Chapter 0939: Set Out!
Chapter 0939: Set Out!
The next day, Li Luo dropped by Li Rouyun's lodgings to pick up Li Lingjing before heading off to the gathering point.
"Li Luo, I'll hand Lingjing over to you. The Spiritual Resonance Cave is full of dangers lurking in every corner, so you have to take care of her properly," Li Rouyun reminded him with a smile on her face as she looked at the gorgeous, young duo.
Frankly speaking, Li Luo was an outstanding individual in all aspects. As an elder, she felt that Li Lingjing was quite a good fit for him. The only problem was that Li Rouyun already knew that Li Luo was engaged, and Jiang Qing'e was simply too dazzling, enough to cause others to marvel that the outer divine continent was able to give birth to such a breathtaking phoenix. Li Rouyun felt that with Jiang Qing'e as a fiancee, even the Fairy of Water Qin Yi, who had captivated countless youths, was unable to maintain Li Luo's gaze for long.
Li Luo smiled bitterly. "Aunt Yun, I think you've gotten it backwards. I have to hang on the hem of Cousin Lingjing's sleeves and hope that she protects me instead!"
The ones entering the Spiritual Resonance Cave were all the cream of the crop. A two-pearl was weak, and only those at Li Lingjing's stage, six-pearls, could be considered to be peak predators there.
Li Lingjing stretched out her plain, white, slender, jade hands and lightly patted Li Luo's shoulder, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled. "Cousin Li Luo, you can relax. If anyone has any untoward intentions towards you, I won't let that pass."
Li Luo grinned as he replied while clasping his hands together respectfully, "I'll have to thank you in advance, Cousin Lingjing."
"How polite." Li Lingjing smiled slightly. It could be seen that she was greatly anticipating the Spiritual Resonance Cave too. It had been many years since she had recused herself due to her injury, and it was the first time she would clash against the elites of her generation once again.
Li Luo did not speak further, and with Li Rouyun's farewell, he brought Li Lingjing towards the designated gathering point.
When the two arrived, they saw that Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, and the rest had already arrived. They similarly waved their hands at him excitedly.
Li Fuling was standing by Li Fengyi, momentarily glancing at Li Luo before turning her attention to the slender figure who was half a step behind him. She fell into a daze when she recognized that familiar face.
A moment later, she snapped back to attention, focusing upon Li Lingjing. She casually greeted, "Li Lingjing. It's been a while."
Li Xuan and Lu Ze, who were off to the side, also curiously turned towards her. She was someone they had heard of. Many years ago, her name was one that all of the youths of the Dragon's Fang Domain were familiar with. When she underwent the trials for the Twenty Banners, people had speculated that she was in the running for the Dragon's Head. However, after the Twenty Banners' selection results were announced, she had vanished off the list. It was only later that they found out that she had been corrupted by an Other and that it had harmed her foundation. This unfortunate turn of events had elicited much sympathy from the crowd.
Yet she was standing in front of them today. In fact, it seemed as though she had recovered from the setback all those years ago.
Faced with Li Fuling's gaze, Li Lingjing's beautiful face beamed. "Li Fuling, it seems like you remember me?"
Li Fuling replied in a low voice, "How could I not? Do you remember what you promised me? You said we'd compete properly within the Twenty Banners, but you never came."
The leaders of the Dragon's Fang Lineage's youths, Li Lingjing and Li Fuling, had met a few years ago and had even exchanged blows. Neither of them could attain victory over the other, so they agreed to settle things after they had entered the Twenty Banners.
Li Lingjing calmly replied, "Is that so? I'm incredibly apologetic." However, her cool tone held no such remorse. Perhaps honoring this agreement was something laughable and completely meaningless when compared to what she had gone through all these years.
Her acrimonious reply caused Li Fuling to frown. The previously indomitable and haughty lady from the Eastern Region was nowhere to be seen. She had changed.
Li Lingjing, on the other hand, seemed uninterested in continuing to speak, only silently standing by Li Luo.
The atmosphere had turned awkward. Luckily, the void shimmered at this point in time, and a procession of figures trailed out of the air.
The one leading the group was none other than Li Jingzhe. The ones behind him were the Dragon's Fang Lineage's elders and upper echelons like Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng.
"Greetings, Lineage Chief!" The entire crowd hurriedly saluted.
Li Jingzhe waved his hand as he swept his gaze across the crowd. "You will enter the Spiritual Resonance Cave shortly. It is full of priceless opportunities, and I hope you will be able to take full advantage of it. The Spiritual Resonance Cave has also attracted all of the exceptional talents in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent, so competition will be fierce, far surpassing the Battle of the Dragon's Head. Thus, you will all have to remain cautious."
The group hurriedly nodded in compliance when faced with Li Jingzhe's warnings.
With that, he ceased speaking and merely waved his sleeve, causing streams of light to surge out and halt before the group.
