Chapter 0744: Choosing a Banner
Li Luo's shock seemed like a normal reaction to Li Fengyi and Li Jingtao. Additionally, the Five Guardian Armies were renowned throughout the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent as the most stalwart and absolute defenders of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.
The guardians might not be that impressive when scattered, but once they gathered to form the terrifying Heavenly Dragon Formation, even an ordinary King Stage cultivator would have to avoid its might.
Additionally, this was just one of the trump cards the clan possessed to deal with invaders.
"The Dragon's Fang Guardians might be an aim a little far for you. However, the Twenty Banners should be appropriate. Once you enter a Banner, you will be provided additional resources on top of what is allocated to you based on your current status." Li Jingtao smiled.
At this point, he lowered his voice. "Everyone wants cultivation resources, and one must demonstrate their personal might to obtain them. Third Uncle was like that as well. He entered the Green Nether Banner and carved a path of his own to stand out amongst the rabble, eventually becoming the head of the Four Banners of the Dragon's Fang Lineage."
Li Luo nodded. The Twenty Banners was one of the foundational pillars of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, and only the continuous emergence of fresh blood could guarantee its survival.
He was also excited over the extra resources he could obtain after entering a banner.
"As of today, I am the Violet Spirit Banner's Banner Leader, and Fengyi is the Crimson Cloud Banner's Banner Leader. You might be a little weaker now, Little Brother, but your talent isn't bad. I'm sure you'll have an opportunity to rise in the future," Li Jingtao continued.
"Is the Banner Leader the head of a Banner?" Li Luo asked.
"Mhm. Every Banner is led by a Banner Leader. Below them are also countless other subleaders that assist with commanding," Li Fengyi explained.
"Wow, I've been too disrespectful to the two of you. It turns out I'm in the company of two great generals who command eight thousand men each!" Li Luo sighed.
This sigh was genuine. From a certain point of view, each of them commanded a Banner that held eight thousand individuals. Furthermore, they were the most talented youths from the Dragon's Fang Domain. If such a force were placed in the Xia Kingdom, they would crush all opposition without exception.
This sort of strength was something House Luolan simply could not produce.
When Jingtao heard his words, he sighed once again and weakly commented. "My biggest regret is taking on the position of the Violet Spirit's Banner Leader."
Li Luo was a little confused, while Li Fengyi coldly snorted. "Ignore this fool. He's just lazy and wants to slack around all day. He has no desire to advance. Because he’s the eldest grandson, he actually allowed the Gold Light Banner to vault over all of us and become the strongest hall in the Dragon's Fang Lineage. Now the members of the other lineages have been making fun of us for letting the reins get snatched away by outsiders. In the future, the Dragon's Fang Lineage might deteriorate to the point where we have to follow them."
Li Jingtao looked a little awkward at this point. "Fengyi, the Gold Light Banner also represents the Dragon's Fang Lineage. The stronger they are, the more potential the Dragon's Fang Lineage possesses."
"You can quibble over the details, but do you know just how many clan members from our generation have been cursing at you behind your back?" Li Fengyi coldly smiled.
Jingtao bitterly smiled as he lamented, "I've never let them see the good side of me either. If not for my father threatening to beat me, I would never have chosen to compete for the position of Banner Leader."
He then scratched his face as he looked at Li Luo. "Little Brother, why don't you join the Violet Spirit Banner? Once you become stronger, I'll cede the position to you! The pressure at the top is just too much for me to handle."
Li Luo was completely dumbfounded by this Eldest Brother of his. It was no wonder he gave off such a leisurely and lackadaisical aura. He simply did not have much fighting spirit.
"You shouldn't be called ‘Li Jingtao.’ Your name should be ‘Li Gui,’" Li Fengyi chastised.[1]
Li Jingtao did not become mad when faced with Li Fengyi's mockery. Instead, he revealed an amiable smile to reassure her.
Li Luo shook his head. His Eldest Brother was not that old, yet he was so mild-tempered. In terms of personality, he really was like an old tortoise. Still, he had a great temper and much patience, which gave Li Luo a good impression of him.
His Second Sister, Li Fengyi, was ferocious and intense, her tongue as sharp as her sword. However, she did not have bad intentions and was just frustrated when things were not as she had expected.
"So the Gold Light Banner is the strongest at the moment, huh?" Li Luo asked. The Gold Light Banner belonged to the Gold Light Hall, and Zhao Xuanming, who had previously raised objections, was their Hall Master.
