Chapter 1205: Dispute

Li Li Hongli's sudden words immediately drew astonished glances from everyone present, and then their eyes shifted between Li Li Hongli and Li Hongyou, only now realizing the two shared a striking resemblance.

"Li Hongyou, Li Li Hongli..."

Li Li Fengyi murmured, as if understanding something, then exclaimed in shock: "You two... are sisters?"

If Li Hongyou is Li Li Hongli's elder sister, then isn't she of the Dragon Bloodline? Then why did she join the Dragon Fang Guard?

Li Li Zhiqiu froze for several breaths, then his gaze flickered as he asked: "Li Hongli, do you know her?"

Li Li Hongli gazed at Li Hongyou with a complex expression, hesitated, then said: "She... she is my elder sister. But long ago, she left the Dragon Bloodline with her mother and has had no contact since. I never expected to meet her here."

Li Li Zhiqiu exclaimed in surprise: "She is the daughter of Cousin Yuanzhen?"

He had truly never known this, for Li Yuanzhen had many concubines and numerous children, but his only true legitimate daughters were Li Hongque and Li Li Hongli, so he had never seen Li Hongyou before.

Hearing their words, Li Fulu's brow furrowed: Li Hongyou is Li Yuanzhen's daughter? Then how can she join the Dragon Fang Guard? The Dragon Bloodline will surely use this to demand accountability and cause trouble.

Li Li Zhiqiu's gaze shifted, then he fixed Li Hongyou with a warm smile: "Niece Hongyou, so you're family. Come back with me quickly—Hongque and Li Hongli are both in the Dragon Blood Guard. I'll inform Cousin Yuanzhen of this; I'm sure he'll be delighted."

This was truly an unexpected blessing. We thought Li Luo had brought two surprises to the Dragon Fang Guard, but one of them turns out to have such a connection to our Dragon Bloodline.

Although Li Hongyou isn't as dazzling as Jiang Jiang Qinge, she herself is at the late stage of Da Tian Xiang Jing, just one step away from being enfeoffed as a Marquis, and with her Ninth-Rank Chi Xin Zhu Guo essence, her value far exceeds that of any other cultivator at her level.

Li Hongyou's face remained expressionless: "Ever since my mother took me away from the Dragon Bloodline, I have had no relation to Li Yuanzhen—I am no longer of the Dragon Bloodline."

Everyone froze. Even Li Fulu and Li Li Fengyi wore expressions of surprise—clearly, this matter was far more complicated than they'd assumed.

Li Li Zhiqiu frowned: "Hongyou, what are you saying? You are Cousin Yuanzhen's daughter—that is an unchangeable fact."

Then his tone softened: "I don't know how you've lived these past years, but it's natural to harbor resentment. Later, I'll summon Cousin Yuanzhen to comfort you properly."

At the mention of that name, Li Hongyou's eyes grew colder, and a mocking smile curled her lips: "If he could bring my mother—worn out to death—back to life, then I might consider it."

Li Li Zhiqiu fell silent, now fully understanding that the relationship between Li Hongyou and Li Yuanzhen was irreparably bitter.

He turned his gaze to Li Li Hongli.

Hearing Li Hongyou's words, Li Li Hongli's heart trembled—her memories still faintly held the image of Li Hongyou's mother, whom she had seen many times bowing humbly before her own mother.

She never imagined Li Hongyou's mother was already dead.

Li Li Hongli's eyes grew complex. As a child, she had never bullied Li Hongyou or her mother, but her elder sister and mother had never once looked at them with respect.

"Sister Hongyou, come with me to the Dragon Blood Guard. Those past things are over. You know Father and Sister's temper—if they learn you've joined the Dragon Fang Guard, they'll be furious." Li Li Hongli urged.

Li Hongyou stared at Li Li Hongli, slowly saying: "Do you really think I joined the Dragon Fang Guard for what reason?"

Li Li Hongli's heart jolted—Li Hongyou knew full well Li Yuanzhen and Li Hongque's temperaments, yet she still chose the Dragon Fang Guard. That could only mean she sought revenge.

She intended to use the Dragon Fang Guard's hands to reclaim the humiliation she once suffered.

This was clearly aimed at Li Yuanzhen and Li Hongque.

