Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1133 - 357: Chief of Sword Discussion Sea and Imperial College Sacrificial Officer

After Jiang Li left the Dharma Platform, he went straight to the Central Army Land, onto a wooden platform that had been constructed.

Tianxuan and others were all within the main camp, accompanied by two other guests.

"Imperial College Sacrificial Officer Mo Yiling, accompanied by his disciple Xiao Zhi, greets Your Majesty."

The Sacrificial Officer of the Imperial College, with his disciple — Imperial Historian Xiao Zhi, bowed to Jiang Li.

There were two other individuals, one dressed in blue robes with a silver crown, a solemn expression, carrying the Qi of Yang, someone Jiang Li had met once—Jingyang Jun, the second seat of the Sword Discussion Sea.

Jingyang Jun had previously visited the Dinghu Sect to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference, representing the Retro Party in sword casting alongside Guangming Daoist of Yuxu Temple, opposing the reformist representatives of the Mo Sect. The Great Circle Sword was forged through their combined efforts.

He stood beside another person, but his position was slightly behind, indicating that the latter was the primary figure.

There was no need to guess the identity of this person; he was certainly the Chief of Sword Discussion Sea, renowned as one of the Four Swordsmanship Extremes alongside Taibai True Monarch, Daoist Guang Cheng, and Manjusri Bodhisattva—Shang Jianling.

Shang Jianling wore dark robes and a dark crown, dressed simply without additional adornments. Though a formidable figure in Sword Dao, he exudes no sharpness, appearing around thirty years old, handsome and dignified, embodying stability and reassurance.

Rumors say that the Chief of Sword Discussion Sea excels not only in Sword Dao but also in sword casting, his expertise comparable to the Mo Sect Master. Yet based on appearance and demeanor, he did not seem like a Sword Cultivator.

Nevertheless, Jiang Li could perceive the hidden sharpness within him; his prowess in Sword Dao indeed warranted the title of one of the Four Swordsmanship Extremes.

Shang Jianling conceals his sword, restraining its brilliance. Among the four, his mastery over controlling sharpness is unparalleled. But should his sword unsheathe, it reveals unmatched ferocity, returning only when it draws blood.

His Dao Fruit is the White Tiger Dao Fruit, symbolizing Shaoyin and the West among the Four Symbols, and his Derivation Method is inherently murderous. Overseas, he is famously notorious. Sword Discussion Sea maintains detachment from worldly matters thanks to Shang Jianling's prowess.

Shang Jianling bowed slightly to Jiang Li, offering greetings, saying, "Shang Jianling of Sword Discussion Sea and Jingyang Jun greets the Emperor of Great Zhou."

"No need for excessive courtesy, gentlemen."

Jiang Li raised his hand slightly, making a gesture of support, then turned to the Sacrificial Officer, smiling, "It's been quite some time since the Great Sacrificial Officer and his disciples left the Divine Capital. It's been a long while indeed. I wonder what brings the Great Sacrificial Officer here today?"

Before Jiang Li's ascension, Zhu Hui'an had sent someone to seek the Sacrificial Officer, hoping he would return to court for the new Emperor's inauguration, but he was nowhere to be found. Yet today, he appeared voluntarily.

The Sacrificial Officer lowered his gaze, offering an apology, "Before Your Majesty's ascension, my disciples and I were teaching in Yangzhou and were caught up in the rebellion by a vassal king, unable to timely return to the Divine Capital for Your Majesty's ceremony. I beseech Your Majesty's forgiveness. Now that the royal forces head south, I come to aid in pacifying the South and quelling the rebellious subjects."

Claiming to come due to royal forces heading south, the Sacrificial Officer had actually been observing events for quite some time beforehand, hence he lowered his stance and directly asked for pardon.

And the reason for his observation······

Jiang Li's gaze fell upon Xiao Zhi.

The gaze seemed capable of piercing through the heart, directly capturing the fleeting thoughts within Xiao Zhi's mind.

