Chapter 332: Dao Gold and the Treasure Pool

As Ning Que led Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan, Ning Zhao, and the others away, the hall fell quiet. Yu Yu Hongxi's expression was calm; though her pleasure or displeasure was unreadable, it was obvious she wasn't entirely satisfied with Lv Qing'er's choice.

Lv Qing'er, worried that Yu Yu Hongxi might say something awkward in her anger, quickly leaned in and wrapped her arms around Yu Yu Hongxi's shoulders, acting coquettishly: "Mother, although Li Luo and Qin Qin Zhulu are a bit weaker than Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan and the others, I'm familiar with them and trust them more. As teammates, I think trust matters more than strength."

Yu Yu Hongxi rolled her eyes at her. "So Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan isn't worth trusting? He hasn't done anything to offend you, has he?"

Lv Qing'er said, "After all, I'm not familiar with him, daughter. We've never had any contact, so there's no basis for trust."

Yu Yu Hongxi sighed. "The number of Golden Dragon Mountain-Worship Invitations is extremely scarce. Even in just the region you'll be entering, you'll run into many powerful competitors. Although those entering the Golden Dragon Arena this time are limited to those below the General-Appointing Realm and within a certain age range, all three of you are at a disadvantage on that front."

"Generally speaking, other teams will have at least one teammate whose strength has reached the second transformation of the Manifestation Stage. But you three are all at the Pattern-Rewriting Stage—how are you supposed to compete with others?"

"Judging by the lineup, Ning Zhao's side has a much better chance of getting the Mountain-Worship Invitation than you do."

Lv Qing'er, hearing this, said with some defiance, "That's not necessarily true. Although Li Luo is only at the Pattern-Rewriting Stage, his performance in the Dark Cavern was absolutely flawless. He even resolved the crisis brought by a Great Calamity-class Other, and in the end the academy rewarded him with a hundred thousand points."

"No matter how strong Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan is, if he ran into a Great Calamity-class Other, wouldn't he still be doomed?"

Yu Yu Hongxi, hearing this, glanced at Li Luo with some surprise—clearly this was news to her.

"President Yu, please don't listen to Qing'er. That was the result of many factors. If it had been just me, running into a Great Calamity would have meant certain death too." Li Luo hurriedly said upon seeing this.

This Lv Qing'er really knows how to exaggerate—she made it sound as if the Great Calamity Other had been taken down entirely thanks to him.

Yu Yu Hongxi deliberated for a moment, then finally accepted the reality before her. She shook her head. "Since Qing'er has chosen you, I won't say more."

Her gaze suddenly fixed on Li Luo. "Li Luo, you still owe me a favor. You said you'd do one thing for me. I won't make it hard for you—just help Qing'er obtain the Golden Dragon Mountain-Worship Invitation this time, and the favor will be considered repaid. How about it?"

Li Luo was a bit dumbfounded. You call that not making it hard for me?

Although he still didn't know what kind of teams the other Golden Dragon Treasure Houses in other regions would send, he figured they wouldn't be weaker than Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan's group. To snatch a Mountain-Worship Invitation from such powerful teams was clearly no easy feat.

Lv Qing'er, hearing this, hurriedly added, "Mother, don't force him. Besides, I wasn't that interested in Golden Dragon Mountain to begin with. I think the Sacred Mystic Star Academy is already very good."

Yu Yu Hongxi glared at her. "Golden Dragon Mountain is preparation for your future path. As for the Sacred Mystic Star Academy... it is not your final destination."

Then, ignoring Lv Qing'er, she turned to Li Luo again, her tone stern. "Li Luo, can you promise me? If you can do it, not only will you repay the favor this time, but in the future when you run into trouble, you may also receive my aid."

Li Luo's expression shifted. "May I ask what kind of aid President Yu is referring to?"

Yu Yu Hongxi lowered her eyes and said lightly, "Who knows."

Li Luo was silent for a few breaths, then his expression gradually steadied. He said seriously, "First of all, President Yu doesn't need me to make you any promises. Since I'm teaming up with Qing'er, I'll naturally do everything in my power to help her get the Mountain-Worship Invitation. Qing'er has helped me a great deal, so this time I'll also do my best to help her achieve her goal."

"Perhaps my ability may fall short, but as long as I have a breath left in me, I won't say the word give up."

"As for the assistance President Yu mentioned afterward, although I'm tempted, there's no need for it. If I accepted, it would instead make it seem as though I was helping Qing'er for some ulterior motive."

Yu Yu Hongxi stared at Li Luo's face, and he met her gaze without the slightest retreat.

Looking at that youthful face with its somewhat familiar features, Yu Yu Hongxi was reminded of the man who had once shaken the entire Great Xia Kingdom. His talent and gifts had captivated countless noble ladies from powerful families—even she, with her famously high standards, had found her heart stirred.

