Chapter 156 Jiang Li: I am actually stronger than you think 【5,000 words, please give me a monthly ticket】

Chapter 156 Jiang Li: I Am Actually Stronger Than You Imagine 【Five Thousand Words, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets】

At this moment.

Above the Tribulation Transcendence Platform.

The tribulation clouds, which had shrouded the area for three days, finally dispersed.

High above the boundless sky, Jiang Li spread his three-meter Wind and Thunder Wings, overlooking the area below with the posture of a ruler over all under heaven.

A line, “The sea of tribulation stole the heavens to forge my wings, a roar of thunder broke through the cloud pass,” fully displayed his magnificent Aura.

At this moment.

Jiang Li became the absolute focus.

Everyone’s eyes were on him.

In contrast, further below, Qin Wudao, because his Nascent Soul tribulation had not yet dissipated, dared not leave directly. He could only remain on the Tribulation Transcendence Platform, watching helplessly as Jiang Li stole his thunder on his home turf.

On the surface, he still maintained his composure, but inwardly, he roared furiously: MAD, this guy is too arrogant. It’s one thing to Cultivate a Divine Ability on my home ground, but you even compose poetry? Why doesn’t a bolt of lightning strike this show-off dead?

To be honest, this kind of showmanship gave Qin Wudao extreme shock.

He had never imagined that showing off in public could be so high-profile. Compared to Jiang Li’s method, his previous calm and collected way of showing off was too boring and simply couldn’t stir others’ emotions.

He had to admit that in this regard, Jiang Li was the Ancestral Master.

No.

I must regain some ground.

Qin Wudao looked deeply at Jiang Li a few times, the seven-colored divine light between his brows becoming even more mysterious. He opened his mouth and said, “Junior Brother Jiang, you’ve returned at a good time. Since everyone else is also present, I will now announce that in three months, I will officially begin the Saint trial. You all remember to come and observe, and witness the moment I become the Saint.”

As soon as these words were spoken.

The scene suddenly fell silent.

Both Disciples and Elders wore astonished expressions.

They secretly thought: Three months is barely enough time to consolidate one’s Nascent Soul Stage Cultivation. To initiate the Saint trial so quickly, is he afraid of too many complications, and that Jiang Li, this rising star, will catch up to him?

The value of the Heaven Sword Peak Chief was still rising, forcing a Holy Son Candidate to choose to make a desperate move and initiate the trial to preemptively assume the position of Saint.

Moreover, Qin Wudao speaking such words in public was undoubtedly a provocation to the other Holy Son Candidates.

For a time.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the five Holy Son Candidates.

Thunder Mountain of Heavenly Strength Peak had a gloomy expression, his fists clenching with a cracking sound. A sense of urgency naturally arose, and he resolved to immediately enter seclusion upon his return to Breakthrough. Without becoming a Nascent Soul, he wouldn’t even have the qualifications to contend for the Saint position.

Huo Wushuang of Fire God Peak had a solemn expression, weighing the pros and cons in his heart. Should he Breakthrough early to compete for the Saint position, or should he solidify his Foundation even more to aim for a High Grade Dao Nascent Soul? This was a difficult choice.

Xuan Tianji, from the Sect Master’s lineage, had an indifferent expression, his eyes seeming to hold the birth and death of stars. He ignored Qin Wudao’s statement, his attention continuously focused on Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stood high in the sky.

Having regained control of his body, he looked down. This was his first time seeing this mysterious fourth Holy Son Candidate. According to his understanding, Xuan Tianji was a Personal Disciple under the Holy Master of Heavenly Mystery, and the only one, and he was the first Holy Son Candidate to be designated.

The other party wore a profound black robe, the same color as the Holy Master of Heavenly Mystery. The robe was embroidered with silver threads depicting the trajectories of the Zhou Tian stars, which flickered and flowed with his breathing. His ink-jade hair was tied with a fragment of a broken star, with a few strands falling over his forehead. His face was sculpted like cold jade, and in his eyes, stars seemed to rise and fall in illusion, like an aloof star body untouched by mortal affairs.

“Stronger than Chu Tiankuang of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.”

Jiang Li thought to himself.

In front of the other party, he had an intuition that his movements were being seen through. As expected of a top Prodigy who had condensed the tenth Golden Core, the pressure he exerted was even more terrifying than that of an ordinary Middle Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.

But fortunately, one Sword Killing Force could also resolve it.

To put it without exaggeration, if he were to unleash three Primordial Spirit Sword Embryos, he could even single-handedly challenge these three Holy Son Candidates.

Compared to the top ten on the golden core rankings, and even the Holy Son Candidates and Saints who had already broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage, the Holy Son Candidates of Tianxuan Holy Land posed almost no threat to him.

In other words: he could beat them easily.

