Li Jingzhe waved his hand and answered, "Your contributions have been rewarded with dragon essences. However, it's most likely still insufficient to trade for the Sovereign Pearl."
He took a glance at Li Qingpeng, who quickly did some calculations before replying, "The two of them will still need to add on around another 70,000 dragon essences."
Li Jingzhe nodded his head. "Put it on the tab first. We'll talk about it later."
Then, he lifted his fingers and the two Sovereign Pearl flew towards Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e directly.
The two of them took a look at each other before they reached out and accepted it.
In the Pavilion, the corners of the mouths of many Elders twitched a little when they witnessed this scene, especially Li Jiluo, Li Zhiqiu and those from the lineages. Before they could voice out their opinions for the Sovereign Pearl, it had already been distributed by Li Jingzhe.
And the requisite dragon essences could even be provided in the form of a loan...?
This Is simply...
Spoiling his grandson openly and blatantly!
However, there was nothing they could say in the face of Li Jingzhe, a Quasi-Triple Crown King. They could only rub their noses and accept the truth of things reluctantly.
After the two Sovereign Pearls were distributed, the rest of the Elders didn't see any point in hanging around further. They exchanged several words before they too chose to disperse.
Li Jingzhe then had Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e stay behind.
"Leave the Sovereign Pearl's with me. I'll help you refine the Crimson Pill Blood Refinement Resonance art's spiritual liquid. It will require a few days and you shouldn't leave Heavenly Dragon City before then." Li Jingzhe first told Li Luo. He hurriedly nodded his head and smiled. "Thank you grandpa."
"I'll first keep Qing'e's pearl in safekeeping. Once I've obtained enough precious materials, I should be able to refine her a top grade Foundational Spirit Treasure." Li Jingzhe then continued as he glanced at Jiang Qing'e.
"Thank you grandpa." Jiang Qing'e similarly spoke. She could feel from his gaze a certain sort of protective love. Although the Sovereign Pearl was precious, it was only one component necessary to craft a Foundational Spirit Treasure. Just having it wasn't enough. Now Li Jingzhe had taken it away and would even supplement with his own treasures to return her a completed Foundational Spirit Treasure. She definitely benefited from this arrangement.
Although Jiang Qing'e never wanted to accept charity from others but there was no need to be so calculative when it came to her own elders.
"The two of you performed exceedingly well but I think you've also gotten a feel for how many crouching tigers and hidden dragons exist within the World End's River Region right?" Li Jingzhe smiled as he spoke.
Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo nodded their heads. During their escape, they had experienced countless huge battles and whether it was rogue cultivators or Dukes from established powers, they had experienced a lot of pressure.
If not for the aid of the Dragon's Fang Guardians, even Jiang Qing'e would have been unable to succeed if they had to rely on themselves.
"What you've seen in your journey is that you have been evenly matched so far. However lurking in the dark were even more powerful foes like high grade Dukes. Perhaps they may have been wary of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li and opted not to easily take action. There were others that were instead blocked by our own experts and it allowed you to return safely. This could be considered to be good luck as well." Li Jingzhe continued.
Jiang Qing'e nodded her head slightly. "I have to rush towards the second-grade Duke stage. If I'm able to forge yet another Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried, our ability to protect ourselves will also increase."
Li Jingzhe sighed. This granddaughter of hers was clearly not run of the mill. She was clearly determined to travel the Path of Ascension.
However this was possibly the hardest route one could possibly take since ancient times. Even between Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan, both had only managed to obtain one Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried amongst their first three bergfrieds.
It was easier said than done to become a Transcendent Duke.
"There is no rush. You need to wait for the right opportunity and when you have enough confidence before approaching the breakthrough. The Duke stage is all about taking advantage of the right opportunities. There are many who did not advance in tens of years but when the right circ.u.mstances lined up, they reaped the results they desired." Li Jingzhe consoled.
After which he continued. "It's getting late and you should also be tired. Why don't you go back and rest first."
The two nodded their heads before turning to leave.
