Chapter 745: Subduing

A bell toll like thunder exploded atop the stone platform.

Every gaze shot toward it in an instant.

They saw that in the arena, a grey iron bell stood outside Mu Bi's body, displaying extremely powerful defensive capability. And Mu Bi's defense, looking across the entire Qingming Banner, was absolutely among the very best. Now that he had deployed his strongest "Dark Iron Demon Bell," even facing Zhong Ling of the Golden Fiend Body, he could hold out for some time.

And now, outside the grey iron bell, a massive black dragon stretched out its claw and slammed down heavily; wrapped around that claw, black water flowed, emanating a kind of bone-chilling aura.

The instant the dragon claw struck the grey iron bell, Mu Bi's expression shifted at once.

Because he clearly felt a violently domineering force surging toward him like a volcanic eruption; the force was so fierce that even the air was blasted apart, producing a piercing sonic boom.

Moreover, what alarmed Mu Bi most was that the black water flowing on the dragon claw seemed to possess some kind of domineering corrosive power. The moment the black water flowed over the iron bell, it immediately ate into it, leaving numerous fine, dense pits.

A defense originally as solid as a fortified wall also developed gaps under the black water's erosion.

The black water broke the defense; the dragon claw struck.

Such coordination instantly made Mu Bi feel tremendous pressure.

Crack!

A few breaths later, fine cracks appeared on the grey iron bell.

Seeing this, Mu Bi's pupils contracted. He hurriedly mobilized every last trace of resonant power within his body and poured it out without holding back, but his defense now was like a breached dam—once it gave way, it would be a total collapse.

Because the roaring black dragon had already bared its fangs.

The black dragon roared, as if transforming into a spinning black light, black water coating its body, then it plunged straight through the breach in the grey iron bell and slammed down with a thunderous crash.

Boom!

The great sound rang out, and the ground, made of special material, also cracked with streak after streak of fissures.

And that grey iron bell was at this moment utterly torn apart by the black dragon. The black light, savage and fierce, charged straight toward Mu Bi within. Mu Bi could only cross his arms; the silver specks on the surface of his body flowed like living things, gathering on his arms and turning them silver.

Rumble!

Wildly violent resonant power shockwaves swept outward.

Mu Bi's body jolted violently, then he was sent flying backward. His boots scraped across the ground for dozens of meters before he barely managed to steady himself.

His expression somewhat ugly, he looked at his arms and saw that the flesh there had been melted away, exposing ghastly white bone. Stained with black liquid, it constantly hindered the recovery of his own flesh while bringing waves of searing pain.

Mu Bi fell silent.

And outside the arena, the members of the Fifth Division all wore stunned expressions at this moment.

Even Li Shi and Zhao Zhao Yanzhi were momentarily lost in thought.

Mu Bi, who possessed the strongest defense, had actually been wounded in a single strike by Li Luo, who was merely at the Lesser Fiend Palace realm.

Outside the training ground, those prying gazes also had their pupils tremble slightly at this moment.

This outcome was far too unexpected.

On a mountain peak outside the Qingming Practice Grounds, Li Li Rouyun, who had been standing still, smiled faintly. Her eyes held a deep note of admiration—this Li Luo truly possessed a talent no weaker than his father's.

The Dragon Fang Lineage of the future was indeed something to look forward to.

Then she did not linger, turning and walking away to attend to the many affairs within the Qingming Institute.

In the training ground, the resonant power surging around Li Luo gradually dissipated. His expression remained calm, but his gaze fixed on Mu Bi as he said, "How about it?"

Mu Bi was silent for a while. Though his expression was ugly, in the end he still nodded: "I lose."

He cupped his fist in salute to Li Luo: "From now on, you are the Banner Head of the Fifth Division."

Li Shi and Zhao Zhao Yanzhi exchanged a glance and both let out a soft sigh. This time they had miscalculated, agreeing to such a wager. Li Luo possessed three resonances and had also cultivated a Marquis-rank Art; the explosive force he could unleash in an instant was enough to inflict harm on those of them at the Silver Fiend Body realm. But the flaw was also obvious—Li Luo's resonant power was insufficient, making it very difficult to activate it a second time in a short span.

If it were a true life-and-death battle, as long as they withstood or dodged Li Luo's first burst, then afterward Li Luo would find it hard to pose any further threat to them.

But unfortunately, the agreement was as it was... If they denied it now, they would not only lose their credibility but thoroughly offend Li Luo. That was clearly unwise.

Did they really think his status was just for show?

Both felt a touch of bitterness in their hearts. They had competed bitterly for the position of Banner Head, trying to obtain more cultivation resources so they could raise their own strength as quickly as possible. But now it seemed that hope was going to come to nothing.

"Greetings, Banner Head."

So in the end, both of them saluted.

Seeing the three of them bow their heads, the fifteen hundred members of the Fifth Division, after a silence of several breaths, also began to salute.

