Chapter 1637: Transcendent Duke, Li Luo!

The towering Transcendent Heavenly Throne floated in the air, glowing with scintillating light. Above it was a slowly rotating sword formation alongside the Nine Dragons Paragon Emperor Seal, both emitting a terrifying aura.

Li Luo's old friends from the Xia Kingdom, such as the First Princess, Vice Principal Su Xin, and so on were completely dumbfounded as they basked in Li Luo's godly presence beneath his Transcendent Heavenly Throne.

The First Princess could still remember the first time she met him. He was merely a new student of the Astral Sage College, and she had befriended him for ulterior purposes. She merely wanted to use him as a springboard to develop a closer relationship with Jiang Qing'e.

No one shone brighter than Jiang Qing'e back then, and Li Luo's presence was greatly dimmed under her radiance. This was precisely the effect Jiang Qing'e had aimed for as it would divert those with malicious intentions away from Li Luo while they weathered the storm that surrounded House Luolan. It was only when Li Luo entered the Astral Sage College that he revealed his luster and demonstrated his own excellence.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The First Princess was filled with delight when she thought about what she had done back then. In her attempts to rope Jiang Qing'e into her side, she ended up building a positive relationship with Li Luo as well. No matter how deeply one schemed, it could all fall apart with a single thought.

"Chi Chan, you've had the most foresight in this matter," Vice Principal Su Xin said with a sigh.

The only one in the entire Astral Sage College who truly had a close relationship with Li Luo was Chi Chan. This was because when he needed help the most, she was the only one who had stepped in without hesitation to assist with all she had.

Chi Chan had chosen to take him as her student in the Choosing of the Mentors, protected Li Luo from Shen Jinxiao's schemes, and prevented Duke Lan from harming House Luolan during the Housemeet. She had gone so far as to abandon her position as a mentor to stand against House Lanling. These were precious favors that would never be forgotten.

Vice Principal Su Xin had a feeling that the main reason why Li Luo had such a deep affection for the Astral Sage College was because of Chi Chan.

Chi Chan's beautiful, sparkling eyes contained a hint of tenderness as she looked at the student that was now so powerful that none would dare glance at him casually. She was overcome with genuine happiness and gratitude.

"I never expected that the youth I picked in the Choosing of the Mentors would end up reaching such heights either." Chi Chan couldn't help but smile. At the same time, her long eyelashes fluttered as she let out a rarely-heard laugh.

"This achievement should elevate me to a higher position in the Astral Sage College, right?"

Vice Principal Su Xin grinned. "Hmph! Keep dreaming."

Li Luo's overbearing power blanketed the world around him, causing everyone's depressed hearts to suddenly feel much lighter. After all, having a Transcendent Duke on their side would greatly improve the situation.

At the same time, the bloodied and tired Yu Lang was walking through the streets of Xia City. He ordered the Devil Hunting Squad to rest, but he remained standing with his dagger drawn, looking up at his old friend.

"That brat is a show-off. Isn't he worried that someone might rain on his parade?" Yu Lang grumbled sourly, then raised his bloody blade emotionally. "Brother... Walk steadily!"

Li Luo stood triumphantly beneath his Transcendent Heavenly Throne, his eyes lowered. The undulations he was emitting were gradually surpassing even those from Pang Qianyuan and the other Kings.

Bang!

His Absolute Resonance Halo became agitated as the eight types of source origin energy started to mingle, gathering within the golden cauldron in its center. The Greater Void Resonance Flame blazed vigorously, almost as though it was about to jump out of its container.

The eight source origin energies formed a vast sea of energy, containing water that bloomed with light, ancient trees that took root in boundless soil, rolling thunderclouds accompanied by the roar of a Heavenly Dragon, and crystalline light coupled with an icy aura that transformed into frigid crystal mountains.

The source origin energy coursing through him far surpassed what the Heavenly Dragon Formation had given him. However, this power was his own, not some sort of external help.

As the eight source origin energies condensed, they were refined by the Greater Void Resonance Flame to form a source origin core. It looked incredibly magical, containing eight different types of source origin, as though a minor world was starting to take shape within.

When he focused on the core, his heart was filled with excitement. His very own source origin core! This was the core of a King Stage expert's power, created from the purest resonant power within their body. It was also the source of the source origin energy they wielded. It turned out that one was formed when one reached the Transcendent Duke Stage as well.

It looked incredibly gorgeous, shining with a myriad of colors as eight different source origin runes adorned its surface, flowing endlessly from end to end. However, this wasn't the only thing that had changed. Li Luo could sense something else appearing within him.

As he inspected his body, something in a specific corner grabbed his attention. Another resonant palace had been born—his fifth resonant palace!

Upon closer inspection, Li Luo could feel that it was also empty. As expected, it was a blank palace.

At this point in time, he no longer felt that this was a curse. Instead, it was a great blessing. The Greater Acquired Resonance Godly Forging Art would allow him to refine an acquired resonance, and the process was much simpler now. The only thing was that he had to carefully consider what he wished to put within it, as well as what sorts of materials were required. Therefore, he was unable to refine one right now.

That said, he was still elated as he had benefitted greatly today. He had power comparable to that of a King, his resonances had evolved, and a fifth blank palace had appeared, resulting in his foundation and potential becoming much more robust.

After spending years in hibernation, he had risen to become a dragon among men.

In the skies above, the Saturnine Hydra Devil King's expression was unfathomably gloomy, it glared at the Transcendent Heavenly Throne above Li Luo's head with its burning eyes. It had never expected that Li Luo would manage to succeed right before its very eyes.

Although he was just a seventh-grade Transcendent Duke, the source origin undulations he was emitting were far more powerful than those coming from Pang Qianyuan, a peak Single Crowned King. In fact, its five Devil Heads felt a hint of danger when they looked at him.

"So what if you've become a Transcendent Duke? You still don't have the capability to change the situation," the Devil King boomed.

Its complete form was a peak Triple Crowned King with the potential to become a Grand Devil King. If more of its main body's energy could descend, even an eighth-grade Transcendent, much less a seventh-grade, would be insignificant.

"Now that he's completed his breakthrough, it's time for you to die."

The Saturnine Hydra Devil King's eyes flashed with murderous intent as it focused on Jiang Qing'e.

The Transcendent Tribulation above her had dissipated and her face was pale as her energy had been drained. Even her Apex Resonance Crystal Core had dimmed and was showing signs of dissipating. For the sake of blocking her opponent and winning Li Luo precious time, she had forcefully summoned yet another Transcendent Tribulation to restrict the actions of the Devil King at the cost of a backlash to herself.

The Saturnine Hydra Devil King pointed at her, launching a sharp, dusky flame arrow through the air. It emanated frightening corruption source origin fluctuations.

The arrow was so quick that even Jiang Qing'e was barely able to make out a ray of light slicing through the air. However, she remained completely unfazed despite being completely exhausted due to the backlash.

Just as the arrow was about to strike her, a pair of strong, powerful arms stretched out from behind her, wrapped her slender waist, and picked her up in a princess carry.

The imposing and humongous Transcendent Heavenly Throne teleported through the void, directly colliding with the arrow.

Bang!

Spatial rifts with no end ripped open across the sky, wreaking havoc like the tentacles of a demon.

Jiang Qing'e was completely unbothered by the destruction raging around her. A familiar scent entered her nose, and when she raised her brilliant eyes, she saw Li Luo's face right up against hers. He was looking down at her, and he let out a faint laugh.

"Little Qing'e, did you know that I've always wanted to hold you like this?"