Chapter 0637: Grave Tidings

Mentor Chi Chan was completely taken aback when the raging, black sea and dragon materialized around Li Luo. This indicated that Li Luo had managed to overcome the concept's test and was now able to freely utilize the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner, a Communion-grade Duke Art.

A Fiend Palace Tier cultivator had managed to learn a Duke Art?

What did this symbolize?

Although Li Luo was someone who had created many miracles before, what he had just accomplished was on a different level. Complicated thoughts surged through her mind. This kid was a cultivating fiend!

Mentor Chi Chan waved her hand, and the tea table was put away before she directly leaped into the middle of the lake with a single step. Staring at the pale-faced but incomparably excited Li Luo, she beckoned with a finger, and pristine water washed away all of the blood that was staining his body.

"Mentor... I... I've done it!" Li Luo screamed in elation as he looked at his mentor. Mentor Chi Chan nodded slightly and sighed whilst staring at Li Luo. "You've done it again. Another miracle. If this were to be known, your name would once again resound throughout the entire Astral Sage College."

Li Luo smirked confidently. He felt as though he was on cloud nine. Furthermore, cultivating the Underworld River's Black Dragon Banner was an arduous and difficult process. He had been tormented endlessly into a state of limbo. If his willpower wasn't resolute enough, he'd have given up a long time ago. His bloodline had been roused at a critical moment, allowing him to conquer the black dragon's concept.

Li Luo could feel that the mysterious dragon claw had been a manifestation of his bloodline. Perhaps it was a trace of the heavenly dragon's will, feeling offended that this lesser creature had impugned upon its majesty, thus delivering a swift judgment upon it, shattering the concept into pieces.

"Mentor, I would like to trouble you to keep this a secret," Li Luo beseeched.

Mentor Chi Chan glanced at Li Luo but did not speak further, only nodding in agreement. She understood why Li Luo would want to keep this news under wraps. It was to be a veritable hidden ace in the hole, to be brought out for maximum effect at a critical moment.

"You've spent twenty-odd days here, and there's only four days left until the Housemeet," she reminded him.

"Four days, huh." Li Luo's gaze was complicated. There was a sense of anticipation, as well as a trace of apprehension. He had cultivated without pause for over a year in preparation for the Housemeet, and his results were frightening. In the short span of a year, the blank palace young lord of the City of Southwind had become a triple resonance Fiend Palace Tier cultivator.

Once, he was but a timid rat, hiding in the depths of the City of Southwind. Now he could spread his wings and stand with his head held high during the Housemeet itself, capable of dealing with the other party on equal terms.

"Mentor, I'll leave the college and go home for now. Thank you for your guidance thus far," Li Luo said with sincerity, his heart full of turbulent emotions as he clasped his hands and bowed.

Now that the pivotal Housemeet was about to start, it would change the fate of House Luolan as he knew it. He would no longer have time to tarry in school and cultivate leisurely. Every last scrap of time would be spent preparing for this destined battle.

If he emerged victorious, he would officially become House Luolan's young lord, ushering in a new era of recovery and prosperity. Otherwise, all of it would be scattered into the winds as House Luolan would disintegrate into a puff of smoke. Jiang Qing'e and he would have to pursue a new path altogether then. Perhaps he would have to sequester himself from the public eye within the college, awaiting the day he broke into the Duke Stage. Or perhaps he would have to leave the Xia Kingdom entirely to find another path of survival.

Regardless of the path he took, this event would change their lives forever.

Upon hearing these words, Chi Chan fell into a momentary silence. She knew what lay ahead of him. It was his responsibility as the heir to House Luolan. An inescapable burden.

"You must remember, if the situation spirals out of control, Jiang Qing'e and you can always return to the Astral Sage College. The two of you are highly important seedlings for the college, and so we will protect you. So long as you live, your opponents will not be able to sleep peacefully ever again. The moment you reach the Duke Stage, rebuilding House Luolan will not be a difficult task," Mentor Chi Chan gently reminded him.

Li Luo smiled and nodded. Mentor Chi Chan and Vice Principal Su Xin had repeated these words of goodwill multiple times. They were concerned that he would act impulsively as a youth, but he understood that it all stemmed from genuine concern for them. After all, no one would want such talented saplings withered by the flames of war.

Seeing his acknowledgement, she did not mention anything else, leading Li Luo to the exit and back to the Resonant Art Pagoda.

