Tomorrow, the Wind and Clouds Will Gather

The True Qi within his body became increasingly agile. Jiang Li felt his Qi flowing smoothly, with enduring strength, circulating throughout his body like clear spring water. It cleansed his entire being, making his eyes bright. When he looked around, the surrounding crowd felt somewhat unable to meet his gaze directly.

The Dao Fruit's integration progress had increased again.

And the deepening integration further strengthened the Dao Fruit's abilities, with [Dual Cultivation of Nature and Life-Essence] being particularly beneficial to Jiang Li's three fundamental elements.

Thus, carrying the momentum of two victories in two battles, coupled with the rising trend of his cultivation, Jiang Li exuded an imposing presence. The third challenger was surprisingly slow to appear.

"Everyone, don't be intimidated! He's fought two matches in a row; his True Qi consumption must be significant. He's just putting up a strong front right now!"

A voice suddenly came from among the surrounding disciples.

Immediately, someone else chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! No matter how strong he is, he's still only at the Rank 9 realm. Beating one or two is fine, but can he possibly fight five or ten?"

"Go on! Winning means five hundred merit points, the reward for a whole pursuit mission!"

"There are so many of us, are we really afraid of him?"

Amidst the continuous instigation, the spectating disciples began to stir again.

Putting aside the five hundred merit points, the sheer temptation of ending Jiang Li's winning streak was enough to move them.

Other disciples weren't like Jiang Li, hiding whenever possible. For them, fame was an even stronger temptation than merit points. Not to mention the benefits that came with fame.

Defeating Jiang Li, gaining the sect's favor, reaching the pinnacle of life—just thinking about it, wasn't it a little exciting?

Just as the disciples' thoughts were stirred up and the next challenge was about to begin, suddenly—

"Hmph."

A cold snort, like a clap of thunder, rang out. A visible ripple spread through the air across Wuqu Terrace. The crowd of spectating disciples was actually pushed back by the shockwave from this single snort, staggering back several steps.

Jiang Li also felt an invisible pushing force wash over him like a tide. His robes whipped about violently, his hair stretched straight back. He quickly circulated his True Qi with full force just to keep his footing and remain steady.

'Just a cold snort requires my full strength to resist... This person's realm must be Rank 7, right? Could it be him? Did Jiang Zhuyun show himself this quickly?'

Jiang Li thought this as he looked towards the source of the sound.

On the east side of Wuqu Terrace, a swordsman in a red robe approached, leaning on his sword. His face was like jade, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes. His cold posture carried an undisguised sharp aura.

"Wears cyan robe; changes voice; stirs hearts; Qi Changsheng; know your crime?"

The swordsman spoke with a distinct cadence, like the clashing of metal, exceptionally sharp. It was just that this three-character phrasing sounded somewhat peculiar.

As far as Jiang Li knew, among the inner disciples, there should only be one person with this habit: the second senior brother of the inner sect—Feng Ziyang.

This individual held the position of Sect Law Enforcement Disciple. His actions were known for being uncompromising, allowing no "sand in his eyes." Combined with his three-character speech pattern, he was known by practically everyone in the sect.

And the one he called "Qi Changsheng"...

Both Jiang Li and the other outer disciples turned their gazes towards the only person in the crowd who hadn't retreated in disarray.

An outer disciple wearing a cyan robe... or rather, an inner disciple deliberately wearing a cyan robe.

Coincidentally, Jiang Li also knew this person and was quite familiar with him.

This Senior Brother Qi was Elder Yun's favored disciple, having received Elder Yun's true teachings. If it was him, he was indeed capable of pulling off something like a one-man crosstalk routine.

"Who? Who are you talking about?"

Qi Changsheng scratched his head, a troubled expression on his regular features, crying injustice, "Senior Brother Feng, you've wronged me! I just didn't wash my clothes last night, so I had to find my old cyan robe to wear. I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Reflection Valley; three days ban."

Feng Ziyang ignored his excuses, directly issuing the verdict. Then he looked at Jiang Li. "Within sect; private fights banned; Junior Brother Jiang; please cease now."

"Sparring between fellow disciples doesn't count as a private fight, does it?" Jiang Li raised an eyebrow.

Feng Ziyang pointed at Li Chongyue and Zhang Zhenyang. "Injuries not light; not sparring; is private fight. Junior Brother Jiang; if interested; wait till morrow; open Wind Cloud; permit combat."

The Wind Cloud Platform was the only place within the sect where combat was legally permitted. However, ascending the Wind Cloud Platform required the approval of an Inner Sect Elder. Generally, outer disciples didn't carry enough weight to disturb Inner Sect Elders, let alone get them to approve opening the Wind Cloud Platform.

'Looks like Elder Wan was right. There are indeed people among the Inner Sect Elders who are quite dissatisfied with the Jiang family,' Jiang Li thought inwardly.

This was the only reason he could think of.

It wasn't that Jiang Li himself had the clout to alarm Inner Sect Elders, but rather that the Jiang family was significant enough for Inner Sect Elders to target them.

Changing one's appearance and name to enter the Dinghu Sect could be interpreted as guarding against enemies. But having branch family members also hide their identities to join the sect and conspire secretly—that crossed the line.

Even if the Dinghu Sect and the Jiang family had friendly relations, it wasn't justification for the Jiang family to act this way.

Thus, this situation arose.

Jiang Li was now genuinely curious about what Jiang Zhuyun wanted so badly that he would resort to actions that damaged the relationship between the families to achieve his goal.

"Since that's the case, let's fight again tomorrow," Jiang Li thought and readily agreed.

This was both an opportunity and a challenge. If Jiang Li didn't win through to the end on the Wind Cloud Platform, he might become the biggest laughingstock in recent years. If he could win all the way, then he, Jiang Li, would be the most dazzling young man in the sect.

Even Rank 8 or Rank 7 disciples wouldn't be as dazzling as him.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother," Jiang Li expressed his gratitude to Feng Ziyang.

"Duty-bound; no thanks needed."

Feng Ziyang shook his head, turned, and walked away. Before leaving, he didn't forget to add, "Qi Changsheng; before morrow; report yourself; Reflection Valley; three days ban."

Qi Changsheng's long sigh followed from behind.

As for Jiang Li, he turned back to look towards Phecda Hall, meeting the gaze of Luo Yi, who was staring directly at him. He gave a crooked smile.

[He looks so angry, like he's about to explode.

Doing this makes me feel so petty, but it feels really good.]

Then these two sentences appeared in the Causality Collection, making Jiang Li's crooked smile stiffen slightly.

And this somewhat stiff smile looked even more sarcastic, making Luo Yi even angrier.

"Ungrateful wolf," Luo Yi couldn't help but say hatefully.

He averted his gaze from the sarcastic smile, lest he lose control and attack, then flicked his sleeves and left abruptly.

Jiang Li, on the other hand, took down his banner and headed towards the Dao Arts Pavilion.

He had already decided: he needed to fulfill more of his responsibilities as a junior. Tonight, he wouldn't be sleeping in the disciple dormitories.

Hmm... this definitely wasn't because he was afraid Jiang Zhuyun might get desperate, take risks, and attack him within the sect. In such a large sect, could it possibly fail to protect a mere outer disciple like himself?

Besides, my Jiang family are descendants of the Flame Emperor, after all. How could the young master of the main family be so brainless?

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

Therefore, Jiang Li was merely showing respect for his elders.