Li Li Hongli sighed inwardly—she couldn't even imagine how Li Hongque would rage if she learned of this.

Li Hongque was proud by nature, having viewed Li Hongyou and her mother as lowly servants since childhood; she never regarded Li Hongyou as a blood-related sister.

Seeing Li Hongyou's stubbornness, Li Li Zhiqiu's expression darkened: "Li Hongyou, don't act recklessly. You are of the Dragon Bloodline—denying it won't change that. According to the Five Dragon Bloodlines' rules, to join the Dragon Fang Guard, you require the Dragon Bloodline's consent."

Then he turned to Li Fulu: "Li Fulu, you know the gravity of this. As Inspector, I now formally warn you: until the Dragon Bloodline grants approval, you must not allow Li Hongyou to join the Dragon Fang Guard. If you do, the consequences are yours alone to bear."

Li Fulu's brow slowly furrowed—Li Li Zhiqiu indeed held inspection authority; if he blocked this, the matter would indeed become troublesome.

"Li Li Zhiqiu, don't use the Dragon Bloodline to bully others. Li Hongyou's entry into the Dragon Fang Guard was approved by our Dragon Fang Pulse Leader—do you think our Dragon Fang Guard obeys you, a mere Inspector, instead of our own Pulse Leader?" Just as Li Fulu hesitated, Li Luo's voice suddenly rang out.

Li Li Zhiqiu's face darkened: "Li Luo, by seniority, you should call me Cousin! How dare you address me by name? Is this how your Dragon Fang Pulse raises its people?"

Seeing this fool try to invoke seniority, Li Luo sneered: "During work, address by title! I am the Grand Director of Qingming Academy—do I owe you, a mere Inspector, any special respect?"

Li Li Zhiqiu's head throbbed with rage—this brat held the title of Grand Director, young yet powerful, truly infuriating.

Li Luo sneered: "If you have objections, let Li Yuanzhen or the Dragon Bloodline's Pulse Leader go directly to our Dragon Fang Pulse Leader. Any other order, we Dragon Fang Guard will ignore."

Li Li Zhiqiu's face turned ashen: "Are you trying to escalate tensions between the Dragon Blood Guard and the Dragon Fang Guard?"

"Ridiculous. Can our Dragon Fang Pulse Leader's decision be overturned by your single word? What do you think our Dragon Fang Pulse is?" Li Luo countered sharply, refusing to yield.

"You lack the rank to meddle in this matter!"

Li Li Zhiqiu laughed bitterly: "Fine, fine! Since you're too foolish to see reason, then let's wait and see! The Dragon Bloodline will not let this go!"

With those words, he knew further delay was pointless. He swept his sleeve, unleashing a torrent of essence force that swept up Li Li Hongli and the others, then shot away like a streak of light.

After Li Li Zhiqiu and his party departed, Li Fulu and Li Li Fengyi exchanged glances—they never expected Li Luo, mere days into the Dragon Fang Guard, had already sparked conflict with Li Li Zhiqiu and the Dragon Bloodline.

"Grand Director Li Luo, you've just handed us a major headache." Li Fulu said.

Li Luo smiled faintly: "Are you going to hand such an outstanding talent over to the Dragon Blood Guard?"

Li Fulu shook his head: "I welcome her, certainly—but Li Li Zhiqiu will surely stir trouble. His younger brother, Li Zhihuo, is the Commander of the Dragon Blood Guard. Tensions between the two Guards will only grow."

"Didn't tensions already exist?" Li Luo asked.

Li Fulu nodded slightly: "True enough."

"Just accept her. I'll handle the rest. Besides, this matter was approved by my grandfather—should the Dragon Bloodline demand accountability, they must go through him." Li Luo said.

"If the Pulse Leader approved it, I will certainly comply," Li Fulu said.

Li Luo nodded, then turned to Li Hongyou, whose hands were tightly clenched, and said seriously: "Sister Hongyou, rest assured—no one will take you from the Dragon Fang Guard. That is my promise."

Li Hongyou's eyes held a trace of gratitude as she gave a slight nod.

Then their group no longer lingered; all rose into the sky. About half an hour later, a vast, majestic range of towering mountains, crowned by a mighty city, appeared before Li Luo's eyes.

Tianlong Ridge—arrived.