Chapter 878: Conversation with Uncle Biao

Several days later, the four banners arrived safely at the Dragon Fang Mountains.

After completing the mission handover, Li Luo, Li Li Fengyi, and the other three announced the dissolution of all banners; this mission in the Dark Domain had lasted nearly a month, during which they endured countless perils, leaving everyone utterly exhausted—so it was time for all banner members to rest properly.

Li Luo also parted ways with Li Li Fengyi and the other two, taking Li Li Lingjing and Li Feng straight back to Qingming Peak.

When he arrived at Qingming Peak, Li Luo saw a familiar silhouette waiting at the mountain's base—it was Li Li Rouyun.

"Aunt Rou."

Li Luo gazed at the figure hurrying toward him; on the journey back, he had already informed Li Li Rouyun through other channels that Li Li Lingjing had recovered and would be heading to the Dragon Fang Mountains.

Li Li Rouyun had always doted on her young niece Li Li Lingjing, treating her almost as her own daughter; even after taking up her post as administrator of Qingming Courtyard, she had spared no effort seeking out spiritual herbs for Li Li Lingjing. Now, upon suddenly learning that Li Li Lingjing had recovered, Li Li Rouyun was both stunned and overjoyed.

Li Luo understood this well, so he quietly stepped aside.

Behind him, Li Li Lingjing stared at Li Li Rouyun rushing toward her, her eyes instantly reddening, her voice hoarse: "Aunt."

She sprinted forward and crashed into Li Li Rouyun's arms, embracing her tightly.

Li Li Rouyun's eyes were red too; she kept stroking Li Li Lingjing's hair, murmuring: "Heaven truly has mercy—you've finally recovered. These past years have driven your aunt mad with worry."

Li Li Lingjing clung to Li Li Rouyun's waist, burying her face against her chest, tears glistening in her eyes as she trembled: "Aunt, I missed you so much."

Li Feng watched this scene and sighed softly.

Li Luo remained silent, quietly waiting as the two women calmed their emotions; after a long while, Li Li Rouyun rubbed her eyes, her cheeks lit with a joyful smile, gently helping Li Li Lingjing up from her embrace.

"Li Luo, you truly are our family's Fortune Star—just by going to Xiling City, Li Lingjing recovered." Li Li Rouyun laughed.

Li Luo didn't know how to respond, for he hadn't yet told Li Li Rouyun about Li Li Lingjing's connection to the "Corrupting Soul Demon"—so her joy might be premature.

Li Luo glanced at Li Li Lingjing; this secret couldn't be hidden forever, but how to tell Li Li Rouyun was something Li Li Lingjing needed to decide.

"Aunt Rou, please take Cousin Li Lingjing and Lord Li Feng to rest first. Tomorrow… we might need to meet Grandpa." Li Luo considered carefully and said.

Li Li Rouyun froze at this, asking: "Meet the Clan Chief?"

Li Luo nodded, said nothing more, merely waved his hand, then walked toward his residence, leaving Li Li Rouyun puzzled.

After Li Luo left, Li Li Lingjing took Li Li Rouyun's hand and forced a smile.

"Come on, Aunt. I'll tell you everything about this trip later."

When Li Luo returned to his residence, he encountered an unexpectedly familiar figure: a fearsome, oil-slicked face, a gleaming butcher's knife at his waist, faintly radiating a murderous aura.

It was Niu Niu Biaobiao.

"Uncle Biao, why are you here today?" Li Luo grinned in delight.

Niu Niu Biaobiao was pouring himself a drink in the courtyard, the table piled high with delicacies; hearing Li Luo's laugh, he looked up and smiled: "You finally came back! Come, I've prepared plenty of medicinal stews—eat up and recover your strength."

Li Luo sat down with a laugh, gazing at the feast and sighed: "It's been so long since I tasted your cooking. Though the Dragon Fang Mountains have far greater resources than our House Luolan Mansion, in terms of food, no one here can match you, Uncle Biao."

Then he began devouring the food without restraint.

Niu Niu Biaobiao beamed, proudly saying: "That's true. There are many stronger than me in the Dragon Fang Mountains, but as for cooking? Few can surpass me."

Li Luo gave a thumbs-up in agreement.

Niu Niu Biaobiao poured himself another cup of wine and sighed at Li Luo: "Your risky journey was to retrieve medicine for me—you should've told me sooner. I could've gone with you."

Li Luo paused, then laughed: "How did you find out?"

"You were gone so long—I worried, so I went to ask Li Li Rouyun." Niu Niu Biaobiao said.

Li Luo smiled, then said seriously: "Uncle Biao, you don't need to feel this way. My parents are unreliable—they left me and Jiang Jiang Qinge with a mess. In House Luolan Mansion all those years, if you hadn't protected us despite your grievous injuries, we wouldn't have made it this far."

