When faced with Li Luo's teasing words, Qin Beiming's expression s.h.i.+fted slightly. However, he wasn't the only one—all the other experts from the other powers had the same reaction.
That said, he wasn't angry; a look of joy surfaced in his eyes.
"You're actually able to purify this venomous curse, Li Luo?" Li Zhihuo couldn't help but to blurt with eyes full of disbelief. Beside him, the Dragon's Bone and Dragon's Horn Guardian Generals, Li Jushen and Li Boyuan, were similarly taken aback but also jubilant. Looking at their reactions, Li Luo could easily guess that all of them had already experienced the sudden turning of their compatriots.
Their squad members had undoubtedly been corrupted at some point.
In fact, they must have paid a painful price.
As their gazes fell upon him, Li Luo calmly nodded. "Strictly speaking it requires both Sister Qing'e and I to join hands to do so. Everyone here can testify to that."
The numerous experts present began to speak up to show their agreement. It was clear that there was a hint of respect within their voices as well.
Amongst the group that had rushed over, a male whose body resembled a ball stood out. His gaze seemed to contain a trace of violent thunder, emitting a tyrannical aura.
That person said in a booming voice, "Haha, who would have expected that Brother Li Luo would have such an ability. We were left grievously wounded by the sudden ambush of our corrupted squad members, and if giving up a high-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure would allow us to resolve this hidden malaise, I consider that a great deal. Brother Li Luo, I would kindly like to invite you to cleanse the Heaven Devouring Armies!"
Li Luo's gaze turned over, and he recognized the person that had spoken loudly. This was the Thunder Guardian General of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhu, Zhu Zhan. He was a lower fifth-grade Duke and was the strongest Guardian General amongst them.
"Zhu Zhan, when did I ever say it wasn't worth it?" Qin Beiming indifferently glared at Zhu Zhan.
He then turned towards Li Luo. "Li Luo, although the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qin holds some enmity towards you, this is not the time nor place to fight. If all you require to purify us is a high-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure, I am more than willing to part with one. Furthermore, I can a.s.sure that this favor will be repaid. I will make it so the Blackwater Armies will not target you on the basis of any personal grudges until we leave the Treasure Domain."
As expected of the strongest Guardian General in the Heavenly Emperor powers. Even the way he carried himself was vastly different than Qin Zhenlin.
When Qin Zhenlin heard this, he swallowed any words he might have wished to say. Qin Beiming's position and influence in the Blackwater Armies was supreme, and he was fearful of him as well.
Qin Yi nodded discreetly. This was the behavior expected from a reasonable and logical leader.
Li Luo couldn't help but feel a little impressed at how decisive Qin Beiming was. It seemed like not everyone from his faction was an ignorant idiot.
The number of lunatics like Qin Lian was even lower.
Li Luo turned his head and glanced at the terrifying undulations coming from the blood-red flower bud in the depths of the Other Dominion, pausing silently. He then made a decision. "The reason I wanted the Foundational Spirit Treasures was to teach Zhao Xiuyuan and Qin Zhenlin a lesson for acting aggressively towards me. However, looking at how dangerous the situation is, I'm afraid a frightening existence may appear if that flower bud is allowed to bloom. Thus, I'll not accept any treasures. All of you can sit down, and I'll purify the insidious curse. Afterwards, we need to use however much time we have left to the fullest and join hands to get rid of it."
His words elicited surprised gazes from the crowd. They had not expected him to give up this opportunity to gather wealth.
Considering how many squads from the different powers were present, he would undoubtedly become the wealthiest person here if he were to charge each of them a single high-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure for his cleansing service.
Qin Yi's eyes betrayed her astonishment. In fact, a look of praise had arisen in them. However, it was not due to his magnanimity, but rather how sharp and smart he was when it came to knowing when to give and when to take. If Li Luo were to purify all of the curses, he would easily be able to get his hands on a large amount of treasures, but it would undoubtedly affect his reputation in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent.
Furthermore, not receiving payment directly didn't mean he wouldn't earn anything. By cleansing the experts from the numerous powers, they would owe him a favor, and even though it was an ephemeral promise, it was capable of being ma.s.sive or tiny.
Qin Beiming was clearly taken aback as well before he glanced at Li Luo with a deep look in his eyes.
"Haha, Brother Li Luo, you are generous. The Heaven Devouring Armies owe you a favor!" Zhu Zhan immediately laughed loudly like thunder that rumbled across the area. The rest of the squad leaders and rogue cultivators similarly expressed their thanks.
