Chapter 0741: Zhao Xuanming
Gold Light Hall Master Zhao Xuanming's voice echoed throughout the ancestral hall, causing the atmosphere within to change.
"Hall Master Zhao, Respected Father is the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Who are you to question his decisions?" This was instantly met with a rebuke from Li Luo's Second Uncle, who had a cold smile and a rude tone. It seemed as though he possessed a bad relationship with Zhao Xuanming.
Zhao Xuanming had not been promoted to the position of Hall Master by the old man, but was a recommendation from the Mountain Ruling Lineage. Simply put, it was a nail inserted by them.
Although he could not do much with the old man in charge, Zhao Xuanming still acted respectfully and did not dare to go overboard. But in the end, it still elicited feelings of discomfort amongst the group.
Additionally, Zhao Xuanming was also quite capable. Ever since he joined the Dragon's Fang Lineage, he continuously nurtured and promoted individuals from the outside, and a large majority of the individuals in the current Gold Light Hall were outsiders. Those that were from the Li clan were a minority.
However, it had to be said that the Gold Light Hall had developed immensely in the past few years. Originally, the Green Nether Hall was the strongest, but it had suffered immensely with Li Taixuan's departure. The Gold Light Hall took the opportunity to arise, becoming the leader amongst the four halls. Li Qingpeng was not combative by nature and did not wish to clash with Zhao Xuanming headfirst. Li Jinpan, on the other hand, was fiery and aggressive. Thus, he had constantly struggled against Zhao Xuanming but was often bested. Li Taixuan was the most impressive of Li Jingzhe's three sons, and the first and second sons were far behind in comparison.
Of course, no matter how capable Zhao Xuanming was, none of it mattered if he did not step into the King Stage. Ultimately, the old man was the sovereign of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, and everything was ruled by his iron fist, easily suppressing any discontent.
However, most importantly, the old man was stern and upright. He would not act with bias just because Li Jinpan was his son. On the contrary, he allowed Zhao Xuanming to continue to compete against him, and it allowed the limelight to shine upon Zhao Xuanming and his Gold Light Hall for all these years, causing their momentum to strengthen.
Zhao Xuanming was unfazed when faced with Li Jinpan's retort. He only slowly and respectfully said to the old man, "If the Lineage Chief wishes to do so, then I will gladly obey. However, the Lineage Chief has always put the rules first, and this is something that is a little out of the norm. Li Luo is the Third Master's son and his return to the clan is worth celebrating. Being entered into the clan records is also expected. However, directly entering the upper records would break the rules of meritocracy which the Dragon's Fang Lineage has always been known for. There are numerous clan members who have gone through numerous trials and demonstrated their strength and results to take this step. If Li Luo has not had these experiences and directly ascended, I'm afraid the youths of the Dragon's Fang Lineage might be discouraged and feel that things are unfair once they hear about it. Thus, it would not be beneficial to Li Luo in the future either." Zhao Xuanming's words were rigorous and watertight; no one could pick any fault with them.
Even Li Jinpan could only stare furiously as he could do nothing to refute it.
The elders of the Dragon's Fang Lineage were silent. Some even sided with Zhao Xuanming as his words were quite reasonable.
Li Jingzhe looked ambivalent as he turned towards Li Luo. "Little Luo, what do you think?"
"I'll respect Respected Grandfather's will," Li Luo replied calmly.
Li Jingzhe then smiled. "What Zhao Xuanming says is indeed sensible. The people of the Dragon's Fang Lineage have always followed the rules, and if they were broken because of Li Luo, it would only invite resentment and unhappiness."
"Father!" Li Jinpan frowned. His old man did not have to respect Zhao Xuanming's words. His will was the way, and no one could change that. If he had decided it to be the case, Zhao Xuanming would not dare to cause any trouble, even though he had the Dragon's Blood Lineage's support. Did anyone really think that they would not give his old man any face?
Li Jingzhe waved his hand. "However, there is one more way to enter the upper records."
Everyone was slightly taken aback by these words.
Some of the elders murmured, "Is the Lineage Chief referring to..."
Li Jingzhe nodded. "The Dragon Bell."
This caused surprise amongst the group as no one had thought about it.
The Dragon Bell was something the Ancestor had personally refined. Each of the lineages possessed one, and he had once decreed that all members of the bloodline, regardless whether they were a direct descendant or not, were eligible to ring the bell if they possessed confidence in their own talents. If they were successful, they would enter the upper records directly.