"Mentor, I plan to return to the dormitory and say my goodbyes to Mengmeng and Xin Fu." Li Luo raised a final request.

"Why are you talking as though you're planning for your last rites?"

Seeing his sheepish expression, she sighed. "Let’s go. I'll accompany you."

The two then left the Resonant Art Pagoda and made their way back.

Upon arriving at the dormitory, Li Luo could hear all sorts of bustling noises coming from inside. It seemed as though a party was underway, causing him to feel a little taken aback. Pushing the door open, he saw numerous individuals milling around... Yu Lang, Zhao Kuo, Qin Zhulu, Bai Doudou, Lu Qing'er, Xin Fu, and Bai Mengmeng were all present.

"What sort of illegal gathering is this?" Li Luo asked in surprise.

His sudden appearance had also shocked everyone else before congratulations started flooding forth.

"Brother Luo! You're finally out! We've been waiting for you for a few days now." Zhao Kuo smiled.

Li Luo glanced around and found an empty seat before asking curiously, "Why were you waiting for me?"

When no one chose to reply, Yu Lang guffawed. "Waiting to cheer you on, of course."

Li Luo's mind started spinning. House Luolan's Housemeet was no secret, and everyone in the entire Xia Kingdom was watching the event with utmost interest. Yu Lang and the rest of them had naturally interacted with people of stature within the college and had inevitably found out what was going on.

They knew that Li Luo would engage in a decisive battle in four days' time, and they were awaiting him, hoping to give him some form of encouragement.

Although encouragement wouldn't have any tangible effect on the situation, it was their actions that touched Li Luo's heart and made him feel a sense of warmth and camaraderie.

Li Luo grinned as he replied impishly, "There's no need to worry, everyone. It's a minor situation, and once it's over, I will ascend to become the lord of House Luolan. At that point in time, our statuses will have changed. Don't feel bad about the disparity between us then."

Loud exhales were heard throughout the room.

Such shameless words had caused everyone to exhale deeply, resisting the urge to punch this idiot. However, it was a sigh of relief at the same time. Li Luo's lightheartedness was a good sign, and the atmosphere quickly turned festive.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Li Luo took a seat and began to chat animatedly with his friends, laughing and enjoying himself.

The weeks of bitter cultivation had caused his mind and spirit to become extremely tense. It was only now that he was able to relax, albeit slightly.

After a period of time, he rose to pour himself a glass of water when Bai Mengmeng stealthily approached him. "Leader." Bai Mengmeng piped up as her large, crystal-like eyes admired him with a look of adoration.

"Yes? How can I help you?" Li Luo smiled.

She quickly reached into her robe and drew out a black crystal card imprinted with the Golden Dragon Bank's emblem. Biting her lip softly, she said, "Leader, I'm not strong enough to help you, but I've saved quite the sum in the last few years. This might not be enough to move those in the Duke Stage, but it should let you hire countless Heavenly Dipper Generals to assist you."

This sentence struck him like a bombshell, and he didn't know whether to laugh or to cry upon hearing this. He quickly pushed the card away and solemnly said, "My little rich lady, I know you're incredibly affluent. However, I will not be tempted by the vices of money! Do you think I'm interested in your wealth?"

Bai Mengmeng pouted angrily. "I'm not joking here!"

Li Luo gave a relaxed smile as he gently replied, "I know. Thank you for your goodwill, but I hope you'll believe in me. The situation at headquarters is not as dire as you might think. Additionally, if your sister ever got wind of this... she'd beat me to death." He coughed slightly upon that horrifying thought.

Bai Mengmeng stared at Li Luo for a moment, and upon seeing his resolute expression, she could only retrieve her card and slink back into the party.

After Bai Mengmeng left, Li Luo saw a shadow tremble beside him before he unceremoniously spoke out, "Xin Fu, you truly have used your shadow resonance to its full potential by being an uninvited voyeur." The shadow rippled once more and reformed into Xin Fu.

Unfortunately, Xin Fu's expression was a little downcast as he looked at Li Luo. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke the words in his heart. "Leader, I have news to report."

"What is it?" Li Luo carefully observed Xin Fu's gaze and expression.

Xin Fu approached cautiously and secretively channeled his voice into Li Luo's ear, conveying news that caused Li Luo’s pupils to shrink. "House Lanling has received a contract for dealing with you and Senior Jiang."