Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, Lu Ruyan, and Chi Li all accepted the Sand Seizing Battle between them. This immediately caused a furor within Celestial Mirror City. This wasn't only because both parties were outstanding figures in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda trials, it was the fact that they were engaged in a Sand Seizing Battle.

The total wager had reached a staggering one hundred and forty grains of Celestial Mirror Sand.

Just what sort of stakes were these? That was nearly the equivalent of a quarter of all the Celestial Mirror Sand available this round.

Both parties had raised this massive sum through their connections and various means.

Whoever won would obtain a terrifying harvest. Even the battle amongst the four eighth-grade Dukes seemed somewhat dull compared to this. Although those eighth-grade Dukes were stronger, few could compare to the likes of Li Luo or Lu Ruyan in terms of stature, background, and resources.

Thus, everyone greatly anticipated the battle that would occur in ten days’ time. Just who would get the last laugh and become the biggest winner?

……

"We will choose a two-person battle format for the Sand Seizing Battle. Thus, only Sister Qing'e and I will participate. If they were to increase the numbers, the situation would become much more chaotic because Lu Ruyan and Chi Li have several lower seventh-grade Dukes in their squads.

In Celestial Mirror City, within the area that the East Divine Continent resided, Li Luo was slowly explaining his plans within a hall to Lu Qing'er, Li Hongyou, Guo Jiufeng, and the rest.

All of the people present could be said to be invested in his success, and he had to reassure them. After hearing Li Luo's words, several vice principals had a change in expression. "Mentor Li Luo, are you planning to take on Chi Li alone?"

Furthermore, Li Luo wouldn't have Li Hongyou's assistance.

They had given him a large amount of Celestial Mirror Sand, and this didn't seem like good news.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Let me participate as well. I have a way to restrain Lu Ruyan." Lu Qing'er, who was sitting with perfect posture, looked at Li Luo with her beautiful, ice-blue eyes. She felt that the reason why Lu Ruyan had thrown her lot in with Chi Li was because of her. Thus, she had to do her part to resolve this burden.

Li Luo sighed. "And what sort of price do you have to pay to do that?"

Lu Qing'er was a first-grade Duke, so any means she had to restrain Lu Ruyan was undoubtedly terrifying, considering the gap between them. It also implied the cost would be massive. Lu Qing'er fell silent without responding.

This was a tacit admission of how heavy the price would be, so Li Luo shook his head. "Qing'er, the situation hasn't reached such a dire point yet. Believe in me. I'll handle them."

Jiang Qing'e sighed lightly beside him and said calmly, "Give Lu Ruyan to me. Although she has many tricks up her sleeve, I am confident I can beat her. Li Luo, so long as you're able to hold on until then, the scales of victory will tilt further towards us over time."

This was what everyone was most worried about.

When Li Luo defeated Fang Xingyun, he had utilized a curse art to weaken him. However, now that the information was out, Chi Li would not give Li Luo the same opportunity.

Without Li Hongyou's buffs, how could he possibly hope to beat a lower seventh-grade Duke, much less an upper seventh-grade like Chi Li with an even more robust foundation?

"Everyone, please relax. I've also invested a lot of Celestial Mirror Sand, so if I didn't have any confidence, how would I dare to initiate the battle?" Li Luo said.

The rest didn't speak further. Guo Jiufeng merely smiled and cupped his hands respectfully. "Then we will await Mentor Li Luo's good news in ten days."

The group continued to chat for a while longer before dispersing in separate directions.

Li Luo then rose to accompany Jiang Qing'e out. After making their way out of the East Divine Continent's accommodations, he casually reached out and took hold of her slender hand, interlocking their fingers.

Jiang Qing'e's delicate body jolted slightly and she suddenly felt more self-aware, sensing the strange looks around her. Her usually cool temperament made the slight blush on her cheeks all the more obvious.

However, she didn't resist, tightly grasping Li Luo's hand as well.

The two had been separated for over half a year, and when they met today, they had barely spent any time together. Thus, it was difficult to understand just how love-sick they were. Now that they were finally alone, their inner emotions were turbulent.

"Why don't you stay at my place? I have many things to talk about." Li Luo glanced at her bright and charming face with passionate eyes, and he couldn't help but chuckle. ℞𝒶ℕꝋ𐌱ËＳ

Jiang Qing'e hesitated for a moment before shaking her head with an embarrassed look. "Forget it. It's best that you spend the next ten days properly recuperating and preparing for the Sand Seizing Battle."

Now that their relationship was at a different level after having gone through that

step

, they were inseparable in emotions and feelings. If they were to stay together, they wouldn’t have the heart to even cultivate properly. Li Luo felt a little disappointed, and just as he was about to try to persuade her otherwise, Jiang Qing'e hurriedly changed the subject. "What are you planning to do to beat Chi Li?"

Even she was a little curious. What would Li Luo do without Li Hongyou's support? The two were alone, and Li Luo wouldn't hide anything from her. "Without Sister Hongyou, I'll have to rely on my own strength. I plan to reach the upper second Transcendent Duke Stage in these ten days."

Jiang Qing'e was a little surprised. She hadn't thought that this was Li Luo's plan. However, would things go so smoothly?

"You've just broken into the second-grade in the last few months. You might need more time to accumulate a stronger foundation," Jiang Qing'e advised.

If one's foundation was not suitably established and they forced a breakthrough, it could lead to instability in their cultivation. Normally speaking, this would be a minor issue, but Li Luo sought transcendence, so every step had to be flawless with nothing lacking.

Li Luo smiled. "You can relax. I wouldn't do such a foolish thing. Furthermore, no matter how important Celestial Mirror Sand might be to me, it cannot compare to my Path of Ascension."

The reason why he felt this way was naturally because of the bronze lamp left behind by Wang Taixi. With Celestial Mirror Sand as the fuel, he could create that mysterious golden smoke.

With the assistance of that object, Li Luo had obtained the assurance to rush towards the upper second-grade. When Jiang Qing'e sensed Li Luo's confidence, she smiled. She understood that Li Luo wasn't a short-sighted person; the only reason why he dared to say such words was because he knew he could do it well.

He then escorted Jiang Qing'e out of the East Divine Continent's area before unwillingly returning to his residence to seclude himself. As Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes watched his departing figure, her gaze turned towards another residence within the East Divine Continent's area. She frowned slightly. For some reason, she felt something uncomfortable coming from that direction, but before she was able to identify the reason. It vanished, as though it had never been there. She shook her head before turning to leave.