For the next few days leading up to the Golden Dragon Dao Fields’ opening, Li Luo did not rest. Rather, he spent all of his time deep in cultivation.
He had no choice—it would not be easy to get Lu Qing’er a Golden Dragon Mountain writ. Especially not when the three of them had no real talent to bring in.
He had no idea how strong the other Golden Dragon Bank branches were, but just Ning Zhao, Zhu Xuan, and Lin Suo alone were already stronger.
It was going to be difficult to shine among all those strong teams.
Still, Li Luo could not blame Lu Qing’er for choosing him. He had only gotten the chance to enter largely thanks to her, and she had helped him plenty as well in the past. It was a welcome opportunity to try and repay her.
Therefore, Li Luo spent a few days in a mad whirlwind of cultivation, even inviting Jiang Qing’e to spar with him.
…
House Luolan headquarters, practice room.
Li Luo shot out like a bolt of lightning, shortswords shining with resonant power. He unleashed them in a torrential storm of power that flashed out towards Jiang Qing’e, standing calmly with a black, wooden practice-sword.
She took a single step, measured, confident, and unhurried. A quick twist of her wrist, a gleam of light on her sword tip, and Li Luo’s attack was completely negated. The storm of resonant power flew by harmlessly.
The exchange continued for a while more, then Li Luo’s eyes flashed. Crossing his swords, he executed a perfect combination of his two resonances. The sound of titanic waves and colossal trees swaying filled the room.
Dang!
He brought them down parallel in a swing against Jiang Qing’e. It took all his might, and the resonant power poured out in a magnificent cascade. Jiang Qing’e stood there like a rock. Li Luo was sent flying several dozen paces backwards.
Li Luo was sweating profusely as he lay there on his back like an upended turtle. “That’s insane. I used all my strength. Couldn’t you at least… take a polite step back or something?”
Jiang Qing’e laughed. “I almost decided to catch that attack with my hands. Don’t underestimate the Fiend Body Stage. I’m many magnitudes stronger than you are.”
He couldn’t even break her defenses with his full strength? That was screwed up.
He creaked up to a sitting position.
Jiang Qing’e walked over with a steaming, fragrant handkerchief, handing it to Li Luo.
He wiped his sweat, closing his eyes as he deeply inhaled the intoxicating scent. “Honestly, a squad like yours might sneak around and get some lucky breaks in the Golden Dragon Dao Fields, but it’s going to be quite difficult to get the writ,” Jiang Qing’e told him bluntly.
“Lu Qing’er made her choice not to get any writs,” she said with a knowing smile. She was there to enjoy the sights.
Li Luo sighed. He had sensed it too. Lu Qing’er had shown no real interest in the Golden Dragon Mountain writs. Otherwise, she would have chosen Zhu Xuan and Lin Suo. Choosing him and Qin Zhulu was tantamount to a confession.
He did not blame Yu Hongxi for being angry. Lu Qing’er had chosen a couple of tourists for her team.
“Lu Qing’er is not unintelligent,” Jiang Qing’e noted. “Maybe she purposely chose this team to make you give up on the writ, and then you can focus on growing at your own pace.”
Li Luo nodded. It was a possibility. However…
“Even if she’s not interested in the writ, I cannot go in with that mindset. President Yu’s already hammered it into me. It would be letting her down, and also irresponsible towards Qing’er.”
Jiang Qing’e smiled. She agreed with Li Luo—it was not seemly to ride Lu Qing’er’s coattails into the Golden Dragon Dao Fields and then spend the time playing around. Plus, it was not at all like Li Luo.
Of course, it was also unwise to offend Yu Hongxi, one of the most powerful women in the Xia Kingdom. The Golden Dragon Bank might have been neutral all the while, but it still paid to remain in their good books.
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
Li Luo nodded back. “I’m prepared. Besides, there’s no way it can be worse than a Heavenly Disaster Class Other from the Umbra Cave, right?”
Jiang Qing’e nodded, her mind already on ways of improvement.
“Your dual resonances are quite impressive. When the power gap is not too big, the sudden outburst can overwhelm many opponents and turn the tables in most situations.
“But there’s a glaring weakness: the unsustainability. That’s normal since you’re only at the Pattern Genesis Tier. You lack resonant power in general, and even more so when you’re burning it at twice the rate.”
Li Luo nodded glumly. The price of power—a Duke’s power—was high. His window was always uncomfortably tight, and one wrong movement or mistiming would cost him dearly.
Plus, Mentor Chi Chan had told him about the three steps of dual resonances before. First, a minor merging. Second, two becoming one. Thirdly, sentience. He was only at the roughest stage of the first tier.
“Since a lack of resonant power is the problem, are there ways for me to strengthen that?” Li Luo asked.
“A secret art to temporarily enhance it? Those harm the body greatly, and are generally only used in life or death situations. I’m afraid they won’t suit you.”
Li Luo sighed.
“But…” Jiang Qing’e said as a thought occurred to her. “There might be something else that’s suitable.
“There is a rare secret-art,” she continued, “that can allow the cultivator to store resonant power temporarily within the body. They are called resonant reserve secret arts. If you can cultivate one, you can use it to store a reserve of power within yourself and then unleash it in a time of need.
“It’s not as extreme as the other kind, which will damage your foundations.”
Li Luo was overjoyed. This seemed like a match made in heaven for him!
“That’s awesome!” Li Luo whooped.
Jiang Qing’e smiled at his happiness, but she splayed her hands helplessly.
“Awesome, but no such secret art exists in our House Luolan archives.”
Li Luo stomped the ground childishly. Then what on earth was this? A prank?!
“Resonant reserve secret arts are quite rare, and it would be strange if we had one. If you really want one, you can ask the Golden Dragon Bank. Since you’re on decent terms with them at the moment, President Yu might just acquiesce to extending a favor.”
Damn. Yu Hongxi again. She was formidable enough that Li Luo was always a little nervous to go to her. He was more scared of her than he was of the First Princess.
Still, it was not like he could choose to not go.
“Besides that, you should also ask about the background of that newcomer, Lin Suo. From what you described, he doesn’t seem like a simple person. Best be careful,” she advised.
“What do you mean?” Li Luo asked, surprised. “You think he’s after me?”
“It’s not impossible,” Jiang Qing’e said analytically. “The Golden Dragon Dao Fields are not within the Xia Kingdom. It’s a good place for murder.
“As for who sent him, I do not know either. Perhaps Pei Hao, perhaps House Duze or Jiyan. House Luolan is not short of enemies, and finishing off our young lord would be a welcome move for many of them.
“In any case, best err on the side of caution.”
Li Luo was extremely discomforted by this new, sinister thought.
He got to his feet resignedly.
Well, off to the bank.