Chapter 0883: Variant
Li Luo and Li Feng were frowning. Li Feng hurriedly stepped forward and lightly removed the robes covering her lower chest. A flat and white belly was revealed.
The two could also see that at the side was a black scar. It was like a black rune that was alive, wriggling slowly. Its mouth was connected to its tail, like a long worm.
A strange aura could be felt coming from it.
"This is the aura of the Soul Eater True Devil," Li Luo glumly explained.
A bitter smile surfaced on Li Feng's aged features. "Lingjing's own body is too weak. How can I purify the Soul Eater True Devil if it has adhered to her bone like gangrene? While Li Lingjing has returned her spirit to her body, it has been entangled with her flesh."
Li Luo's brows were furrowed as he replied, "Just what is the Soul Eater True Devil trying to do? Why does it act so strangely compared to other True Devil Others?"
The Soul Eater True Devil possessed extraordinary intelligence and was able to devour the talent of humans. This was something he had never seen other Others possess.
Additionally, from the exchange of attacks they had previously, the Soul Eater True Devil was a third-grade True Devil. Li Luo couldn't say that was weak, but when compared to the Dragon's Fang Lineage, this could barely be considered an expert.
However, he could feel that the Soul Eater True Devil demonstrated a mysterious strength that surpassed the average third-grade True Devil.
Li Feng shook his head. "This is the first time I've encountered something like this after countless trips to the Western Region's Dark Domain."
"That means that it purposefully hid itself to find opportunities to devour exceptional geniuses," Li Luo explained.
Li Feng's gaze turned solemn. This deceitful True Devil was a little strange. It was completely different from the normal True Devil Others, and he simply could not guess the reason for its actions. All he could do was helplessly say, "Others come in all sorts of strange and weird forms and are hard to capture. Seeing a few True Devil Others that possess unimaginable strength is not unexpected. Perhaps this might even be the exception."
"Perhaps." Li Luo did not have any other answers to this as he stared at the faintly wriggling, worm-like seal on Li Lingjing's lower abdomen. "It looks like Cousin Lingjing will need to spend some time in Dragon's Fang Mountain to recuperate."
If the Soul Eater True Devil's mark could not be dealt with, no one would know if or when she would be truly corrupted. In order to reduce any chances of this happening, she had to be brought to Dragon's Fang Mountain and inspected by the Respected Elder, to see if there was any way to solve this.
"Perhaps if the Lineage Chief is able to take action, that would be beneficial to Lingjing. I have to thank you for this, Banner Leader Li Luo." Li Feng sighed gratefully and then bowed sincerely.
Although the Western Region's Li Family was a branch of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, their bloodline was a little too far removed from the main one. If not for Li Rouyun's hard work and efforts to become Green Nether's Hall Master, their family may have continued to deteriorate. At that point, it would have been difficult to even request a meeting with the Lineage Chief with their positions, much less get him to take action.
"Aunt Yun and I have a close relationship, and this is something I have to do to repay her." Li Luo waved his hand. When he needed help most, she had taken out a treasure to temporarily resolve Jiang Qing'e's Heart of Light, which had undergone Sacrificial Ignition. That treasure was originally meant to assist in Li Lingjing's recovery.
It was precisely because of this development that Li Luo felt a sense of goodwill towards Li Lingjing, and he even disregarded her ploy.
As the two continued to speak, the lying Li Lingjing suddenly opened her apricot-shaped eyes, now looking full of spirit. There was no longer any bewilderment or confusion in them like before.
As she gradually propped herself up, she stretched out a hand, touched her lower abdomen, and sighed. "As expected, nothing is ever so simple. This thing seems to have become entangled with me."
"Cousin Lingjing, it seems you have mentally prepared yourself for this," Li Luo said.
Li Lingjing nodded as she calmly replied, "I was very weak already, and scheming against this True Devil was like dancing on the tip of a knife. However, it has given me a chance for more, and I would do so again if I had to. Instead of remaining confused and lost all day, it is better to stake it all in a single fight. At the very least, I have regained my talent, so there is hope for me in the future."
"You are truly a decisive individual." Li Luo smiled.
