Chapter 0756: Seventy Two Layers of the Fiendish Devil Cave
Zhao Yanzhi scoffed at Li Luo's absolute confidence. This was the stubbornness of youth. Perhaps he might not even have a fiancee in the outer divine continent and was simply blowing hot air. Even then, how could a girl from a peasant land be that exceptional?
She was exceptionally confident in her own looks. The fact that countless individuals with illustrious backgrounds had fancied her was testament to that. Li Luo daring to brag by saying that she was a firefly and his fiancee was the moon was simply too exaggerated.
Li Luo felt a little helpless at Zhao Yanzhi's indignant attitude. This was a strange lady indeed. If you lusted for her, she'd be disgusted at you. But if you ignored her, she would feel miffed and dissatisfied. This was just illogical.
Thus, he shook his head, no longer deigning to bother with her.
However, Zhao Yanzhi did not continue to speak either, demonstrating that perhaps she truly considered relying on Li Luo. It was important to give him some face, and she understood that.
"Sub Leader, the Green Nether Banner periodically has to take on tasks designated by the hall. Completing them provides rewards and is one of the other ways to obtain more resources. At the same time, I also have to let you know of an exceedingly important location. It is the core of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages' Twenty Banners," Zhao Yanzhi said.
This piqued his curiosity. "What place is that?"
Zhao Yanzhi grinned. "The Seventy-Two Layers of the Fiendish Devil Cave."
"What in the world is that?" Li Luo followed up immediately.
"Simply speaking, it is the key location where the Twenty Banners train and cultivate. It was created by the Ancestor with a Fiendish Devil Godly Bead, which is able to refine the earth fiend energy from the world, transforming it into a special existence made of energy known as a Fiendish Devil. It does not possess intelligence, but it contains tremendous amounts of condensed energy. If one is able to kill it, all of the earth fiend energy within it will be released. This energy has already been refined and can be easily absorbed. It can then transform into abstruse fiend light with just a few moments of refinement,."
Li Luo's body trembled when he heard her explanation, and he asked in disbelief, "Isn't that just a walking Fiend Origin Pill?"
It was no different from one in effect!
"Well, somewhat. Thus, the Seventy-Two Layers of the Fiendish Devil Cave is the favorite location of the Twenty Banners. Every banner wishes to enter the deepest layer as subsequent layers contain Fiendish Devils with greater amounts of earth fiend energy. Additionally, whenever a banner advances a layer, it is recorded upon the stone stele outside as a way of encouraging the rest. In a way, it is also a direct competition," Zhao Yanzhi continued.
"Is it difficult to advance layers?" Li Luo asked.
"Of course it's difficult. The number of Fiendish Devils in each layer is high enough to scare anyone. One has to advance with all their might, and getting to a new layer requires a significant amount of time. Thus, this exercise tests all aspects of a group's teamwork. A simple slip-up could lead to elimination or force the group to retreat with severe injuries. Most importantly, an immensely strong Fiendish Devil Leader resides at the end of each layer. More often than not, it requires significant numbers of individuals sacrificing themselves to attain victory," Zhao Yanzhi patiently explained.
"Still, if one is able to conquer a Fiendish Devil Leader, the rewards are ample. The largest contributors receive larger shares of the rewards, which might be hundreds of strands of abstruse fiend light. This could save a month of cultivation time."
"Wait, hundreds of strands of abstruse fiend light?"
The look in Li Luo's eyes changed. He had always thought that the Fiend Origin Pills available in the clan were the best reward he could obtain. Clearly, he was a frog in a well. The Seventy-Two Layers of the Fiendish Devil Cave was clearly the most important treasure the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li had in nurturing a new generation of youths.
That sort of location was a cultivation paradise for Earth Fiend Generals!
This was the foundation possessed by a Heavenly Emperor bloodline.
"Transforming a peerless treasured artifact into a cultivation paradise is truly extravagant." Li Luo sighed within his heart. The last time he had seen a peerless treasured artifact was the Dragon Bone Holy Grail. That was an object that all of the sage colleges in the East Divine Continent had scuffled over. In the end, Principal Pang had utilized its unfathomable power to seal the two Other Kings. This one, however, was just used to temper the younger generation and strengthen them further.
One could only say that they were simply just too wealthy.
Of course, Li Luo also understood that it was not that these powers did not value a peerless treasured artifact. It was just that nurturing the next generation and ensuring a steady supply of talented individuals had an even higher value than possessing just another artifact.
