Chapter 1239: Distributing Star Pearls |
The resounding roar that constantly echoed through the skies was coming to an end. All of the golden dragon scales that made up the barrier began to increase in density above the platforms. In the end, golden light flooded the area, and the World's End River gradually blurred and vanished from sight.
This indicated that the Falling Star Terrace event had come to an end. In order to ensure that Heavenly Dragon Peak remained protected, the Golden Dragonscale Cloud Formation was once again operating at peak protection, entering a fully defensive state.
On the five golden lotus platforms, the Five Guardian Armies had complicated expressions as they watched things come to an end.
The Dragon's Bone, Dragon's Horn, and Dragon's Scale Guardians sighed enviously. The Dragon's Blood Guardians, on the other hand, were experiencing disappointment and the feeling of being surpassed for the first time in a while.
The Dragon's Fang Guardians, however, were so ecstatic that they were celebrating.
No one had expected Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e to last all seven rounds.
Thanks to their hard work, the Dragon's Fang Guardians had ended up with 260,000 Star Pearls.
This was a mind-boggling sum.
Before today, they had never thought that it was even possible to obtain such a large amount.
The Dragon's Blood Guardians’ morale had suffered, and the atmosphere around them was clearly depressed. After all, they had held the top spot for a long time, and being surpassed was a new experience that led to discomfort in their hearts.
Li Zhihuo descended from the sky and surveyed his soldiers with a frown. "It’s just a single defeat. Why are all of you so depressed over it? If you're unable to overcome such a minor setback, why are you even here? We have been at the top of the Falling Star Terrace for years; a single loss does not mean that we have been defeated forever."
Li Zhihuo's words caused the Dragon's Blood Guardians to lower their heads in shame.
Li Hongque's fists were clenched tightly and her heart was filled with anger. “Isn’t that slut Li Hongyou the one to blame for all this? She actually dared to support Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo! If it wasn’t for her, those two would not have endured through all seven rounds, and the Dragon's Blood Guardians would have taken first place again!”
She had never even dreamed that the lowly slave who she had bullied when she was a child would dare to harbor thoughts of revenge.
Li Hongyou had put on a brilliant display today and attracted the gazes of many. The relationship between her and Li Hongque was known to many, so she would definitely become a topic of conversation.
The thought of this caused Li Hongque’s fury to rise, and her body shook in anger. “That woman is a catastrophe! I absolutely cannot let her remain in the Dragon's Fang Guardians!” Her presence was like a slap in her face, and if things continued this way, she felt like she would simply go crazy with rage.
Li Hongque then walked up to Li Zhihuo. She gritted her teeth and said, "Guardian General, we cannot let Li Hongyou remain with the Dragon's Fang Guardians. She is at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier, but she is just one step away from reaching the Duke Stage. If she succeeds, her supportive abilities will improve qualitatively and Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e will be like tigers with wings. Not only that, Li Foluo will also benefit from her boons and will even pose a threat to you."
Li Zhihuo's eyes shrunk a little. He was a lower fifth-grade Duke, while Li Foluo was currently at the upper fourth Duke Stage. That said, he was the one who posed the biggest threat amongst the other four Guardian Generals. He simply did not know when Li Foluo would break through and catch up. Li Hongyou's lower ninth-grade Crimson Heart Vermilion Fruit resonance was only able to provide a temporary boost and was of not much help to Li Foluo. However, that would change once she became a Duke.
Li Zhihuo emotionlessly replied, "We cannot lose the bet during the Ceremony of Ascent. Jiang Qing'e has a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried and her triple ninth-grade light resonances are shocking. She should have the strength of a third-grade Duke. Li Luo, on the other hand, is only at the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier and will be the weak link."
Li Hongque nodded in agreement and her heart relaxed a little. At the same time, she viciously glared at Li Hongyou.
Li Zhihuo did not say anything else to her. He merely gave the command to distribute the Star Pearls.
At the same time, the Dragon's Fang Guardians were still on their own golden lotus platform. The group was simply boiling over with excitement. Everyone had looks of anticipation on their faces.
Even the veteran members had never experienced such a rich harvest.
Li Foluo stood atop the platform as he looked around at his exhilarated Guardians. Even his usually cold and stern face broke out into a smile. He was exceptionally pleased with today’s result.
" Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's heroic contributions are what allowed the Dragon's Fang Guardians to end the day with so much. Li Hongyou also assisted them greatly. Thus, I will take out one part of the rewards to be given to Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e as recognition for their efforts. Does anyone object to this?" Li Foluo didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point when he began the distribution process.
All of the Dragon's Fang Guardians shook their heads in unison. Without Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e's combined efforts, they might only have obtained 50,000 Star Pearls or so.
Li Foluo then glanced at Li Luo. "Jiang Qing'e has willingly relinquished her share for you. As a Grand Commander, you will be allocated half a share as well. Altogether, that will be one and a half shares out of ten, adding up to a total of 39,000 Star Pearls."
When he revealed the exact number, the Dragon's Fang Guardians erupted into shock. A single person being able to enjoy such a humongous number of Star Pearls was worthy of envy.
This sum was sufficient for a normal Dragon's Fang Guardian to cultivate for an entire year.
Yet there was no dissatisfaction amongst the crowd. The Five Guardian Armies had always believed that the capable were more deserving. This was not only in terms of their titles, but also the resources allocated to them.
What the couple had done today was something even Li Foluo had to acknowledge, much less ordinary members.
Li Foluo waved his hand, and a portion of the gigantic number of Star Pearls landed in front of Li Luo.
Li Luo hurriedly stretched his hand out, absorbing the Star Pearls into the pocket sphere on his hand. He was filled with immense anticipation as well. Who knew how much stronger he would be after he consumed them?
As Li Luo took away the Star Pearls meant for him, the Grand Commanders and Dragon Fang Envoys received their shares.
The remaining three parts were then distributed equally to the rest of the Dragon's Fang Guardians.
It was clear how beneficial it was to be in a position of power in the Five Guardian Armies. It was no wonder everyone cultivated with zealous fervor.
Li Foluo glanced at Li Luo as he said, "The golden lotus platforms are a good place to refine your Star Pearls. You can all find your own space to cultivate for now."
With that, the atmosphere relaxed a little and the Guardians began to disperse in twos and threes, finding their own space.
Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, Li Hongyou, Li Fengyi, and the rest then gathered to speak for a while.
Li Fengyi and Li Fuling were incredibly delighted, endlessly showering praise upon Jiang Qing'e as looks of idolatry could be seen in their eyes.
Jiang Qing'e simply smiled in response. A while later, her golden eyes turned towards Li Luo, and she said, "I've been given around twenty thousand Star Pearls. If you need any more, let me know."
Li Luo hurriedly shook his head. "I have enough! The Star Pearls’ energy may be incomparably pure, but there should be a limit to how much I can absorb. You also require huge amounts of cultivation resources, and if I obstruct your progress, I'll never be able to forgive myself."
Li Fengyi and Li Fuling shuddered upon hearing his corny words. They felt that it was better to leave and cultivate in peace than to interrupt these lovebirds...
There, they hurriedly turned tail and left.
Li Luo helplessly smiled, and it was then when Jiang Qing'e reminded him, "Li Hongyou has demonstrated her value during this event. I'm afraid the Dragon's Blood Guardians will go out of their way to get her out of the Dragon's Fang Guardians as quickly as possible."
He nodded slightly. "Are you talking about the bet?"
If they wished to get rid of her, they could only do so through the bet.
"I'll do my best to refine as many Star Pearls as I can and strengthen myself before then."
Li Luo knew that Jiang Qing'e was reminding him of the bet. The gap between the Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier and the Duke Stage was like a massive chasm. It was no easy task to bridge this gap.
"Do your best."
Jiang Qing'e stood gracefully before Li Luo with a peerless temperament, her stunning beauty on full display. Her fair cheeks were like delicate porcelain and her smile was breathtaking. She instantly became the focus of everyone around them, and many eyes snuck a look at her.
Li Luo similarly appreciated the beautiful sight in front of him. He stretched his hand out and took hold of her hand, leading her away to find a spot to cultivate.
She could feel a sense of warmth radiating from his palm, and the corners of her lips moved slightly.
They then found a platform made of golden dragon scales and sat cross-legged, their minds gradually calming down.
With a wave of Li Luo's hand, a single Star Pearl appeared in his palm. He could feel the exceptionally pure energy circulating within it. Exerting a small amount of force, he shattered the Star Pearl and absorbed the energy into his body.
He could immediately experience the effect of the Star Pearls for himself.