The newly-arrived Guardian Generals from the Heavenly Dragon's Five Guardian Armies glanced at each as well. Who would have expected that Li Luo would be capable of being favors from so many, including the likes of Qin Beiming and Zhu Zhan!
Meanwhile, Li Luo seemed unfazed. Once everyone settled down, he joined hands with Jiang Qing'e to cleanse them.
After doing so many cleansings, they had become very familiar with the process. Thus, as time pa.s.sed, one group after another was cleansed, and the originally anxious expressions were replaced with relief. Additionally, their gazes towards the two were filled with sincere grat.i.tude.
"I never expected Li Luo to be so capable," Dragon's Horn Guardian General Li Boyuan commented with a sigh. They were the first to be cleansed since they were all from the Five Guardian Armies. This was something no one else could compete with them for.
The Dragon's Bone Guardian General Li Jushen also nodded and he said emotionally, "I heard from Li Tingyue that Jiang Qing'e killed Golden Peng Guardian General Zhao Baisun in battle and Li Luo took the head of Divine Tiger Envoy Zhao Jiyun. This is a little too disgusting to imagine."
Zhao Baisun was a lower fourth-grade Duke, while Jiang Qing'e was only a first-grade Duke! The strength she possessed was honestly horrifying.
Meanwhile, Li Luo was at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier, yet he had killed a third-grade Duke. Although he had borrowed the aid of a spirit beast with comparable strength, this was quite startling.
Li Zhihuo's expression, on the other hand, turned complicated as he listened to them speak. Li Hongque was completely silent as she had been shocked into complete awe by their battle achievements.
Furthermore, the ability to cleanse everyone had forced even the usually lofty Qin Beiming to lower his head to Li Luo. It was important to note that Li Zhihuo dreaded facing him!
The reputation of the couple now surpa.s.sed that of Li Zhihuo, the Dragon's Blood Guardian General, by several times!
Some time later, everyone was finally cleansed. Li Hongyou hurriedly utilized her abilities to replenish Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo's energy and strength. After the two recovered, Qin Beiming nodded and took the lead to speak. "Everyone, we must set aside all our differences and enmity. Now is the time to work together to rid ourselves of this problematic situation in this Other Dominion. Everything else can be discussed after."
Everyone agreed with him.
Thus, all of the experts then shot towards the depths, transforming into beams of light as they flew to the blood-red flower bud. They did not encounter any resistance on the way there.
Tens of minutes later, they approached the core of the Other Dominion.
The gigantic flower bud continued to sway gradually, devouring ma.s.sive amounts of corruption. As they approached the region, Li Luo and the rest could see that there were numerous figures sitting quietly at the root of the flower bud.
All of them had eyes that were completely black and a black substance dripped from the corners of their eyes as they sat like unmoving statues. Blood-red rhizomes were sticking out of the ground and pierced into their bodies, squirming from time to time as if they were sucking out their flesh and blood and using them as nutrients for the flower bud.
The corrupted individuals had no way to resist in this situation, gradually being sucked into dry husks.
Some of the people in the group expressed cries of rage and sadness. The people below were the experts that had been corrupted by the Black Pupil Ghostly Curse.
Some of them were friends, and others companions. Unfortunately, all of them ended up in such a tragic state.
Qin Beiming's gaze was filled with fury as some of those individuals were his companions and brothers.
"Let's take action together and destroy this flower bud!" he roared.
Everyone surged forth with their strongest attacks. The sky filled with all sorts of techniques, making it look like a meteor shower was streaking across the sky, slamming right into the flower bud.
......
Meanwhile, outside the Treasure Domain.
In a particularly dark area.
The Faceless Other King's head was lowered as it was observing a crevice filled with water. Energy flowed through the water, and numerous images could be seen within, including what was happening at the flower bud.
"Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e have brought me quite some trouble," it muttered with a slight smile.
If not for the two purifying the Black Pupil Ghostly Curse, everyone in that dominion would have turned into nutrients for the Heavenly Devil Flower.
However, this wasn't a big problem.
The Origin Reversion Inst.i.tute had plotted for many years, and it was too late to stop them now.
"It looks like it's time to use those two chess pieces." The Faceless Other King tore open the front of its head and retrieved two white seeds. It flicked its finger, and the two seeds ignited on their own accord. Then two figures could be seen within the flames. After which, the Faceless Other King planned to leave. However, it paused when it turned around.
It had spotted an elderly man in the void not too far away.
"Eh? As expected of a Quasi-Triple Crown King. It seems like your senses are sharper than I had imagined." The Faceless Other King let out a mirthless laugh.
An indifferent expression hung on the elderly man's face as he looked downwards, focusing on the figure in the darkness.
The old man was none other than Li Jingzhe!