Chapter 0675: Magnetic

"What? You want to join House Luolan?"

Li Luo was in complete disbelief when he heard Chi Chan's words, rubbing his ears. Had he misheard something? Thus, he had to ask it again.

Chi Chan gave a slight nod. "Now that I've left the college, I realize I have nowhere I want to go. So I want to stay here temporarily. What do you think? Is that appropriate?"

Li Luo was so touched that tears welled up in his eyes as he emotionally glanced at Chi Chan. "Mentor Chi Chan, could it be that you happen to have some sort of secret connection with my father by some chance? You've treated me far too well! I wouldn't be surprised if you were my mother..."

Chi Chan was left completely speechless before she indignantly replied, "Ever since I was assigned to the Astral Sage College, I have not had any contact with the secular world. I am unfamiliar with your father and I have always been single! Stop slandering me with your irresponsible words! Whatever I did was purely because you were an exceptional student. You've done so much for me, and I couldn't bear to see such a wonderful student be extinguished by some extraneous factors. I'm only staying at House Luolan for now as it's convenient and just an interim plan."

Li Luo sheepishly touched his nose. "Oh... so it's like that."

Immediately after, he showed a warm smile as though nothing had happened. "Welcome, welcome! Mentor Chi Chan, so long as you wish for it, House Luolan will forever open its gates for you. You can stay as long as you want!"

Jiang Qing'e had made her way over at this point, and a slight smile surfaced on her beautiful face. "Mentor Chi Chan joining House Luolan is honoring us. We will welcome you wholeheartedly."

In truth, deep down, Jiang Qing'e was completely taken aback by this chain of events. She had never expected that Chi Chan would temporarily reside within House Luolan. Although she did not know how long this period of time would be, it was phenomenal news.

This meant that House Luolan would have yet another Duke before Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan's return.

If Ox Biaobiao was also considered, then House Luolan's Headquarters would have two Dukes!

If news of this spread, it would cause a sensation within the Xia Kingdom.

Mentor Chi Chan was simply treating Li Luo too well. She was a Duke after all! With her strength, no matter where she traveled to in the Xia Kingdom, she could even start her own house if she wished to! Then the Xia Kingdom would have six Great Houses!

Thus, saying that she had nowhere else to go was simply a joke.

Jiang Qing'e had not interacted with Chi Chan much in the past, and so the only reason she would have chosen to come to House Luolan was because of Li Luo.

Although Li Luo's opening line was completely ridiculous, the fact was that Mentor Chi Chan did indeed treat him too well!

This had far surpassed the relationship a teacher would have with her student.

However, if she had ulterior motives, then that was a head-scratcher too. There was no reason for anyone to covet Li Luo or House Luolan's possessions... unless her aim was the divine matter? Still, the possibility of that didn't seem very high. After going around in circles, Jiang Qing'e concluded that Li Luo was simply too charismatic.

He was quite handsome after all.

Jiang Qing'e took a step forward and tightly grasped Chi Chan's forearm, a rare form of intimacy as she dragged her into the House Luolan.

Li Luo, on the other hand, haughtily followed suit. He was absolutely exhilarated! House Luolan had managed to attract a Duke, which was something even his parents couldn't achieve in their time. Clearly, he possessed exceptional personal charm.

Yet the moment she walked into House Luolan's headquarters, her footsteps came to a halt. She could distinctly sense a mighty and formless pressure that pervaded the entire area. She could feel her strength reduce massively under the suppression of the pressure.

"This is House Luolan's defensive ward? Its mystical qualities are beyond comparison. Any Duke within its range would find it hard to even bring out their Bergfrieds." Chi Chan sighed.

It was no wonder none of the Dukes dared to intrude when the ward was operating at its prime, despite lusting for all of the treasures within the house.

"Please don't take offense, Mentor Chi Chan. Even we are unable to control the defensive ward of the house. Unfortunately, you will have to tolerate this for now," Jiang Qing'e said. She knew that Dukes rarely liked stepping into their headquarters as the pressure was uncomfortable for them, restricting their power.

