Chapter 1403: The New King of the Dragon's Fang Branch

Dragon's Fang Mountain Range.

Within the mountain range, rows upon rows of grand halls emerged amid the faint drifting clouds, packed densely together, presenting a magnificent and majestic sight.

Clang! Clang!

The bright yet deep tolling of bells echoed again and again throughout this vast and enormous mountain range, causing the figures within the many halls to stop in their tracks, grief written across their faces.

Because these bells were tolling for Li Li Jingzhe.

With the opening of the spatial passage to the Boundary River Domain, the news of Li Li Jingzhe's fall spread completely.

This undoubtedly caused an enormous shock throughout the Dragon's Fang Domain.

The Dragon's Fang Domain's territory was vast, its populace countless, and forces great and small dotted it like a sky full of stars. Yet to all these people and forces, Li Li Jingzhe had been the supreme heaven above their heads.

Now that the Domain Lord Li Li Jingzhe had fallen in the Boundary River Domain, the blow to the Dragon's Fang Domain was simply beyond measure.

Countless forces were thrown into panic. Without a King-level powerhouse holding the seat, it was bound to affect the Dragon's Fang Branch's voice and even resource allocation within Li Li Tianwang's lineage—issues of vital importance. In the long run, this concerned their very survival and rise or fall.

Fortunately, this panic and chaos did not last long before even more astonishing news emerged from within the Dragon's Fang Branch.

The position of Dragon's Fang Branch Lord would be taken over by Li Taixuan's wife, Dantai Lan.

Dantai Lan had been missing from the Outer Shenzhou for over twenty years now. This name, which had once dazzled the world, had long since become unfamiliar—likely only those prodigies she had once suppressed would still recall it by chance.

So when the countless forces and factions within the Dragon's Fang Domain heard this name, they were stunned for a long moment.

Then, as expected, an even greater uproar erupted, for this choice was far too abrupt. After all, Li Li Qingpeng and Li Li Jinpan were still right there—how could the position of Branch Lord possibly fall to Li Taixuan's wife?

This Dantai Lan had never held any position within the Dragon's Fang Branch before. She didn't even understand many of the internal affairs of the Dragon's Fang Branch, did she? Did she know how to govern, balance the various forces, and distribute countless resources?

There were even rumors that the Grand Hall Master of the Jin Guang Court, Zhao Zhao Xuanming, who had managed the Jin Guang Court over the years, possessed both the strength and the seniority to perhaps temporarily act as Branch Lord.

Thus, throughout the Dragon's Fang Branch's territory, countless arguments arose.

But these arguments lasted only a very brief time, because as more intelligence arrived, the information about Dantai Lan became clearer.

Grand Unparalleled Marquis!

When this weighty piece of intelligence reached the ears of those arguing—be it the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range, seat of the Dragon's Fang Branch's power center, or the countless great cities within its territory—all fell silent in an instant.

Any doubts, before these four weighty characters, vanished in a flash.

What reasonableness, what never having held a position in the Dragon's Fang Branch, what unfamiliarity with the Dragon's Fang Branch's affairs... before the might of a Grand Unparalleled Marquis, all were crushed to dust.

Even in some cities, before Dantai Lan had arrived at the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range, banners had already been hung.

A new king of the Dragon's Fang Branch had been born.

After Dantai Lan returned to the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range, she settled in briefly, then entrusted Li Li Qingpeng to convene all the Dragon's Fang Branch's high-level members and Hall Masters for a meeting—to soothe the people and set the Branch's affairs in order.

This was a tedious yet vital task.

However, Li Luo did not take part in it. He, along with Jiang Qing'e, Li Li Jingtao, and Li Li Fengyi, headed straight for the bamboo grove on the back mountain.

The bamboo grove grew tall and vigorous deep within the mountain. When the mountain wind swept through, the bamboo leaves rustled loudly, as if carrying sorrow.

In Li Li Jingzhe's bamboo courtyard, Li Luo's expression was somewhat mournful. Nothing here had changed—only the absence of that stern-faced yet quietly kind and gentle old figure.

Beside him, Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi's eyes were red, tears streaming down continuously.

Although they had always held Li Li Jingzhe in both reverence and fear, they could also feel the love hidden within the old man's silence. In their hearts, this old man had seemed omnipotent, like a towering mountain holding up the heavens.

But now, that mountain had actually collapsed.

This had kept their spirits at rock bottom for the entire journey back.

Li Luo glanced at them and sighed softly in his heart. But regarding the matter of Li Li Jingzhe having become a bamboo shoot, he had no way to tell Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi—after all, the matter was too significant to be handled carelessly.

"Big Brother, Second Sister, I'm sorry." Li Luo apologized softly in his heart.

This grief could only be borne by them a little longer.

But everything would pass. He would definitely find a way to resurrect Li Li Jingzhe!

