Chapter 23

The next day, Li Luo went to the Southern Wind Academy as usual.

When he entered the second courtyard's training ground, he could clearly feel the previously lively atmosphere grow quieter, with numerous glances—curious yet tinged with respect—cast his way.

In the past, Li Luo's strength in the second courtyard wasn't bad at all, ranking just below Zhao Kuo; but honestly, other students had mostly pitied him, with little to no genuine respect or admiration.

After all, in their eyes, even if his current strength was decent, he was still a Void Phase, meaning his potential was limited, and given enough time, they would eventually surpass him.

But yesterday, Li Luo suddenly revealed his own Phase, defeating the entire first courtyard's Bei Kun and two others in one strike, making them realize: Li Luo was no longer the same.

Though a Fifth-Rank Phase wasn't particularly high, it was more than sufficient, and combined with Li Luo's innate talent for Phase Arts, even if he couldn't return to his former peak, he would still rank among the top in the Southern Wind Academy.

So now, no one dared feel pity for Li Luo—even if they didn't understand it, how could they, mere students, have any right to pity someone who was the Young Master of the Luo Lan Mansion?

As Li Luo walked by, some students greeted him with smiles: "Brother Luo."

A girl giggled: "Brother Luo, you look so handsome today."

Li Luo smiled in return to their greetings, then returned to his seat, where Zhao Kuo stared at him with intense eyes.

"Can you stop looking at me like that, you're a guy?" Li Luo frowned.

Zhao Kuo chuckled. "Looks like I'll have to give up my title as Number One in the second courtyard."

Li Luo snapped: "Who even wants that title? Think bigger."

"Bigger? Then work hard. When you bring honor to the Southern Wind Academy's men, we'll all cheer for you," Zhao Kuo said.

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Kuo grumbled: "You know, the other academies in Tian Shu Prefecture always say our Southern Wind Academy is dominated by women and weak on men—especially the Dong Yuan Academy, which mocks us constantly. They claim our academy relies entirely on women like Jiang Jiang Qinge and Lü Qing'er to hold up its reputation."

In Tian Shu Prefecture, besides the Southern Wind Academy, there were other academies, though all were weaker in reputation and strength; yet over the past few years, the Dong Yuan Academy had risen fastest, showing clear signs of challenging the Southern Wind Academy's status as the top academy of the prefecture.

Li Luo wasn't interested. "Let them talk. The more they care about it, the more it proves how much pressure Jiang Jiang Qinge and Lü Qing'er put on them."

Zhao Kuo patted Li Luo's shoulder. "Even if you ignore them, if you get the chance, you must defeat Lü Qing'er. I believe in you—you'll return to your peak."

Li Luo smirked, showing no real interest.

As they spoke, Xu Xu Shanyue entered the training ground, his mood clearly excellent—his usually stern face bore a smile.

"Class, the first courtyard handed over ten Gold Leaves to our second courtyard today. Starting now, our cultivation resources have increased by ten Gold Leaves."

At this, the room erupted in excited murmurs—after all, the academy's major exam was approaching, and every Gold Leaf could mean the difference in advancement.

"These Gold Leaves were won solely by Li Luo yesterday. You should all be grateful."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause broke out. A bold, pretty girl called out: "To show our thanks, I'll take Brother Luo out to dinner!"

The room burst into laughter and envy.

Li Luo could only sigh helplessly, silently lamenting his inexplicable charm, then ignored the girl's flirtation.

Xu Xu Shanyue waved his hand to quiet the laughter, then immediately began today's lesson.

After the three-hour lecture ended, Li Luo sought out Xu Xu Shanyue to request an afternoon leave.

"Again?"

Xu Xu Shanyue hesitated. In the past, he might have refused sternly, but now Li Luo had just brought him honor, so he finally said: "Fine. But be careful—the preliminary exam is coming soon. You've fallen behind; you need to catch up fast. If you fail the preliminary exam, your chance at the Sacred Mystery Star Academy is gone."

