Chapter 1221: Congratulating the New Envoy
While the atmosphere was heating up, Li Changfeng's resonant power gradually subsided. His three Duke Bergfrieds turned into three specks of light and gathered back in his body. Then he held his arm out, and the giant staff flew back into his hand.
Cupping his fist, he greeted Jiang Qing'e respectfully.
"Miss Jiang, you'll be our new Dragon Fang Envoy."
Hearing this, Jiang Qing'e restrained her light resonant power as well. She looked back at Li Changfeng and said, "Thank you for letting me win. I can still sense the formidable defense all over your body. If I had continued with my attacks, you'd have no problem stopping me."
"It's a battle between a third-grade and a first-grade. If we were at the same stage, that exchange would’ve been pointless." Li Changfeng smiled bitterly.
"Dragon Fang Envoy Jiang, with your talent and potential, it won’t take you long to become a second-grade Duke. At that point, I will support you if you challenge the Guardian General... but only if you would like to."
On the side, Li Foluo's eyes twitched a little when he heard this. “What a traitor! This guy is already changing sides?”
Luo Jiang laughed secretly. "Guardian General, it looks like the leadership of the Dragon's Fang Guardians will be experiencing a complete restaffing soon enough."
Li Foluo did not show much of a reaction to his comment. He answered indifferently, "If she leads the Dragon's Fang Guardians back to its past glory and retrieves the Heavenly Dragon Light and Dark Spear, I would not mind at all."
He then looked over at the battlefield. A deep and low voice resounded in the air.
"Everyone, let's congratulate our new Envoy. May the Dragon's Fang Guardians attain new heights!"
Everyone watched the slender figure in the air with eyes full of admiration. They cupped their fists, and a loud cheer echoed in the air.
"Congratulations new Envoy!"
"May the Dragon's Fang Guardians attain new heights!"
Their lively voices reached every corner of the arena. Everyone watched on with awe and passion.
Who could have expected that Jiang Qing'e, a first-grade Duke, would manage to push back against Li Changfeng, a third-grade Duke?
Was this the power of a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried? Every member of the Dragon's Fang Guardians was considered a genius in their generation. They had seen many talented people, but they had never seen one that was so domineering.
This got everyone very excited. With Jiang Qing'e becoming part of the Dragon's Fang Guardians, they had gained a talent with unrivaled potential. In the future, the Dragon's Fang Guardians would surely regain their past glory.
Li Fuling stared blankly at the beauty in the sky as she whispered to Li Fengyi, "She is very impressive. I feel like Li Luo is a little unworthy of her."
Li Fengyi responded, "My Little Brother is really great too! He had three resonant palaces with six resonances and he reached the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier at such a young age. Isn't that spectacular? Besides, with his talent, he will surely obtain a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried after he reaches the Duke stage too!"
Li Fuling pouted in response. "Do you think it's easy to forge a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried? Many geniuses with unfathomable potential and foundations have fallen at that step. Even Hall Master Li Taixuan didn't manage to get a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried upon reaching the Duke Stage."
Li Fengyi clicked her tongue, unable to come up with a rebuttal for that. The Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried represented the Path of Ascension. That was the ultimate road to power in this world. If one wasn't a genius that was completely unrivaled in their generation, they would stand no chance of even embarking on the path.
The one who was closest to that in the whole Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies was Li Zhihuo from the Dragon's Blood Guardians, who had constructed a Nine-Pillar Duke Bergfried. This was only possible because he had chanced upon a top-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure by luck.
"I believe in my Little Brother!" She chose to support Li Luo blindly, not needing a reason to support her family members.
Meanwhile, Li Fuling watched Jiang Qing'e with eyes full of admiration. From this day onwards, there would be a new group of loyal followers in the Dragon's Fang Guardians that supported Jiang Qing'e. She had perfectly established herself with this battle.
Under their astonished gazes, Jiang Qing'e slowly landed beside Li Luo. She gently gave him a wink.
She had completely stolen the limelight. Even Li Luo appeared a little ordinary in her presence. After all, he had gotten his position with utmost ease; there had been no competition for it at all.
Li Luo responded with a thumbs up. "Impressive."
