Chapter 1101: All Parties Enter

Intense emotions churned within Jiang Jiang Qinge's heart. After a long while, she gradually calmed down, a trace of pleasant surprise pressed deep in her eyes. The information Yin Yue Zhiyu had brought clearly far exceeded her expectations.

Li Luo was actually going to participate in this "Little Chen Heaven" recruitment mission led by the Tianyuan Ancient Academy!

But after the pleasant surprise, a sliver of worry rose in Jiang Jiang Qinge. This recruitment mission was said to be extremely dangerous; even students like them from the Upper Division of the Star Academy had to treat it with caution. On Li Luo's side, she didn't know if he had suitable and reliable teammates.

He should have been cultivating within the Li Li Tianwang lineage all along, so over at the Tianyuan Ancient Academy, he likely hadn't met too many people.

"After entering Little Chen Heaven this time, it seems I must find him as soon as possible," Jiang Jiang Qinge thought to herself.

Then, Jiang Jiang Qinge raised her head and glanced at Yin Yue Zhiyu, who had been staring at her. Now she understood the reason for the latter's amused expression. It turned out that because Li Luo was also participating in this mission, Yin Yue Zhiyu, while delivering this piece of information, had also exposed Li Luo.

This would undoubtedly bring some trouble for Li Luo.

At the very least, there were already some people on the square secretly discussing it.

Especially that Wei Chonglou. As his expression shifted, he opened his mouth with a smile and said, "This junior student Li Luo, is he only a student of the Three-Star Division of the Holy Academy?"

He reined in his emotions, his expression becoming natural: "From the sound of it, junior student Li Luo should also be quite talented. If he performs outstandingly in this recruitment mission, I could actually recommend to the academy that they give him a chance to join our Holy Light Ancient Academy."

"If Junior Jiang needs any help with this matter at that time, I can also put in a good word for you with the Dean."

His expression was warm and sincere, as if he truly could help. Regardless of whether this demeanor was genuine or not, his bearing did appear quite admirable.

This point drew quiet admiration from many surrounding students. Senior student Wei Chonglou, facing a love rival, not only refrained from mocking or suppressing him, but even offered to help recommend him for entry into the Holy Light Ancient Academy. This showed the depth of his devotion to Jiang Jiang Qinge—such feelings and intentions were truly moving.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's expression remained calm as she said, "There's no need. He has his own place to go."

"Wei Chonglou, you'd better cut the hypocrisy." At this moment, Yin Yue Zhiyu let out another cold laugh, pouting: "That Li Luo doesn't need your help."

"Oh?" Wei Chonglou's gaze flickered.

Yin Yue Zhiyu said with great interest: "You really think he's some country bumpkin from the Outer Shenzhou who's never seen the world? Wei Chonglou, if we're really talking about background, you're not necessarily better than him."

Wei Chonglou's eyes couldn't help but narrow slightly. What on earth was Yin Yue Zhiyu rambling about? A kid from the Outer Shenzhou, and he could compare backgrounds with him?

"You don't believe it?"

Yin Yue Zhiyu smiled brightly and glanced at him, continuing: "The Li Luo you imagine is just a country bumpkin living in some remote corner of the Outer Shenzhou. But the real Li Luo—his true background is the Li Li Tianwang lineage of the Tianyuan Shenzhou. His grandfather is the Dragon Fang Vein Leader, a Double-Crowned King's strength. So what do you think makes you superior to him?"

Her voice fell on the surroundings, also drawing some low murmurs of astonishment. Many students showed looks of shock. Who could have imagined that Jiang Jiang Qinge's so-called fiancé from the Outer Shenzhou actually had such an identity and background?

Wei Chonglou was also visibly startled, a look of suspicion and surprise surfacing in his eyes. That Li Luo was actually from the Li Li Tianwang lineage of the Tianyuan Shenzhou, the grandson of the Dragon Fang Vein Leader?

Was what Yin Yue Zhiyu said true or false?

Wei Chonglou's thoughts churned, but in the end he leaned toward believing it, because he knew Yin Yue Zhiyu's background—her family was indeed extremely skilled in intelligence matters.