Jiang Li's insight, combined with the power [I Am the State], allowed him to hear names spoken within a certain range and to focus his gaze directly on individuals. As the Yi Dao advanced, if the distance was close and the difference in strength significant, he could even capture fleeting thoughts, knowing their ideas.

This ability was ineffective on the Sacrificial Officer but proved quite effective on Xiao Zhi.

Then, Jiang Li's gaze shifted slightly, discovering the Sacrificial Officer wanted to discern if Jiang Li was influenced by the Dao Fruit, becoming the kind of impartial emperor the Sacrificial Officer advocated.

The Sacrificial Officer admired emperors influenced by Dao Fruit, remaining loyal to such emperors. The Former Emperor fell from influence, adopting humanity and defying virtue, prompting the Sacrificial Officer to act, trying to coerce him to yield the throne.

Although Jiang Li inherited the Emperor Dao Fruit, the Sacrificial Officer hesitated due to the exceptional case of the Former Emperor, which was understandable.

From the outcome, the Sacrificial Officer seemed to have concluded that Jiang Li was the kind of emperor he advocated.

After all, Emperor Jiang already demonstrated remarkable fortitude before ascending the throne, balancing authority and benevolence towards the Ji Family, ensuring submission. To reassure the princes, he even tarnished his reputation, spreading rumors of an affair with the Princess······

Though it damaged his reputation, causing tales of the Emperor's romantic affairs to spread throughout the Divine Capital, it also indicated Jiang Li was indeed influenced by Dao Fruit.

The Sacrificial Officer revered harmonious sovereign-counsel relations and, encountering a suitable ruler, would lower himself rather than feign loftiness.

'You're mistaken; I am not the kind of emperor you advocate.'

While myriad thoughts raced through his mind, Jiang Li perceived the Sacrificial Officer's intentions but did not reciprocate with adequate trust.

At this juncture, the Heavenly Monarch must be mentioned again, for he failed due to overconfidence in his ability to manipulate minds. With such precedents, Jiang Li would not indulge in excessive confidence.

The Sacrificial Officer's allegiance was not guaranteed.

Obviously, on the surface, Jiang Li still displayed a moved expression, saying, "What crime does the Great Sacrificial Officer have? The crime lies with the Heavenly Monarch and the traitors. Let's put this matter to rest."

"Thank Your Majesty." The Sacrificial Officer bowed again.

Then, Shang Jianling spoke, "I, Shang, am not a court official and have no interest in intervening in court affairs. Yet, the Heavenly Monarch's defiance, conversion of citizens, and harm to living creatures are despicable to me. This time, I come to offer what little strength I have in subduing the Heavenly Monarch."

In the words of Shang Jianling, there's a sense of awe and grandness naturally present, stemming from his true intentions, making it hard not to trust what he says.

The Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, being a master of Confucianism, could instantly discern it was a statement of genuine intent. Such sincerity, should Shang Jianling cultivate Confucian skills, would likely achieve accomplishments rivalling that of the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer.

Jiang Li also noticed what Shang Jianling said and remarked with a smile, "Good. With the assistance of Sword Discussion Sea and the return of the Great Sacrificial Officer, victory in this battle is assured."

At the moment, Jiang Li called over the Forbidden Army Guards nearby, intending to build temporary dwellings for the people of the Imperial College and the two from Sword Discussion Sea.

Although they do not need rest at all, a gesture must still be shown.

Consequently, the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer and Shang Jianling led their people to check places suitable for setting up dwellings together with the guards.

They also didn't care about the so-called living arrangements but left nevertheless, understanding that upon their initial arrival, Jiang Li's complete trust could not be gained. What follows would be inappropriate for them to hear.

After the departure of the two groups, Tianxuan laid down a Magic Realm, isolating outside spying, and then asked, "Do you think these two sides are deceitful?"

