Chapter 924: Li Li Fuling

In the days before the Spirit Phase Grotto opened, Li Luo devoted all his energy to the Demon Mire Cave, for it was also an excellent place for cultivation, while simultaneously honing the Azure Banner and improving his rank—truly the most popular among the Twenty Banners.

And Li Luo wished to further enhance his own strength before the Spirit Phase Grotto opened.

After all, participation in the Spirit Phase Grotto was limited to those below the Tian Xiang Jing realm, so many young prodigies from the previous generation would surely appear—these individuals had spent far longer immersed in the Tian Zhu Jing realm than Li Li Qingfeng and others, and would be far more formidable.

From his grandfather, Li Luo had already learned just how crucial the opportunities within the "Spirit Phase Grotto" were; thus, if he wished to compete for these opportunities, he must still improve his strength and techniques.

So Li Luo threw himself wholeheartedly into the Demon Mire Cave.

Longya Mountains, Demon Mire Peak.

On the square before the Demon Mire Cave, numerous banner members clustered in small groups, whispering among themselves, their gazes occasionally flicking toward the glowing leaderboard on the nearby cliff face.

They all stared at the very top.

At the first position, two banners' names were tied.

Azure Banner, Golden Blood Banner.

Such a tie for first place was rarely seen in the past, and most importantly, every banner member present knew this scenario would likely end today.

For just half an hour ago, Li Luo led the Azure Banner back into the Demon Mire Cave; their aggressive demeanor suggested they intended to push straight through the sixty-third level in one go.

If they succeeded, the Azure Banner would be the first to clear the sixty-third level and stand alone at the top!

Thus, the members of all three banners present had lost the will to descend, instead waiting here for the final result—after all, the Azure Banner belonged to the Longya Line, and if it decisively surpassed the Golden Blood Banner, it would also bring glory to their Longya Line.

At the stone pavilion on the edge of the square, Li Li Jingtao and Deng Deng Fengxian were also watching.

"I heard Li Li Qingfeng is currently leading the Golden Blood Banner in assaulting the sixty-third level, likely to prevent the Azure Banner from reaching the top," Deng Deng Fengxian said slowly.

Li Li Jingtao chuckled: "I suspect all other banners have stayed out of the cave too, waiting to watch this climactic showdown."

Deng Deng Fengxian nodded; though Li Luo had won the Dragon Head contest, Li Li Qingfeng clearly remained deeply resentful and sought to hold onto the top position in the Demon Mire Cave, lest he be utterly overshadowed by Li Luo.

"The sixty-third level is no easy challenge—the number of demons is immense, and the demon leader likely possesses power approaching Third Rank Marquis-level strength. Though not a true Third Rank Marquis, he is vastly stronger than previous demon leaders."

"I feel Brother Li Luo is rushing too much—he could easily wait until after the Spirit Phase Grotto to attempt the sixty-third level; it would be far simpler then."

Li Li Jingtao nodded: "That's the conservative approach, but Third Brother is determined to clear the sixty-third level before the Spirit Phase Grotto opens—not merely to surpass Li Li Qingfeng, but because he wants the reward from the sixty-third level."

Deng Deng Fengxian paused, then pondered: "Wu Shen Pill?"

The reward for the sixty-third level was said to be a rare spiritual pill named "Wu Shen"; if swallowed during cultivation of the Phase Art, it deepens one's insight and yields double the results.

Li Li Jingtao said: "It seems Third Brother wants to prepare more thoroughly for the Spirit Phase Grotto."

Deng Deng Fengxian nodded—it could only be this reason, for he understood the Spirit Phase Grotto would gather the top prodigies of this generation across Outer Shenzhou; though Li Luo had claimed the Dragon Head, he might still lack decisive advantage against the elite prodigies from all sides.

"By the way, where's Banner Chief Li Li Fengyi?" He glanced around and noticed Li Li Fengyi was absent.

Li Li Jingtao said: "She went to meet the Longya Guard."

"Oh? The Longya Guard is arriving?" Deng Deng Fengxian exclaimed.

Li Li Jingtao nodded: "The leader this time should be Li Li Fuling, the former head of the Four Banners of the Longya Line."

Deng Deng Fengxian gave a slight nod: "Wasn't that senior sister formerly the head of the Crimson Cloud Banner? I've heard her name—last generation, the Crimson Cloud Banner achieved remarkable feats under her command."

