"Thirty thousand dragon essence?"
Li Luo was left speechless. He would have to serve as a Grand Commander for three years to barely save up for a single one? What if it was a Foundational Spirit Treasure that was even better than a high-grade? Something on par with Jiang Qing'e's Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus—that would be the best amongst the best.
However, he had no choice. Jiang Qing'e had raised the bar, and he did not want to be left too far behind. Thus, he had to aim for a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried as well. The issue was that forming one had harsh requirements on one's talent and potential on top of requiring an exceptional Foundational Spirit Treasure. As every Duke Bergfried would consume one's potential, Foundational Spirit Treasures were critical in mitigating the cost, thus making them absolutely essential.
That said, high-grade Foundational Spirit Treasures were not very helpful in constructing Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfrieds and thus, Li Luo had set his sights on a top-grade one.
Additionally, it seemed that they were quite rare as well.
It was only now that Li Luo started to appreciate how precious the Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus was. It was no wonder the other four Lineage Chiefs had prevented Li Jingzhe from taking it.
To him, it was more important that Jiang Qing'e was safe and sound. Even a more precious Foundational Spirit Treasure could not compare to her life.
"Having a salary is just one way of obtaining dragon essence. One can also accept missions to gather more. If you find a low-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure that you are unable to use, you can trade it for dragon essence to obtain a better one."
Li Luo sighed. It seemed that obtaining one that would satisfy him was going to be a long and arduous task.
"I think instead of worrying about your salary, you should think about how you plan to survive the Ceremony of Ascent. The Dragon's Fang Guardians acknowledge your achievements in the Twenty Banners and have voluntarily given you a spot, but the Dragon's Blood Guardians will be looking to humiliate you," Li Foluo reminded him. On top of that, there was the situation regarding Li Hongyou, and the Dragon's Blood Guardians would definitely not let it rest. There was an eighty to ninety percent chance that the Grand Commander Dukes would attempt to exchange pointers with Li Luo.
Li Luo was only at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier, so the gap was ma.s.sive. It was no less than the difference between Jiang Qing'e and Li Changfeng.
"Guardian General, you can rest a.s.sured that I will do my best to prevent the Dragon's Fang Guardians from losing any face." Li Luo grinned.
Li Foluo emotionlessly replied, "It's not about doing your best, but making sure it doesn't happen at all! Don't forget that you're the Twenty Banners' Dragon's Head and your father is Li Taixuan. Your loss won't only result in you losing face."
At this point, he thought of something and paused before continuing, "Tomorrow, both Jiang Qing'e and you can go to the Heavenly Dragon Treasury. According to the rules, newly appointed Grand Commanders and Dragon Fang Envoys can retrieve a treasure for themselves."
"Heavenly Dragon Treasury?" Li Luo's eyes lit up in excitement.
"The Heavenly Dragon Treasury is where you can trade for precious treasures, and each of the five lineages sell their exclusive Duke Arts there. It’s the only place in the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li where one can learn the other lineages’ signature Duke Arts. However, you can only choose a treasure worth twenty thousand dragon essence at the moment. Remember, this is just a loan and the cost will be deducted from your salary."
Li Luo didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. He hadn't even received his first month's allowance and he was already in debt?
That said, getting some benefits in advance was not a bad thing.
He had seen quite a few Duke Arts that were meant only for the lineage when he entered the Dragon's Fang Lineage's Treasure Pavilion. The Heavenly Dragon Treasury was definitely worth looking at if it contained the Duke Arts of all the other lineages.
"Alright, we will end things here for today. You can familiarize yourself with everyone else since you are now an official member of the Dragon's Fang Guardians."
With that, Li Foluo turned to leave, not being overly courteous.
Li Luo didn't really mind, and he flashed Jiang Qing'e a smile. He then looked at a group of familiar people who were coming towards them in excitement.
"Sister Qing'e, I'll introduce some friends to you since we will be here for a while."
Jiang Qing'e didn't really mind, so she nodded.
To her, so long as Li Luo was by her side, it didn't matter where they were.
......
Just as Li Luo concluded his induction into the Dragon's Fang Guardians, in an area far away from Heavenly Dragon Peak.
