Chapter 0800 – Reappearance of Zhong Ling
On the high platform on the drill grounds, Li Luo"s gaze swept over the slightly hurried-looking first division. Complicated expressions could be seen on all their faces, as well as apprehension. After all, they were clearly angry at the Banner Leader just a few days ago and had opted to skip practice, which could also be seen as a show of disrespect. Now that they had been forced to bend under Li Luo"s methods, their hearts were filled with fear and they no longer wished to be tied to Zhong Ling"s boat.
However, they were not sure if Li Luo would still punish them for their previous actions.
Although he had stated that he would not blame the ordinary members, his tough approach in the last two days had instilled anxiety within them.
Thus, these thousand-odd banner members did not dare to speak any further.
Li Luo immediately focused upon the one who had just spoken. "What is your name?"
"Banner Leader, this humble one is Zhou Shanhe," the young man carefully replied.
Li Luo nodded slightly. He could be considered an elite in the first division. He was no weaker than Li Shi and was once a close follower of Zhong Ling. His presence here signified that he was planning to change allegiances.
It was human nature to hit someone when they were down, and Zhong Ling"s decline was clearly set in stone. These individuals felt that there was no reason to follow him to the end and squander their futures.
Li Luo was also exceptionally talented, and even though he was a dark horse, he would very likely have a significant role to play in the future of the Dragon"s Fang Lineage.
Thus, the choice was not hard.
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Li Luo nodded and calmly replied, "Now that you"re here, you can begin your training in earnest. Don"t be concerned with other things, and when the Green Nether Banner ascends, you will share in the glory and benefits too."
Zhou Shanhe gratefully nodded as he wiped off the cold sweat off his forehead.
Just as Li Luo waved to signal him to join the group, his attention was drawn to a group of individuals that were rushing over in the distance. Ten breaths later, the group arrived.
The one leading them was none other than the missing Zhong Ling!
His appearance caused a flurry of activity to erupt within the drill grounds. Zhou Shanhe and the rest of the first division members who had turned up earlier started to feel a little fl.u.s.tered.
Zhong Ling shot a vicious gaze towards Zhou Shanhe, accompanied by a furious roar. "How audacious of you, Zhou Shanhe!"
Zhong Ling could see that Zhou Shanhe had encouraged the rest of the first division to join the training session! He clearly did not respect his authority.
Zhou Shanhe felt a chill run down his spine, but he hardened himself. "Sub Leader, we have no choice. We have to cultivate as well."
An angry smile was plastered on Zhong Ling"s face as he stomped over step by step.
However, Li Luo"s cold and in a different voice echoed out at that very moment. "Zhong Ling, are you in a position to speak?"
Zhong Ling"s eyes twitched as he gave a smile that was not a smile. "This is an internal issue of the first division."
"Have you forgotten my position?" Li Luo raised a single eyebrow as he waved his hand and gave his order. "If Zhong Ling makes any more movements. Take. Him. Down."
With that declaration, Li Shi took a step forward, giving Zhong Ling a sharp look. At the same time, the second, third, and fourth division Sub Leaders also stood up.
Li Luo was now the Banner Leader and their direct superior. They could not disobey him.
Zhong Ling’s expression turned unimaginably ugly. His face seemed to be trembling, clearly holding back the immense rage within his heart. He was once the most imposing and authoritative individual in the banner despite just being the Sub Leader of the first division. The other three Sub Leaders had never even let out as much as a fart in protest, but now things had changed. They were all ready to bare their fangs and suppress him.
All this was due to Li Luo"s appearance.
In the end, Zhong Ling managed to restrain himself, and he calmly replied, "Banner Leader Li Luo, you are truly mighty. I was merely resting for the last two days, and if I had turned up just a day late, the entire first division would have been dismantled by you. I want to know, is our division such an eyesore in the great Banner Leader"s eyes?"
Zhao Yanzhi snorted coldly. "Were you really resting or looking for an excuse not to come? Only you know yourself best."
Zhong Ling emotionlessly retorted, "I was injured during the Banner Leader battle. That was clear for all to see. I heard that the Banner Leader even wants to replace me and find a new Sub Leader. I wonder why? Is it because I was injured and had to rest for two days? I was personally dispatched as the Sub Leader by the Second Hall Master, and if the Banner Leader wants my position, he will have to follow the rules set by the Second Hall Master."
