Chapter 1231: Distributing the Star Pearls

The rumbling that had shaken the heavens was approaching its end, and the golden-scaled light barrier covering the firmament grew denser at this moment, until golden light suffused everything, and the vast Boundary River high above gradually grew hazy, then vanished completely.

This signified that this session of the "Boundary River Falling Star Platform" had come to a complete end. For the safety of Tianlong Ridge, the "Golden-Scaled Cloud Dragon Formation" was once again fully activated, entering defensive mode.

And upon the five golden lotus platforms, the tens of thousands of members of the Five Guards watched the firmament covered by the golden-scaled light barrier with complicated feelings.

The Dragon Bone, Dragon Horn, and Dragon Scale Guards felt envy and astonishment, while the Dragon Blood Guard felt melancholy and a sense of crisis from being surpassed for the first time.

As for the Dragon Fang Guard, it was a joyous celebration.

No one had expected that Li Luo and Jiang Qing would stubbornly persist for seven rounds.

Thanks to the efforts of the two of them, the Dragon Fang Guard ultimately harvested over two hundred and sixty thousand star pearls.

It was a number that left everyone in the Five Guards wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

Before this, they had never imagined that seven rounds of Boundary River meteors could refine such a massive quantity of star pearls.

In fact, the Dragon Blood Guard had also broken their own record this time. After seven rounds of Boundary River meteors, they ultimately refined one hundred and eighty thousand star pearls. This result was actually quite dazzling. If not for the Dragon Fang Guard's two hundred and sixty thousand ahead of them, they would probably have been the brightest stars of the whole event.

But unfortunately, there is no "if."

The atmosphere on the Dragon Blood Guard's side was somewhat oppressive, clearly their morale had taken a slight blow. After all, having led for so long and then suddenly being surpassed naturally left an uncomfortable feeling in the heart.

Li Zhihuo's figure descended from the sky. His gaze swept over the Dragon Blood Guard members as he frowned and said, "It's just falling behind a little. Why is everyone hanging their heads?"

"If you don't even have this much ability to take a hit, what's the point of staying in the Dragon Blood Guard?"

"We've led on the Falling Star Platform for so many years. We won't be stepped on just because of one moment of falling behind."

Hearing Li Zhihuo's rebuke, the Dragon Blood Guard members all lowered their heads in shame.

Li Hongque gripped her fingers tightly, her heart still brimming with anger. It was all because of that wretched maid Li Hongyou, who actually dared to help Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo maintain their condition. Otherwise, those two would most likely have been unable to last all seven rounds, and as long as they had participated in fewer rounds, the Dragon Blood Guard would still be in the lead.

She had never imagined that the wretched maid she had once bullied at will would now dare to come with a heart for revenge.

After today, Li Hongyou's performance was also outstanding, so she would surely attract a lot of attention. When the time came, as soon as anyone asked around, they would learn of the relationship between Li Hongyou and her, and then she, Li Hongque, would surely become gossip among the Five Guards.

Just thinking of that scene made Li Hongque tremble with rage.

That woman was a calamity. Li Hongyou absolutely could not be allowed to remain in the Dragon Fang Guard, repeatedly slapping her in the face like that. If it continued, Li Hongque felt she might go mad with rage at any moment.

Li Hongque walked to Li Zhihuo's side, gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "Guard Commander, Li Hongyou can no longer be allowed to stay in the Dragon Fang Guard. She is now at the peak of Da Tian Xiang Jing, only one step away from the Marquis Realm. If she succeeds in reaching the Marquis Realm, her amplification effect will be even stronger, and at that point Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo will be as if given wings."

"It's even possible that Li Foluo will be strengthened because of her, which would pose an even greater threat to you."

Li Zhihuo's eyes narrowed slightly. The current Li Foluo possessed the strength of an Upper Fourth Rank Marquis, while he himself was a Lower Fifth Rank Marquis. But among the other four Guard Commanders, Li Foluo was the one who posed the greatest threat to him, simply because no one knew exactly when Li Foluo might break through that barrier and likewise step into the Fifth Rank Marquis Realm.

And Li Hongyou's "Sincere Heart Vermillion Fruit Phase," which reached as high as Lower Ninth Rank, could provide a brief empowerment. Although its effect on Li Foluo was currently small, once she stepped into the Marquis Realm, she would truly be able to empower Li Foluo.

Li Zhihuo said indifferently, "So we cannot lose the wager on the day of the Ascension Steps."

"Jiang Jiang Qinge's Ten-Pillar Golden Platform and three Ninth Rank Bright Light Phases are indeed astonishing. She should possess the strength to contend with a Third Rank Marquis, but Li Luo is only at Da Tian Xiang Jing, so he will be a breakthrough point."

Li Hongque nodded, feeling somewhat relieved in her heart, while casting a resentful glance at Li Hongyou's figure in the distance.

Li Zhihuo did not continue speaking further, but instead gave orders to begin distributing the star pearls as rewards.

Meanwhile, on the golden lotus platform where the Dragon Fang Guard was located, the atmosphere was so fervent it was almost boiling like hot oil, and excitement and anticipation showed on every face.

Even veteran members who had been in the Dragon Fang Guard for years had never seen such a bountiful harvest.