The four lingered in the bamboo courtyard for a long time. Finally, under Li Luo's persuasion, the utterly grief-stricken Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi performed some brief mourning before departing in low spirits.

After the two left, Li Luo finally breathed a sigh of relief, then exchanged a glance with Jiang Qing'e before taking out the five-colored clay basin from the spatial sphere.

In the five-colored clay basin, the short, stout golden bamboo shoot shimmered with faint lightning, and mysterious patterns faintly emerged within the lightning.

As this basin of "Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Shoot" was brought out, the bamboo grove deep in the mountain seemed to sway, producing an even louder clatter of bamboo leaves.

"Grandfather."

Li Luo gazed at this basin of "Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Shoot" and called out, then couldn't help but smile bitterly—because calling a bamboo shoot "Grandfather" was truly a somewhat comical sight.

"I don't know how this 'Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Shoot' should be cultivated. These past days I've watered it with all sorts of spiritual waters, but I haven't seen any effect at all."

Jiang Qing'e comforted him softly: "Don't be anxious. This isn't an ordinary 'Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Shoot'—it's formed from Grandfather's origin. Ordinary cultivation methods are naturally useless; we still need to grope our way step by step."

"We still have time. We'll eventually find the turning point to revive it."

Li Luo nodded. He placed this basin of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo Shoot inside the small cottage, then together with Jiang Qing'e, swept the small courtyard clean inside and out.

The two finally sat side by side on the steps before the bamboo cottage, watching the bamboo grove sway in the mountain wind.

"Qing'e-Zhong Jie, what Marquis-tier Heavenly Fate-grade technique did you choose from the Five Dragon Branches?" Li Luo asked curiously.

Jiang Qing'e extended her slender, fair hand. Light flowed and surged in her palm, gradually condensing into a dragon seal, upon which coiled a dragon shadow pure and holy white all over.

"Mid-grade Heavenly Fate Marquis-tier technique, Light Coiling Dragon Seal."

Jiang Qing'e smiled and said: "It's a Heavenly Fate Marquis-tier technique from the Dragon Scale Branch. Although its grade isn't as high as your 'Dragon Blood Tracing Antiquity Art', this technique possesses the Light aspect, making it the most suitable for me."

Li Luo nodded. Jiang Qing'e carried three Nine-grade Light aspects within her, so naturally she needed a Marquis-tier technique with the Light aspect to bring out her advantages to the fullest.

As for the Dragon Aspect power required to execute this technique, that would require the aid of some Dragon-attribute treasures as a medium.

Li Luo reached out and very naturally took hold of Jiang Qing'e's slender jade hand, then put on an expression of careful examination.

Jiang Qing'e glanced at him. This fellow had grown increasingly bold with her ever since the Boundary River Treasure Domain.

"What about Li Li Lingjing?" she suddenly asked.

Li Luo shook his head and said: "Elder Cousin Li Lingjing's avatar dissipated on the spot. Presumably it returned to her main body. I don't know how she is now."

His expression was somewhat complicated. Li Li Lingjing had helped him too much, but the key issue was that she had now taken a position within the Return-to-One Society's camp. He didn't know whether her helping him like this would bring her trouble.

Moreover, as his grudge with the Guiyi Society deepened, could both sides still maintain this relationship in the future?

Jiang Jiang Qinge fell silent for a moment. Li Li Lingjing's face flashed through her mind — this woman gave her an inexplicable sense of danger, not an emotional danger, but an instinctive one.

She always felt that the future Li Li Lingjing would be terrifying.

Li Luo had such a deep relationship with Li Li Lingjing — she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

"When are you going to start closed-door refinement of the 'Myriad Aspects Minor Golden Core Pill?'" Jiang Jiang Qinge changed the subject and asked.

Li Luo thought for a moment and said, "I'll start the day after tomorrow. I have a feeling this seclusion will take quite a while."

Jiang Jiang Qinge said softly, "If your seclusion runs long, I'll head to the Holy Light Ancient Academy first to check on the situation with the Sky Mirror Pagoda and pave the way for you."

Hearing this, Li Luo was a little reluctant to part, but he didn't stop her. After all, Jiang Jiang Qinge had a strong will of her own — once she'd made up her mind, she wouldn't change it lightly.

So he scooted over, leaned close to Jiang Jiang Qinge, and gently wrapped an arm around her slender waist. "We might be apart for a while after this. How about…"

"Why don't you stay in my room tonight?" Li Luo swallowed hard and bravely expressed his intentions.

Jiang Jiang Qinge froze for a beat, then a deep blush flew across her cheeks.

The next instant, her elbow drove hard into Li Luo's chest.

Thud!

Li Luo collapsed in agony.

When he looked up again, all he could see was Jiang Jiang Qinge's graceful figure fleeing away.