Chapter 21: Preliminary Examination

Around the wooden platform on the Resonance Tree, the sounds of boiling commotion were constant; apart from the students of the First Academy, everyone else was clicking their tongues in admiration.

No one had expected this result.

At the very beginning, everyone had assumed that today’s match was merely a pretext for the First Academy to seize those five golden leaves from the Second Academy, but who could have known that the three Fifth-Seal realm students of the First Academy would be completely overturned and laid out on the ground by Li Luo alone.

This was truly a rare and excellent show.

Most importantly, it was laced with a great deal of drama; for instance, the reason Li Luo was demoted from the First Academy to the Second Academy back then was that he was born with an Empty Resonance and had limited potential...

But now that Li Luo’s resonance and strength had suddenly appeared, the heart of that Instructor Lin Feng from the First Academy must be feeling quite complicated, right?

As the many students marveled, they could not help but re-examine Li Luo in the arena. Was this once-fallen star about to begin his rise again? But now... wouldn't it be a little too late?

The commotion continued, while the side of the First Academy was relatively much quieter; many students looked at each other, their expressions equally complex.

Ti Faqing stared blankly at Li Luo’s figure, and only after a moment did she say in disbelief, "Isn't he born with an Empty Resonance? How could a resonance suddenly appear?"

Song Yunfeng remained expressionless; he was equally unable to answer this question.

"Although an acquired resonance is extremely rare, it is not unheard of. Some special heavenly treasures can also allow one to develop an acquired resonance, but they are extremely scarce—hard to see even once in several hundred years in our Great Xia Kingdom. However, Li Luo’s parents were two outstanding figures; it is not impossible that they had the means to obtain one," said Lu Qinger from the side.

The Long Baoxing dealt in an extremely vast array of goods, and Lu Qinger’s second uncle was the president of the Long Baoxing in Nanfeng City, so through constant exposure, she knew many things that ordinary people did not.

"If there were such a heavenly treasure, why would he wait until now to use it?" Ti Faqing asked.

"Perhaps it required some special conditions. As for the specifics, I do not know," Lu Qinger said with a faint smile.

Ti Faqing was silent for a moment, then finally said, "This guy, is he really going to make a comeback?"

Her tone was complex. The Ti Fa family she belonged to naturally had some conflicts of interest with the Luolan Mansion, but it was much smaller than that of the Song family. She had no special grudge against Li Luo; the only thing that dissatisfied her was Li Luo’s engagement to Jiang Qing.

"It’s not that easy."

Song Yunfeng said indifferently, "Li Luo’s resonance should be a Water Resonance. From the battle with Bei Kun just now, one can actually roughly guess its grade—it’s likely between the fifth and sixth grade. A resonance of this level, while not bad, is far from being considered excellent."

"And his resonance power level is at the Fifth-Seal stage... Do you think a Fifth-Seal realm with a fifth or sixth-grade resonance is really that rare?"

Ti Faqing nodded thoughtfully. If this was his configuration, he wouldn't even make the top ten in the First Academy. Even if Li Luo had excellent talent in the practice of resonance arts, it would still be very difficult to reach that dazzling level he once had.

Of course, the most important thing was that there was less than a month left until the academy’s grand examination... Could Li Luo really catch up in such a short time?

To this, Ti Faqing could only say it was impossible.

Thinking of this, Ti Faqing seemed to quietly heave a sigh of relief in her heart. For a moment, even she herself did not know whether she was happy to see Li Luo’s rise again.

Lu Qinger did not participate in their conversation; her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Li Luo.

You finally solved the problem of your Empty Resonance... Then, in these final moments, can you really catch up?

When the many students were in an uproar, the high-level officials of the Nanfeng Academy on the high platform were somewhat quiet.

Even Xu Shanyue himself was a bit stunned by the current result.

As for Lin Feng, he had not said a single word from beginning to end, his expressionless face looking like a wooden stake.

