Chapter 0881: Mission Accomplished
Li Luo walked out of the Enchanting Fire Water Pond with a look of satisfaction. After he put the crimson bracelet back on his wrist, he turned over and looked at Li Lingjing with a warmer gaze now.
She had not created any trouble during his breakthrough. Instead, she had provided advice to help him with it. With this, Li Luo was beginning to trust her a little more.
It seemed like the Li Lingjing in front of him was not the Soul Eater True Devil. Otherwise, it would definitely have made use of his breakthrough earlier to sneak up on him. After all, that was the best opportunity for a surprise attack.
"It was all thanks to you, Cousin Li Lingjing." Li Luo smiled and thanked her with both hands cupped together.
Next, he turned back to take a look at the Enchanting Fire Water Pond. After his cultivation earlier, the water in the pond had become much clearer. Most of the energy that had been stored in it over the years had been absorbed by him to break through into the Tri-Radiance Gla.s.s Fiend Tier.
"Can I bring some of this pond water out with me?" Li Luo asked after giving it some thought.
This Enchanting Fire Water Pond was a truly magical opportunity. Although most of the perks had been enjoyed by him, it would still be great if he could bring the remaining pond water back for Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, and the rest. Besides, he had not fully absorbed the Sacred Infant Fruit that he squeezed into the pond earlier. It would be such a waste to leave it here like this. When he thought about this, he took out a huge jar from his pocket sphere and attempted to collect the pond water.
However, he was soon faced with disappointment. As soon as he took the water out of the Enchanting Fire Water Pond, it turned into steam and evaporated into thin air.
On the side, Li Lingjing saw what he was trying to do and told him immediately, "The water-fire energy is a heavenly treasure. You'll not be able to collect the water like this. If you're planning to bring some back for your companions, you should look for the tree trunk from the Sacred Infant Fruit Tree. You'll be able to contain the water with that."
Li Luo's eyes lit up immediately when he heard this. He turned around and walked out of the crack in the mountain. Arriving back at the mouth of the volcano, he chopped off a part of the trunk from the Sacred Infant Fruit Tree before returning.
He hollowed out part of the tree trunk and started to collect the mysterious pond water with it. As he had squeezed a Sacred Infant Fruit into the pond earlier, there were now traces of gold light swimming in the water. This was the essence of energy from the Sacred Infant Fruit. It was a really valuable treasure, and Li Luo would naturally collect as much of it as he could. After he had fully filled the tree trunk with water, the energy left in the Enchanting Fire Water Pond was really dismal. It seemed like it'd take many generations of protection by the Fire Spirit Monkeys before it could regain the level of energy it used to possess.
"You sure collected all that you can. Those Fire Spirit Monkeys are going to be left crying when they see this," Li Lingjing commented when she saw the thin energy left in the Enchanting Fire Water Pond.
After enjoying all the benefits, Li Luo was also going to take the remaining energy along with him. He was truly exploiting the pond fully. Without changing his expression, he replied to her, "You should know that I came from an outer divine continent. Back there, such a valuable resource would’ve been enough to cause an all-out war between the various forces. Now that I have the opportunity, there is no chance I will let it go to waste."
Li Lingjing was speechless at his reply. "With your foundation, you sure don't seem like someone who has spent a childhood in the outer divine continent."
Li Luo simply laughed and answered back, "Although the resources in the outer divine continent pale in comparison to the inner divine continent, there are still many talents that aren't inferior to me."
"Aren't inferior to you? You must be exaggerating," Li Lingjing said with a smile. She clearly did not believe his words. After all, Li Luo's foundation was considered one of the best even amongst the younger generation in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. How could anyone in a resource-deprived outer divine continent be better than him?
Nonetheless, Li Luo simply smiled and did not explain any further. The person he was referring to was none other than the dazzling, white swan back home.
Speaking of which, it had been nearly half a year since they separated back in Xia Kingdom. He wondered how she was doing in the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College. Surely the college was full of talented individuals too. However, he believed that Jiang Qing'e would be able to shine regardless of where she was.
At this moment, a hint of longing surfaced in his eyes. He took a deep breath and suppressed it.
In less than half a year's time, he had managed to move from the Fiend Palace Tier to the Gla.s.s Fiend Tier. The Fiend Finisher Tier was also within sight now. Such an amazing pace would’ve been unthinkable if he had stayed in the Astral Sage College. Ultimately, the Astral Sage College was lacking in both resources and opportunities compared to the Dragon's Fang Lineage.
Furthermore, Li Luo had not wasted any time in his cultivation during this period. With his remaining three years of lifespan, he had not taken a break at all as he wanted to fight for his survival once Jiang Qing'e obtained the Nine Marks Sacred Heart Lotus.
Li Lingjing had managed to endure so much just for her own survival. After seeing this, how could he possibly relax right here?
Li Luo got his emotions under control and said to Li Lingjing, "Let's go."
Li Lingjing nodded in agreement. However, she hesitated a little and asked, "Do I need to appear like this in front of them?"
She was referring to Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, Deng Fengxian, and the rest. Clearly, she was still resistant towards this as her current look was truly kind of weird.