Jiang Li was startled by this subconscious thought. Under the subtle influence of the Cultivation Technique, he had indeed become quite arrogant, even daring to think about something as high-profile as taking on three opponents.

Your movement technique has truly harmed me deeply.

Amidst his mumbling.

Qin Wudao left first.

He walked out with his head held high and chest puffed out, in the posture of a victor.

Because he was the first Cultivator of his generation in Tianxuan Holy Land to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul, having condensed the twelfth-ranked Myriad Law Golden Core, and then a Medium Grade Dao Nascent Soul, he was already an outstanding figure in the Holy Son Candidate echelon. If a ranking of the strength of Golden Core Cultivators in the world were to be made, he was confident he could squeeze into the top ten.

Thunder Mountain and Huo Wushuang left with heavy hearts.

Finally, Xuan Tianji nodded slightly at Jiang Li, then departed, treading on a cluster of stars.

Only Jiang Li, the Holy Son Candidate, remained at the scene.

He still stood high in the sky, but his Wind and Thunder Wings had already been retracted.

Looking at the crowd below that had not dispersed for a long time, looking at the reverence and worship in the eyes of these Tianxuan Holy Land Disciples, and looking at the astonished gazes of the Xuan Peak Elders, Jiang Li was helpless and could only brace himself to fly down.

Damn it, I’ve put on such a show, what are you all still waiting for down there?

The movement technique was truly something else.

Such a show-off.

It had created an absolutely grand return ceremony for him.

This was not the return he had hoped for.

“Teacher.”

Jiang Li greeted him immediately.

Zhang Song’s lips were about to curl up, but he desperately tried to suppress them, afraid of irritating his envious fellow Disciples who were on the verge of emotional collapse. He patted Jiang Li’s shoulder: “Well done. It seems I can rest assured now that you’re back. But next time, don’t do such dangerous things. Even if you want to do something, notify us in advance so we can be ready to provide support outside.”

Jiang Li felt a little ashamed.

Sometimes, he couldn’t guess the Cultivation Technique’s intentions.

Especially Cultivation Techniques with higher aspirations; the things they did were more astonishing one after another. Let alone his teacher, even Tianjian Peak couldn’t handle it.

For example, the Divine Ability “Formless Myriad Transformations Art” impersonating the Ten Thousand Desires Demon Lord, or the movement technique “Nine Heavens Wind and Thunder Void Escape Secret Canon” opening the Void Realm for travel and then tearing through the spatial barrier—even his Martial Grandfather, the Heaven Sword Peak Lord, couldn’t cover for him.

If his experience this time were to be told, Tianxuan Holy Land would tremble three times, the Holy Master of Heavenly Mystery would be utterly shocked, and the Cultivation world would be in an uproar.

At this moment.

Discipline Elder Cui Yan of the Law Enforcement Hall couldn’t help but ask, “Jiang Li, where did you obtain the ‘Wind and Thunder Shuttle Universe’ that you Cultivate? Was it given to you by the Dao Sect?”

Upon hearing this.

The other Elders also pricked up their ears.

Although this flying Divine Ability was not a secret technique exclusive to the Dao Sect, it was still one of the top movement techniques in the world, only accessible to True Disciples and above. They were very curious as to where Jiang Li had learned it.

Jiang Li: I can’t exactly tell you that I casually took it from the Scripture Pavilion of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, can I?

After thinking for a moment.

Jiang Li vaguely said, “It wasn’t passed down by the Dao Sect. I obtained it from another force due to an Opportunity.”

Upon hearing this, the Elders couldn’t help but look at Jiang Li a few more times.

If it wasn’t taught by the Dao Sect, then it could only have been obtained from the Demonic Path.

After all.

The Ten Demonic Sects and the Ten Great Immortal Sects had been in constant conflict over the years, with Immortal Sect Disciples occasionally perishing among them. The Dao Sect was no exception, with True Disciples dying at the hands of the Ten Demonic Sects. This situation was perfectly normal.

They speculated that Jiang Li must have seized this movement technique from a Demonic Cultivator who had killed a Dao Sect Disciple.

Moreover.

A Demonic Cultivator capable of killing a Dao Sect True Disciple who had condensed Wind and Thunder Wings must definitely be a renowned Nascent Soul Stage great Devil Head, far beyond what Loose Cultivators like the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Path could compare to.

They secretly thought to themselves: This Heaven Sword Peak Chief is being modest at this time, but this doesn’t stump them, being well-informed. In a few words, they guessed the course of events. They wondered which famous Demonic Path giant had died at Jiang Li’s hands this time… Soon.

Jiang Li, surrounded by followers, left the Tribulation Transcendence Platform and returned to Tianjian Peak.

