Chapter 198: Invitation

Regarding the assessment, the time has been finalized to begin in two days. It will be held once every three days for a duration of nine days, which happens to fall within Li Luo's current leave.

After all, only after Li Luo completely resolves the issues with these branch phase-crafters can he return to the academy to cultivate in peace.

As for the content of the assessment, these branch phase-crafters were extremely satisfied and had no objections, because in their view, this might truly be a concession from Li Luo; after all, they really couldn't imagine what reason they would have for failing such an assessment.

Even if Li Luo himself is extremely skilled in phase-crafting and can dominate when it comes to first-grade and second-grade spirit liquid and light, what about third-grade?

It seems that the current Li Luo cannot even refine third-grade spirit liquid and light yet, right?

By then, they would likely be able to directly announce their side as the winners; after all, they still have Tang Yun and Lu Xiaofeng, these two fourth-grade phase-crafters.

Thus, this discussion was a complete success, and Li Luo left the Xiyang House headquarters with Jiang Qing'e amidst many complex gazes.

Inside the spacious carriage.

"I feel like the way those branch phase-crafters look at the Young Mansion Master is as if they are looking at the foolish son of a wealthy landlord," Cai Wei said with a smile.

Li Luo smiled and said, "After all, on the surface, this assessment is indeed a giveaway."

Jiang Qing'e looked over with her golden eyes and said, "How will you resolve the third-grade spirit liquid and light when the time comes?"

She knew that the first-grade and second-grade spirit liquid and light refined by Li Luo had extremely high refining power, a point even Yan Lingqing admitted she could not compare to, but the only problem was that the current Li Luo seemed to be only a second-grade phase-crafter...

"Promoting to a third-grade phase-crafter should only be a matter of these few days," Li Luo said in a very casual tone.

Cai Wei clapped and played along, "Young Mansion Master, you really nailed that act."

Jiang Qing'e also couldn't help but smile, then she remembered something, her smile faded a little, and she reminded him, "Do not spend too much thought and time on phase-crafting. Back then, in order to push my cultivation to the limit, I never once distracted myself with phase-crafting."

In fact, Jiang Qing'e was the true genius at practicing phase-crafting; the spirit liquid and light refined by her ninth-grade light phase would inevitably become one-of-a-kind in this Great Xia Kingdom.

In the Phase-Crafting Institute of the Astral Sage College, that dean had racked his brains to get Jiang Qing'e to learn phase-crafting, but it was all to no avail... because Jiang Qing'e understood that if she wanted to chase the Marquis-level record, she had to be focused and could not be distracted.

Therefore, she would rather abandon her own talent in phase-crafting.

Li Luo gave a wry smile upon hearing this. In fact, he also knew that practicing phase-crafting would delay his time and energy, but there was no other way. For the sake of his future phase improvement, he could only walk this path.

Jiang Qing'e did not say more on this; after all, things had reached this point, and nothing could change it. Moreover, Xiyang House indeed needed Li Luo's identity as a phase-crafter.

"This person, Pei Hao, is patient and ruthless. He definitely won't be kind enough to send you a gift package, so you should be able to guess that this gift package is likely poisoned," Jiang Qing'e changed the subject and said.

Li Luo nodded. How could he ignore this point? Although he mocked the other party for sending a big gift, he was actually full of vigilance inside.

If it weren't for the fact that the current Xiyang House headquarters was indeed in dire need of additional phase-crafters, he might not have accepted Tang Yun and the others.

"I will have Elder Zheng Ping keep an eye on Tang Yun and the others at all times, and I will also increase the security of the Xiyang House headquarters. Once there is any unusual movement, I will immediately send someone to notify me," Li Luo said slowly.

"However, Pei Hao is in the shadows after all. No one knows what methods he has hidden, so we can only be on guard everywhere and deal with things as they come."

Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly. The enemy is in the dark and we are in the light; it is indeed a bit passive.

"I have already sent people to investigate Pei Hao's tracks. If there is a chance, solving him once and for all would be the best," her calm voice flowed with a trace of cold murderous intent.

Since they couldn't find the source of the problems with those phase-crafters, then solving Pei Hao, who was creating the problems, was clearly also a path.

