Chapter 1217: Fourth Grand Commander Li Luo
In the field, Li Luo was looking at the beaming male who had just given up his position. For a moment, he did not know how to react. He had a.s.sumed that he would encounter some obstacles after arriving and was even prepared for an arduous battle today.
After all, in the Green Nether Banner, he had to establish his dominance through violence to intimidate the rest and consolidate his power.
But someone had just directly given up his position in the Dragon"s Fang Guardians?
Things were progressing so smoothly, he wondered if there was a plot abound. Perhaps he was looking to retreat only to take advantage of the situation before advancing yet again?
When faced with Li Luo"s surprise, the man couldn"t help but smile. He took two steps forward and explained, "My name is Li Jian, and I"m the Dragon"s Fang Guardians" Fourth Grand Commander. I"m a lower first-grade Duke. There is no need to feel confused over this, Dragon"s Head Li Luo. The Dragon"s Fang Guardians may prize strength over everything, but we also recognize one"s contributions and achievements. We have not underestimated your importance in leading the Green Nether Banner into becoming the leader amongst the Twenty Banners. After all, the only other person who had managed such a feat was your father, Li Taixuan.
"When news of you becoming the Dragon"s Head reached our ears, everyone was ecstatic. They felt that they could see the shadow of your father within you. During his time, Li Taixuan elevated the guardians to their most glorious era, having managed to win over four of the five mythic armaments. He was like an unstoppable force that struck awe in everyone. Under his guidance, the Dragon"s Fang Guardians were the leaders of the Five Guardian Armies. Every Guardian General after him has looked up to him. Unfortunately, our strength was not up to par, and our generation is a little too weak; our Light and Dark Spear was lost to the Dragon"s Blood Guardians. Thus, you represent a beam of hope for us, so we don"t mind helping you out. If you feel that the position of the Fourth Grand Commander is not too low, then please take it."
Li Luo finally understood. It seemed that his reputation had preceded him and it was because of what he had achieved in the Twenty Banners.
It seemed that Li Jian and the others in front of him were acting kindly because they also saw it as a form of investment.
To that, Li Luo could only say that the Dragon"s Fang Guardians truly lived up to their reputation. Their sights lay much further into the future when compared to those in the Twenty Banners, and it was no surprise they had managed to become Dukes.
"Thank you, Elder Brother Li Jian." Li Luo sighed in his heart. Li Jian represented the goodwill of the Dragon"s Fang Guardians towards him, and he would naturally not reject it. Now that he had been able to achieve his goal effortlessly, he knew that he would have to fight even harder on behalf of them in future.
Alas, this group was still unaware that if they wished to pin their hopes on someone, perhaps Jiang Qing"e would have been the better option.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, embarking on the Path of Ascension meant that she possessed even more shocking talent.
Unfortunately, Li Jian did not know all this, instead smiling as he stretched his hand out to shake Li Luo"s hand. He then pushed him on to the Fourth Grand Commander"s seat.
It was at this point that the other three Grand Commanders looked at him, nodding in a.s.sent.
A lady garbed in red and black combat robes introduced herself as she gave him a warm look. "Grand Commander Li Luo, I am Xia Yu, a lower second-grade Duke, the Chief Grand Commander."
She had beautiful features, but a single scar on her cheek gave her a slightly ruthless air. Li Luo cupped his fist as he saluted her respectfully. "Greetings, Chief Grand Commander. I look forward to receiving your guidance in the future."
"I"m the Second Grand Commander, Li Shanlan, upper first-grade Duke." The one who spoke up next was a tall and upright male. He had a black hatchet by his side, and he emanated tyrannical and savage energy undulations. His features were coa.r.s.e and his gaze was focused on Li Luo. "Grand Commander Li Luo, every single member of the Dragon"s Fang Guardians has high hopes for you. I hope you won"t let us down."
Li Luo didn"t know what to say. It wasn"t his fault that they had high hopes for him! He was honestly more willing to prove his worth in a battle and rely on his actual strength... But none of them had reacted as he had expected and gave him a free pa.s.s.
