Chapter 1109: All Parties Have Arrived
Jiang Qing'e was overwhelmed with emotions. It lasted a while before she got the look of surprise deep in her eyes under control. This information shared by Yue Zhiyu was completely unexpected.
Who would have expected Li Luo would be participating in the mission led by the Heavenly Origin Ancient College in the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm?
However, her surprise soon turned into worry. This mission was extremely dangerous; even Upper Hall students from Heavenly Star Hall had to be careful. She wondered if Li Luo had found any reliable team members.
He had been cultivating at the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li all this while, so he was unlikely to have friends in the Heavenly Origin Ancient College.
"Guess I'll have to find him as soon as possible after we've entered the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm," Jiang Qing'e thought to herself.
Afterwards, she looked up and stared back at Yue Zhiyu, who had been watching her reaction. She had finally understood why the latter was so playful in her tone. It was all because of Li Luo participating in this mission. She had ensured that everyone was well aware of Li Luo now.
Without a doubt, this would spell trouble for Li Luo later.
There were already people discussing it in the square right now.
This was especially true for Wei Chonglou. His expression changed and he said with a laugh, "Is this junior named Li Luo only a Three Star Hall student?"
He got his emotions under control and his face relaxed once again. "From what you've shared, it seems like Junior Li Luo is pretty talented. If he performs well in the mission, we can try to have him join the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College. When that time comes, I'll be glad to help you speak to the Principal, Junior Jiang."
His face was friendly and earnest, as if he was really ready to help. It was unknown if his intentions were pure or not, but he had definitely portrayed himself in a positive light.
The nearby students secretly praised him when they witnessed this. Senior Wei Chonglou seemed so magnanimous even in the face of his rival in love. He had not attacked him and was even willing to recommend him into the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College. This simple act had won the praise and admiration of many.
Jiang Qing'e remained calm as she replied, "No, thank you. He has his own plans already."
"Wei Chonglou, can't you at least try to look sincere?" Yue Zhiyu pouted and laughed out coldly. "Li Luo does not need your help."
"Oh?" Wei Chonglou's eyes opened wider.
Yue Zhiyu continued with great interest, "Do you really think he's just a country bumpkin from the outer divine continent? In terms of background, not even you hold an edge over him."
Wei Chonglou could not help but narrow his eyes. What did Yue Zhiyu mean by that? His background was not comparable to a guy from an outer divine continent?
"You don't seem to believe me."
Yue Zhiyu gave him a glance. She then continued with smiley eyes, "Do you think that Li Luo is just some random peasant that originated in a remote outer divine continent? He's actually from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li in the Heavenly Origin Divine Continent. His grandfather is the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Fang Lineage, a Dual Crowned King. How do you think you can compare?"
When she finished speaking, whispers broke out around the crowd. Many students were bewildered. Who would have expected Jiang Qing'e's fiance to have such a background?
Wei Chonglou was also taken aback by her words. His eyes were full of suspicion. Li Luo was the grandson of the Dragon's Fang Lineage's Lineage Chief? The one from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li in Heavenly Origin Divine Continent?
Was Yue Zhiyu telling the truth or not?
He had mixed feelings about it. However, he decided to believe her. He knew about Yue Zhiyu's background; her family's forte was gathering information.
Gloominess shrouded Wei Chonglou's eyes. This was truly unexpected. He had always assumed that his rival was an insignificant side-character, but it turned out that his background was not any weaker than his own. However, this wasn't too much of a concern. Putting their backgrounds aside, he was still very confident in his own abilities.
"Wei Chonglou, not only does Jiang Qing'e's fiance have a strong background, he is also extremely talented. Just a while back, he made a name for himself in the Empyrean Chronicle. According to what is recorded inside, he's still at the Heavenly Pearl Stage. However, he's borrowed the external power of some spirit beast and fended off a True Devil Other that snuck into the Spiritual Resonance Cave. According to the Empyrean Chronicle, he has terrifying potential and unrivaled drive. I don't believe you could have accomplished this at all back when you were at his level."
As if she could read Wei Chonglou's mind, Yue Zhiyu released yet another wave of explosive news. The crowd started chattering amongst themselves.
A lot of students in the Upper Hall were shocked to hear this. A Heavenly Pearl fending off a True Devil Other? What kind of godlike achievement was that? It was unbelievable even with external aid.
Wei Chonglou's face remained calm, but there was a burning rage in his eyes directed at Yue Zhiyu. "What's she trying to do? Isn't she trying to mock Jiang Qing'e with the news of Li Luo? Why is she praising this kid to the high heavens?
"There is no need to talk about things like his background at all! Why does she want to make Li Luo seem even more impressive?"
On the other hand, Jiang Qing'e gave Yue Zhiyu a glare after pondering for a moment. She knew that this girl was not a kind person. Yue Zhiyu had praised Li Luo so as to create more trouble for Li Luo and herself.
After all, it would only garner more feelings of jealousy from others.
Nonetheless, Jiang Qing'e was not too troubled over the news that Yue Zhiyu had shared. In actuality, she was pleasantly surprised. This meant that Li Luo had been doing well over at the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li.
With such strength, he would be able to protect himself in the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm. This had alleviated her worries.
She actually looked at Yue Zhiyu more favorably despite knowing her rotten intentions behind the revelation.