The other instructors only occasionally swept their gazes over Lin Feng, their eyes carrying a hint of a smile.

Finally, the old Dean clapped his hands and smiled, "As expected of the son of those two. Does this count as a late bloomer?"

Lin Feng said indifferently, "Dean, you might have used the wrong word. The strength of the Fifth-Seal realm and a seemingly fifth or sixth-grade Water Resonance—no matter how you look at it, it doesn't count as a 'late bloomer'."

The old Dean shook his head. He naturally knew that Lin Feng might be feeling a bit disgruntled at this moment, so he immediately smiled, "You, you are just too arrogant. You will suffer for this sooner or later."

Lin Feng was noncommittal, then looked at Xu Shanyue and said, "This time, my First Academy’s skills were inferior to others. The ten golden leaves will be given in full. If these brats don't have the ability to hold onto them, then letting them pay a price is fine too."

Xu Shanyue mocked, "I thought you would say you'd let Li Luo return to the First Academy."

Hearing this, Lin Feng gave a dry laugh and said, "You think too much. Just as I said before, he doesn't count as any sort of 'late bloomer,' and my First Academy is not lacking such a normal student. Right now, what he should be thinking about is whether he can catch up in these last less than thirty days and reach the admission requirements for the Shengxuanxing Academy."

Indeed, although Li Luo’s sudden appearance of a Water Resonance caught him off guard, if one were to talk about regret, he really didn't have that feeling.

After all, this Water Resonance came too late. The current Li Luo was only at the Fifth-Seal resonance power level, and that Water Resonance was not necessarily of a very high grade. Therefore, in Lin Feng’s view, Li Luo had only struggled half his body out of the mud; as for wanting to stand at the peak again, did he really think those excellent students of his First Academy were just decorations?

And most importantly, the academy’s grand examination was approaching, and Li Luo had no more time to catch up. If he missed this time, he would miss the age requirement for the Shengxuanxing Academy. If that happened, did he, Lin Feng, still need to care about what achievements Li Luo might have in the future?

Losing the opportunity to enter the Shengxuanxing Academy would be a loss that Li Luo could hardly make up for. This point would not change just because he was the Young Mansion Master of the Luolan Mansion.

Thinking of these things, Lin Feng’s demeanor became even more relaxed.

At this time, the old Dean beckoned to Li Luo in the arena. Seeing this, the latter pondered for a moment before walking along the wooden platform to the spectator stand.

"Hello, Dean," Li Luo greeted with a smile.

The old Dean watched Li Luo with a smile and said, "You solved the problem of your Empty Resonance?"

Li Luo nodded and said, "Yes, it is a fifth-grade Water Resonance."

Hearing "fifth-grade Water Resonance," Lin Feng couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "Li Luo, this resonance grade is considered average. However, if you work harder, you can still have achievements in the future."

"I won't trouble Instructor Lin Feng to worry about that. While resonance grade can influence the cultivation of resonance power, in this world, it is not impossible for someone with a fifth-grade resonance to become a Marquis or a King," Li Luo said.

Lin Feng said playfully, "Fifth-grade resonance, becoming a Marquis or a King? What a childish mindset. You even believe in that?"

The old Dean waved his hand, stopping Lin Feng’s words, and said to Li Luo, "It is best that you have this confidence. However, there is less than a month left until the academy’s grand examination. If you want to catch up, I’m afraid you will need to put in more effort."

Li Luo nodded, "I understand."

The old Dean gave a few more instructions before letting Li Luo leave. At the same time, taking advantage of the crowd, he announced to the entire arena, "There is less than a month left until the academy’s grand examination, so in two weeks, a preliminary examination will be held within the academy. Additionally, the basic indicators for the Shengxuanxing Academy this year have come down. Hmm, it requires a resonance power level of no less than the Seventh-Seal realm."

As soon as these words were spoken, it immediately caused wails of despair. Many students were full of frustration; no less than the Seventh-Seal realm was an extremely high threshold for them.

Only some of the top students of the First Academy wore faint smiles.

