Chapter 0601: Activating the Royal Engraving
"Mmm... your figure is getting better and better."
As Li Luo disrobed, he revealed his striking figure that had been tempered over years of training. Mentor Chi Chan quickly took the opportunity to tease him with a hint of satisfaction in her gaze. An eye for an eye. Who was the one who said she wasn't "caring enough," huh?
Li Luo was clearly left embarassed after a member of the fairer sex had scrutinized him openly. It naturally felt unnatural! As a result, he could only turn a deaf ear to her slicing words.
Chuckling at his discomfort, Mentor Chi Chan grasped the Royal Engraving and channeled her resonant power through her fingertips. The resonant power gushed out into the jade slip like a tide, causing it to burst into pieces with the overflowing energy. Next, countless green engraving fragments shot out and coalesced into a densely packed object that resembled a bird.
Reaching out with her finger, she prodded several areas on Li Luo's back.
These seemingly casual motions caused goosebumps to form across his back and made all his muscles tighten up reflexively. His body was instinctively reacting to the apparent danger of the situation.
Even Li Luo was taken aback at how sharply his body had reacted to such simple gestures. Perhaps if Mentor Chi Chan had put a little more force into those prods, he might very well be left with several bloody holes in his body...
"Is this the strength that a Duke possesses?" Li Luo's mind quivered at the thought of this frightening prospect. It was as though he was now a tiny chick cowering before an apex predator.
"Hmm. Your physical body seems to have been augmented significantly." Mentor Chi Chan was completely oblivious to Li Luo's current state of mind as she commented on his changes in surprise.
His physical strength had taken a significant leap forward during the Holy Grail Meet.
"Yes... I had the opportunity to form a Thunderpeal Avatar when I went to Thunderpeal Mountain during the competition in the Blackwind Empire," Li Luo honestly explained.
"Your lucky encounters aren't bad at all. The Blackwind Empire's Thunderpeal Avatar is renowned across the East Divine Continent. It is said that the founding emperor of the Blackwind Empire refined that art to the very peak, allowing him to possess an unparalleled fleshly body that was comparable to that of a fifth-grade Duke. Using his physical prowess alone, he punched a path through ten thousand li of mountain ranges, opening up a waterway for his empire. He’s a peak legend amongst the annals of East Divine Continent's history."
Li Luo was slightly taken aback, and he gulped in shock. Using one's body to curve out a path across such a massive distance? The founding emperor of the Blackwind Empire was truly ferocious indeed. It would be more fitting to call him a primal beast in human form! On that note just when would he manage to attain such power?
As they spoke, Mentor Chi Chan continued to guide the countless engraving fragments to move in a flowing and determined pattern. It was almost like threading a needle, an elegant motion repeated.
Meanwhile, Li Luo could gradually feel a piercing pain growing on his back. His muscles started to go numb and he felt like an object was trying to burrow inside him.
Countless specks of green fragments that resembled birds constantly descended upon his back. Gradually, a tattoo shaped like a green wing took form. It pulsed luminously, emitting a radiance that seemed to have an influence on its surroundings and speeding up the wind flowing around it. A while later, Mentor Chi Chan paused. "It's done. Channel some resonant power into your back and give it a try."
Li Luo obeyed. He willed his body to act and directed some resonant power towards the area where the royal engraving was. In a flash, his entire body was shrouded with overflowing green light, and the wing engraving seemed to have fluttered to life like a newborn butterfly. A large pair of wings made of light slowly spread out from Li Luo. Each one was about a zhang in length. The wings only flapped lightly one time, but they generated a tempest from that single tiny movement. Despite moving just a tiny distance, Li Luo could feel his vision going blurry at the sheer speed of his sudden and casual movement. He had a feeling that he now possessed sufficient speed to even tear through the void with sheer swiftness.
"Phantasmal Spirit Wing Evasion Art..." Li Luo's eyes lit up with excitement. This was the first time he had experienced the power of a true escape art. The only unfortunate part was that it was a Royal Engraving that could only be refined by Dukes... The effect was simply incredible, and with this precious life-saving tool at his disposal, no one would be able to tie him down if he didn't wish for it.
"The Phantasmal Spirit Wing Evasion Art is basically only useful for increasing one's speed. It’s likely that no one under the Duke Stage will be able to catch up to you if you use it. Unfortunately, you are unable to bring out its true potential with your pitiful resonant power," Mentor Chi Chan reminded him.
Li Luo nodded. He had felt the sluggishness of the ephemeral wings when he had channeled his resonant power through them, clearly indicating that his resonant power was simply not dense enough to fully bring out its capabilities. However, once he advanced to the Earth Fiend Stage, the jump in resonant power should be more than sufficient for the needs of the engraving.
The Earth Fiend Stage was a watershed and a metamorphosis. It truly allowed one to transform qualitatively. "Although the Royal Engraving might be pretty useful, it's still a consumable object. It can only be used five times before it completely dissipates," Mentor Chi Chan reminded him patiently once again.
"Only five times?" A pang of sadness arose in Li Luo. Still, he understood that the Royal Engraving was merely an external ornament and aid, not something that was innate to him. Otherwise, why would anyone go through bitter cultivation? That would simply be pay to win! "How much is a Royal Engraving usually worth...?" Li Luo asked now that his curiosity was piqued.
