Chapter 1188: Meeting the King

At the Receiving Platform, the air fell into a brief silence.

Even Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan, top-grade Marquises who had long grown accustomed to seeing prodigies, were now somewhat astonished by how Li Luo had introduced Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Three Nine-Purity Light Phases, a Marquis Realm cultivator so young, and the "Ten-Pillar Golden Terrace" that symbolized the "Path of the Unparalleled."

Any one of these three alone would count as a top-tier prodigy who could look down on his peers, yet all three gathered in one person — across the several generations of juniors in their Li Li Tianwang lineage, such a thing had never appeared.

Li Li Jinpan was stunned for quite a while before he finally said with a complicated expression, "Big Brother, this scene feels oddly familiar."

Li Li Qingpeng nodded slowly. Of course this scene was familiar, because it was exactly the same as when Li Taixuan had brought Dantai Lan back to the Dragon Fang Lineage for the first time back in the day.

Only back then, the two of them had just entered the Marquis Realm.

When they had seen Dantai Lan back then, they had been struck by her as if she were a heavenly being. Whether in looks or in talent, she had made them feel utterly inferior, as if she were the trueborn heir of the Li Tianwang line.

Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan standing together — a perfect match, dazzling to the extreme.

Li Li Qingpeng gazed at the two young people before him, as if he were seeing the figures of that original pair.

"You really are father and son, but you're more fortunate than your father." Li Li Qingpeng sighed.

The fortune he spoke of was this: when Li Taixuan had brought Dantai Lan back, the timing had not been good. Back then, the Li Li Tianwang line and the Qin Li Tianwang line had already reached a verbal marriage alliance, and Li Taixuan, young and rebellious, had disdained that Qin Qin Lian, run away from home, and publicly courted Dantai Lan. After the marriage alliance fell through, he brought Dantai Lan back.

That time, Dantai Lan had not even met Li Li Jingzhe, because Li Taixuan's actions had undoubtedly been a challenge to the authority of the Dragon Fang Lineage's chief, and had also made it hard for him to answer to the chiefs of the other lineages — after all, he had personally agreed to that marriage alliance back then.

So at the time, the atmosphere had honestly not been pleasant.

This also sowed the bitter fruit for the upheaval that came later.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan fell into a brief silence, clearly both having their emotions stirred by that old memory.

At this moment Jiang Jiang Qinge stepped forward, bent slightly toward the two men, and performed the greeting of a junior: "Jiang Qinge greets First Uncle and Second Uncle."

Although she had teased Li Luo about having called off the engagement — meaning the two of them no longer had that relationship — both of them knew perfectly well that the actual significance of that paper engagement was not strong, so outwardly Jiang Jiang Qinge always presented herself as Li Luo's fiancée.

The two men before her were Li Luo's true elders, so Jiang Jiang Qinge naturally showed them respect as well.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan, seeing this, hurriedly reached out to give her a light supportive gesture, while squeezing out the most enthusiastic and gentle smiles they could muster: "Jiang Qinge, is it? No need for such formality — from now on we're all one family."

"That brat Li Luo is so mischievous, he even stirs up trouble when introducing people. We'll have to teach him a proper lesson later." Li Li Jinpan said with a smile.

Jiang Jiang Qinge said with a light laugh, "He was just playing a little joke with the two elders."

At the same time her gaze swept toward Li Luo. How could she not know this fellow's mischievous streak? Although his expression looked calm, the smugness and pride in his eyes were practically glowing.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan said helplessly, "Cut from the exact same mold as his old man."

Still, it was obvious they were extremely satisfied with Jiang Jiang Qinge as well, and at the same time found it somewhat unbelievable — such a stunning prodigy had actually come from that barren Outer Shenzhou?

This Li Luo really had picked up a tremendous bargain.

At this moment, Niu Niu Biaobiao and Li Li Rouyun also looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge with some shock: "Jiang Qinge, you've broken through to the Marquis Realm?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge said, "I happened to break through during this Academy conscription mission."

Both of them sighed in amazement — the speed of reaching the Marquis Realm was truly extraordinary.

While everyone was talking, Li Hongyou also descended from the flying vessel. She stood at the back, somewhat hesitant, unsure whether she should step forward.

But she too was a woman of striking looks, and moreover she bore the "Sincere Heart Vermilion Fruit Phase," which naturally caused her to constantly exude a bewitching, faint fragrance. So Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan immediately noticed her as well — and then both of their expressions stiffened.

