Chapter 324: Celebration Banquet

The Refining Phase Institute's invitation gathering finally concluded smoothly.

As an observer, Li Luo watched the later Fourth Rank and Fifth Rank refining stages, and he deeply felt the gap between Xiyang House and those top-tier Spirit Water Odd Light Houses; the latter's foundation truly could not be underestimated, and for Xiyang House to catch up, it still needed some accumulation.

Fortunately, Xiyang House's potential had already been revealed. With the Mi Fa source water of Eighth Grade purity, as Xiyang House gradually grew stronger in the future, it would be able to continuously enrich its formula library and strengthen itself.

He believed that it wouldn't take too long before Xiyang House would also become one of the Great Xia's top-tier Spirit Water Odd Light Houses.

The invitation gathering ended, and the various Spirit Water Odd Light Houses all gained something, but the most eye-catching among them were still Xiyang House and Tiangong House. The latter needed no explanation — the Great Xia's most top-tier Spirit Water Odd Light House, the appeal it possessed had always been the most dazzling one at the Refining Phase Institute's invitation gathering.

Xiyang House, on the other hand, was a dark horse that had suddenly appeared, its momentum overshadowing all Spirit Water Odd Light Houses except Tiangong House.

Watching the many elite students surrounding Yan Yan Lingqing, Li Luo was all smiles, and then he and Jiang Jiang Qinge saw the Eldest Princess, who was attracting quite a few gazes, gracefully walking toward where they were.

"Congratulations to you both. Xiyang House has dazzled everyone this time." A faint smile appeared on the Eldest Princess's ravishingly beautiful oval face, giving one a feeling like a spring breeze.

"Your Highness overpraises. It was merely a clever trick; how could it compare to Tiangong House's profound foundation?" Jiang Jiang Qinge said with a smile.

"Junior Li Luo, your recent momentum is truly unmatched for the moment." The Eldest Princess said to Li Luo with a smiling gaze.

"Forced by circumstances. If one could peacefully be a second-generation marquis, who would willingly step into the spotlight and face risks?" Li Luo sighed.

"Second-generation marquis? That is rather fitting."

The Eldest Princess smiled. This Li Luo sometimes really did speak amusingly.

"I've heard that the commendation plan for Junior Li Luo's performance in the Dark Cave has already come out from the Academy's Jin Dian." The Eldest Princess said.

Li Luo's expression shifted. The Eldest Princess's information channels were clearly more sensitive than his; he hadn't caught any wind of it on his end, yet the Eldest Princess already knew the result was out.

As for that result, he was actually quite nervous about it, after all it concerned the depletion of his own foundation. Although he was still some distance from the General Worshipping Stage, this kind of foundation depletion was best resolved sooner rather than later, because no one knew if some mishap might occur if it was dragged out, and that kind of mishap was something he absolutely could not bear.

"After the Academy's Jin Dian's discussion, the massive reward of one hundred thousand points for Junior Li Luo this time likely cannot be avoided." The Eldest Princess did not keep him in suspense and directly stated the result, which made Li Luo secretly heave a great sigh of relief, the joy in his eyes spreading out uncontrollably.

"I should thank Your Highness for informing me in advance." Li Luo said with a grateful smile.

"This news will be released by tomorrow at the latest; I have merely done a small favor."

The Eldest Princess smiled slightly, then turned her phoenix eyes toward Jiang Jiang Qinge and said half-jokingly: "Jiang Qinge, tomorrow I wish to borrow Li Luo from you for a bit; I hope you'll approve."

Jiang Jiang Qinge was slightly startled, then said thoughtfully: "Is it about the matter of restoring His Majesty?"

The Eldest Princess nodded and said: "A month has passed since last time; it's time to trouble Li Luo again. Only this time we cannot go out, so we can only ask Li Luo to make a trip to the royal palace."

Jiang Jiang Qinge said with a faint smile: "A small matter, no problem."

"Then I will have him picked up and taken to the royal palace directly tomorrow." The Eldest Princess said with a smile.

With just a few words between the two women, Li Luo's schedule for tomorrow was decided, which gave the person involved standing nearby a feeling of being ignored. He immediately wanted to angrily protest, but in the end thought better of it and let it go, merely sighing inwardly: who exactly is in charge of this Lu Lan Mansion?

After that, the Eldest Princess continued to chat casually with the two for a while, then took her leave.

Li Luo then said to Jiang Jiang Qinge: "There should be a celebration banquet tonight to gather all these elite students who are interested in joining Xiyang House, to build some rapport in advance."

"Will you come? I've already made preparations."

Jiang Jiang Qinge had little interest in such things, but this celebration banquet was of extraordinary significance to Xiyang House, so she still smiled and nodded.

"You've even prepared the celebration banquet in advance; it seems you had great confidence in yourself beforehand." She said with a smile.