Hearing her words, Li Luo recalled how troublesome it would be if anyone saw her like this. He gave it some thought before he replied, "If you can hide it, let's hide it."
At present, Li Lingjing seemed to have fused with the Soul Eater True Devil. Even Li Luo was not sure of how she was currently. However, it was surely not a good thing to get tangled up with a True Devil Other, so he thought it was best to keep it a secret as much as they could.
"However, your situation is really special. Once we leave the Dark Domain, I'll inform City Lord Li Feng about it and have him look over you. At the same time, I'll let the Respected Elder know about it and see how he intends to deal with it. Are you okay with that?" Li Luo asked.
He stared intently at Li Lingjing as he asked the question, prepared to communicate with the Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf should she show any signs of resistance. If that happened, he would have to try and deal with it with brute force.
Fortunately, Li Lingjing did not show any signs of revolt. She simply pondered over it for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"It would be fortunate if the Lineage Chief could help me separate from the Soul Eater True Devil." As soon as she finished her sentence, the corruption around her started condensing. In the next moment, she turned into a black pearl with a slender, white face flowing inside. It was a clearly eerie and strange object.
Li Luo did not dare to touch it directly. He took out a jade box and let the black pearl go into the box by itself. Following this, he summoned up his resonant power and formed layers of protection around the box before he put it away carefully.
He did not say anymore words as he dashed out of the volcano and straight back to the mountain range.
……
In the outer region of the mountain range.
Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, Deng Fengxian, and the members of the four banners were all waiting.
Li Jingtao and Deng Fengxian were still calm, but the restless Li Fengyi had been pacing up and down repeatedly. Her face was full of impatience and worry. After all, it had been a few days since Li Luo had departed, and there was no news of him. Things were starting to seem a little off.
Li Fengyi gritted her teeth and said to Li Jingtao after coming to a halt, "Let's wait another day. If Little Brother is still not back, Li Jingtao, you can head out of the Dark Domain and get the Western City Dukes that are standing guard outside to come in here and search!"
Hearing this, Li Jingtao wanted to tell her to calm down. However, he noticed the impatience in her eyes and decided to nod and reply, "Alright."
At the same time, Li Fengyi looked over to Deng Fengxian and said coldly, "You can prepare to lead the Gold Light Banner and search the mountains with me! If we can't find Little Brother, none of us are leaving!" Deng Fengxian nodded helplessly. However, his expression suddenly changed at this moment. He looked into the distance far out in the forest.
Sonic booms could be heard as the wind was split.
Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao sensed this as well, so they turned their heads in a hurry. A familiar figure emerged in the distance. In the next moment, the figure went straight into the forest.
The members of the four banners all turned around to take a look. Over at the Green Nether Banner, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on the faces of Zhao Yanzhi, Li Shi, and the members.
"Our leader is back!" the crowd exclaimed as they heaved sighs of relief in their hearts.
Under their surprised gazes, Li Luo apologized to Li Fengyi and the other two as soon as he landed. "Sorry for making you guys worried."
"Where did you go, Little Brother? Are you alright? What about the Soul Eater True Devil?" Li Fengyi bombarded him with questions. At the same time, her tense body finally relaxed after seeing Li Luo safe and sound.
Li Luo smiled and replied, "The Soul Eater True Devil was chased away using a secret method the Respected Elder pa.s.sed to me. After which, I went deeper into the mountain range and found a precious opportunity, so it took up quite a bit of my time there."
After explaining, he took out the three hollowed tree trunks from his pocket sphere and pa.s.sed them to Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, and Deng Fengxian. "I've not forgotten about you guys. Everyone will get a share," he said.
It was largely due to Li Luo's personal reasons that they ended up heading into the Dark Domain in search of the Sacred Infant Fruit. The three of them had gone through a lot of danger due to him, so he could not let them return empty-handed. He had tried his best to make it up to each of them with this.
The three of them looked a bit stunned when they received the tree trunks and opened them up. They were a little moved when they saw the fire-water energy flowing in them, filled with traces of mysterious, golden light.
"What a pure and enchanting energy." The three of them echoed in surprise. "I guess you still have a little conscience." Li Fengyi put it away with a soft smile on her pretty face.
At the same time, Li Jingtao also chuckled a little as he put it away.
Only Deng Fengxian was a little hesitant about it. He had not been on very good terms with Li Luo, and there had been friction between the two previously. They were simply from the same lineage, and he did not know whether to accept Li Luo's gift or not.
"You're not giving my Little Brother face?" Li Fengyi frowned upon seeing his hesitation. Coming after him with her punches, she continued, "Aren't you scared that the three of us will beat you up here and now if you refuse to accept this?"
Hearing this, Deng Fengxian did not hesitate any longer and took a tree trunk too. Li Luo smiled when he saw this. Without any hesitation, he told them seriously, "Mission accomplished. Let us hurry out of here."
The other three naturally agreed. This visit to the Dark Domain had been fraught with dangers that far exceeded their imagination. Whether they had succeeded in their mission or not, they felt it best to leave here as soon as possible.
As such, the four of them led their banners and headed out of the Dark Domain rapidly.