Chapter 1213: ,221: Congratulations to the New Commander

As the entire arena erupted, Li Changfeng reined in his surging phase force. The three Marquis Platforms transformed into three specks of spiritual light that sank into his Heavenly Spirit Cover, and with a clench of his palm, the golden iron rod below flew back into his hand.

Then he cupped his fist in salute toward Jiang Jiang Qinge.

"Miss Jiang, from now on, you are the new Dragon Fang Commander."

Jiang Jiang Qinge likewise reined in her radiant phase force. She looked at Li Changfeng and said, "You yield gracefully. You still had a layer of powerful defense on you—had I not held back, you should still have been able to withstand that strike."

"A Third Rank fighting a First Rank—if it still had to be pushed to such a desperate, dead-end state, that would be far too lacking in sense." Li Changfeng gave a wry smile.

"Commander Jiang Dragon Fang, with your talent and potential, it likely won't be long before you can advance to a Second Rank Marquis. At that time, so long as you are willing, I will support you in challenging the Guard Commander."

Li Fulou below could not help a twitch at the corner of his eye when he heard this. This treacherous bastard—had he defected so quickly?

Luo Jiang at the side gave a quiet chuckle and said, "Guard Commander, I fear it won't be long before the Dragon Fang Guard sees a change of heavens."

Li Fulou, however, replied blandly, "If she can lead the Dragon Fang Guard back to its peak, and at the same time take back that 'Heavenly Dragon Dark-Yellow Spear,' I won't mind serving beneath another."

Then his gaze swept across the entire arena as his deep voice rang out.

"Everyone, congratulate the new Commander."

"May our Dragon Fang Guard be unrivaled in sharpness!"

The ten thousand gazes present all carried thick admiration and amazement as they looked at the dashing, graceful figure standing in the air, then cupped their fists as a reverent cry shook the clouds.

"Congratulate the new Commander!"

"May our Dragon Fang Guard be unrivaled in sharpness!"

The boiling sound filled every corner of the plaza. Every member of the Dragon Fang Guard looked at the figure standing in the air with amazed and fervent eyes.

Who could have imagined that Jiang Jiang Qinge, with the strength of a First Rank Marquis, had actually, in the clash, forcibly suppressed Li Changfeng, whose strength had reached Third Rank Marquis.

Is this the might of the "Ten-Pillar Golden Platform"?

The members of the Dragon Fang Guard were already considered the elites of several generations of the Dragon Fang Lineage. So-called prodigies they had naturally seen before, but they had never seen one as domineering as what stood before them now.

This made everyone's hearts rejoice and surge with excitement, because from this day forward, Jiang Jiang Qinge was one of their Dragon Fang Guard. With this peerless prodigy of boundless potential, the day when the Dragon Fang Guard returned to its prime was within sight.

Li Li Fuling stared dazedly at that dashing, breathtakingly beautiful figure and said to Li Li Fengyi beside her, "That's too amazing, isn't it? I feel like Li Luo is a bit unworthy of her."

Li Li Fengyi said irritably, "My little brother is also outstanding, alright? He carries the Three Palaces and Six Phases, and at such a young age he's already at Da Tian Xiang Jing—that's a record too, isn't it? And with his talent, once he breaks through to the Marquis Realm later, he'll surely be able to forge a 'Ten-Pillar Golden Platform' as well!"

Li Li Fuling curled her lip and said, "You think the 'Ten-Pillar Golden Platform' is that easy? How many top prodigies have poured out all their foundation and potential, yet still found this step difficult. Back then, even Grand Hall Master Li Taixuan never forged a Ten-Pillar Golden Platform upon entering the Marquis Realm."

Li Li Fengyi choked up, unable to argue back. The Ten-Pillar Golden Platform represented the path of the peerless—the most exalted path under heaven. Without being a peerless prodigy who crushed an entire generation, one simply had no qualification to set foot upon it.

Today, across the entire Five Heavenly Dragon Guards, only Li Zhihuo of the Dragon Blood Guard had ever forged a "Nine-Pillar Marquis Platform," and that was only because he had luckily obtained a top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure.

"I believe in little brother!" But she still chose to support Li Luo unconditionally—after all, she favored kin over reason.

Li Li Fuling, meanwhile, gazed at Jiang Jiang Qinge's figure with worship in her eyes. One could tell that after today, a batch of Jiang Jiang Qinge's loyal followers would be born within the Dragon Fang Guard.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's display of dominance had undoubtedly achieved a perfect result.

Under the gaze of those many amazed eyes, Jiang Jiang Qinge's figure drifted down lightly, landing beside Li Luo, and then gave him a gentle wink.

Today's glory had almost all been taken by Jiang Jiang Qinge. Compared to her, Li Luo on his end instead seemed rather unremarkable—after all, his ascent had been too smooth, without any challenge at all.