Li Luo also smiled. Of course he had confidence. With a Four-Star formula and the Mi Fa source water of Eighth Grade purity, although he was facing a group of Yi Qun Wu Pin Refining Phase Masters, everyone was refining Third Rank Spirit Water. Their refining techniques might be more practiced than his, but he possessed the Water Light Phase, so he also had some enhancement in refinement. Thus, with these canceling each other out, he truly didn't think he would lose to them.

Afterward, Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge continued to wait for some time, and then saw a wave of Refining Phase Institute students, led by Yan Yan Lingqing, surging over with quite an imposing momentum.

"So many people?"

Li Luo was startled at the sight.

"Among them are quite a few Refining Phase Institute students who haven't graduated yet; they should also be interested in Xiyang House. Yan Lingqing is quite clever — these people are the fresh blood of the future, and winning them over early will save a lot of effort later. Moreover, even if they haven't graduated, during holidays they can still come to Xiyang House as temporary workers." Jiang Jiang Qinge chuckled softly, seeing things more carefully than Li Luo.

Li Luo couldn't help but sigh in admiration upon hearing this. Sister Yan Lingqing was indeed very reliable in her work, and she had been at the Refining Phase Institute for three years, so she had a good understanding of some of the more outstanding students there. Having her recruit people was truly the best choice.

"Li Luo, how did I do with this task?"

Yan Yan Lingqing walked over with the large group, her voice full of pride.

Li Luo directly gave a thumbs-up, then looked at Li Bi beside Yan Yan Lingqing and said with a smile: "Senior Li Bi, I wasn't talking big before, was I?"

Li Bi's cheeks reddened slightly, but she still said with poise: "It was indeed my narrow vision before; I didn't expect the President's methods to be so astonishing."

She had even changed her form of address directly from Junior Li Luo to President — quite direct.

"The future development of Xiyang House will also rely on all of you." Li Luo said with a smile.

The Refining Phase Institute students who had followed Yan Yan Lingqing and were interested in Xiyang House all responded with smiles.

"Today is a great day for our Xiyang House. If any of you have the time, please don't miss the celebration banquet that follows tonight — tonight we drink until none of us can walk home!" Li Luo laughed heartily.

The crowd all egged him on.

So next, Li Luo called over the great contributor Bai Bai Mengmeng, the second contributor Lv Qing'er, and the atmosphere team members including Seeing Yu Lang, and the group set off in full force.

This scene drew sidelong glances.

After all, the heads of the other Spirit Water Odd Light Houses were mostly middle-aged people; even though they had completed their recruitment tasks, they couldn't bring themselves to mingle with these greenhorns fresh out of the academy. On Xiyang House's side, Li Luo, as the President, was currently still a student of the Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy, so naturally he didn't need to worry about such things.

In one corner of the venue, Du Ze Duze Honglian and Du Ze Duze Beixuan watched the departing commotion, their expressions somewhat unsightly. How could they not see that, after this, Xiyang House's rise was truly unstoppable.

"Damn it, this Xiyang House was clearly about to go bankrupt; how can it be thriving after just half a year?" Du Ze Duze Beixuan said resentfully.

Du Ze Duze Honglian said coolly: "You already know the answer; why not admit it?"

Du Ze Duze Beixuan faltered, then cursed: "Why do I feel that this bastard Li Luo is even more troublesome than Jiang Jiang Qinge?"

Du Ze Duze Honglian also sighed inwardly. This feeling wasn't exclusive to Du Ze Duze Beixuan. Previously, when Lu Lan Mansion was under Jiang Jiang Qinge's control, although the situation was maintained, in some clashes it was their Du Ze Mansion that held the initiative and advantage. But ever since Li Luo came to the Great Xia City, every encounter had ended with Lu Lan Mansion gaining the upper hand.

This bastard is truly a monster.

At this moment, Han Zhi also retreated, his face alternating between green and white as he returned to the Da Ze House side. He could feel the mocking gazes of the Refining Phase Masters at Da Ze House.

"Eldest Young Lady, Young Mansion Master, Da Ze House's defeat this time is entirely due to my incompetence. I am willing to request dismissal." Han Zhi said bitterly.

He knew that after this failure, his position within Da Ze House would become increasingly awkward.

Du Ze Duze Beixuan gritted his teeth, wanting to rebuke him, but was stopped by Du Ze Duze Honglian waving her hand. She glanced at Han Zhi and said calmly: "Vice President Han Zhi, resigning after a failure is not the best choice. The struggle between Da Ze House and Xiyang House is not yet over. If I were you, I would continue to wait for an opportunity."

Han Zhi's body trembled, his eyes reddening, and he said: "I am willing to die for the Eldest Young Lady and Da Ze House!"

Du Ze Duze Honglian nodded lightly, then turned and left.

The loyalty and oath of someone who once betrayed their original master holds no credibility, but she didn't care about that. She had no intention of letting Han Zhi leave—after all, he was a former president of Xiyang House. As long as he remained in Daze House for a single day, he would always be a blemish on Xiyang House.

So he still had some value; giving up on him now would not be a wise move.

Although... she actually did want to curse...

Trash, you can lose even this?