Chapter 1203: Sacred Crown of Thorns
Chapter 1203: Sacred Crown of Thorns
After Li Luo raised his resonance grade with the Divine Cultivation Serum, his business in Dragon's Fang Mountain was done. He discussed a little with Jiang Qing'e and they decided to head over to the Dragon's Fang Guardians soon.
Although Li Luo had a sixty thousand feet wide Heavenly Resonance Diagram and was close to reaching the Duke Stage, Jiang Qing'e continued to remind him from time to time about the need to reach it quickly and resolve the blade hanging above him.
World End's River Region was a dangerous place, but it was also the perfect training ground. In such a place, Li Luo would continue to push himself and complete his breakthrough as soon as possible.
Besides, they would need to prepare a Foundational Spirit Treasure as well.
Whether it was for Li Luo's breakthrough, the construction of his Duke Bergfried, or Jiang Qing'e's progress on the Path of Ascension, they would inevitably need more Foundational Spirit Treasures.
Hence, the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies in World End's River Region was the best place for them to be right now.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e made their preparations and set off.
Before departing, the two of them paid Li Jingzhe a visit at the back mountain to bid him farewell.
"World End's River Region is a place full of dangers. True Devils roam the place wantonly and countless Duke Stage rogue cultivators are up to no good. You cannot underestimate those people. They are all plotting against you for the sake of their own cultivation. The name of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li can instill some fear into them, but you must still be careful."
In the end, Li Jingzhe prepared a few simple dishes for the two of them and continued to nag a little, akin to an elderly man sending his grandchild off on a long journey.
"I may head over to World End's River Region as well. Looking at the time, it's probably my turn to stand guard against the Stygian Rain of Calamity."
Hearing this, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e stared at each other with puzzled looks. "The Stygian Rain of Calamity? What's that?"
Li Jingzhe smiled and explained, "When the Stygian Rain falls, thousands of Others march. It is one of the most frightening disasters that can occur around World End's River Region. Every time it happens, all the major powers send their top fighters over to stand guard. If we're not careful, we may lose decades of effort of keeping the Others at bay. The Lineage Chiefs of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages take turns protecting the city, and it's my turn this time."
Li Jingzhe did not explain any further. He waved his sleeve, and the void cracked apart. Beams of light burst out of the crack and an object flew out in front of Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e.
Within the dazzling bright light lay an exquisite and beautiful crown of thorns. Divine light circulated around it and extremely pure sacred energy pulsed from it.
As soon as the crown of thorns appeared, Li Luo could sense the light energy in the surroundings shudder. It surged up and transformed into concentrated wisps of light energy that circulated around the crown.
It emanated an indescribable sense of pressure.
"This crown is the Duke Mythic Armament I've crafted from the Divine Thorns. It should be considered top-class amongst middle-grade Duke Armaments," Li Jingzhe told them.
"Middle-grade Duke Armament?" Li Luo was a little surprised to hear this. Duke Armaments were generally split into three different categories that corresponded to the respective Duke Stages: low-grade, middle-grade and high-grade. Mythic Armaments were incredibly mighty, and their value far exceeded that of violet-eye treasured artifacts. As such, many middle-grade Dukes did not have a middle-grade Duke Mythic Armament that was compatible with themselves.
Based on Li Luo's own estimate, the Divine Thorns that he had handed over were barely sufficient to craft a low-grade Duke Mythic Armament, but Li Jingzhe had turned it into a middle-grade one.
He must have added many precious resources out of his own pocket.
"There is no need for any unnecessary words. This is my gift to my granddaughter-in-law," Li Jingzhe responded after taking a glance at Li Luo.
Then he looked at Jiang Qing'e, who was shocked as well. In a warm and friendly voice, he told her, "Qing'e, if you wear this crown at all times, it will help to ward off evil. At the same time, it has three mythical abilities.
"Firstly, it is the ability to bind. The thorns from the crown can turn into a Thorn Rope of Spiritual Light. Once bound by this rope, opponents at the same level as you cannot break free easily. At the same time, the thorns give rise to the Luminous Flame of Scourging. This flame is the bane of the physical body. It is most suitable for fighting against powerful opponents who cultivate body-tempering Duke Arts."
Li Jingzhe pointed his finger, and one of the thorns on the Sacred Crown of Thorns turned into a ray of light. It flew into the air and twisted itself, turning into a sharp rope of light that was hundreds of feet long. The rope slithered in the air like a lively white snake, moving about at extremely fast speeds.
"The second ability is piercing."
As soon as Li Jingzhe said that, another thorn fell from the Sacred Crown of Thorns. It turned into a white light and danced in the air.
