Chapter 23

The second day, Li Luo went to Nangfeng Academy as usual.

When he entered the second courtyard, he could clearly feel that the originally noisy venue had become quieter, with curious gazes tinged with admiration directed at him.

In the past, Li Luo's strength in the second courtyard was not bad, only second to Zhao Kuo. But to be honest, the other students mostly felt sympathy for him; respect and admiration were not really applicable.

After all, in their view, even if Li Luo's current strength was good, he was still a Void Phase, which meant his potential was limited. Given some time, they would eventually catch up to him.

However, yesterday Li Luo suddenly revealed his Phase, and even defeated three people from the first courtyard, including Bei Kun. This made them realize that Li Luo was finally different.

Although a Fifth Rank Phase was not particularly high, it was definitely sufficient. Combined with Li Luo's talent in Phase Techniques, even if he couldn't return to his peak, he could still be a notable figure in Nangfeng Academy.

Therefore, no one dared to feel sympathy for Li Luo anymore. Although they didn't understand why, as the young master of Luolan Manor, what right did they have to feel sympathy for him?

As Li Luo walked by, some students greeted him with smiles: "Brother Luo."

A girl giggled and said, "Brother Luo looks so handsome today."

Li Luo smiled in response and then returned to his seat. Zhao Kuo stared at him with a burning gaze.

"Can you stop looking at me like that, man?" Li Luo frowned.

Zhao Kuo chuckled and then said with a feigned sigh, "It seems I'll have to give up my position as the top student in the second courtyard."

Li Luo replied irritably, "Who wants that? Look further ahead, okay?"

"Further ahead? Then you should work hard. When you bring glory to our Nangfeng Academy, we'll all cheer for you." Zhao Kuo said.

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Kuo said resentfully, "Do you know? The other academies in Tianshu County always say that our Nangfeng Academy is dominated by women. Dongyuan Academy is the most vocal, always using this to mock the men of our Nangfeng Academy. They say that our Nangfeng Academy has Senior Sister Jiang Qing'e in the past and Lu Qing'er now, basically relying on women to maintain its reputation."

In Tianshu County, besides Nangfeng Academy, there were other academies, but their fame and strength were weaker. However, in recent years, Dongyuan Academy had risen rapidly, posing a challenge to Nangfeng Academy's status as the top academy in Tianshu County.

Li Luo was not particularly interested in this and said indifferently, "They can say whatever they want. The more they care, the more pressure Jiang Qing'e and Lu Qing'er put on them."

Zhao Kuo patted Li Luo's shoulder and said, "Even if you don't care, if you have the chance, you should defeat Lu Qing'er. I believe you can return to your peak."

Li Luo shrugged, showing little interest.

As they spoke, Xu Shanyue entered the courtyard. It was clear that he was in a very good mood, his usually stern face now smiling.

"Students, the first courtyard handed over ten golden leaves to us today. So from today on, we will have ten more golden leaves for cultivation."

Upon hearing this, the courtyard erupted in excited voices. After all, the academy exams were approaching, and golden leaf cultivation could help them advance.

"These golden leaves were won by Li Luo alone yesterday. You should all be grateful."

As he spoke, the courtyard erupted in applause. A bold female student said, "To show my gratitude, I can have lunch with Brother Luo."

The courtyard was filled with envious laughter.

Li Luo could only smile helplessly, sighing at his irresistible charm, and ignored the girl's advances.

Xu Shanyue pressed his palms down to quiet the laughter and then began the lesson without further ado.

After the three-hour lesson, Li Luo found Xu Shanyue and asked for leave in the afternoon.

"Another leave?"

Xu Shanyue hesitated. If it were before, he might have refused with a stern face, but now that Li Luo had brought him glory, he finally said, "Okay, but be careful. The preliminary exams are coming up. You've fallen behind, so you need to catch up quickly. If you don't pass the preliminary exams, you won't have a chance at Shengxuan Star Academy."

Li Luo smiled in agreement, waved goodbye, and quickly left the academy.

At the academy gate, there was a luxurious carriage, like a mobile house. Li Luo got in and saw Cai Wei looking at a ledger by the window.

Today, Cai Wei held a lacy round fan in her small hand, gently waving it. A cup of steaming tea was placed beside her, exuding a lazy and mature aura. Her figure, like a beautiful snake, was perfectly proportioned, truly charming.

It was clear that Cai Wei was a woman who lived a refined life. The carriage was more luxurious and comfortable than Jiang Qing'e's.

Li Luo felt that Cai Wei's family background was probably not ordinary, but he didn't know why she had come to Luolan Manor as a manager.

"Have you eaten? I've prepared lunch for you." Cai Wei glanced at Li Luo and pointed to the table, where a sumptuous meal was laid out.

"Cai Wei, you are so considerate. Whoever marries you must have had a lot of good fortune in a past life." Li Luo praised. Cai Wei could manage the accounts, was beautiful and mature, and was a top-notch person in every aspect.

Among the women he had seen, in terms of beauty and aura, Jiang Qing'e was the best, while Lu Qing'er and Cai Wei were equally matched, each with their own charm.

"You have a sweet mouth."

Cai Wei smiled and, while Li Luo ate, began to introduce him: "To refine Ling Shui Qiguang, our Luolan Manor has established a specialized department called 'Xiyang House.' This brand is quite well-known in the Ling Shui Qiguang market of Daxia."

"The headquarters of Xiyang House is in the capital of Daxia, and there are three branches in other counties of Daxia. There is one in Nangfeng City, Tianshu County."

"Xiyang House brings considerable benefits to Luolan Manor every year, so now Pei Hao is trying to take control, using every means to dominate it."

"The branch in Tianshu County lost its president for some reason, leaving the position vacant. Pei Hao took the opportunity to recruit a vice president, trying to take control of the branch. Fortunately, Qing'e noticed in time and quickly sent someone to counteract him. So now, the Xiyang House branch is quite troubled, affecting this year's production."

"Pei Hao, that bastard, is a real scoundrel."

Li Luo couldn't help but curse in his heart. He hadn't paid much attention before, but now that he needed a large amount of funds, he found himself constrained everywhere, realizing the trouble Pei Hao had caused him.

Otherwise, the funds he could mobilize in Luolan Manor wouldn't be just the 300,000 or so from Tianshu County each year.

Feeling depressed, the sumptuous meal before him suddenly lost its appeal.

...

The carriage passed through the bustling Nangfeng City and finally stopped in the north of the city.

Li Luo and Cai Wei got out of the carriage. He looked ahead and saw a large building like a pavilion, with a sign reading "Xiyang House" hanging in front.

Xiyang House was guarded by strict security.

However, when they saw Li Luo and Cai Wei, the guards immediately cleared the way.

The two entered without any hindrance and were met by a group of people.

Li Luo looked and saw that they seemed to be two distinct groups. The leader on the left was a middle-aged man with a smile, while the one on the right was a pleasant surprise.

It was a tall, slender young woman with a beautiful face, a high nose, and a pair of silver-framed round glasses. Her long hair cascaded down, and she exuded an unmasked cold and proud aura.

At that moment, Cai Wei's voice quietly sounded.

"The person on the left is Bei Yu, the vice president who has joined Pei Hao."

"The beautiful woman on the right is Yan Lingqing, a high-achieving student from the Phase Refinement Institute of Shengxuan Star Academy and Qing'e's close friend. She is now a Fourth Rank Phase Refiner and is the reinforcement Qing'e sent."

Upon hearing this, Li Luo's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but look at the tall, slender girl with silver-framed glasses, who exuded a cold and proud aura.

He hadn't expected that she was from the Shengxuan Star Academy he had longed for.