Chapter 919

In the next three days, Li Luo did not step outside his door once, but he was not resting—he was familiarizing himself with his newfound power, for the Dragon Head contest had been extraordinarily intense, and Li Luo had gained considerable benefits from it.

Not only did he break through under the pressure of Ascending the Dragon, leaping into the Extreme Sha Gang Realm at forty zhang, but he also acquired the "Nine-Scale Heavenly Dragon Battle Body," significantly enhancing his combat strength.

According to Li Luo's estimation, though he was merely at the Extreme Sha Gang Realm, with top-tier techniques like the "Multiform Dragon Fang Sword Array," he feared no opponent at the Two-Star Tian Zhu Jing.

But this was clearly still insufficient, for the Spirit Form Cave Heaven would inevitably draw many prodigies from the Tian Zhu Jing realm, some of whom reached Fifth or Sixth Star—or even higher—and if he had to compete against them, he would still feel overmatched.

Thus, before the Spirit Form Cave Heaven opened, he still needed to raise his strength as much as possible.

Three days later, Li Luo ended his secluded cultivation and went to the Dragon Fang Main Mountain.

Today was the day Niu Niu Biaobiao completed his foundation repair—if successful, he would return to his former realm, even surpassing it.

And for this, perhaps Niu Niu Biaobiao himself had waited for many years.

After arriving at the Dragon Fang Main Mountain, Li Luo went straight to the previous grand hall, where he saw Li Li Jingzhe standing with arms crossed, and beside him, he spotted a familiar figure.

It was Li Li Lingjing.

"Cousin Li Lingjing," Li Luo stepped forward and greeted with a smile.

Li Li Lingjing gazed at Li Luo with clear, bright eyes, a lovely smile appearing on her elegant face as she softly said, "I haven't yet congratulated you, Cousin Luo, on securing the position of this year's Twenty-Flag Dragon Head."

"It's nothing," Li Luo laughed. "If Cousin Li Lingjing had entered the Twenty-Flag ranks back then, I'm sure you'd have easily claimed the previous Dragon Head title."

Li Li Lingjing had once been among the top prodigies in the Dragon Fang Domain; with her temperament and ability, Li Luo believed she possessed the true bearing of a Dragon Head.

Li Li Lingjing covered her lips with a light laugh. "Don't flatter me to death—besides, there are differences among successive Dragon Heads; a Dragon Head who challenges Grand Master Li Taixuan for his position carries far greater weight than an ordinary one."

Li Luo smiled and asked, "How have you been lately, Cousin Li Lingjing?"

He was referring, of course, to the "Corroding Spirit Demon" within her.

Li Li Lingjing glanced at Li Li Jingzhe, then nodded gently. "Thanks to the Pulse Chief's efforts these past days, the corrosion of the 'Corroding Spirit Demon' within me has been greatly resolved."

"Your strength seems to have increased significantly?" Li Luo studied Li Li Lingjing, for from her now emanated a faint sense of pressure—indicating her current power was quite extraordinary.

"I've reached Seven-Star Tian Zhu Jing," Li Li Lingjing smiled.

"Seven-Star Tian Zhu Jing?" Li Luo was slightly startled. Li Li Lingjing had been crippled by the "Corroding Spirit Demon" years ago, her cultivation stagnant and her mind clouded—but how had she reached this level in such a short time?

Seven-Star Tian Zhu Jing—likely even her peers among the prodigies couldn't match her.

"Her situation is unique," Li Li Jingzhe said calmly. "The 'Corroding Spirit Demon' had devoured many prodigies; now that it's been refined, the benefits naturally flowed to her—she turned misfortune into fortune."

"By the way, for the Spirit Form Cave Heaven, I'll have her accompany you—it'll be a safeguard."

Li Luo looked at Li Li Lingjing in surprise. "Cousin Li Lingjing is going to the Spirit Form Cave Heaven too?"

Li Li Lingjing smiled. "I'll rely on your care then, Cousin Luo."

Li Luo sighed. "You've got it backward—you're a Seven-Star Tian Zhu Jing expert; I'll need your protection."

"Don't worry, Cousin Luo—I'll guard you closely," Li Li Lingjing fixed her bright eyes on him and laughed, covering her lips.

"Then thank you, Cousin Li Lingjing," Li Luo bowed with a smile.

As Li Luo spoke with Li Li Lingjing, his gaze drifted into the grand hall, where he could faintly see the massive cauldron still burning fiercely, its surging energy terrifying like a volcano about to erupt, radiating a destructive aura.

Under that energy pressure, even standing outside the hall, Li Luo felt his breathing grow difficult.

The battles he faced during the Dragon Head contest paled in comparison to this pressure—even Seven-Star Tian Zhu Jing Li Li Lingjing was far inferior.

Within the blazing flames of the cauldron, a burly figure sat cross-legged, barely visible.

Li Luo did not enter the hall but stood at the entrance, whispering, "Grandpa, how is Uncle Niu Biaobiao? Is it going well?"

He was worried—after all, though the Second Method Li Li Jingzhe provided could mend Niu Niu Biaobiao's foundation, its danger was extreme; if it failed, Niu Niu Biaobiao's strength would permanently regress below the Marquis Realm, never advancing again.

Li Li Jingzhe stared into the cauldron. "The method he chose is indeed extremely perilous; during this time, he's teetered on the brink of failure countless times. But his will is extraordinarily resilient, and he carries a fierce, ferocious aura—through that ferocity, he's forcibly pulled himself back from the edge of failure."

