Chapter 1214: Schemes

"Thirty thousand dragon essences?"

Li Luo was immediately speechless. So after being a commander for three years, he could only barely exchange for one upper-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure? Let alone a top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure, which was even higher than upper-grade? Like the "Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus" he had prepared for Jiang Jiang Qinge — that probably counted as the finest among top-grade.

There was no helping it. Jiang Jiang Qinge had raised the ceiling so high that when he broke through, he naturally didn't want to fall too far behind her, so he could only strive hard toward the "Ten-Pillar Golden Platform." But to forge a "Ten-Pillar Golden Platform," not only were there stringent demands on talent and potential, but Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures were also indispensable. After all, the forging of every marquis platform would consume one's own potential, while Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures could reduce that consumption. So looking at the long term, Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures were a must.

But even an upper-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure had minimal effect for a "Ten-Pillar Golden Platform," so Li Luo's target was a top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure.

But from the looks of it now, top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures were rarer than imagined.

Only now could Li Luo truly feel the preciousness of the "Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus." No wonder even Li Li Jingzhe had needed to scheme against the other four vein leaders to take it back then.

Still, he felt no reluctance. Compared to Jiang Jiang Qinge's safety, no matter how precious, a Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure was not worth mentioning.

"Salary is just one way to obtain dragon essences. Normally, executing missions also yields extra income. Even if you obtain some low-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures that you can't use yourselves, you can also trade them in for dragon essences to exchange for the upper-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures you want."

Li Luo sighed. It seemed that obtaining a Foundation Establishment spiritual treasure that could satisfy him was still a long and arduous task.

"I think instead of worrying about salary, you'd better consider how to get through the upcoming 'Ascension Trial.' Within the Dragon Fang Guard, everyone, mindful of your achievements in the Twenty Banners, took the initiative to yield the commander position to you. But the Dragon Blood Guard probably won't give you that face." Li Fuluo reminded him.

Because of this incident with Li Hongyou, the Dragon Blood Guard certainly wouldn't let it rest. When the time came, it was very likely they would arrange a marquis-grade commander to compete in martial arts against Li Luo, the new commander.

Yet Li Luo was only at the Da Tian Xiang Jing. The gap in grade between them was actually no smaller than that between Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Changfeng.

"Don't worry, Guard Commander. I'll try not to disgrace the Dragon Fang Guard." Li Luo said with a smile.

Li Fuluo said expressionlessly: "Not 'try' — you must!"

"Don't forget, you are the Dragon Head of the Twenty Banners this session, and your father is Li Taixuan. If you lose, it won't just be you losing face."

Saying this, he thought for a moment, then said: "Tomorrow, you and Jiang Jiang Qinge go to the Heavenly Dragon Treasury. According to the rules, newly appointed commanders and Dragon Fang Envoys can each take one treasure of their choice from the Heavenly Dragon Treasury."

"The Heavenly Dragon Treasury?"

Li Luo's eyes immediately lit up.

"The Heavenly Dragon Treasury belongs exclusively to the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards, providing members of the Five Guards a place to exchange for treasures. Moreover, the five veins will place some of their unique marquis arts within it. So looking across the entire Li Li Tianwang lineage, only this treasury offers a chance to cultivate marquis arts belonging to the other veins."

"However, for now you can only choose treasures worth up to twenty thousand dragon essences. And remember, this is an advance — this expense will be deducted from your salaries going forward." Li Fuluo said.

Li Luo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Didn't this mean that before they had even received a single month's salary, they were already in debt?

Still, being able to freeload in advance wasn't bad.

But Li Luo still developed a strong interest in this. Previously, in the Dragon Fang Vein's treasure vault, he had only seen some of the Dragon Fang Vein's marquis arts. Now, this Heavenly Dragon Treasury could grant him access to the other four veins' marquis arts — that was worth a look.

"Alright, that's all for today. You may familiarize yourselves with the others. After all, from now on you truly count as members of the Dragon Fang Guard."

Having said that, Li Fuluo turned and left directly, without exchanging further pleasantries with the two.

Li Luo didn't mind. He smiled at Jiang Jiang Qinge, then looked toward some familiar figures excitedly heading his way.

"Sister Jiang Qinge, we'll be spending some time here from now on. Let me introduce you to some friends."

Jiang Jiang Qinge naturally had no objection and nodded in agreement.

For her, as long as Li Luo was here, wherever they went made no difference.

And while Li Luo and his group were settling into the Dragon Fang Guard, at a place extremely far from the Heavenly Dragon Ridge—

A grand city sat above the Abyss of Earth. Above the city, a massive guardian strange array released dazzling light, completely covering the entire region.

