Chapter 890: The Choice Between Two Methods

The next day, after resting through the night and fully recovering his energy, Li Luo went to Dragon Tooth Mountain again.

There he saw Niu Niu Biaobiao, who had agreed to meet him here; the latter's face, which usually looked somewhat fierce, now carried a trace of nervousness. Although Niu Niu Biaobiao had not spoken of his injury in daily life, he was actually extremely concerned about it in his heart.

Especially now that they had returned to Outer Shenzhou, the old acquaintances they met there had all advanced rapidly in these years, while only Niu Niu Biaobiao had regressed instead of progressing. This inevitably caused some complex emotions to arise in his heart.

"Uncle Biao, from today on, you will be restored as before; the Niu Niu Biaobiao who once dominated Outer Shenzhou will be back!" Li Luo said with a smile.

Niu Niu Biaobiao smiled bitterly: "In Outer Shenzhou, who am I to talk about dominating?"

In the past, when in Great Xia, facing those Marquis of the First and Second Ranks, even though he had suffered severe injuries, he still had many advantages. But here in Outer Shenzhou, where strong ones are as numerous as clouds, even if his strength were truly restored, he could only barely be called a local power. As for the term "dominating," he was absolutely unqualified.

"Uncle Biao, do not belittle yourself. I observe your facial features; in the future, you may well have the bearing of a king," Li Luo said seriously.

"Then I will take your auspicious words as a blessing." Niu Niu Biaobiao could not help but laugh, and then he saw Li Li Jingzhe's figure approaching from a distance. Amidst spatial distortion, he appeared before them in just a few steps.

"Let's go."

Li Li Jingzhe did not say much more; after speaking to the two, he led the way toward another mountain path.

The two quickly followed.

Under Li Li Jingzhe's guidance, the three entered a great hall built against the mountain. Inside the hall stood a cauldron about a hundred zhang in size, inscribed with numerous mysterious patterns. The energy of heaven and earth was drawn in, flowing into it continuously.

Li Li Jingzhe gazed at the cauldron, standing with his hands behind his back, and said, "Niu Niu Biaobiao, I have two methods here to repair your Marquis Platform. I wonder which one you would choose?"

Niu Niu Biaobiao said with some surprise, "I wonder if there is any difference between these two methods?"

Li Li Jingzhe smiled faintly: "The first method is the normal repair of the foundation. This method is safe and steady, with a ninety percent probability of recasting your Marquis Platform. However, due to your injuries over these years, your strength has stagnated. Therefore, even if the Marquis Platform is recast, your own realm will drop by one or two ranks."

Niu Niu Biaobiao's expression did not change; he seemed to have expected this result long ago. He was once a Sixth Rank Marquis; if he dropped one or two ranks, he would become a Fourth or Fifth Rank Marquis. Actually, he could already accept this result. After all, compared to the current situation where his Marquis Platform was shattered and his strength was even worse than that of a First Rank Marquis, dropping only one or two ranks was already extremely good.

"Then I wonder what the second method mentioned by the Clan Head is?" However, Niu Niu Biaobiao did not choose directly but asked again, because given Li Li Jingzhe's status, since he mentioned two choices, the second one must be somewhat different from the rest.

Li Li Jingzhe said slowly: "As for this second method, it is an extremely dangerous path, with a success rate of less than half. It follows the path of 'breaking to establish anew.' I will not repair your Marquis Platform; instead, I will directly shatter the remaining fragments of your Marquis Platform, then use a secret technique to reshape your Marquis Platform for you. If it ultimately succeeds, you will not only fully restore your strength but may even achieve a breakthrough through this, stepping into the Seventh Rank Marquis Realm."

Niu Niu Biaobiao was immediately moved. Li Li Jingzhe's second method was truly astonishing; not only would he not drop in rank, but he might even break through in the process?

Li Luo then asked cautiously at this moment: "Grandpa, what would happen if the second method fails?"

Li Li Jingzhe said calmly: "What else could happen? If the Marquis Platform is completely shattered and the reshaping fails, it basically means a complete fall from the Marquis Realm. It would be nearly impossible to achieve any further breakthroughs for the rest of your life."

Hiss.

Li Luo sucked in a sharp breath. The consequence of failure was too ruthless! This was almost gambling away his entire future.

Although the reward upon success was very tempting, the failure... was also terrifying.

This was simply a huge gamble.

The stakes were so high that Li Luo found it hard to speak, so he could only look at Niu Niu Biaobiao.

Niu Niu Biaobiao's expression also became extremely solemn at this moment. For the first time, hesitation appeared on his face, which was covered in thick flesh. There was no way; the trade-off was too difficult.

