Li Zhihuo simply returned a light smile in response. "Hongyou, nothing in this world is more important than your own future. If you have this Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence, you'll be able to forge a Nine-Pillar Duke Bergfried during your breakthrough into the Duke stage. With this talent, you'll definitely stand amongst the top in the Dragon's Blood Guardians. I know about the deep enmity between Hongque and you. If there's a chance in the future, I will let the two of you fight it out fairly to resolve this."
The face of Li Hongque, who was standing by his side, darkened immediately. She glared back at Li Hongyou but did not say anything in the end. It seemed like Li Zhihuo had already spoken to her about it beforehand.
The news that Li Hongyou was trying to reach the Duke stage had spread across the Five Guardian Armies. Once she succeeded, her importance and potential to contribute to the Dragon's Fang Guardians would skyrocket.
That was the significant improvement in power upon reaching a new stage.
Even Li Jiluo, who was standing guard in the Heavenly Dragon City, had heard about it. He had the highest authority and had the strongest standing amongst all of the Dragon's Blood Lineage in Heavenly Dragon City. He was well known in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent and had been regarded as the next Lineage chief for the Dragon's Blood Lineage.
Such a figure had already expressed his intention that it would be best for the talents of the Dragon's Blood Lineage to return to their side.
With his words, there was no way Li Hongque would raise any objections no matter how unhappy she was. Thus she could only cooperate.
However, Li Hongyou's gaze did not change despite the tempting offer. She only briefly glanced at the Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence when Li Zhihuo first revealed it in his hands. Then, she did not bother with it any longer.
"Li Zhihuo, you're too stingy. If you want to poach those from our side, you should just gift it to her for free. Why did you still ask her to repay the dragon essence afterwards?" A cold laugh came from a corner as the commotion in the area grew.
The crowd opened up from the opposite side and Li Foluo walked in with his aides, giving Li Zhihuo an unfriendly gaze.
He did not expect Li Zhihuo to have acted so brazenly, attempting to steal his people so openly in public.
Li Zhihuo took a glance at Li Foluo. "It's not that I am stingy. This are simply the rules. I didn't say that I'll need Li Hongyou to pay the full price either but we have to follow proper procedures."
Li Foluo snorted back at him coldly. "I don't care about your little tricks but it is against the rules of the Five Guardian Armies for you to poach our Dragon's Fang Guardians member so openly. Do you believe I'll report this directly to our Lineage chief Li Jingzhe?"
Li Zhihuo's face did not change at all despite the threat. "Li Foluo, you are wrong about one thing with your words. Strictly speaking, Li Hongyou is not a member of the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The blood flowing in her is the blood of the Dragon's Blood Lineage. Even if you escalate this matter to the Lineage chief, we're still not going against the rules."
At this point, many from the other Guardians had gathered around to watch the show. It seemed like the place had become more lively after Li Luo brought Li Hongyou back to the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
Li Zhihuo did not pay any more attention to Li Foluo and turned towards Li Hongyou. He continued with a gentle voice, "How about it, Hongyou? You ultimately belong to the Dragon's Blood Lineage and should think for your own future. You are still young and there is no need to ruin yourself over some grudges from the past." "My only goal is to find trouble for Li Hongque and her Father." Li Hongyou replied indifferently.
Li Hongque couldn't take it any longer now that Li Hongque had directed those words at her. She laughed out coldly and retorted, "What an unfilial brat! You dare act so rudely to your elder sister and father?"
Li Hongyou simply replied, "I am staying in the Dragon's Fang Guardians. I won't be going anywhere else. I enjoy watching those eyes of yours, viewing me as a thorn by your side and yet you're unable to do anything."
Li Hongque clenched her ten fingers tightly when she heard those words revealing knuckles that had turned white as she fumed inside.
"That's it, Li Zhihuo. You may go now. Don't waste your time over here." Li Foluo spoke out, trying to end this clown show.
There wasn't much change seen on Li Zhihuo's face. It seemed like he had expected such a conclusion. However, he had to do something since Li Jiluo had been the one to raise this. Even if he failed at convincing Li Hongyou to join, he could at least provide an answer.