There was a magnificent city located above an abyss. Atop the city was a gigantic defensive ward that radiated scintillating light, covering the entire city.
Within the ward was a ten thousand-feet-long banner that stood tall and imposing, radiating frightening undulations of pressure.
The black banner was decorated with the character "Qin." Naturally, only a Heavenly Emperor power like the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qin was capable of establis.h.i.+ng such a foothold in the World End's River Region.
At this point in time, several people descended into a courtyard in the depths of the city.
Leading them was none other than Qin Lian, who had a cold expression on her face.
"Leave and await your punishment, you useless things!" Qin Lian glared at a particular sixth-grade Duke, whose face turned pale. Too afraid to retort, he turned to leave.
Qin Lian then turned and entered the courtyard. A man and a woman soon approached.
"Mother."
"Master."
The woman was enchanting; her long hair billowed in the wind, giving off a fairy-like air. It was Qin Yi.
The man beside her was tall and stood upright, with rings of silver and gold on his wrists. His entire body gave off a sense of pressure. It was Chu Qing.
Qin Lian gave her daughter an icy gaze. "Why are you still at the True Seal-grade? Li Luo has already entered the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier."
Qin Yi was a little taken aback when she heard of Li Luo's swift cultivation speed. She herself had successfully cultivated to the nine-pearl tier before entering the Lesser Heavenly Resonance Tier. This allowed her to skip over the Illusory Seal-grade, and yet Li Luo was already at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier?
That cultivation speed could frighten anyone!
Her thoughts churned in disbelief, but her expression remained placid, only respectfully answering, "I understand. I will work harder to cultivate."
Qin Lian then turned towards Chu Qing. Her expression softened a little when she looked at her disciple. Li Luo had surpa.s.sed Qin Yi, which caused her to feel extremely dissatisfied, but her disciple was exceptional—he was currently a second-grade Duke.
"Both of you can rest, no need to be concerned about me."
Qin Lian then headed to the inner courtyard.
As Qin Yi watched her mother’s departing figure, her gaze flickered, lightly asking, "I could feel Mother’s killing intent. What was she doing?"
Chu Qing shook his head. "Perhaps she encountered rogue cultivators who could not recognize the sky for what it is."
Qin Yi did not respond. However, Li Luo's face appeared in her mind. Ever since they left the Spiritual Resonance Cave, he had truly surpa.s.sed her. His talent was indeed demonic.
Once Qin Lian entered the inner courtyard, she opened up a secret chamber and entered. Within was a crystal orb that gave off a glowing light. The light took the shape of a person that gave off boundless amounts of pressure.
It was the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qin's leader, the Grand Palace Master, Qin Jiujie
"It looks like you've lost," Qin Jiujie said indifferently as he observed Qin Lian.
Qin Lian bitterly replied, "It’s because I am incapable. Grand Palace Master, please punish me."
Qin Jiujie fell silent for a while before asking, "A punishment will be naturally be meted out. Li Jingzhe will inevitably be made aware of your failure and arrive in the World End's River Region ahead of schedule to serve as a deterrent. Thus, you won't be able to try again. Li Jingzhe might very well come up with his own conclusions, considering your impatient behavior. Such actions cannot be explained away with a simple answer like your hatred towards Li Luo. Thus, he may suspect that it has to do with the Genesis Seed."
Qin Lian's expression changed. If Li Jingzhe truly found out, then the protection placed around Li Luo would undoubtedly increase by several magnitudes. It would not be easy to seize it from him in that case.
"What should we do, then?" Qin Lian couldn't help but ask.
Qin Jiujie's eyes were filled with an unpredictable light as his faint voice echoed throughout the secret chamber. "So long as Li Jingzhe remains, Li Luo will be untouchable."
"Are you saying we should just let the Genesis Seed go?" Qin Lian hurriedly asked.
"Who said we were planning to let it go?"
His gaze was as deep as the abyss, causing all who saw it to feel fear.
"It is Li Jingzhe's turn to guard Heavenly Dragon Peak in the World End's River Region. The Stygian Rain of Calamity will be a good opportunity. So long as Li Jingzhe remains, we cannot touch Li Luo. If that's the case... we will deal with Li Jingzhe first."