[TL Note: Please refer to my comment below on the naming adjustment for Tantai Lan / Tan Tailan]

Dragon's Fang Lineage, northwestern border. Godriver City.

This was the most flourishing and important city on the northwestern border. It was the location the entire Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li was paying special attention to when considering the spreading Other Disaster from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qin's territories.

The experts from all the different lineages had rushed in from every direction.

All of the powers that were under the umbrella of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li were also summoned, and they mobilized their Dukes to Godriver City and protect the area.

In this half a year, the region of tens of thousands of miles outside Godriver City had turned into a battlefield.

The Others had surged out like a tide, attempting to rip through the defensive line and break into the Dragon's Fang Lineage's territories. A massacre was guaranteed to happen if this was allowed, creating even more negative emotions and sentiment that would lead to further breeding of Others.

The good news was that the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li had long been prepared, and with Tantai Lan personally watching over the area as a Greater Transcendent Duke, her presence was like a stabilizing force that calmed down the hearts of the people and kept morale strong.

As a result, the defensive line around Godriver City had become considerably strong. However, the area they needed to cover was simply so large that it required a huge amount of manpower to continuously detect and eliminate the Others.

This Other Disaster had truly forced a large amount of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li's forces to go to the northwestern border.

In the end, the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qin's ploy to divert trouble towards the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li had actually been rather successful…

……

Godriver City, east of the city

A majestic-looking platform meant for battling stood tall. Resounding shouts could be heard coming from it, the voices sweeping through the entire city and attracting the attention of the citizens.

"I heard that today is the day the Heavenly Dragon’s Armies will select the Grand Guardian General. For the purposes of boosting morale, Lineage Chief Tantai has intentionally opened it up to the public, and anyone who is interested can watch it."

"Oh? The Grand Guardian General of the Five Guardian Armies? That does sound like a glorious title."

"As of today, the frontrunner for the position is none other than the Dragon's Blood Guardian General, Li Zhihuo. His strength has risen this past half a year, reaching the upper fifth-grade. Furthermore, his fifth Duke Bergfried is a nine-pillar! It is a testament of his abilities and the solid foundation he has built throughout his life."

"Oh? It might not be his time. After all, the Heavenly Origin Records have recorded that there are two peak geniuses embarking on the Path of Ascension towards a Transcendent Duke in the Dragon's Fang Guardians... Weren't they called Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e?"

"Jiang Qing'e might be a second-grade Transcendent, and if she was present, Li Zhihuo wouldn't stand a chance. However, I heard that she left the Dragon's Fang Lineage some time ago and that Li Luo destroyed one of his own Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds to kill Qin Lian in the World's End River Treasure Domain. As a result, he's fallen to the first-grade, so it would be difficult to decide who would truly come out on top if they battled. Furthermore, ever since Li Luo returned from the Treasure Domain, he's secluded himself to recuperate from his wounds. I think the injury caused by the destruction of his Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried was very serious. What a pity..."

"Indeed, that is a pity. I thought I'd be able to see the might of a legendary Transcendent!"

Countless discussions broke out throughout Godriver City. The battle over the position of Grand Guardian General would undoubtedly be a grandiose event that could also serve to alleviate the tension and lift the mood of the people after months of brutal warring against the Others.

This was one of the reasons why the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li had planned to host the battle for the Grand Guardian General at this time.

Atop the eastern battle platform was a sea of people creating a ruckus so loud that even the skies could hear it.

On the highest viewing platform were two figures who were the focus of everyone's attention, and the crowd was filled with awe.

One was an elderly man, while the other was a woman. The elderly man was the Dragon's Blood Lineage's Li Tianji, who had just rushed over to organize this battle. The female was dressed in a purple coat and gave off an elegant but unrelenting disposition. It was none other than the Dragon's Fang Lineage;s Lineage Chief, Tantai Lan. Many curious gazes were predominantly directed towards her.

Kings were rarely seen, and Greater Transcendent Dukes were even rarer. There were quite a number of experts present, mostly at the Duke Stage, though what she symbolized was the peak of perfection of their stage! Only Transcendents were able to overcome Kings! This was both awe-inspiring and mighty.

However, the Path of Ascension was simply too hard. Even forging a single Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried was capable of stopping almost everyone in their tracks, much less forging seven of them! The crowd's gazes continued to linger on the two as they sat atop their high-backed stone thrones.

Tantai Lan indifferently looked out towards the crowd as she commented, "Lineage Chief Tianji, it seems you've picked the perfect time to select the Grand Guardian General."