A faint, eerie light rose in Wei Chonglou's eyes. This was truly far beyond his expectations. He had originally thought it was some uncompetitive country bumpkin, but he hadn't expected the other's background to be no weaker than his own. But it didn't matter—even setting aside background, he still had sufficient confidence in himself.

"Wei Chonglou, Jiang Jiang Qinge's fiancé, not only boasts a background no less formidable, but is also a heaven-defying talent. Not long ago, he even earned a spot on the Tianyuan Record's Splendor List. According to the record, within the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven, wielding Tian Zhu Jing strength, he defied the odds to slay True Demon aberrations that had infiltrated the realm. Although it appears he borrowed some form of external power from a spirit beast, the list declares him possessed of an invincible bearing among his peers. At your level back then, you could never have achieved such a feat." At this moment, Yin Yue Zhiyu, as if reading Wei Chonglou's thoughts, calmly revealed another explosive piece of intelligence.

The surrounding murmurs of astonishment came in wave after wave.

Many students from the Upper Division of the Star Academy wore expressions of shock and disbelief. To confront and defeat True Demon aberrations with merely Tian Zhu Jing strength? What a ferocious accomplishment! Even factoring in external assistance, it remained utterly astonishing.

Wei Chonglou's expression didn't change, but a hint of annoyance appeared deep in his eyes as he looked at Yin Yue Zhiyu. What exactly was Yin Yue Zhiyu doing? Wasn't she supposed to use that Li Luo to mock Jiang Jiang Qinge? How was she now elevating this kid instead!

Information about his true background like this was completely unnecessary to reveal! Wasn't this just driving up Li Luo's price?

Instead, Jiang Jiang Qinge glanced at Yin Yue Zhiyu thoughtfully. This woman was no good person either. Elevating Li Luo like this wasn't to earn face for her. On the contrary, Yin Yue Zhiyu was using the name of praise to find as much trouble as possible for both Li Luo and her.

After all, only by lifting Li Luo up would more jealous gazes be drawn to him.

However, compared to the trouble brought by Yin Yue Zhiyu's intelligence, what Jiang Jiang Qinge felt deep in her heart was actually more pleasant surprise, because from it she learned of Li Luo's current situation. He seemed to be doing quite well within the Li Li Tianwang lineage, not looking like someone being bullied.

With this level of strength, after entering "Little Chen Heaven," he should have the ability to protect himself, and she could worry a little less.

Therefore, although she knew Yin Yue Zhiyu had brought this information with ill intent, Jiang Jiang Qinge actually found her a bit more pleasing to the eye than usual.

"What kind of look is that?!" Yin Yue Zhiyu sensitively detected Jiang Jiang Qinge's gaze and immediately became annoyed, asking through gritted teeth.

Jiang Jiang Qinge calmly withdrew her gaze, having no intention of conversing with her at all. Yin Yue Zhiyu's personality was similar to Duze Duze Honglian from the Holy Mystic Star Academy back then, only even more arrogant and domineering than the latter. So Jiang Jiang Qinge clearly knew that dealing with such a self-centered person, the more you ignored her, the more effective it would be.

Sure enough, seeing this, Yin Yue Zhiyu immediately bristled. Every time she was enraged by Jiang Jiang Qinge's almost dismissive attitude.

"Aiya, A-Yu, stop arguing with Xiao E." At this moment, Ning Meng, who had been standing nearby, sucking on a straw with a gurgling sound, finally spoke up somewhat lazily.

Yin Yue Zhiyu glared at Ning Meng angrily and said, "When you used to follow me around, you didn't talk like this!"

Back when Jiang Jiang Qinge hadn't appeared, Ning Meng would come find her from time to time. But now? She had practically forgotten her entirely.

Ning Meng blinked her clear black-and-white eyes twice and mumbled incoherently: "Th-that's also because Xiao E's side is more comfortable. Next time I'll come find you."

Yin Yue Zhiyu was furious. You are way too mercenary!

Truly, whoever feeds you is your mother?!