Yue Zhiyu was sensitive, so she noticed Jiang Qing'e unusual gaze instantly. She grit her teeth and asked in irritation, "What's with that look of yours?!"
Jiang Qing'e looked away calmly. She had no intention to talk to her, as she knew Yue Zhiyu's personality very well. Yue Zhiyu was similar to Duze Honglian back in the Astral Sage College. However, she was much more arrogant and powerful. When it came to dealing with such self-centered people, the most effective way was to simply ignore their presence.
As expected, Yue Zhiyu fumed as soon as she saw this. Jiang Qing'e's indifferent and nonchalant attitude had always frustrated her. It was as though she didn't exist.
At this point, Ning Meng, who had been chewing on her straw at the side, said, "Aiya, Ah Yu, stop bickering with Little Jiang'e."
Yue Zhiyu glared at Ning Meng angrily. "That's not what you said when you were with me in the past!"
Ning Meng used to hang around Yue Zhiyu before Jiang Qing'e appeared. However, she seemed to have totally forgotten about her now.
Ning Meng blinked twice. In a vague voice, she muttered back, "That... that's only because being by Little Jiang'e's side feels more comfortable. I'll look for you another time."
Hearing this, Yue Zhiyu was about to explode in rage. Ning Meng was too shallow!
Would she call anyone "Mother" as long as they had breasts?!
As everyone was busy chatting about the latest revelations, another team made their way into the center of the square. This team was led by a short-haired young boy wearing the school's uniform. He gave off a serene aura that was combined with an indomitable will.
As soon as the young boy made his entrance, all the Heavenly Star Hall students around the square greeted him politely.
The boy was Wang Kong, ranked second in the Upper Hall of the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College's Heavenly Star Hall. He was well known and reputable within the college. This was mainly because he came from an ordinary family. He had managed to get so far today due to his own hard work. Therefore, ordinary students all looked up to him as a role model. When Wang Kong walked in, he took a glance over at Ning Meng and Jiang Qing'e. He nodded at them and then looked away, quietly awaiting the start of the mission.
Jiang Qing'e also retracted her gaze. When the bell rang out in the square, there was a sense of joy hidden deep beneath her eyes.
All of a sudden, she was really looking forward to the mission.
......
Bronze lamps hung on the walls of a dark hall. The pale-green flames swayed slowly from side to side, creating a cold and eerie atmosphere. There was a stone door at the end of the dark hall. Behind it was pitch-black darkness. Not even a glimmer of light was able to penetrate it.
Numerous strange and weird whispers could be faintly heard coming from the darkness. These murmurs had an extremely mighty aura of corruption. Even someone at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier would probably lose their mind and go crazy if they hung around here long enough.
The space around the stone door began to twist and turn. At the next moment, an elderly man in a black robe appeared. There was a blood-red eye hanging around his neck. Like a living thing, the eye repeatedly moved about, giving off an endlessly evil light.
This was none other than the Spirit Eye Other King, the Origin Reversion Institute's King that Li Luo had encountered back in the Spiritual Resonance Cave.
He walked into the darkness behind the stone door. There were giant jail cells hidden behind the darkness, each one containing thick, black mist thick enough to obstruct the view of the things wriggling inside.
Those things were emitting the strange whispers.
However, the Spirit Eye Other King was indifferent towards them. He slowly walked towards the deeper end. After a while, he stood in front of a black pool and looked towards its center.
There was a black cocoon in the middle of the strange, black water. The black cocoon continued to wriggle. The faint outline of a human face was protruding out of it. It gave off an extremely peculiar air.
Right at this moment, the black cocoon seemed to have noticed that someone was watching it. It began to melt, and black water dripped down. At the same time, the human figure within it was revealed.
It was the face of Li Lingjing.
However, she was different from before. Her skin had turned even more pale and her eyes had turned a deep onyx. However, her charming face remained, one that was full of temptation.
She looked at the Spirit Eye Other King and asked, "What's the matter?"
Li Lingjing's voice echoed in the darkness, accompanied by the strange whispers that shrouded the area.
"We have a small task. Would you like to participate?" the Spirit Eye Other King asked her with a grin.
Li Lingjing's eyelids drooped slightly. "Not interested," she replied.
"Oh, you'll be interested. Our target is the Fifth Minor Earthly Branch Realm. It's very lively over there now. The Heavenly Origin Ancient College and the All-Being Ghostly Skin Dominion are fighting with each other. It's the perfect chance for us to retrieve something."
Li Lingjing's face remained cold and indifferent. There was barely any movement.
The Spirit Eye Other King laughed and continued, "I heard that Li Luo from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li will be going there as well."
Finally, there was slight movement within Li Lingjing's eyes. She remained silent for a while before asking, "Who else are you sending?"
"The Murderous Ghost Horde."
When Li Lingjing recalled how berserk and demented those creatures were, she stretched out her slender and pale hands towards the dark pool of water underneath her feet. Ripples appeared on the surface of the black water, and in the next moment, the Aquamarine Bamboo Python Staff slowly floated up. She grabbed it and held it tightly. When she felt the ice-cold touch of the staff, Li Lingjing's red lips trembled slightly.
Then her ice-cold voice echoed in the darkness. "Alright."