Chapter 1058: Obstruction on Layer 72
Chapter 1058: Obstruction on Layer 72
The Fiendish Devil Peak of the Dragon's Fang Lineage was undoubtedly the center of attention in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li today.
In each courtyard in the Dragon's Fang Lineage, a huge mirror of light slowly rose till it was suspended in midair. The mirrors were currently murky and cloudy, not displaying anything.
Once the Green Nether Banner entered layer seventy-two, their struggle inside would be projected in real time onto the giant mirrors.
This was not only happening within the Dragon's Fang Lineage—many similar mirrors also appeared in the other four lineages.
......
Dragon's Blood Lineage, Fiendish Devil Peak
The four banners of the Dragon's Blood Lineage had long converged on the square, their mystified sights trained on the huge light mirror that was rising into the air. The previous attempts on the Fiendish Devil Cave had never attracted such fanfare.
No matter what the outcome of the challenge was, all the members of the four banners of the Dragon's Blood Lineage knew that the mere fact that Li Luo had garnered such attention meant that he had far outdone everyone present.
Li Qingfeng stood at the vanguard of the thousands of banner members, arms folded. As he stared at the mirror of light, his expression looked especially conflicted. Originally... he was the frontrunner of the young geniuses of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages , but the glory that belonged to him had completely changed owners with the arrival of Li Luo.
"Brother Qingfeng, I don't think Li Luo can possibly succeed. He's too ambitious. He wants to break the record left behind by Li Taixuan, but he doesn't know what exactly will happen to him by challenging layer seventy-two one month earlier." Li Hongli noticed Li Qingfeng's expression and couldn't help but comfort him.
Li Qingfeng shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "I do hope he succeeds."
Li Hongli was stunned.
Li Qingfeng admitted forlornly, "Li Luo indeed possesses supreme talent. If he hadn't appeared in our generation, then who would we rely on to keep Qin Yi, Zhao Shenjiang, and the others in check? If he can really lead the Green Nether Banner to create a new record, then at the very least this generation of ours can be considered to have left a mark in the history of the Twenty Banners. Though... the protagonist will not be the Dragon's Blood Lineage."
Li Hongli was dumbfounded, and she felt equally conflicted. In the past, she had always looked down on the weaker Li Luo. Coupled with the resentment passed down from their parents' generation, she had always felt animosity towards him.
Alas, reality would not always conform to what her heart desired. In the short span of less than a year, Li Luo had demonstrated rapid progress that made even someone as strong as Li Qingfeng begin to feel frustrated.
If Li Luo truly did set a new record during today's challenge, then all the other lineages and banners of the current batch would be overshadowed by him and the Green Nether Banner. It would be a repeat of what happened before.
......
Main peak of Dragon's Fang Mountain.
Li Jingzhe was sitting in a stone pavilion, his measured gaze skimming over the mirror of light rising in front of him. Li Qingpeng, Li Jinpan, Zhao Xuanming, and the heads of the various halls were all gathered behind him.
"This scene reminds me of when Third Brother led the Green Nether Banner through the Fiendish Devil Cave." Li Qingpeng laughed before letting out a sigh.
Li Jinpan also laughed and said, "Little Luo is rather gutsy too, choosing this time to challenge layer seventy-two. It's obvious that he's rushing towards his father."
The other Hall Masters couldn't help but laugh out loud, because Li Luo's purpose was all too obvious. Watching a son "target" his father was indeed rather humorous.
Li Jingzhe's eyes were also filled with mirth as he said, "If Taixuan returns and realizes that all of his records have been beaten by his son, I wonder what kind of expression he will make."
The crowd all laughed in agreement. After all, it was really rare to see Li Jingzhe crack a joke, so they definitely had to follow suit.
Gold Light Hall Master Zhao Xueming then said, "Back when Hall Master Li Taixuan challenged layer seventy-two, he was met by a fourth-grade Duke from the dragon race, which is considered to be one of the most extreme obstacles that any banner could receive. I wonder what kind of challenge Li Luo will meet?"
Li Jingzhe looked up and gazed at the clouds within the mirror, slowly saying, "Perhaps... There will be something special."
......
By the time all the gazes of the lineages had focused, the eight htousand Green Nether Banner members being led by Li Luo were already standing in front of the Fiendish Devil Cave.