What was going on? One fiancée wasn't enough? How was there another one?

This kid Li Luo was even more ruthless than his father?

The two of them couldn't figure out the relationship between Li Hongyou and Li Luo, nor were they clear on the relationship between Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Hongyou, so for the moment they didn't know how to speak.

Instead, Li Luo generously beckoned Li Hongyou over and said to the two elders, "First Uncle, Second Uncle, her name is Li Hongyou. She's followed me back to the Dragon Fang Lineage this time and wishes to join the Dragon Fang Guard afterward."

"She bears the lower Nine-Purity 'Sincere Heart Vermilion Fruit Phase.'"

Li Li Qingpeng, hearing this name, was immediately taken aback: "Li? The 'Hong' generation? Li Yuanzhen of the Dragon Blood Lineage — what is he to you?"

Li Hongyou first performed a greeting, then said with a calm expression, "In terms of blood relation, he should count as my father. But I am merely a concubine's daughter. When I was young I was driven away by a vicious woman, and my mother took me wandering from place to place, far from home."

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan exchanged a glance — indeed, she was of Li Yuanzhen's bloodline.

Now she had followed Li Luo to the Dragon Fang Lineage, yet wished to join the Dragon Fang Guard. There was likely some scheme behind this.

And when Li Yuanzhen learned of it later, he would surely fly into a rage.

Judging from the impact on the relationship between the two lineages, Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan did not want to take on this troublesome matter. But the person had after all been brought back by Li Luo, so they had to give him some face — after all, Li Luo was no longer a child now, and he should know the trouble involved.

So the two of them finally said, "This kind of thing still needs the old man's approval. Very well then, come with us to the back mountain. The old man knows you've returned and has been waiting for you."

Li Luo nodded upon hearing this. Within the Dragon Fang Lineage, Li Li Jingzhe was heaven itself — everything required this old man's nod to be properly legitimate.

So Li Luo briefly said goodbye to Niu Niu Biaobiao and Li Li Rouyun, and the group rose into the air, heading straight for the back mountain.

Along the way, through his conversation with Li Li Qingpeng, Li Luo also learned that Li Li Jingtao, Li Li Fengyi and the others had all already gone to the Dragon Fang Guard and were no longer in the mountain.

This was normal, after all — he had been away for nearly half a year this time.

And the original Twenty Banners had long since been replaced by a new generation. Of the old veterans, those who passed the selection trials had entered the Dragon Fang Guard reserve team, while the rest who had not passed were dispatched to take up posts throughout the vast territory of the Dragon Fang Lineage.

As the group neared the bamboo grove of the back mountain, they all descended and walked up the steps.

A moment later, the bamboo and bamboo shoots flowing with spiritual light across the entire mountain came into view, and at the center of that sea of bamboo and shoots stood a quiet bamboo cottage.

Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan both restrained their smiles, their expressions turning respectful.

Li Hongyou was even more nervous, her hands clenched tight — after all, the chief of the Dragon Fang Lineage was one of the true powers in charge of the Li Li Tianwang line today, and within this Dragon Fang Lineage his authority was absolute. Even her own father would not dare show the slightest impropriety before him.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's exquisite face remained quite calm, but her slender fingers curling slightly still betrayed a hint of inner feeling. She did not fear any king-level powerhouse, but the person before her was Li Luo's grandfather, and also Li Taixuan's father.

This could be considered Li Taixuan and Li Luo's most important family.

At this moment, Li Luo suddenly reached out and took hold of Jiang Jiang Qinge's somewhat cool hand.

Jiang Jiang Qinge tilted her head slightly and saw Li Luo's gaze, bright with a brilliant smile. She knew — this was him declaring his heart to the Dragon Fang Lineage's chief in advance.

So she no longer felt nervous, and gripped Li Luo's hand in return.

The group climbed the steps and arrived outside the bamboo cottage.

Then Jiang Jiang Qinge saw, within the bamboo cottage, a plainly dressed old man who was looking down and cutting bamboo shoots.

"Grandfather." Li Luo was the first to speak and call out.

Li Li Jingzhe's hand paused, and without looking up, an aged voice came through.

"Bring them in. I'll cook a dish for you."

"You two can leave now." This sentence was clearly directed at Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan.

The two of them, however, cheerfully agreed, then turned and left.

After walking some distance, Li Li Qingpeng finally let out a laugh, and sighed to Li Li Jinpan: "The old man is apologizing for what happened back then."

"This dish."

"Originally, it was meant to be made for Third Sister-in-law."