Chapter 629: Intelligence

When black water churned around Li Luo and a black dragon emerged, Instructor Xi Chan's eyes showed a hint of shock, because she understood exactly what this represented—it meant Li Luo had passed the test of the artistic conception and had initially mastered the Spirit-Grade Marquis Art, the "Black Dragon Nether Water Banner."

To cultivate a Marquis Art at the Baleful Palace realm.

What kind of achievement was this?

Although Instructor Xi Chan had already grown accustomed to witnessing many miracles on Li Luo, her heart still surged with emotion at this moment—this kid seemed a bit too monstrous.

With a wave of her jade hand, Instructor Xi Chan put away the tea table, then took a single step forward and appeared directly at the center of the lake. She looked at Li Luo, whose face was pale but whose eyes were extremely exhilarated and excited, and flicked her finger. The clear lake water rolled up, washing away all the bloodstains covering Li Luo's body.

"Fairy Wood's Marvelous Fate"

"Instructor, I-I succeeded!" Li Luo said excitedly, looking at Instructor Xi Chan.

Instructor Xi Chan nodded slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of emotion as she stared at Li Luo, and said, "You've created another miracle. If this news spreads, the Sacred Void Star Academy will be stirred up once again."

Li Luo grinned. At this moment, his heart was also surging with emotion. After all, cultivating the "Black Dragon Nether Water Banner" this time had been excessively difficult. He had been tormented nearly to death and back within that artistic conception, and if his own resilience hadn't been somewhat strong, he probably wouldn't have held on long ago.

Moreover, being able to withstand the erosion of the black dragon's artistic conception at the end was also due to the emergence of his own bloodline power.

The mysterious dragon claw that had appeared at that final moment should have originated from his bloodline... Li Luo felt that it was likely the Sky Dragon's will contained within his own bloodline that had sensed the contempt from the black dragon's artistic conception, and thus uncontrollably surged forth to shatter that black dragon artistic conception.

"Instructor, regarding the Marquis Art, please help me keep it secret for now," Li Luo earnestly requested of Instructor Xi Chan.

Instructor Xi Chan glanced at Li Luo, asked no further questions, and simply nodded in agreement. She naturally understood Li Luo's reason for secrecy—it was nothing more than wanting to keep it as a hidden trump card, so that when the time came, he could catch the enemy off guard and achieve a greater effect.

"You've been cultivating here for over twenty days. Your Luo Lan Mansion's Mansion Sacrifice is in four days," Instructor Xi Chan said.

"Four days."

Li Luo's gaze grew somewhat complex, carrying both a trace of anticipation and a trace of anxiety. In order to cope with this Mansion Sacrifice, he had not relaxed for a single moment over this past year, and the achievements he had obtained were quite astonishing. In one year's time, that young Mansion Master of empty phase from South Wind City was now carrying three phases within him and had stepped into the Baleful Palace realm.

The him who once could only hide within South Wind City now possessed the qualification to stand upon the Mansion Sacrifice stage and truly contend with all parties.

"Instructor, I'll be leaving the academy today. Thank you very much for your guidance during this period," Li Luo said, his heart surging with emotion, cupping his fists toward Instructor Xi Chan with a smile.

The Mansion Sacrifice was about to arrive—this was an event capable of altering the future fate of Luo Lan Mansion. Therefore, Li Luo would have no time to continue cultivating within the academy. He needed to return to Luo Lan Mansion to face this battle of destiny.

If he could emerge victorious in the Mansion Sacrifice, he would naturally remain the young Mansion Master of Luo Lan Mansion, and the future Luo Lan Mansion would also regain its prime and glory under his hand. But if he could not overcome this tribulation, Luo Lan Mansion would vanish into thin air, and he and Jiang Qing'e would have to walk a different path.

Perhaps returning to the Sacred Void Star Academy to cultivate in seclusion from then on, awaiting the day of becoming a Marquis; perhaps leaving Great Xia to seek another way out.

And regardless of which path it was, for the two of them, it would alter their fate.

Upon hearing this, Instructor Xi Chan fell briefly silent. She naturally understood what Li Luo was about to face, and this was also a responsibility that Li Luo, as the young Mansion Master of Luo Lan Mansion, could not escape.

"Remember, if the situation slips beyond your control, both you and Jiang Qing'e can return to the Sacred Void Star Academy. This is a fallback path for you. Given your and Jiang Qing'e's talent and potential, I believe the academy would be willing to offer you shelter."

"As long as you remain alive, your enemies will find no peace in sleep or food. When the time comes in the future and you become Marquises, rebuilding Luo Lan Mansion will not be difficult," Instructor Xi Chan said slowly.

Li Luo smiled and nodded. Instructor Xi Chan's words had been mentioned to him many times by Vice Principal Su Xin already—it was nothing more than worry that he was young and impetuous. However, he also understood this was their goodwill, unable to bear seeing such a fine seedling destroyed.

