Chapter 733: Zhao Zhao Xuanming

The voice of Zhao Zhao Xuanming, the Grand Hall Master of the Golden Light Hall, echoed within the ancestral hall, causing the atmosphere to shift slightly.

"Grand Hall Master Zhao, in the Dragon Fang Vein, the Old Master is the Vein Head; his decision requires no questioning from you." Soon, a voice of rebuttal rang out. Li Luo's second uncle, Li Li Jinpan, was seen with a cold sneer, his words utterly unreserved, indicating that his relationship with Zhao Zhao Xuanming was not good.

The Dragon Fang Vein has four halls. Although Zhao Zhao Xuanming is the Grand Hall Master of the Golden Light Hall, he was not promoted by the Old Master but was recommended in recent years by the Dragon Blood Vein, which controls the mountain. Simply put, he is a nail inserted by the mountain-controlling branch.

Though his significance is not great, with the Old Master presiding, Zhao Zhao Xuanming has been respectful and dared not overstep, yet he remains somewhat unpleasant.

Moreover, Zhao Zhao Xuanming is quite capable. In the years since arriving at the Dragon Fang Vein, he has promoted and cultivated many outsiders on a large scale. Now, the vast majority within the Golden Light Hall are outsiders, while people of the Li family actually form the minority.

However, it must be admitted that the strength of the Golden Light Hall has skyrocketed in recent years. Among the four halls, the Azure Void Hall was once the strongest, but after Li Taixuan's departure, the Azure Void Hall suffered greatly. Now, the Golden Light Hall has surpassed them to become the head of the four halls.

Li Li Qingpeng had no desire to fight and did not wish to vie for the spotlight with Zhao Zhao Xuanming, but Li Li Jinpan has a domineering and fiery temperament. Thus, in these years, they have clashed incessantly, yet in these confrontations, Zhao Zhao Xuanming has repeatedly gained the upper hand.

After all, among the three sons of Li Li Jingzhe, only Li Taixuan was truly stunning; the eldest and the second were not just a notch behind.

Of course, regardless of Zhao Zhao Xuanming's abilities, as long as he has not entered the King Realm, in the Dragon Fang Vein, the Old Master remains supreme. In any contest, the latter can easily suppress it.

But the key is that the Old Master's character is stern; in the past, he did not favor Li Li Jinpan simply because he was his son. Instead, he allowed Zhao Zhao Xuanming to compete with him. This resulted in Zhao Zhao Xuanming and the Golden Light Hall gaining ever-increasing momentum in the Dragon Fang Vein through repeated victories.

Facing Li Li Jinpan's mockery, Zhao Zhao Xuanming did not get angry. He simply spoke slowly and deliberately, addressing the Old Master with seriousness and respect: "If the Vein Head has truly made a decision, this subordinate will certainly obey. However, the Vein Head has always valued rules, so this subordinate says this act might slightly violate regulations. Li Luo is the blood of the Third Master; returning to the clan is indeed a joyous occasion, and entering the genealogy is only natural. But entering the upper genealogy directly breaks the rules our Dragon Fang Vein has upheld since its inception."

"In the past, many clan members underwent layers of testing, improved their strength, and passed merit assessments before taking this step. If Li Luo enters the upper genealogy directly without experiencing these, I fear other young people of the Dragon Fang Vein, upon learning this, will have objections, feeling the act is unjust. In this way, it would actually be of no benefit to Li Luo in the future."

His words were watertight, leaving no flaw for anyone to pick.

Thus, even Li Li Jinpan could only look on with angry eyes, unable to speak for a moment.

Inside the ancestral hall, many high-ranking members of the Dragon Fang Vein exchanged glances but did not speak. Some elder clan elders with seniority also indicated that Zhao Zhao Xuanming's words indeed held some truth.

Li Li Jingzhe, seated at the head, maintained a normal expression. He looked at Li Luo and asked, "Xiao Luo, what do you think?"

Li Luo's face remained calm. "I will follow whatever the Old Master decides."

Li Li Jingzhe seemed to smile and said, "What Zhao Zhao Xuanming said does hold some truth. The Dragon Fang Vein's past rules for entering the upper genealogy were thus. If they are broken because of Li Luo, it will cause others to hold objections against him."

"Father!"

Li Li Jinpan frowned. The Old Master clearly did not need to care about Zhao Zhao Xuanming's words; he only needed to make a decisive ruling. In the Dragon Fang Vein, if the Old Master truly decided, even if Zhao Zhao Xuanming had ten more guts, he would not dare to be presumptuous. Even with the support of the Dragon Blood Vein behind him, would that side dare to disrespect the Old Master?

Li Li Jingzhe waved his hand and said, "However, I recall there is another rule for entering the upper genealogy."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

An elder murmured slightly and said, "What the Vein Head means is..."

Li Li Jingzhe nodded and said, "The Dragon Bell."

Everyone was somewhat surprised, only then recalling this matter.

The so-called Dragon Bell was personally forged by the Ancestor. All five veins hold one. The Ancestor once established a rule: any Li family member, whether main branch or collateral branch, if confident in their own talent, is qualified to strike the Dragon Bell. If one can ring the Dragon Bell, regardless of status, they will enter the upper genealogy directly.