"It's not certain that there's deception, but we must remain vigilant," Jiang Li slightly shook his head and said, "Even against those of the third grade, if they dare to come, I'll dare to use them, but necessary caution is still needed to avoid ending up like the Heavenly Monarch. Be particularly mindful of the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer afterwards."

"Hmm?" Tianxuan's eyes moved slightly, "I thought you would be more wary of Shang Jianling."

Compared to the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, it's reasonable that the two from Sword Discussion Sea would be more suspicious.

"No need to worry too much about Sword Discussion Sea; we can enlist Shang Jianling's strength. It's the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer whose likelihood of betrayal is higher," Jiang Li said meaningfully.

Everyone nodded upon hearing this, showing their understanding.

Then, the upcoming battle was discussed.

The Princess was the first to speak, "With the allegiance of Prince Dongping, his assistance allows Jingzhou to be swiftly gathered. However, within the Three States that have been occupied by the Heavenly Monarch, the people of the Ji Family cannot be drawn in like Prince Dongping. According to Prince Dongping, they might have already been converted by the Heavenly Monarch."

Gongsun Qingyue followed, "Our forces lost six thousand, with over ten thousand wounded. With the Treasure Lotus Lamp's healing, the wounded can recover before the battle. Additionally, three Commandery Princes in Jizhou have already sent petitions, wishing to come under our allegiance and offering fifty thousand troops. However, it's still uncertain how many cultivators of quality are among these fifty thousand."

Jiang Li, hearing this, spoke, "Let them directly enter Xuzhou to encircle the Three States, don't come here."

A light glinted on his forehead, a shadow of half a mirror flashed, projecting the miniature of mountains and rivers.

At this time, at the intersection of Yangzhou and Jingzhou, a muddy yellow color began to appear, quickly spreading, and instantly infusing the waterways at the border of those states.

"The opponent has set up the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation, ordinary soldiers will lose their lives just by approaching."

Jiang Li looked at the muddy yellow color and said, "The remaining forces here will bypass later and reach the place where Yu State and Yangzhou intersect, to advance on Yangzhou."

As for confronting the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation from the front, only strong individuals could face it.

Tianxuan, upon hearing Jiang Li's words, calculated mentally, "If bypassing, even with the Godspeed Talisman, it would take nine extra days to enter Yangzhou."

"Then it'll be nine extra days of preparation,"

Jiang Li gazed deeply at a small cauldron appearing on the illusion of Yangzhou, "I need these nine days, the Heavenly Monarch should need them too."

The territory of Yangzhou has been fragmented, Jiang Li's divine skills cannot cover Yangzhou, allowing the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation to rise. Under these circumstances, our middle to low-level combat forces are ineffective, it's better to strike from another direction, reducing the Heavenly Monarch's strength.

Both Jiang Li and the Heavenly Monarch now have territorial needs, they can gain strength augmentation through divine skills, territorial changes will also affect the odds of victory.

Of course, the primary reason is still that Jiang Li wants to complete the final supplement for the "Primordial Human" during this time.

And the Heavenly Monarch...

Jiang Li is willing to allow time for him to arrange the Promotion Ceremony.

Increased actions from the Heavenly Monarch suggest he has not given up, even invested more. If he wished to give up, he could simply vanish and let subordinates hide, preserving more living forces.

All the people in the Three States have been converted, Jiang Li can't possibly kill all these people if there's no true resistance.

Conversely, should the Heavenly Monarch ascend, then these converted people...

Everyone exchanged glances, except Yin Tulong, all could sense the outcome. With the Heavenly Monarch's style, everything but himself could be utilized.

The fate of these converted people is likely grim, but it can also ease post-war handling.

"Save who you can, if the Heavenly Monarch dies, even if followers remain, they're not a concern. I can also try to use divine skills to alter the followers' wills." Jiang Li finally said slowly.

"And if you can't save them, don't force it. I've gained the country's auspiciousness, and borne the country's burden, I'm still capable of handling these resentments."

Compared to the past, Jiang Li's bottom line is indeed higher, but he has not hesitated to harden his heart.