The first method was safe; it could restore the Marquis Platform peacefully. Although his strength would decline, at least he would retain the power of a Marquis. But Niu Niu Biaobiao also knew clearly that his injuries back then were too severe, causing his realm to stagnate for these years, which had also caused him great harm. Therefore, even if this repair method succeeded, it would be extremely difficult for him to return to his former Sixth Rank Marquis status in the future, let alone reach higher realms, which were even more remote.

The second method was extremely dangerous, and the cost of failure was extremely heavy. But once successful, not only would his foundation be fully restored, but he could also make up for the losses of these years and take another step forward in the process.

Although it was only an increase from the Sixth Rank to the Seventh Rank, Niu Niu Biaobiao understood very well how many Marquis strong ones were blocked by just one rank. Among those in the Marquis Realm, a one-rank promotion required an unimaginably vast amount of cultivation resources to support.

Niu Niu Biaobiao understood clearly that the two methods Li Li Jingzhe offered were actually two choices for his future: either choose safety and preserve his life, giving up on pursuing higher realms in the future, or risk his life for a chance to advance.

The hall was extremely silent. Neither Li Luo nor Li Li Jingzhe spoke; only Niu Niu Biaobiao's somewhat coarse and heavy breathing could be heard.

However, the silence did not last long. Niu Niu Biaobiao took a deep breath, clasped his hands toward Li Li Jingzhe, and said resolutely, "Clan Head, I choose the second method."

Li Luo's breathing paused at this moment. While his heart trembled, he also felt somewhat unsurprised, because based on his understanding of Niu Niu Biaobiao, the latter had a fierce personality and was not the type to live in fear. If he could no longer progress in his future, it would be more painful for Niu Niu Biaobiao than death itself.

Therefore, rather than stopping at the Fourth Rank Marquis in the future, it was better to risk it for a way out.

"Uncle Biao..." Li Luo sighed. Being able to become friends with figures like his father and mother, Niu Niu Biaobiao's character was naturally incomparable to ordinary people.

Li Li Jingzhe smiled, and his gaze toward Niu Niu Biaobiao held a bit more appreciation. He said, "You are indeed someone daring enough to gamble."

Not everyone, when facing such a choice, would be able to gamble on a low probability like Niu Niu Biaobiao did.

Niu Niu Biaobiao said, "I must thank the Clan Head for giving me this choice. This second method... should not be that simple, right?"

He was also a person of broad experience, but in the past, he only knew of the first method. As for the second method Li Li Jingzhe offered, he had never heard of it. Not only was this method dangerous, but its difficulty must far exceed that of the first method. Li Li Jingzhe's willingness to give him this choice was indeed a favor.

"This second method not only requires the intervention of a King-level expert but also needs numerous secret treasures as assistance. There are not many factions in Outer Shenzhou capable of accomplishing such a task." Li Li Jingzhe did not conceal anything; instead, he stated the facts, because sometimes letting the other party know what cost one has paid is beneficial for both sides.

Moreover, he knew that Li Luo wanted Niu Niu Biaobiao to stay temporarily at the Azure Mystery Courtyard, so he offered these favors. Given Niu Niu Biaobiao's personality, he would likely feel too embarrassed to leave immediately after his strength was restored.

Niu Niu Biaobiao nodded silently, then clasped his hands and bowed to Li Li Jingzhe once more.

"Prepare to begin."

Li Li Jingzhe did not say much more. Pointing at the huge cauldron, he said, "Enter the cauldron. Leave the rest to me."

Niu Niu Biaobiao nodded, flashed a smile at Li Luo, then moved his figure, shooting out swiftly. He directly entered through an opening in the cauldron and sat cross-legged on the platform in the center of the cauldron.

Li Li Jingzhe opened his mouth slightly, and a wisp of dark golden fire spark leaped out, entering the cauldron. In the next instant, the fire spark swelled violently in the wind, transforming into a roaring fire that burned within the cauldron.

At the same time, he waved his sleeve, and hundreds of streams of light flew out from the spatial sphere on his wrist, hovering in midair, dazzling and brilliant, radiating immense energy.

Li Luo glanced at them and immediately knew that those streams of light contained extraordinary rare materials. He then understood in his heart that to help Niu Niu Biaobiao repair his foundation, Li Li Jingzhe had gone all out this time.

"This process of repairing his foundation will take some time. You do not need to stay here long; go ahead and attend to your own matters," Li Li Jingzhe said to Li Luo.

Li Luo nodded and said, "Then I will trouble you, Grandpa."

After speaking, he glanced once more at the cauldron, then turned and left.

With Niu Niu Biaobiao's matter arranged properly, he needed to go to the Four Flags, striving to settle the matter of the leader of the Dragon Tooth Clan's Four Flags before the Dragon Head Contest arrived.