Chapter 1064: Commotion and Departure
In a few days' time, the news of Li Luo leading the Green Nether Banner to clear the entire Fiendish Devil Cave spread throughout every city that belonged to the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.
Normally, clearing the Fiendish Devil Cave wasn't that special of an achievement. A new generation of the Twenty Banners cropped up every few years, and this was considered a training ground for the younger generation.
Compared to the Heavenly Dragon's Five Guardian Armies, the Twenty Banners didn't capture the public's attention that often.
However, it was different this time.
The Green Nether Banner led by Li Luo had set a new record! Even more surprisingly, he had encountered a manifested intent of the Ancestor, Heavenly Emperor Li.
It was a Heavenly Emperor expert!
That was an existence that left Dukes in fear, only able to watch on in awe. It was something that they couldn't even worship if they wanted to, let alone witnessing his true appearance.
Additionally, not only had Li Luo meet the Ancestor, he had also passed the trial successfully. Without a doubt, his feats had left an impression, and his future achievements were sure to be immeasurable.
Some of the Dukes from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li might have considered Li Luo's recent achievements trivial, but they would have to take another look at him now.
Of course, the most important thing wasn't his strength, it was his potential. They would have to reassess the Green Nether Hall after his performance. After all, Dragon's Fang Mountain had declared that Li Luo was the representative of the Hall Master.
The Main Hall Master position had been left vacant ever since Li Taixuan left years ago. They had lost a strong pillar, and the Green Nether Hall's influence had fallen drastically since then. As a result, a lot of the hall's benefits had been greedily absorbed by the Gold Light Hall. The Gold Light Hall had even taken the lead from the Green Nether Hall to become number one in the Dragon's Fang Lineage.
Most critically, Lineage Chief Li Jingzhe had not raised any objections to it. He had even given more opportunities to the Gold Light Hall on a few occasions. This led to the Gold Light Hall running rampant. The Violet Spirit Hall and the Crimson Cloud Hall were in a slightly better situation as they had Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan as their leaders. But the Green Nether Hall had no Hall Master to fight for their needs, so they couldn't stop the Gold Light Hall from exploiting them.
As a result, many city lords that were under the Green Nether Hall had been poached by the Gold Light Hall. This caused the Green Nether Hall to decline even faster.
After countless years, even the absolute supporters of Li Taixuan had begun to waver. After all, so many years of waiting would extinguish one's flame of hope eventually.
Li Luo's arrival at the inner divine continent had revived the faith of this group. It brought up the possibility of Li Taixuan's return. Unfortunately, there had been no news of Li Taixuan, and no one even knew if he was still alive.
Luckily, his son was exceptional. Miracles were created with his return, and he even represented the Main Hall Master in the interim. Although a Heavenly Pearl Hall Master sounded like a joke, it was Li Jingzhe's signal to the rest. With the exceptional results in clearing the Fiendish Devil Cave, many had begun to see how he resembled his father in more than just looks.
Perhaps Li Luo was truly capable of following in his father's footsteps. And perhaps he could even exceed his father.
......
In a small administrative building.
Li Luo was sitting cross-legged with files in front of him. Celebrations for the Green Nether Banner had been held one after another over the past two days. He could not turn them down and ended up attending them all with the banner. After all, this achievement also signified the end of his training with the Green Nether Banner. The eight thousand banner members would go their separate ways eventually, and the outstanding ones would join the Dragon's Fang Guardians after some more cultivation. Meanwhile, the vast majority of the rest would be deployed and stationed in various regions of the Dragon's Fang Lineage to continue their training.
In some sense, Li Luo had left a deep impression with these people.
It was said that many of the city lords in the Dragon's Fang Lineage that still supported the Green Nether Banner used to be members of the Green Nether Banner led by his father. These people were extremely loyal. In the future, they would be a considerable force once he grew up.
"I guess that's more or less it for the Dragon's Fang Lineage's matters," Li Luo whispered to himself. The Green Nether Banner had graduated. Under normal circumstances, he would have a bit of free time before entering the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
However, there was something important that he had to settle first. It seemed like his entry into the Dragon's Fang Guardians would have to be delayed.
Li Luo took out a pen and paper and began to plan his trip to the Heavenly Origin Ancient College. Firstly, most importantly, he had to deliver the Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus to Jiang Qing'e somehow. If possible, he would like to meet her personally.
Secondly, there was the request from Vice Principal Su Xin. The Astral Sage College had been destroyed and the Tree of Resonant Power had been damaged. Strictly speaking, the Astral Sage College had lost its sage college title. However, things were not as simple as that. They had lost access to the cultivation resources that the Academic Federation disbursed on an annual basis. This was a tremendous support that was critical for any college's survival.
Thus, the Astral Sage College wouldn't be able to raise nearly as many students. This would make things worse, considering they were practically in ruins.
If they wanted to retain their teachers and students and prepare themselves for revenge in the future, they would need these cultivation resources. Otherwise, if its people lost hope, the college might become nothing more than a fleeting memory.
Li Luo was grateful to the Astral Sage College. When House Luolan was in trouble, it was all thanks to the college's protection and teaching that Jiang Qing'e and him could grow safely and obtain the opportunity to defend themselves.
Hence, he would not idly sit by and watch their downfall. If he had the chance, he would definitely help out.
