Chapter 0798 – New Leader Takes Office
On the second day, Li Luo arrived at the Green Nether drill grounds as usual. However, the atmosphere in the air was clearly different.
Apart from the usual trio of Zhao Yanzhi, Mu Bi, and Li Shi, the Sub Leaders of the second, third, and fourth divisions had come forward to welcome him with their respective banner members as well.
"Congratulations, Banner Leader!" The loud exclamation of the crowd echoed across the drill grounds.
Li Luo was shocked by the sudden greeting. With a smile, he replied, "Thank you for the well wishes, guys. It's my pleasure to serve you all as the Banner Leader of the Green Nether Banner."
As he looked at their gazes filled with curiosity and admiration, he cleared his throat and continued, "As you all know, my father, Li Taixuan, brought the Green Nether Banner to its greatest heights in the past, and we were recognised by all as the leader among the Twenty Banners of the Heavenly Dragon's Five Lineages. Those were the glory days of the Green Nether Banner. However, due to various reasons, we have fallen behind and lost much of our radiance in the past few years. Some of the other banners even laughed at us."
Hearing this, the crowd started whispering among themselves. They were frustrated at these words but were nonetheless helplessly resigned to this truth.
"Nevertheless, I know that the Green Nether Banner is not any weaker than the other nineteen banners. Our decline in the past was due to a lack of a capable leader. Although this sounds like bragging, I have to say it, the capable leader that you all have been waiting for is finally here." Li Luo ended with a great smile.
Laughter followed after his remarks. Although it was a blunt way to boast about himself, it had made the banner members feel closer to him.
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As Li Luo glanced at the crowd before him, he continued with a wide smile, "I was indeed ambitious when I came to Green Nether Banner. My father once brought the Green Nether Banner to exceptional heights, and I would like to give it a try as well. After all, if my father can do it, surely his son can do it too. If you all still have the passion within your hearts, will you all like to join me and ascend to the top?"
There was a silence in the crowd for a short moment. Finally, someone shouted out, "As you wish, Banner Leader! Please bring us to new heights!"
All of a sudden, the crowd broke out in lively cheers and chatter. Although it was mainly out of respect for their new Banner Leader, it was evident that the fire in the eyes of numerous banner members had been lit too.
They knew that Li Luo was not simply boasting. They had seen his spectacular performance in the past two months as well as how he, a Greater Fiend Palace cultivator, had defeated Zhong Ling, who was approaching the Fiend Finisher Tier. His battle yesterday was like a miracle to them.
Perhaps they really could rise back up under his leadership.
Looking at the hyped-up crowd, Zhao Yanzhi watched him with her beautiful eyes filled with admiration. Li Luo was a truly charismatic leader compared to Zhong Ling. Zhong Ling had never managed to unite the crowd like this.
Of course, she understood that part of the reason Li Luo could pull it off was due to his illustrious background and his magnificent victory yesterday.
At this moment, Li Luo changed to a serious tone and said, "Alright, guys, now that I am the Banner Leader of the Green Nether Banner, our topmost priority is to reestablish the vanguard team of our banner. This will allow us to push forward in the Fiendish Devil Cave and catch up with the other banners. As such, I propose that we use the fifth division as the base and select the elite members from the other divisions to make up our vanguard team. I hope that you all can give me your support in this. Of course, the vanguard team will be rewarded accordingly."
As he ended his sentence, the banner members started to whisper among themselves again. Based on strength alone, the first division was still the strongest in the Green Nether Banner. However, Li Luo had chosen to use the fifth division as the base team. This must have been because of Zhong Ling.
"Don't worry, Banner Leader. The vanguard team affects the Green Nether Banner's progress as a whole, so we will definitely support you." The Sub Leaders of the second, third, and fourth divisions responded to match his efforts.
Hearing this, Li Luo placed his hands together and thanked the three of them earnestly. He had a short discussion with them afterwards before he dismissed them all.
"Congratulations, Sub Leader." Zhao Yanzhi and the gang congratulated Li Luo again after the others had left.
They were beaming with happiness that could hardly be contained. Even Mu Bi, who was usually calm, was grinning from ear to ear. Although Li Luo had been in the Dragon's Fang Lineage for two months already, they were ultimately the first ones to follow him.
Now that Li Luo has been promoted, there should be better days ahead for them in the Green Nether Banner.
"Now that I am the Banner Leader, the Sub Leader position for the fifth division will become vacant. Who do you think is the most suitable for it?" Li Luo asked the trio with a smile.
