Chapter 81: The Great Sacrifice

And as Li Luo gradually filled the energy Kong Dong on the "Little Wu Xiang Divine Wheel," the holiday also slipped away day by day, and before he knew it, another half-month had passed.

Yet during this half-month, Li Luo's Xiang Li had not risen to ten seals—it remained at the ninth-seal level, clearly because the closer one gets to the peak, the slower the progress becomes; his earlier rapid advancement was due partly to his natural talent and the assistance of Jinwu, and partly because during his Kong Xiang phase he had never slackened, continuously cultivating, which led to the subsequent accumulation and sudden breakthrough.

Now those prior accumulations were entirely depleted, so his cultivation speed had returned to normal.

At this point, a month had passed since the end of the Academy Examination, and the lingering excitement of the exam had finally dissipated; the attention of the people of Tian Shu Commandery was now drawn to another grand ceremony approaching.

That was the so-called Ling Shui Qi Guang Sacrifice.

In a world where Xiang exists, Xiang is self-evidently crucial—it determines cultivation, and determines everything.

And Ling Shui Qi Guang, something capable of elevating Xiang's Affinity Rank, had become an indispensable Consumable, so any action concerning it would attract immense attention.

After all, the Academy Examination was merely entertainment, but Ling Shui Qi Guang could directly affect one's own fate.

The Ling Shui Qi Guang Sacrifice would draw all Tian Shu Commandery's Ling Shui Qi Guang houses, each sending their most skilled Zhuì Xiang Masters to compete for the title of Tian Shu Commandery's Number One Zhuì Xiang Master, as this would enhance their house's reputation and thus influence their market share.

The interests involved here were enormous.

Thus, all factions of Tian Shu Commandery's Ling Shui Qi Guang houses had long been preparing for this Sacrifice, including Xi Yang House of Luo Lan Mansion.

The location of the Great Sacrifice was a square in the southern part of Nan Feng City.

When Li Luo arrived there with Cai Wei and saw the surging crowd, he was somewhat startled and laughed: "It's really bustling."

"The Great Sacrifice has already begun for three days, but these past three days were merely each house showcasing products to attract attention—the real show begins today," Cai Wei giggled.

"How is Sister Yan Lingqing prepared?" Li Luo asked.

"I don't know—she's been buried in the refining chamber for a long time, and I didn't dare disturb her, but she's already arrived; you can ask her when you see her later," Cai Wei shook her head.

Li Luo nodded with a smile, and the two walked to Xi Yang House's assigned area, where they saw Yan Yan Lingqing gazing at the center of the square, where numerous refining platforms were being erected—clearly, today's Zhuì Xiang contest would take place there.

"It seems Sister Yan Lingqing takes today's Great Sacrifice very seriously," Li Luo smiled.

Yan Yan Lingqing lifted her silver-framed glasses slightly and said coolly: "I don't care if I lose to others, but I absolutely cannot lose to that woman, Song Song Qiuyu."

Li Luo replied: "Then do you have confidence?"

Yan Yan Lingqing paused slightly, then said: "Song Song Qiuyu and I are both Fourth-Rank Zhuì Xiang Masters, our Zhuì Xiang abilities are nearly equal; this time I've chosen my most familiar Fourth-Rank Ling Shui, whose refining power can stably reach between 58% and 60%. As far as I know, Song Song Qiuyu's previous Fourth-Rank Ling Shui refining power was slightly lower than mine."

"So if no major variables arise, my chance of victory is higher."

Beside them, Cai Wei's voice, soft and melodic, said: "This time the Song family has partnered with Ink Water House—they're coming with full force. Could they have some special preparation?"

Her eyes flickered. "For instance, could Song Song Qiuyu produce a Fifth-Rank Ling Shui Qi Guang?"

"Impossible!"

Yan Yan Lingqing said without hesitation: "I've barely touched the threshold of Fifth-Rank Zhuì Xiang Master, yet every attempt I've made to refine a Fifth-Rank Ling Shui has ended in failure—how could Song Song Qiuyu possibly manage it?"

Seeing her so adamant, Cai Wei said no more; after all, in refining Ling Shui Qi Guang, Yan Yan Lingqing was the expert, and she herself understood none of the intricacies.

Li Luo smiled: "When refining Ling Shui Qi Guang, doesn't each person get to bring one assistant? Has Sister Yan Lingqing chosen hers yet?"

Yan Yan Lingqing glanced at Li Luo with beautiful eyes. "Don't you trust me?"

Li Luo said earnestly: "I'm just concerned for you. Honestly, I don't care whether you win or lose—because even if you lose, in my view, it's not a big deal. Those so-called reputations mean nothing compared to Xi Yang House's actual, tangible quality."

"So Sister Yan Lingqing shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself."

Yan Yan Lingqing froze, her gaze toward Li Luo softening considerably, yet she still habitually said: "I'm not under any pressure."

But then she turned her head slightly, lifting her smooth, fair, pointed chin: "Still, if you want to be my assistant, go ahead—you're the Young Master, I can't control you."

Li Luo smiled wryly—this stubborn, prideful personality was truly adorable.

After chatting a while longer with the two girls, he went into the venue, planning to stroll alone and observe other Ling Shui Qi Guang products.

Cai Wei and Yan Yan Lingqing stood on the balcony watching his back; the former smiled sweetly: "Our Young Master really knows how to cherish beauty."

Yan Yan Lingqing sniffed: "Children are always meddling—even if something unexpected happens, a Second-Rank Zhuì Xiang Master like him could possibly save me?"

"You're so stubborn—you were clearly moved just now," Cai Wei said.

"Pfft, how many people have flattered me before? Do you think such words can shake my iron heart? Do you know my nickname in the Zhuì Xiang Academy of Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy?"

"Iron-Hearted Saintess!" Yan Yan Lingqing puffed out her chest, her tone brimming with pride.

Cai Wei covered her face in exasperation: "What's so proud about that? Has refining Ling Shui Qi Guang addled your brain?"

"And that pose—it doesn't suit you."

Yan Yan Lingqing's eyebrows instantly shot up—damn fox spirit, you talk and dare to launch a personal attack!

I'll scratch you!

She immediately reached out her claws, scratching toward Cai Wei's waist and chest.

On the balcony, the two girls played and laughed, revealing dazzling springtime scenes.

Li Luo, who had no such fortune to witness the springtime spectacle, strolled leisurely through the square, observing with interest the various products unveiled by the Ling Shui Qi Guang houses.

At this point, he was already a Second-Rank Zhuì Xiang Master; observing other products would help deepen his understanding of Ling Shui Qi Guang.

Walking the entire route, he gained considerable insight.

After wandering for a long while, Li Luo was just about to return when his gaze suddenly caught sight of a familiar silhouette.

It was Lü Qing'er.

Today she wore a light green blouse, a short skirt beneath, paired with pure white, smooth stockings; her clear, beautiful face held a white umbrella in hand—her appearance and aura drew countless subtle glances from passersby.

Yet beside Lü Qing'er, Li Luo also spotted a figure like a fly—disgusting.

The figure was no stranger—it was Mo Ling, who had previously clashed with him at Qing Feng Tower.

This fellow was indeed a flirtatious type—clearly interested in Song Song Qiuyu, yet still chasing after every woman he saw.

Now he stood beside Lü Qing'er, smiling constantly as if saying something; Lü Qing'er's face showed no expression, but Li Luo, familiar with her nature, knew that when she wore this look, she was already extremely impatient.

So he quietly approached and whispered:

"Fly swatters for sale—five thousand gold each."

(End of Chapter)