Within the white light, the thorn transformed into a white nail. Its tip contained extremely pure and concentrated divine energy. As it flew by, it was as fast as a flash of light. Li Luo could barely catch a glimpse of it.
"This is the Nail of Piercing Light, best suited for assassination."
Li Luo could feel a chill run up his spine when he heard that. If such an attack were used against him, he wouldn't even have the time to activate any of his defensive arts. The nail would penetrate his heart instantly.
"The third ability is Bloodstained Thorns. It is a self-sacrificial art that consumes the user’s blood essence. The crown will strengthen itself with that and increase the user’s resonant power."
Li Jingzhe did not need to explain the third ability in detail. Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e could tell how strong such an ability was. It would allow her to turn the tide of a battle against strong foes.
Li Luo stared at the crown, lost for words. So, this was the power of a Duke Mythic Armament? In terms of strength and versatility, it far exceeded a triple violet-eye treasured artifact.
The boost to one's battle prowess was way more than just a single level.
"You can forget about it for now. Wielding a Duke Mythic Armament requires one to channel the true power of dual resonances into it," Li Jingzhe explained.
"I have the power of dual resonances too!" Li Luo exclaimed.
"Your dual resonance power is still a far cry from the actual dual resonance power of a Duke."
"How is that possible? My dual resonance power has already reached the third realm. There are even Vestiges of Spirituality!" Li Luo retorted.
There were three stages to the power of dual resonances: Minor Merging, Becoming One, and Sentience. Li Luo had achieved the third stage long ago, where his resonant power produced Vestiges of Spirituality.
"Those three stages of dual resonance power were created solely for people like you, who were naturally born with dual resonances, allowing you to get a glimpse of the power of dual resonances early. However, the dual resonance power demonstrated by an actual Duke who has forged their Duke Bergfrieds far exceeds your three stages.
"If you do not believe me, you can ask Qing'e to show you." Li Jingzhe smiled.
Jiang Qing'e stretched out her slender hand after hearing this. Dazzling and radiant light resonant power gathered, and a magical halo of divine light appeared around her wrist.
Her dual resonance power was truly unique. There was no fusion of resonant power with different attributes. Instead, it amplified the power of light resonant power and pushed it to an extremely pure and concentrated level.
Li Luo said with a frown, "Isn't this just the light of dual resonance power? I've already..."
However, he was unable to finish his sentence. He spotted special runes on the bright and magical halo of light around Jiang Qing'e's wrist.
They emitted familiar pulses of energy. Those were... the Vestiges of Spirituality.
This was something he had seen in his resonant power whenever he used the power of dual resonances. It could increase the sentience of one's resonant power. However, the runes from Jiang Qing'e's dual resonances were in a different realm.
"This is the true power of dual resonances. Strictly speaking, it is on a completely different level from the three stages of dual resonances you have learned about. This is what we call a resonance seal. It is a quantitative improvement of resonant power. It is also the reason why the power of dual resonances is so formidable. An attack from a Duke is far more powerful than an attack used by someone a stage below because of this."
Li Luo rubbed his lips after hearing Li Jingzhe's explanation. This was profound knowledge he had not known before. It was no wonder it was the signature ability of the Duke Stage.
Jiang Qing'e dispersed her power of dual resonances and glanced back at the Sacred Crown of Thorns. "Thank you for the gift, Grandfather."
There was no need for any pretense, so she accepted Li Jingzhe’s goodwill.
Li Jingzhe was very satisfied with her attitude. A smile appeared on his face and he turned towards Li Luo. "You blind fool. Aren't you going to help her put it on?"
Li Luo was at a loss for words, and he complained in his heart. In the past, Li Jingzhe used to refer to him as his “beloved grandson.” Now that the old man had a granddaughter-in-law, he started calling him a “blind fool.”
As expected, his position in the family had fallen down a level as soon as Jiang Qing'e arrived.
Nonetheless, he picked up the exquisite and elegant Sacred Crown of Thorns. Jiang Qing'e took a glance at him before she lowered her head a little.
Li Luo was a little stunned. This situation caused his heart beat faster for some unknown reason.
He lightly placed the Sacred Crown of Thorns on Jiang Qing'e's head, and it fit perfectly with her long hair.
Holy light circulated around the elegant Divine Thorns. It made Jiang Qing'e's charming face even brighter. It was as if she had become even more elegant and majestic.
Li Luo was in a daze as he stared at the beauty in front of him.
At this point, the girl's eyes were sparkling. She truly resembled a goddess of light, holy and captivating.