Li Foluo stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping around. Looking at the excited expressions of the crowd, a faint smile appeared on his usually stern and solemn face. Clearly, he was equally extremely satisfied with the Dragon Fang Guard's harvest this time.

"The fact that our Dragon Fang Guard could have such a harvest this time is primarily due to the meritorious service of Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge, with Li Hongyou as a secondary contributor. Therefore, from the ten portions of the share, one portion will be allocated to Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge as a reward. You have no objections to this, do you?" Li Foluo did not waste words and went straight to the point, beginning the distribution.

All the Dragon Fang Guard members shook their heads in unison. After all, without Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's efforts, their Falling Star Platform harvest this month would at most have been around fifty thousand, just like in the past.

Li Foluo turned his gaze to Li Luo and said, "Jiang Jiang Qinge voluntarily gave up her extra share, so it all goes to you. And you yourself hold the position of Commander, which entitles you to half a portion. Combined, that makes one and a half portions."

"Calculating it out, that totals thirty-nine thousand star pearls."

As his words fell, numerous gasps of admiration immediately rang out from the Dragon Fang Guard. For one person to enjoy such a massive amount of star pearls alone — what an enviable thing that was.

For ordinary Dragon Fang Guard members, this amount was already enough cultivation resources for a year.

But not a single person was dissatisfied, because the Tianlong Five Guards had always upheld the principle that the capable rise to the top. This "rising to the top" applied not only to positions but also to many other resources.

The abilities Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge had displayed were such that even Li Foluo was willing to yield, let alone these ordinary benefiting members?

Li Foluo waved his hand, and a portion of the countless star pearls drifting in mid-air suddenly fell like a river of stars.

Li Luo quickly reached out and collected all these star pearls into the spatial orb he wore on his wrist. At the same time, he harbored secret anticipation — how much would these thirty-nine thousand star pearls advance his strength?

And as Li Luo took his share of the star pearls, the other distributions were proceeding simultaneously. The Guard Commander, Dragon Fang Envoys, and other Commanders all received their respective shares.

The remaining roughly thirty percent of the share belonged to the other Dragon Fang Guard members.

From this kind of distribution, one could also see how advantageous it was to obtain a position in the Tianlong Five Guards. Driven by such benefits, everyone would strive to improve their strength and obtain a position.

"The golden lotus platform is beneficial for refining star pearls. For the next period of time, find your own places to cultivate," Li Foluo glanced at Li Luo, then spoke.

With Li Foluo's words, the atmosphere of the Dragon Fang Guard also relaxed. They dispersed in twos and threes, finding open ground to refine their star pearls.

Li Luo, meanwhile, met up with Jiang Jiang Qinge, Li Hongyou, Li Li Fengyi, and others to exchange a few words.

Li Li Fengyi, Li Li Fuling, and others were still in a state of excited agitation, constantly crowding around Jiang Jiang Qinge, praising her for being amazing, their words clearly carrying a hint of worship.

Jiang Jiang Qinge responded with a smile. After a moment, her golden eyes turned to Li Luo and she said, "I've also been allocated over twenty thousand star pearls here. If you need them on your end, feel free to come to me for them."

Li Luo quickly shook his head and said, "That's enough, that's enough. Although the energy of these star pearls is pure, there should be a saturation point within a certain period of time. Besides, your path of the Unparalleled now requires even more massive resources. If you delayed your own path for my sake, wouldn't that weigh on my conscience?"

Li Li Fengyi and Li Li Fuling shivered. Forget it, better go cultivate. No need to stand here and get force-fed a big mouthful.

So they turned and fled one after another.

Li Luo gave a helpless smile, while Jiang Jiang Qinge spoke up to remind him, "Li Hongyou demonstrated her value this time. I'm afraid the Dragon Blood Guard's side will be even more determined to drive her out of the Dragon Fang Guard."

Li Luo nodded slightly and said, "You mean that wager?"

To drive Li Hongyou away, the Dragon Blood Guard could only make a fuss over that wager.

"I'll try to refine more star pearls during this period and raise my own strength a bit."

Li Luo knew Jiang Jiang Qinge was reminding him. After all, between Da Tian Xiang Jing and the Marquis Realm, there truly was a chasm, and crossing it was by no means an easy matter.

"Keep it up," Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded, encouraging him.

The girl of unparalleled beauty, with a slender and graceful figure, stood elegantly before Li Luo, radiating breathtaking brilliance. Her fair, porcelain-like delicate cheeks, with every smile and frown, became the focus of the scene, drawing many gazes to steal glances at her.

Li Luo was also admiring such beautiful scenery, then he reached out, took Jiang Jiang Qinge's hand, and went to find a place to cultivate.

Jiang Jiang Qinge felt the warmth coming from her palm, the corner of her lips lifted slightly, and she let him lead her along.

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge found a set of golden-scaled steps together, and their minds gradually settled into focus.

With a wave of his palm, a perfectly round star bead flowing with starlight appeared in his hand.

Li Luo felt the pure energy flowing within it, and with a forceful squeeze of his palm, he crushed the star bead; the energy immediately flowed along his palm and was drawn into his body.

It was time to experience just how effective the Dragon Fang Guard's star beads truly were.