Li Luo nodded, but he understood that with Pei Hao's patient and ruthless personality, he likely wouldn't give them such an opportunity.

"By the way..."

Jiang Qing'e suddenly looked at Li Luo and said, "Spend these few days familiarizing yourself with how to use your own water phase and wood phase power to achieve stronger healing effects."

Li Luo was stunned. Why should he familiarize himself with this?

"Remember that little Emperor you met at the Golden Dragon Treasure Bank? He has a congenital defect. The Grand Princess found me a few days ago, wanting to ask you to try if you can go and treat him," Jiang Qing'e explained.

Li Luo was dumbfounded: "This is too absurd, right? It is said that even some Marquis-level powerhouses with water phases are helpless against that little Emperor's defect. What use would I be as a Phase Master?"

Although both the water phase and wood phase have healing effects, counting on him, a Phase Master, to cure a congenital defect that even Marquis-level powerhouses can't handle—although the Grand Princess is somewhat ambitious, she doesn't seem like such an irrational person.

Or is it that she has some other purpose?

Meeting Li Luo's gaze, Jiang Qing'e smiled and said, "Her intention is likely more about showing goodwill to me. However, I did not refuse. Although the power of the Great Xia Royal Court is mostly in the hands of the Regent now, the Grand Princess also holds significant power. Given the current situation of our House Luolan, being on good terms with her can be considered a good thing."

Li Luo was thoughtful. Jiang Qing'e's potential was unquestionable, which was worth the Grand Princess's effort to win over. And through his treatment of the little Emperor this time, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, there is at least an opportunity for them to get closer.

It seems that asking him to treat the little Emperor was just an excuse.

"Alright, I'll practice it later."

Li Luo nodded. Although the Royal Court's power is mostly in the hands of the Regent, the Grand Princess cannot be underestimated. House Luolan needs such a friend. Of course, it is still too early to call them friends; after all, both sides are just looking at the advantages the other possesses.

This Grand Princess has a heart as vast as the sea and is quite deep in her schemes. Over the years, her reputation in the Astral Sage College has not been low, and it is clear that she is not a person content with the status quo. If she represents the little Emperor to reclaim power in the future, there will surely be some quite astonishing political infighting.

Chatting along the way, the carriage returned to the House Luolan headquarters.

And as the three of them got off, they saw someone coming up to greet them: "May I ask if you are Young Mansion Master Li Luo and Miss Jiang Qing'e?"

Li Luo glanced at the person; the other party had the badge of the Golden Dragon Treasure Bank on their clothing, so he nodded slightly.

The person immediately and respectfully presented a gold-stamped invitation, saying, "Five days from now is my Young Lady's birthday. The President asked me to come and deliver this invitation, hoping that both of you can attend."

"Qinger's birthday?" Li Luo was a little surprised, then smiled and took it, saying, "Please reply to President Yu that we will definitely attend."

Not to mention his relationship with Lu Qinger, just the special status of the Golden Dragon Treasure Bank in this Great Xia Kingdom meant that since the other party had given them face, they naturally had to return the favor.

The messenger nodded happily and then quickly left.

Jiang Qing'e watched the figure leave, then looked at Li Luo with a half-smile and said, "That President Yu Hongxi is actually inviting us?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Li Luo asked.

"It seems you don't know how fiercely Yu Hongxi and your Master fought back then. She doesn't think much of our House Luolan, and over the years, there has only been official business between us," Jiang Qing'e said indifferently.

Li Luo was stunned and said, "Is it because of my father?"

Jiang Qing'e: "Otherwise?"

Li Luo sighed and said, "I didn't expect my father to be such a flirt back then. I despise him."

Jiang Qing'e glanced at him sideways, not bothering to say more on this, and said, "Yu Hongxi is a very formidable woman. That was your Master's evaluation of her back then. After all, to be able to sit firmly in the position of President of the Golden Dragon Treasure Bank for so many years, her strength and her methods are not to be underestimated."

Li Luo laughed, "I really do want to see for myself."

Jiang Qing'e turned her head, her gaze scanning Li Luo, and after leaving behind a meaningful remark, she walked into House Luolan.

"I have a feeling that you might just get to see it."