In retrospect, it was a wise and far-sighted decision.
"The Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages established a place called Fiendish Devil Peak, which serves as the entrance. It will open up in seven days."
Li Luo then asked the inevitable, "So just who is the first placed banner?"
Zhao Yanzhi stroked a strand of long, purple hair that hung beside her face. "Currently, the ones in first place are the Dragon's Blood Lineage's Gold Blood Banner. They have reached the forty-third floor."
"Gold Blood Banner, huh... What about the Green Nether Banner? What layer has it reached?" Zhao Yanzhi blinked her peach blossom-like eyes with her thick and long eyelashes, a sight capable of charming all. "Us? Well, we've advanced to the twenty-seventh layer and are in fourteenth place."
Li Luo couldn't help but shake his head. The gap between them and the Gold Blood Banner was actually a massive chasm!
Zhao Yanzhi seemed a little helpless as well. "There's not much choice in the matter. The Green Nether Hall has continued to decline over the years, and, by extension, so has the Green Nether Banner. When the Hall Master was still around, the Green Nether Banner was the strongest. When he was the Banner Leader, he actually conquered all seventy-two layers. That is an achievement very few have ever matched in the entire history of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages. The other nineteen banners could only stare wistfully at our glory."
When she mentioned the records the Hall Master had established, even she had a look of idolatry on her face.
No one would dare to disrespect Li Taixuan during the dazzling golden age of the Green Nether Hall.
"Is it difficult to conquer all seventy-two layers?" Li Luo asked curiously.
Zhao Yanzhi proudly answered, "In the recent hundred years, there has only been one banner that has managed to do so, and that was the Green Nether Banner when it was led by the Hall Master. So, do you think that it’s a walk in the park?"
This elicited yet another sigh from Li Luo. That old man of his was actually pretty impressive. No wonder his influence pervaded every corner of the Green Nether Hall. He had already set records since his youth.
"One of the keys to the Hall Master's success was the Nine Revolutions Draconic Breath. It is the highest grade of the Draconic Breath Fiend Arts. Once mastered, one is better able to sync and bring out the power of the banner as a whole, unleashing power of a different magnitude," Zhao Yanzhi explained as she looked at Li Luo.
Then she asked, "Sub Leader, I assume you've already started cultivating the Draconic Breath Fiend Arts?"
Li Luo nodded. "The one I cultivate is the Three Revolutions Draconic Breath."
This answer caused Zhao Yanzhi to fall silent, and she seemed to be passing judgment upon his weakness.
"Sub Leader, the Three Revolutions Draconic Breath is the most common Draconic Breath Fiend Art. The rest of the Sub Leaders utilize the Six Revolutions Draconic Breath. That also includes Li Shi, Mu Bi, and me."
Li Luo unhappily replied, "Well, I was stuck in the outer divine continent and that was the only one I was able to cultivate. Furthermore, isn't it the case that only individuals with dragon resonances can cultivate it?"
Zhao Yanzhi explained, "Indeed. The reason we are able to do so is that on the very first day that we entered the Green Nether Banner, we were exposed to the Dragon Stele, imbuing us with a strand of dragon resonant power. As a result, we can now cultivate it."
"Thus, Sub Leader, my recommendation is that you quickly hurry over to the Dragon Stele and seek enlightenment of the Draconic Breath Fiend Arts. Once you obtain the Six Revolutions Draconic Breath Fiend Arts, it will not only improve your cultivation speed, but also prevent others from mocking your inability. Otherwise, if word of you only possessing the Three Revolutions Draconic Breath comes to light, it will be humiliating for you."
Although her words were harsh, Li Luo nodded attentively. This was something he truly needed to take a step forward.
"Well, I'll head over tomorrow and do so." However, his old man had actually managed to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Draconic Breath. If the Six Revolutions version was all he could obtain, wouldn't that be a little lackluster?
In fact, if his father returned, he would undoubtedly mock him, saying something along the lines of, "Brat, you're too young and tender to even catch up to my farts."
Thinking of his arrogant expression, Li Luo was so frustrated that he couldn't stop himself from slamming one palm on the table, the sudden action giving Zhao Yanzhi a fright.
"No! I'm not going to wait till tomorrow. We'll head there now!" Li Luo announced as he stood up.
There was only one path for him. And it would be to learn the Nine Revolutions Draconic Breath!