Chapter 1264: Chapter One Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy-Two: Lü Shuanglu

"The Gold Stone Water Abyss stretches for eight thousand li, but the truly valuable part is the upper three thousand li. Only there can superior-grade 'Gold Stone Spirit Clam Pearls' be produced, which can be used to refine superior-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures."

"We've already been here for five days. By the count of it, the water tide eruption should be coming soon."

On a cliff at the edge of the Gold Stone Water Abyss, the Dragon Fang Guard was stationed. Inside one of the tents, Li Li Rouyun was briefing everyone present on intelligence regarding the Gold Stone Water Abyss. Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, and the others were all in attendance.

"When the water tide erupts, the Gold Stone Abyss will truly transform into the Gold Stone Water Abyss. The water will soak the golden rock and draw out the hidden 'Gold Stone Spirit Clams.'"

"Strictly speaking, the Gold Stone Spirit Clam isn't actually a clam, but a strange thing transformed from gold stone. It's extraordinarily hard—even an ordinary Marquis would struggle to cleave it open by force. So once it appears, you still have to wait for it to open its shell on its own to draw in the golden water. That is the best moment to take the pearl."

"It's said that among these groups of 'Gold Stone Spirit Clams,' a king will occasionally be born, called the 'Gold Stone Spirit Clam King.' It can produce a king pearl, which is the primary material for refining top-grade Foundation Establishment spiritual treasures—priceless beyond measure. But the 'Gold Stone Spirit Clam King' is extremely rare and exceedingly cautious, virtually impossible to find. Over the years, the number of people who have obtained a king pearl can be counted on one hand."

"Gold Stone Spirit Clam King? King pearl?"

Li Luo's heart stirred at this. The higher the quality of the 'Gold Stone Spirit Clam Pearl,' the greater the help it would be for his evolution of the Heavenly Dragon Aspect this time. If he could really get his hands on this so-called 'king pearl,' wouldn't his chances be that much greater?

But then he laughed at himself—he was being too greedy. Over so many years, the appearance of a king pearl could be counted on one hand. How could it possibly fall to him?

For this trip, as long as he could obtain some superior-grade 'Gold Stone Spirit Clam Pearls,' it would already count as successfully completing the mission.

"However, there's one important point. The water in the Gold Stone Water Abyss isn't ordinary water—it's water from the Boundary River. Over the years, whenever the Black Rain Ghost Calamity comes, it pours countless Boundary River waters into the Boundary River Domain. These Boundary River waters don't dissipate easily; instead, they flow along the earth's veins, forming many wondrous places. The Gold Stone Water Abyss is one of them."

"And although the Boundary River water is indeed marvelous, you all should know what it contains, shouldn't you?" Li Li Rouyun smiled at Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, Xia Yu, and the others.

Li Luo's gaze sharpened slightly: "Malice Qi?"

The Boundary River water they had drawn down in the "Boundary River Falling Star Platform" contained Malice Qi, which had to be purified through many layers before it could be turned into Star Pearls.

Li Li Rouyun nodded and said solemnly, "The water in this Gold Stone Water Abyss also harbors Malice Qi. And since the 'Gold Stone Spirit Clams' draw in this water year-round, they naturally tend to accumulate Malice Qi, and thus... become aberrant."

"So when you go to harvest pearls, you all need to stay cautious. After all, some 'Gold Stone Spirit Clams' may spit out not golden pearls, but... aberrations."

"Every year when the Gold Stone Water Abyss water tide erupts, quite a few people fail to harvest pearls and instead get devoured by the aberrant spirit clams."

"When harvesting pearls, you must work in groups of two hundred-man guards. Jiang Jiang Qinge will command three thousand-man guards; Xia Yu and Li Luo will each command one thousand-man guard. If a powerful aberration or other competitors appear, immediately form a battle formation to kill the enemy."

Two hundred-man guards of the Dragon Fang Guard forming a battle formation can withstand a First Rank Marquis. This level is also the basic guarantee for harvesting pearls in the Gold Stone Water Abyss.

Everyone responded to Li Li Rouyun's admonitions. Harvesting pearls in the Gold Stone Water Abyss was extremely perilous—not only did they have to guard against some ill-intentioned rogue cultivators, but also stay alert for the sinister aberrations hidden within the spirit clams.

"Also, keep an eye on that branch of Zhao Li Tianwang. We forcibly squeezed our way into the Gold Stone Water Abyss this time, so they may not be willing to accept it. When the fighting starts, they definitely won't hold back."

"The force guarding the Gold Stone Water Abyss this time is half a Divine Tiger Guard from the Ten Thousand Beasts Guard, led by Divine Tiger Envoy Zhao Jiyun. This man is an Upper Third Rank Marquis. If he commands a full five thousand-man guards, he's more than a match for a Fifth Rank Marquis." Li Li Rouyun gave a light laugh toward Jiang Jiang Qinge and said, "If this man causes trouble when the time comes, I'll leave him to you, Jiang Qinge."

Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded. A glint of light swirled in her golden eyes. Her slender jade hand rested on the sword hilt as she asked softly, "If I cut him down, will there be any problem?"

At these words, Li Li Rouyun could only smile helplessly. Such a beautiful young lady, yet her killing intent was not small.

"Cut him down if you must. Our branch and that Zhao Li Tianwang branch don't lack this much enmity. Besides, back in that Spirit Aspect Cave Heaven, a genius from their Zhao Li Tianwang branch also tried to kill Li Luo, but ended up being killed by him instead. They were absolutely furious at the time." Li Li Jinpan spoke in a booming voice.

"Li Jinpan's right. When the fighting starts, Jiang Qinge, you absolutely must not hold back. Kill if you must kill." Seeing Niu Niu Biaobiao was very much in agreement—Li Li Jinpan's temperament suited his tastes perfectly.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade hand stroking the sword hilt paused. The coldness in her golden eyes seemed to grow even more intense, and then she gave a slight nod to indicate she understood.

Li Li Rouyun shot Seeing Niu Niu Biaobiao an exasperated glare. These two really knew how to add fuel to the fire. After all, this place was closer to the territory of Zhao Li Tianwang's branch. If something really happened, it would only add a few more uncertain factors.

She shook her head inwardly, then shifted her tone: "Below Zhao Jiyun are the Divine Tiger Guard's Grand Commander Zhao Zhuoyan and Second Commander Zhao Zhu. The former is a Lower Second Rank Marquis, the latter an Upper First Rank Marquis."

Grand Commander Xia Yu gave a slight nod and said, "I know that Zhao Zhuoyan. He's no weakling, but if he comes for me, I don't fear him."

Although Xia Yu was a woman, her temperament was quite fierce, brimming with fighting spirit and fearlessness.

Li Luo rubbed his chin. If the two sides really clashed when the time came, he would most likely have to keep an eye on that Second Commander Zhao Zhu. An Upper First Rank Marquis's strength was comparable to Li Qingbai's, but this fight would be different from that stair-step trial.

If both sides could draw on the power of their respective guards, then Li Luo would actually have some advantage, because this could close the gap in their natural resonance force grade.

"The situation at the Gold Stone Water Abyss is especially complicated. Besides Zhao Li Tianwang's branch, there are also many rogue cultivator organizations. The Gold Stone Alliance is just the largest of them. And people from the Golden Dragon Treasure House will also be present, but fortunately they won't participate in the scramble. They're flush with money and just wait for others to finish fighting before going in to buy everything up."

"The Golden Dragon Treasure House, huh..." Li Luo's gaze flickered slightly at the words.

"Besides Zhao Li Tianwang's branch, there are also those people from the Gold Stone Alliance and other rogue cultivators. These are all people who lick blood off a knife's edge—fierce by nature, not good sorts. So keep your guard up."

"That's all the intelligence regarding the Gold Stone Water Abyss. Everyone go prepare. The water tide should arrive within the next few days."

Only after Li Li Rouyun had fully disclosed all the intelligence gathered over these days did this meeting finally conclude.

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge walked out of the tent side by side. By tacit understanding, neither returned to their own tent. Instead, they came to the cliff's edge, gazing out at the abyss flowing with golden light. From afar, it looked like a golden giant dragon winding across the earth.

The two spoke softly for a while, then Jiang Jiang Qinge sat cross-legged on the golden rock, intending to continue her daily cultivation.

Li Luo, however, cheekily pressed close beside her, and even pretended casually to brush off nonexistent dust from her long pants. As his palm lightly landed, he could feel just how firm those domineering legs were.

At Li Luo's behavior, Jiang Jiang Qinge said exasperatedly, "I'm going to cultivate now."

The implication was for Li Luo to back off a bit and not disturb her.

"I'll keep watch for you!" Yet Li Luo, as if he couldn't take a hint, said enthusiastically instead.

Jiang Jiang Qinge was helpless. Just as she was about to ignore him, her gaze suddenly turned cold. She whipped her head toward the distant right side and saw that, at some unknown time, a woman had appeared there wearing an apricot-yellow dress, her skin like white frost, her features beautiful and graceful.

The woman smiled as she gazed at the two of them.

"Who are you?" Li Luo also sensed the approach of this unfamiliar woman and immediately became wary.

"This is our Dragon Fang Guard's station. You'd better keep your distance, lest you invite trouble."

Hearing Li Luo's words, the woman couldn't help covering her lips with a light laugh.

"What a heartless boy. My sister Qing'er, to help you, turned into an ice sculpture and lay there for quite a long time, yet here you are being all lovey-dovey. Men, indeed, not many of them are good sorts."