This was taken as recognition of Li Luo's identity as the new Banner Head.

"Everyone, from today onward, we are comrades-in-arms fighting shoulder to shoulder. Although I am only at the Lesser Fiend Palace realm right now, I hope you will trust me—this Banner Head of the Lesser Fiend Palace realm will not give anyone the chance to mock our Fifth Division." Li Luo swept his gaze across the crowd. A smile appeared on his handsome face, and his voice became much gentler, no longer as aggressive as before.

The crowd was speechless. After witnessing the battle just now, who would truly dare to regard him as an ordinary Lesser Fiend Palace realm cultivator? Still, what Li Luo said was not wrong—his Lesser Fiend Palace realm was only because he had grown up in Outer Shenzhou. Yet even so, he had managed to cultivate a Marquis-rank Art. What kind of talent was that? Once he had sufficient resources in the future, he would surely soar. When that time came, perhaps the Fifth Division would also be elevated because of him.

And so for a moment, the gazes directed at Li Luo gained a measure of anticipation.

"Everyone, go back and cultivate first."

After chatting casually with the crowd for a while, Li Luo dismissed them, but kept Li Shi, Zhao Zhao Yanzhi, and Mu Bi behind.

"What instructions does the Banner Head have?"

The three of them stayed, exchanged a glance, and asked with calm expressions.

Li Luo looked at the three of them and said, "The three of you come from humble origins, and to have reached where you are today is admirable. I know you have put in tremendous effort for this Banner Head position, and the share of resources that comes with the Banner Head is even more important to you."

The three fell silent, their expressions dimming slightly.

"However, I hope you won't blame heaven and earth, and grow a grudge against me because of it. On the contrary, if you are clever enough, you may find this to be a good thing." Li Luo said lightly.

"Good how?" Mu Bi, the most blunt-tempered of them, said in a muffled voice.

Li Shi did not speak. Zhao Zhao Yanzhi, however, seemed to ponder, her alluring eyes flickered, and she then smiled charmingly: "Good in that we've come to know the Banner Head?"

"Exactly," Li Luo nodded.

The three had not expected him to be so direct, and for a moment did not know how to respond.

"I have just returned to the clan from Outer Shenzhou, and I have no foundation whatsoever within the Dragon Fang Lineage. But do you think I came back to the Dragon Fang Lineage just to be a Banner Head?" Li Luo said.

The three of them understood in their hearts. With Li Luo's status as the grandson of the Lineage Head and the son of the Grand Hall Master, how could he possibly be content with being just a Banner Head? Moreover, he was no incompetent—earlier he had already revealed his talent and strength.

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"I won't be holding this Fifth Division Flag Leader position for long. My goals reach further than you think. And once I step down from this Flag Leader, this position... won't it be left to you?"

"Besides... a Flag Leader position—is that really enough to satisfy you?"

Li Luo's words were plain, but when they landed in the three men's ears, they made their hearts jolt.

"The Qingming Yard once shone with dazzling brilliance under my father's hand. Although it has fallen now, that is only temporary. After all, my father simply hasn't returned yet—he isn't dead."

"Oh, and there's my mother. Although she looks down on the Li Li Tianwang branch, with me here, if she were to return, she should still come to the Qingming Yard."

The three men were a little numb. There was no need to mention Li Taixuan; Dantai Lan was likewise a figure of the previous generation who had left a brilliant name across Outer Shenzhou. Once, the entire Outer Shenzhou had been stirred by her. To the three of them, she was a legendary great figure.

They understood Li Luo's meaning—he was telling them that although he, Li Luo, had just arrived and had no foundation, the potential and background behind him were still considerable.

At the same time, his underlying meaning was also very clear...

Li Luo wanted to take them in as his underlings, and hoped they would properly seize this chance to cling to a powerful thigh.

"I know your intelligence, and I know what you want to protect. I admire your wits and abilities, so if you wish to achieve the goals in your hearts in the future, to climb to a high position within this Dragon Fang Lineage, now might be a good choice." Li Luo's unhurried voice sounded once more.

Zhao Zhao Yanzhi, Li Shi, and Mu Bi exchanged a glance, each seeing the emotion welling up in the other's eyes.

This Flag Leader, who was even a little younger than them... did indeed possess a different kind of bearing.

In the end, after deliberating for several breaths, the three men's shoulders eased slightly, and they solemnly cupped their fists and bowed to Li Luo.

"Greetings, Flag Leader. From now on, the three of us will follow wherever you lead."

Such words meant they had completely set aside the misgivings in their hearts, and truly taken Li Luo as their leader.

Seeing this, Li Luo also revealed a smile. With these three sincerely throwing in their lot with him, he could be considered to have a small foundation of his own.

Taking in the three men wasn't all that difficult, but he also understood it wasn't because he possessed any kingly aura—it was nothing more than luring them with profit and intimidating them with power.