Chapter 186

The next day, Li Luo washed up and went downstairs, feeling refreshed.

However, when he walked into the living room on the first floor, he couldn't help but pause, because sitting at the dining table were several familiar figures.

On the left was Jiang Qing, her long hair pinned up, possessing an ethereal temperament. Her stunning face shone like a gemstone in the morning light, and her golden eyes seemed to radiate an indescribable charm that made one want to lose themselves in them.

Beside her sat Yan Lingqing, who was resting her chin on her hand, her elbow propped against the table, a playful expression on her face.

Opposite Jiang Qing and Yan Lingqing sat Lu Qinger, her slender figure like a willow leaf, her skin like white jade, and her face beautiful and moving.

Yan Lingqing's playfulness was directed at Lu Qinger, because they had happened to run into the latter on their way here. Both sides were clearly taken aback when they met. She had originally thought that after her previous defeat, Lu Qinger would turn and flee, but she hadn't expected this young girl to have such courage, actually approaching Jiang Qing again at a time like this to greet her.

Jiang Qing did not show any aggression this time, instead exchanging pleasantries with her as usual, and they eventually came to Li Luo's place together.

Although the two women's expressions were calm, Yan Lingqing, as an observer, could still feel complex undercurrents surging.

Truly... interesting.

Standing in the middle of the three women was Bai Meng, the young girl's figure petite, her face pitiful and endearing, her fair calves exposed beneath her skirt hem, looking like white lotus roots.

As the hostess of this place, Bai Meng was still pouring tea for the three women, appearing exceptionally well-behaved.

Jiang Qing, Yan Lingqing, and Lu Qinger were chatting occasionally, all with faint smiles on their faces, but Bai Meng felt that the atmosphere was slightly strange.

Li Luo, coming down the stairs, immediately attracted everyone's gaze.

"Huh, why are you all here?" Li Luo waved his hand, somewhat surprised as he met their gazes.

As he walked down the stairs, he suddenly saw the figure of Xin Fu below. At this moment, he had brought out his easel and was sketching with a slightly excited expression, as if he wanted to capture the scene before him.

Seeing Li Luo, he quickly said, "Captain, do you want to admire my latest masterpiece?"

Li Luo chuckled, then said with a blank expression, "No need, I already have a very deep understanding of your painting skills."

Hearing this, Xin Fu couldn't help but feel a bit of resentment in the look he gave Li Luo.

Li Luo couldn't be bothered with him and walked straight to the dining table, smiling at the women, "The arrival of you three truly makes our little dormitory shine."

Jiang Qing looked at him with her golden eyes, gave a faint smile, and said, "Congratulations on winning first place among the freshmen."

Li Luo said modestly, "This isn't just my own credit; Mengmeng also put in a lot of effort."

Xin Fu, behind the easel, looked up with a resentful expression: You just ignored me completely?

"Keep it up. Once you defeat Qin Zhurong, you will be the true number one freshman," Jiang Qing nodded slightly, encouraging him.

Hearing this, Li Luo felt a bit of a headache. He had already exhausted all his strength to defeat Wang Hejiu and the others this time, even unleashing the dual-resonance power he had only just begun to master, and that was how he had managed a mutual defeat. If he were to face Qin Zhurong this time, Li Luo felt it would probably only be a three-to-seven split...

Three for him, seven for Qin Zhurong.

After all, his dual-resonance was only about the same as a single high-eighth-grade resonance, but Qin Zhurong was already at the second pattern of the Pattern-Birth Stage...

There was also the fact that once Qin Zhurong entered a combat state, his ferocity was too great; Li Luo really doubted whether he could withstand his onslaught.

Yan Lingqing propped her chin on her hand and laughed, "Li Luo, keep it up. Qing'e said that if you could win first place among the freshmen, she would give you a reward."

As she spoke, her gaze swept across to Lu Qinger, and then she saw the latter's eyes, which were like an ice lake, seem to ripple, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

Jiang Qing casually picked up a banana from the table, peeled it, and stuffed it into Yan Lingqing's small mouth, saying indifferently, "Just eat your banana."

Yan Lingqing protested with muffled sounds, then bit down with her pearly white teeth.