The third matter was the Divine Cultivation Serum, a divine medicine that would allow Li Luo to attain a ninth-grade resonance. However, it still needed something with an ancient and powerful lifeforce to be completed. The ancient Tree of Resonant Power in the Heavenly Origin Ancient College might be able to satisfy this criteria.
Lastly... If possible, Li Luo hoped that he could complete the Three Dragons' Heavenly Banner Canon.
The completed Three Dragons' Heavenly Banner Canon would be an almighty Destiny-grade Duke Art. This was top-class even amongst the various Duke Arts each Heavenly Emperor power possessed. The Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner had reached the realm of Grand Perfection, and if he could learn the other two on top of this, it would be really handy.
The Myriad Resonances Dragon Fang Sword Formation was an Embryonic Transcendent Duke Art. As a result, its approximate strength was equivalent to a Destiny-grade Duke Art. However, it held a great amount of potential, and it might hold the potential to transform into a Transcendent Duke Art in the future.
A Destiny-grade Duke Art, as its name suggested, could change one's destiny. It was a powerful art that was indomitable against those who were at the same cultivation level and could allow one to defeat opponents at a higher tier.
Since Li Luo possessed the necessary affinities for the Three Dragons' Heavenly Banner Canon, he naturally wished to cultivate it.
He silently looked at the tasks he had inscribed upon the paper. Not a single one of them was simple at all. As such, it seemed that his visit to the Heavenly Origin Ancient College would take quite some time. Fortunately, the foundation of the Heavenly Origin Ancient College was deep—it could even be greater than that of some of the Heavenly Emperor powers. Li Luo might have an opportunity to breakthrough into the Heavenly Resonance Tier there as well.
Li Luo thought about it and came to a decision.
"Let's set out tomorrow!"
However, he had to pay Li Jingzhe a visit before his departure. The Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus was still with him.
Not wasting any time, Li Luo left the building and made his way towards Dragon's Fang Mountain.
In the bamboo forest, at the back mountain of Dragon's Fang Mountain.
Li Jingzhe had prepared a simple meal and some wine for himself when Li Luo arrived.
"Come, it's over here."
Li Jingzhe smiled gently as he watched the young man walk in. He waved his sleeve, and a crystal that was around the size of a thumb landed on the stone table. Within the crystal was a lotus engraved with countless ancient and mystical runes. However, there seemed to be a seal on the crystal. The energy undulations from the Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus had been completely hidden.
"I've placed a seal on the Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus to stop anyone from sensing it. This is a rare treasure that many upper-grade Dukes would be willing to die for. If someone found out that a kid like you was holding onto it, they'd surely watch you closely. With such great temptation, I am afraid not even the name of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li would be able to stop them," Li Jingzhe warned.
"If you are unfortunate enough to come across an enemy that you cannot handle, you may hand this over to them. The seal on it can only be broken by a King. I'll be able to sense it when that happens. When you set out, remember that your life is the most important thing, always."
Li Luo felt touched as he listened to all of Li Jingzhe's advice. He then received the crystal gingerly.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Li Jingzhe signaled for Li Luo to take a seat and enjoy the food as well.
"Your performance in the Fiendish Devil Cave wasn't bad. You've made your father and I proud."
Li Luo laughed naively.
"The True Dragon Seed Pill is exceptionally valuable. Apart from its obvious uses, it holds a much greater significance as you can use it to familiarize yourself with the power of the Sacred Seed. In the future... you may be able to strengthen your compatibility with the Dragon Sacred Seed," Li Jingzhe explained calmly.
"Dragon Sacred Seed?" Li Luo's heart skipped a beat. The True Dragon Seed Pill that borrowed the power of the Sacred Seed was already so impressive. One could only imagine how powerful the legendary Dragon Sacred Seed was.
Li Jingzhe did not elaborate any more on this. He took out a crimson bracelet and said, "I'll return the Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf to you. I've treated all its injuries from the previous fight. The little wolf is pretty lucky too. Considering its loyalty to you, I've given it a little opportunity, and if it works, his strength and bloodline will be greatly enhanced."
Li Luo received the bracelet hurriedly as he listened. A strand of his resonant power flowed into it, then he peered inside and was surprised.
Instead of the Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf, he only found a giant blood ossuary. It was covered in arcane runes that were pulsing with faint energy waves.
The blood ossuary seemed to turn illusory from time to time, and Li Luo could see that the wolf was sleeping inside it. It seemed like the Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf had received quite the boon from Li Jingzhe. Its strength would surely rise when it awakened.
"Thank you, Grandpa." Li Luo expressed his heartfelt thanks once again. He knew that Li Jingzhe had aided the Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf in order to provide him with one more form of protection when he was traveling.
Li Jingzhe waved his hand and said, "The Heavenly Origin Ancient College is located in the western region of the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. It is far away from the Heavenly Kings powers like us. At the same time, some powerful forces reside there, so you have to be careful. I will ask someone to escort you to minimize any trouble. Anyway, come back as soon as possible once you're done. I still need you to lead the Dragon's Fang Guardians... I can only feel safe if you're in the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Just remember, whatever you can find in other places, the Dragon's Fang Lineage will have it for you as well."
Listening to Li Jingzhe's rare nagging, Li Luo grinned. He filled his grandfather's cup with wine as he nodded with warmth in his heart.
"Got it, Grandpa."