Chapter 40

In the spacious living room, the lights were bright.

The plump President Lu sat with a smile on his face, and to his left sat a figure, a tall and robust middle-aged man with a rather imposing presence.

He was none other than the head of the Song family, Song Shan.

They were clearly in the middle of a discussion, but when Lu Qing'er, Li Luo, and Cai Wei entered, they interrupted the conversation, and Song Shan looked at them with a somewhat surprised expression.

When he saw Li Luo and Cai Wei, the smile on his face faded, and his expression turned cold.

President Lu was also taken aback, but before he could speak, Lu Qing'er said softly, "Uncle, the people from Luo Lan Manor have arrived."

President Lu looked into his niece's eyes, then his lips twitched slightly, but he quickly recovered and smiled, "Since they're here, please take a seat."

Song Shan put down his teacup with a moderate force and frowned at President Lu, "President Lu, what's going on here?"

President Lu chuckled and said, "There's no need to overthink it, Head of the Song family. Our Golden Dragon Treasure House values harmony and profit, but we also have another principle: anything that leaves the Golden Dragon Treasure House must be of high quality."

"The First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang may be of a lower grade, but since it's part of the Golden Dragon Treasure House, it must be of the highest quality. Otherwise, it would damage our reputation, so we naturally have to choose the best."

Li Luo and Cai Wei took their seats and nodded in agreement, "President Lu's words make sense."

Song Shan's face was grim. He glanced at Li Luo and Cai Wei with a cold expression, then gradually composed himself and said in a neutral tone, "President Lu, why waste time on this? The Qingbi Spirit Water from Xiyang House has been thoroughly defeated by our Songzi House's Rizhao Qiguang. The difference in refinement power, I believe, President Lu has already investigated."

"I can say without reservation that in this Tianshu Prefecture, it's impossible to find a First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang with a higher refinement power than ours."

"If President Lu truly believes Xiyang House is a better choice, you can say so directly, and we will withdraw."

It had to be said that the head of the Song family had some courage, speaking with a firm and confident tone.

President Lu laughed and said, "Head of the Song family, don't be upset. I know the 'Rizhao Qiguang' from Songzi House is of excellent quality, but we should also give other houses a chance to showcase themselves. If it turns out that Songzi House is the best, I will apologize to you."

Song Shan's expression softened, and he continued to chat with President Lu, but his occasional glances at Li Luo and Cai Wei were filled with a cold smile.

He knew the situation at Xiyang House very well. With the position of President vacant, Yan Lingqing and Zhuang Yi were in a fierce struggle, and the internal affairs of Xiyang House were in chaos. For Li Luo to come to the Golden Dragon Treasure House to compete with Songzi House was truly presumptuous. Did he really think that the identity of a young lord from Luo Lan Manor would be of much use?

Song Yunfeng also sat down next to Song Shan, his expression indifferent, ready to watch the show.

Lu Qing'er stood beside President Lu, her tall and slender figure exuding a pure and sweet charm, quite different from Cai Wei's style.

However, there was a hint of doubt and worry in her eyes, as she knew that if Li Luo couldn't produce a genuine high-quality First-Class Spirit Water, her uncle would not choose Xiyang House today.

And Song Shan and Song Yunfeng would undoubtedly mock them.

After calming Song Shan, President Lu turned his gaze to Li Luo and Cai Wei and smiled, "You two should know the requirements of the Golden Dragon Treasure House, right?"

"Although the First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang is of a lower grade, we won't consider any with a refinement power below 55%."

Cai Wei smiled sweetly, "President Lu, the refinement power of Songzi House's Rizhao Qiguang is only 56%, right?"

"Only?"

Song Shan raised an eyebrow and said with a faint smile, "Manager Cai, you sure have a lot of confidence. I believe the refinement power of Xiyang House's Qingbi Spirit Water was 'as high as' 52% before, right?"

"Head of the Song family, that was before," Cai Wei replied with a smile.

Li Luo had already placed a box on the table and opened it, revealing forty vials of Qingbi Spirit Water.

"President Lu, allow me to introduce this to you. This is our Xiyang House's new product, the Enhanced Qingbi Spirit Water, with a refinement power... of 60%." Cai Wei's soft voice echoed in the room.

"60%?"

President Lu and Song Shan's expressions changed. The former was skeptical, while the latter sneered.

President Lu waved his hand, and a servant girl immediately stepped forward with a refinement needle, which she inserted into a vial of Qingbi Spirit Water. The needle stabilized at the 60% mark under the watchful eyes of President Lu, Song Shan, and others.

"Really 60%?" President Lu exclaimed in surprise.

Song Shan said coolly, "Xiyang House sure has made a big move. I wonder if these Qingbi Spirit Water vials were refined by a Third-Class Refiner or one of your two Fourth-Class Refiners?"

President Lu pondered. The First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang was of a low grade, and if refined by a Third-Class or even a Fourth-Class Refiner, achieving a 60% refinement power was not difficult. However, having such high-level Refiners refine First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang was a significant loss.

The time spent refining Third-Class Spirit Water Qiguang would yield far greater value.

Song Shan's implication was that Xiyang House had likely used some of their Third-Class Refiners to refine a batch of First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang to achieve their goal.

President Lu looked at Li Luo and said, "Young Lord, the Golden Dragon Treasure House needs more than just this batch. We need a long-term supply. If Xiyang House cannot consistently provide this quality of Qingbi Spirit Water, it would be problematic."

Song Shan sipped his tea with a cold expression. He didn't believe Xiyang House had the capability to consistently produce Qingbi Spirit Water with a 60% refinement power. Could they really keep sacrificing the time of their Third-Class Refiners to refine First-Class Spirit Water? If so, Xiyang House would likely go bankrupt soon.