When Li Tianji heard those words, he calmly smiled. "Lineage Chief Tantai, you must be casually making conversation... After all, didn't you agree to this as well?"

Tantai Lan pouted. "The day Qing'e left, you and the others immediately started taking turns to urge me to accede to this request with all sorts of righteous reasons. Was I really in a position to refuse?"

Li Tianji replied, "You are thinking too deeply about this. The most important thing is that the people stationed at the northwestern border have been incredibly tense due to the war. As a result, we need a reason to have a celebration, to boost everyone's flagging morale. After much thought, only the battle for the Grand Guardian General was appropriate. If you want Li Luo to obtain the Lesser Sacred Seed, we can discuss that later."

Tantai Lan, on the other hand, remained noncommittal to his words.

That said, she didn't continue speaking with him. She had previously attempted to delay things but had acceded to the request in the end.

However, the reason why she had accepted wasn't because she was giving in, but the fact that she had heard Li Luo had come out of seclusion. Looking at the time, he would probably be able to rush here. The Dragon's Blood Lineage liked to scheme, whereas she couldn't be bothered. So long as Li Luo could arrive in time, Li Tianji's numerous schemes would fail.

In the face of true strength, all their annoying schemes would be smashed apart. She had ample belief in her son.

Meanwhile, five figures with extraordinary auras stood tall on the battle platform.

They were the five Guardian Generals who were vying for the top spot.

Dragon's Blood Guardian General, Li Zhihuo.

Dragon's Fang Guardian General Li Foluo.

Dragon's Scale Guardian General, Li Tingyue.

Dragon's Bone Guardian General, Li Jushen.

Dragon's Horn Guardian General, Li Boyuan.

These five were considered the strongest beneath the elders of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.

If they were to become high-grade Dukes, they would become pillars supporting the bloodline.

All around the battle platform were the members of the Five Guardian Armies. They were all gathered together, bursting with deafening cheers as they supported their respective Guardian Generals.

Alas, the atmosphere that surrounded the Dragon's Fang Guardians was comparably tamer and dissatisfaction could be seen on many of the guardians’ faces.

Li Fengyi was the most direct. "This is despicable. Why couldn't they wait for Li Luo before starting this? Are the Dragon's Blood Guardians too afraid to lose?"

Li Jingtao helplessly attempted to console her but was immediately glared at, so he shut his mouth.

Some from the Dragon's Fang Guardians even booed the Dragon's Blood Guardians. Luo Jiang, Xia Yu, and the other Dragon’s Fang Envoys and Grand Commanders did not do anything to stop them, as they were similarly displeased. During the month where Jiang Qing'e was around at Godriver City, the Dragon's Blood Lineage didn't dare to even raise the prospect of having the Grand Guardian General battle. Now that Li Luo was apparently still in secluded cultivation and Jiang Qing'e was gone, they pushed the idea yet again. Li Hongyou's eyes were filled with regret as well. Even though Li Luo didn't have anything to prove here, the position of the Grand Guardian General was most suited for him.

The Dragon's Blood Guardians had complicated expressions when faced with the Dragon's Fang Guardians' provocations. After what happened in the Treasure Domain, it was clear that Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's reputation far exceeded Li Zhihuo's. The fact that they had worked together to kill Qin Lian was absolutely terrifying.

Amongst the Dragon's Blood Guardians, Li Hongque could hear Li Fengyi's sarcastic words, and her expression turned dark as she rebuked, "The timing for the battle was agreed upon by Lineage Chief Tantai. Even if Li Luo joined, he's only a first-grade Transcendent and might not be able to beat our Guardian General anyway!"

If this was before the events of the Treasure Domain, just hearing Li Fengyi talk about letting Li Luo fight for the position of Grand Guardian General would have triggered Li Hongque to dish out ten times the amount of angry insults. However, she only dared to say some careful words now. There was no choice after all. Li Luo's battle achievements were incomprehensible, and even Li Hongque didn't dare to look down on him like before.

Everyone understood that beneath the elders, Li Luo stood supreme. Furthermore, his talent and potential were just mind-boggling. Thus, the elders of the Dragon's Blood Lineage wanted Li Zhihuo to obtain a Lesser Sacred Seed to have a chance to serve as a check to Li Luo's rise in the future.

"Why didn't you dare to make a sound when Qing'e was around?" Li Fengyi snorted coldly.

Li Hongque was completely infuriated in her heart, but she could not retort. Jiang Qing'e, as a second-grade Transcendent Duke, was even more terrifying to fight against. Even with Li Zhihuo reaching the upper fifth-grade, it was an uphill climb for him to emerge victorious.

