Wind and Clouds Gather on the Wind Cloud Platform

Jiang Li's body was indeed swaying, but not due to excessive consumption. Rather, it was the result of the deepening integration of his Dao Fruit, causing his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to rise like the tide.

His limbs and bones felt as comfortable as if soaking in a hot spring, leading to the swaying sensation. Yet, his mind was exceptionally clear, even able to feel the pumping of blood within his body, the flow of True Qi.

Every wisp of True Qi was controlled with meticulous precision, allowing Jiang Li to minimize consumption. In fact, due to the growth of his three fundamental elements, his True Qi volume had actually increased rather than decreased.

'Hmm?'

Jiang Li suddenly felt a foreign object appear in the palm held behind his back. He caught a faint, delicate fragrance, and instantly felt his body invigorated, his True Qi becoming even more active.

'A medicinal pill?'

Such an effect clearly belonged to medicinal pills, which were considered precious in the current era, and it was specifically the type that directly replenished Essence and True Qi.

And the only person capable of delivering a pill into Jiang Li's hand so silently at this moment was Feng Ziyang, floating in mid-air.

He was actually on Jiang Li's side... no, it should be said he was helping Jiang Li.

Considering Feng Ziyang hadn't stopped Qi Changsheng's ventriloquism this time, Jiang Li had roughly confirmed the referee's stance.

And then there were the challengers.

Jiang Li didn't believe that only the Jiang family disciples stood out among the outer sect. Even if many outer disciples were out earning merit points, there were definitely quite a few disciples within the sect who had already fully integrated their Rank 9 Dao Fruits.

Yet, up until now, none of the outer disciples challenging Jiang Li could match the likes of Li Chongyue or Zhang Zhenyang.

This clearly indicated someone had given prior instructions, telling those outer disciples not to interfere. If they did, they would be labeled as Jiang family affiliates.

'But if the mystery behind this tendon transformation and marrow cleansing truly hits the Jiang family where it hurts, then even knowing they'll be exposed, they might have no choice but to act,' Jiang Li thought with feeling. 'Experience truly counts.'

There was no need for direct action; just a little arrangement was enough to create a dilemma for the Jiang family.

This was an overt scheme specifically targeting the Jiang family.

Luo Yi, on the cliff edge, also realized this. Seeing that the expected outer disciples weren't appearing, he knew how deep the manipulation behind this challenge ran. This was a net laid out, waiting for them, the Jiang family disciples, to jump in.

The problem was, they had no choice but to jump.

"Let me go."

A tall figure walked past Luo Yi, seemingly slow but actually fast. His figure flickered, instantly crossing the iron chains and stepping onto the Wind Cloud Platform.

"Outer disciple Lü Wangji, here to experience Junior Brother's high skills."

Wind and clouds gathered on the Wind Cloud Platform. An invisible pressure, like mountain rain and river tides, spread in all directions, causing one's breath to involuntarily hitch.

Looking at the person, he wore a cyan robe, his hair tied up with a jade crown, his face like jade, exuding presence with every glance. This person had clearly integrated the divine might of the Heavenly Soldier Dao Fruit into his very bones; even a true Heavenly Soldier might not possess such an aura.

"Lü Wangji..." Jiang Li softly repeated the name.

This individual was one of the publicly acknowledged strongest among the outer disciples. It was said he had already fully integrated his Dao Fruit half a year ago, only remaining at Rank 9 because the advancement ritual wasn't complete.

He hadn't expected that even this person was from the Jiang family.

That's right, the Jiang family. Anyone stepping forward at this time would be tacitly considered Jiang family, whether they were or not.

"Should I call you Senior Brother Lü, or Senior Brother Jiang?" Jiang Li looked at the formidable opponent entering the stage, finally ending his hours-long idle state.

"As Junior Brother wishes. A displaced person doesn't have many choices."

Lü Wangji frankly admitted his identity. However, his gaze towards Jiang Li held no malice, but rather a kind of honesty. "Junior Brother Jiang, you used merit points as stakes, inviting others to gamble. Why don't you and I also make a bet, how about it?"

"Oh?"

"In this match, if Junior Brother wins, your Rank 8 and Rank 7 Dao Fruits will all be provided by me. If Senior Brother wins," Lü Wangji smiled faintly, "Junior Brother shall abandon past grievances, unite with us Jiang family disciples with one heart and mind, advancing and retreating together. In the future, the Dao Fruits, techniques, and pills needed for your cultivation—Junior Brother need not worry, someone will naturally run errands and provide them for you."

"Ho, I didn't expect such a good offer," Jiang Li couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Seeing the heavy manipulation behind the competition, they wanted to remove the firewood from under the cauldron, directly addressing the root of the problem?

It had to be said, this response was truly impressive. Setting aside whether Lü Wangji could fulfill his promise, just this method of problem-solving surpassed the brute-force approach of Luo Yi by more than a level.

Winning or losing both brought benefits, with losing potentially yielding even greater long-term gains. It almost swayed Jiang Li.

"However, I refuse," Jiang Li stated decisively.

It seemed like a win-win, where losing meant a long-term meal ticket, and winning meant benefiting from both the sect and the Jiang family—playing both sides. But in reality, both winning and losing were pitfalls.

Playing both sides was tantamount to being a fence-sitter. Neither side could possibly trust him. This move would essentially nullify everything he had done previously, causing the sect to lose trust in him.

Of course, Jiang Li could argue he earned it himself, but trust, the cornerstone of relationships, is best kept free of impurities.

Jiang Li could take by force, could seize cleverly, but he absolutely could not let the Jiang family give him benefits willingly. Even the mere suspicion of it was unacceptable.

As for abandoning past grievances...

A true man born between heaven and earth, how could he resignedly remain subordinate for long!

Besides, you nearly killed me, and now you want me to work for you? Dream on.

Jiang Li's refusal left no room for negotiation, naturally silencing any further persuasion from Lü Wangji. However, he wasn't angry, merely lifting his hand with a look of regret. "That truly is a pity."

With the word "pity," a tangible pressure swept outwards in all directions. Potent Qi stirred the surrounding air, creating ripples.

"True Qi projected externally!"

Exclamations came from off the platform. Even Feng Ziyang couldn't help but pay close attention.

This time, it was truly True Qi projected externally. Lü Wangji's True Qi surged like a river tide, raging around his body. Combined with the Heavenly Soldier's divine might, it stirred the wind and clouds. The air within several zhang tightened, and Jiang Li felt his breath catch, as if an invisible boulder was pressing down on his chest.

External True Qi projection, clearly a capability of the Rank 8 realm, appeared in the Rank 9 Lü Wangji. And judging by his aura, it surpassed that of ordinary Rank 8 cultivators.

Such power—Jiang Li could only think of one possibility.

"Qi Fen (Qi Tomb)," he blurted out.

The Jiang family's supreme treasure manual, Qi Fen, an unparalleled technique passed down from the Flame Emperor, hailed as a divine art representing the origin of the Dao of Qi!

And being able to cultivate Qi Fen also explained why Lü Wangji dared to make such promises earlier. Although he was Rank 9, his status was definitely above Luo Yi's.

"Merely scratching the surface," Lü Wangji shook his head. "The complete Qi Fen can only be cultivated by the family head, and it's not something a Rank 9 cultivator like me can practice. However..."

However, even scratching the surface was enough.

Lü Wangji turned his palm and pushed. True Qi formed a wall, pushing the air forward, crashing down with immense pressure.