Li Lingjing gave Li Luo a smile. "No matter what, I owe you a huge favor, Cousin Li Luo. This is something I will never be able to repay."
Her expression was beautiful and moving, and the disheveled appearance of her hair was now full of vitality in contrast to her originally drained and withered state.
Additionally, with her potential now regained, her self-confidence had been restored.
Li Feng's eyes glinted as he grinned. "This favor is simply too massive. Banner Leader, if you don’t mind, how about you take Lingjing as your maid? That would settle everything. What do you think of that?"
Li Lingjing was the most outstanding jewel of the Western Region's Li Family in the past hundred years. She was beautiful and a genius talent. Countless geniuses of the Western Region had set their eyes on her, but none had attained her favor. However, if she were to be paired with the Third Young Master of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, that would be a wonderful thing!
The sudden suggestion almost caused Li Luo to sprain his back. Although his words sounded wonderful... What kind of maid? He was referring to something else entirely!
Li Luo's mouth twitched slightly. "City Lord, you must be joking. We are brothers and sisters. How can she possibly be a maid?"
"The relationship of being a brotherly cousin is simply just for appearances. Our bloodline is far removed from yours, and relationships between the youths of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li are not uncommon nor surprising!"
Li Luo couldn't help but roll his eyes. Li Feng was simply being too unreasonable! He had just helped restore a heavenly genius in the family, yet this old geezer was still trying to pull a fast one and devour him completely!
Li Luo turned towards Li Lingjing. Based on his first impressions, his cousin was decisive and proud. Li Feng's arrangements would likely incur her wrath.
However, what he saw was her kneeling atop her bed, her jade face a little flushed as she blushed, avoiding his eyes.
This left him speechless, and he shook his head. "I am heartened by your good intentions City Lord, but unfortunately, I have a fiancee."
Li Feng was taken aback when he saw Li Luo's serious expression. In the end, he could only sigh with disappointment. "What a pity."
He no longer raised the topic of a maid. In any case, he wasn't truly serious about giving away his family's precious jewel just to be a maid.
Li Lingjing gave a slight smile as she said, "Cousin Li Luo, don't take this to heart. The City Lord is old and often comes up with extravagant hopes. Our little Western Region's Li Family would not dare to vault up the societal ladder like this."
These words left Li Luo slightly dumbfounded as to how to reply. In the end, he could only dryly smile. "Cousin Lingjing, you should take some time to rest. Once we get to the Dragon's Fang Mountain Range, I'll take you for a stroll and try to see if we can get rid of the disease that’s affecting you."
With that, he turned around and left.
Shortly after he left, Li Feng sighed helplessly and looked towards Li Lingjing. "The problem afflicting you is not a minor one. I'm afraid that if you go to the Dragon's Fang Mountain and find that the problem cannot be resolved, you might be treated as an Other and dealt with appropriately. However, if you have Li Luo as your backer, things will be much safer."
Li Lingjing lightly nodded in agreement.
"This was a result I had prepared myself for when I struggled against the Soul Eater True Devil. I owe Cousin Li Luo a massive favor, and when the time comes, I will repay him. City Lord, you should not give others more trouble. No matter how things end, I have no regrets over my choices."
These words caused Li Feng to fall into silence.
……
In a secret room somewhere far away.
In the center of the room was a single black altar.
Atop the altar were countless copper lamps, and atop each one were countless struggling expressions. All of the lamps were alight, and as the tiny flames flickered, they gave off a dark, cold air.
Suddenly, one of the lamps dimmed immensely, almost on the verge of being extinguished.
"Hmm?"
A pair of eyes opened within the dark room and observed the copper lamp with a look of confusion.
The silence lasted for a moment before a white hand stretched out of the darkness. On one of the fingers was an ancient ring that had an eye engraved upon it. The eye’s sclera were black, while the pupils were white. The eye looked extremely strange, as though it was a living object, occasionally opening and closing. The black and white coalesced into one, like seeing Yin and Yang combine.
The pale hand grasped the dimly-lit lamp, and a low voice spoke out.
"Variant number three has been injured? What happened?"