Chapter 1196: The Storm Rises

The flying vessel cut across the long sky, speeding into the distance; upon the flying vessel, the banner of the Dragon Fang Branch belonging to Li Li Tianwang's lineage stood tall, exuding an air of authority.

"To enter the Boundary River Domain, a specific teleportation array is required, and the nearest one to us is located in a place called 'Qingyue City' outside the Dragon Fang Domain. It will take roughly three days to reach." On the flying vessel, Li Li Rouyun revealed a gentle smile toward the three young people before her.

Off to one side sat Niu Niu Biaobiao, his burly frame and face brimming with a fierce, menacing air.

That's right — the ones accompanying Li Luo and the others to the Boundary River Domain this time were precisely Niu Niu Biaobiao and Li Li Rouyun.

The Boundary River Domain was fraught with danger and chaos. With Li Luo's group of three heading there, Li Li Jingzhe was bound to dispatch guards to accompany them. It happened that Niu Niu Biaobiao had nothing to do lately, so he volunteered for the task.

Niu Niu Biaobiao's temperament was hardly suited to handling the many affairs of the Green Nether Court back in the Dragon Fang Mountain Range; comparatively speaking, the Boundary River Domain suited him far better. He had long harbored the thought of going out to temper himself, so he seized this chance to head to the Boundary River Domain to cultivate.

As for Li Li Rouyun, she was purely there to keep Niu Niu Biaobiao company.

The two of them had now settled into their relationship — it was precisely the stage where their affection was inseparable.

So in the end, it was the two of them who escorted the group the entire way.

Niu Niu Biaobiao was now at the Seven-Pill Marquis Realm, and Li Li Rouyun at Six-Pill — this escort strength should presumably be sufficient.

"Uncle Biao, your charm really is something else. Just to follow you, Aunt Yun actually threw aside all those matters at the Green Nether Court without a second thought." Li Luo grinned at Niu Niu Biaobiao as he spoke.

Niu Niu Biaobiao's weathered face flushed red, then he said, "She insisted on coming along — what could I do? I'm a grown man; do I really need someone to keep me company?"

Li Li Rouyun, meanwhile, smiled at Li Luo and said, "Don't blame me, Great Court Master. I've handed over all the Green Nether Court's affairs properly — it won't be delayed."

"Uncle Biao really is a lucky man," Li Luo sighed.

With his old man holding the position of Great Court Master of the Green Nether Court yet having gone missing for so many years, if not for Li Li Rouyun managing things, the Green Nether Court would long since have descended into utter chaos.

Niu Niu Biaobiao said, "In my eyes, she's still that little Miss from back then — always wanting to tag along with me and Li Taixuan when we went out to temper ourselves. Couldn't shake her off no matter what."

Back when he was close with Li Taixuan, roaming the Outer Shenzhou together, Li Li Rouyun had just stepped into the Marquis Realm at the time, so in his eyes she was nothing but a green little Miss.

Li Luo stroked his chin and said, "So Aunt Yun fell for Uncle Biao's charm back then? Heh-heh, Uncle Biao — now that's what you call an old bull grazing on tender grass."

Li Li Rouyun's cheeks flushed faintly; she offered no reply.

Niu Niu Biaobiao's already swarthy face seemed to grow even darker at that moment.

Still, regarding the two of them's current state, Li Luo was genuinely happy for them — especially for Li Li Rouyun. Because in her understanding, Li Li Lingjing, whom she had raised as her own, had perished in the Spirit Phase Grotto-Heaven, which was undoubtedly an extremely heavy blow to her. It was said that during those days, she wept from morning till night.

And it was thanks to Niu Niu Biaobiao's companionship that she was finally able to pull herself out of that state of grief bordering on death.

As for Li Li Lingjing's situation, Li Luo didn't feel right telling Li Li Rouyun — after all, she had walked onto another path. To spare Li Li Rouyun from worrying day after day, perhaps things being as they were now was for the best.

Off to one side, Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Hongyou also let slip faint smiles.

Li Li Rouyun, however, quickly changed the subject and said, "Xiao Luo, I received a piece of intelligence earlier — you might be interested."

"What is it?" Li Luo asked curiously.

"I heard that Qin Yi, that 'Water Fairy' of the Qin Li Tianwang lineage, condensed nine Heavenly Pearls and then broke straight through to the True Seal rank."

"Qin Yi? She condensed nine Heavenly Pearls too?" Li Luo was only mildly surprised by this, not overly taken aback. After all, Qin Yi possessed a Lower Nine-Pill Water Aspect — her talent spoke for itself — and combined with her status, Nine-Star Heavenly Pearls were hardly impossible.

And once one broke through with Nine-Star Heavenly Pearls, the advancement was akin to leaping across ranks. If not for the opportunity he had obtained in the Lesser Heaven this time, he himself might only be at the True Seal rank right now.

