Chapter 1238: Hongyou's Support - Seven Rounds of Meteors
When the fifth round of World's End River Meteors descended, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were both sitting cross-legged to recuperate. The resonant power undulations coming from them had weakened.
This was especially the case for Li Luo as he was only at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier. Purifying the World's End River Meteors was not a simple task, so he was depleted after providing auxiliary support merely four times. Jiang Qing'e was the main force, so she was even more tired. If not for her Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried and three ninth-grade light resonances, she would have fallen out a long time ago. Thus, Li Luo could feel that Jiang Qing'e's condition was also deteriorating.
Anyone who looked at that would come to the same conclusion.
There were numerous individuals who were heaving sighs of relief deep down. If Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo were allowed to continue for the full seven rounds, it was possible that they would accumulate more Star Pearls than the other four Guardian Armies combined.
It would be a ludicrous amount.
Luo Jiang floated over and asked in concern, "Dragon Fang Envoy Jiang, do you want me to take over?"
Jiang Qing'e sighed slightly before asking, "How are the Star Pearls distributed?"
Luo Jiang paused momentarily. "It usually depends on each individual's title. The Star Pearls are divided into ten equal parts. The Guardian General gets two parts, each of the Dragon Fang Envoys get one part, and the four Grand Commanders share two parts equally. The remaining four parts are then distributed amongst the Dragon's Fang Guardians."
Jiang Qing'e then asked, "Are there any rewards for an outstanding performance?"
She wasn't exactly the calculative type, but Li Luo needed massive amounts of resources to rush towards the Duke Stage. The energy within the Star Pearls was pure and extremely suitable for him.
Thus, she was willing to bring this topic up for his sake.
Luo Jiang paused for a moment, but before he could reply, Li Foluo's voice descended from above. "The Dragon's Fang Guardians have been able to receive far more Star Pearls than normal because of you two. With me as witness, we can reduce everyone else's share by one part in total, and it will be given to you as a reward."
Jiang Qing'e nodded lightly. "You can give all of that to Li Luo, then."
When looking at things as a whole, a single portion was a massive amount of Star Pearls. After all, every single member of the Dragon's Fang Guardians desired them. The reason Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo had the ability to purify the meteors so thoroughly was due to the crucial assistance of the Dragon's Fang Guardians' combined might.
Li Luo hurriedly spoke up."Sister Qing'e..."
Jiang Qing'e was on the Path of Ascension and similarly also needed a large amount of resources for cultivation.
Jiang Qing'e replied, "You have to first break into the Duke Stage. My heart worries for you, and your situation makes it hard for me to cultivate peacefully."
Li Luo was speechless. His five-year time limit was indeed approaching quickly. Although he was confident he would reach the Duke Stage in less than two years, Jiang Qing'e thought that the earlier he could resolve the issue that had been plaguing him, the better. There was no need to push things to the edge and cause everyone else to worry about him. Thus, he hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement, no longer saying anything else.
He truly needed to reach the Duke Stage as soon as he could. Only then could he join hands with Jiang Qing'e to obtain the resources they needed.
Jiang Qing'e then turned to Luo Jiang. "We will push on for one more round. If we are unable to carry on, you can take over."
Luo Jiang nodded.
"If you're ready, we will begin with the fifth round of Star Plucking," Li Foluo said from above. His voice was still full of strength, but there was a tone of solemnity within it.
He had reeled in three World's End River Meteors for the last three rounds. This had undoubtedly put a huge strain on him.
Jiang Qing'e nodded and stood up. Radiant light resonant power spilled out of her body yet again.
Li Luo similarly made his own preparations.
It was at this point that Li Hongyou came over.
"Dragon Fang Envoy Luo, could I kindly borrow a thousand Guardians? I might be able to assist them and allow them to hold on a bit longer," Li Hongyou said.
Luo Jiang was surprised by the request, then he remembered her resonance and his eyes sparkled. He joyfully replied, "Haha! I'd almost forgotten about you."
Her Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance possessed the ability to provide unparalleled boons to her allies. She could undoubtedly bolster Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo at this point.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's expressions both eased a little and smiles appeared on their faces.
"Senior Hongyou, your assistance is like rain falling on parched land; you came just in time to rejuvenate us," Li Luo said.
Li Hongyou's usually icy countenance had a hint of a smile. "How could I be compared to the two of you? The way I see it, the Dragon's Fang Guardians will start depending on you for their cultivation resources from now on..."
All of the meteors that had been refined by them had resulted in over 13,000 Star Pearls. As a result, the Guardians were so excited that they were almost delirious!
