Chapter 77

The aftereffects of the major exam continued for several days in Nangfeng City, the heat lingering without any sign of cooling down, demonstrating the significant impact of the exam.

After the exam, the students of Nangfeng Academy would have a week of rest before returning to the academy to receive their admission notices, thus officially concluding their studies at Nangfeng Academy.

Due to his first-place finish in the major exam, Li Luo's attention in Nangfeng City had increased exponentially, which he found quite troubling. As a result, he had not gone out these past few days, instead staying in the old residence to cultivate his Phase Power and study Phase Techniques. In his free time, he continued practicing the Spirit Water Radiance.

It was a leisurely and fulfilling time.

Clang!

In a training room of the old residence.

Li Luo held two knives, his Phase Power fully unleashed, launching wave after wave of attacks against the figure opposite him.

The person he was sparring with was a guard from the old residence, a Phase Master of the First Rank, Seed Opening Stage. At this moment, he was suppressing his Phase Power to spar with Li Luo.

Phase Power cultivation has ten imprints, after which comes the Phase Master stage.

The Phase Master stage has three ranks: the first is the Seed Opening Stage, where the Phase Power in the Phase Palace is condensed into a seed-like form, hence the name. The second is the Pattern Formation Stage, where the Phase Power becomes more substantial and gradually forms patterns on the Phase Seed, known as Phase Patterns. The third is the Phase Transformation Stage, where the Phase Seed undergoes a transformation, preparing for the next level.

If the ten imprints are just the beginning of Phase Power cultivation, then the Phase Master stage marks the true start of cultivation.

The gap between these two stages is enormous.

This gap became evident as Li Luo sparred with the guard.

Although the guard suppressed his Phase Power to roughly the ten imprints level, Li Luo found that none of his attacks could pose a significant threat to the guard unless he transformed his knives into a bow and arrow, unleashing his strongest shot.

Clang!

The blue water glow on Li Luo's knives rapidly spun, striking the iron staff in the guard's hand. A powerful force rebounded, forcing Li Luo to retreat several steps.

He stopped with a sigh, gesturing to the guard to end the session.

"Young Master is truly remarkable. Despite only having the strength of eight imprints, you can make me feel pressured," the guard said, bowing.

This was not entirely flattery, as he found that Li Luo's attacks, even with suppressed Phase Power, could indeed pose a threat.

The other guards around the training ground nodded in agreement, their gazes toward Li Luo now filled with a respect and admiration they had not felt before.

Li Luo's victory in the major exam in Tian Shu County had made everyone stop viewing him as the once-potentialless Empty Phase individual.

Even if Li Luo did not reach the level of Jiang Qing'e, no one would underestimate him anymore.

This young master of Luolan Manor was gradually shining.

Li Luo smiled and nodded, then walked to the edge of the training ground, where Cai Wei was waiting.

Today, Cai Wei wore a red dress with intricate peony patterns, accentuating her already curvaceous figure, making her look as alluring as a newly bloomed flower.

In the sweat-filled training ground, many men, though not daring to openly stare, cast covert glances at her.

It was the instinctive admiration men have for women.

"Cai Wei, Sister," Li Luo greeted with a smile.

Cai Wei smiled, "Young Master is truly diligent. Even after winning the major exam, you still practice so hard every day."

"It's just a first place in Tian Shu County, not much to boast about. I heard that in some stronger counties, there were even students at the ten imprints level in this exam," Li Luo shook his head.

His words were not false. Tian Shu County was only mid-tier among the hundred counties of Daxia, indicating that there were even stronger students in other counties.

"Cai Wei, Sister, did you come to see me?" Li Luo asked.

"Lingqing has come, she must have something to discuss," Cai Wei replied.

Li Luo nodded, "Let's go then."

They left the training ground, walked through the corridor, and entered a living room, where they saw Yan Lingqing, dressed in green, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, looking particularly intellectual and aloof.

Sitting down, Yan Lingqing said, "First, I'll give you an update. Recently, Xiyang House's performance has significantly improved, all thanks to the secret source water you provided. If this trend continues, the Xiyang House branch in Tian Shu County might reach one million Tianliang gold this year, with a profit of about 300,000 after costs."

Li Luo was impressed. Previously, Luolan Manor's annual profit in Tian Shu County was only 300,000 Tianliang gold. This year, just from Xiyang House, they could reach that level, showing a significant improvement.

He understood that the main reason was the secret source water he provided. With his Phase Power reaching the eighth imprint, the amount of source water he could provide had increased, allowing the secret source water to be used in the second-grade Spirit Water Radiance, leading to the surge in Xiyang House's income.

He calculated that 300,000 Tianliang gold could buy about ten sixth-grade Spirit Water Radiance.

A bit low.

Li Luo sighed inwardly, realizing how deep the pit of postnatal Phase cultivation was.

After reporting these matters, Yan Lingqing changed the subject, "A few days ago, did you encounter Song Qiuyu at Qingfeng Tower, along with someone named Mo Ling?"

