Chapter 1614: Where Is It?

"What is that?" Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e couldn’t help but ask. They were focused on the blurry figure on Li Lingjing’s hand.

The butterfly was a little strange. It definitely resembled a butterfly, but the shape was somehow different. The figure was too blurry to make out any details.

Li Lingjing sighed deeply. "There’s very little information to go on, but from the subtle clues I’ve found, I believe this image is related to one of the Pill Saint’s resonances. A butterfly-type resonance. You might want to mobilize the southern region’s royal court to search for everyone who possesses a butterfly resonance. And if necessary, you could threaten them to see if you can trigger some sort of awakening."

Hearing that caused Li Luo to dryly smile. Li Lingjing's suggestion was a little too close to what an Other would do.

“There’s merit in what she says. We can ask the First Princess to help locate those with butterfly resonances and then investigate further,” Jiang Qing’e said thoughtfully.

Clearly, she had dismissed the part about threatening people. And besides, if the Pill Saint truly did reveal himself, would they even be capable of dealing with him? How could they possibly challenge an ancient Heavenly Emperor?

Li Luo nodded. “Since we don’t have other clues, we’ll start with that. However, the most urgent task is to deal with the Other Disaster and the Saturnine Hydra Devil King."

Only after restoring peace to the Xia Kingdom could they fully commit to tracking down the Pill Saint.

Jiang Qing’e agreed. The Saturnine Hydra Devil King was a sword hanging above their heads. If that Triple Crowned King descended into the world, the entire Xia Kingdom would fall under its overwhelming demonic power.

“The Xia Kingdom will launch a final assault tomorrow. We’ll head straight to the capital,” Li Luo said.

Now that the Enchanting Fox King had been eliminated, only three Kings remained. Their side held the upper hand, and they needed to press that advantage, not give their enemies a chance to catch their breath.

“The Origin Reversion Institute won’t let you do that so easily; they’ll do their best to disrupt you. The only people here who pose a threat to you are Shen Jinxiao, the golden-armored man, and myself. We’ve all absorbed Ultimate Devil Corruption Seeds.”

“Ultimate Devil Corruption Seed?” Jiang Qing’e frowned. “What is that?”

“You can think of it as a twisted version of a Sacred Seed. The only difference is that the side effects are horrific. If you fail to control it, you’ll be consumed completely and become nutrients for the seed, reduced to a dessicated husk,” Li Lingjing replied.

Li Luo was taken aback. The Ultimate Devil Corruption Seed was on the level of a Sacred Seed? He was very clear on how precious a Sacred Seed was, and Heavenly Emperor powers possessed only one. But the Origin Reversion Institute was capable of creating such treasures? Wasn't their foundation a little too terrifying?

“After we absorbed the Ultimate Devil Corruption Seeds, our strength rose to just below the False King Stage. If we complete the fusion, we’ll become Single Crowned Kings,” Li Lingjing explained, selling out all of the critical information on the Origin Reversion Institution without holding anything back.

Jiang Qing’e and Li Luo exchanged serious looks. It was fortunate that Li Lingjing had delivered this information before they set off to the capital. If not, Shen Jinxiao might have ambushed them during the battle, possibly flipping the outcome.

Li Lingjing added, “I’ll help you kill Shen Jinxiao and the golden-armored man. When they’re dead, I want both of their Ultimate Devil Corruption Seeds.”

Jiang Qing’e’s lips twitched slightly as she glanced at Li Lingjing with a strange look. She was aware Li Lingjing had a unique relationship with Li Luo, but was there really a need to sell out her companions so easily? Their relationship couldn't even begin to explain this.

Li Luo frowned. “Won’t the Origin Reversion Institute suspect you, Cousin Lingjing? This might put you in danger.”

The Origin Reversion Institute was a terrifying and ancient organization, capable of cornering even the Academic Federation. Could she truly hide from the omniscient eyes of those Heavenly Emperors?

Li Lingjing calmly explained, “It doesn’t matter. Just make sure to seriously injure me when it’s over. You don't need to worry about the Origin Reversion Institute’s rules. If I can absorb both Ultimate Devil Corruption Seeds, a Heavenly Emperor will start paying attention to me. At most, I’ll just have to kill one or two of the Academic Federation’s Kings to make up for the losses.”

