Chapter 297: The Heaven-Sacrifice Curse

On the stone platform of the dark space, Li Luo fell into a long silence;

A king-level powerhouse wanting the essence blood of a mere little physiognomy master?

Li Luo's thoughts spun like lightning — he was just a small physiognomy master, and in terms of strength he was probably not much stronger than an ant in Pang Pang Qianyuan's eyes, yet what the other sought was precisely some essence blood from this tiny ant.

Was it because of his own special triple phase palaces?

That couldn't be it.

Triple phase palaces were rare indeed, but a king-level powerhouse... was the genuine article of triple phase!

Others possessed complete and powerful triple phases, while his so-called triple phase palaces still had one that hadn't even been filled — there was no reason for anyone to covet his triple phase palaces.

But if it wasn't for this reason, then what attraction could his essence blood possibly hold for a king-level powerhouse?

Suddenly, Li Luo's heart stirred.

He raised his head, looked at Pang Pang Qianyuan, and said slowly, "Dean needs some of my essence blood because of the so-called Li Li Tianwang bloodline?"

Pang Pang Qianyuan glanced at him with some surprise and said with a smile, "You really are sharp."

He nodded, not denying it: "Your bloodline is no ordinary one, so I need some of your essence blood as a catalyst, but you needn't worry too much that I would do anything to harm you. If I may say so myself — as a king-level, I wouldn't stoop to coveting a young lad, no matter what your origins."

Within his words, there was likewise a faint trace of pride.

"As for what I need your essence blood for... I can't tell you for now."

Pang Pang Qianyuan pondered for a moment, then said, "I can only say that in half a year, Da Xia may face a great upheaval. That upheaval will spread extremely wide, perhaps even the Sacred Mystic Star Academy won't be able to avoid it, and I need to make preparations in advance."

Li Luo's heart jolted violently — in half a year, Da Xia would face a great upheaval?

That timing seemed to coincide exactly with the incident at Luo Lan Mansion? Could there be some connection between the two?

"Dean, you are a king-level powerhouse; no one in all of Da Xia can stand against you. What kind of upheaval could even you not control?" Li Luo couldn't help but ask.

"And isn't the Academy Alliance behind the Sacred Mystic Star Academy? With such a background, why fear any upheaval?"

Pang Pang Qianyuan was silent for a while, then said, "The matters within are extremely complicated. And although the Sacred Mystic Star Academy is indeed a member of the Academy Alliance, you should know that anywhere in this world there is struggle. Within the Academy Alliance, is it truly all harmony and peace?"

Li Luo stared blankly at Pang Pang Qianyuan, and at this moment the latter was also looking at him solemnly.

"I am merely trying my best to protect this pure land of Da Xia. As for whether I can succeed, I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate," Pang Pang Qianyuan said slowly.

Li Luo felt a weight on his heart. The information the dean had revealed today seemed to involve something enormous — this was something a mere little physiognomy master like him could never participate in.

It seemed as though a black fog was rolling in over Da Xia.

"If you still have doubts about this matter, there's no rush to agree. Let's wait until the Sacred Mystic Star Academy truly manages to win back the 'Dragon Bone Sacred Cup' this time. After all, if even that cannot be achieved, taking your essence blood would actually be useless," Pang Pang Qianyuan said, not expecting Li Luo to agree right then, but softening his voice as he spoke.

Li Luo nodded upon hearing this — he indeed needed some time to buffer.

"Regarding the secret art I mentioned, I will temporarily give you the first half. It's not that I'm hoarding it, but with your current strength, if you truly drew too much power from the Three-Tailed Heavenly Wolf, you wouldn't be able to withstand it."

Pang Pang Qianyuan extended a finger and tapped Li Luo's forehead in midair. A flash of light seemed to streak past, drilling directly into the latter's mind.

In that instant, Li Luo felt a stream of unfamiliar information surge up from within his mind. He hurriedly read through it carefully, and at the same time murmured its name.

"Tian Si Zhou?"

"This secret art needs to be paired with a unique strange array. I have already set up the strange array within this bracelet space. From now on, you only need to use the secret art to connect with the strange array here, and you'll be able to draw upon the power of the Three-Tailed Heavenly Wolf," Pang Pang Qianyuan said.

