Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1322 - 81: Calm Before the Battle (First Update)

Chapter 1322: Chapter 81: Calm Before the Battle (First Update)

In the garden of the Prince Manor, Gongsun Qingyue and the Princess were sitting in a small pavilion, with the Heavenly Mirror showing images of Tianxuan and Primordial Lord Rain Master on either side.

They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation, and when Jiang Li arrived, he could still hear the melodious laughter.

However, as soon as Jiang Li arrived and before he entered the pavilion, the Princess stood up and left the garden in a different direction.

"I don’t think I’ve offended the Princess recently."

Jiang Li sat in the spot vacated by the Princess, speaking while looking at the other three.

Tianxuan, with a teasing smile on the image in the mirror, said, "The flirtatious one is in the mood for love, upset that you haven’t sought her out lately."

Jiang Li: "······"

Exposing this directly, what is she trying to do?

"Don’t listen to the Master."

Gongsun Qingyue, with a hint of annoyance, glared at Tianxuan and said, "I just mentioned to the Princess about staying at the Nanli Palace for a while. It’s a big place, and it’s rather lonely for the Princess to live there alone."

Understood, Nanli Palace is indeed spacious, and it’s suggesting that Emperor Jiang should visit more often, and he can even rest there when tired, right.

My senior sister is even playing matchmaker.

"No need for this, Senior Sister."

Jiang Li still addressed Gongsun Qingyue as Senior Sister, confidently saying, "We will win."

Ultimately, Gongsun Qingyue is still somewhat uneasy.

Confident in front of outsiders before, now with no outsiders present, she inevitably overthinks, wondering what would happen if she fails to overcome this hurdle.

So she came up with the odd idea of matchmaking for Jiang Li as a substitute and to make things open between him and the Princess.

For a moment, Jiang Li didn’t know what to say.

"This evil disciple indeed believes in your victory. She’s using the opportunity to push the Master to accept that flirtatious one," Tianxuan added on the side, "I was worried this evil disciple would overthink, so I agreed. But Ji Lingguang, that woman, disagreed, saying keeping things as they are would be more exciting. Just as we were saying this, you arrived."

Then the Princess ran off.

Even though she previously played wildly with Jiang Li, saying such things in front of the three women, and coincidentally being overheard, she felt embarrassed and hurriedly left.

In reality, Jiang Li did not overhear.

He doesn’t use his perception thoroughly at all times. When with these women, Jiang Li tends to pull back on his perception abilities to avoid making life mundane.

Unexpectedly, this habit caused him to miss a juicy scene.

It can only be said that sometimes, conversations between women are even more intense than those between men.

"Ling Guang also saw through Qing Yue’s intentions and went along not to make her overthink."

Primordial Lord Rain Master chimed in, wearing a teasing smile, "Since it’s been mentioned, you might use it as a reason to talk to Ling Guang. Who knows, you might end up pairing her with your Master."

"Pah," Tianxuan spat, "Uncle, aren’t you ashamed?"

"Anyway, you’re the one being paired," Primordial Lord Rain Master laughed.

The two playfully bantered back and forth on the topic, dispelling some of the previous heaviness.

Holding Gongsun Qingyue’s hand, Jiang Li said, "Such mere curses can’t trouble me. I’ll accompany you for these few days, so you won’t overthink."

"With the battle at hand, instead of preparing for war, you indulge in romance," Gongsun Qingyue playfully rolled her eyes at Jiang Li, saying, "Do you really see me as a delicate woman?"

Despite her words, she didn’t reject Jiang Li’s suggestion.

Her heart gradually settled down as well.

"Let it be so." Jiang Li decisively concluded.

·······

·······

Thus, in the following days, Jiang Li indeed kept Gongsun Qingyue company, either wandering through mountains and rivers or indulging in literary pursuits, or playing chess, where Gongsun Qingyue would repeatedly lose.

Jiang Li multitasked effortlessly; with his other forms free, he could still use the Heavenly Mirror to communicate in various places without worrying about delaying affairs.

The battle strategy was set. Labor-intensive tasks were handled by subordinates, sparing the Emperor from personally intervening.

The opposing group, those Sixth Brothers, were quiet during this time, whether as the calm before the storm or because they weren’t ready yet. In any case, it gave Jiang Li’s side some leisure.

In such a manner, ten days passed leisurely.

On this day, Jiang Li was playing chess with Gongsun Qingyue in the garden pavilion, with Tianxuan and Rain Master appearing through the Heavenly Mirror, watching the match.

Jiang Li showed no sign of letting up, using overwhelming calculation power to corner Gongsun Qingyue at every turn, leading to her inevitable defeat.

Throwing down the chess piece, Gongsun Qingyue acknowledged defeat with a pout, "Would it kill you to let me win a game?"

Despite her words, Gongsun Qingyue was eager to set up the chess pieces for another round.

But just as she finished preparing the board, she suddenly yawned, revealing a hint of drowsiness, "Why do I suddenly feel sleepy?"

These leisurely times had made her feel lazy, and feeling sleepy, she leaned back on the chair and closed her eyes to take a nap.

Seeing this, Jiang Li, waiting for Gongsun Qingyue to play, slowly had his expression disappear.

Tianxuan, also watching, showed a touch of gloom on her face.

"Has the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book finally been activated?" Tianxuan’s voice was cold and grave.

"The recipient of the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book feels nothing, but the three souls and seven spirits are cursed, eventually leading to lethargy," Jiang Li quietly stated, "Ultimately resulting in unconsciousness."

Given Gongsun Qingyue’s Realm, if she didn’t will it, how could she suddenly feel sleepy and directly fall asleep?

If this happened, it could only mean the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book had taken effect.

Using the Heavenly Eye to perceive cause and effect, Jiang Li also noticed a faint fluctuation in his own Qi Fortune.

For ordinary people, it would be mostly undetectable. Not only due to the Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book’s secrecy but also because the spell’s recipient wasn’t himself.

But Jiang Li was clearly no ordinary person.

After Jiang Li confirmed it, Tianxuan’s form in the Heavenly Mirror began to fade.

"Truly shameless."

A chilling murderous intent flashed across her dignified face. Tianxuan spoke coldly, "Very well, it’s time to settle the longstanding enmity between me and the Immortal Queen. I will slay her as a battle prelude before the Second Grade battle begins."

While the Second Grade acts, the Third Grade surely won’t stay idle.

Jiang Li’s foundation is the Great Zhou, and any incident there would hinder his strength.

Thus, before the battle commences, one should eliminate a significant combat power from the opponent if possible.

Tianxuan had obviously set her sights on the Immortal Queen.

Not only was it necessary strategically, but she was most confident in dealing with the Immortal Queen.

During this period, Tianxuan had always manifested through the Heavenly Mirror, mainly to make preparations—preparations to kill the Immortal Queen.