Chapter 0892: Li Lingjing's Potential
The crimson flames flared up ferociously. Even though they were standing outside the fire veil, Li Luo and the rest could sense the tremendous power within those flames. As they engulfed Li Lingjing, the three of them could see her beautiful, snow-white skin melt off her body.
She shook intensely, as if she was trying her best to endure the excruciating pain. As the crimson flames burned, the sharp sword energy within them sliced off her flesh inch by inch. It was a torture that no ordinary individual could withstand.
The faces of the three spectators changed when they witnessed this scene.
Controlling the fire veil with his hand, Li Jingzhe lightly commented, "Although I have suppressed the power of the Dragon Fire Sword Energy to its lowest, it's still extremely terrifying for her. However, this little girl has a very strong heart. She's able to grit her teeth and persevere. It's no wonder she was able to retain her spirit despite the numerous years of invasion from the Soul Eater True Devil. She is indeed talented. If she can survive this ordeal, she may end up becoming the strongest person in the Western Region’s Li Family."
The Respected Elder rarely praised anyone like this.
Hearing this, Li Feng could not help but let out a happy smile. At the same time, he was also worried about whether Li Lingjing could endure the pain.
The Nine Dragon Fire Sword Veil was so fearsome that even he could sense its might. Furthermore, Li Lingjing had just recovered. He did not know how long she would be able to withstand this blaze.
Li Rouyun watched with a broken heart as the slender girl suffered in the flames. Her eyes had turned slightly red as she prayed that her niece could make it through this safely.
"This will probably take two hours or so. You may all wait outside," Li Jingzhe said to the three of them.
Hearing this, Li Rouyun and Li Feng bowed politely and left the pavilion.
After their departure, Li Jingzhe showed an inexplicable smile to Li Luo and said, "My guess is that you are trying to protect her. From the reports earlier, I can see that she has made use of you. This girl has a really devious mind, willing to hold out until the very end just to maximize her chances. Her achievements in the future will likely be spectacular."
Li Luo pondered for a bit after hearing this before replying, "I've let it slide since fate brought us together. And after everything happened, I realized it'd be a pity to lose someone as talented as her. After all, she is part of the Dragon's Fang Lineage and will surely become a pillar of strength for us if groomed well. It would be such a waste if she died."
Li Jingzhe nodded in agreement and then replied, "Indeed, she has a lot of potential in her. She used to possess a quasi ninth-grade resonance. However, I saw that she's already reached the ninth-grade when I investigated her body earlier. I believe the incident was a blessing in disguise. She must have absorbed the Soul Eater True Devil and made its power her own. This must have led her to a breakthrough into the next grade.
"Lower ninth-grade Abyssal Serpent resonance."
Hearing this, Li Luo stared back in surprise. "Spending all these years in exchange for a lower ninth-grade? That's not too bad."
True ninth-grade resonances were rare. Even he had only come across one so far since he had arrived in the inner divine continent. It belonged to Qin Yi.
"With her aptitude, it will not be hard for her to make up for all the time she’s lost. There aren't many in the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies that can really rival her," Li Jingzhe commented.
In the next moment, a smile suddenly appeared on Li Jingzhe's face, and he said, "This little girl is pretty nice and she's indebted to you. It'll be a good ending if you can make her fall in love with you. With her potential, she is quite worthy of your status. In this way, I will also have more legitimate reasons to help her out."
Li Luo's face froze for a moment as he replied, "Grandpa, you are thinking too much. I don't have such thoughts at all! I already have a fiancee, and she's much better than Li Lingjing, whether it's in appearance, temperament, or potential!"
With some doubt in those words, Li Jingzhe asked back, "There's such a person from a place like the outer divine continent?"
Li Luo responded helplessly, "Those things don't matter, actually. The key here is our feelings!"
Li Jingzhe pondered for a moment before he said, "You are the grandson of the leader of the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Your status is much higher than that of princes from random dynasties or nations. Since they have thousands of wives in their harems, it is perfectly normal for you to accept a few too.”
Hearing this, Li Luo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He did not want to discuss this any further, so he took out the five dragon fangs and changed the topic. "Grandpa, I have another small request to trouble you with. I managed to obtain these dragon fangs on my trip, and I would like to ask you for help in order to extract a Dragon Fang Essence."