"But remember my earlier warning — unless absolutely necessary, try not to employ this method. Otherwise, if you truly get influenced by its vicious nature, it will be an extremely troublesome matter."

Li Luo nodded, then said to Pang Pang Qianyuan, "Dean, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. As for what you mentioned earlier, I will think it over carefully, but there's truly no rush. At the very least, let's wait until the Sacred Mystic Star Academy brings back the 'Dragon Bone Sacred Cup' first."

Pang Pang Qianyuan nodded.

That was indeed the foremost prerequisite for everything. Without the 'Dragon Bone Sacred Cup,' all his preparations would have no foundation to speak of.

"Regarding the 'Sacred Cup Battle,' you can find your mentor later to learn more information. I can't remain here for too long, so I won't go into detail with you."

As he finished speaking, his figure showed signs of dissipating.

Li Luo's expression stirred upon hearing this, and he revealed a brilliant smile: "Dean, please wait."

Seeing Pang Pang Qianyuan cast a puzzled look, he then began to complain, "Dean, as the saying goes, even the emperor doesn't send hungry soldiers into battle. And this time in the Dark Cave, I should have rendered great service, right?"

Pang Pang Qianyuan glanced at him and said, "Didn't I say the main credit was from the seal I gave you?"

"Someone still had to carry the seal over from the forbidden zone for it to be useful," Li Luo retorted.

"What do you want?" Pang Pang Qianyuan said irritably.

"I've bled for the academy. I won't say more — a hundred thousand points," Li Luo said directly.

Pang Pang Qianyuan was amused and exasperated: "You little rascal, trying to extort me now?"

"How can that be considered extortion? I saved so many students at the outpost. With such great merit, it wouldn't make sense for the academy not to give a reward, would it?"

"Even so, a hundred thousand points is a bit much."

"And the academy has its own rules — rewards and punishments must be measured. As for how to determine your merit this time, Su Xin and the others will naturally reach a conclusion afterward. What's your rush?" Pang Pang Qianyuan said helplessly.

Li Luo put on a sorrowful expression and said, "Since the dean asks, I can only tell you the details. Previously, because of my empty phase, my foundation and roots suffered damage. With your great powers, you may have already sensed something. I need a hundred thousand points to exchange for Imperial Dew, otherwise around the end of the year might be my death. If I really do die mysteriously by then, even if the Sacred Mystic Star Academy wins the Dragon Bone Sacred Cup, I'm afraid I won't be able to provide essence blood anymore."

Pang Pang Qianyuan's eyes swept over Li Luo with suspicion, and he said hesitantly, "When I examined your body earlier, I did indeed sense that you little fellow were a bit... frail."

"I had originally assumed it was because you were relying on your good looks and indulging yourself in your youth..."

Li Luo's face twitched involuntarily. That's going too far — over the years, the number of girls I've even held hands with could be counted on one hand. How could I possibly be indulging myself?

But for the sake of a hundred thousand points, he'd endure it for now.

"Dean..."

Seeing Li Luo about to pester him again, Pang Pang Qianyuan was also getting a headache and could only say helplessly, "I'll mention this matter to Su Xin. That's that, goodbye."

Then, without waiting for Li Luo to speak further, his figure dispersed like a wisp of smoke.

Li Luo could only mutter upon seeing this, "Ran off pretty fast."

But the grievances had been aired — now it was up to the dean to see if he'd show some leniency.

He turned his head, his gaze cast toward the dark space below. In that deep darkness slumbered a terrifying beast, but Li Luo was no longer afraid. Instead, his eyes grew somewhat fervent.

This time, he had gained an unexpected windfall.

Although the power of the Three-Tailed Heavenly Wolf couldn't be used recklessly, it was still a trump card after all.

Still, the moment he thought of what the Dean had said about half a year from now, his brow furrowed involuntarily. The waters of this Great Xia ran deeper than he had imagined.

But thinking about it now was pointless—after all, he was still too weak. A upheaval on that level was not something a mere Diviner-realm cultivator like him could change.

With these thoughts in mind, Li Luo shifted his will and withdrew from this dark space.