As he bowed, the throbbing in his heart suddenly stopped, but a stream of information entered his mind, forming a familiar format.
[?? Dao Fruit: ???
Category: Human · God
Advancement Ritual: ??????
Abilities: Hundred Herbs Identification, Origin of Pharmacology, ?????????]
[Hundred Herbs Identification: The properties of all herbs under heaven can be known.]
[Origin of Pharmacology: The source of medical and pharmacological principles. Can transform into myriad medicines, can also transform into myriad poisons. Skilled in both medicine and poison, capable of freely converting medicinal potency and toxicity.]
"So that's how it is..." Jiang Li murmured, perceiving the information.
He understood now.
Why this place existed, and the crux of the conflict between the sect and the Jiang family.
The Ochre Whip was the root of the conflict.
This treasure carried some kind of Dao Fruit. Even if the owner couldn't accommodate the Dao Fruit itself, they could rely on this Dao Artifact to identify all herbs and convert between medicine and poison.
The ability to convert myriad medicines and poisons—before the Age of Dharma Decline, while astonishing, wasn't necessarily indispensable. But after the decline, the situation was different.
Foul, turbid Qi eroded heavenly materials and earthly treasures, causing them to mutate. But herbs were still herbs; they just transformed from originally beneficial treasures into life-threatening poisons.
This fell precisely within the capabilities of the Ochre Whip... or rather, the Dao Fruit it carried.
Using the Ochre Whip to convert medicinal potency and toxicity could restore mutated heavenly materials and earthly treasures to normal. It might even allow further research into the transformation of the foul, turbid Qi itself.
In this Age of Foul Turbidity, the Ochre Whip could be considered the most precious Dao Artifact in the world. Its benefit to any power was indescribable.
This island wasn't a secret ground for the sect to cultivate spirit herbs, but rather the sect's experimental ground—an experimental ground for transforming heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
"It seems you understand now."
A melodious voice sounded, and a woman walked from a path on the other side to the edge of the pool.
She wore a red robe, the cuffs and hem embroidered with intricate, gorgeous patterns. Her jet-black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, styled in a neutral fashion, but her prominent pectoral muscles exposed her gender beyond doubt.
Her beautiful face, fairer than snow, possessed nation-toppling beauty even without makeup. She was truly a peerless beauty.
[Such a beauty. If one were to use the Flower Plucking Hand on her, the scene would definitely be wonderful.]
The Causality Collection, that indecent thing, started spouting filth again.
"Tell me," the woman asked with a faint smile, "if someone could gain the acknowledgment of this Dao Artifact and wield its full power, how should you treat him?"
Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes narrowed slightly, then he quickly replied, "Do my utmost to befriend him."
"If you were also qualified to gain its acknowledgment, how would you treat that person?"
"If I don't wish to be enemies, then never meet him."
"What if you are strong and he is weak?"
"Destroy him."
"Even if he is your kinsman, from the same root?"
"Even if he is my kinsman, from the same root."
Jiang Li answered decisively, without hesitation.
If it were immediate family, he might hesitate, but if it was just a kinsman, then there was no need for second thoughts.
Destroying him was the only choice.
Because you don't know what the other person is thinking, whether they might aim to destroy you to possess the Dao Artifact exclusively. Even blood brothers can turn against each other; how much more so for distant kinsmen?
The human heart cannot withstand such tests.
And the existence of the Ochre Whip was precisely a test of the human heart.
"Yes, destroying him is the only way," the woman said slowly. "To gain the Ochre Whip's acknowledgment, one needs the Flame Emperor's bloodline, and second, a fate capable of bearing great causality. Generally, even the main branch of the Jiang family rarely possesses such capacity of fate. But now, such capacity has appeared in you. You are qualified to become the master of the Ochre Whip."
Causality...
Jiang Li instantly thought of the Causality Collection, of the ability to solidify causality.
Any cause and effect appearing upon Jiang Li would be solidified. Any causality could become Jiang Li's ability, helping him rewrite causality and transform Dao Fruits.
He indeed possessed the qualification to bear great causality, regardless of whether his innate fate was strong.
And this was why Jiang Zhuyun wanted him dead.
The human heart cannot withstand such tests. Besides, if Jiang Li obtained the Ochre Whip, who would be in charge in the future—Jiang Zhuyun, or Jiang Li?
Whether out of self-interest or consideration of the human heart, Jiang Zhuyun had to kill Jiang Li.
In fact, if not for the fear of attracting the Dinghu Sect's attention, Jiang Zhuyun might even have mobilized all his forces to eliminate this threat.
Unfortunately, he ultimately failed to kill Jiang Li.
"The Jiang family, through some unknown method, discovered you also possessed the qualification to inherit the Ochre Whip and tried various ways to kill you. Unfortunately, heaven did not grant their wish. Not only did they fail to kill you, but they inadvertently exposed your existence. Under the divination of Elder Tianxuan, the sect discovered your qualification."
The woman looked at Jiang Li and asked with a smile, "Now, do you understand your situation?"
"I understand."
Jiang Li replied without hesitation, "There cannot be two suns in the sky. In Jiang Li's heart, there is only one sun: the Sect."
What Jiang family? Get lost. I don't want the sect to misunderstand.
Jiang Li now felt fortunate for his earlier decisive refusal. If he had actually believed Lü Wangji's nonsense and lost the sect's trust, wouldn't he be at the mercy of the Jiang family, kneaded like dough?
These noble family scions were truly insidious, plotting scheme after scheme, resorting to soft tactics when hard ones failed, truly making it impossible to guard against.
Jiang Li, already considering himself a disciple of the sect, resolutely cut ties with the noble family.
He even quickly suggested, "I hope the sect can swiftly eliminate certain bad elements and restore a clear sky for us disciples."
Resolute, righteous, upright, incorruptible—these adjectives were clearly written on Jiang Li's face.
This momentary display of righteous indignation made even the woman's gaze falter for an instant.
"You truly are an interesting person," the woman chuckled. "Unfortunately, the sect's upper echelons cannot act against the Jiang family. If you want to oppose them, you can only rely on yourself."
"Why?" Jiang Li asked curiously.
Don't tell him it's about the friendship between the two sides. Before the temptation of a treasure like the Ochre Whip, what friendship matters?
Perhaps some people would prioritize preserving the deep bond between the two parties, but Jiang Li felt there were definitely higher-ups in the Dinghu Sect who would attempt to keep the Ochre Whip.
With the Jiang family's main power having moved overseas, relying solely on Jiang Zhuyun and these few underlings, how could they possibly contend with the Dinghu Sect, which enjoyed status alongside the nation? One must remember, this was currently the era of the Ji clan's rule.
"Naturally, because of the oath," the woman said leisurely. "This is currently the era of the Ji clan, but the Great Zhou rules the world through the virtue of Fire. The Ji clan and the Jiang clan share the world; this was an oath established when Great Zhou was founded. Even though our sect is not subordinate to the Ji clan, we must abide by this oath. Sect higher-ups cannot attack their allies; violators will inevitably face heavenly retribution."