Not a single hint of fear could be seen on their solemn faces. Instead, palpable excitement could be felt between them. Following their relentless efforts during the past month, the Green Nether Banner's morale was at an all time high.
In the rear position, the other three banners of the Dragon's Fang Lineage could only look at the prideful aura of the Green Nether Banner from behind. Looking at them now, no one would have thought that the Green Nether Banner was at the very bottom of the Twenty Banners just a year ago.
Everyone mocked the Green Nether Banner back then.
But Li Luo's arrival heralded an unprecedented change of fortunes for the Green Nether Banner.
It was easy to find banner members for the Twenty Banners, but finding a general was not as simple.
Boom!
At that moment, the heavy stone door of the Fiendish Devil Cave suddenly shook. It opened slowly, revealing the mysterious light flowing within.
"Third Brother, go for it!" Li Jingtao and Li Fengyi were cheering loudly.
The tens of thousands of people from the other three banners also erupted into thunderous cheers. They knew that if the Green Nether Banner broke the record, then they would naturally share in the glory as fellow members of the Dragon's Fang Lineage.
Li Luo smiled at the Green Nether Banner members, declining to give any further speeches. After all, after a month of successive bitter battles, the Green Nether Banner's battle spirit had long reached its peak.
Taking a deep breath, he took the first step past the stone door without any further hesitation. His figure was engulfed by the pulsing light that flowed within.
The Green Nether Banner members also began entering in an orderly manner like a torrent of water rushing in.
As they started to enter, the clouded screens on the mirrors of lights began to dissipate and clear up.
The blinding light before Li Luo's eyes lasted for only a few breaths before it completely faded. He quickly came back to his senses, his gaze sweeping in all directions.
What unfolded before his eyes was a huge lagoon with islands scattered everywhere.
Li Luo frowned slightly as he did not sense any energy fluctuations from a Fiendish Devil. Moreover, there were no energy fluctuations of any sort.
This abnormal situation caused Li Luo to become even sharper and more alert. His old man had met a fourth-grade Duke Stage dragon in layer seventy-two, and Li Luo was challenging the layer even earlier, meaning the obstacle would be more difficult than that.
"Green Nether Banner, Harmony!" Li Luo bellowed deeply.
The eight thousand banner members erupted in a low roar. At the next moment, their breaths merged into one, transforming into a majestic energy that supplemented Li Luo's body.
Feeling the immense boost of energy, Li Luo's fears were slightly eased. By his estimates, his spiritual energy level was now undoubtedly equivalent to an upper third-grade Duke.
With this kind of strength added to his own techniques, he had a chance of coming out even in a fight against a fourth-grade Duke.
Li Luo floated in the air as his eyes sharply scanned the surroundings. A moment later, he finally detected something strange not far away.
He spotted a humanoid silhouette on a island.
Li Luo approached cautiously, and only when he was closer did he realize that the figure was pretending to be sleeping.
It seemed to be a handsome-looking youth with silky, untied hair. He was sitting cross-legged with a golden staff with a dragon coiled around it resting on top of his lap. Li Luo furrowed his brows as he scanned the dashing young man. It seemed that the main obstacle on this floor was him.
But what exactly was this person's origin? Was it a certain ancestor from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li?
As more questions ran through Li Luo's mind, the handsome youth suddenly opened his eyes. His pupils were as bright and as deep as the Milky Way, seemingly reflecting the mysticism of the ancients. Spotting Li Luo, a smile appeared on his face.
"I never expected anyone to enter layer seventy-two so early and activate this avatar of mine." He sounded a little incredulous.
Li Luo's heart skipped a beat as he cupped his fist and said, "Greetings, Senior. I am Li Luo. May I learn your name?"
The handsome young man stretched his waist and slowly stood up as he gripped the Golden Coiled Dragon Staff. A gentle laugh echoed out.
"Me? You may call me... Li Jun."
The instant the young man's words escaped his mouth, every single person who was watching outside froze as none could believe what they had just heard. Countless eyes had popped out of their sockets in astonishment.
Shrill exclamations of shock and horror resounded in all lineages one after another.
“Is that... the Ancestor?!"
The final challenge Li Luo would be facing was actually the first ancestor of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, Heavenly Emperor Li Jun himself?