Li Luo glanced at him but no longer bothered to bicker with him. "Since you"re here, then prepare to practice. Don"t waste any more time."
When Zhong Ling heard this, his eyes shrank slightly. He seemed a little taken aback. Obviously, Li Luo would not let him off the hook so easily. Did he not intend to hold him accountable and would instead leave him to continue being the first division"s Sub Leader?
Zhong Ling"s gaze trembled and he laughed coldly deep down. Li Luo actually had some brains, it seemed. He knew that the Green Nether Banner would suffer too much of a loss without him! After all, he was still the sole individual at the Fiend Finisher Tier in the banner.
Thus, Zhong Ling waved his sleeves and brought his division to their usual position.
When Zhou Shanhe saw Zhong Ling walk over, his expression stiffened. He had never expected Li Luo to only feign bravery and wrap up the situation like this! Had he just forgiven Zhong Ling just like that? What would happen to the people who had opted to abandon him? With Zhong Ling"s personality, they would definitely not be let off easily. The rest of the first division members were bitterly crying out in their hearts, immediately lowering their heads. They were unwilling to look Zhong Ling"s allies in the eye.
However, Zhong Ling did not do much either, only gloomily finding his position and sitting down cross-legged. He did not plan to go so far that Li Luo would be forced to kick him out. Only by remaining within the Green Nether Banner could he cause Li Luo endless trouble.
For example, when the Green Nether Banner tried to achieve Harmony as a whole.
Now that Li Luo had stolen his position, then so be it. Since he could no longer advance, Li Luo should give up any dreams of using the Green Nether Banner to ascend higher!
Additionally, he could secretly sabotage and disrupt Li Luo"s plans during moments of crisis during the Fiendish Devil Cave expeditions in future.
As his mind pondered over numerous vicious ways to retaliate, Zhong Ling and his group were finally seated.
Li Luo remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned with Zhong Ling"s side of things. He stretched his hand out, and a gold seal appeared in his grasp. The seal was engraved with an intricate design of a dragon, pa.s.sively radiating a mystical sort of pressure.
As Zhong Ling stared at that particular seal, a deep desire for it blossomed within his eyes. This was the object that signified that one was the Banner Leader of the Green Nether Banner, the Gold Dragon Seal.
Only the one who possessed it could rouse the strength of all eight thousand banner members.
The strength that one would achieve in the state of Harmony with the whole banner was no weaker than that of a Duke!
Although this strength did not truly belong to the wielder, it was enough for anyone to crave for its might.
"Li Luo, don"t think you will ever be able to achieve Harmony so easily with me in the Green Nether Banner! Once you fail to do so a few times, your prestige will be ruined. Let’s see if you"ll still dare to show your face as the supposed Banner Leader then!"
As Zhong Ling had these thoughts in mind, Li Luo began to clutch the gold seal and activate the Draconic Atavism Scripture.
The next moment, the eight thousand banner members felt a sort of calling as strand after strand of majestic energy began to arise from their bodies and ascend into the skies. The energy converged in the air, forming an extremely huge torrent of energy.
The torrent of energy was like a furious dragon coiled up atop the skies of the Green Nether Banner"s drill grounds. The energy itself emitted a pressure that caused a storm to kick up within the very grounds.
When the energy abrasively rubbed against the air, it created thunderous booms.
Everyone in the field was taken aback by this sight. Although attaining Harmony was not something unfamiliar to them, this was the first time this generation of the Green Nether Banner had seen the complete Harmony as a whole.
It was much more powerful than they had expected.
Zhao Yanzhi worriedly looked at Li Luo. Controlling such a huge amount of energy was no easy feat, and she did not know if Li Luo would succeed.
Similarly, Li Luo was currently observing the gigantic, coiled-up dragon condensed from energy. It was incredibly mighty and gave off an intimidating pressure. However, there was no fear in his eyes, only a feeling of longing and antic.i.p.ation.
The energy and power were intoxicating and coveted by all. If anyone could control it, they could compete against a full-fledged Duke even if they were in the Fiend Palace Tier.
This was the might of the Twenty Banners of the Heavenly Dragon"s Five Lineages. It was a power on par with that of Dukes.
Li Luo tightly clutched the gold seal and slowly closed his eyes, allowing the resonant power within his body to circulate and lift upwards. It then entered the middle of the condensed energy.
Next up, he would finally get to try it. Just how hard would it be to achieve the state of Harmony with eight thousand Green Nether Banner members?