Li Li Jingtao smiled: "Li Fengyi knows her, so she went to meet her."

Deng Deng Fengxian's eyes flickered: "I recall this Senior Sister Li Li Fuling has a well-known quirk?"

Upon hearing this, Li Li Jingtao immediately wore a helpless, amused expression and nodded: "She's a 'Tai Zhu Xuan worshipper.'"

Tai Zhu Xuan refers to Li Tai Zhu Xuan.

This cousin, Li Li Fuling, though separated by generations from Uncle Li Tai Zhu Xuan, is a mindless admirer—her obsession stems from her mother, who regarded Li Tai Zhu Xuan as a divine being.

Under her mother's lifelong brainwashing, she internalized the belief that Li Tai Zhu Xuan was peerless among his generation, unrivaled in the world.

While Li Li Jingtao and Deng Deng Fengxian spoke, at a reception platform within the Longya Mountains, Li Li Fengyi gazed at a flying vessel slowly descending through the clouds from the horizon, a smile forming on her lovely face.

"Li Fengyi."

From the flying vessel, a clear, cheerful laugh rang out first, then a group of figures leapt forth and landed on the reception platform.

Leading them was a tall, slender young woman with delicate legs, clad in a fitted black-and-red uniform that hugged her curvaceous figure.

Her skin was snow-white, her features flower-like and stunningly beautiful.

Her long hair was tied up into a scorpion braid, trailing down to her rounded hips.

Seeing her, Li Li Fengyi's eyes brightened and she smiled: "Senior Sister Li Fuling, it's been a long time—I imagine you've gained many admirers in the Longya Guard."

The young woman named Li Li Fuling smiled sweetly, stepped forward two paces, and took Li Li Fengyi's hand, playfully scolding: "Don't tease me—the Longya Guard's missions are grueling and dangerous; it's nothing like the Twenty Banners, where there's no time for such things."

"Besides, who in the Longya Guard could possibly catch my eye? Even the Four Commanders, I won't even spare them a glance."

Li Li Fengyi smiled sweetly: "Of course, of course—if you judge men by my Third Uncle's standard, not even the entire Dragon Dragon Five Lines could offer anyone worthy of your attention."

Li Li Fuling, upon hearing this, showed no embarrassment, only replied calmly: "That's true. Li Tai Zhu Xuan, the Grand Court Master, is a peerless prodigy—since the founding of our Li Li Tianwang Line, there has never been a second like him."

Li Li Fengyi couldn't help but laugh, already imagining the expressions of men who tried to court this cousin, only to be rejected with "You're not as good as Li Tai Zhu Xuan."

"Senior Sister Li Fuling, though my Third Uncle possesses peerless prodigy talent, do you know that this generation of the Longya Line's Four Banners has also produced someone who rivals him?" Li Li Fengyi said.

Upon hearing this, Li Li Fuling showed no surprise: "I've already heard—he's Li Tai Zhu Xuan's son, named Li Luo, right?"

"He defeated Li Tai Zhu Xuan's energy projection in the Dragon Head contest—this news has spread throughout the Longya Guard."

But to Li Li Fengyi's surprise, Li Li Fuling showed no particular interest, even appearing slightly resistant.

Li Li Fuling merely smiled faintly: "Though he is Li Tai Zhu Xuan's bloodline, in my eyes, Li Tai Zhu Xuan is the only one—even his bloodline heir cannot compare to him in the slightest."

"He's still only at the Extreme Demon Level, right? Though overcoming levels is admirable, when Li Tai Zhu Xuan was his age, his true strength far surpassed his—so don't say he can rival Li Tai Zhu Xuan."

Li Li Fengyi, upon hearing this, had no reply—this "Li Tai Zhu Xuan fanatic" only worshipped Li Tai Zhu Xuan; Li Luo's identity brought her no advantage, but instead triggered an inexplicable resistance.

What complicated hearts.

Li Li Fengyi laughed helplessly and stopped speaking, turning to lead the way.

"You've just returned to the Longya Line, and you've arrived just in time for today's grand spectacle."

Li Li Fuling asked: "What grand spectacle?"

Li Li Fengyi clasped her hands behind her back, her expression smiling with quiet pride.

"The grand spectacle of my Dragon Fang Lineage, after so many years, claiming the top of the Demon Grotto rankings!"