After they left Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, Li Luo saw that there was no one who remained. He suddenly grasped Jiang Qing'e's hands and that delicate and cold touch that reminded one of jade made his heart tremble slightly.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Qing'e blinked her eyes and asked him.
Li Luo lightly coughed as he casually replied. "Sister Qing'e, did you happen to forget about something?"
A trace of confusion appeared in Jiang Qing'e's abstruse golden eyes.
Li Luo then spoke in frustration. "Jiang Qing'e, stop playing dumb. You promised if I was able to bring the Sovereign Pearls back, you'd give me a reward!"
A faint blush surfaced on Jiang Qing'e's white cheeks that reminded one of beautiful porcelain. This brat never remembered anything good, and always harped over others as though it was carved into his mind with a knife, completely unable to be forgotten.
"Ah... you didn't know just how difficult the battle between Zhao Zhuoyan and I was. If I wasn't lucky, things would have turned into a complete disaster but I still managed to struggle to hold on. This was only because I remembered Sister Qing'e's promise and against all odds... I won." Li Luo spoke pitifully as he sighed.
"If Sister Qing'e doesn't plan to honor her words, I also understand."
Jiang Qing'e responded with irritation. "Alright, stop trying to elicit pity, a reward..."
She paused. "Will naturally be given."
Li Luo's eyes lit up as he then asked. "This can't just be a perfunctory gesture! The reward must be gradual and each step will be gentler and deeper!" Jiang Qing'e glared at him. "What are you trying to do?"
Li Luo hurriedly shook his head. "I'm not saying anything. It's all up to Sister Qing'e. After all, Sister Qing'e's rewards have never let me down."
Jiang Qing'e was someone smart and usually sharp so how could she not understand the hidden meaning behind this rogue's words. Thus her usually calm and collected self felt a little embarra.s.sed.
This brat was asking for a mile when given an inch!
In the end, she shook off Li Luo's hands as her figure turned into a flowing beam of light, shooting towards the Dragon's Fang Guardians's mustering grounds. Li Luo on the other hand chuckled darkly with a heart full of antic.i.p.ation as he followed behind.
When they returned, the sun was still blazing in the sky. The Dragon's Fang Guardians' were naturally tired but their spirits were lifted. This glorious escape was incredibly dangerous but had also become a legend in and of itself.
The other 5000 Guardians could only watch on with envy as they had only managed to appear towards the end.
Both Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e received a hero's welcome as they spent some time interacting with the Guardians before leaving.
When they returned to their private abode, Jiang Qing'e immediately disappeared. Li Luo felt a little helpless as he began to tidy up the place himself, before finally laying down in his bedroom completely exhausted, too tired to move.
It was just as Li Luo was about to fall asleep when he suddenly heard someone knocking on the door to his room. He turned his eyes towards the doorway before his eyes widened in complete shock.
In the doorway was none other than Jiang Qing'e.
However she had changed from her usual suit of armor and dressed into a pair of familiar pajamas. Atop the pajamas was sewn a large white goose. Li Luo could remember that this was something Tan Tailan had personally sewn for her and it was her favorite set. When they were in House Luolan, she would often wear it.
The pajamas were a little loose but they were unable to conceal Jiang Qing'e's prided figure and alluring curves.
The thighs beneath were snowy white like the ivory tusks of an elephant. Jiang Qing'e's long hair was still damp and it seemed she had just taken a shower. Her arms were folded across her chest and her pajamas pressed against her willowy body, further accentuating her curves.
When Li Luo saw this, he felt a heat surge within his nostrils.
However his words did not reflect his hypocritical inner thoughts. "Sister Qing'e, are you trying to test me?"
Jiang Qing'e took in a deep breath as her chest heaved before she closed the door with her hand.
As the door shut, it caused Li Luo's heart to tremble wildly. He felt completely ecstatic. Could it be? Jiang Qing'e's beauty expression was calm but he was able to see her blus.h.i.+ng. This meant that her mind was not as calm as what her exterior portrayed.
She walked to the side of the bed as she haughtily looked down upon Li Luo. However what came next was a voice that contained a hint of a tremor. "I'll be sleeping here tonight. Are you satisfied with this reward?"