Chapter 1044: Reforging

Hearing Li Li Jingzhe's sudden question, Li Luo couldn't help but nod with heartache, then took out all the fragments of the Jin Yu Zhu Xuan Xiang Blade. This blade had accompanied him for a long time and had witnessed his growth.

"This blade's grade is ordinary, but what makes it different is the 'Wang Zhe Yin' within it. It seems that King-level expert once put a great deal of effort into this blade—he was quite a sentimental person." Li Li Jingzhe glanced at it and commented.

"This 'Wang Zhe Yin' was damaged in the clash with the 'Spirit Eye Ming Wang', wasn't it?"

Li Luo nodded. King-level experts were far too terrifying; the only card he had that could barely withstand them was this, and even that was all.

The final collision resulted in the blade's destruction and his own injuries.

"You really are a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger. With the strength of Tian Zhu Jing, you dared to swing a blade at a King-level expert." Li Li Jingzhe said.

Li Luo smiled bitterly and said, "There was no way out. If I didn't act, I'd die. Given that, who cares what he is."

"But in the end, you did survive. Not bad luck." Li Li Jingzhe said, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

"If not for Cousin Ling Jing, I might not have survived." Li Luo sighed.

"That may not necessarily be true."

Li Li Jingzhe smiled faintly and said, "The people of the Guiyi Society—you think they'd be the sort to keep their word? Even if he agreed to the conditions face-to-face, after sending Li Li Lingjing away, there would be ten thousand ways to make you die without a sound."

"Th-then how did I survive?" Li Luo said in astonishment.

Li Li Jingzhe's gaze flickered. He flicked a finger, and a ray of light flew out from the spatial orb worn on Li Luo's wrist, transforming into a mottled, ancient token.

Li Luo looked at it and said in surprise, "Tian Wang Ling?"

Li Li Jingzhe stared at this Tian Wang Ling for a while and said, "There are residual traces of activation on this item. If I'm not mistaken, the 'Spirit Eye Ming Wang' had murderous intent toward you at the time, so this token sensed it and simultaneously emitted a wisp of the Old Ancestor's aura, which scared off the 'Spirit Eye Ming Wang'."

Cold sweat appeared on Li Luo's back. That damned Spirit Eye Ming Wang actually tried to kill him in the end?

Come to think of it, if not for his "Tian Wang Ling" protecting him, wouldn't he have died inexplicably in that Ling Xiang Grotto?

At this thought, even with Li Luo's temperament, he couldn't help but feel a chill of terror. In that unperceived moment, he had actually been so close to death.

"You bastard, I'll settle this account with you later!" Li Luo seethed inwardly. The Spirit Eye Ming Wang was far beyond his reach right now, so he couldn't fight him—just note it down for now.

Then he put on an obedient smile toward Li Li Jingzhe and said, "Grandpa, I killed Zhao Yan in that Ling Xiang Grotto. That counts as bringing glory to our Dragon Fang Lineage, right?"

Seeing his fawning, credit-seeking expression, Li Li Jingzhe chuckled lightly and said, "Just one Zhao Yan. Among the recent generations of young prodigies in the Zhao Tian Wang Lineage, he can only barely squeeze into the top ten."

Li Luo's face fell upon hearing this.

Li Li Jingzhe then laughed and said, "You little slickster, just say what you want to say."

Li Luo pointed at the fragments of the Jin Yu Zhu Xuan Xiang Blade and said bluntly, "I don't have a handy weapon anymore. Grandpa should compensate me with one."

Li Li Jingzhe smiled and said, "Your performance in this Ling Xiang Grotto was indeed quite good. Since you've earned merit, naturally you need some reward—this is also the rule of our Dragon Fang Lineage."

He fiddled with the fragments before him, pondered slightly, and said, "Although the Wang Zhe Yin within your blade is damaged, the good news is that it hasn't completely vanished. Some of its aura dispersed into these fragments and formed a simple fusion with them. Although this fusion will dissipate quickly, if we reforge it before then, there might be some unexpected gains."

"Really?" Li Luo immediately brightened with joy.