Li Jingzhe took a glance at the five mottled dragon fangs and said, "Where did you pick up this trash?"
Li Luo froze for a moment when he heard this. He had fought so hard to get these dragon fangs from Zhao Jingyu, and yet it was no different from rubbish in the eyes of Li Jingzhe.
However, that was to be expected. Someone of Li Jingzhe's status had come across countless treasures that were much more valuable in his lifetime. These dragon fangs were costly for Li Luo but likely nothing in the eyes of his grandfather.
"It's not like Dragon Fang Essence can be extracted from every dragon fang. Your odds aren’t great with the ones in your hands," Li Jingzhe told him bluntly.
"Well, I actually have a secret art..." Li Luo sheepishly said before he took out the scroll that Li Lingjing had passed him earlier.
Li Jingzhe took it and glanced over it momentarily before he commented, "This extraction method is indeed quite special, but it is also nonsensical."
Li Luo was deeply shocked to hear this. He had made a deal with Li Lingjing just for this. Refusing to leave at this, he asked, "What? Why?"
"Just the fact that it requires a King to help out reduces its value. A drop of Dragon Fang Essence is only thirty million skygold. What do you think is the price of getting a King to act?" Li Jingzhe responded.
Li Luo was dumbfounded. He had a reliable backer in the form of Li Jingzhe... a King, so he had not given this much thought. However, to get a normal King to help out... With their standing in society, it would definitely cost much more than just thirty million skygold. Besides, which King Stage cultivator would lower themselves and help someone out for just thirty million?
With that sum of money, it would be simpler to buy the Dragon Fang Essence directly instead.
When he thought about it, Li Luo immediately stared at the beautiful figure in the fire veil with resentful eyes. Although the secret art given by the other party was almost tailor-made for him, it was definitely a bad trade no matter how he thought about it.
In that case, he could only pray that when Li Jingzhe used the secret art, there would be more than one drop of Dragon Fang Essence extracted.
Li Jingzhe, however, was still willing to help him out despite laughing at him. After all, this secret art was obtained by Li Luo, and it would not violate his own principles. He would naturally be willing to help his grandson out with something like this.
"I'll help you extract it as soon as possible. After all, it's time you prepare for the Dragon's Head competition. I have heard that the Banner Leaders from the other four lineages are all training really hard for it. Talents like Li Qingfeng and Lu Qingmei may be trying to break into the Heavenly Pearl Tier," Li Jingzhe told him.
Li Luo was surprised when he heard this. Li Qingfeng and the rest were already preparing to step into the Heavenly Pearl Tier? It seemed like the other competitors had not slowed down at all while he was improving.
"Seems like I can't relax any longer." Li Luo sighed dejectedly. Originally, there was already a gap in strength between talents like Li Qingfeng and him. Now he had finally caught up a little, yet they still had an edge over him. It seemed like the upcoming competition would be really challenging.
"Now that you have gotten the Tri-Radiance Glass Fiend Body, you're already standing at the peak of the Fiend Body Tier. You can begin to think about condensing Fiend Dipper energy. Actually, I have a good idea to help you with it," Li Jingzhe said as a hint of a smile appeared on his usually stern face.
"What do you mean?" Li Luo asked curiously.
At this moment, Li Jingzhe's eyes turned back to the fire veil in his hand.
When he saw this, Li Luo went into a moment of silence before he laughed and asked, "There's no need for this, right? I'm merely at the Fiend Body Tier, not even close to Cousin Lingjing's level. I wouldn't be able to withstand that!"
Li Jingzhe replied, "You're right. If you were just an ordinary person, you'd not be able to endure this at your level. But you'll be able to do it since you have the Tri-Radiance Glass Body."
"Grandpa, let's do it next time," Li Luo said as he began to back away uneasily.
Li Jingzhe simply smiled as he watched Li Luo turn around to make his escape. In the next moment, the fire veil in his arm flashed and appeared right above Li Luo. All Li Luo could do was let out a cry before he was pulled in.
Taking a look into the fire veil, Li Jingzhe muttered to himself, "This is a benefit that others would die for, you brat! Yet you try to run away... Besides, suffering alongside that little girl isn't a bad thing. It will bring the two of you closer together, so why not?"