Chi Chan waved her hand in response, indicating that it was of no concern.

The three then made their way into the discussion hall.

"Li Luo, my time here will only be temporary. Once this extraordinary situation passes, I will probably be returning to the Astral Sage College," Chi Chan reminded the excitable Li Luo.

"Mentor, you can still return to the college?" Li Luo asked in shock.

Although his words were slightly rude, Mentor Chi Chan had voluntarily resigned and even participated in House Luolan's struggle. She may not have directly taken part in the main battle, but she was still linked to them. This had brought about trouble to the college, so would she even be able to rejoin them in such a situation?

Listening to Li Luo's comment, her clear, starry eyes scowled at him. "So it seems you hope I can't go back?"

He did not agree nor deny it, only "affectionately" replying, "House Luolan simply wants to support you forever."

"To be fair, the only reason I was allowed to act was because of Vice Principal Su Xin. Without her relenting, do you really think I could have joined the battle so easily and then helped you restrain House Lanling?" Mentor Chi Chan helplessly answered.

This answer surprised Li Luo. "Vice Principal Su Xin?"

Mentor Chi Chan nodded, and her voice turned gentle. "Vice Principal Su Xin might have stated that the college was neutral and forbade any of us from internecine combat, but when I submitted my resignation, she did not turn it down, despite it being within her rights to do so. Additionally, when I left for House Lanling, the college naturally knew where I was headed to. If she really wanted to strictly enforce the stance of neutrality... she would definitely have sent the college's experts to restrain me. She obviously knew what I was going to do there, and it would eventually bring about questions regarding the college's stance. Yet in light of all this, she did nothing. This was just a covert way of providing assistance to the two of you. Vice Principal Su Xin has always been fair and impartial. It is the first time I've seen her make any sort of compromise, not only because you and Jiang Qing'e are the best saplings that the college has seen in a century, but also as a form of thanks for obtaining the Dragon Bone Holy Grail. I communicated with her in secret before I resigned. Her answer was simple. After this tempestuous and special period is over, she will find an opportunity to let me re-enter the college, in a way that the opposition to it will be insignificant."

Li Luo groaned. "Vice Principal Su Xin is the best after all." Even the supposedly simple resignation held such a complicated truth to it.

Li Luo was touched by Vice Principal Su Xin's secret assistance. She might have said that the college's neutrality was something absolute and immovable, but at the end of the day, she provided as much help as she could within her means of influence. Him slaving away for the sake of the Dragon Bone Holy Grail was worth it after all!

"Mentor, whenever you wish to leave, just let us know and that's enough. You can rest assured that even though I am tremendously unwilling to let you go, I will not impede you." Li Luo grinned.

Since Mentor Chi Chan seemed to enjoy being in the college more than anything, he would not seek to trap her within House Luolan for the sake of having another Duke expert. This would ruin the pure relationship the two shared.

Chi Chan responded with a slight smile and an approving nod.

After which, Li Luo went to summon Cai Wei, Yuan Qing, and the rest of the elders in the house to inform them of Chi Chan's temporary membership.

This astonishing news left them in a daze, then they erupted with joy.

They were clear of the implications of a Duke joining them. This was terrific for House Luolan.

All of them then glanced at Li Luo with looks of utmost admiration and respect.

The new House Lord was simply too amazing. He had managed to rope in an actual Duke in just the short span of a day. Even the old House Lords couldn't achieve this!

It wasn't that they weren't charismatic, but more likely that there was no need to get another Duke to join them. The two of them were sufficient to dominate everyone else, forcefully.

The House Luolan of today was no longer the same. Although the Housemeet was over, having an actual Duke residing within the headquarters would unquestionably allow their strength and influence to soar. This way, their rebirth and ascent to the top would be much quicker than before.

Thus, Chi Chan's entry was perfect. It was the missing piece of the puzzle.

House Luolan's rise was just a matter of time.

...

In contrast to this piece of excellent news, things were brewing elsewhere.

Some strange movements were seen within the depths of the Umbra Cave.