Li Li Jingzhe swept his sleeve, gathering up the fragments of the Jin Yu Zhu Xuan Xiang Blade, and said, "Leave this to me. Once we return to the Dragon Fang Mountain Range, I'll find the best artificer to forge it for you."

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Li Luo thanked him joyfully.

Li Li Jingzhe waved his hand, then suddenly looked at the crimson bracelet on his wrist and said, "Let me see that bracelet of yours."

Li Luo obediently took off the bracelet and handed it over.

Li Li Jingzhe took the bracelet, observed it for a while, and said with some surprise, "What an exquisite sealing array. The King-level expert who gave you this item does have some unique methods."

He flicked his finger lightly against the bracelet, and a subtle ripple emanated. The next moment, a wisp of blood mist rose from within, transforming into a palm-sized blood wolf phantom before Li Luo.

It was the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf.

But at this moment, it no longer had the ferocious aura Li Luo had seen before; instead, it curled its tail and trembled.

It looked rather pitiful.

Because from Li Li Jingzhe before it, the terrifying aura it sensed was simply even more powerful than the Pang Pang Qianyuan who had sealed it.

"This great spirit beast was your reliance for wreaking havoc in the Ling Xiang Grotto this time, wasn't it?" Li Li Jingzhe glanced at the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf and laughed.

Li Luo defended himself, "It only played a supplementary role. The main credit goes to your grandson's own bravery."

Li Li Jingzhe smiled and said, "It should be from the Sky Wolf clan. It's already evolved to five tails now? That's still somewhat capable."

"Grandpa, don't scare it. Little San has helped me a lot over the years. I've relied on its power at many critical moments." Li Luo said.

The Three-Tailed Sky Wolf cast a grateful look at Li Luo, while secretly feeling relieved. Fortunately, it had long since reached some alliance consensus with Li Luo, and it hadn't sabotaged him here. Otherwise, today it would likely have died a miserable death.

Li Li Jingzhe looked at the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf calmly and said, "At least you're shrewd."

Then he admonished Li Luo, saying, "Although this sealing bracelet suppresses the ferocity within the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf's power, you can't rely on it too much. After all, it's a great spirit beast of the Marquis Realm. Even if it has no intention of eroding you deliberately, when you use that power, it will ultimately affect you and damage your foundation."

Li Luo obediently agreed. Pang Pang Qianyuan had said the same thing, so unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't lightly unleash the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf.

"Grandpa, Little San was also severely injured this time. I used its power to clash with the Spirit Eye Ming Wang..." Li Luo looked at the wolf phantom before him. He could sense the listlessness emanating from it. The Spirit Eye Ming Wang had not only shattered his attack, but that terrifying power had also gravely wounded the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf within the bracelet.

Li Luo could even feel the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf's current weakness; it would likely be recuperating for a long time.

Li Li Jingzhe heard this, thought for a moment, stared at the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf, and said, "Very well. Considering you protected Li Luo, I'll give you a fortuitous opportunity as well."

"If you can grasp this opportunity, it will greatly benefit your own evolution."

Wild joy immediately welled up in the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf's eyes, and it hurriedly bowed and kowtowed to Li Li Jingzhe.

Li Li Jingzhe turned to Li Luo, raised the crimson bracelet, and said, "I'll take this item first and return it to you later."

Li Luo had no objection. Now that he had come to Outer Shenzhou and encountered too many Marquis-level experts, the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf's strength of having just entered the Marquis Realm was indeed slightly insufficient. If the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf could improve with Li Li Jingzhe's help this time, that would be good news for him too.

Moreover, having tasted this benefit, the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf would also have a few more degrees of trust and loyalty toward him.

Seeing Li Li Jingzhe put away the bracelet, Li Luo pondered slightly and said, "Grandpa, there's something I plan to discuss with you."

"What?"

Li Luo said, "After returning to Dragon Fang Lineage to rest for a while, I plan to leave for a period. I have matters that require me to go to the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy, and I will be taking the 'Nine-Stripe Sacred Heart Lotus' with me."

"Going to the Tian Yuan Ancient Academy?" Li Li Jingzhe nodded, not stopping him.

"However, before you leave, there's a task that needs to be completed first."

"What?"

Li Li Jingzhe smiled.

"Pass the Demon-Slaying Cave, and there will be generous rewards."