Dragon's Fang Mountain Range

Rows upon rows of palaces began to emerge from within the misty clouds deep within the mountain range, creating a majestic sight.

Dong! Dong!

The resounding chimes of a bell echoed throughout the gigantic mountain range. The people within the palaces paused with expressions of grief on their faces.

The bells were ringing for the late Li Jingzhe. News of his demise had started spreading as soon as the spatial connection with the World's End River Region had been restored.

This had set off great shockwaves throughout the Dragon's Fang Domain.

The Dragon's Fang Domain's territories were vast and full of people. Powers of all sizes were dotted throughout it like stars in the sky, and to them, Li Jingzhe was the literal heavens.

His death had an indelible impact on the domain.

The numerous powers were in panic as without a King, the Dragon's Fang Lineage's influence in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li would inevitably be affected and the resources they received would diminish. Looking from a longer term point of view, this was related to their survival and their rise and fall. The good thing was that this chaos did not last long, as the Dragon's Fang Lineage announced another shocking piece of news.

The new Lineage Chief was none other than Li Taixuan's wife, Tantai Lan. Tantai Lan had disappeared from the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent twenty years ago, and her once resounding name had become unfamiliar to many. Perhaps only the geniuses who had been suppressed by her would remember her. Thus, countless powers in the Dragon's Fang Domain were a little taken aback for a period of time upon hearing of this.

What soon followed was a big uproar. This choice was simply too sudden, and considering the fact that Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng were still around, weren't they better suited to inherit the position of the Lineage Chief? Why was Li Taixuan's wife taking it?

Tantai Lan had reappeared out of nowhere and was now given the most important position in the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Did she even understand what was going on? Was she capable of making the right decisions? Could she govern and manage all the numerous powers and allocate the resources fairly?

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Then another rumor began to circulate. The Gold Light Hall’s Hall Master Zhao Xuanming, who had managed the Gold Light Hall for many years, had proven that his own strength and capabilities were more than sufficient. Perhaps he should’ve been the one to temporarily take over the position of Lineage Chief. Thus, the territories of the Dragon's Fang Lineage began to break out into further argument.

However, these expressions of discontent only lasted for a short while. This was because more information had spread amongst them. They now understood just why she had been chosen. A Greater Transcendent Duke!

When this piece of critical information was transmitted to the arguing folks, no matter whether it was the elders of the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range or the numerous powers in their domains, they all instantly turned quiet.

All of their doubts or disagreements vanished with those three heavy words.

Logic didn't matter. The fact that she had never served in the Dragon's Fang Lineage didn't matter. Even the fact that she was completely uninformed of their internal issues didn't matter. All their objections were crushed into fine dust before the almighty title of Greater Transcendent Duke. In fact, some cities in the domain began to unfurl their banners to demonstrate their allegiance even before Tantai Lan had returned. The new king of the Dragon's Fang Lineage had already been chosen.

After Tantai Lan returned to the Dragon's Fang Lineage and had settled down for a while, she informed Li Qingpeng to convene all of the elders and the Hall Masters for a meeting to reassure their hearts and resolve any outstanding issues.

This was an incredibly important affair.

However, Li Luo did not participate. Him, Jiang Qing'e, Li Jingtao, and Li Fengyi instead headed to the bamboo forest in the back mountain.

Lush bamboo grew high in the mountains, and when the wind blew, the leaves rustled as if in sorrow.

As they stood in Li Jingzhe's garden, Li Luo looked a little sad. Nothing here had changed except that there was a looming emptiness where the kind but unsmiling old man had disappeared. Beside him, Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao’s eyes were red and tears dripped down their faces. ꭆ

Although they were usually a little scared of Li Jingzhe, they had felt his unrequited love towards them. That old man held a special place in their hearts, a mountain capable of holding up the skies.

Alas, this mountain had collapsed.

This made them feel extremely depressed as they had made their way back.

Li Luo glanced at the other two and sighed lightly. He could not tell them that Li Jingzhe had transformed into a bamboo shoot. The implications were too large and they could not afford to have anything go wrong.

"Eldest Brother, Second Sister, I'm sorry."

Li Luo apologized in his heart. He would have to bear their burden for a while longer.

