Chapter 0630: Application

The grand battle had ended, but the atmosphere had only just started heating up. As the students dispersed, they brought their excitement to every inch of the college.

It was a historical event, one worthy of celebrating.

Even after they left the college, this moment would indelibly be branded into their memories.

Now that the battle for the Seven Astral Pillars had concluded, Li Luo accompanied Mentor Chi Chan as they made their way towards Vice Principal Su Xin. He held deep anticipation in his heart towards the chance of obtaining one of those Fiend Origin Pills that Mentor Chi Chan was planning to apply for.

It would be a boon to his cultivation and he would be able to more quickly refine and temper his other two resonant palaces.

And coincidentally, once Li Luo arrived atop the high platform Vice Principal Su Xin was on, he saw his favorite senior, Zhu Xuan. His heart skipped a beat at this moment as he knew that he was probably here for the same reason.

Zhu Xuan also saw Li Luo, but his face was like water, as smooth as glass. He felt a tinge of fear whenever he saw Li Luo during the Holy Grail Meet, but it was now replaced with utter confidence.

"I heard that Senior Zhu has broken into the Quasi General Stage. Is that true?" Li Luo curiously asked, immediately smiling warmly.

Zhu Xuan gave a mild smirk. "I was afraid that you would have caught up to me if I didn't break through, Junior Li Luo. There was no choice at all... I had to do my best for the sake of the Two Star Hall's honor." He might have tried his best to suppress the arrogance from within his bones, but a look of pride could be seen within his eyes. He had every right to feel like this. Being able to break into the Quasi General Stage was, after all, a great achievement for those in the Two Star Hall. Unfortunately, it also came with significant investment in resources, and he had finally managed to take that step forward.

He had been thoroughly trampled underfoot during the Holy Grail Meet. Amongst the four halls of the college, the Two Star Hall was the heaviest dead weight. As the strongest individual from Astral Sage College's Two Star Hall, he had managed to garner no achievements, nor had he put on a dazzling performance, constantly being outshined by everyone else.

Comparatively speaking, even he had to admit that the One Star Hall was particularly outstanding...

In the past, the Two Star Hall students could walk around with their chins up as respected seniors. Yet after that meet, the Two Star Hall students felt so shameful that they'd even take the long way around the One Star Hall students! The gap between the two halls was too large!

Conversely, Zhu Xuan had heard rumors that many of his fellow hallmates were venting their grievances in secret. They were saying that he, the representative, wasn't really strong either. Alas, he could only feel depressed in his helplessness. There wasn't any way for him to bridge the gap between his and Li Luo's performances at that point.

It was precisely this humiliation that had spurred him on. He had gritted his teeth and begged for a significant amount of cultivation resources from his father, luckily breaking into the Quasi General Stage thanks to them.

Although it was not a complete breakthrough into the Fiend Palace Tier, he had stepped through the gates at the very least, a far cry from the Resonant Master Stage now. Even during the Holy Grail Meet, the title holder of the Two Star Hall, Ao Bai, was also only at the Quasi General Stage.

Thus, this had allowed him to regain his confidence! He was better than that piddling Resonant Master Li Luo now.

Faced with Zhu Xuan's calm and self assured smile, Li Luo's expression also became even more genial and warm as he nodded. "Senior Zhu is wonderful, this really demonstrates your potential and talent! No wonder you're the young lord of House Jiyan."

When faced with Li Luo's effusive praise, Zhu Xuan felt that something didn't seem right and shot him a suspicious glance for a moment. Shortly after he thought about it, it changed to a sense of relief. It looked as though Li Luo truly understood the disparity between the two of them and would no longer act so presumptuously before him.

Whilst the two entertained sinister thoughts and exchanged words, Mentor Chi Chan had arrived before Vice Principal Su Xin. Seeing that Li Luo was also right behind her, she smiled. "Li Luo, are you planning to claim a Duke Art now? Even if you get your hands on one, you will not be able to cultivate it so easily." Upon hearing these words, Zhu Xuan was utterly shocked. Li Luo was planning to learn a Duke Art? He was truly arrogant! Even the Seven Astral Pillars were unable to cultivate such an art.

Li Luo revealed a wide grin. "There's no harm in trying. What if I succeed?"

This aspect of Li Luo was something that Vice Principal Su Xin appreciated. "It's good to be courageous. I wish you the best of luck, then."

Mentor Chi Chan then chimed in. "Actually, Vice Principal Su Xin, we aren't here for the Duke Art. I had wanted to apply for the remaining Fiend Origin Pill."

Vice Principal Su Xin seemed a little taken aback. "You want to apply for a Fiend Origin Pill?"

