monarch and Daoist Guang Cheng, creating an environment to eliminate such a combat power.

"You can also choose to abolish your sword heart and give up Sword Dao," Jiang Li said calmly.

Fight, with the outcome uncertain;

Not fighting means the sword heart will be destroyed.

If Taibai True Monarch were willing to abolish his sword heart, Jiang Li would accept it.

"Time and place," Taibai True Monarch asked without hesitation.

He accepted the challenge.

Jiang Li heard this, smiled slightly, and said, "Let the location be over the Han River, which now separates the two armies, and let the True Monarch decide the time, so it remains fair."

Indeed fair, and even if Taibai True Monarch wishes, setting it a year and a half later is fine.

But still, he cannot avoid the battle.

Playing word games is useless; it may deceive others but not oneself. Setting it a year and a half later would only indicate that Taibai True Monarch believes he will lose.

"Seven days from now."

Taibai True Monarch's response was still within Jiang Li's expectations.

"Good,"

Jiang Li nodded, "Then seven days from now, over the Han River, Daoist Guang Cheng will battle with you, deciding superiority——"

"And life and death," Taibai True Monarch replied powerfully.

The figure formed by the wind and clouds gradually faded, and Jiang Li's thoughts vanished into the void, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

Taibai True Monarch, without delay, said to the Heavenly Monarch, "Prepare a place for me, I need to purify my mind and body for the battle seven days from now."

"The Upper Pure Sect has a Daoist Temple on the mountainside, you may stay there," said the Heavenly Monarch.

At this stage, the Heavenly Monarch could not prevent Taibai True Monarch. Moreover, he initially intended for Taibai True Monarch to act; stopping him would be contrary to his goals.

Taibai True Monarch did not inquire further, knowing the place, he decisively set off in a blaze of sword light towards the mountainside Daoist Temple, leaving the Heavenly Monarch alone on the high platform.

The Heavenly Monarch gazed towards Jingzhou, his deep and mysterious eyes showing no emotion, he softly said, "What a remarkable Emperor Jiang."

He had brought Taibai True Monarch as a combat force, and Jiang Li immediately issued a challenge, forcing Taibai True Monarch to accept. Surrounding Taibai True Monarch as a pawn, the two engaged in offense and defense, and the result was Jiang Li gaining the upper hand.

However, the real victory or defeat still hinges on the outcome of this sword fight.

"Who will emerge the victor remains unknown."

The Heavenly Monarch murmured, on his body suddenly emerged an eerie and ominous aura, and a gust of ghostly wind inexplicably appeared on the mountain peak. In a trance, it seemed as if the cries and howls of ghosts and gods were echoing.

This scene vanished as quickly as it appeared, like an illusion, yet the cold aura on the Heavenly Monarch lingered for a long time.

Initially, Jiang Li snatched the Earth Uncle's resources, but the modifications Earth Uncle made to the "Yin Talisman Scripture" had long been obtained by the Heavenly Monarch through resonance. And the Zhuanxu Dao Fruit possesses both yin and yang attributes, one representing yang, symbolized by the Great Sun in the sky, the other yin, represented by Water Virtue and the Netherworld.

Though the Heavenly Monarch lost the Earth Uncle's power, cultivating the Netherworld wasn't difficult, as he was the one who understood the "Yin Talisman Scripture" the best.

The Residual Souls and Yin Spirits generated from this great battle become the best resources for the Heavenly Monarch.