Chapter 734: The Dragon Bell

At the precipice of Lin Yuan, countless gazes were fixed on the youth who had climbed the green stone and stood beside the weathered dragon bell.

At this moment, beams of celestial light pierced through the clouds, falling like gauzy veils over Li Luo's body; his gray-white hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his youthful face—strikingly similar to Li Taixuan's—radiated vigor and charm.

Li Li Fengyi greatly admired her younger brother's looks, so she said to Li Jintao: "If ringing this dragon bell depended on looks instead of talent, it'd be perfect—just standing there, my little brother might make the bell ring on its own."

Li Jintao laughed helplessly, then said solemnly: "Li Fengyi, one shouldn't judge people solely by appearance—that's truly shallow. How many people these days are golden on the outside but rotten within? Your looks mean less than your Affinity Rank."

Li Li Fengyi glanced at him, speaking slowly: "Li Jintao, you say that only because you've never reaped the benefits of looks. Since you've never experienced them, don't presume how powerful looks can be—that only shows how limited your understanding is."

Li Jintao protested indignantly: "I'm not ugly, am I?"

"Depends on who you're comparing to," Li Li Fengyi said casually.

Li Jintao felt he couldn't continue this conversation, so he changed the subject: "So, do you think little brother will succeed?"

Li Li Fengyi furrowed her willow-browed eyebrows and shook her head: "I don't know... If he's truly only a Sixth-Rank Dragon Phase, it's doubtful."

"But I don't think little brother is reckless or ignorant... From the moment I met him, I felt he had depth," Li Jintao hesitated before saying.

"You mean he's hiding something?" Li Li Fengyi said in surprise.

"But if he himself said he's a Sixth-Rank Affinity, he wouldn't dare lie publicly—that'd just be cruel."

Li Jintao shook his head, admitting he didn't know.

"We'll just have to wait and see."

While the two youngsters spoke, Li Li Qingpeng pulled Li Li Jinpan aside, asking anxiously: "In the past hundred years, has anyone with a Sixth-Rank Phase ever rung the Dragon Bell?"

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Li Li Jinpan shook his head and sneered: "What are you thinking? A Sixth-Rank Phase doesn't even have the right to strike."

Though the rule states all Li Shi members have a chance, a Sixth-Rank Phase's wish to ring the bell rarely even reaches the top—usually, it's rejected outright by their first-tier elders.

Why waste everyone's time with a Sixth-Rank Phase ringing the Dragon Bell?

Li Li Qingpeng sighed helplessly, glancing at Li Li Jingzhe, whose hands were clasped behind his back—the old man seemed remarkably calm, which oddly steadied Li Li Qingpeng's nerves, for he knew well the old man's feelings toward his third son, and Li Luo was his third son's child; out of love for the son, the old man would naturally adore Li Luo. If the old man was encouraging this, then Li Li Qingpeng had no reason to worry needlessly.

Thinking this, he relaxed. Perhaps this child of the third branch was truly special.

Li Luo stood before the weathered great bell, stone hammer in hand, eyes fixed on the coiled dragon patterns carved into its surface. He felt revealing his dual phases would be enough to ring it—but again, he had no need to hide.

If he was going to reveal, he'd reveal completely.

As he thought this, his three Phase Palaces trembled within, and vast streams of Phase Power surged forth like torrents, rushing and swirling through his body.

Inside the first Water Light Phase Palace, the over two thousand Disha Zhu Xuan Lights now present shot out entirely, merging into the three streams of Phase Power.

With the addition of these Disha Zhu Xuan Lights, the three Phase Powers deepened in hue and sharpened in aura.

Li Luo hesitated no longer; the three Phase Powers, like three great serpents, entwined and surged into the stone hammer in his hand.

Instantly, the dull gray hammer burst forth with dazzling radiance.

The moment his Phase Power appeared, the onlookers' expressions shifted slightly, eyes flickering with surprise and doubt.