Seeing them bickering, Li Luo was also a bit helpless and could only say vaguely, "I will do my best."

At this time, Lu Qinger also looked over and smiled faintly, "Because there is a break after the monthly exam, I came here to find you so we can return to Daxia City together."

Li Luo nodded with a smile and said, "That's fine, but before returning to Daxia City, I have something to do. Qinger, you can wait a moment."

"What is it?"

Li Luo grinned, his expression excited.

"I finally earned five thousand points, so I should go and redeem the thing I need most."

The Point Hall.

Li Luo, Jiang Qing, and Yan Lingqing headed straight for the redemption counter.

"Hello, I'd like to redeem one portion of Emperor Flowing Nectar!"

Li Luo was in high spirits as he handed his badge to the instructor at the redemption counter, waving his hand with a sense of heroic grandeur.

Some students passing by also looked over; after all, Emperor Flowing Nectar was a top-tier resource in the Astral Sage College, and not many students could afford to exchange for it.

Moreover, he was a freshman in the One-Star Academy.

"That's the first-place winner of the ranking battle for the One-Star Academy, Li Luo... no wonder he has so many points," a student recognized Li Luo.

"Tsk tsk, he has only been in the Astral Sage College for a month, and he has already gathered five thousand points..." someone couldn't help but feel a bit sour.

"Is that Jiang Qing beside him? It is said that she and Li Luo are even engaged. This guy is really enviable." Of course, more gazes were on Jiang Qing beside Li Luo; after all, in the Astral Sage College, if it came to fame, ten Li Luos couldn't compare to Jiang Qing, even if he had taken first place in points this time.

But after all, Jiang Qing took first place in points in the ranking battle every year until she was tired of it.

Li Luo, long accustomed to the surrounding discussions, ignored them, his gaze looking forward expectantly at the instructor who had taken his badge.

The redemption instructor glanced at Li Luo, and after confirming, took out a deep green wooden box with a solemn expression; the wooden box was flowing with astonishing vitality.

The instructor opened the wooden box and carefully lifted out a bamboo jar about the size of a palm. The bamboo jar was polished to be somewhat transparent, and one could faintly see the viscous liquid flowing inside.

That viscous liquid seemed to possess life, sometimes turning into light, sometimes into liquid, flowing within the bamboo jar like an elf.

On the surface of the bamboo jar were engraved mysterious and obscure light patterns, each of which radiated powerful energy fluctuations.

Once this appearance was revealed, it immediately commanded awe.

"Is this Emperor Flowing Nectar?" Li Luo sighed, his anticipation growing even stronger.

The redemption instructor placed the emerald-green bamboo jar in front of Li Luo.

"So much... this should be enough, right?" Li Luo exclaimed, then reached out to take it.

However, just as his hand reached out, it was blocked by the redemption instructor, who glared at him, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Isn't it for me?" Li Luo asked blankly.

"All of it for you?" The redemption instructor seemed to be amused to the point of anger, saying unpleasantly, "This jar of Emperor Flowing Nectar would be unaffordable even if you sold your House Luolan."

Li Luo looked sheepish.

The redemption instructor didn't mock him further. He took a syringe specially made from the bark of a resonance-power tree, sucked a drop from the jar, and finally took out a small green bottle the size of a fingernail and poured that drop of Emperor Flowing Nectar into it.

"Here you go," the redemption instructor placed the tiny green bottle the size of a fingernail in front of Li Luo.

Li Luo looked at the miniature green bottle in front of him, feeling a bit stunned.

Although he didn't know how much Emperor Flowing Nectar Niu Biaobiao needed to refine the "Spirit-Repairing Ointment" for him, he knew with his eyes closed that this little bit wasn't enough!

I worked so hard to earn five thousand points, and the Emperor Flowing Nectar I got in exchange is just this one drop? Are you cheating me out of my points?

Li Luo was a bit angry, staring at the jar of Emperor Flowing Nectar with eyes blazing with fire.

The redemption instructor glanced at him and reminded him slowly.

"Student Li Luo, please restrain your emotions. Since the founding of the Astral Sage College, no one has ever been able to snatch things from here."

(First update.)