Li Luo gave a thumbs-up and said, "Amazing."

Then, curious, he asked, "That Si Si Tianming-grade Marquis Art—I've never seen you use it before."

"That was also passed to me by the Third Hall Master. It's a lower-grade Si Si Tianming-grade Marquis Art, and I hadn't completed it before." Jiang Jiang Qinge gave a brief explanation.

"The Third Hall Master has truly been good to you." Li Luo sighed. That Third Hall Master of the Holy Light Ancient Academy had truly given Jiang Jiang Qinge everything he had.

"If there's a chance in the future, this kindness will certainly be repaid." Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded slightly and said.

At this moment Li Fulou also walked over. He took a token from Li Changfeng—this token differed slightly from his Guard Commander token, with the character "Commander" inscribed upon it.

"Jiang Jiang Qinge, from now on, you are the Right Dragon Fang Commander of the Dragon Fang Guard. The Dragon Fang Guard is divided into ten guards, totaling ten thousand people. Half of them will fall under your command. When I am absent, you have the authority to deploy them."

"Keep this 'Dragon Fang Commander Token' safe. This item is both a symbol of identity and the military tally of the Dragon Fang Guard. Only by relying on this can you mobilize the full might of the Dragon Fang Guard." Li Fulou handed the token to Jiang Jiang Qinge and said.

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded as she took it, then examined the token with some curiosity—after all, it was her first time handling such a special thing.

Back at the Ancient Academy, everyone fought on their own; there had never been this kind of integrated, army-like combat. With this military tally, her combat power would receive a terrifying leap.

Then Li Fulou also gave Li Luo a token—that was his Commander token.

"You are now the Fourth Commander. Your Commander tally can mobilize two thousand-man guards."

Li Luo rubbed the cold tally. He could sense that within the tally was contained a special, mysterious fluctuation—a fluctuation that felt somewhat familiar.

That was... the Li Li Tianwang Token in his hand.

Clearly, the "combined Qi" within the Dragon Fang Guard relied on this special tally. Without it, no one could mobilize the Dragon Fang Guard.

When he was at the Qingming Banner, he commanded eight thousand banner troops, but the quality of those eight thousand banner troops combined probably couldn't compare to the two thousand Dragon Fang Guard members now in his hand.

"I can finally wield this power again." Li Luo gripped the tally, and his heart seemed to settle considerably. With this item, he could once again experience a stronger Marquis-level power.

In the future, traveling through the Boundary River Domain with two thousand troops, he no longer had to fear those Marquis-level strongmen.

"Li Hongyou's strength is enough to fill a thousand-guard position. From now on, she can be transferred to your command." Li Fulou also said to Li Hongyou at the side.

"Thank you, Guard Commander." Li Hongyou expressed her gratitude.

With the sensation caused by Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo ahead, Li Hongyou obtaining a thousand-guard position drew no one's attention.

"Guard Commander, what about Big Brother Li Changfeng and the others afterward?" Li Luo glanced at Li Changfeng and asked.

"Within the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards, there is a position called the 'Dragon Pavilion.' All those whose strength has reached the Marquis Realm, if they temporarily have no position, may enter the 'Dragon Pavilion,' hence also called 'Dragon Pavilion Members.' The status and stipend of Dragon Pavilion Members are equal to those of Commanders, except they have no authority to command troops. However, in emergencies, Dragon Pavilion Members may, at their discretion, bypass Commanders to command troops." Li Fulou explained.

"When the 'Day of Ascension' arrives, Dragon Pavilion Members may issue challenges to serving Commanders, Dragon Fang Commanders, or even the Guard Commander. If they win, they may take their place."

Li Luo understood. These "Dragon Pavilion Members" were essentially a sinecure—a temporary place to settle those Dragon Fang Guard members who had broken through to the Marquis Realm. After all, the high-ranking positions within the Dragon Fang Guard were limited—one slot per person.

"How is the stipend calculated?" Li Luo asked curiously again.

Li Fulou extended his palm, and a golden bead about the size of a thumb flickered into view. The surface of the bead seemed inscribed with fine, dense dragon scales, and within it one could even faintly see a dragon shadow coiling.

"This is 'Dragon Essence,' a currency unique to the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards. If you wish to exchange for Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures, Marquis Platform-forging methods, Spiritual Water Marvels, Marquis Arts, Marquis Treasures, and many other things in the future, you will need this."

"Generally speaking, a Commander's position receives one thousand Dragon Essence per month."

"How much Dragon Essence does a top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure require?" Li Luo asked.

Li Fulu extended three fingers, a faint smile seeming to appear on his cold, stern face.

"Only thirty thousand Dragon Essence is needed."