The three of them looked at each other before Zhao Yanzhi bit her lips coquettishly and replied, "Let Li Shi be the new Sub Leader. He just broke through yesterday and reached the Gold Fiend Body Tier, so we are no match for him anymore."
"Oh?" Li Luo looked at Li Shi in surprise. This genius of the Li clan was truly gifted. He had stepped into the Gold Fiend Body Tier rather quickly.
"This is all thanks to your great leadership during the Fiendish Devil Cave expedition, Sub Leader. If not for those rewards, I would have taken a considerably longer time to achieve this breakthrough," Li Shi replied with gratitude.
"Nice one. In that case, you will be the Sub Leader for the fifth division and lead them from now on," Li Luo replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Boss!" Li Shi replied.
At this moment, Li Luo turned to Zhao Yanzhi and continued, "Yanzhi, now that I am the Banner Leader, there will be a lot of work that I will have to manage. I hope that you can be my assistant. At the same time, can you help me with the formation of the vanguard team too?"
Indeed, the formation of the vanguard team was a complex matter. It involved the selection and changing of positions amongst the fifth division's members, as well as the members of the other four divisions. Given that Li Luo had been here for only two months, he could hardly recognize everyone yet, so it was best to leave this matter to someone he trusted.
As someone who was thoughtful and well connected in the Green Nether Banner, Zhao Yanzhi would be of great help in this matter. With her assistance, Li Luo would be able to spend more of his time and effort in cultivating Harmony.
On the other hand, Zhao Yanzhi was ecstatic at his request. This meant that her status had increased. In a certain sense, she had even higher status than the other Sub Leaders as the personal assistant of the Banner Leader.
At the very least, she would be closer to Li Luo now.
Li Luo turned over and said to Mu Bi, "Mu Bi, please help out with the vanguard team matters as well."
"Sure. No worries, Big Boss." Mu Bi nodded.
As she took a glance around the surrounding area, Zhao Yanzhi whispered back, "Zhong Ling did not come today. He said that he is still recuperating from the fight yesterday, and there has not been much movement from the first division as well. I feel like they may be uncooperative in this."
Li Luo was indifferent towards this remark. He replied, "As the leader of the first division for so long, Zhong Ling has a lot of influence on them."
"If he refuses to cooperate, it will hinder our formation of a vanguard team. After all, there are quite a few elites in the first division with remarkable strength," Zhao Yanzhi commented after some hesitation.
At this moment, Li Shi cut into the conversation and said, "I heard that Zhong Ling planned to use his recuperation as an excuse to stay shut in. And as long as he's inside, the first division will all be staying in and taking a rest too. If you want him to come out... you'll have to personally go and get him, Big Boss."
With an ice-cold gaze, Zhao Yanzhi chimed in, "This must be Zhong Ling's ploy. He wants to use the first division as his bargaining chip and threaten you to submit to him. If you don't do it, there will be an internal struggle within the Green Nether Banner. As the newly appointed Banner Leader, this will surely hurt your reputation if word gets out."
"But if the Big Boss gives in now, I am afraid they will ask for even more in the future!" Mu Bi continued with a muffled voice.
Hearing this, Zhao Yanzhi looked at Li Luo for further instructions, frowning at this troublesome matter. Knowing that he had lost the position of Banner Leader, Zhong Ling was going to play little tricks to save his face.
Ultimately, it was up to Li Luo to decide whether he would remain tough on his approach or give in to Zhong Ling's request.
Li Luo's expression had remained calm all this time. Without a doubt, he had expected that Zhong Ling would try something like this. Keeping his composure, he replied to them, "I do not believe that the thousands of members in the first division are truly of one heart with Zhong Ling. He wants to threaten me with the first division banner members, right?
"Okay, pass my order down. From now on, the first division will not be allowed to participate in the Fiendish Devil Cave expedition as long as Zhong Ling does not show up. Furthermore, the members of the first division will receive one less stipend for each day that Zhong Ling does not appear. Remember, this is just for the ordinary members. Zhong Ling's share will stay the same. After three days, if Zhong Ling still refuses to show up, remove him as the Sub Leader of the first division. We will select a new Sub Leader from the first division," Li Luo ordered.
The trio were stunned when they heard his words. His response to Zhong Ling's coercion was firmer and stronger than they had imagined.
Li Luo looked at the three of them and smiled lightly. However, the smile elicited a sense of tension within the trio.
"If he wants to use the hearts of the first division's members against me, then let me see if he's really such a charismatic and irreplaceable leader to them."