Chapter 1195: Holy Thorn Crown

After Li Luo used the Creation Divine Liquid to evolve his phase nature, the matter of returning to the Dragon Fang Mountain Range this time was basically concluded, so he briefly discussed with Jiang Qing and planned to leave as soon as possible for the Dragon Fang Guard.

Although Li Luo now had the foundation of six thousand zhang at the Da Tian Xiang Jing, not far from the Marquis Realm, Jiang Qing still maintained a vigilant mindset, constantly urging Li Luo to resolve this lifespan issue as soon as possible.

The Dragon Fang Guard was located in the Boundary River Domain, which was certainly extremely perilous, but it was an excellent place for tempering; only there could Li Luo maintain his vigorous progress and complete his breakthrough.

Furthermore, breaking through to the Marquis Realm required preparing a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Treasure.

Whether it was Li Luo breaking through to the Marquis Realm and forging the Marquis Platform, or Jiang Qing paving her own Unparalleled Path, the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Treasure was the most indispensable resource for them going forward.

And the Heavenly Dragon Five Guards, situated in the Boundary River Domain, were undoubtedly the most suitable destination for them.

Thus, Li Luo and Jiang Qing made all sorts of preparations, and finally planned to set out.

Before leaving, the two also made a special trip to the small courtyard on the back mountain to bid farewell to Li Li Jingzhe.

"The Boundary River Domain is extremely perilous; true demons run rampant there, and there are also many Marquis Realm rogue cultivators each harboring their own schemes. These people cannot be underestimated. For their own opportunities and futures, they are all desperados who lick blood off knife edges. The name of Li Li Tianwang's lineage can intimidate them somewhat, but we still must be on guard."

Li Li Jingzhe finally made some simple food for the two of them, and at the same time, like an elder seeing off his grandchildren on a long journey, gave tireless admonitions.

"The Boundary River Domain side, perhaps I'll go over there in the future as well. Counting the time, this 'Black Rain Ghost Calamity' happens to be my turn to garrison."

Hearing this, both Li Luo and Jiang Qing were somewhat puzzled: "Black Rain Ghost Calamity? What is that?"

Li Li Jingzhe said with a faint smile: "When the black rain falls, ten thousand ghosts walk."

"This so-called 'Black Rain Ghost Calamity' is the most terrifying calamity in the Boundary River Domain. Whenever this time comes, all the top forces will dispatch top-tier powerhouses to garrison, otherwise one careless mistake and years of accumulation in the Boundary River Domain will be utterly destroyed."

"The five vein-heads of the Heavenly Dragon Five Veins take turns garrisoning, and this time, it should be my turn."

Li Li Jingzhe did not elaborate further on this, but with a wave of his sleeve, he tore open a crack in the void, within which light suddenly blazed forth, and then Li Luo and Jiang Qing saw an object fly out from within, hovering before the two of them.

Within the light was an exquisitely crafted thorn crown, upon which holy light flowed, emanating an extremely sacred fluctuation.

The moment this thorn crown appeared, even Li Luo could clearly sense that the light-type energy between heaven and earth seemed to be drawn, surging over one after another, transforming into countless specks of light that flowed along with the thorn crown.

A nameless sense of oppressive might slowly emanated outward.

"This Holy Thorn Crown is a Marquis-grade treasure forged from that 'Holy Thorn,' and its grade should count as a top-tier mid-grade Marquis-grade treasure," Li Li Jingzhe said.

"Mid-grade Marquis-grade treasure?" Li Luo was slightly shocked. Marquis-grade treasures were divided into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Ranks, corresponding to the three Marquis Realms. Marquis-grade treasures were extremely powerful, and their value far exceeded Violet Eye treasures, so even many mid-grade Marquises might not necessarily have a suitable mid-grade Marquis-grade treasure in hand.

And the Holy Thorn materials he had previously provided, according to his estimate, would barely be enough to forge even a single low-grade Marquis-grade treasure, yet now Li Li Jingzhe had actually made it into a mid-grade Marquis-grade treasure.

Clearly, besides the Holy Thorn materials he provided, Li Li Jingzhe had also dug into his own pocket and added many precious materials.

"No need for unnecessary words, just take this as a meeting gift from me to my granddaughter-in-law." Li Li Jingzhe glanced at Li Luo, cutting off the words that were about to leave his mouth.

Then he looked toward Jiang Qing, who was equally somewhat astonished, and his voice softened a little: "Jiang Qinge, wearing this 'Holy Thorn Crown' at all times has the ability to clarify the mind and ward off evil, and it itself possesses three mysterious abilities."

"The first is 'Bind.' The thorn strips upon it can evolve into 'Light Thorn Spirit-Binding Rope.' Once bound by this rope, even powerhouses of the same rank will find it hard to break free. At the same time, the thorns upon it can produce 'Light Flame Poison,' and this flame poison is most adept at destroying one's physical body, very suitable for dealing with some powerful enemies who have cultivated body-tempering Marquis techniques."

Li Li Jingzhe flicked a finger, and they saw a thorn strip upon the 'Holy Thorn Crown' transform into a streak of light that rose, then twisted into a thorn light rope dozens of zhang long. The light rope, like a white serpent, nimbly darted through the air at extreme speed.

"The second is 'Pierce.'"