Then he asked curiously, "What was that Destiny-grade Duke Art? I've never seen you use it before."
"It is something I learned from the Third School Master. It's a lower Destiny-grade Duke Art, and I had not fully mastered it previously," Jiang Qing'e explained.
"The Third School Master is really kind to you," Li Luo replied. The Third School Master of the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College had truly taught Jiang Qing'e everything that she could.
"If there is a chance in the future, I'll surely repay her." Jiang Qing'e nodded gently.
At this point, Li Foluo walked over to them with a plaque he had taken from Li Changfeng. It was similar to his Guardian General plaque, but it had the word "Envoy" carved onto it.
"Jiang Qing'e, from now on, you'll be the Right Dragon Fang Envoy of the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The Dragon's Fang Guardians has ten divisions, with ten thousand members in total. Half of them will be under your command. When I'm not around, you'll have authority over them. Keep this Dragon Fang Envoy plaque in your care. It is a symbol of your position, and you can only command the Dragon's Fang Guardians when you have it," Li Foluo explained as he handed the plaque over to Jiang Qing'e.
Jiang Qing'e looked at it curiously when it was in her hands. This was her first time coming into contact with something so special.
Back in the ancient college, everyone fought their battles individually. She had never fought a war with an army. With this plaque in hand, her battle strength would skyrocket.
At the same time, Li Foluo handed another plaque over to Li Luo. It was the Grand Commander plaque.
"Now that you are the Fourth Grand Commander... your Grand Commander plaque will allow you to mobilize two thousand guardians."
Li Luo rubbed his hands against the cold plaque. He could sense a special and familiar kind of energy wave inside it.
It was... similar to the Heavenly Emperor's Writ.
Clearly, the state of Harmony in the Dragon's Fang Guardians relied on this special plaque. Without it, no one would be able to mobilize the strength of the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
He used to rule over eight thousand banner members back in the Green Nether Banner. However, they would likely pale in comparison to the two thousand guardians under his command now.
"I can finally wield such power again." Li Luo felt a sense of relief as he firmly held his plaque. This would allow him to experience the strength of a Duke once again.
With two thousand soldiers behind him, he would not need to be afraid of other Dukes when he was out in the World End's River Region.
Li Foluo turned towards Li Hongyou and said, "With Li Hongyou's strength, she can only lead a thousand guardians. I can arrange for her to be placed under you later on."
"Thank you, Guardian General," Li Hongyou said.
With the huge commotion caused by Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo, no one paid any attention to the fact that Li Hongyou had gained command over a thousand guardians as well.
"Guardian General, what about Brother Li Changfeng and the rest?" Li Luo asked as he looked over at Li Changfeng.
"There is a role for everyone in the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies. Anyone who has reached the Duke Stage but holds no position is assigned to the Dragon Reserves. They are also known as the Reserve Dragon Knights. Their power is similar to that of a Grand Commander, but they do not have any authority over the troops. Nonetheless, they can step in and command the troops if there is an emergency," Li Foluo explained.
"During the Ceremony of Ascent, Reserve Dragon Knights can challenge any of the Grand Commanders, Dragon Fang Envoys, or even the Guardian General. If they win, they can take that position for themselves."
Li Luo finally understood. The Reserve Dragon Knight position was equivalent to a sinecure. The Dragon's Fang Guardians members that had become Duke would be temporarily placed there. After all, the high-level positions in the Dragon's Fang Guardians were limited.
"What about our salary?" Li Luo asked curiously.
Li Foluo stretched out his hand and revealed a golden pearl that was around the size of one's thumb. Intricate dragon scales decorated its surface along with a faintly discernible dragon carving.
"This is known as dragon essence, a unique currency in the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies. It can be traded for Foundational Spirit Treasures, Duke Bergfried Arts, spirit liquids and purifying lights, Duke Arts, mythic armaments, and many more things. Under ordinary circumstances, a Grand Commander receives a thousand of these monthly."
"How much does a high-grade Foundational Spirit Treasure cost in terms of dragon essence, then?" Li Luo asked.
Li Foluo raised three fingers, and a smile appeared on his cold and stern face.
"Merely 30,000 dragon essence."