Chapter 1109

Li Hongyou's sudden appearance took Li Luo by surprise, especially when she asked if he wanted to cooperate—his shock reached its peak.

In this Starfall Academy, although Li Hongyou ranked only tenth among the Upper Academy, her popularity was likely no weaker than that of the top three, and everyone approached her with the intention of befriending her, even Wu Changkong.

Because Li Hongyou possessed the "Crimson Heart Red Fruit Phase," a rare auxiliary phase, her presence significantly boosted a team's strength, making her the most sought-after teammate and partner.

Yet precisely because Li Hongyou was so desirable, Li Luo was stunned by her overture.

After all, he felt he had nothing whatsoever to offer her.

Not only was he astonished, but Feng Lingyuan, Deng Changbai, and others were equally shocked—especially Feng Lingyuan, who had repeatedly tried to court Li Hongyou, only to receive lukewarm responses; why then was Li Hongyou now directly approaching Li Luo?

Deng Changbai glanced at Li Luo's handsome face and muttered: "Damn it, is being good-looking really that advantageous?"

Feng Lingyuan shot him a glare; based on her understanding of Li Hongyou, the latter didn't care for good looks.

Yet Li Hongyou paid no mind to the surrounding stunned gazes; she looked at Li Luo's astonished face, a faint smile appearing on her coldly beautiful cheeks: "May we speak privately?"

Li Luo had no reason to refuse, so he followed Li Hongyou a few steps away from the crowd.

But since white mist blanketed the surroundings and hidden creatures surely lurked afar, he didn't go far, lest trouble arise and Feng Lingyuan and the others couldn't rescue him in time.

"Senior Hongyou."

Li Luo stood, gazing at the woman before him—her appearance faintly familiar, yet coldly beautiful—and asked directly: "Why do you want to cooperate with me? Logically, shouldn't you be approaching Senior Feng Lingyuan?"

Li Hongyou fell silent for several breaths, then asked: "Are you the direct heir of the Dragon Tooth Line?"

Li Luo smiled: "My grandfather is Li Li Jingzhe, the head of the Dragon Tooth Line; my father is Li Taixuan, my mother is Dantai Lan. Do you think anyone would dare openly impersonate such a lineage?"

After all, he was a direct heir of the Li Tianwang Line—if anyone dared impersonate him, did they truly think the Li Tianwang Line was harmless?

Li Hongyou's crimson lips parted, her tone calm: "If we speak of bloodline, I too am from the Li Tianwang Line—though I am of the Dragon Blood Line."

Li Luo was stunned by this sudden revelation—he had genuinely never imagined Li Hongyou was from the Dragon Blood Line.

And why would someone from the Dragon Blood Line come to study at the Tianyuan Ancient Academy?

He stared at her coldly beautiful face, and only now did he suddenly understand the faint sense of familiarity—he hesitated and asked: "What is your relationship with Li Li Hongli?"

At the mention of that name, Li Hongyou's expression darkened; after a moment, she said: "We are half-sisters, same father, different mothers—she is the legitimate daughter of the main household, while I am merely a bastard daughter with no background or status."

From Li Hongyou's words, Li Luo could already guess at some melodramatic family struggles—though this was normal; Li Li Hongli's father was a high-ranking figure in the Dragon Blood Line, of great status and power, with many wives and concubines, and likely many children.

And Li Hongyou's decision not to cultivate within the Dragon Blood Line, but to come to the Tianyuan Ancient Academy, was surely tied to this.

"Then I should call you cousin sister," Li Luo said without probing further, smiling to draw closer to her.

Li Hongyou shook her head: "Call me senior. I don't want to mention this Dragon Blood Line identity."

Li Luo fell silent; from Li Hongyou's eyes, he seemed to sense her revulsion toward this Dragon Blood Line identity.

"Understood, Senior Hongyou," Li Luo nodded. "But if you dislike this Dragon Blood Line identity, why seek cooperation with me?"

Li Hongyou said calmly: "I wish to make a deal with you."

"What deal?"

Li Hongyou said: "During this mission, I will fully assist you. Afterwards, I wish to go with you to the Dragon Tooth Line, and you must recommend me for the Dragon Tooth Guard."