Seeing this, Instructor Xi Chan said no more, and led Li Luo away from this place, returning to the Phase Arts Tower.

"Instructor, I plan to head back to the dormitory small building first to say goodbye to Bai Mengmeng and Student Xin Fu," Li Luo said.

"Why are you making this sound like a parting of life and death?" Instructor Xi Chan said.

As Li Luo felt a bit awkward, Instructor Xi Chan added, "Let's go, I'll accompany you."

Then the two of them left the Phase Arts Tower and headed straight back to the dormitory small building.

Upon arriving outside the small building, Li Luo heard somewhat noisy sounds coming from within, as if quite a few people were present. He couldn't help but feel a bit surprised. Pushing the door open, he saw numerous figures inside—Seeing Yu Lang, Zhao Kuo, Qin Qin Zhulu, Bai Bai Doudou, Lv Qing'er, Bai Bai Mengmeng, and Student Xin Fu were all there.

"Are you guys having a gathering?" Li Luo asked in surprise.

His sudden arrival caused everyone to pause for a moment, and then they all joyfully swarmed over.

"Brother Luo, you've finally come out of closed-door cultivation! We've been waiting for you for several days," Zhao Kuo said with a smile.

Li Luo entered the room, found a seat, and asked in surprise, "Waiting for me for what?"

The others didn't say anything for a moment. Seeing Yu Lang said with a grin, "Waiting to cheer you on."

Li Luo's heart stirred. The matter of the Luo Lan Mansion Sacrifice was no secret, and many people were well aware of what would erupt at that Mansion Sacrifice. Seeing Yu Lang and the others lived within the academy and normally came into contact with people from certain top forces in Great Xia, so naturally they also knew some things. They all understood that in four days, Li Luo would face a battle that would determine his fate, which was why they had waited here to encourage him.

Although this kind of encouragement held no real meaning for the situation, their heartfelt intentions still brought a touch of warmth to Li Luo's heart.

"Everyone doesn't need to worry. It's just a small matter. Once this Luo Lan Mansion Sacrifice is over, I'll be upgrading to the true Luo Lan Mansion Master. When that time comes, my status might be slightly different from everyone else's. I hope you won't feel too much of a gap in your hearts," Li Luo said with a beaming smile.

Boos.

His brazen words drew a round of boos from the crowd. However, Li Luo's relaxed demeanor did let everyone heave a sigh of relief in their hearts, and the atmosphere also became cheerful.

Li Luo then sat down and chatted casually with everyone, laughter never ceasing.

The bitter cultivation during this period had also left his mind extremely tense, so this was a perfect time to relax a bit.

After chatting for a while, Li Luo stood up to pour water, only to see Bai Bai Mengmeng quietly following him.

"Captain," Bai Bai Mengmeng said, her large dewy eyes looking at him.

"What's wrong?" Li Luo asked with a smile.

Bai Bai Mengmeng pulled out a black crystal card from her sleeve, seemingly crafted from crystal, with the emblem of the Golden Dragon Treasure House engraved upon it. She bit her red lip and said, "Captain, I'm not strong enough, and I can't help you with much. But over these years, I've actually saved quite a bit of money. Although this money can't hire a Marquis-level expert, it should still be enough to hire several Heavenly Gang General-stage experts."

Li Luo was stunned for a moment, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He pushed the black crystal card back and said righteously, "Little rich girl, I know you have money, but don't try to corrupt me with money! Do you think I'm interested in your money?!"

Bai Bai Mengmeng pouted and said, "I'm not joking with you!"

Li Luo broke into a brilliant smile and said softly, "I know, thank you for your kind intentions. But I hope you trust me too—the situation isn't that bad. And if your sister knew I took your little treasury, she'd definitely beat me to death."

Bai Bai Mengmeng stared at Li Luo for a while, and seeing his resolute expression, she could only reluctantly put away the black crystal card and sneak back.

However, just after Bai Bai Mengmeng left, Li Luo saw the shadow nearby suddenly tremble, and immediately said exasperatedly, "Student Xin Fu, this Shadow Phase of yours has really been turned into a peeping maniac by you."

The shadow wriggled and transformed into Student Xin Fu's figure.

However, Student Xin Fu's expression was somewhat gloomy. He stared at Li Luo, hesitated for quite a while, and only then slowly said, "Captain, I'll give you a piece of intelligence."

"What?" Li Luo looked at Student Xin Fu's expression, his gaze sharpening slightly.

Student Xin Fu stepped closer, and a faint voice was transmitted into Li Luo's ear, causing his pupils to suddenly contract sharply at this moment.

"Lanling Mansion has accepted the bounty on you and Senior Sister Jiang."