Chapter 1268: Golden Stone Valley
The next morning.
When Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e arrived at the training ground, the five thousand Guardians were already assembled, each brimming full of energy and determination. Majestic amounts of resonant power gathered them and could be faintly seen in the air, giving off a dense pressure.
After years of training together, all the Dragon's Fang Guardians had achieved a high level of integration.
When Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e appeared, all the eyes turned towards them. Everyone, regardless of gender, only had eyes of admiration for the duo. Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were clad in the black and red armor of the Dragon's Fang Guardians today. One of them was a handsome lad whilst the other was a stunning beauty. Everyone enviously watched the two of them stand side by side. In front of them, Xia Yu, a Grand Commander of the Dragon's Fang Guardians, smiled. She clasped her hands together and said, "Dragon Fang Envoy Jiang, I will be tagging along for this mission. I await your orders."
According to the rules of the Heavenly Dragon’s Five Guardian Armies, the Dragon Fang Envoys could command five thousand Guardians and two Grand Commanders whenever they set off for a mission.
And in this case, the two commanders would be Li Luo and Xia Yu.
"Grand Commander Xia, weren't you out on a mission?" Li Luo asked in surprise. Based on his understanding, Xia Yu, the First Grand Commander, hadn't been around Heavenly Dragon City for the past few days.
Xia Yu smiled in response. She did not hide anything from them and replied frankly, "This was arranged for by the Guardian General. He heard that the two of you are setting out to the Golden Stone Valley, so he ordered me to return to assist."
Now Li Luo understood what had happened. Li Foluo had heard of the news last night and had summoned Xia Yu back in a hurry. After all, their overall strength would increase significantly with a second-grade Duke added to the team.
Li Foluo was clearly worried about their visit to the Golden Stone Valley as well. However, the Dragon's Fang Guardians had other missions assigned to them. Therefore, he could only summon Xia Yu back to assist.
"Li Luo, we're here too."
As Li Luo was thinking about it, a manly voice suddenly came from above. Three people flew down from the sky and landed in front of the crowd.
Li Luo looked over in surprise. "Second Uncle, Uncle Biao, and Aunt Yun?"
The three that had arrived were none other than Second Uncle Li Jinpan, Ox Biaobiao, and Li Rouyun.
"Do you all plan to head to Golden Stone Valley too?"
Li Jinpan nodded. "You were ambushed before, and although the Respected Elder has sent out a warning, it's still best to be careful. The Golden Stone Valley is a den of chaos and is of close proximity to the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao. They've always had their eyes on the area, so it's best for us to tag along."
Li Luo scratched his head. The Golden Stone Valley truly seemed quite dangerous. Otherwise, Li Jingzhe wouldn't have sent such a team to accompany him.
"Uncle Biao, how are your injuries?" Li Luo asked out of concern as he looked over at Ox Biaobiao.
He had been badly injured during the ambush. Since then, he had spent most of the time recuperating.
"The Lineage Chief treated my injuries personally, and I've fully recovered," Ox Biaobiao replied with a smile. "I heard that the Lineage Chief wreaked havoc in Abyssal City. That bitch Qin Lian even got a sound thrashing. What great news. I'm sure that the person who ambushed you was that vicious lady!" Ox Biaobiao swore.
"Qin Lian is the biggest suspect. However, she's been punished by Grandfather, so I don't think she'll do anything for the time being," Li Luo replied with a grin.
"In that case, I'll trouble the three of you to take care of us during this mission."
Li Jinpan responded in a clear voice, "We're family. There's no need to be so polite." He had a very straightforward personality. He took a quick look at the surroundings and his gaze paused on Li Fengyi. "Are you ready? If so, it's time to set off."
Li Luo nodded.
Jiang Qing'e greeted the three elders and waved her hand. Her clear and crisp voice echoed in the air.
"Move out!"
In the next instant, everyone flew into the sky.
The sound of whooshing wind was left in their wake as the army shot up into the air. They flew across the vast sky and dashed towards the borders of Heavenly Dragon City.