Within the strange array, a ten-thousand-zhang black banner stood quietly, faintly emitting a terrifying wave of pressure.

On the black banner was an archaic character: "Qin."

And the one capable of building such a grand, massive base within the Boundary River Domain was naturally the Qin Li Tianwang lineage, a Heavenly King-level faction.

At this moment, several streaks of light landed outside a manor deep within the city.

The one leading them was Qin Qin Lian, her face covered in frost.

"Useless trash, go receive punishment!" Qin Qin Lian's eyes were cold and sinister as she glared at a sixth-grade marquis strong practitioner behind her. The latter's face turned pale, dared not argue, and turned to leave.

Qin Qin Lian turned and walked into the manor, where two figures — one male, one female — came to greet her.

"Mother."

"Master."

The girl was exquisitely beautiful, her long hair flowing, radiating an otherworldly immortal air — it was Qin Yi.

And the man beside her, with a tall and sturdy build, gold and silver rings around both wrists, and an aura of strong oppressive force, was Chu Qing.

Qin Qin Lian's face was icy as she glanced at Qin Yi and said: "Why are you still at True Seal Stage? Do you know that Li Luo has already stepped into the Da Tian Xiang Jing?"

Qin Yi was slightly startled, inwardly astonished by Li Luo's cultivation speed. She knew that on her side, she had only managed to cross from Void Seal Stage to Xiao Tian Xiang Jing True Seal Stage by condensing a Nine-Star Heavenly Pearl. Yet Li Luo had actually reached the Da Tian Xiang Jing?

What an astonishing cultivation speed.

Her thoughts turned, but she showed nothing on her face, merely saying respectfully: "I understand. I will cultivate diligently from now on."

Qin Qin Lian looked at Chu Qing again. Toward this prized disciple, her expression softened a little. Li Luo now led Qin Yi, which made her very unhappy, but fortunately this disciple was still doing well — he was now a second-grade marquis.

"You two go rest. Don't worry about me."

Qin Qin Lian gave a few instructions, then hurried toward the rear courtyard.

Qin Yi gazed at Qin Qin Lian's back, her eyes flickering slightly, and said softly: "There's still lingering killing intent on Mother. What was she doing earlier?"

Chu Qing shook his head and said: "Perhaps she ran into some blind loose cultivators."

Qin Yi neither agreed nor disagreed. Then Li Luo's face flashed through her mind. Since parting at the Spiritual Phase Cave Heaven, he had actually truly surpassed her. That guy's talent was truly monstrous.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Qin Qin Lian entered the rear courtyard and opened a secret chamber. A crystal ball inside the chamber immediately burst with light, weaving together into a silver-haired figure radiating boundless pressure.

It was the current ruler of the Qin Li Tianwang lineage, the Grand Palace Master — Qin Jiujie.

"Qin Qin Lian, it seems you failed." Qin Jiujie stared at Qin Qin Lian and said flatly.

Qin Qin Lian said with difficulty: "It was my incompetence. I ask the Grand Palace Master to punish me."

Qin Jiujie was silent for several breaths, then said indifferently: "Punishment will naturally come. Your operation failed this time, and this matter will surely reach Li Li Jingzhe's ears. He will come to the Boundary River Domain in advance as a deterrent, so afterward you won't be able to act like this anymore."

"Moreover, Li Li Jingzhe will probably make some guesses. After all, your behavior was overly impatient — this can't be explained by ordinary grudges. He... might guess about the 'Primordial Seed' because of this."

Qin Qin Lian's face changed slightly. If Li Li Jingzhe learned of the Primordial Seed, then the protection for Li Luo would likely reach an extreme level. At that point, trying to seize it again would be no easy matter.

"Then what should we do?" Qin Qin Lian couldn't help but ask.

An unfathomable gleam swirled in Qin Jiujie's eyes, his low voice echoing through the secret chamber: "As long as Li Li Jingzhe is around, Li Luo cannot be touched."

"Are we just giving up on the Primordial Seed?!" Qin Qin Lian demanded urgently.

Qin Jiujie said: "Who said anything about giving up?"

His gaze was like an abyss, sending a chill down one's spine.

"This time at the Boundary River Domain, it happens to be Li Li Jingzhe, this Dragon Fang Vein Head, who is stationed at Sky Dragon Ridge. The 'Black Rain Ghost Tribulation' is a good opportunity..."

"Since Li Li Jingzhe is there, Li Luo cannot be touched."

"Then... let's deal with Li Li Jingzhe first."