Chapter 627: The Hidden Hand

In the dark, oppressive depths of the sea, Li Luo's mind sank and shattered again and again. The massive black dragon brought overwhelming terror time after time, rampaging through his spirit like an invincible beast, constantly shattering the defenses of his heart and leaving him battered and scarred.

Before he knew it, Li Luo had even lost track of time. He did not know how many times his mind had been crushed by that great terror, but from beginning to end, he never gave up. Relying on the stubborn breath in his heart, and with the protection of the Purifying Golden Lotus, he maintained the last sliver of clarity within.

By the lake, Mentor Xi Chan quietly waited, warming tea. Many days had already passed, and she had been keeping watch here all this while. Li Luo's situation, just as she had expected from the start, was falling into a certain stalemate.

The intent contained within a Marquis-rank technique was extremely ferocious. This was never something a person of Li Luo's level should have come into contact with, but since he harbored such ambition, he naturally had to bear the danger it brought.

In this contest of minds, Mentor Xi Chan could offer him no help at all.

He could only rely on himself to adapt again and again beneath the great terror brought by the intent, until at last he could bear it... For a Marquis-rank technique, talent is certainly important, but what matters more is the resilience of one's heart. Perhaps this is also why, in that Holy Bright King Academy, even someone of virtual ninth rank like Jing Jing Taixu was not considered a seed for cultivating the "Bright King Scripture," while Lan Lan, whose affinity rank was far inferior, ultimately succeeded in cultivating it.

Mentor Xi Chan's gaze swept over the Purifying Golden Lotus upon which Li Luo sat in meditation. Of its three golden petals, one had already completely dimmed and withered. Clearly, with each time it guarded Li Luo's mind, the energy of the Purifying Golden Lotus was being rapidly consumed.

This also meant Li Luo had already used up one-third of his chances. Once all three golden petals withered, Mentor Xi Chan intended to wake Li Luo from his contemplation. Of course, if that happened, it would mean Li Luo's attempt to cultivate the Marquis-rank technique this time had failed.

But there was no choice. Without the protection of the Purifying Golden Lotus, if Li Luo continued cultivating, he was very likely to be severely wounded by the intent. And the House Grand Ceremony of House Luolan House was drawing closer and closer. If Li Luo were to suffer a serious injury now, then perhaps all the effort he had put in before would come to nothing.

lingdian.

"Attempting to cultivate a Marquis-rank technique at the Fiend Palace Realm — as expected, it's still too much of a stretch."

Mentor Xi Chan sighed softly, able only to hope that Li Luo could seize the chance afforded by the last two petals.

The Regent's Wang Fu. In a pavilion at the heart of a lake, the Regent, clad in a golden python robe, held fish bait in his hand and tossed it onto the lake's surface, drawing a host of brightly colored fish scrambling for food. His stern, dignified face showed no expression. Only after he had thrown out all the bait did he slide his hands into his sleeves.

"Counting the time, the Dragon Bone Holy Grail should now be in Pang Pang Qianyuan's hands." After a long while, he said slowly.

"I truly didn't expect... the Holy Mystic Star Academy to actually win the championship in this Holy Grail War. Those two little brats from House Luolan House really do love causing trouble for people."

The Regent's face was expressionless. Intelligence from the Holy Grail War had long since spread throughout Great Xia during this period. Everyone knew that Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge had contributed the most. Without the two of them, the Holy Mystic Star Academy would certainly have been unable to achieve its wish this time.

This truly was somewhat beyond the Regent's expectations. After all, he had secretly instructed Gong Gong Shenjun to throw the match subtly during the Holy Grail War. Yet who could have known that, even with that academy's number one figure sandbagging, the Dragon Bone Holy Grail still fell into the hands of the Holy Mystic Star Academy. Truly, man's calculations are no match for heaven's.

He knew this couldn't really be blamed on Gong Gong Shenjun. After all, in order not to expose himself, the latter couldn't act too overtly, so the impact was limited.

In the Shi Ting behind the Regent, a shadow stirred, and then a drifting, indistinct voice rang out: "The Dragon Bone Holy Grail falling into Pang Pang Qianyuan's hands is indeed a troublesome matter. If he truly uses this item to suppress the 'Fish Chi King,' then he will be able to break free of his shackles and reappear within the academy and Great Xia. When that happens, all of Great Xia will be under his oppressive might. All your years of careful scheming, in the face of a King-realm powerhouse, will likely be as fragile as paper."

"Pang Pang Qianyuan was close with the old Emperor back in the day, and he doesn't seem to think much of you. He even warned the old Emperor that your ambitions were dangerously heavy. So if, when the time comes, he comes out and shows even a little support for the young Emperor — heh — you, this Regent, might truly have no choice but to obediently hand over the power in your grasp."

The Regent said coldly, "A Wang Ting like that — is it still the master of Great Xia? That would be nothing more than a dog that has to read Pang Pang Qianyuan's expression!"

"The fact is precisely this. A King-realm powerhouse like Pang Pang Qianyuan, in your Great Xia, is enough to sweep across everything and suppress all." That voice said with a laugh.

"King-realm..."

In the Regent's eyes, an intensely fervent color of longing rose. That realm was likewise what he yearned for. If he could step into it, Great Xia would reach unprecedented heights in his hands. When that day came, the surrounding dynasties and empires would all submit to Great Xia.

"Can the things from House Luolan House truly help me become a King in the future?" He suddenly shifted his tone and asked.

"With our help, it shouldn't be a problem." A gaze shot out from the shadows.

The Regent fell briefly silent, then said, "Then what is the background of Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan? You seem to hold some fear of them — otherwise, why would you have incited me back then to set up such an enormous scheme, forcing the two of them into the Wang Hou battlefield?"

"Heh. The threat these two pose, in my view, is probably no less than Pang Pang Qianyuan's. Leaving them in Great Xia would also be a tremendous hidden danger, and would have a great impact on our plans." The figure in the shadows said.

The Regent's gaze sharpened. "They're only at the Marquis Realm. Granted, the two of them are indeed dazzling talents, but how could they compare with Pang Pang Qianyuan?"

The figure in the shadows laughed but did not answer, instead saying, "They are now trapped in the Wang Hou battlefield, so there's no need for further worry. The House Luolan House Grand Ceremony is only a little over half a month away. All your years of scheming are about to come to fruition."

"As long as you obtain the thing from House Luolan House, I can grant you the power to rival the King Realm."

The Regent said, "Unfortunately, I cannot directly reveal my hand. That would arouse the vigilance of the Holy Mystic Star Academy, the Gold Dragon Treasure House, and certain elements within the Wang Ting. Otherwise, the item could certainly be obtained."

"But it doesn't matter much. Over these years, enough preparations have been made for this. With just those two little brats from House Luolan House and a few sorry specimens, the problem isn't really that big."

"That Jiang Jiang Qinge from House Luolan House is truly a peerless prodigy. Gong Shenjun has taken a fancy to her as well. I had originally thought that, given that boy's excellence, he should have been able to draw that Jiang Jiang Qinge over to my Wang Fu. I didn't expect she simply didn't fancy him at all." The Regent shook his head with a smile.

"If we destroy House Luolan House this time, we can spare this girl's life. With such talent and potential, she might be able to bear even finer bloodline for my Wang Fu."

As he spoke, he raised his head, gazing up at the vault of heaven above Great Xia, and spread his arms wide.

"After years of waiting, the moment of harvest is finally about to arrive."

"From this day forth, the Gong family shall be the true, supreme sovereign of Great Xia."