Chapter 952

When the Li Li Tianwang faction emerged from the mountains and forests, they encountered no one from the Zhao Li Tianwang faction—apparently Zhao Yan truly did not wish to initiate a decisive battle with them at this time.

The overall strength of both sides was nearly equal; without powerful external intervention, determining a victor would not be easy, and the most likely outcome remained both sides retreating after suffering heavy losses.

At this moment, if an external enemy were secretly observing, perhaps both sides' journeys to the Spirit Phase Cavern Heaven would end prematurely.

Thus, despite Zhao Yan's raging fury, burning with the desire to slice Li Luo into a thousand pieces, he could only lead his people away.

As for the Yanmodian, as soon as Zhao Yan issued the retreat signal, Tian Miao had decisively led his men away—likely cursing Zhao Yan to his face in that very moment.

Yet although they saw no trace of the Zhao Li Tianwang faction, the Dragon Celestial Five Lineages still maintained collective movement, lest the Zhao Li Tianwang faction launch a surprise counterattack.

The group began advancing toward the direction of the Golden Dew Platform, entering deeper regions of the Spirit Phase Cavern Heaven.

But this situation lasted only half a day before the leaders of each lineage gathered to discuss their next move.

"Everyone, at this point, we can no longer continue traveling together," Li Li Wuyuan spoke first, his expression weary, for over the past half-day they had discovered some "Spirit Phase Golden Dew," yet the quantity was vastly inferior to what they had found earlier in the forests.

Each time they found only one or two drops; with nearly a hundred men across all five lineages, these pitiful few drops of "Spirit Phase Golden Dew" brought no joy—instead, each discovery sparked minor disputes over distribution, though always restrained, yet the frequency dragged down efficiency and grew exasperating.

"The Zhao Li Tianwang faction has likely withdrawn—they couldn't possibly have followed us this long—so this collective model must change," Li Luo also agreed, for according to past precedent, it was best now to proceed in pairs, scattering to search for "Spirit Phase Golden Dew," so that more people could accumulate sufficient authorization before reaching the Golden Dew Platform.

The other lineage leaders nodded in agreement.

"If so, let each lineage form their own pairs—we'll disperse here, then reunite at the Golden Dew Platform," Li Li Wuyuan said.

All nodded, and Li Luo and Li Li Fuling returned to the Dragon Fang Lineage's group.

Li Luo explained to everyone: "Now that we're splitting up, this is the most efficient method—so from now on, we'll pair up, high and low, to watch each other's backs."

"High and low pairing" meant one Xing Tian Zhu Jing cultivator paired with a lower-ranked individual, ensuring the pair's high combat power while enabling effective small-team distribution.

"I'll pair with Cousin Li Luo—I'm assigned to protect him."

Li Li Lingjing spoke first, then glanced at Li Li Fuling and smiled: "Li Fuling, you won't compete for me, will you?"

Li Li Fuling pursed her lips: "It's not some delicacy—what's there to fight over? I'll pair with Li Fengyi."

The others quickly formed their pairs—this had, in fact, been prearranged: Deng Deng Fengxian paired with Lu Ze, while Li Jintao teamed up with the previous Purple Qi Flag's Flag Captain.

Seeing the pairs settled, Li Luo smiled and said: "Then let me wish you all success in gathering enough 'Spirit Phase Golden Dew'—we'll meet again at the Golden Dew Platform."

"Take good care of yourself, little brother," Li Li Fengyi warned.

Li Luo nodded with a smile: "If you encounter danger, send our Dragon Fang Lineage's signal—I'll come at full speed if I sense it."

"You too," Li Jintao reminded him. "The Zhao Li Tianwang faction hates you to the bone—if they get a chance, they'll retaliate."

Li Luo acknowledged this.

Thus, the Dragon Celestial Five Lineages all finalized their pairings, exchanged farewells, and soon dozens of two-person teams scattered, soaring into the sky.

Li Luo and Li Li Lingjing chose a direction and advanced—he flapped his energy dragon wings, moving at a steady pace, while beside him, Li Li Lingjing's potent phase force surrounded her as she flew through the air.

They flew over mountains and rivers, occasionally landing to investigate areas rich in natural energy.