Behind Li Hongque stood Li Qingfeng and Li Hongli and the rest of those in his generation. They simply didn't know what to say as they had seen how Li Luo had steadily advanced beyond them, rising to the peak. When Li Luo had first entered the Dragon's Fang Lineage, they had mocked him, calling him a country bumpkin from an outer divine continent. Alas, in the days that followed, they personally experienced the full brunt of the terror a "country bumpkin" possessed. It seemed that not even Li Zhihuo and Li Hongque were going to be spared from experiencing the same torment.

Li Qingfeng and Li Hongli glanced at each other before sighing. Perhaps in the future, even the older generation of the bloodline would fully experience the horror of facing off against him.

As the guardians bickered endlessly outside, the five Guardian Generals on stage each had differing expressions.

Li Zhihuo was calm on the surface, but his gaze flickered from time to time, giving away his inner excitement. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Once he reached the position of Grand Guardian General, he would obtain the Lesser Sacred Seed, which would allow him to undergo a physical rebirth. If he seized this opportunity, he could even be able to forge a Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfried when he advanced to the sixth-grade. At that point, even Jiang Qing'e would not be a threat to him. In addition, this battle was chosen at a most opportune time. Jiang Qing'e had left the Dragon's Fang Guardians, and with his strongest opponent gone, his wild ambitions started to burn brightly once again after being suppressed for months.

Furthermore, Li Luo hadn't been seen for half a year, and the rumor was that he was recuperating. It made logical sense—how could he not have paid an appropriate price for destroying one of his Ten-Pillar Golden Duke Bergfrieds? Thus, this was the perfect opportunity for Li Zhihuo.

That said, it was also clear that the elders from the Dragon's Blood Lineage had made a move as well.

The c Dragon's Fang Lineage may have lost Li Jingzhe, but the return of Tantai Lan as a Greater Transcendent Duke meant that their reputation had not waned. Furthermore, Tantai Lan was even more forceful than Li Jingzhe when making decisions, and it was said that there were quite a few disputes between her and Li Tianji in the past six months. The elders from the Dragon's Blood Lineage simply didn't wish to see the Lesser Sacred Seed fall into the hands of Li Luo or Jiang Qing'e. Thus, while the two were away, the mice would play. They would lock down the position of Grand Guardian General.

While Li Zhihuo was celebrating in his heart, Li Foluo's expression was ugly. He glared at the former and snorted coldly.

"Even if you obtain the position, you will still be unable to win."

When faced with Li Foluo's words, Li Zhihuo replied, "This was all decided by the elders. What can I do about it?"

"In terms of strength and contributions made in the Treasure Domain, both Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo are more suited for the position than you. The only reason you’re going to get it is because they aren't around," Li Foluo mocked.

Li Zhihuo couldn't maintain his calm expression any longer and frowned. "I might not be Jiang Qing'e's opponent, but Li Luo is only a first-grade Transcendent. If he was here, I would not be afraid. There is no point in talking about this."

Li Foluo's expression turned gloomy. The other three Guardian Generals did not participate in the duo's dispute. They also knew that this Grand Guardian General battle was rather hasty, but the elders had come up with a valid reason as to why it had to be held now. The situation at the warfront was tense, and this event would serve as a good way to relieve the tension and stress of the soldiers. At the same time, they would allow everyone to see the power of the elites from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.

Dong!

At this point, a bell's chime resounded throughout the battle platform, overwhelming the cacophony that drowned the area.

It signified that the battle was about to start.

However, just as a referee was about to announce the start of the competition, the sound of a thunderclap could be heard and someone whizzed through the air. Tantai Lan and Li Tianji's expressions shifted. The former had a smile break out on her face, whereas the latter helplessly sighed in his heart.

A clear peal of laughter rang through the sky as a man descended, overcoming the boiling atmosphere as he roared, "Guardian General Li Foluo, can I borrow your position as the Guardian General for a while?"

When this familiar voice was heard, Li Foluo felt surprised before he burst out into an uncontrollable smile.

That man had finally arrived. He landed on the platform before the countless shocked gazes of the crowd.

He had a unique head of grayish-white hair, handsome looks, and a brilliant smile. His arrival immediately caused the Dragon's Fang Guardians to fall silent for a few moments before they let out a heaven-shaking roar. "Grand Commander Li Luo is mighty!"

The Guardian Generals were taken aback, and Li Zhihuo's expression turned ugly.

Damn it, who had taught him to interrupt things so well? He was literally playing with people's hearts!