Chapter 421: Gong Gong Shenjun's Conditions

After offering a reward that left everyone dazzled and spellbound, Vice Dean Su Xin departed with graceful ease.

"Tsk tsk, truly the Saint Profound Star Academy; its foundations are indeed profound."

Li Luo kept sighing; everything Vice Dean Su Xin had mentioned earlier, no matter which one, was absolutely a top-tier treasure. Let alone a fallen young master of the Luo An Manor like him, even Gong Gong Shenjun and the Princess herself would surely be tempted.

Clearly, to obtain the Dragon Bone Holy Cup, the Academy was willing to make a huge sacrifice.

"Li Luo, congratulations on becoming the biggest winner of this treasure selection." As Li Luo sighed, the Princess approached gracefully, a teasing smile appearing on her smooth, pale, goose-egg-shaped face.

Li Luo replied modestly, "Just lucky, just lucky. Moreover, I must thank the Princess and Senior Gong Gong Shenjun; if you two hadn't pointed out the 'Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade', how could I have had this opportunity?"

The Princess's smile faltered slightly. "Your words are quite deserving of a beating..."

She and Gong Gong Shenjun had indeed originally come for that hidden 'Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade', but they probably never expected that in the end, the blade would fall to neither of them, but instead be won by Li Luo, a mere Image Master realm cultivator.

Although she had originally come with only a trial mindset and didn't care too much about success or failure, Li Luo's words were truly a bit infuriating.

Hearing this, Li Luo quickly pulled Jiang Jiang Qinge from the side to block him.

"You should really manage your person," the Princess said helplessly, directing a reproachful glance at Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Jiang Jiang Qinge smiled. "If the Princess wishes to strike, please go ahead; I guarantee I won't interfere."

The Princess curled her lip slightly. "I don't believe that. Everyone knows you, Jiang Jiang Qinge, protect this lad the most. If he were truly harmed, wouldn't you turn against me?"

A rare flush of red appeared on Jiang Jiang Qinge's usually calm, breathtakingly beautiful face. Her gaze swept back, spotting Li Luo's smug, smiling expression behind her, and she immediately drove her elbow backward with a sharp thrust.

Li Luo's smile instantly froze. Clutching his chest, he looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge with grievance as she suddenly attacked him.

The Princess watched the two bickering with an amused smile, gaining further understanding of the bond and relationship between them. She already knew Jiang Jiang Qinge's nature: resilient and self-willed, intelligent and sharp, possessing great cultivation talent. Such a person, even she who was naturally proud, admired, which was why she repeatedly sought to draw closer to her.

Within the Academy, Jiang Jiang Qinge's reputation was also excellent. Although she didn't deliberately cultivate a persona of gentleness and approachability like the Princess, she showed no arrogance of talent when interacting with others. However, the Princess understood that Jiang Jiang Qinge always maintained a relationship with others that was neither too close nor too distant, stopping just short, and this included her.

Yet only when facing Li Luo could the Princess feel another side beneath Jiang Jiang Qinge's untroubled, waveless state of mind.

However, their bickering soon stopped because Li Luo saw Gong Gong Shenjun approaching.

Gong Gong Shenjun arrived, first offering a warm smile to the three of them, then cutting straight to the point without wasting words, his gaze fixed on Li Luo: "Junior Li Luo, I came to find you mainly because there is something rather presumptuous I wish to ask, though I don't know if I may bring it up."

His words were sincere, and his attitude was quite good.

Li Luo said in a low, mournful tone, "Since Senior Gong Gong Shenjun has already called it presumptuous... why not just not say it?"

Gong Gong Shenjun paused, having not expected Li Luo to be so straightforward, directly telling him not to speak.

Nevertheless, he smiled. "It seems Junior Li Luo has guessed... I indeed came for the 'Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade'. I wish to ask if Junior Li Luo would be willing to make an exchange with me. You are skilled with dual blades; I can exchange a matching set of dual-blade Golden Eye Treasures for the Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade in your hand."

"A matching set of dual-blade Golden Eye Treasures."

Li Luo could not deny feeling slightly tempted; the conditions Gong Gong Shenjun offered were indeed quite enticing, for this was truly the thing he wanted most.

Li Luo glanced at Jiang Jiang Qinge; the latter said nothing, evidently leaving the decision to him.

Li Luo pondered for a few seconds, then smiled. "Why is Senior Gong Gong Shenjun so obsessed with this blade?"

Gong Gong Shenjun replied helplessly, "Because it was once the personal blade of the Dean, my lord, an item of a King-level powerhouse. If one could possess it, perhaps one might gain some insights."

Li Luo's eyes flickered. After a moment, he slowly shook his head. "I apologize, Senior Gong Gong Shenjun. I do indeed desire dual-blade Golden Eye Treasures, but this blade chose me of its own accord. If I were to exchange it away, it would truly chill its 'blade heart'. I cannot do such a cruel thing!"

The Princess and Jiang Jiang Qinge beside him could barely hold back their laughter. Chill its blade heart?

Upon Li Luo's refusal, Gong Gong Shenjun fell silent for a moment. "Will Junior Li Luo not consider it again? If a dual-blade Golden Eye Treasure is not enough, I can add some other conditions."

Li Luo shook his head, showing great firmness.

"Very well, then consider me presumptuous."

Seeing this, Gong Gong Shenjun smiled, made no further effort to persuade, exchanged greetings with Jiang Jiang Qinge and the Princess, and then turned to leave.

Li Luo watched Gong Gong Shenjun's departing back. "I refused Senior Gong Gong Shenjun; will I be retaliated against?"

The Princess smiled brightly. "Rest assured, my royal brother is deeply scheming. You hold something more important than the Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade, yet you haven't seen him do anything behind the scenes, have you?"

"Something more important than the Jin Yu Xuanxiang Blade?" Li Luo was somewhat puzzled.

Then he saw the Princess turn her amused gaze toward Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Li Luo immediately let out a dry laugh and explained, "Your Highness is mistaken; actually, I am the one being possessed."

"Whatever."

The Princess smiled. "So you need not worry about Gong Gong Shenjun. He has maintained his reputation in the Academy for so many years; he won't tarnish it with some stain over you. After all, forcing someone to hand over a treasure they obtained is not a very pleasant thing to do."

Li Luo nodded.

"By the way, if you have time over the next two days, come with me to the Royal Palace again." After chatting with the three for a while longer, the Princess said to Li Luo.

Going to the Royal Palace naturally meant treating Little Wang.

Li Luo nodded in agreement. The ticket competition had temporarily concluded; they now had over half a month of rest to adjust their state and prepare for that grand feast for all academies in the Eastern Region of Outer Shenzhou.

Additionally, Li Luo thought of some other very important matters.

That was that he had now stepped into the Transformation Image Stage, the final realm of the Image Master realm, so he was not far from the General Establishment realm.

At this moment, he finally needed to begin considering the issue of his Third Image.