Zhang Song was about to pull Jiang Li aside to ask about the specifics of the past month, when his peripheral vision caught three heads peeking out from the direction of the Human Emperor Palace, staring intently at them.

He laughed dumbfounded.

He patted Jiang Li’s shoulder again: “You rascal, you’re quite blessed with women. You’ve kept some of the Holy Land’s most dazzling pearls hidden away. Aren’t you afraid of incurring public wrath? I won’t disturb your reunion.”

Jiang Li:… He swept his gaze across.

The first to poke her head out was Li Xi, the spirited young girl. The moment she saw Jiang Li, her almond-shaped eyes curved, and her charming dimples made her even more adorable. Like a fawn in the forest, she was full of vitality; just seeing her made life feel colorful.

Her genuine smile was so infectious that Jiang Li couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile himself.

Next was Zhao Qingxuan. Her smile was bright and her entire face was lively. The red ribbon in her hair was blown by the breeze, as if welcoming her monarch’s return.

Finally, there was Murong Qing. This cool and aloof Fairy’s expression remained calm from beginning to end. Only when Jiang Li’s gaze fell upon her did her downcast, clear eyes show a hint of liveliness, and the curve of her lips softened slightly. This lasted for several seconds, precisely captured by Jiang Li’s Divine Sense.

Jiang Li thought: This feeling of being cared for is quite nice.

He bid farewell to his teacher and returned to the Human Emperor Palace after more than a month’s absence. As soon as he entered, Li Xi rushed down, unconsciously bouncing, and kept muttering, “Jiang Li, Jiang Li, I’ve already reached Foundation Establishment Middle Stage! I’m super amazing now. Next time, I want to team up with you when we go out.”

As she spoke, Li Xi made a big gesture, indicating how powerful she was now.

Jiang Li chuckled, “Alright, next time we go out, I’ll take you with me.”

His current cultivation was on the verge of Breakthrough to Golden Core Middle Stage, and his abilities made him almost invincible below Soul Transformation. He estimated that his next trips down the mountain would either be to slay demons and devils or to collect Imperial Dynasty Dragon Qi. Neither of these would involve the main strongholds of the Demonic Sects. In the secular world, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he could walk sideways, so he no longer needed to worry as much as before.

“Really? Jiang Li, you can’t go back on your word! Whoever goes back on their word is a puppy.”

Li Xi’s smile became even brighter.

They sealed it with a pinky promise.

Jiang Li complied, and after the pinky promise, Li Xi giggled foolishly, “Hmph hmph, I, Fairy Li, can finally go down the mountain again! I also want to make a name for myself in the Cultivation world.”

“Chief Jiang, please take me with you. Since I said I would follow you, naturally, wherever you go, I will go.”

Zhao Qingxuan placed her right hand over her heart, her flying eyebrows eager, and her voice resolute.

“Good.”

Jiang Li did not refuse.

As his strength increased, the scope of his Imperial Dynasty Dragon Qi collection had expanded from a single county to an entire province. There were too many places to consider, and he needed someone to handle the follow-up work for him.

Zhao Qingxuan was perfect. Even if her strength didn’t reach Nascent Soul level combat power, she was still an outstanding individual below Nascent Soul. If she were further empowered by his Imperial Dao Will, she could easily sweep away anyone below Nascent Soul.

In the Piaomiao Dynasty, this was already top-tier combat strength.

Afterward,

Jiang Li looked at Murong Qing, whose lips were pursed, and extended an invitation, “Want to come along?”

“Mhm.”

Murong Qing had no reason to refuse.

She had always considered herself a clear-headed person and had never thought about the matter of a Dao Companion. But in front of Jiang Li, she was uncharacteristically lost. Even though she knew that continuing like this would eventually lead to her falling deeply, she still thought: There’s nothing wrong with falling deeply; he is worth it.

“Hehe, when our invincible team goes down the mountain, all the demons, ghosts, and monsters down there will surely flee in panic!”

Li Xi held her head high, speaking proudly.

Murong Qing snapped out of her thoughts and, annoyed, retorted, “Jiang Li is responsible for being invincible, and you are responsible for ‘ga ga’.”

“Hmph hmph, isn’t that the same thing?”

Murong Qing understood the meaning of this sentence: They were one. Jiang Li’s honor was her honor, and she was proud of it.

She thought: This good friend of mine is even more deeply entangled than I am. What about Zhao Qingxuan? What does this person, who publicly decided to follow Jiang Li and always stayed in the Human Emperor Palace as the top inner Disciple, feel about Jiang Li? Is it the same as them?

Murong Qing’s thoughts drifted, and she suddenly realized that she, too, was becoming more sentimental. The Cultivation Technique’s operation actually sped up a bit. Aside from direct contact with Jiang Li, anything related to him could still stir her heart and trigger the Cultivation Technique’s feedback.

