Li Jingzhe didn't know if he was supposed to laugh or cry when he heard Li Luo's big words. However, it was indeed practical to rely on someone's power. The crux lay in whether he could really get the other party's help.
When he had the strength to get things done, he would step up readily and fight for himself. When he could borrow help from others, he wouldn't turn it down just because others didn't agree with it.
This kid was truly flexible with what came his way.
He was much better than his father in this aspect. "You are at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier now, so you should start making preparations for your next breakthrough. If you want to get the best Foundational Spirit Treasures, the Dragon's Fang Guardians is the best place to find one. Not only that—Qing'e, having just started on the Path of Ascension, will need to forge many more Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfrieds in the future. This means she will require the best cultivation resources and Foundational Spirit Treasures. All of the cultivation resources in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li are concentrated in the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies. All of our elites are gathered there, so it'll be the best training ground for the two of you," Li Jingzhe explained.
Li Luo nodded. Indeed, the most important thing for him right now was to begin preparations for his Duke breakthrough. He would not be able to stay on Dragon's Fang Mountain, as it was too peaceful here. This would only slow down his progress.
He would only be able to push past his limits and reach his maximum potential by putting himself through life-and-death situations.
"Grandfather, where exactly are the Dragon's Fang Guardians situated?" Li Luo asked curiously.
"At World End's River Region."
When Li Jingzhe mentioned the new term, he saw a confused look on Li Luo's face. He continued before Li Luo could ask further, "The World End's River is an endlessly long river that separates the two worlds."
"World End's River? Two worlds?" Li Luo still had a perplexed look on his face. It was then that he finally realized what his grandpa was referring to, and he shouted out in surprise, "Could it be that the World End's River separates us from the shadow world?!"
The shadow world was where the Others came from!
Li Jingzhe nodded. "The World End's River flows endlessly. The part that runs through the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent is just a part of it. Numerous Others attempt to cross over into the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent from time to time. In a way, it is like a giant portal to another world, so the World End's River Region is full of danger. Countless True Devil Others appear there, so even a Duke has to be careful. However, it still remains the most attractive forbidden zone in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. All of the heavenly talents from the various powers, including exceptional rogue cultivators and the Heavenly Emperor powers, seek to continue to expand their influence over there. This is because the city itself contains bountiful cultivation resources. It also hides a gargantuan amount of precious resources that can be used to forge Foundational Spirit Treasures."
"Resources for crafting Foundational Spirit Treasures?!" Li Luo instantly understood from this sentence alone how precious World End's River Region was. After all, the Dukes were the true pillars of foundational power in this society. And what did they care most about?
Foundational Spirit Treasures!
That was a prerequisite for them to forge their Duke Bergfrieds as they advanced towards the King Stage.
Given the large number of Dukes in each of the Heavenly Emperor powers, resources that could be used to forge Foundational Spirit Treasure were strategic rewards for them.
"World End's River Region is filled with challenges and battles. Not only do you have to fend off the invasion of the Others, there may also be attacks coming from the other powers. The scheming and battles that you will be involved in is a far cry from what you've seen so far. Not only do we have the Dragon's Fang Guardians, the entire Heavenly Dragon's Five Guardian Armies are gathered in World End's River Region. They are all fighting for the honor and glory of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. This is completely different from what you've seen in the Twenty Banners."
From the detailed explanation, Li Luo could sense how chaotic and tempestuous the situation in World End's River Region truly was.
Even Dukes had to tread there carefully, considering the amount of True Devils.
A simple appearance of a rare Foundational Spirit Treasure could easily spark bloodshed.
Compared to this, the Twenty Banners were truly like a protected shelter. After all, they only had to face off against Fiendish Devils in the Fiendish Devil Cave. In World End's River Region, they had to guard against the terrifying True Devils as well as other conspiring Dukes.
Back in the Fiendish Devil Cave, they could escape if their lives were in danger. In World End's River Region, their foes would surely exterminate them mercilessly if given the chance.