"Now he's passed the most dangerous phase; once the Marquis Platform is remade, it will be complete."

His tone carried a hint of admiration for Niu Niu Biaobiao—after all, this Second Method was perilous beyond measure, requiring precisely this kind of ruthless, no-return determination; had Niu Niu Biaobiao wavered or retreated even once, failure would have been his only outcome.

Hearing this, Li Luo felt a great weight lift.

At that moment, he suddenly sensed the energy surging from the cauldron becoming wildly turbulent.

"It's about time," Li Li Jingzhe murmured.

Boom!

The instant he spoke, the lid of the cauldron inside the hall exploded open—titanic energy surged skyward, tearing rifts through the very void.

The terror of that energy left Li Luo frozen, afraid to move lest he be caught in the blast.

Fortunately, Li Li Jingzhe swept his sleeve—a silent force enveloped the hall, solidifying space wherever it passed, sealing all that titanic energy within the hall, not a single wisp escaping.

Li Luo stared without blinking, watching as, within the vast energy, a burly figure stepped out from the cauldron, walking through the air; as he appeared, the void behind him trembled, and one by one, towering Marquis Platforms slowly emerged—like mountain peaks.

Each Marquis Platform gleamed brilliantly, covered in countless light patterns, as if born from heaven and earth itself.

Li Luo stared at the Marquis Platforms behind the burly figure—one, three, five, six… seven!

When Li Luo saw the seventh Marquis Platform appear, joy surged across his face—indeed, by choosing the Second Method "Break and Rebuild" and succeeding, Niu Niu Biaobiao hadn't just restored his former strength—he had surpassed it, entering Seventh Rank Marquis Realm!

Seventh Rank Marquis—this could be called Upper Marquis!

Within the Dragon Fang Lineage, this placed him among the elite, second only to Li Li Jingzhe, the stabilizing pillar.

On the Outer Shenzhou, Niu Niu Biaobiao could be considered a regional powerhouse—any faction would welcome him as a honored guest, treating him with utmost reverence.

Only thanks to Li Li Jingzhe sealing the hall's space did the appearance of seven Marquis Platforms not trigger celestial phenomena or draw in the ambient energy.

Yet the seven Marquis Platforms did not last long; soon they dissolved into radiant light and sank directly into the burly figure's crown.

Niu Niu Biaobiao slowly opened his eyes.

In that instant, a torrent of ferocious, blade-like light shot from his eyes—when that blade-light appeared, the air before him was instantly torn apart.

Li Luo and Li Li Lingjing both paled, unable to meet Niu Niu Biaobiao's unrestrained, overwhelming aura.

Though they'd seen many Marquis Realm experts in the Dragon Fang Lineage, for someone of their level, the might of a Marquis was still terrifyingly absolute.

Niu Niu Biaobiao stood still for a long while, his eyes filled with excitement and wild joy—he had waited too long for this day, and now that it had come, he almost couldn't believe it was real.

And he could clearly feel the terrifying power flowing through his body—stronger than even his former peak.

Back then, he was a Sixth-Rank Marquis, but now, he is a Seventh-Rank!

Though it is only one rank difference, this one rank is not easily crossed; many Sixth-Rank Marquis elders have been trapped at this stage for years, unable to take this step.

Because stepping into the Seventh Rank means entering the Upper-Rank Marquis tier.

Niu Niu Biaobiao took a deep breath; once he gradually adapted to the power within him, he stirred his intent, and his Marquis Platform trembled and hummed, drawing back all the scattered energy waves like a whale drinking water.

His figure landed, and he gazed toward the hall's entrance.

"Thank you, Pulse Chief, for your rebirth-giving grace," Niu Niu Biaobiao said solemnly to Li Li Jingzhe, for only he knew how profound Li Li Jingzhe's Second Method truly was—and this method required the intervention of a King-level elder to safeguard it, a condition impossibly harsh for many Marquis Realm cultivators.

King-level elders, even within Inner Shenzhou, are all mighty figures—how could one easily summon them?

Li Li Jingzhe said: "No need to thank me. This is what Tai Zhu Xuan and the others owe you."

Li Luo also stepped forward, smiling: "Uncle Biao, if your father and mother knew you'd regained your strength, they'd be overjoyed."

Niu Niu Biaobiao looked at Li Luo, and his broad, rugged face softened; he patted Li Luo's arm and said: "Compared to your parents, you're far more reliable."

"Only those two would abandon a gravely wounded cook and two children to guard the house."

Hearing Niu Niu Biaobiao's grumbling, Li Luo couldn't help laughing.

Li Li Jingzhe then said: "Since matters here have gone smoothly, let me ask you again—are you planning to stay temporarily at Longya Pulse and run for Head of Qingming Academy, or do you intend to leave on your own?"

Niu Niu Biaobiao had no hesitation: "I already promised Li Luo I'd assist him in Qingming Academy for a while."

He understood Li Li Jingzhe's intent: Li Li Jingzhe clearly planned to let Li Luo gradually take control of Qingming Academy, but Li Luo lacked sufficient strength himself—even if he ascended, he couldn't command respect, so he needed Niu Niu Biaobiao's power; together with Li Li Rouyun, they could ensure no other academy heads dared act too boldly.

Seeing this, Li Li Jingzhe gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

"Then come with me—today, all senior figures from every academy are gathered; it's time to set the rules."