Li Luo gazed at the gold light orb that had stopped before him. He reached out and grasped it, and the golden light transformed into a golden talisman engraved with mystical runes.
"This is a Gold Resonant Talisman?" Li Luo's mind trembled as he recalled Li Jingzhe's previous words. If one wanted to enter the Spiritual Resonance Cave, they would need the aid of these Resonant Talismans. They came in three grades, with gold being the highest, granting exclusive access to certain core districts.
"According to the rules, only those in the top five ranks of the Battle of the Dragon's Head are qualified to receive Gold Resonant Talismans. However, as Li Luo has managed to obtain the Dragon's Head, all four Banner Leaders are also entitled to receive them as well."
Li Fengyi was glowing with happiness as she looked at the gold light orb before her, and she flashed Li Luo a smile. "Little Brother, it seems we’re basking in your radiance."
Neither she nor Deng Fengxian had entered the top five ranks. Thus, she had only been given a Gold Resonant Talisman as a result of Li Luo's exceptional performance.
Deng Fengxian similarly received the Gold Resonant Talisman, tightly clutching it in his hand as he nodded at Li Luo.
Li Luo grinned and waved his hand, demonstrating that it was fine. He swept his gaze over the others and realized that Li Fuling, Lu Ze, and Li Xuan had also been handed Gold Resonant Talismans. However, the remaining members of the Dragon's Fang Guardians had received Silver Resonant Talismans instead.
Li Lingjing, due to her unique circumstances, also received a Gold Resonant Talisman.
"The Gold Resonant Talismans you hold in your hands are like fragrant pieces of barbecue in the Spiritual Resonance Cave. Just because I distributed such a considerable number of them does not mean that they are cheap or easy to come by. The reason we possess so many is because the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li is mighty. For other factions, countless talents will have to undergo grueling and bitter battles just for a shot at obtaining a single Gold Resonant Talisman. Others might go to war just to obtain a few more of these Gold Resonant Talismans."
"You must also remember that there are many rogue cultivators who have been lucky enough to obtain a single Bronze or Silver Resonant Talisman. Once they enter the Spiritual Resonance Cave, they will lust for your Gold Resonant Talismans as well. Rogue cultivators are ruthless and decisive, and being distinguished members of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li will not be enough to protect you if they set their sights upon you. In essence, it all boils down to this: if you desire opportunities, you will have to rely on your own strength. Otherwise, they will be seized from you," Li Jingzhe coolly explained.
These words caused the group to turn solemn, and they carefully put their Resonant Talismans away.
Li Jingzhe did not speak further as he observed their actions.
At this point, Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng stepped forward. Simultaneously, a colossal, dragon-shaped flying ship pierced through the clouds and descended upon the mountain peak.
"It's time to go. Second Brother and I will lead the group and guide you to the Spiritual Resonance Cave," Li Qingpeng chortled.
The group nodded, and energy-infused Dragon Wings appeared behind them. With a flap, they shot into the clouds and landed atop the dragon-shaped ship.
Li Qingpeng and Li Jinpan beckoned farewell to Li Jingzhe before taking off into the air.
The ship boomed as it shot through the clouds, quickly receding into the distance.
Li Jingzhe remained atop the mountain peak, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the flying ship vanish over the horizon.
He was in a daze for a moment, seemingly lost in his thoughts before he smiled slightly.
"Taixuan, it seems that your son is destined to follow in your footsteps. His name will soon reverberate throughout the continent."
...
At the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing.
In a crimson palace atop a mountain.
On a balcony in the main hall stood a beautiful and ethereal figure with beauty reminiscent of a fairy. She stood tall and graceful, her delicate features akin to jade, causing the surroundings to look dull in comparison. Her beautiful eyes were clear as a pristine lake, exuding endless charm. This was none other than the Fairy of Water, Qin Yi.
Footsteps resounded from behind her. She turned, lightly tilting her head as she respectfully greeted the person who had walked in. "Mother."
The one who had arrived was the Fire Lotus Hall Master, Qin Lian.
Qin Lian approached her daughter and softly said, "Li Luo will naturally participate in the Spiritual Resonance Cave."
Qin Yi's gaze trembled slightly as she replied, "I heard that he has secured the position of Dragon's Head."
These words elicited a cold expression from Qin Lian. "The youths of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li are utter trash. Li Luo wasted countless years in the outer divine continent, and yet he has managed to suppress his entire generation in a single year. It seems like each generation is declining and getting weaker. I doubt they'll be able to last for long."
Qin Yi refrained from responding, understanding that any praise for Li Luo was intolerable to her mother.
Qin Lian then turned and stared at Qin Yi's beautiful face. "If you happen to encounter Li Luo in the Spiritual Resonance Cave, I have a task for you."
"What task?" Qin Yi's eyes narrowed, an icy glint flashing within her gaze.
"Bring back a piece of his flesh."