Li Fengyi nodded. "Ten years ago, the strongest banner was the Green Nether Banner. You probably understand why. Third Uncle was the Hall Master, and he was the most outstanding individual of his generation—he even received the Ancestor's recognition. Naturally, all sorts of geniuses and talents, not just from the Dragon's Fang Domain, but those from the other four domains, similarly wanted to join the Green Nether Hall. Green Nether's admissions was the most rambunctious event amongst all of the lineages' halls whenever it happened." From her words, it was clear that she idolized Li Taixuan.
But immediately after, her expression turned gloomy. "However, ever since Third Uncle left, the situation has been getting worse each year. There has been no Hall Master and the internal situation turned chaotic, losing much of its previous prestige and power. As a result, the Green Nether Banner gradually weakened. Let's not even talk about how it used to be the best amongst the Twenty Banners, it's now ranked last in the whole Dragon's Fang Lineage!"
Li Luo nodded. This was no surprise to him. Li Taixuan was the core of the Green Nether Hall, and with him being gone for countless years, the Green Nether Hall had obviously deteriorated to its current state.
As the three youths continued to stealthily whisper amongst themselves, a debate had broken out between the elders.
Li Jinpan and Li Qingpeng both wanted Li Luo. At the same time, even Zhao Xuanming had thrown his hat into the ring, wishing to contest for Li Luo to join his hall. Of course, no one really knew what he was truly thinking, but this very action was testament to Li Luo's potential.
In the end, the Lineage Chief waved his hand, indicating he had come to a decision.
"Stop fighting over him. Li Luo is of Taixuan's blood. He’s been away from the Green Nether Hall for years, yet you still want to dig up what little is left?"
Li Jingzhe smiled. "Then we should let Little Luo join the Green Nether Hall, entering the Green Nether Banner. I'll arrange a position for him within."
He then turned towards Li Luo and smiled. "What do you think, Little Luo?"
Li Jingtao and Li Fengyi felt a little disappointed upon hearing these words, and Fengyi piped up. "Respected Grandfather, the Green Nether Banner has become the most chaotic group amongst all of the Twenty Banners. The competition for the Banner Leader has also raged fiercely for so many years that it has been left empty. It is a thorny location where everyone shuns, and yet you actually want Little Brother, who has barely entered the Fiend Palace Tier, to take over? How can he keep anyone under control? Additionally, by giving him a position of importance within the Banner, are you not pushing him into the fire? Based on the rules, even the sub leaders are required to possess Fiend Body Tier strength."
This outburst was not because she did not believe in Li Luo's strength, but because she was all too clear of the Green Nether Hall's internal situation. If Li Luo was not strong enough, it would only incite endless trouble! Li Luo might be special, but endless tides of blood had been shed in the Green Nether Banner in recent years.
"Fengyi, how can you speak to your grandfather like that?" Li Jinpan lectured.
A smile rose on Li Jingzhe's face. "Fengyi speaks the truth, but I believe that what's most important is Little Luo's opinion."
Everyone then turned towards Li Luo, who gave a slight grin. "The Green Nether Hall is where my father led in the past. He was previously the one who brought the Green Nether Banner to prominence, and now that he's temporarily not around, I'll have to give him a hand as his son. That is what I hope to achieve."
In short, he was willing to join the Green Nether Banner as he could also feel that his grandfather similarly wished for that.
Li Jingzhe smiled broadly. "Commendable courage."
The group knew that the decision had been made and that it could not be changed. There would now be a new sub leader with a special identity in the Green Nether Banner.
The Gold Light Hall's Zhao Xuanming similarly smiled and nodded before turning to look at a specific individual. At this point, a thin man dressed in white with a sharp face sensed that this was the right moment, so he stood up.
"Lineage Chief, there is one more matter which I hope you can make a decision on today."
The gazes of the audience turned towards the white-robed man.
Li Fengyi then whispered into Li Luo's ear, "This is the Green Nether Hall's Vice Hall Master, Zhong Yushi. I feel that he is going to raise the subject of ascending to the Hall Master's position yet again. It is well known that he has always coveted Third Uncle's position as the Hall Master."
At this point, the old man indifferently replied, "Oh, it's you, Zhong Yushi. What is it about?"
Zhong Yushi immediately bowed and respectfully greeted the Lineage Chief before proceeding to speak.
"The Green Nether Hall’s Hall Master position has been vacant for many years now. As a result, the internal situation is fragmented and chaotic. This has lasted for almost ten years, and it has significantly affected the Green Nether Hall. For the sake of ensuring that the Dragon's Fang Lineage continues to improve, I beseech you, Lineage Chief, to... decide upon a new Hall Master!"
1. Jingtao basically means the whale that creates tsunamis. Very epic sounding. Gui means tortoise. Heh. ☜