Usually Li Luo searched, while Li Li Lingjing trailed leisurely, plucking a branch and waving it idly, even fashioning a simple leaf whistle which she placed to her lips and blew, producing a clear, pleasant sound.

She seemed utterly serene and refined.

When they encountered "Guardian Spirits," Li Luo typically handled the combat, while Li Li Lingjing stood nearby, smiling and blowing her whistle to cheer him on.

Occasionally they met bands of arrogant rogue cultivators—greedy and vicious as wolves, their strength ranging from Sha Ti Jing to several stars of Xing Tian Zhu Jing; if Li Luo were alone, escaping them might prove difficult, for here no one cared for your status or background—if you fought, stole, or killed, neither heaven nor earth would know.

Fortunately, Li Luo had Li Li Lingjing, a reliable guardian—her power, comparable to an eighth-star Tian Zhu Jing cultivator, was enough to deter these greedy rogues from any ill intent.

Thus, two days passed quietly under their seamless coordination.

In two days, they gathered eight drops of "Spirit Phase Golden Dew"; combined with their prior share from the valley, each now had roughly fifteen drops—halfway to their goal.

Yet no one ever complained of having too much "Spirit Phase Golden Dew," for even after collecting thirty drops to unlock the Golden Dew Platform's authority, the surplus could still be used to refine one's phase nature—in a sense, this "Spirit Phase Golden Dew" was akin to a naturally occurring "Spirit Water Miracle Light."

If this substance were outside the Spirit Phase Cavern Heaven, it would surely draw fierce pursuit—but unfortunately, once removed from the Cavern Heaven, "Spirit Phase Golden Dew" retained its potency only briefly.

Yet Li Luo and Li Li Lingjing were not in a hurry; time remained, and gathering thirty drops of "Spirit Phase Golden Dew" should not be difficult for them.

Across the vast plain, a bonfire blazed.

Li Luo took out pre-prepared dried meat from his space sphere and roasted it over the fire; golden fat dripped down, sparking into the flames, filling the air with rich aroma.

Li Li Lingjing sat obediently beside him, her bright eyes fixed on the meat, looking eager.

Li Luo adjusted the roasting meat and smiled at Li Li Lingjing: "Cousin Li Lingjing, you seem much lighter these past few days."

Li Li Lingjing's fair nose inhaled the scent of the roasting meat: "Without others around, it's certainly easier."

Li Luo paused, then asked: "Cousin Li Lingjing, do you now dislike interacting with people?"

Li Li Lingjing's eyes lowered slightly: "Perhaps lingering effects from years ago."

Li Luo skewered a crispy piece of roasted meat with a bamboo stick and handed it to her, speaking softly: "Cousin Li Lingjing, don't worry—those past nightmares are over. With your talent, you'll surely become Dragon Fang Lineage's peerless prodigy; becoming a Marquis or even a Li Tianwang is within reach."

Li Li Lingjing covered her red lips with her slender hand, her teeth gently tearing off a strand of meat; her lips, glistening with grease, looked even more alluring. A faint smile seemed to linger in her eyes: "Cousin Li Luo, you speak so sweetly."

"When we parted before, Cousin Li Li Fengyi privately asked me to look after you—you have many enemies, not just the Zhao Li Tianwang faction, but also the 'Water Immortal' of the Qin Li Tianwang faction, famed throughout Outer Shenzhou for her beauty—so rest assured, even without these sweet words, I'd still diligently protect you."

Then she gave a strange smile: "Of course, the 'Water Immortal' is a stunning beauty—if you don't want me to interfere, you can handle her yourself."

Li Luo rolled his eyes, finished the meat in a few bites, and began cultivation.

Li Li Lingjing sat by the bonfire, poking the fire with a stick, when suddenly her slender hand froze, her willow-brow slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed on the distant darkness.

Since entering the Spirit Phase Cavern Heaven, she had felt a strange sensation—as if something were watching her.

That feeling was cold and eerie, faintly familiar.

Li Li Lingjing's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, deep within her pupils swirling a terrifying, chilling emotion; her slender fingers slowly tightened, crushing the stick to dust.

"Don't push me..."

As the bonfire crackled, an unheard whisper seemed to echo.