If Jiang Li knew that Murong Qing had become so sentimental, consuming herself, and that this self-consumption process could even accelerate the efficiency of her Cultivation Technique, he would definitely exclaim, “Holy crap!”: This is clearly the setup of a tragic story character; the more she suffers, the faster her Cultivation efficiency… The celebration party ended.

Murong Qing and Li Xi each found their respective bedrooms in the Human Emperor Palace and fell asleep. Zhao Qingxuan, being a Body Cultivator with an astonishing tolerance for alcohol, remained sober and became the one to clean up the mess.

As for Jiang Li, he had already arrived at his teacher’s side hall.

“Finished celebrating?”

Zhang Song smiled faintly, his eyes filled with emotion. He saw Jiang Li as he saw his younger self: famous at a young age, exceptionally talented, with beauties in his arms, enjoying widespread praise. Of course, Jiang Li stood at a higher level than he did back then, and everything he encountered could be easily resolved by Jiang Li.

Ultimately, it was because he wasn’t strong enough back then, and his Aptitude wasn’t good enough. Otherwise, he could have still killed Nascent Soul Cultivators even in the early Golden Core Stage.

Jiang Li gave an awkward smile, served a cup of tea, and then changed the topic, “Teacher, I want to know how the position of Saint is ultimately decided. Qin Wudao has already Breakthrough to Nascent Soul, and other Holy Son Candidates will probably Breakthrough soon. If they initiate and pass the Saint trial, doesn’t that mean I won’t have a chance? Isn’t that too unfair?”

Zhang Song took a sip of the tea his Disciple poured and shook his head, “Where is there any fairness in this world? You feel it’s unfair simply because you think you’re more suited for the Saint position. But after you, if there’s another existence whose Aptitude far surpasses yours, then do you think the Holy Land should wait for him to grow up?”

Jiang Li also understood this principle, but he couldn’t accept simply handing over the Saint position.

“Don’t rush. First, not every Holy Son Candidate who Breakthrough to Nascent Soul can pass the Saint trial. Do you remember Hai Wuhai, who once competed with you for the Limitless Sword? He condensed the sixth-ranked White Tiger Destruction Golden Core back then, yet he still failed the Saint trial. Among the current four Holy Son Candidates, apart from Xuan Tianji, the probability of the others passing is less than 50%. You still have a chance.”

Jiang Li was genuinely surprised now.

He knew Hai Wuhai was a former Holy Son Candidate, but he didn’t expect him to have condensed a sixth-ranked Golden Core. To still fail the Saint trial with that, the difficulty was simply too high.

Where did Qin Wudao and his group get the confidence to challenge it?

As if seeing Jiang Li’s confusion, Zhang Song added, “The Saint trial values talent, but it values other aspects even more. The current Holy Master of Heavenly Mystery was not the most outstanding one back then, but he surprised everyone by successfully passing the Saint trial and becoming a Saint. Now he is even a Sect Master of an Immortal Sect, so strength is not the only criterion.”

Jiang Li’s brows furrowed even deeper.

“If strength isn’t a prerequisite, then my advantage is greatly diminished, and everyone else’s advantage is greatly increased.”

Zhang Song:?

He stared blankly at his obedient Disciple.

So arrogant?

Didn’t I say this to boost your confidence? Why are you troubled instead?

He thought: Could it be that his obedient Disciple believes he can defeat a Holy Son Candidate who has Breakthrough to Nascent Soul Stage with his Golden Core Early Stage cultivation? Wouldn’t that mean his raw strength surpasses even his own?

No way.

The speed at which the student surpasses the teacher is too fast.

As if sensing the surprise in his teacher’s eyes, Jiang Li decided to reveal some of his strength. He said calmly, “Teacher, when I killed the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Path, I didn’t use the Limitless Sword. I killed them with my raw strength, and I am even stronger now than when I killed the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Path.”

Crack.

The teacup in Zhang Song’s hand suddenly fell and shattered.

His pupils constricted sharply.

His mind was buzzing.

Jiang Li’s words struck his mind like a thunderbolt, stirring up a storm.

Almost everyone believed that Jiang Li had used the power of the fifth-grade sword, the Limitless Sword, to kill the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Path, and he himself thought so too. But now… his Disciple told him that he hadn’t used the Limitless Sword at the time, but had killed the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Path, including Superior Jiyin in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, with his true strength. The shock this brought him was immeasurable.

Entering Golden Core, crossing a major Realm and a minor Realm, to kill a long-renowned Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator who also mastered the Sword Light Realm—he felt like he was listening to a heavenly book.

“My dear Disciple, are you sure?”

Jiang Li nodded, his head slightly tilted, “Teacher, I am actually stronger than you all imagine.”