Chapter 0937: Targeted

Excitement bubbled over and noise overtook the air in the Dragon's Blood Lineage. The four Banner Leaders similarly had idolizing and passionate looks in their eyes when they recognized the youth.

Li Wuyuan, the previous generation's Dragon's Head!

When the Dragon's Blood Lineage's four banners were wallowing in the depths of despair, Li Wuyuan's presence had elevated everyone's morale.

"It's been a while. You have become even more stunning, Cousin Hongli. I'm sure you will have countless suitors when you join the Dragon's Blood Guardians." Li Wuyuan flashed a smile towards Li Hongli.

This was met with a coquettish smile.

Li Wuyuan then turned towards the silent Li Qingfeng. "Cousin Qingfeng, it looks like you've thrown away all of the prestige the Gold Blood Banner has accumulated over the years." His words were calm and sharp.

Li Qingfeng remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

"News of you losing the Battle of the Dragon's Head has already spread into the Dragon's Blood Guardians. Numerous companions of mine have levied quite a bit of criticism towards you. Additionally, the Dragon's Blood Lineage is the leader of the five, and we have to ensure that we suppress the rest in all aspects. Only then can we maintain our position as the Mountain Ruling Lineage," Li Wuyuan continued.

These words were heavy, as the elites amongst the Dragon's Blood Guardians would eventually ascend to become the elders of the Dragon's Blood Lineage at some point. Li Qingfeng's poor performance today would also affect his future.

Li Qingfeng gave a bitter look. "I apologize. I was simply useless, tarnishing the reputation the Dragon's Blood Lineage has spent years building up."

He could not refute Wuyuan's words as the loss in the Battle of the Dragon's Head and the recent change in the Fiendish Devil Cave rankings demonstrated to him that Li Luo was now on the rise.

It was a fact. He could not suppress Li Luo.

Li Hongli hurriedly came to Li Qingfeng's defense. "Cousin Wuyuan, you can't blame Elder Brother Qingfeng... It's all Li Luo's fault. The reason he lost the position of Dragon's Head was due to Elder Brother Qingfeng mistakenly choosing to utilize the Dragon's Blood Judgment Art. Otherwise, he could have flattened that irritating fellow without a doubt!"

"Cousin Hongli, no matter the reason, the fact remains that Li Luo is now the Dragon's Head of the Twenty Banners. This is a fact that is set in stone," Li Wuyuan continued.

Li Hongli lightly pouted before a look of dejection appeared on her face. She knew that her previous words were just excuses. Although Li Luo had not exchanged blows with Li Qingfeng, the fact that he had managed to triumph over Li Taixuan's replica demonstrated that he possessed true power that was not in any way inferior.

Thus, even if the Dragon's Blood Judgment Art had not been used, Qingfeng might not have beaten Li Luo.

This was a fact that greatly unsettled Li Hongli, leaving her dissatisfied. Perhaps it was more appropriate to say that she refused to accept that a country bumpkin could construct such a trail of miracles in the short span of less than a year.

Li Luo's radiance would soon eclipse their inability.

Her father's generation had been heavily oppressed by Li Taixuan, who had left behind legends that overwhelmed everyone else. Could it be that Li Luo would once again do the same to his generation? And this time, the ones who would suffer would be them!

Li Wuyuan calmly said, "However, there is no need to be overly depressed. The Dragon's Blood Lineage's strength has been built over many generations. Even the exceptional Li Taixuan was unable to change things. He left and has never returned. Since he was unable to do so, how could Li Luo be any different? Cousin Qingfeng, you might have lost once, but there is no need to lose your drive. Li Luo might be talented, but the foundation of the Dragon's Blood Lineage is even greater, and being the Mountain Ruling Lineage is not just for show."

He then turned to look at Li Qingfeng and continued leisurely, "Take advantage of the opportunity that is the Spiritual Resonance Cave. Even if you cannot surpass him, the Dragon's Blood Lineage still has us..."

At this point, Li Hongli stuttered in surprise, "Cousin Wuyuan, have you made your decision?"

Li Wuyuan casually replied, "Before I left the Dragon's Blood Guardians, my fellow seniors reminded me that if the opportunity arises, I have to let Li Luo know just who the leader of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages is."

His gaze seemed indifferent, but a sharp and tyrannical aura spread from his body.

The years where Li Taixuan rose to prominence caused the Dragon's Fang Lineage to rise in prestige. When he entered the Dragon's Fang Guardians, his momentum was overwhelming, and even the previous Dragon's Heads in the Dragon's Blood Guardians were alarmed by his meteoric rise. In an attempt to make him halt in his tracks, many battles broke out. Li Taixuan was suppressed at the start, but as time passed, even the most senior members of the Dragon's Blood Guardians were forced to retreat before him. As a result, that generation's Dragon's Fang Guardians were simply peerless and possessed unstoppable momentum.

The Dragon's Blood Guardians then conducted a review of their actions and felt that if they had paid more attention to the threat posed by Li Taixuan and suppressed him during his early periods of growth, he would not have developed the invincible, sweeping momentum that caused all to cower before him.

In the end, Li Taixuan, the invincible battle god, had used them as a whetstone, sharpening himself to unprecedented levels.

Learning from their mistakes in the past, the Dragon's Blood Guardians had decided that if the opportunity arose, they would do everything they could to suppress Li Luo. Coupled with how he had languished in the outer divine continent for many years, his rapid improvement would be diminished and he might not explode forth with the same frightening potential as his father. This way, the threat would be resolved.

"Cousin Wuyuan, if you were to take action, wouldn't the Dragon's Fang Guardians act to block you?" Li Hongli asked.

He smirked and replied, "The previous generation of the Dragon's Fang Lineage has been crushed by me countless times. Just who can stop me? In any case, I won't be too overbearing. I simply want him to be more reserved. Youths competing in battle is very normal. Would he tattle on me to the Lineage Chief because of that? He would become the laughing stock of the five lineages." He waved his hand at this juncture. "Enough, let's stop talking about him."

Li Wuyuan took two steps forward and lightly grasped Li Qingfeng's shoulder with a smile. "There is no need to be too disheartened by this. This is just a temporary setback, and with the absolute foundation built up by the Dragon's Blood Lineage, Li Luo is merely a mantis trying to stop a cart. Let's go. I don’t get many opportunities to come back here. Let us indulge in a meal at the Grand Dragon Inn. The days in the Dragon's Blood Guardians are bitter and full of danger. It's difficult to find even a moment to relax."

Li Qingfeng smiled bitterly as he was dragged along. He reached out to his friends and led the entire group out of Fiendish Devil Peak.

……

Li Luo, on the other hand, was in the dark about the Dragon's Blood Guardians' plot to keep him hammered down. If he knew, he would only smile in response. Yes, it was true that youths would often clash to exchange pointers. If he had to... well, there was Little Three to rely on... Li Luo returned to his living quarters after having dinner with the rest.

He sat atop his bed, but instead of resting, he stretched out his hand.

The pocket sphere on his wrist glowed and a stream of light flew out. A single dark-green pill appeared before him.

The spirit pill emanated a mysterious fragrance that caused one's mind to attain a sense of emptiness with just a whiff.

This was the reward he had obtained from conquering layer sixty-three.

The Pill of Enlightenment.