Li Luo smiled and agreed, waved goodbye, and quickly left the academy.

At the academy gate stood a luxurious carriage, like a moving little house. Li Luo stepped inside and saw Cai Wei, reading a ledger by the window.

Today, Cai Wei held a delicate, fringed round fan in her slender hand, gently fanning herself, a cup of steaming clear tea beside her. Her demeanor was languid and mature, her figure—slim, curvaceous, like a beautiful serpent—exuding undeniable allure.

Clearly, Cai Wei was a woman who cherished fine living; the carriage's luxury and comfort surpassed even Jiang Jiang Qinge's previous one.

Li Luo sensed Cai Wei's family background was far from ordinary—but he couldn't fathom why she'd come to serve as a manager in the Luo Lan Mansion.

"Have you eaten? I prepared lunch for you," Cai Wei glanced at him, her slender finger pointing to the table, where a lavish feast awaited.

"Sister Cai Wei, you're so thoughtful. Whoever marries you must have earned it in a past life," Li Luo praised. Cai Wei managed accounts, was beautiful and mature—she was perfect in every way.

Among all the women he'd met, Jiang Jiang Qinge led in beauty and aura; Lü Qing'er and Cai Wei were evenly matched, each with her own charm.

"Your mouth is sweet."

Cai Wei smiled, and as Li Luo ate, she began explaining: "To produce Spirit Water Miracle Light, the Luo Lan Mansion established a dedicated department called 'Xi Yang House.' This brand has some reputation in the Great Xia Spirit Water Miracle Light market."

"The headquarters of Xi Yang House is in the Great Xia Imperial City, with three branches in other prefectures of Great Xia—and right here in Nanfeng City, Tian Shu Prefecture, there's one."

"Xi Yang House brings substantial profits to the Luo Lan Mansion each year, so now, Manager Pei Hao is fiercely vying for control, trying every means to seize it."

"The previous head of this branch left under mysterious circumstances, leaving the position vacant. Pei Hao took advantage to install a deputy head, attempting to take over this branch. Fortunately, Jiang Jiang Qinge noticed in time and quickly sent someone to counter him. Now, the branch is in chaos, and this has hurt this year's Xi Yang House output."

"That bastard Pei Hao is a real monster."

Li Luo couldn't help cursing inside. He'd never paid much attention before, but now, when he desperately needed large sums of money, he realized how much trouble that white-eyed wolf had caused him.

Otherwise, with the entire Luo Lan Mansion united behind him, how could his available funds be limited to just thirty thousand per year in Tian Shu Prefecture?

In frustration, the feast before him suddenly lost its flavor.

The carriage passed through the bustling streets of Nanfeng City, finally stopping at a location in the northern quarter.

Li Luo and Cai Wei stepped out. Before them stood a grand, pavilion-like building, its entrance bearing the sign: "Xi Yang House."

Guards stood in tight formation around Xi Yang House.

But when they saw Li Luo and Cai Wei, they immediately stepped aside.

The two entered without obstruction and were met by a group of figures approaching them.

Li Luo looked—there were two distinct factions. On the left, a middle-aged man with a smiling face led the group; on the right, someone instantly caught the eye.

She was a tall, young woman, strikingly beautiful, with a high, delicate nose and a pair of silver-rimmed round glasses. Her long hair cascaded down, radiating an unapologetic air of cold arrogance.

At that moment, Cai Wei's soft voice came:

"The man on the left is Bei Yu—the deputy head who defected to Pei Hao."

"The woman on the right is Yan Yan Lingqing—a top student from the Sacred Mystery Star Academy's Essence Phase Institute, and Jiang Jiang Qinge's close friend. She's a Fourth-Rank Essence Phase Master. She's the reinforcements Jiang Jiang Qinge brought."

Hearing this, Li Luo's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze fixed on the tall-legged, silver-glasses-wearing young woman, radiating icy pride.

He hadn't expected her to be from the Sacred Mystery Star Academy—the very place he'd dreamed of joining.

(End of this chapter)