"I"m the Third Grand Commander, Li Meng, upper first-grade Duke. Grand Commander Li Luo, you will have to get closer to us in the future as we are your new family." Third Grand Commander Li Meng was a rotund man who resembled a ball. That said, his smile was infectious and he had a kind look on his face.
It was at this point that the members of the Dragon"s Fang Guardians thunderously shouted, "Greetings, Fourth Grand Commander!"
Li Luo hurriedly stood up and saluted the group in response. This first encounter had allowed him to feel the curiosity and goodwill the Dragon"s Fang Guardians held towards him. They did not criticize nor scrutinize his every action, which was a far cry from what he had first experienced in the Green Nether Banner.
Clearly, his actions and contributions in the last two years in the Dragon"s Fang Lineage had had an impact.
Amongst the soldiers of the Dragon"s Fang Guardians, Li Fengyi, Li Jingtao, Zhao Yanzhi, and the rest of the old guard who had served under Li Luo revealed expressions of great joy when he obtained his position as the Fourth Grand Commander. Furthermore, it was rare for someone with Greater Heavenly Resonance Tier strength to obtain such a t.i.tle. This demonstrated that Li Luo was beginning to build a reputation of his own in the Dragon"s Fang Lineage.
"Thank you, Guardian General." Li Luo then cupped his fist and expressed his grat.i.tude towards Li Foluo. He understood that if not for Li Foluo"s approval in this matter, Li Jian"s Fourth Grand Commander position may not have been ceded so willingly.
Li Foluo"s expression was calm. "Li Luo, due to your prior achievements, we"ve broken away from the norm by giving you this position. The Dragon"s Fang Guardians hold a lot of goodwill towards you and will naturally not seek to s.n.a.t.c.h your position from you. However, this does not mean that you can act ostentatiously. The Ceremony of Ascent will take place in half a month. The Five Guardian Armies will gather, and you will very likely attract the challenges of the other Grand Commanders. I don"t expect you to win spectacularly, but at the very least don"t lose too badly. Otherwise..."
Li Foluo"s gaze turned stern. "You will return your seat to Li Jian. This will prevent a situation where the Dragon"s Fang Guardians will be implicated and mocked."
When faced with Li Foluo"s serious stare, Li Luo smiled. "I understand the rules. Guardian General, you do not have to worry."
He knew that Li Foluo was saying this with good intentions. Yet because of his personality and the way he did things, even his words of kindness left people slightly unsettled.
Li Foluo did say anything else. The true focus of today was not Li Luo, but rather Jiang Qing"e. Li Luo being able to smoothly ascend to the Grand Commander position was because of both his previous results and the glory that his father had brought in the past. Unfortunately for Jiang Qing"e, she wanted to become a Dragon Fang Envoy.
This was a position just second to Li Foluo.
Both of them were veterans of countless battles with numerous achievements and undeniable strength. There was no chance one of them would give up their position solely because Jiang Qing"e was Li Luo"s fiancee.
Even though Jiang Qing"e had a Ten-Pillar Duke Bergfried, she was still a first-grade Duke, so things would not be as simple.
Thinking about this, Li Foluo turned towards Jiang Qing"e.
Jiang Qing"e, on the other hand, remained unfazed and took a step forward, attracting the eyes of everyone in the field. A hint of amazement could be seen in the eyes of everyone.
Her looks impressed most of the Dragon"s Fang Guardians, causing their eyes to light up in delight. After all, a girl with such temperament and beauty was rarely seen.
But she was so outstanding that the numerous members only dared to stealthily size her up.
As she had taken the initiative to step up, the rest could finally observe her in peace.
At the same time, Li Foluo"s voice rang out.
"Jiang Qing"e, as per the Lineage Chief"s special approval, you have one opportunity to battle someone for their t.i.tle. I hope you will take advantage of this and not waste it."
Jiang Qing"e took in Li Foluo"s final reminder but did not pay much attention to it. Instead, she turned to face the two stone seats directly under his.
At the same time, her calm voice rang out.
"I choose to battle for the position of Dragon Fang Envoy." Li Foluo closed his eyes as the entire field erupted into shouts, helplessly sighing.
These unrivaled geniuses were simply too wild and out of control.
It seemed they would have to be beaten down before they were willing to listen!