"Water Fairy Qin Yi? Who's that?" Jiang Jiang Qinge, however, shifted her gaze and asked Li Luo.

Li Luo replied without a flicker: "She's the daughter of that Qin Qin Lian I told you about before — counts as a major enemy."

"Is that so? Then if we run into her in the future, I suppose we can only be ruthless and crush the flower." Jiang Jiang Qinge said, her tone unreadable.

"I definitely have no objections to that!" Li Luo first declared his stance, then suggested, "But honestly speaking, that woman Qin Qin Lian is crazy, yet her daughter seems fairly normal."

"Can't bear to?" Jiang Jiang Qinge asked.

Li Luo cried out in protest: "I'm not even acquainted with her — I'm just speaking the truth."

Li Luo caught the suppressed smile at the corner of Li Li Rouyun's mouth across from him and said helplessly, "Aunt Yun, you really know how to stir up trouble. By the way, what about that Chu Qing?"

He remembered that when he first met Chu Qing, the latter had already been at the peak of the Da Tian Xiang Jing. Now, with over a year having passed, given his talent, he had probably long since broken through to the Marquis Realm, hadn't he?

"Chu Qing broke through to the Marquis Realm a year ago. He had previously possessed two Aspects, and upon breaking through to the Marquis Realm, a third Aspect was born — its grade was Lower Nine-Pill. After that, he entered the 'Boundary River Domain,' where he waged battle and carved out a formidable reputation, earning repeated praise from that Qin Qin Lian," Li Li Rouyun said.

"A Lower Nine-Pill third Aspect?"

Li Luo's gaze sharpened slightly. This Chu Qing had previously possessed a Void Nine-Pill and Upper Eight-Pill dual Aspect, and now had birthed a Lower Nine-Pill third Aspect — such a configuration was absolutely top-tier among his peers.

Fortunately, compared with Jiang Jiang Qinge, he still paled considerably.

He wondered whether he would run into this Chu Qing during this trip to the Boundary River Domain.

Hmph, that crazy woman Qin Qin Lian is always trying to compare herself with his mother. But now her daughter and disciple have both been crushed — let's see how ugly your expression gets when you find out.

The flying vessel sped on, the journey filled with idle chatter.

Three days later, the flying vessel exited the borders of the Dragon Fang Domain and arrived at that 'Qingyue City.'

This city was extremely prosperous, but Li Luo's group did not linger within it; they went directly to the teleportation array leading to the 'Boundary River Domain.'

Around the teleportation array, the flow of people never ceased. Many of them clearly shared the same destination as Li Luo's group, and each and every one of them exuded a powerful, formidable aura — Marquis-level strongmen were hardly few in number.

Under the escort of Niu Niu Biaobiao and Li Li Rouyun, the group boarded the teleportation array without detour. Then, as spatial ripples surged forth, their figures vanished within it.

However, as their figures disappeared into the teleportation array, they failed to notice that within a tall tower in the city, a pair of cold, chilling gazes withdrew along with them.

Upon the tall tower, a woman's figure stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her expression cold and stern, her brows brimming with an air of dominance.

The familiar appearance — it was precisely the Qin Qin Lian whom Li Luo's group had been discussing on the flying vessel.

"Niu Niu Biaobiao, hmph. It's been many years indeed. Back then I destroyed his Marquis Platform, yet he still managed to climb back up — what a hard fate." Qin Qin Lian's words were icily sinister.

Behind Qin Qin Lian stood three more figures, each emanating extremely powerful fluctuations.

"Palace Master Qin, it seems the intelligence was correct. When do we make our move?" one of them asked with a smile.

"Wait until they enter the Boundary River Domain. Within the Boundary River Domain, even Li Li Jingzhe cannot sense anything, and True Demons run rampant there — a chaotic mix. In that place, encountering any ambush is perfectly reasonable. Even among the various Li Tianwang lineages, Marquis-level strongmen falling there is hardly uncommon," Qin Qin Lian said coldly.

"When we act, we'll all light 'Veiling God Incense' to conceal our identities. As long as there's no direct evidence, even if Li Li Jingzhe suspects us afterward, it won't matter."

Hearing these words, the three behind her all nodded in assent.

Only then did Qin Qin Lian turn her head, her gaze coldly fixed upon the massive teleportation array within the city. This operation had received the nod of approval from Qin Jiujie, the current power-holder of the Qin Li Tianwang lineage.

After all, for the sake of a Primordial Seed, any risk was worth taking.

If the Primordial Seed could fall into the hands of their Qin Li Tianwang lineage, in the future they would surely become the strongest faction in the Outer Shenzhou — even the other Li Tianwang lineages would be able to do nothing but rank beneath them.

Her cold, chilling voice slowly spread outward.

"Remember, capture that Li Luo alive."