But Li Luo showed no hesitation—he raised the stone hammer and slammed it down with brute force.

The hammer tore through the air, producing a piercing whistle.

One breath later, beneath countless pupils' reflections, the hammer struck the weathered great bell.

In that instant, even the air seemed to freeze.

In the eyes of the Marquis-level experts, they could clearly see the hammer strike the bell's surface, then three streams of Phase Power gushed forth, spreading across the bell's exterior.

The dragon patterns engraved on the bell, as if activated by some mysterious force, emitted a ghostly light and began to glide across its surface.

Simultaneously, the dragon's mouth on the pattern opened wide.

DONG!

The next instant, a bell tone like thunder erupted through Longya Mountain.

The bell tone was piercingly loud, seemingly able to pierce through any barrier, and within it echoed a unique dragon's roar.

The ancient, resonant chant of the Dragon Bell, within moments, stirred up winds and clouds—not only spreading across Longya Mountain, but continuing to expand, echoing throughout the vast expanse of the Longya Range.

At this moment, countless people across the range lifted their heads in astonishment, fixing their gazes toward Longya Mountain.

"That sound… it's the Dragon Bell's tone!"

"Someone actually rang the Dragon Bell?!"

"Who is it?"

Countless astonished voices rose from courtyards across the range, and suddenly the entire Longya Range buzzed with activity. Yet as other areas erupted in commotion, in the ancestral shrine's rear mountain, the high-ranking elders of the Longya Branch fell into silence—all gradually widening their eyes, shock rising in their gazes.

Li Luo had actually rung the Dragon Bell!

Of course, what shocked them wasn't merely that—hearing the bell ring, Li Luo's Phase Power could no longer be concealed; three beams of Phase radiance erupted from his crown.

Three Phase Powers, each with entirely different natures.

Everyone present recognized them at a glance.

The shimmering, deep-blue, clear and continuous Phase Power—Water Phase.

The emerald-green Phase Power, brimming with vigorous life—Wood Phase.

The faint Phase Power shaped like a dragon's silhouette—easiest to identify: the most common Affinity of the Li Li Tianwang line—Dragon Phase.

And among the three, Water Phase was strongest, Wood Phase second, and the weakest? The Dragon Phase!

Is this… the Three-Phase Power of a Sovereign?

No!

The high-ranking elders quickly regained their composure—this was merely three Phase Powers, not the Three-Phase Power of a Sovereign.

What did this mean?

Their minds turned, and they understood—sudden waves of shock surged within them.

This is… a Three-Phase Wielder!

Li Luo, he possesses Three Phases!

Those with three phases, such talent, are exceedingly rare even in the Outer Shenzhou—this is no less than that of true Zheng De Jiu Pin phases!

With such talent, striking the Dragon Bell would be no difficulty for him at all.

At that side, Li Li Jingtao and Li Li Fengyi widened their eyes, staring dumbfounded at the three beams of phase energy above Li Luo's head; they exchanged a glance—well, they had been naive, truly believing this younger brother attempted to strike the Dragon Bell with only Yi Liu Pin Dragon Phase.

Yet Li Luo did not lie—his Dragon Phase was genuinely only Yi Liu Pin.

But... this rascal never mentioned he had two additional phase affinities!

While the two were stunned, Li Li Qingpeng slammed his hands together, his plump face bursting with delighted excitement as he laughed loudly: "Good lad! No wonder you're third brother's son!"

No wonder Li Luo showed no worry—he had such confidence.

Possessing three phases, such talent is absolutely no weaker than a Zheng De Jiu Pin phase; if even this cannot ring the Dragon Bell, then the Bell is likely broken.

Beside them, Zhao Zhao Xuanming also grew slightly dazed.

Immediately, he sensed Li Li Jingzhe's gaze upon him, and on the latter's typically stern, aged face, a faint smile emerged.

"Well?"

"Does my potential dragon qualify for an exception to enter the Upper Roster?"