Li Luo was taken aback, then nodded, "That guy wanted to cause trouble, and there was a bit of conflict."

"Mo Ling is from the Mo family of Beiqiu County, a major family in Daxia that specializes in Spirit Water Radiance. Their 'Ink House' ranks among the top ten in Daxia, with a strong foundation and power," Yan Lingqing explained.

"According to our intelligence, the Song family might choose to collaborate with 'Ink House' to introduce them to Tian Shu County to compete with Xiyang House," Cai Wei added softly.

Li Luo frowned, the Song family was seeking external support.

"Song Qiuyu's appearance at Qingfeng Tower was likely a carefully planned event, designed to create conflict between you and Mo Ling to facilitate cooperation between the two families," Yan Lingqing continued.

"This woman is very cunning, willing to use any means to achieve her goals," Yan Lingqing's eyebrows furrowed, clearly not fond of Song Qiuyu.

Li Luo smiled helplessly, unintentionally becoming a tool for Song Qiuyu, something he had not anticipated. He had underestimated that woman.

"Song Qiuyu's return is likely for the Spirit Water Radiance Festival next month. She will probably compete for the title of the top Phase Master in Tian Shu County to boost the momentum of Songzi House," Yan Lingqing said.

"Lingqing, Sister, you are Xiyang House's star, can you compete with her?" Li Luo asked.

"I've been her rival for a long time, even competing many times at the Holy Xuan Star Academy. We've had our wins and losses, so it's hard to predict the outcome this time. However, I won't underestimate her and will prepare fully," Yan Lingqing said, her eyes burning with a fierce determination, clearly motivated by Song Qiuyu's presence.

"It seems she is your old rival," Li Luo joked.

"You'll understand how much we don't get along when you join the Holy Xuan Star Academy," Yan Lingqing said, then added seriously, "But I'm more concerned about the strong push of Ink House's Spirit Water Radiance."

"What is the quality of Ink House's Spirit Water Radiance?" Li Luo asked, thinking.

"If Ink House enters Tian Shu County, they will likely focus on third-grade and lower Spirit Water Radiance. According to my knowledge, their first-grade product, Black Star Spirit Water, has a refinement power of 62%."

"Their second-grade product, Black Moon Spirit Water, has a refinement power of 61%."

"Their third-grade product, Black Obsidian Radiance, has a refinement power of 60%."

Li Luo's eyebrows raised. No wonder they were a veteran Spirit Water Radiance house; their products surpassed all of Xiyang House's, indicating that Xiyang House was far behind in terms of formulas. Without the high-purity secret source water, they couldn't compete.

However, he wasn't overly worried. While they might be inferior in formula quality, Li Luo believed they had an advantage in secret source water.

Currently, the first enhanced Qingbi Spirit Water used by Xiyang House was still at the purity level he achieved at the fifth-grade Water Light Phase. If Li Luo chose to, he could further increase the purity of the secret source water he provided.

But since the current purity was sufficient, he hadn't mentioned it. If Ink House became aggressive, he would use the purity of the source water to counter them.

After discussing with Li Luo for a while, Yan Lingqing hurriedly left, clearly preparing for the Spirit Water Radiance Festival next month.

After Yan Lingqing left, Cai Wei slowly took out three crystal bottles from her pocket and gently placed them in front of Li Luo.

"These are..."

Li Luo stared at the three clearly expensive crystal bottles, which had faint light patterns carved on them, indicating a higher quality than the Spirit Water Radiance he had seen before.

He immediately sensed the powerful refinement properties of the liquids inside the bottles.

"Sixth-grade Spirit Water Radiance?" Surprise showed on Li Luo's face.

He had been using the remaining fifth-grade Spirit Water Radiance, but found it less effective as his Water Light Phase evolved to the sixth grade. He had been quite troubled and had considered asking Cai Wei to help him purchase sixth-grade Spirit Water Radiance, but he knew the price and had held off, planning to buy them after going to Daxia City.

But now, Cai Wei had given him a pleasant surprise.

"Young Master, although I don't know why you keep using large amounts of Spirit Water Radiance, I'm not curious. Your recent performance has proven the value of these Spirit Water Radiance."

"So, despite the financial strain, I saved up and managed to get you three sixth-grade Spirit Water Radiance. It's a bit less, but it should suffice for now," Cai Wei said, her smooth, oval face glowing in the light.

Li Luo happily grabbed the three sixth-grade Spirit Water Radiance bottles and looked at Cai Wei, moved. "If I weren't afraid of being hit by Sister Cai Wei, I'd give you a hug."

Cai Wei laughed, gently waving a fan and winking at Li Luo.

"Save those words for the young ladies at your academy. To me, your sweet talk isn't as attractive as your little face."

With that, she swayed and left.

Li Luo watched her sexy and charming figure, touching his cheek, sighing.

This damn handsomeness, even Sister Cai Wei couldn't resist.