"Since you're so insistent about this, there's nothing much I can do. This Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence is really compatible with you. If you miss the chance today, you may not be able to find it anymore in the future." Li Zhihuo's voice had turned colder with this response.
Clearly, he was threatening her now that asking nicely didn't work. He wasn't planning to let this item fall into her hands no matter what.
Since this Foundational Spirit Treasure was submitted to the treasury by the Dragon's Blood Guardians, they held priority in exchange for it in the first three months. As long as they raised 30,000 Dragon essences within that time, they would be able to trade for it. Li Hongyou wouldn't stand any chance of getting her hands on it anymore.
Li Foluo's eyes also darkened when he heard this. "Li Zhihuo, this Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence is a Foundational Spirit Treasure for support type resonances. Even if you traded for it, it wouldn't be of much use!"
On the side, Jiang Qing'e's eyes turned slightly colder as well. Originally, she had planned to wait for the Dragon's Blood Guardians' privileged opportunity to pa.s.s before finding another way to raise Dragon essences for Li Hongyou to exchange for it. After all, there had been many high level missions in the Five Guardian Armies recently. These missions were more risky but the rewards were also far higher.
Perhaps, she could even take out the Sovereign Pearl that she had stored with Li Jingzhe to try and raise the dragon essences for the Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence.
Unfortunately, it seemed like that wouldn't be necessary anymore. Li Zhihuo wasn't planning to give them such a chance.
"There's no need for you to worry about that." Li Zhihuo answered in a nonchalant tone.
"If you're really so concerned about your subordinate, why don't you take out 60,000 dragon essences now? You can just exchange this item and gift it to Li Hongyou. Wouldn't that be a perfect ending?"
Li Foluo was at a loss for words. With his annual salary and rewards from the missions, he could only earn a few tens of thousands of dragon essences a year. He wasn't one to save a lot either. Discounting all the Foundational Spirit Treasures and cultivation resources he had purchased for himself, there was no way he could fork out 60,000 dragon essences all of a sudden.
"There is no need to fall for his provocation, Guardian General. The Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence is good but there isn't a huge gap between a Nine-Pillar Duke Bergfried and an Eight-Pillar Duke Bergfried. I don't have the ambition to aim so highly either. A middle grade Foundational Spirit Treasure will be good enough for me." Li Hongyou spoke out to comfort Li Foluo. Li Foluo's face had turned glum. He knew that Li Hongyou possessed exceptional talent. Her lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance was even stronger than what he had when he was at her stage. If there were any deficiencies in resources when she broke into the Duke stage, it would definitely affect her future foundation as well.
This was truly a pity.
"It seems like Guardian General Li Foluo isn't able to fork out the dragon essences? In that case, don't blame me for not giving you a chance." Li Zhihuo replied mockingly. There was a smile in the corner of his mouth as he kept the Jade Lotus Spiritual Essence away.
Suddenly, a voice came out from the back.
"Wait a minute. Just 60,000 dragon essences? I'll take it. Wrap it up for me, please."
All the surrounding members from the Five Guardian Armies were stunned. Their eyes turned towards where the voice had come from and they saw Li Luo walking in.
"Li Luo? You're out?" Jiang Qing'e and Li Hongyou were elated to see Li Luo. After all, it had been two whole months since they last saw each other.
Li Luo nodded his head with a smile. He looked towards Li Zhihuo and continued, "60,000 dragon essences right? Surely, Guardian General Li Zhihuo will keep to his words?"
Li Zhihuo looked back at Li Luo with a frown. He replied in an emotionless voice, "Li Luo, I have no time to mess with you. From what I understand, you still owe a huge amount of dragon essences. Where're you getting the 60,000 dragon essences from? Could it be... you're thinking of taking a loan from our Dragon's Blood Guardians?"
Many people in the surrounding area burst out laughing when they heard his mocking words.
Li Foluo and the rest were confused as well. They knew about his situation and Li Luo should be in a much worse financial situation when compared to any of them.
How was he going to fork out that 60,000 dragon essences?(Author's Note: Li Jiluo is the Hall Master of Dragon's Blood Lineage's Gold Blood Hall. Li Foluo is the Guardian General of Dragon's Fang Guardians. Don't confuse their names, friends.)