At the same time, a lean Violet Vibrance mentor who had been beside Zhu Xuan frowned. "Mentor Chi Chan, you're currently guiding those in the One Star Hall. What does the Fiend Origin Pill have to do with your students? Zhu Xuan has already broken into the Quasi General Stage, and I plan to apply for the Fiend Origin Pill for him." This was naturally Zhu Xuan's mentor speaking.

"On whose behalf are you applying?" Vice Principal Su Xin gaze flickered as she turned to glance at Li Luo. "For Li Luo, perhaps?"

Zhu Xuan's cheeks twitched as he sullenly turned towards Li Luo. "Junior Li Luo, don't you think you're a little too far off from being able to utilize a Fiend Origin Pill? Are you so ambitious and greedy that you have to set your grubby hands on anything that might have value?" He was furious. He had already assumed that the Fiend Origin Pill would belong to him, and it was an object that only benefited those in the Earth Fiend Stage. On what basis would Li Luo deserve to use it? Was he trying to curtail his chances? Or perhaps this brat was deliberately targeting him!

"Young Lord Li Luo, has House Luolan fallen into such a destitute state? Do you want to snatch away anything that you can set your sights on?" Zhu Xuan coldly snorted.

"I have reached the Quasi General Stage, so the Fiend Origin Pill is of use to me. What would a piddly Resonant Master want with one? Do you really feel that your contributions at the Holy Grail Meet would allow you to make such an outrageous request? Do you really think..." Just as Zhu Xuan was about to continue his vicious tirade, any further words were jammed down his throat as he witnessed Li Luo circulating his resonant power. An extremely robust and tyrannical resonant power had exuded from him, suppressing even Zhu Xuan.

Zhu Xuan could feel his stomach lurch, and an ugly expression coupled with consternation took root on his face.

"The Fiend Palace Tier?!" Zhu Xuan's mentor similarly watched in stupefaction as he looked at Li Luo. The dense resonant power that was released was not something a Quasi General Stage cultivator possessed. This only meant one thing: he had broken through completely!

On the other hand, Li Luo did not deign to hide his presence, and even students in the surroundings felt the strength coming from him, glancing in their direction with astonishment.

It was only when they realized that the source of this tyrannical resonant power was Li Luo that they were left in complete disbelief.

"Wait, that's Li Luo?"

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"This pressure... could it be that of the Fiend Palace Tier?"

"My God! Li Luo had a breakthrough into the Fiend Palace Tier!"

"What's going on today? Are the two from House Luolan trying to overturn all conventional wisdom?!"

Countless cries of surprise came from the crowd when the magnitude of this achievement struck them. A One Star Hall student in the Fiend Palace Tier... This was something that had never been seen before in the history of the Astral Sage College either!

Gong Shenjun, the First Princess, and the rest of the influential members of the Astral Sage College had gathered atop the high platform. They had originally planned to disperse and leave after their conversation, but the disturbance on the adjacent platform had attracted their attention. When they sensed the powerful undulations coming from Li Luo, even they were slightly moved.

"What? Li Luo has entered the Fiend Palace Tier?" Wang Chao sucked in a cold breath of air. The First Princess' elegant face also slowly shifted into one of astonishment. Half a breath later, she composed herself. "The Holy Grail Meet's reward was a Holy Tree Marrow Crystal. I suppose Li Luo borrowed its power to break through."

Gong Shenjun was silent as he pondered for a moment. "The Holy Tree Marrow Crystal may be mystical, and it does possess the ability to facilitate a breakthrough, but Li Luo is still only in his first year of college. His foundation should not have been sufficient to allow for it."

The First Princess nodded slightly as though agreeing with his conjecture. She had received a Holy Tree Marrow Crystal too, so she knew the extent of its efficacy. Even though Li Luo possessed one, the best he should have been able to do was reach the Quasi General Stage. Reaching the Fiend Palace Tier would naturally require another half a year of time for further accumulation.

"It's likely that his parents left behind some mystical treasures," Duze Honglian explained with a complicated expression.

The rest duly nodded. Only this explanation would make sense.

Regardless, it also demonstrated that Li Luo's cultivation speed had shocked even these talented students.

If he could reach the Fiend Palace Tier whilst in the One Star Hall, wouldn't that mean that when he reached the Two Star Hall, he'd be at a similar level to Jiang Qing'e today? This was a frightening thought.

"House Luolan's budding phoenix and dragon really do possess the style of the previous generation. Given enough time, House Luolan will inevitably become a dual Duke house once again." Wang Chao sighed.

All of these individuals were associated with the highest level powers of the Xia Kingdom. What was left unspoken was the fact that time was what House Luolan lacked the most.

House Luolan's moment of reckoning was one month away. Success or failure would be decided then.