Li Luo’s mouth hung open. Li Lingjing’s way of thinking was completely in line with the Origin Reversion Institute, ruthless and strange, or maybe worse. She only acted differently when he was concerned.

“We’ll talk about this later.” Li Luo sighed.

“I’ll take my leave, then,” Li Lingjing said.

Before she could leave, Li Luo called out, “Cousin Lingjing, be careful when you go back. If you can’t handle things, come find me. I'll do my best to help you.”

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Li Lingjing broke into a rare smile, and she said in a gentle tone, “Li Luo, just live well. That’s the greatest form of support you can give me.”

With that, she merged into the shadows. The air rippled, swallowing her up. The gloomy aura vanished as well.

Li Luo stared at the spot where she had disappeared and let out a sigh. He didn’t know how far she could travel down this dark path, and he was worried she would lose herself if she went too far. If that happened, would she still be the person he once knew?

Jiang Qing’e grabbed his hand and attempted to console him. “She is allowing herself to be transformed by the darkness. You’re the one ray of light she still clings to, protecting the last bit of clarity she holds in her mind. Like she said, as long as you keep going, the darkness won’t devour her completely and she won’t become a true monster.”

Li Luo nodded and gave her a smile. “Sister Qing’e, it’s getting late. Shall we rest?”

Jiang Qing’e rolled her eyes. “I’m not in the mood anymore. I’m going to cultivate.”

With that, she turned and left for the cultivation chamber.

Watching her graceful figure disappear, Li Luo stomped his foot in frustration. Cousin Lingjing truly came at the worst possible time! Couldn't she have concealed herself a little better? The depressed Li Luo could only drag his feet out of the bedroom and make his way towards the old manor.

Along the way, he spotted Bai Mengmeng, dressed in white, carrying a jade case to the spirit liquids and purifying lights workshop.

Suddenly, he remembered something and dashed forward, appearing like a ghost before Bai Mengmeng. The girl was frightened silly, to the point that she became pale. When she saw that it was just Li Luo, she angrily bared her teeth. She looked ferocious but also somewhat adorable.

“Mengmeng, if I remember correctly, doesn’t your resonance have something to do with butterflies?” Li Luo looked at her inquisitively.

She paused for a second and then nodded. “It's the Nightmarish Water Butterfly resonance and is at the lower eighth-grade now. A lot higher than you probably remember.”

He squinted at her, scrutinizing the petite and innocent-looking maiden from head to toe.

“Squad Leader, what are you doing?” Bai Mengmeng felt like her privacy was being invaded. Her face turned red as she clutched the jade case and took a step back.

Li Luo held out his hand, his expression solemn. “Give me the Myriad Resonances Golden Pill.”

Bai Mengmeng paused as though in a daze. She reached into her pocket and rummaged around before finally taking out a mottled golden pearl and placing it in Li Luo's hand. "This is for you."

Li Luo was stunned. He took a close look at the pearl. There was not a single fluctuation of energy coming from it, so he asked, "What is this?"

“I don’t know,” she replied with a charming expression.

“Nonsense,” Li Luo retorted unhappily.

He was about to toss the object away, but since it was something a close friend had given to him, he stowed it away.

Bai Mengmeng puffed up her cheeks and said, “You’re the one spouting nonsense, Squad Leader.”

Li Luo reached out angrily and pinched her cheeks before muttering something and walking off.

Bai Mengmeng massaged her reddened cheeks and angrily said, “So rude...”

Then she resumed her journey to the spirit liquids and purifying lights workshop, a space that belonged solely to her. No one in House Luolan would disturb her there.

Inside, she stood before a workbench and flipped through the high-grade spirit liquid and purifying light formulas that Li Luo had brought back from the inner divine continent. Gradually, she lost herself in her work. Her previously watery eyes became empty, a strange luster forming deep within them. It was as though she had entered a state of deep concentration. Her ability to understand spirit liquids and purifying lights reached a terrifying level whenever she was in this state.

It was similar to Jiang Qing’e’s Divine Knowledge state, though Bai Mengmeng’s version applied only to spirit liquids and purifying lights. It was unknown how long she had been in a trance, but she suddenly reached into her pocket, as though trying to retrieve something, only to come up empty. A look of confusion appeared in her vacant eyes, then a low voice echoed throughout the workshop.

“Where is it?”