As Li Li Jingzhe's voice fell, a thorn upon the 'Holy Thorn Crown' detached, transforming into a streak of white light that danced and moved.

Within the white light, the thorn seemed to have become a white light nail, upon which dense holy light flowed. As the light nail darted, it was like a streak of flowing light, so fast that Li Luo beside him could only barely catch a glimpse of its shadow.

"This is the 'Light Transformation Nail,' which can transform into flowing light, adept at assassination." Simple words, yet they sent a chill through Li Luo's heart. If he were the one resisting this move, his protective techniques probably wouldn't even have time to deploy before this light nail directly pierced through his vital point.

"The third is called 'Blood Thorn,' this is a Bo Ming Zhi Fa. By infusing one's own essence blood into the Holy Thorn Crown, the crown will naturally feed back upon oneself, amplifying phase power."

The third ability, Li Li Jingzhe did not elaborate on, but both Li Luo and Jiang Qing could sense its powerful aspects. If fighting desperately against a powerful enemy, this should count as a means to reverse the situation.

Li Luo watched with great envy. So this was a Marquis-grade treasure? Whether in might or in transformation, it was far beyond what any Three Violet Eye treasure could compare to.

If one could possess such a treasure, the boost to one's strength would be no small matter.

"You'd better not think about it for now. A Marquis-grade treasure requires true dual-phase power to unleash its might," Li Li Jingzhe said.

"I also have dual-phase power!" Li Luo hurriedly said.

"Your dual-phase power still has some gap compared to the true dual-phase power of a Marquis-tier powerhouse."

"How could that be? My dual-phase power has already been cultivated to the Third Realm, and has given birth to Spirit Marks!" Li Luo retorted.

The three realms of dual-phase: Minor Fusion, Unity, and Spirit Birth. He had long since reached the Third Realm, where phase power gives birth to Spirit Marks, adding spirituality.

"That so-called three realms of dual-phase power were only established for people like you, who, because they were born with dual phases, touched upon dual-phase power in advance. But true Marquis-tier powerhouses, once they forge their Marquis Platform, the dual-phase power they give birth to naturally reaches or even surpasses this Third Realm."

"If you don't believe it, have Jiang Qinge demonstrate her dual-phase power for you to see the difference," Li Li Jingzhe said with a smile.

Hearing this, Jiang Qing extended her slender hand, and they saw dazzling, resplendent light-phase power gather over. As the light-phase power condensed, a mysterious sacred halo appeared at her wrist.

Jiang Qing's dual-phase power was very peculiar. Although there was no fusion of properties between different phase natures within it, it had stacked the properties belonging to light-phase power to the extreme.

"Isn't this just a dual-phase halo? I've long since..." Li Luo muttered.

But immediately, he stopped the words in his mouth, because he sensed that upon Jiang Qing's pure and dazzling sacred halo, there seemed to be numerous peculiar patterns inscribed, as if they were some kind of mysterious seal-script.

Upon these seal-scripts, he sensed a familiar fluctuation—that was... Spirit Marks.

When he previously deployed dual-phase power, this thing would appear within his phase power, thereby granting his phase power stronger spirituality. But clearly, the seal-scripts within Jiang Qing's dual-phase power were a more exquisite manifestation.

"This is true dual-phase power. Strictly speaking, it surpasses the level of the three realms of dual-phase you know. Its name is 'Phase Seal-Script.'"

"This so-called 'Phase Seal-Script' counts as a higher-grade advancement of phase power, and is also the source of dual-phase power's strength."

"The reason why Marquis-tier powerhouses far surpass the Marquis techniques deployed by those below the Marquis Realm—this is the main reason."

Hearing Li Li Jingzhe's explanation, Li Luo pressed his lips together. Fine, this dual-phase power truly was profound and vast, worthy of being the hallmark of Marquis-tier powerhouses.

Jiang Qing now also dispersed her dual-phase power, her gaze returning to the 'Holy Thorn Crown' before her, and said: "Thank you, Grandfather, for bestowing the treasure."

She did not feign politeness either, but directly and calmly accepted the elder's kind intentions.

Li Li Jingzhe was very pleased with this, a smile even appearing at the corner of his mouth, then he said to Li Luo: "You tactless little thing, aren't you going to put the crown on her?"

Li Luo was speechless, complaining inwardly: you old man with your bushy brows and big eyes, I used to be your good grandson, but now that you have a granddaughter-in-law, you start calling me a tactless little thing.

Sure enough, the moment Jiang Qing arrived, his family status had habitually dropped again.

But he still took the exquisite, gorgeous 'Holy Thorn Crown.' Jiang Qing's bright eyes swept over him, then she slightly lowered her head.

Li Luo was stunned for a moment. This sense of ritual inexplicably made his heartbeat quicken a little.

Then he extended the 'Holy Thorn Crown' and gently placed it upon Jiang Qing's head, the thorns connecting with her long hair.

The resplendent "Holy Thorn" flowed with holy light, complementing Jiang Qing'e's flawlessly white porcelain-like cheeks, lending her countenance an added measure of sanctity and noble grace at this moment.

Li Luo gazed at the girl before him, who seemed to have grown even more beautiful, and for a moment he was slightly lost in thought.

The girl at this moment, with her flowing gaze, truly resembled a goddess of light—radiant, holy, and enchanting.