Chapter 1019: The Exceptional Golden Mammoth

Li Zongming shrugged. "After all, I'm still a superior king. I might not be stronger than your husband, but I still have authority over the Zongming world. As long as he doesn't specially shield himself, there's nothing in the palace that can hide from my senses."

Li Qianlin asked, "Why can't I accompany Zhang Lie back? Weren't you in favor of it beforehand?"

Li Zongming shook his head. "Daughter, the circumstances have changed."

Zhang Lie remained silent, causing Li Qianlin to understand that there was something unusual happening.

"Did something happen?"

Li Zongming took two steps forward and rubbed Li Qianlin's head. "Yes, but it's nothing major. Zhang Lie and I will take care of it, so you don't have to worry."

Li Qianlin tossed Li Zongming's hand aside with displeasure. "Don't treat me like a kid, Father!" Li Qianlin wasn't upset that Li Zongming was caressing her head, but rather that he still refused to inform her about what was happening.

Li Zongming sighed in regret. "It's true—you're not a little kid anymore, and you'd be able to take care of yourself even if we weren't here..."

Li Qianlin pressed, "Did something happen in the draconian world, or in ours?"

Zhang Lie thought for a moment. "It's a bit of both, but mainly a problem with the draconian world."

Li Zongming shrugged. "There's nothing much to say. The situation has simply changed."

Zhang Lie replied, "Now that the draconian world has evolved into a superior world, it's not very safe."

Not very safe? Weren't worlds supposed to increase in strength upon evolution? How could it have grown less safe??Li Qianlin didn't ask this question out loud. She thought back to what had happened when the worlds of east and west merged into what was now the Zongming world. If not for Zhang Lie's presence then, the Zongming world would have been destroyed.

Li Qianlin wasn't a naive and innocent princess who remained cooped up in a palace. She quickly understood the cause of the trouble and asked, "Those vile superior worlds! Are they going to try for the draconian world next?"

Li Zongming stroked his daughter's head. "Don't worry about it. Zhang Lie and I will take care of it all—but please, stay inside for the time being. It's not safe out there.

The draconian world might become the next battlefield, and the Zongming world might also be implicated. I would strongly prefer if you were to remain with me for now."

Li Qianlin frowned. "So they will come, then."

Li Zongming replied, "In two days' time, Zhang Lie and I will be participating in a meeting among the superior worlds. There has to be someone left in charge in the Zongming world. As my daughter, you're the best temporary substitute for me, in identity and reputation."

Zhang Lie added, "I'll leave Gold Comet behind. It's strong enough to take on fighters on the level of superior kings."

Even if it wouldn't be able to protect the Zongming world on its own, it would be able to flee with Li Qianlin even if she were simultaneously attacked by a few such fighters.

Li Qianlin nodded. "Very well. Leave the Zongming world to me for the time being!"

After bidding farewell to Li Qianlin, Zhang Lie met up with the draconian world's forces. Li Zongming had treated them very well, and they were given the best food and the best lodgings.

Upon seeing Zhang Lie, Zhang Hanxiang hurried up to him and asked, "Brother, are you finished with your tryst with Li Qianlin?"

Zhang Lie caressed her head. "What're you talking about? I was discussing business with the Zongming king."

Zhang Hanxiang nodded sagely. "I understand. Marriage is important business, after all. It's good that you and Li Qianlin are getting along, but please don't neglect me and Sun Mengmeng!"

"You're my sister and my only family. Why would I neglect you because of Qianlin? But I don't see what this has to do with Sun Mengmeng."

Zhang Hanxiang sighed. "Poor Sun Mengmeng..."

Xing Ying strode forward. "Zhang Lie, will you join our feast? The Zongming king had it prepared for us."

Zhang Lie shook his head. "Are you all ready to set off?"

Hong Xi asked, "Master, are we leaving?"

Zhang Lie explained, "In three days' time, I'll be participating in a meeting among the superior kings. There isn't much time. Before I leave, I want to send you all back to the draconian world."

Hong Xi put down her chopsticks. "Let's go, then."

Although the fighters were only halfway done with their feast, no one begrudged Zhang Lie's words. They immediately packed up and prepared to leave.

After two days, the draconian troops finally returned to the draconian world.

Upon witnessing the dramatic changes that had happened there, everyone was shocked—even Hong Xi and Zhang Hanxiang, who had known about the evolution of the world beforehand.

The world had grown considerably more massive and wide in extent.

A draconian fighter couldn't help but ask, "Is this really our homeworld?"

Zhang Lie nodded. "While we were gone, the draconian world merged with its neighbors into a superior draconian world."

The aliens couldn't wait to see what had happened to their worlds.

With a spatial distortion, the draconian sage appeared in front of them all. He announced, "Welcome back, brave warriors!"

The draconian sage had grown considerably stronger. His old, aged form had seemingly reverted in time, and he was once again in the prime of his youth. There was a divine halo behind him.

Zhang Hanxiang didn't immediately recognize him. "Who are you?"

The draconian sage smiled. "Don't you recognize me, Hanxiang? It's only been a few days..."

Zhang Lie introduced, "This is the draconian sage."

Zhang Hanxiang couldn't help but ask, "Sage, why did you install a lightbulb behind your back to show off?"

The draconian sage began to cough violently, dismissing the halo of light as Zhang Lie chuckled to himself by the side.

The draconian sage turned serious again and addressed the fighters. "I thank you all for your hard work. With your sweat and blood, you protected and upheld the integrity of the three thousand worlds, defeating the death spirit king and his ambitions. Zhang Lie, Zhang Hanxiang, and Hong Xi—thank you in particular for bringing the troops back safe and sound."

Zhang Lie waved a hand. "Thank you. If you don't mind, can we cut this short? Everyone's tired from their travels, and I'm sure they'll be happy to see their families again."

The draconian sage nodded with a smile. "Of course. Stand with the rest of your species, if you please. I'll transport you to your respective regions with my authority."

The troops began to spread out orderly. Only when they had segregated did the draconian sage realize just how many different species were represented among the troops.

Zhang Lie, Zhang Hanxiang, and Hong Xi had really worked hard to make sure that these different species were able to cooperate with each other.

The draconian sage specified, "The herdleader of the mammoths, please step forward."

The golden mammoth pointed at herself uncertainly.

The draconian sage continued, "If you don't mind, I'd like you to return to the draconian capital with Zhang Lie and the others. Li Feng has been waiting for you, and he's almost gone mad with anticipation."

The golden mammoth cried out, "Li Feng was waiting for me?"

The draconian sage sighed. "More than that—he spends all day reciting poetry sleeplessly. If not for his astounding strength, he'd long since have collapsed!"