However, ringing the Dragon Bell is not something everyone can do; the requirements for one's own talent are quite harsh. Therefore, in these years, few have been able to achieve this.

"Li Luo, do you possess a Dragon Affinity? What Rank?" Li Li Qingpeng asked hurriedly. To ring the Dragon Bell, there is another requirement: one must possess a Dragon Affinity.

Li Luo answered honestly, "My Dragon Affinity is Sixth Rank."

Immediately, the atmosphere in the hall cooled somewhat.

The smile that had just appeared on Li Li Qingpeng's face froze instantly. Li Li Jinpan beside him also looked shocked. Li Luo is the son of Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan; with the bloodline combined from those two with peerless talent, it certainly could not be poor. In their estimation, if Li Luo possessed a Dragon Affinity, it should be at least Eighth Rank as a baseline!

What is this Sixth Rank about?!

Li Jingtang and Li Li Fengyi, standing in the corner, were also somewhat stunned. They exchanged glances, momentarily unsure of what to say.

A Sixth Rank Dragon Affinity can only be considered ordinary within the clan.

Although Affinity Rank does not represent everything, there have been Sixth Rank Affinity holders within the clan who eventually became Marquises and became powerful figures of the age. However, the difficulty they encountered was truly immense.

Zhao Zhao Xuanming of the Golden Light Hall was also somewhat surprised by this answer, and then a look of regret appeared on his face.

However, only Li Li Jingzhe remained calm throughout, showing no fluctuation due to Li Luo's answer. Instead, he asked, "Do you have the confidence and courage to strike that Dragon Bell?"

Li Luo looked at Li Li Jingzhe. The latter's eyes were deep and wise. Clearly, this Old Master must know or have seen through the situation of Li Luo's Three Affinities. Therefore, his words now actually implied hope that Li Luo would strike the Dragon Bell. Li Luo pondered briefly and understood: the Old Master wanted him to display his own talent to quell all doubts. Even though he is Li Taixuan's son, he has just returned from the Outer Shenzhou. In the eyes of many in the Inner Shenzhou, the Outer Shenzhou is indeed a wild and remote place. Li Luo bearing such a mark would inevitably attract much mockery and doubt.

But if Li Luo could use this "Dragon Bell" to shatter these doubts, then naturally obtaining many resources would be a matter of course, and no one would be able to raise doubts again.

This thought actually coincided with Li Luo's own.

From the very beginning, he had no intention of enduring in silence or hiding his light. He had absolute confidence in his Three Affinities. Even in the Inner Shenzhou, where geniuses are like clouds, he would not be inferior to anyone. So there was no need for him to hide. What he needed to do now was to release all his brilliance, then let the clan obediently pile resources upon him to help him become a Marquis quickly.

Thus, he showed a smile and nodded to Li Li Jingzhe.

"Old Master, I am willing to try."

Hearing Li Luo's answer, his eldest uncle, Li Li Qingpeng, became worried instead. Li Li Qingpeng sighed and exchanged a glance with Li Li Jinpan beside him. If Li Luo truly had confidence, that would be fine, but what if the youth was impetuous and unwilling to admit defeat? If he truly failed to ring it then, would it not invite even more doubts and ridicule?

Although there are many people who cannot ring the Dragon Bell, but... Li Luo is Li Taixuan's son!

Li Taixuan's reputation within the Dragon Fang Vein was too loud. Even after so many years, people still unwillingly say that if Li Taixuan had not left these years, he would surely be a top powerhouse on the Tianyuan Shenzhou, his brilliance overshadowing many geniuses.

"Father, perhaps this matter can be reconsidered." Li Li Qingpeng could not help but advise.

But Li Li Jingzhe ignored him, stood up directly, and headed toward the back of the ancestral hall. Seeing this, others followed one after another.

Li Luo also moved forward, then saw Li Jingtang and Li Li Fengyi follow up, standing on his two sides.

"Little Brother, you are too rash. How dare you strike the Dragon Bell with a Sixth Rank Affinity!" Li Jingtang said with a bitter smile.

"Hmph, not even old, yet unable to bear a bit of frustration. What is there to show off? If you fail, how much ridicule will you face in the future?" Li Li Fengyi's Bai Xi, melon-seed-shaped face was also covered in a thin frost as she scolded.

Facing the two's lecture, Li Luo merely smiled slightly and did not speak, simply listening quietly.

The group passed through the ancestral hall and arrived at the back. There, they saw a cliff overlooking a deep abyss. Clouds and mist swirled around the cliff. On a massive green stone, there was a mottled great bell. Ancient dragon patterns were inscribed on the great bell, emitting a peculiar sense of heaviness.

"Xiao Luo, go." Li Li Jingzhe looked at that great bell and said to Li Luo.

Li Luo nodded, showed a reassuring smile to Li Jingtang and Li Li Fengyi beside him, then calmly, under the varied gazes of everyone, ascended that green stone and casually picked up a stone hammer from the side.