As the most top-tier academy in Great Xia, and even a leader among the surrounding countries, the Shengxuanxing Academy could naturally not be entered by just anyone.

"No less than the Seventh-Seal realm..."

Li Luo smacked his lips. He was not surprised by this. He was currently only at the Fifth-Seal realm, two stages away from this. It seemed that for the next half month, he would really have to cultivate like crazy.

And the Seventh-Seal was only the basic indicator; there would inevitably be a struggle at that time. So, if Li Luo wanted to be safer, he felt he might need to further improve his "Water-Light Resonance."

It was just that the gap between a fifth-grade resonance and a sixth-grade one was not just a little bit. Li Luo estimated that if he really did that, he felt the Luolan Mansion’s income in Tianshu Prefecture would be swallowed up completely by him alone.

While Li Luo was deep in thought, the students in the arena had gradually dispersed amidst their wails, and then he suddenly noticed someone walking to his side.

Li Luo turned his head and saw Lu Qinger looking at him with a calm expression.

"Congratulations, Young Mansion Master," she said.

As soon as Li Luo saw her, he reflexively wanted to dodge, but just as his feet moved, he stopped awkwardly.

"Hello, hello," Li Luo gave the most perfunctory greeting.

"Not dodging anymore?" Lu Qinger said.

"I really wasn't dodging," Li Luo said awkwardly.

Lu Qinger was noncommittal and said, "Li Luo, I am very grateful that you guided me in resonance arts back then. However, I think you shouldn't have been so childishly dodging me all these years, because I didn't seize your position. And you should also understand that this position is not something someone gives you, but something that needs to be taken with strength."

"Li Luo, I am now the number one person in the Nanfeng Academy. If you want to take back this position, then come and defeat me. Before, because I was considerate of your sensitive feelings, these words were hard to say, but now that you have solved the problem of your Empty Resonance, if you are still a man, you should take back everything you lost."

Li Luo nodded with a bitter smile, "Then, then I will try my best."

Lu Qinger smiled, and then Li Luo saw a cold and slightly annoyed look flowing in her eyes.

"I’ll be waiting for you... Also, I’m telling you, your behavior over these years has made my appreciation for you diminish a lot, so if there is a chance..."

She stopped when she reached this point, but that cold gaze already said everything.

After the words fell, she turned and left directly.

Li Luo looked at her back and could only shake his head helplessly. It seemed that this time, he had offended Lu Qinger! Sure enough, the prettier the woman, the more narrow-minded she was!

While sighing, he suddenly noticed a gaze that made him feel like he was being pricked by needles, so he turned his head.

He saw a figure on a nearby wooden platform staring at him with cold eyes, and that gaze was filled with a sense of warning.

That was the current second person of the First Academy, Song Yunfeng.

The two gazes touched for a moment. Song Yunfeng’s eyes were full of sharpness and aggression, then he shook his head contemptuously, and as his lips moved, silent words came across.

"Li Luo, don't look for trouble, stay away from Lu Qinger."

He believed that Li Luo should know the meaning of his lip-reading, because he felt this was a basic operation.

But Li Luo, not far away, frowned and muttered to himself, "What is this fool doing? If you want to talk, just shout it out. Moving your lips back and forth like a mouse stealing grain—who the hell knows what you're saying."

Because he couldn't distinguish what the other party was doing, Li Luo finally shook his head, too lazy to pay attention to this guy, turned around, and left directly.

And Song Yunfeng on the wooden platform stared at Li Luo’s departing figure, his eyes narrowing slightly, his expression gloomy.

To ignore me like this? Too arrogant.

Li Luo’s previous gaze reminded him of the time when Li Luo was at his most glorious in the Nanfeng Academy. At that time, Li Luo was radiant.

But...

Song Yunfeng’s palm couldn't help but tighten on the wooden pole, squeezing out cracks.

What are you pretending for... Do you really think that a fifth-grade resonance can let you return to the past?