"Are the armies from the other Heavenly Emperor powers standing guard over there too?" Li Luo asked.
"Mhm. The Ten Thousand Beast Guardians from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao, the Dark Water Guardians from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing, the Heaven Devouring Guardians from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhu... Now that we are on this topic, they could all be considered long-time rivals of the Heavenly Dragon Guardians, especially the Ten Thousand Beast Guardians from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao. They have been involved in numerous disputes in recent years as they attempted to expand their territories," Li Jingzhe explained with a nod.
Li Luo sighed. "It does sound like a place mired with opportunities and dangers."
"In a way, World End's River Region is like a weakened version of the n.o.bles' Battlefield," Li Jingzhe said.
Hearing this, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e glanced at each other. Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan were at the n.o.bles' Battlefield right now. Perhaps they could get a sense of the dangers Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan were facing by going to World End's River Region.
"Once you go to the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies, you will understand the real situation in the World End's River Region.
"There is a leader for each of the Five Guardian Armies, known as the Guardian Generals.
"The Guardian General of the Dragon's Fang Guardians is Li Foluo. He is a few generations ahead of you and is a fourth-grade Duke now. Li Foluo is an extremely talented individual with strict control over his subordinates. He has proven himself as a great commander on many occasions. Speaking of which, he received a recommendation from your father when he was younger. He started his cultivation journey from there and eventually ascended to the position of Guardian General for the Dragon's Fang Guardians."
"Li Foluo, fourth-grade Duke?" Li Luo clicked his tongue in secret. The Dragon's Fang Guardians were really full of surprises.
"Under the Guardian General, there are two Dragon Fang Envoys. They are usually second-grade or third-grade Dukes. Under them are the four Grand Commanders, each a first-grade Duke."
Li Luo's eyes flickered a little. It seemed like the four Grand Commanders he had learned about before were only ranked third in the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies truly held an important spot in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.
Li Jingzhe pondered for a moment before he continued, "Strength is everything in the Five Guardian Armies. Your background will not be of much help over there. However, I don’t believe you will need that help. The Ceremony of Ascent for the Dragon's Fang Guardians will take place in just a few days. It is a time where people receive rewards for their recent achievements. Promotions will also happen then. You were the Dragon's Head in the Twenty Banners, so you will have the right to challenge any of the four Grand Commanders. If you feel confident enough, you can try taking on one of the Grand Commander ranks for yourself. The position you hold is very important in the Dragon's Fang Guardians as it will directly affect the amount of cultivation resources you can get."
As Li Luo stuffed another piece of bamboo shoot into his mouth, he contemplated the new information. A Grand Commander would be a first-grade Duke, while he was a Greater Heavenly Resonance with a Heavenly Resonance Diagram of fifty thousand feet. Did he stand a chance? It would not be appropriate for him to borrow the power of the Five-tailed Heavenly Wolf in such a situation. People would not be satisfied if he won in such a way.
However, it was a worthy challenge.
Li Luo had significantly strengthened himself in the time he spent away, so he wanted see how he held up against an actual Duke.
"What about Sister Qing'e?" Li Luo asked.
"Qing'e was not part of the Twenty Banners. According to the rules, she will have to climb up the ranks in the Dragon's Fang Guardians slowly. However, there are exceptions to everything. I will give her an opportunity to challenge a Dragon Fang Envoy."
Li Jingzhe looked over at Jiang Qing'e and smiled a little. "Most people who challenge the Dragon Fang Envoys are at least second-grade Dukes. Sometimes, they're even third-grade. Considering that you've just entered the Duke Stage, are you confident in winning?"
Li Luo was surprised. Challenging a Dragon Fang Envoy directly? They were all second-grade and third-grade Dukes!
Jiang Qing'e thought about it seriously after hearing his proposal, then her clear voice echoed in the small hut.
"Can I challenge the Guardian General instead?"