Li Luo did not feel too disappointed at Vice Principal Su Xin's words as it was within his expectations. The Astral Sage College could not simply get rid of their stance of neutrality built over countless years on the whim of a single student, even though he had made exceptional contributions.
"Sigh. I guess two of the most talented students of the Astral Sage College might very well just vanish off the face of the world in two months’ time..." Li Luo sighed pitifully, a look of depression on his face.
Vice Principal Su Xin couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity even as she stared at the melancholic and handsome youth who was clearly putting on a play. Feeling helpless, she spoke out. "You don't have to be all doom and gloom. Although House Luolan may be coveted by a pack of hyenas, I refuse to believe Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan didn't leave any sort of preparation for this eventuality. Furthermore, if you're truly unable to hold on, I can assure you that no matter how dangerous the situation is, no one in the Xia Kingdom will be able to harm you if Jiang Qing'e and you can make your way into the Astral Sage College."
Although the college was unable to take sides or be implicated in the underhanded politics of the kingdom, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e were still exceptional students. So long as they continued to hold this identity, the college would protect them to no end.
Practically speaking, the college wouldn't really offer this sort of treatment to just any student. However, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e had proven their value and potential and were definitely worth the cost. It would serve as a deterrent as well.
"House Luolan is the product of my parents’ blood, sweat, and tears! It would be a shame if it were to crumble into dust in my very hands. It truly seems like we've been an incompetent couple." Li Luo sighed.
"When there's life, there's still hope," Vice Principal Su Xin patiently chided. "Even though Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan have disappeared and their whereabouts and status are unknown, no one can truly say for sure that they will not return in the future. Plus, you and Jiang Qing'e have potential and talent that is no worse than theirs. You two entering the Duke stage is merely a matter of time. Once that's done, you'll once again be a house with two Dukes, and rebuilding House Luolan and taking revenge will not be too hard. Who in the Xia Kingdom could stop you? Thus, there is no need to struggle bitterly to the end. Take a step back and give up the present for greater victories in the future. Frankly speaking, although the businesses that House Luolan own aren't that small, there's no need for you and Jiang Qing'e to care too much about it. So long as you possess cultivation strength and true power, that's what will really matter for House Luolan in the long run."
Su Xin's care and concern for Li Luo was obvious as she patiently explained the situation. Stubbornly tying one's life to their house was the only foolish decision they could choose to take!
Li Luo nodded and smiled. "Vice Principal, you can rest assured. I'm not the sort that would run into a brick wall headfirst. If the situation takes a turn for the worse, we'll definitely give up on the house, and we will truly need your protection if that happens."
Su Xin heaved a sigh of relief. "So long as you are able to step into the college grounds, even the royal court would be unable to force us to give you up. In such a situation, House Luolan would probably be gone and there wouldn't be any issues with protecting you. Even if your opponents wanted to get rid of the roots, they'd realize that it can't be done. If they still continue to disregard us and attempt something funny... Well, we'd take it as a provocation and show them why the college is where it is today." Cold and tyrannical aura could be felt from her, contrasting against her gentle and warm smile.
Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo were two fine seedlings whom she had taken a fancy to. Plus, they had contributed immensely to the college. Unfortunately, due to the school's stance of neutrality and what she represented, she could not go against the flow. Otherwise, if the request was not too outrageous, she would definitely have been able and more than willing to provide some assistance.
This was also a form of investment in them. Both of these students would hold exceptional value once cultivated.
"Then I will have to thank you sincerely." Li Luo expressed his gratitude honestly. He understood that this was the extent to which Vice Principal Su Xin was able to assist. These rules of neutrality were set by the Academic Federation, and a mere vice principal could not upend them as she pleased.
The Academic Federation might be a lofty and far away concept, but they had plenty of means to ensure compliance. If, for example, they reduced the cultivation resources provided to a college, that would cause massive ripples throughout the student body.
Thus, Li Luo did not resent her decision.
In fact, the college could be said to have treated them extremely well! Especially if one considered the situation with Jiang Qing'e. She had been identified as a ninth-grade light resonance user early in her life and possessed infinite potential. As a result, she was subject to the countless machinations of House Luolan's enemies. If the school had not provided a safe haven and duly protected her, perhaps even a Duke expert might have shown up to get rid of her.
Vice Principal Su Xin had made her intentions clear. The college would not protect House Luolan, but if the duo were in danger, the school would guarantee their safety within their means. This was an escape route for them, another path of survival.
Pushing for any more benefits would infringe upon the vice principal's graces and would ruin the current relationship between them.
Vice Principal Su Xin waved her hand towards Li Luo to indicate that this conversation would come to an end. She then swiped at the pocket sphere on her wrist and a green scroll appeared in her hand.
The scroll was crafted from a strong spirit beast's hide. Mysterious and enchanting engravings of light could be seen on it, flowing across constantly and seemingly bringing the object to life.
More importantly, a terrifying sense of suppression could be felt emanating from it.
Vice Principal Su Xin flicked her finger, and the scroll unraveled before Li Luo's very eyes, greeting him with a sight for sore eyes. One could feel surging resonance power within the green scroll constantly churning and emitting a blinding radiance. Within the radiance, a green feather of energy seemed to have taken physical form.
"What is this?" Li Luo asked curiously.
"This is actually another reward provided by the Academic Federation for exceptional students. You might have heard of the Royal Engraving. It is something created by Duke experts as a consumable artifact that possesses extraordinary power. The one before you is the Phantasmal Spirit Wing Evasion Art, a third grade Royal Engraving. This is the highest quality middle-grade Royal Engraving that has been provided by the Academic Federation. Its function is simple: it creates a clone that then allows one to escape in a flash of light! It has the ability to confuse one's opponent and provide the means to a quick retreat. No one under the level of a Duke will be able to catch up, and even if faced with a Duke, your escape is still very much possible if they're caught off guard."
Li Luo didn't know whether to laugh or cry upon hearing this. Vice Principal Su Xin truly seemed to care a lot for him. Even the reward provided was one to escape with, having no offensive or defensive capabilities…
However, if one thought about it... an art that even an average Duke could not catch up to... that was an exciting proposition indeed.
This would definitely accord him sufficient protection.
Thus, he did not choose to reject Vice Principal Su Xin's good intentions.
"The Royal Engraving still requires a form of activation, so find Mentor Chi Chan and get her assistance," reminded Su Xin as she saw Li Luo greedily snatch up the Phantasmal Spirit Wing Evasion Art.
"Additionally, you earned 120,000 points in the Holy Grail Meet, correct?"
Li Luo nodded in acknowledgement. The points earned in the competition could be converted into school points, which meant that he now possessed a monstrous amount of wealth. This could all be converted into cultivation resources.
"This is truly a fearsome amount... The Academic Federation is really causing trouble for us colleges." Even Vice Principal Su Xin could only smile through the pain at the thought of having to compensate for this, and she sighed slightly in the end. The usual cultivation resources that could be bought would be insufficient to even create a significant dent in this large trove of wealth…
As a result, she fell deep into thought as she drummed her fingers against the table…
"So, Li Luo... are you interested in Duke Arts?"
Li Luo's eyes widened like saucers and a tear fell from the edge of his eye in joyful anticipation.