Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1191 - 3: Great Heavenly Venerate (Part 2)

"You want to say you're the Jade Emperor?" Sun Wukong's eyes gleamed with golden light and flames, staring intensely at the one who claimed to be the "Great Heavenly Venerate."

"Great Heavenly Venerate is merely a title. If the Jade Emperor can be called that, why can't I?"

The Great Heavenly Venerate chuckled lightly: "I might be, or might not be — you could all guess. Or perhaps, let Emperor Jiang absorb the Dao Fruit of the Jade Emperor, and you'll discern the truth."

His expression remained calm, evidently seeing himself as having the qualifications to be called "Great Heavenly Venerate," possessing an air of supremacy as the Heaven.

However, since the other party spoke thus, Jiang Li would not easily attempt to absorb the Jade Emperor Dao Fruit.

He has always held great caution towards these Second Grade Dao Fruits, as they often contain the true spirit of their original owners, refusing death.

For those like Emperor Yan and Yellow Emperor, these ancestors of the Human Race are less concerning, as they're unlikely to seize their descendants. Other Second Grade Dao Fruit true spirits aren't so predictable.

Moreover, these true spirits belong to once formidable beings with numerous tricks — who knows what means they hide, waiting for a chance to trap the absorber.

The Great Sun Tathagata True Spirit possesses the Six Souls Banner; other Second Grades may have similar treasures or means.

Even calling them a millennium-old fox grossly underestimates them — shrewd and ingenious in their schemes, even now, they have hidden cards.

Already alert, with the Great Heavenly Venerate speaking thus, Jiang Li naturally stays guarded.

This might be a deliberate confusion by the other party to prevent Jiang Li from absorbing the Jade Emperor Dao Fruit. Sun Wukong previously suggested he might be an old acquaintance, which the Great Heavenly Venerate clearly heard and swiftly used to connect his identity to the Jade Emperor's True Spirit.

Conversely, it's also possible he truly is the Jade Emperor's True Spirit, merely waiting for Jiang Li to absorb the Dao Fruit to metaphorically stab Jiang Li in the back.

Better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't; in this world full of scheming Sixth Brothers, vigilance is an essential quality.

The precise grasp the Great Heavenly Venerate has of Jiang Li's thoughts indicates deep understanding of Jiang Li.

What he said earlier should be correct — he indeed covets Jiang Li's body and has been secretly observing for some time.

"Impressive," Jiang Li couldn't help but praise, "this ability to discern minds makes me genuinely doubt if you're indeed Heaven. Your words truly hit the mark, giving me a sense of dilemma. An existence like yours is indeed the most challenging adversary. Fortunately, I am such a person myself, with considerable experience in handling such situations."

Blurring truth and lies, weaving reality with illusion — even acting with sincerity may not be genuine.

Dealing with such opponents is both difficult and easy.

Difficult in the endless effort needed for a prolonged struggle, easy in that...

"A simple, solid punch will suffice." Jiang Li said.

He's someone who knows himself well, and naturally knows how to deal with himself. Regardless of words or other pulls, if a problem can't be solved, then solve the problem creator.

Moreover, tricks are typically employed by the weak against the strong; the strong dealing with the weak often only need to directly face them.

In the past, Emperor Jiang had to exhaust his mind to deal with enemies because, many times, he was in the position of the weak. Now Emperor Jiang has defeated the Heavenly Monarch, becoming invincible in the Divine Country — why waste time on intrigue now?

When his words fell, both vision and perception seemed to momentarily shift, as Jiang Li's silhouette instantly crossed a vast distance to confront the Great Heavenly Venerate.

Time and space could not bind him; a burst of red light emerged, followed by the Red Star piercing the void.

"Chi You's Flag."

Amidst chaotic heaven and earth arose a blood-red light as a Red Giant Star flew directly from Jiang Li's sleeve, crashing toward the nearby figure.

Once unmoving, now striking with a killing move, summoning such a deadly weapon as Chi You's Flag.

Yet, the Great Heavenly Venerate is not one to speak empty words; he called himself "Great Heavenly Venerate" with confidence, showing notable abilities.

