Chapter 186: Exchanging for Emperor's Flowing Essence

The next day, Li Luo washed up downstairs with a refreshed spirit.

However, when he reached the first-floor living room, he couldn't help but pause in surprise, for several familiar figures were actually seated before the dining table.

On the left sat Jiang Jiang Qinge, her long hair tied up, her temperament ethereal; her peerless beauty shone like a gemstone under the morning light, her golden eyes seeming to radiate an indescribable charm that made one unable to resist sinking into them.

Beside her sat Yan Yan Lingqing, her elbow propped on the table, supporting her cheek, her expression carrying a hint of mockery.

Opposite Jiang Jiang Qinge and Yan Yan Lingqing sat Lu Qing'er; her slender figure was like a willow leaf, her skin like white jade, her face clear and moving.

Yan Yan Lingqing's mockery was directed at Lu Qing'er, because earlier, on their way here, they had happened to meet the latter; upon seeing each other, both had clearly been stunned. Originally, she thought that after Lu Qing'er's previous defeat, she would turn and flee, but she didn't expect this young girl to have such courage, actually facing Jiang Jiang Qinge again at this time and greeting her.

This time, Jiang Jiang Qinge did not show any aggression; instead, she exchanged some words with her as usual, and finally they all came over to Li Luo's side together.

Although the two women appeared calm, Yan Yan Lingqing, as an onlooker, could still sense some complex undercurrents surging.

Truly... interesting.

In the middle of the three women, Bai Bai Mengmeng was standing; the young girl's figure was petite, her face so pitiful one could not bear to look, and below her skirt hem were exposed pale white calves, like white lotus roots.

As the hostess here, Bai Bai Mengmeng was still pouring tea for the three women, appearing exceptionally well-behaved.

Jiang Jiang Qinge, Yan Yan Lingqing, and Lu Qing'er were occasionally conversing, their expressions all carrying faint smiles, but Bai Bai Mengmeng felt the atmosphere was slightly strange.

Li Luo, coming downstairs, immediately attracted all gazes.

"Eh, why is everyone here?" Li Luo met their gazes and waved his hand somewhat surprised.

As he walked down the stairs, he suddenly saw Student Xin Fu's figure still at the bottom of the stairs; at this moment, he had set up an easel, his expression slightly excited as he sketched, seemingly wanting to capture this scene.

Seeing Li Luo, he hurriedly said, "Captain, would you like to appreciate my latest masterpiece?"

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

Hearing this, Student Xin Fu's gaze toward Li Luo couldn't help but gain a few more grievances.

Li Luo was too lazy to pay him any mind; he walked straight to the dining table and smiled at the girls, saying, "The three of you gracing our humble dormitory truly makes it shine."

Jiang Jiang Qinge's golden eyes looked at him; she smiled faintly and said, "Congratulations on winning first place among the new students."

Li Luo said modestly, "This isn't my achievement alone; Bai Mengmeng also contributed greatly."

Behind the easel, Student Xin Fu raised his head, his eyes resentful: You just ignored me completely?

"Keep it up. When you defeat Qin Qin Zhulu, you will be a genuine first-place new student." Jiang Jiang Qinge nodded her head slightly, encouraging him.

Hearing this, Li Luo felt a bit of a headache; this time, defeating Wang Wang Hejiu and the others had already required him to go all out, even unleashing the dual-phase power he had only just begun to master, resulting in a mutual defeat; if he were to face Qin Qin Zhulu this time, Li Luo felt it would probably be a three-to-seven split...

Three for him, seven for Qin Qin Zhulu.

After all, his dual-phase was actually only comparable to a single upper-eighth-grade phase, whereas Qin Qin Zhulu possessed the strength of the second mark in the Life-Engraving stage...

There was also another point: once Qin Qin Zhulu entered combat mode, his ferocity was too extreme; Li Luo truly doubted whether he could withstand his attacks.

Yan Yan Lingqing propped her chin, smiling, "Li Luo, keep it up. Jiang Qinge said that if you win first place among the new students, she will give you a reward."

While speaking, her gaze swept across Lu Qing'er opposite her, then she saw the latter's eyes, like an ice lake, seem to ripple slightly; immediately, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve.