And while they were making a scene here, another team squeezed into the center of the square. The leader of this team was a short-haired youth wearing academy attire. His demeanor was calm, with a hint of resoluteness showing between his brows.

The short-haired youth's appearance also drew many Star Academy students around to politely greet him.

Wang Kong, second seat of the Upper Division of the Star Academy at the Holy Light Ancient Academy.

Within the Holy Light Ancient Academy, Wang Kong's reputation was extremely prominent, because he came from an ordinary background with no illustrious family. Being able to reach his current position was almost entirely due to his own tempering and forging. So many students from ordinary backgrounds in the academy regarded him as an object of admiration.

Wang Kong walked out, glanced at Ning Meng, Jiang Jiang Qinge, and the others, gave a slight nod in greeting, then withdrew his gaze and quietly waited for the mission to begin.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's gaze also withdrew. Listening to the bell that suddenly rang out across the square, a trace of joyful smile surfaced deep in her eyes.

Regarding the upcoming recruitment mission, she inexplicably began to brim with anticipation.

This was a dim great hall. On the walls of the great hall hung bronze lamps, their pale green flames swaying slowly, emitting a cold, gloomy atmosphere.

At the end of the great hall was an open stone door. Beyond the stone door was pitch darkness, with no light able to penetrate inside.

From the darkness, countless strange, eerie whispers and mumblings faintly emanated. These sounds carried a thick corrupting aura. One could imagine that even someone at the Da Tian Xiang Jing level staying here too long would likely have their mind eroded, gradually becoming twisted and insane.

At the stone door, space seemed to distort. The next instant, a black-robed elder appeared there in an eerie fashion. On the black robe was inscribed a blood-red eye. The eye was like a living thing, constantly rolling its eyeball, emitting endless sinister light.

It was precisely the Guiyi Hui king whom Li Luo had encountered in the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven—the one who had taken Li Li Lingjing away—the Spirit Eye Underworld King.

He walked into the darkness beyond the stone door. Within, one could seemingly make out massive prisons one after another. Inside the prisons, black mist billowed, and within them seemed to be twisted things writhing about.

Countless eerie sounds rang out continuously.

But the Spirit Eye Underworld King remained unmoved. He slowly walked toward the depths. After a long while, he stood before a pool of black water, gazing at the center of the pool.

There, the pitch-black, eerie pool water had condensed into a black cocoon. The black cocoon writhed constantly, faintly seeming to bulge out into a human-face-like visage, emanating a thick, eerie aura.

However, at this moment the black cocoon seemed to sense someone watching, so it began to melt, turning into black water that flowed down, while also revealing the figure of a person within.

That familiar face was actually Li Li Lingjing.

However, compared to before, her skin seemed to have grown paler, and her gaze was even more darkly profound; her beautiful features were filled with indifference and an eerie, bewitching quality.

She looked toward the Spirit-Eye Underworld King at this moment and said, "Something?"

Li Li Lingjing's voice echoed in the darkness, faintly, as if accompanied by a strange whispering sound.

"There's a small mission. Would you like to take part?" the Spirit-Eye Underworld King said with a smile.

Li Li Lingjing's eyelids drooped slightly as she said, "Not interested."

"You will be."

"The target is 'Little Chentian.' It's quite lively there right now—the Tianyuan Ancient Academy and the 'Zhongsheng Guipi Yu' are in conflict. I can take the chance to obtain a few things."

Li Li Lingjing's expression remained cold and indifferent, showing no reaction.

The Spirit-Eye Underworld King said with a chuckle, "I heard that Li Luo from Li Li Tianwang's line has also gone."

In Li Li Lingjing's deep, dark pupils, there was finally a ripple at the sound of that name. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Who else have you sent?"

"The Ghost-Slaying Horde."

Li Li Lingjing thought of those bizarre, maddened creatures, then extended her slender, pale hand toward the pitch-black pool of water at her feet. Ripples spread across the black water, and the Green Bamboo Green Snake Staff slowly rose up, grasped in her hand.

Feeling the cold touch of the Green Snake Staff in her hand, Li Li Lingjing's red lips parted slightly, and an icy voice rang out in the darkness.

"Fine."