Li Luo blinked, puzzled: "You want to join the Dragon Tooth Guard?"

By bloodline, Li Hongyou is from the Dragon Blood Line—she should join the Dragon Blood Guard, and with her strength, they would surely welcome her eagerly.

Li Hongyou's eyes lowered slightly, but Li Luo saw her slender fingers slowly clenching, veins rising on her pale, delicate hands.

"I have an elder sister named Li Hongque—she is Li Li Hongli's biological sister—and she now holds the position of Grand Commander in the Dragon Blood Guard, one of the most outstanding prodigies of our generation."

"And I? I want to join the Dragon Tooth Guard, to use its power to properly challenge my elder sister."

Li Hongyou's voice remained calm, yet Li Luo sensed a thread of hatred within it—hatred directed squarely at this so-called elder sister, Li Hongque.

"Do you have a grudge against her?" Li Luo asked.

Li Hongyou's lips curled into a cold sneer: "It was this elder sister who bullied my mother and me back then, and my heartless father watched indifferently, forcing my mother to flee with me far from the Dragon Blood Line to protect me."

"To raise me, my mother endured unimaginable hardships; two years ago, she finally exhausted her life force and passed away. On her deathbed, she told me not to seek revenge—but I cannot swallow this humiliation."

"Back then, Li Hongque arrogantly slapped my mother and drove us out of the family. Now that my mother is gone, I have no other desire—I only want to return that slap to her, for my mother's sake, no matter the cost."

Li Hongyou's voice remained flat, without much emotion, yet the hatred within it silenced even Li Luo.

He had never imagined Li Hongyou carried such a story—melodramatic, yes, but in great clans, such tales were never lacking.

As a child, mother and daughter were cruelly cast out; then they clung together for years, and now, with her mother dead, she stands utterly alone—her fate was undeniably tragic.

"Li Hongque is in the Dragon Blood Guard. If I want revenge, I must borrow strength—and the Dragon Tooth Guard is the best choice. But because of my complicated identity, they may refuse me. So I need your recommendation as the heir of the Line Head. Moreover, once the Dragon Blood Line discovers my identity, knowing my heartless father, he will fly into a rage and pressure the Dragon Tooth Guard to expel me."

Li Hongyou fixed her gaze on Li Luo: "Most people cannot withstand his pressure. But your status is extraordinary—if you are willing, you can protect me."

Li Hongyou had clearly done thorough research, knowing Li Luo's standing in the Dragon Tooth Line; after all, she knew that the Line Head, Li Li Jingzhe, doted on Li Luo, even entrusting him with the position of Acting Head of the Qingming Academy despite his current cultivation level.

With Li Luo's support, the Line Head Li Li Jingzhe would surely ignore her father's fury.

After all, though her father held a high position in the Dragon Blood Line, no matter how high, he could not surpass Li Li Jingzhe.

"After I fulfill my wish, if you don't find me a burden, I can remain in the Dragon Tooth Line and serve you. Or, if you feel I bring too much trouble, I can resign from the Dragon Tooth Guard and leave the Li Tianwang Line entirely—what do you say?"

Li Luo looked into Li Hongyou's eyes; she was exquisitely cold and beautiful, yet at this moment, he sensed a flicker of pleading deep within her gaze.

After only a few seconds of thought, Li Luo smiled: "Luring a major asset into the Dragon Tooth Guard is a dream come true. Our Dragon Tooth Guard and the Dragon Blood Guard have been locked in fierce rivalry—coming here, Senior Hongyou, you will surely achieve your goal."

He extended his hand toward her, his smile radiant: "Though it's not quite the right moment to say this during the Academy mission, I'll say it anyway—welcome to the Dragon Tooth Guard."

Li Luo took full responsibility for the matter, for whether Li Hongyou joined the Dragon Tooth Guard or her father later pressured them, he didn't care.

What could he do? The favored third young master of the Dragon Tooth Line simply had that much clout.

Li Hongyou's clenched fingers slowly relaxed; she stared at Li Luo's smile, paused, then extended her hand and lightly shook his.

"From now on, I will follow your orders, Young Master Li Luo."