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

Yan Yan Lingqing protested with muffled sounds, then her pearl-like teeth bit down.

Seeing them play around, Li Luo also felt helpless and could only vaguely say, "I'll do my best."

At this moment, Lu Qing'er also looked over, revealing a faint smile: "Because there will be a holiday after the monthly exam, I came here to find you so we can return to Great Xia City together."

Li Luo nodded with a smile and said, "That works, but before returning to Great Xia City, I have something to do; Qing'er, you can wait a bit."

"What is it?"

Li Luo grinned, his expression excited.

"Having finally earned five thousand points, I should go exchange for the thing I need most."

Points Hall.

Li Luo, Jiang Jiang Qinge, and Yan Yan Lingqing headed straight for the exchange counter.

"Hello, I wish to exchange for one portion of Emperor's Flowing Essence!"

Li Luo, full of vigor, handed his badge to the instructor at the exchange counter and waved his hand grandly, possessing a certain heroic feeling of commanding the situation.

Some passing students nearby glanced over, after all, Emperor's Flowing Essence was a top-tier resource in the Holy Profound Star Academy, and not many students could afford to exchange for it.

Moreover, he was a first-year student from the One-Star Academy.

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

"Tsk tsk, he has only been in the Holy Profound Star Academy for one month and has already gathered five thousand points..." someone couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

"The one beside him is Jiang Jiang Qinge, right? It is said she and Li Luo have a betrothal; this guy is too enviable." Of course, most gazes were still on Jiang Jiang Qinge beside Li Luo, after all, in the Holy Profound Star Academy, if comparing fame, ten Li Luos couldn't match one Jiang Jiang Qinge, even though he had taken first place in points this time.

But after all, Jiang Jiang Qinge had been getting first place in the annual ranking battle points until her hands went soft.

Li Luo, long accustomed to the surrounding murmurs, paid them no mind; his gaze, full of expectation, looked at the exchange instructor who had taken his badge.

The exchange instructor glanced at Li Luo, confirmed it, then solemnly took out a deep green wooden box; the surface of the wooden box flowed 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 somewhat transparently, and one could faintly see the viscous liquid flowing inside.

That viscous liquid seemed to possess life; sometimes it transformed into flowing light, sometimes into liquid, moving within the bamboo jar like a spirit.

On the surface of the bamboo jar, mysterious and obscure light patterns were engraved; every light pattern radiated powerful energy fluctuations.

The moment this appearance emerged, it directly made people feel deep respect.

"So this is Emperor's Flowing Essence?" Li Luo sighed, his expectation in his eyes growing even stronger.

The exchange instructor placed the emerald-green bamboo jar before Li Luo.

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

However, just as his hand extended, it was blocked by the exchange instructor; the latter glared at him, saying, "What do you think you are doing?"

"Isn't this for me?" Li Luo asked in confusion.

"Give it all to you?" The exchange instructor seemed amused and annoyed, saying testily, "This single jar of Emperor's Flowing Essence, even if you sold your entire Luo Lan Manor, you probably couldn't afford it."

Li Luo felt embarrassed.

The Exchange Mentor didn't mock him any further. He took a needle tube specially made from phase-force tree bark, drew out a single drop from the jar, and finally produced a tiny green vial the size of a fingernail, into which he poured that one drop of Emperor's Fluid.

"Here you go." The Exchange Mentor set the fingernail-sized little green vial in front of Li Luo.

Li Luo stared at the miniature green vial before him, a bit dumbfounded.

Although he had no idea exactly how much Emperor's Fluid Niu Niu Biaobiao would need to refine the "Spirit-Supplementing Paste," even thinking with his butt he knew this tiny bit wasn't enough!

I busted my ass earning five thousand points, and the Emperor's Fluid I traded for is just this one drop? Are you screwing me over on my points?

Li Luo was a little angry, glaring with fiery eyes at the jar of Emperor's Fluid before him.

The Exchange Mentor glanced at him and reminded him unhurriedly.

"Student Li Luo, please restrain your emotions. Since the founding of the Sacred Void Star Academy, no one has ever managed to snatch anything from here."

(First update.)