After leaving Heavenly Dragon Peak, Li Luo felt like something heavy was pushing down on him. He raised his head and saw the vast World's End River flowing over his head once again.
The World's End River streaked across the entire sky here, splitting the world into two. It was so large and meandering that he could see no end to it. Sounds of rushing water echoed throughout every corner of the World's End River Region.
This was the first time Li Luo had left Heavenly Dragon Peak since he arrived at the World's End River Region and thus was naturally curious. As he inspected his environment, he noticed there were many different lands and mountain ranges in every direction, as well as people. Everyone was searching for rare materials and Foundational Spirit Treasures.
Many fights also broke out as the Dukes fought amongst themselves to vie for dominance over the resources.
At the same time, Others could be lying in wait to ambush them. This entire area was rife with danger.
That said, things were considered to be relatively peaceful at this point. The situation would undoubtedly escalate once the Stygian Rain of Calamity started.
At that time, thousands of Others would march out, and even Dukes would have to take cover under the shelters set up by the various powers. No one would dare to step outside recklessly.
As they traveled, Li Luo continued to passively observe the world around him. Before he knew it, two days passed. That was when they finally arrived at their destination.
"We're approaching the Golden Stone Valley," Li Jinpan called out to them with a smile.
Li Luo looked ahead. It was a vast piece of land with a golden valley in the distance. The valley seemed to extend forward endlessly, like a crawling golden dragon with no end in sight.
In the depths of the bottomless valley was an area that emitted a cold, golden light.
This entire location was Li Luo's destination, the Golden Stone Valley.
The group flew across the sky, leaving a trail of light as they speedily approached the Golden Stone Valley. When they arrived, Li Luo could sense numerous sharp and hostile gazes watching them from both sides of the valley.
He could vaguely feel presences who emanated strong waves of resonant power. Their gazes were vicious and filled with murderous intent.
"Hmph!"
Li Jinpan coldly snorted at this moment. It sounded like thunder as it echoed throughout the area.
Many hostile gazes changed for the better when they heard this.
Some whispers could be faintly heard coming from both sides of the valley.
"They're from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li!"
"It should be the Dragon's Fang Guardians. Looking at their numbers, it must be half the army."
"That guy is Li Jinpan from the Dragon's Fang Lineage. He's a seventh-grade Duke!"
"Damn it, another tiger has appeared. They already hold the majority of the upper-grade hunting grounds, so why're they coming to the Golden Stone Valley?"
Many of the rogue cultivators from the area were unhappy with the visit from the Dragon's Fang Guardians. After all, this meant that there were more people competing with them, and they would ultimately get a smaller share of the treasures.
However, the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li was an enormous beast in their eyes. No matter how unhappy they were, they did not act upon it, especially now that they knew the Lineage Chief of the Dragon's Fang Lineage was standing guard in Heavenly Dragon Peak. That was a truly terrifying presence, a Quasi-Triple Crown King.
Li Jinpan did not mind the hostile gazes as he told Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e, "Ignore them. Let's find a resting ground first."
The two of them nodded in agreement. They then turned their attention towards an empty field in the valley.
However, just as they were about to move, shocking undulations of resonant power suddenly blasted across the sky from a distant mountain.
Seven Duke Bergfrieds rose up into the air to accompany the immense resonant power. Like a towering mountain, it gave off a looming sense of pressure.
A sharp voice rang out in the air. "Tsk tsk, Li Jinpan. The Golden Stone Valley is quite the distance from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li and yet you still wish to fight over it? Do you really think the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao are pushovers?!"
"Others may be afraid of the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li, but I am not! Gather your people and scram! Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
The worldly natural energy in the surroundings raged wildly. Li Luo's face changed a little as he looked into the distance. He saw a muscular man holding a trident, slowly rising into the air, accompanied by his seven majestic Duke Bergfrieds.
It seemed that a Duke from the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Zhao had appeared.
As expected, the Golden Stone Valley was not a land of peace.