Facing President Lu's questioning gaze, Li Luo remained calm and said, "President Lu, rest assured. The Luo Lan Manor is a large and prosperous family and wouldn't do something foolish for such a small profit. As for having our Third-Class or Fourth-Class Refiners refine First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang, that would be a stupid move, and the Luo Lan Manor would never do it."

"If President Lu chooses the Qingbi Spirit Water, I guarantee that Xiyang House will consistently supply it in the long term, with a refinement power of no less than 60%. In the future, all Qingbi Spirit Water from Xiyang House will be the enhanced version, and it will undoubtedly be the best First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang in the entire Tianshu Prefecture."

Seeing Li Luo's calm expression, President Lu was slightly shaken. Could Xiyang House's Qingbi Spirit Water really be consistently improved to this level, rather than relying on Third-Class Refiners?

He wasn't the only one shocked. Song Shan and Song Yunfeng's expressions also faltered. Li Luo's confidence was too strong, and it didn't seem like he was bluffing.

Song Shan couldn't help but wonder, could Xiyang House's Qingbi Spirit Water really be improved to this level?

But how was that possible?

Just half a month ago, Xiyang House's Qingbi Spirit Water was only at 52%. How could it improve to 60% in just half a month?

If not, where did Li Luo get the confidence to promise a long-term supply of Qingbi Spirit Water with a 60% refinement power?

The room fell into a brief silence. Lu Qing'er looked at the box of Qingbi Spirit Water with interest. Though she was also surprised, she had a hunch that this might have something to do with Li Luo.

President Lu held a vial of Qingbi Spirit Water in his plump hand, silent for a moment, then smiled. He turned to Song Shan and said apologetically, "Head of the Song family, it seems we can't cooperate this time."

Song Shan didn't get angry but put down his teacup and smiled, "President Lu, there will always be other opportunities."

"Since President Lu has made your choice, I won't stay any longer. If there are any issues with Xiyang House's supply, feel free to contact us at Songzi House."

Song Shan showed some of the head of a family's demeanor, not changing his expression because of Li Luo's move. Instead, he smiled at Li Luo, "Young Lord, you are truly talented. I heard you once had a draw with Yunfeng at the academy. It seems the future of the Luo Lan Manor will be bright under your leadership."

Li Luo smiled and said, "Just lucky."

Song Shan laughed and left without further words, taking the sullen Song Yunfeng with him.

After Song Shan left, President Lu smiled at Li Luo, "I heard from Qing'er that Young Lord solved the problem of the Empty Phase. Congratulations."

"Also, let's sign a contract regarding the Qingbi Spirit Water."

Cai Wei stepped forward to finalize the contract terms with President Lu.

Li Luo stretched and yawned while they were busy. Lu Qing'er walked over and smiled, "Congratulations."

"Thanks to you, otherwise it might have been more troublesome," Li Luo thanked her. If not for Lu Qing'er bringing them directly, once the Golden Dragon Treasure House signed with the Song family, today's outcome would have been difficult.

Lu Qing'er waved her hand and reminded him, "But you should focus more on the upcoming academy exams. You know, if you don't get into the Holy Profound Star Academy, that would be the biggest loss."

Li Luo nodded with a smile.

Lu Qing'er suddenly said, "Do you have time recently? I haven't had anyone to spar with during the break. If you have time, we can spar and exchange techniques."

Li Luo replied, "Am I supposed to be your punching bag? No, no."

Lu Qing'er smiled and stared at Li Luo for a few seconds before turning and leaving.

...

Outside the Golden Dragon Treasure House, in the Song family's carriage.

When no one was around, Song Shan's expression turned grim. Recently, Xiyang House had been heavily suppressed by Songzi House, but unexpectedly, they suddenly rose and dealt him a heavy blow.

Although the cooperation with the Golden Dragon Treasure House wasn't of great value, it would have enhanced the reputation of their Rizhao Qiguang, which would have been beneficial for their future dominance in the First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang market in Tianshu Prefecture.

But now, it had been ruined by Li Luo.

"Father, can Xiyang House really consistently produce Qingbi Spirit Water with a 60% refinement power?" Song Yunfeng asked, incredulous.

Song Shan said coolly, "We'll see."

"It's really frustrating. We spent so much to have a Refiner Master improve the formula of 'Rizhao Qiguang' through my sister's connections, and now..." Song Yunfeng said angrily.

"It's just a First-Class Spirit Water Qiguang."

Song Shan shook his head, "Even if Xiyang House wins this time, they can't compete with us Songzi House."

"Your sister has already sent a message. She will return to Nanfeng City soon and take over Songzi House, which will surely crush Xiyang House."

Song Yunfeng's face lit up. His sister, Song Qingyu, had also trained at the Holy Profound Star Academy's Refiner Institute and had outstanding achievements. If she returned, Songzi House would have a strong foundation.

"Your most important task now is the academy exams. I hope you can regain the respect you lost there," Song Shan said calmly.

"Also, in a few days, I will visit the Governor's Mansion. The Governor's son, Shi Kong, is the top student at Dongyuan Academy and is your age. You might want to exchange ideas with him."

"The Governor's Mansion?"

Song Yunfeng was taken aback. Shi Kong was reportedly the most feared person in the upcoming academy exams at Nanfeng Academy, and his status as the Governor's son made him one of the most influential young men in Tianshu Prefecture. The only one who could surpass him in status was Li Luo, the young lord of the Luo Lan Manor.

Of course, that was during the Luo Lan Manor's prime.

Compared to that person, Li Luo's current status and reputation were a notch lower.