However, those who were capable of this feat were a small group. One had to possess exceedingly extraordinary talent to succeed, and only a handful were capable throughout the years.
"Li Luo, do you possess a dragon resonance? What grade is it?" Li Qingpeng hurriedly asked. This was the most basic requirement.
Li Luo honestly replied. "My dragon resonance is at the sixth-grade."
The atmosphere in the hall turned cold at that moment.
The smile on Li Qingpeng's face froze, whereas Li Jinpan looked confused. Li Luo was Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan's son. With both of them having been blessed with exceptional talent, their child should not have fallen too far from the tree. By their estimates, shouldn't Li Luo possess a dragon resonance of at least the eighth-grade?
How did it turn out to be a sixth-grade?
Even Li Jingtao and Li Fengyi were a little taken aback as they glanced at each other, unsure of what to say.
A sixth-grade dragon resonance was just average in the clan.
Although one's resonance grade did not represent all of one's ability, those that had reached the Duke Stage with a sixth-grade only managed to do so with great difficulty.
Even Zhao Xuanming felt like this response was out of his expectations, and a look of regret appeared on his face. However, Li Jingzhe remained calm, and it did not seem like Li Luo's answer had any effect on him. Instead, he continued, "Do you have the confidence and courage to ring the Dragon Bell?"
Li Luo took a good, hard look at Li Jingzhe, whose abstruse eyes were full of wisdom. Clearly, his grandfather had already noticed his triple resonances, and his words demonstrated his hope that Li Luo would take on the challenge. Li Luo pondered over the situation before finally understanding his grandfather's hidden meaning in the question he had posed. He wanted him to reveal his talent, and it would quell all doubts. After all, he was Li Taixuan's son, and many individuals would naturally look down upon him for coming from the outer divine continent, having been raised in a barren land devoid of resources. There was this stigma he had to wash away and overcome; otherwise, it would only invite further ridicule and doubt.
Thus, Li Luo could ring the Dragon Bell and receive the resources he so required. And no one would doubt him any longer after that.
Coincidentally, this was just what Li Luo wanted.
He had never planned to hide in the shadows and bide his time. He was confident in his triple resonances, and now that he was in the inner divine continent, where the truly talented were as plentiful as the clouds, he would demonstrate that he was no weaker than any of them. There was no need to hide. Instead, he would reveal his brilliance and bask in the light, taking all of the resources he required to push to the Duke Stage.
Thus, he flashed a self-assured smile, nodding in response.
"Respected Grandfather, I am willing to try."
Li Luo's answer caused his Eldest Uncle to feel a pang of anxiety. He sighed and glanced at Li Jinpan. If Li Luo had confidence in himself, that was great. However, he was most afraid of the foolhardiness of youth, unwilling to admit defeat even when the odds were against them. If it came to be that Li Luo was unable to ring the Dragon Bell, would he not become the butt of everyone's jokes?
Although numerous individuals were unable to ring the bell, Li Luo was still Li Taixuan's son.
Li Taixuan was simply an incandescent sun with incomparable influence within the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Even after all these years, people were still unwilling to say that he had already left. In their eyes, he was still an expert amongst the peak of those in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent, his graceful bearing suppressing all the other professed geniuses of his generation.
"Father, perhaps you might want to reconsider," Li Qingpeng cautioned.
He was ignored. Li Jingzhe directly stood up and walked to the back of the ancestral hall. With that, the group followed behind.
Li Luo similarly followed. Before long, he noticed that Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao had caught up and were right beside him.
"Little Brother! You're too impulsive! You dare to ring the Dragon Bell with just a sixth-grade resonance?" Li Jingtao bitterly smiled.
"Hmph! You're no longer young and yet you're still so easily provoked into action? What's the point of showing off? If you fail here, you'll invite endless humiliation!" Li Fengyi lectured with a frosty expression.
When faced with the two's good-natured advice, Li Luo smiled but did not say much, only quietly listening.
The group passed through the ancestral hall to a location overlooking a steep cliff. The area was shrouded in clouds and there was a massive, bluestone boulder in front of them with a single large, mottled bell sitting atop it. Ancient patterns of dragons were engraved upon the bell, giving off a mysterious and heavy atmosphere.
"Go ahead, Little Luo,” Li Jingzhe said as he looked at the giant bell.
Li Luo nodded as he flashed a smile at Li Jingtao and Li Fengyi. With that, he calmly ascended the gigantic, bluestone boulder under everyone's attentive gazes before casually picking up a stone hammer by the side.