However, once everything was said and done, he would definitely find a way to allow Li Jingzhe to be reborn. The four of them remained in the bamboo garden for a while longer. Following Li Luo's suggestion, the grieving Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao left in low spirits after paying their condolences.

When the two left, Li Luo finally heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Jiang Qing'e. The five-colored soil basin was then taken out of the pocket sphere.

The chubby, golden bamboo shoot crackled with thunder energy. Mysterious runes could be seen within the thunder as well. When the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo shoot was brought out, the entire forest within the mountain started to sway and sounds of branches and leaves striking each other could be heard.

"Grandpa..." Li Luo said while he looked at the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo shoot. He couldn't stop himself from smiling bitterly because it was a little funny to be addressing this plant as his grandpa.

"I have no idea how I can even start to cultivate this bamboo shoot. I've been pouring all sorts of spiritual liquids onto it, but I haven't seen any results."

Jiang Qing'e lightly consoled him. "There is no need to rush things. This isn't an ordinary Heavenly Thunder Bamboo shoot—it was transformed from grandpa's source origin. Normal methods will not work, so we have to figure it out one step at a time. If we have time, we can always find other opportunities to help nurture it."

Li Luo nodded. He then placed the basin within the little abode, and the two of them began to tidy up the courtyard. After which, they sat on the steps at the side of the little bamboo hut and watched the wind blow.

"Sister Qing'e, which Destiny-grade Duke Art did you choose from the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages?" Li Luo asked curiously.

Jiang Qing'e held out her slender hand, and light condensed on her palm, forming a dragon seal with a holy white dragon.

"Middle Destiny-grade Duke Art, Coiling Radiant Dragon Seal."

Jiang Qing'e smiled. "This is one of the Destiny-grade Duke Arts of the Dragon's Scale Lineage. Although it's not of the same grade as your Dragon Blood Atavism Art, it requires light resonant power and is most suited to me."

Li Luo nodded. Jiang Qing'e had three ninth-grade light resonances and naturally would need a Duke Art with that affinity so she could get the most out of it. As for the dragon resonant power required, this could be substituted with certain treasures as a catalyst.

Li Luo stretched his hand out and very naturally took hold of Jiang Qing'e's hand as he looked at it. Jiang Qing'e glanced at him. Ever since they left the Treasure Domain, this brat started to act much more courageously.

"Where is Li Lingjing?" she suddenly asked.

Li Luo shook his head. "Her split body suddenly dissipated at some point. I suppose it returned to her main body. I don't know how she's doing right now."

His expression was complicated. Li Lingjing had helped him a lot, but she had joined the side of the Origin Reversion Institute. He didn't know if her assistance had caused her trouble on his behalf. Furthermore, he had an irreconcilable enmity with the Origin Reversion Institute, and he didn't know if he could maintain their relationship in the future.

Jiang Qing'e fell silent as Li Lingjing's face flickered through her mind. That lady gave her a dangerous feeling... though it wasn't due to her relationship with Li Luo, but instead a physical danger.

She could sense that Li Lingjing would become a frightening existence in the future. Li Luo and Li Lingjing had a deep relationship, and she didn't know if this would be a good or a bad thing.

"When will you start to absorb the Lesser Myriad Resonances Golden Pill?" Jiang Qing'e suddenly changed the subject.

Li Luo thought about it before answering, "Probably the day after tomorrow. I can sense that I will need to seclude myself for a bit of time."

Jiang Qing'e lightly replied, "If you're going to take a long time, I may just head to the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College first and learn more about the Celestial Mirror Pagoda and pave the way ahead for you."

Li Luo felt a little unwilling to part with her. However, he did not stop her. Furthermore, Jiang Qing'e was strong-minded, and once she set her mind to it, she would not easily change her decision.

Thus, he moved his butt closer to her and gently wrapped his arm around her slender waist.

"Since we might need to separate for a period of time, don’t you think… that you should spend the night with me in my room?" Li Luo gulped as he bravely expressed his intentions.

Jiang Qing'e was taken aback by his sudden move, and her entire face turned beet red.

A moment later, her elbow viciously slammed into Li Luo's chest.

Bang!

Li Luo fell onto the floor in great pain. When he raised his head, he could see Jiang Qing'e's graceful figure walking off in the distance.