"A third-grade Royal Engraving would typically go for around... three million pieces of skygold. However, you wouldn't even be able to find one in the markets of the Xia Kingdom. Crafting one requires the handiwork of a Duke and many rare materials, and there's even a chance of failure, meaning that the entire project could go to waste. Since you are the young lord of House Luolan with such a huge fortune and esteemed businesses... this should be within your means to mess around with. Don't you want to buy more to protect yourself?"
"Three MILLION?" Li Luo's face turned taut. Each time he gently "tapped upon" the coffers of the house, he'd drain a neat six hundred thousand skygold or so... That was only to pay for two bottles of seventh-grade spirit liquids and purifying lights. Wouldn't he turn his family destitute in one go if he spent three million?
"Forget about it. My struggling house is unable to afford..." he replied in a tone of resentment. He had thought that if the price was right, buying a couple of these playthings would be great. However, the value of these engravings left his plans halted in their tracks.
House Luolan might’ve been reascending to the skies, but their profits could only reach a million or so skygold. Affording three to four third-grade Royal Engravings? Forget about it!
Mentor Chi Chan had a smirk on her face. "Royal Engravings are relatively common in the inner divine continent. Their rarity in the outer divine continents means that they simply aren't as cost-effective due to the lack of supply and higher prices."
"Inner divine continent, huh..." Li Luo's expression livened up slightly. That was the nexus of the wider world. The worldly natural energy was simply more dense and concentrated there, giving birth to larger amounts of precious heavenly treasures. It also facilitated the birth and growth of many heaven-defying talents as they had access to much greater amounts of resources. As a result, there would naturally be more engravings readily available.
"In any case, the Royal Engraving has been activated, so you can put your clothes on now." Mentor Chi Chan said as she dusted off her hands.
Li Luo did as he was told before he informed her of the matter with Vice Principal Su Xin and the Duke Art.
"A Duke Art? You really are an ambitious brat." Chi Chan re-examined her student with a little bit of surprise written all over her face.
"Cultivating a Duke Art is completely different from cultivating tiger and dragon-general resonance arts, and each one requires a significant amount of time to cultivate. If one's Duke Art is able to reach Grand Perfection, they become unsurpassed amongst their peers regardless of the actual grade of the art. However, I have to admit that as a dual resonance user, you do have some benefits in cultivating such an art. You seem to possess some talent in resonance arts as well. Giving it a try is better than doing nothing. If a little Resonant Master could learn it successfully, it would undoubtedly be an unfathomable trump card. Someone who is able to learn one can be considered a genius even amongst those from the inner divine continent."
Mentor Chi Chan did not dissuade Li Luo's untamed heart, only stating the facts, but she followed up with a deep sigh. "Why don't you take the next two days off to rest? I'll bring you over there after that. If you're able to find one that suits you, I'll gladly guide you along."
Li Luo profusely thanked his mentor for her kind gesture. Although the clock was ticking, he could not rush things heedlessly. Jiang Qing'e and him had left for over a month, and there were things that needed to be settled in the house.
"Hehe... Mentor..." Thinking of House Luolan's situation, a hint of mischievousness flashed across his eyes as he gave his most radiant smile whilst facing his mentor.
"What now?" Yet the fact was, Mentor Chi Chan already had a sinking suspicion with regards to his new request.
“Cough. You must have heard of House Luolan's upcoming Housemeet in two months’ time, right? My house is truly troubled... We had wanted to rope in Vice Principal Su Xin's assistance, but she could not help. She rejected me in such a cruel way! That was such a disappointing result!" Li Luo sighed with deep expression.
Mentor Chi Chan smiled. "Well, this request is too much after all. The Astral Sage College is a neutral party, and no one can change this infallible rule. This is also part of her obligations."
"Well, would you be able to help instead, Mentor? Delivering firewood in the midst of winter will be repaid manifold in spring! House Luolan will fully support you in the times to come in all aspects." Li Luo spoke out the words in his mind.
"Do you really think that Vice Principal Su Xin would allow me to participate in the Xia Kingdom's power struggles?" she retorted without batting an eye.
"Well, I have a plan..."
"What?"
"You can resign from your position, and after all is said and done, rejoin the college! Brilliant, ain't it?" Li Luo cooed.
Mentor Chi Chan glared at him upon hearing his overbearing request. "You truly are a slippery, scheming sprite. Do you actually think that Vice Principal Su Xin and the rest of the Xia Kingdom are blathering and blind idiots?"
Li Luo laughed. Well, it was a joke to begin with as he knew that this was an absolutely absurd proposition anyway. Thus, he was just probing to see her reaction to his plan since it was harmless.
After which, he bade his goodbyes, waved, and left.
Within the pavilion, Mentor Chi Chan continued to watch Li Luo's back as he left. "Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan... you two are really unreliable folk. How could you throw your children into such a situation?" Li Luo could finally feel the full brunt of pressure stemming from the upcoming Housemeet. As a result, he had to attempt any and all opportunities to bolster the strength of his ranks. However, this was easier said than done.
Mentor Chi Chan gradually set down the cup of hot tea before her, watching as her interesting student left through the door. Her gaze flashed slightly, and she came to a decision.