Facing the sudden attack, the Great Heavenly Venerate spread the five fingers of the hand behind him, then clenched them, his Inner Heaven and Earth expanded outward from within, condensing around him to withstand the sudden deadly weapon.

"Boom!"

Like stars colliding, destructive power erupted from within, sweeping outward but unable to tear apart the space here.

The Great Heavenly Venerate maintained his posture with hands behind his back, though his expression turned stern, his body unveiled a phantom of a realm, blocking Chi You's Flag outside.

His cultivation body seemed somewhat similar to the Heavenly Monarch's, both deriving from Inner Heaven and Earth, as he occupied the Heavenly Monarch's body, being Heaven incarnate himself.

But compared to the Heavenly Monarch's ever-changing nature and the Heavenly Dharma encompassing all phenomena, the Great Heavenly Venerate manifested vastness and majesty, confronting with grand might, showing loftiness and dominance.

The Great Heavenly Venerate before them was undoubtedly stronger than the Great Zhou's Grand Ancestor faced earlier — even Chi You's Flag was obstructed, yet Jiang Li smiled seeing this.

"Indeed, Heaven cannot enter this place."

Previously blocking Jiang Li, Heaven's Eye did not appear here, likely due to the site's uniqueness.

The pervasive Dirt Evil and mighty Pure Light would likely resist Heaven entering this site simultaneously.

Heaven was too vast, but with its vastness, it could directly stimulate the central Pure Light.

Being so, might as well attempt to sever the Heavenly Monarch's body again, sending Heaven back.

It's much simpler than constant scheming.

"A Heavenly Monarch leaving the Mortal World — how much power do they have?" The Great Heavenly Venerate retaliated.

Though Jiang Li left an imprint in the Heaven, he couldn't derive power from it. [The Emperor is the State] divine skill draws strength from the nation, but with no populace governed, no officials coordinated, how is it considered territory?

Moreover, counting seriously, it pertains to the Human Realm's emperor's divine skill, unable to extend to the Heaven.

However, Emperor Yan's Dao Fruit received feedback from the realm of Heaven and Man.

As he spoke, Drought Demon Ba wanted to attack from the side but was intercepted by a thick and hard stick.

Sun Wukong thrust the Jingu Bang directly forward; it crossed a vast distance instantly, aiming for the Drought Demon.

Drought Demon had to block; blazing flames encircled her; Jingu Bang struck the flame light yet could advance no further.

Upon contact, all force was converted to Flame Qi energy, as if invisible power was "burned." Despite Sun Wukong's strike wielding mountain-shaking force able to fracture strata, it could not harm Drought Demon's body.

This Drought Demon could easily withstand Sun Wukong's strike.

To know, Sun Wukong, after Ksitigarbha's Six Paths of Reincarnation, perfectly merged Dao Fruit and current body, akin to living anew, in level with the supreme.

If Drought Demon can easily fend off this strike, doesn't it imply she possesses supreme power?

"Hmm?"

Jiang Li keenly discerned the inner secret, raised his left hand, and in his palm, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi condensed, readying to strike at Drought Demon.

Meanwhile, the Great Heavenly Venerate, with his left hand reaching from behind, launched forward, causing Chi You's Flag to rebound and fly back.

An immensely powerful presence emanated from his form, as the Qi Mechanism fluctuated, possessing earth-shaking might, even causing the space here to ripple.

Previously, he dealt concurrently on three fronts: controlling Great Zhou's Grand Ancestor, Heaven obstructing Jiang Li, and ensuring the aftermath with Sun Wukong didn't spread.

Unfortunately, Sun Wukong was too astute, having shadowed him for too long, directly sensing the key — making his efforts fall short. But now, the Great Heavenly Venerate temporarily abandoned approaching the target, no longer needing excessive restraint.

In truth, regarding strength, he's above the current Sun Wukong!

This is precisely why Sun Wukong deemed him a former acquaintance.

Chi You's Flag flew back, Jiang Li abandoned his strike on Drought Demon, reached forth with his palm, transforming Chi You's Flag into a weapon — a sword — slashing through vast force.

"Boom!"