Bang!
As they spoke, another wave of World's End River Meteors fell upon them, accompanied by a thundering boom.
Li Foluo raised his head to the sky and bellowed. All of the energy in his body and the Dragon Fang Formation were roused to receive three meteors.
As he dissipated the terrifying amounts of force coming from the meteors, Li Foluo's expression turned a ruddy red. Then his well-built arms began to tremble and cold sweat dripped from his forehead in a constant stream.
The pressure from collecting three meteors was beyond scary.
Could Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e truly keep up? Didn't they want to take a break?
Li Foluo's heart was mired with frustration and complaints. However, for the sake of maintaining his dignity as the Guardian General, he solemnly advised them, "Do your job well! If you can't hold on any longer, there's no need to force yourselves for the sake of saving face. The two of you are still young, so there'll be plenty of opportunities in the future!"
Alas, the only response he got was from Li Luo, whose voice almost sounded annoying at this point. "Guardian General, you don't have to worry! I'll push myself to the bitter end for the Dragon's Fang Guardians!"
The corner of Li Foluo's eyes twitched a little as he laboriously replied, "Very good!"
When the World's End River Meteors started falling towards them, Jiang Qing'e stretched her hand out and received it with her majestic light resonant power. The purification process began immediately.
At the same time, Li Hongyou also took action. She took control of the energy of a thousand Guardians and was now no weaker than a first-grade Duke.
Feeling the boundless amount of strength within her, her eyes then turned crimson. However, this was not due to killing intent, and she did not seem threatening. Instead, she gave off a feeling of warmth, like she could reinvigorate anyone she wanted.
She bit her finger and fragrant blood flowed forth, swiftly forming an outline in the air.
Ten breaths of time later, two ancient, crimson seals that flowed with golden light appeared. These seals surpassed the previous Crimson Heart Golden Seals in both complexity and mysteriousness.
"Vermilion Fruit Godly Transformation Seal!" After Li Hongyou spoke, the seals immediately shot towards Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e. Li Luo's body trembled violently as he felt a mystical energy entering his body. All of his resonant palaces erupted into roars as they greedily absorbed the incoming energy.
After which, Li Luo could feel the resonant power within his body rise at a frightening rate.
It was as though his energy had ignited and turned into a raging inferno, sweeping away any inkling of the fatigue he had previously felt.
"What amazing effects!" Li Luo sighed. Li Hongyou's seal had become more effective.
Next to Li Luo, a hint of rosiness began to appear on Jiang Qing'e's fair cheeks. Her dim Duke Bergfried was quickly revitalized and began to sparkle with life yet again.
"Thank you." Jiang Qing'e lightly nodded towards Li Hongyou. She then summoned up boundless amounts of resonant power and began to quickly purify the World End's River Meteors.
With the aid of Li Luo's Acquired Resonance Flame, a three hundred feet meteor that resembled a precious gem appeared very quickly.
She then got to work on the second meteor immediately.
Her sudden rejuvenation and display of energy elicited cheers amongst the Dragon's Fang Guardians. The other Guardian Armies were left sighing helplessly. They had thought that Jiang Qing'e had reached her limit, but now she was suddenly as spritely and energetic as before. Could it be that she would be able to last all seven rounds now?
There was now an air of depression amongst the Dragon's Blood Guardians. The fact that Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo could continue to purify the meteors did not go unnoticed.
“That bitch! How dare she! How dare she do such a thing!" Li Hongque was so incensed that her entire body was trembling. The fire burning within her eyes seemed like it could incinerate Li Hongyou into ashes.
The moment she saw Li Hongyou step up, she knew that things would take a turn for the worse. And it had gone exactly as she had expected—Li Hongyou had used her resonance to bolster the couple.
Both their minds and bodies had recovered, so holding on for seven rounds would not be a problem.
Li Hongque was by far the angriest person in the crowd upon seeing Li Hongyou take action. The way she saw it, Li Hongyou was trampling all over her face.
Some of the Dragon's Blood Guardians began to shoot her slightly confused glances. However, they felt like sharp knives piercing her skin, causing her immense pain.
"That bitch! Bitch!"
Unfortunately, her anger was useless. Li Hongyou completely ignored her vicious gaze, leaving Li Hongque so furious that her mind blanked out.
The skies continued to boom as the meteors fell.
The Five Guardian Armies were doing their best to receive as much of this monthly gift as they could.
In the end, when the final meteor of the seventh round landed, their time at the Falling Star Terrace came to an end.
What was up next was the time everyone had been waiting for.