"I've remembered every debt. I was powerless before, but now that I'm in the Dragon Fang Mountains, no matter the cost, your injury is my top priority. I believe even my parents would agree."

"They're unreliable—so as their son, I must spare no effort to resolve the injuries you suffered all those years ago."

Niu Niu Biaobiao smiled at these words, saying nothing, only continuously placing dishes into Li Luo's bowl; his fearsome, scarred face now looked unexpectedly gentle.

"Once your injury heals, I plan to secure you the position of Courtyard Master in Qingming Courtyard. Of course, if you don't wish to be bound by such duties, you're free to leave—or seek out your old friends. I fully respect your choice." Li Luo said.

Niu Niu Biaobiao replied: "There are indeed some old matters I need to settle, but it's not urgent. I'll stay in Qingming Courtyard for a while to lend you some support. Once you've fully taken control, I can leave whenever I please."

Without waiting for Li Luo to respond, he extended his palm, and instantly a strange rhombic crystal materialized; as soon as it appeared, the energy of the surrounding realm surged violently, emitting an inexplicable divine aura that stirred intense longing in anyone who gazed upon it.

"You used this 'Divine Essence Substance' to sustain me. Now that your injury is nearly healed, it's time to return it to you." Niu Niu Biaobiao said.

Li Luo stared in slight shock at the 'Divine Essence Substance'—this item held unimaginable allure for Marquis-level cultivators; back in the Great Xia, every Marquis-level cultivator had coveted it, and its existence had brought countless crises to House Luolan Mansion.

Yet now, Niu Niu Biaobiao returned it to him with startling simplicity.

"Uncle Biao, I don't really need this now," Li Luo thought for a moment and said.

"Not now, but later you will. I've wasted too many years—this treasure would be a waste in my hands." Niu Niu Biaobiao chuckled.

"This item was originally brought out by your parents from that ancient ruin. But I advise you not to carry it on your person—if other Marquis-level cultivators discover it, they'll inevitably covet it and bring you more danger."

Li Luo studied Niu Niu Biaobiao's expression and knew his mind was made up; he said no more, carefully accepting the 'Divine Essence Substance'—said to enable Marquis-level cultivators to touch the King realm—and stored it away.

As Niu Niu Biaobiao said, this item was too precious—even Marquis-level cultivators would covet it, especially those on the brink of the King realm. If they learned of its existence, they'd likely turn hostile. It couldn't remain with him.

Li Luo thought it over, deciding to entrust it to Li Li Jingzhe for safekeeping; the man was his grandfather, a King-level cultivator, and would never covet the 'Divine Essence Substance'—after all, during his earlier study of Niu Niu Biaobiao's injury, Li Li Jingzhe had already become aware of the crystal's existence.

"Was it because of this 'Divine Essence Substance' that my parents were relentlessly hunted by the Qin Li Tianwang lineage back then?" Li Luo suddenly remembered something and frowned.

This 'Divine Essence Substance' was indeed a top-tier treasure, but the Qin Li Tianwang lineage was a Li Tianwang-level power—could they really risk war with the Li Li Tianwang lineage over it?

"The events back then were far more complex, entangled with too many grudges… but this 'Divine Essence Substance' likely didn't play such a major role."

Niu Niu Biaobiao fell into brief thought, then glanced around before whispering: "I suspect your parents took something far more significant from that ruin—but what exactly, only they know. The Qin Li Tianwang lineage probably suspects or senses it, which is why they pursued them relentlessly."

Li Luo's pupils contracted—what had his parents retrieved from that ancient ruin that was even more precious than the 'Divine Essence Substance'?

The shock in his heart lingered for a moment, then he quietly suppressed it; he met Niu Niu Biaobiao's gaze, and both understood without words—this topic was dropped.

Li Luo continued feasting until he could eat no more, then patted his belly contentedly and leaned back in his chair.

"Uncle Biao, this reminds me of our days in House Luolan Mansion…"

Li Luo relaxed, gazing up at the slowly climbing moon; though the Dragon Fang Mountains far surpassed House Luolan Mansion in every aspect, in his heart, that small House Luolan Mansion still gave him the deepest sense of peace.

Niu Niu Biaobiao sighed in nostalgia and smiled: "Too bad House Luolan Mansion's headquarters are probably now a den of monsters."

Li Luo's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling the man who had left a deep impression on him—cold killing intent flickered in his gaze.

Shen Shen Jinxiao.

It was this old dog who caused their House Luolan Mansion headquarters to fall, and forced Sister Jiang Jiang Qinge to ignite her Heart of Light, leaving the two of them now separated and unlikely to meet again.

This grudge Li Luo carried always in his heart.

At this thought, Li Luo could not help but recall the fair one, and let out a soft sigh.

Sister Jiang Jiang Qinge, are you well at the Holy Light Ancient Academy?