And this Li Luo, though perhaps considerably weaker than Li Taixuan in every respect, shared that very same pride hidden deep in his bones.

This earned a measure of appreciation from Yu Yu Hongxi.

Beside her, Lv Qing'er gently bit her lip, her dewy eyes fixed on Li Luo.

The atmosphere fell quiet for a moment.

Meanwhile, Qin Qin Zhulu, off to the side, wore a thoughtful expression. Why am I even here? Why does this blasted Golden Dragon Arena only allow teams of two? What's the point of me, the third wheel, hanging around?

"That pride of yours is exactly like your father's." After a moment, Yu Yu Hongxi spoke lightly.

"But pretty words are easy for anyone to say. Let's wait and see the results."

She didn't dwell on the topic, and instead said, "Next, let me explain the rules of the Golden Dragon Arena to you. The Golden Dragon Arena is extremely vast, divided into an inner arena and an outer arena. The place you'll be heading to lies on the outskirts of the outer arena."

"Because there are too many Golden Dragon Treasure House branches, they can't all gather in one place, so generally the arena is divided into many zones by region."

"Each zone might have close to a hundred teams, and the number of 'Golden Dragon Mountain-Worship Invitations' appearing in each zone is roughly five or six."

Li Luo's Expression Turned Solemn—nearly a hundred teams competing for only five or six invitations. The competition was fierce indeed.

"Within the Golden Dragon Arena, there are two key things you need to know: 'Dao Gold' and the 'Treasure Pool.'" Yu Yu Hongxi continued.

"Dao Gold? Treasure Pool?" Li Luo and Qin Qin Zhulu both looked over curiously.

"The so-called 'Dao Gold'—you can think of it as a special kind of 'coin.' Only this coin isn't forged from metal; it's condensed from the rule-power of the Golden Dragon Arena itself."

"When you enter the Golden Dragon Arena, you'll receive a stick of 'Dao Incense.' If you find any heavenly materials and earthly treasures, rare spirit plants, or slay spirit beasts within the arena, you can light the 'Dao Incense,' and the Golden Dragon Arena will automatically collect these sacrificial offerings, leaving behind 'Dao Gold' of equivalent value."

"You can even light the 'Dao Incense' to sacrifice others you've defeated, though those sacrificed won't be killed—they'll simply be eliminated from the arena."

"Then what's the use of this Dao Gold?" Li Luo asked.

"That brings us to the 'Treasure Pool.' Inside this so-called Treasure Pool are countless treasures—so many and so varied that even our Great Xia Golden Dragon Treasure House's vaults can't compare. Every person who enters the Golden Dragon Arena gets one chance to enter the Treasure Pool, and those who enter can search for treasures that catch their eye."

"Of course, the price required to take a treasure out of the Treasure Pool is 'Dao Gold.'"

"The higher the grade of the item, the more Dao Gold it costs. When you think about it, this is also a little perk for you helpers." Yu Yu Hongxi said.

Li Luo listened and his eyes went wide. Is the Golden Dragon Treasure House really this extravagant? They've actually built entire Treasure Pools full of treasures—just how terrifying is their foundation?

Treasures... right now, on his entire person, apart from the spatial orb he'd just obtained, he only had the sealed treasure the Dean had given him.

His two short daggers didn't even qualify as treasures.

This Golden Dragon Treasure House really did radiate wealth from every pore. Even a trial for juniors was so unpretentiously lavish.

"The use of Dao Gold isn't limited to exchanging for treasures in the Treasure Pool. When you finally leave the Golden Dragon Arena, the 'Dao Gold' in your hands will be directly sacrificed and burned, and the Golden Dragon Arena will channel that power straight into your body. If you're lucky, breaking through on the spot isn't impossible."

Yu Yu Hongxi smiled. "So Dao Gold has another name—it's also called 'Upgrade Wealth.'"

Li Luo sighed emotionally, "I really want to join the big family of the Golden Dragon Treasure House."

Why is my heart filled with nothing but jealousy?!

This Golden Dragon Arena is just too incredible!

"I understand now..."

Li Luo sighed. "So the Golden Dragon Arena is really just about earning 'Dao Gold,' right? Earn Dao Gold, exchange it for treasures in the Treasure Pool, gear up, and then go snatch the Golden Dragon Mountain-Worship Invitations?"

Yu Yu Hongxi nodded.

"That really does fit the Golden Dragon Treasure House's style." Li Luo laughed.

"However..."

"Quite interesting as well."

Yu Yu Hongxi rose and said, "These are the rules within the Golden Dragon Arena. There's nothing else worth mentioning. The arena will open in a few days, so all of you should prepare yourselves during this time."

She walked up to Li Luo, gazing at the youth's face.

"Li Luo, give a good performance. Let me see just how much of Li Taixuan's abilities you've inherited."

"I hope you won't disappoint me."