Chapter 0861: Encounter
Li Feng and the party stopped right before they entered the Dark Domain.
"Dear Banner Leaders, we will just wait for all of you to finish the mission over here. Don't worry, we will keep watch over the Dukes from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao. There are also not many rogue cultivators, and the ones that do enter this Dark Domain are usually only at the Heavenly Dipper General Stage. I reckon they won't dare to disturb you all," Li Feng told Li Luo and the other three with a smile.
Li Luo and the rest nodded with their banner members standing behind them quietly. With thousands of men gathered here, it was a truly magnificent sight. Many of the rogue cultivators on the other path had looked over curiously. However, they dared not stare any further once they realized who they were.
The Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li was truly an overlord in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. Dukes, who would usually be able to rule over others elsewhere, were merely elders.
As for the Earth Fiend Stage young members, they could condense their power together using special means. As a result, they were not any weaker than Dukes.
Such a foundation was way beyond what most common people could imagine.
In the next moment, Li Luo and the other three took a look at each other before they separated. Without wasting any more time, they each led their respective banners into the dark crack.
As soon as Li Luo stepped into the tear in the void, he sensed a really strong vibration in the air, and the space around him began to warp. His mind started feeling a little dizzy suddenly.
However, the dizziness soon dispersed, and the surroundings around him changed completely.
The sky was dark, and it stretched all the way to the end of one's vision.
The thick clouds were deep gray, giving people an uneasy and cold feeling.
Between the sky and earth was an irritating, low voice ringing faintly in the air, which disrupted one's mental state.
Luckily, Li Luo grew accustomed to this new environment quickly. He took a quick scan of the area vigilantly and noticed that he was currently on a huge, glowing stone platform atop the dark plains. There was an eerie, evil air floating about that reeked of corruption.
Shortly after, the members of the Green Nether Banner appeared behind him.
However, there was no sight of Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, Deng Fengxian, or their respective banner members.
Li Luo was not surprised by this. Before they had entered, Li Feng had already told them that there were five receiving platforms in this Dark Domain. They would be randomly teleported to one of them when they were transported. As such, they had already discussed beforehand on the meetup point and paths to follow.
"Is this the Dark Domain? Sure makes one feel uneasy," Zhao Yanzhi said as she scanned the surroundings with her charming face. In fact, it was extremely dangerous for Earth Fiends like them to enter this place if all they could rely on was their individual strength. Many of the Disaster-class Others in here would easily deal a fatal injury to them.
"Have you all fought against Others in the past?" Li Luo asked.
Li Shi nodded and replied, "I have experience. One of our missions in order to get into the Twenty Banners was to slay one Other on the same level as us personally."
Li Luo was surprised to hear this. It seemed like the Twenty Banners selection was extremely stringent. He was well aware of how strange and troublesome Others were. Whether it was in the Umbra Cave of the college or during the Holy Grail Meet in the Blackwind Empire, they had really given him a lot of headaches.
"Since you all have experience, I will not say much. Stay alert in groups of ten and move forward while keeping our formation," Li Luo ordered. When he finished, he took the first step down the stone platform and led the way forward.
The area around the stone platform had become a sort of safety zone, and many of the explorers had gathered here. With such a big crowd like Li Luo’s appearing, they all looked over in surprise. Clearly, they had sensed the enormous power from the 8,000 members. Their faces changed immediately and they started whispering among themselves.
"They give off strong auras despite being at the Earth Fiend Stage."
"Look at the patterns on their robes. They must be from the Green Nether Banner, one of the Twenty Banners of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li. I have an elder working in the Dragon's Fang Lineage, so I know. The Banner Leader of the Green Nether Banner is named Li Luo. His father is none other than Li Taixuan, the man that once dominated the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. Furthermore, his mother is the famous Tan Tailan."
"Li Luo just returned from the outer divine continent a few months ago. Who would have expected him to become the Banner Leader of the Green Nether Banner so soon? Sigh. The best opportunity for one is really to be born in the right family," one of the voices commented with a sigh.
"That depends on whether he's talented enough to enjoy this opportunity. If he's just an ordinary guy, it'll just become additional stress for him," another voice commented.
"A division from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao entered just a little while ago. These two bloodlines have been at odds. If they meet each other, there'll surely be a big fight," another voice gloated.
Li Luo led his group through the crowd amidst the many whispers. In particular, the last piece of news gave him a little headache.
“There are people from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao here? Just which one of them is it?”
Li Luo's question was answered very quickly.
As he got closer to the edge of the safety zone, he paused. He looked into the distance ahead and noticed thousands of people standing there neatly. Their resonant power was surging. With each breath they took, a ferocious, ancient tiger faintly appeared in the sky.
Right in front of the thousands of people was a figure casually seated on a big rock. A huge, dark-red blade that looked as though it was dyed with blood lay on his legs.
It was none other than Zhao Jingyu.
Li Luo shook his head helplessly. They had encountered each other so soon.
In the same moment, Zhao Jingyu lifted his head up when he saw Li Luo and the Green Nether Banner approaching. He revealed a happy smile on his face, and the tiger tattoo on his face bared its fangs. It appeared extremely savage.
"Li Luo, it seems like your luck isn't very good," Zhao Jingyu said with a grin.
Zhao Jingyu had planned to hinder one of Li Luo's companions right here before they could meet up in order to cripple their strength.
To his delight, he had actually encountered Li Luo directly.
Standing behind Li Luo, Zhao Yanzhi, Li Shi, and the rest also prepared themselves. Their faces turned serious and they waved their hands. It was a signal to the other banner members to prepare for a big fight.
Although he was a wood-brained idiot, Zhao Jingyu was undoubtedly strong. The Tiger Division led by him was ranked second among the Twenty Divisions from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao. If it was the Green Nether Banner in the past, they would not have dared to clash with them head-on at all.
Li Luo stared at Zhao Jingyu calmly as he led the banner to march forward. He had not intended to stay hidden in the safety zone.
When the eight thousand banner members marched on, a faint, draconic roar resounded in the air as their energies surged in support of Li Luo.
"Li Luo, sever one of your own arms and get out of this Dark Domain with the Green Nether Banner," Zhao Jingyu said lazily as he watched Li Luo walk out.
"Are the five dragon fangs ready?" Li Luo asked.
Zhao Jingyu smiled even more when he heard these words. "I'm curious. Where did a country bumpkin like you get such contemptible courage from? Is it because of your great win in the Mystical Yellow Dragonbreath Pool? Do you really think that you're that amazing after being able to win the Golden Dragon Pillar? You managed to escape from Fairy Qin only because she couldn't use her full strength. A perfect person like her shouldn't be tainted because of a country bumpkin like you. This is exactly why I will take one of your arms along and go to the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Qing... to propose to Fairy Qin."
Zhao Jingyu stared at Li Luo and asked sincerely, "Can you help me out?"
In response, Li Luo smiled and replied, "You really are a fool."
Hearing this, Zhao Jingyu sighed helplessly and jumped down from the rock. With the huge blade that seemed to be oozing blood in his hand, he charged towards Li Luo like a savage beast revealing its white teeth.
"In that case, I'll help myself and cut you down directly."
He lifted his blade and pointed it directly at Li Luo.