The test was set to begin in two days' time, and there would be three days between each round. The total time of nine days would end just in time with Li Luo's holidays.
After all, he had to solve this problem before he could return to school.
The branch artificers were satisfied with the test's format. It seemed like Li Luo was truly making concessions to them. After all, it was unimaginable that they would fail the test.
Even if his refining arts were superb and gave him an advantage for first and second-grade spirit liquids, what about third-grade ones?
Could he even make them?
It would probably be a breeze for them. Plus, they had Tang Yun and Lu Xiaofeng, two qualified fourth-grade resonance artificers.
They were already congratulating themselves on a successful negotiation as Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e left headquarters.
……
In the carriage.
"The artificers were looking at you like the idiot child of the family." Cai Wei giggled.
Li Luo smiled. "Indeed, it looks like a giveaway, doesn't it."
"And how will you solve the problem of the third-grade spirit liquid?" Jiang Qing'e asked.
She knew that his first and second-grade spirit liquids were excellent, surpassing even Yan Lingqing. But the problem was that he was only a second-grade resonance artificer…
"Well, it should only take a few days to become a third-grade resonance artificer," Li Luo said casually.
Cai Wei clapped enthusiastically. "Somebody give the Young Lord an acting award or something."
Jiang Qing'e laughed as well, but then her smile faded away. "Don't waste too much time on the refining arts. I ditched them in order to cultivate faster as well."
She was the true genius in the refining arts. A ninth-grade light resonance could create spirit liquids and purifying lights unique in the entire Xia Kingdom.
In the Astral Sage College, the Resonance Artificers Hall had courted her time and again, but to no avail… Jiang Qing'e was bent on setting the Duke record, and nothing would distract her from it.
So she would rather leave aside her potential in the refining arts.
Li Luo gave her a tentative nod. He also knew that the refining arts would detract from his time and energy, but he had no other choice if he wanted his resonances to improve.
Besides, the course was charted now. And the Suncreek Villa indeed needed Li Luo in his role as a resonance artificer.
"Pei Hao is cunning and evil. He would not give you such a beautiful present. I'm sure there's poison hidden in this somewhere," Jiang Qing'e reminded him.
Li Luo nodded. He could not overlook that point. He might loudly declare his thanks for the present, but deep down, he had to be on guard.
If not for the fact that they were so desperately short on resonance artificers, he might not have accepted Tang Yun and the others.
"I'll get Elder Zheng Ping to keep an eye on them. And also strengthen the security at the Suncreek Villa. We'll be notified immediately if anything untoward happens."
"Pei Hao is still lurking in the shadows. We don't know his plans yet, so we can only keep our guard up everywhere. React as we need to," Jiang Qing'e said. It was indeed a nervous time, waiting for the enemy to strike.
"I've also sent people to track Pei Hao. If given the chance, we can just finish him off and save us a whole load of trouble," she said with a quiet but deadly intent.
Cut off the problem at the source. That was an idea.
Li Luo nodded, but he was sure that someone as wily as Pei Hao would not give them such an opportunity.
"Oh, yes…"
Jiang Qing'e suddenly turned to Li Luo. "Familiarize yourself with optimizing the healing properties of water and wood resonances. In the next few days."
Li Luo was puzzled. For what?
"Remember the little emperor you met at the Golden Dragon Bank? He has a natural frailty. The First Princess asked me if you would try to help heal him."
Li Luo's jaw dropped. "That's a longshot! I heard even water resonance Dukes couldn't do a thing. What's a Resonant Master Stage cultivator like me going to do?"
Water and wood might both have healing properties, but he was far from even becoming a Duke. The First Princess might be prone to having her head in the clouds, but she didn't seem like an irrational person.
Or perhaps she had another goal?
Jiang Qing'e smiled. "Yes, she probably wants to befriend me, but I didn't reject. Most of the royal power currently lies with the Regent, but the First Princess is formidable in her own right. It's good for House Luolan to be well connected."
Li Luo considered that. Jiang Qing'e's potential was worth courting, and the First Princess had chosen to ask him to try healing the little emperor. Regardless of success, the two factions would be seen as closer.
The healing was probably just an excuse.
"Alright, I'll go back and read up a little." He agreed. The First Princess was still a powerful ally, one that House Luolan would do well to have. It might be a little early to call them formal allies, but friendly relations was a good start.
The First Princess was a deep and foresighted thinker. She was not the kind who was content to rest on her laurels. If she eventually moved to help bring the little emperor to power, it would definitely be a complex and thorough campaign conducted through every means possible.
Soon enough, they arrived back at House Luolan's headquarters.
The three alighted and were immediately greeted by a messenger. "Young Lord Li Luo and Miss Jiang Qing'e?"
This man was wearing the richly decorated badge of the Golden Dragon Bank. Li Luo nodded.
He respectfully handed over a gold-embossed invitation. "In five days' time, my young mistress will celebrate her birthday. The president would be pleased if your august selves could consent to attend."
"Qing'er's birthday?" Li Luo was startled. He took it with a smile. "Please let President Yu know that we will definitely be there."
Their relationship with Lu Qing'er aside, the Golden Dragon Bank was too important in the Xia Kingdom for them not to reciprocate such courtesies.
The messenger gave a pleased nod and then hurried away.
"President Yu Hongxi, inviting us?" Jiang Qing'e said with a cynical smile.
"What's wrong?"
"You might not know, but Yu Hongxi and the Mistress fought long and bitterly back in the day. She rarely speaks to House Luolan in her official capacity and definitely not often," Jiang Qing'e said mildly.
"Er, because of my dad?"
"Who else?"
"Wow, I didn't know dad was such a playboy. I despise him."
Jiang Qing'e rolled her eyes at him. "Yu Hongxi is a formidable woman. That was how the Mistress rated her back in the day. And being able to sit as the Golden Dragon Bank's president for so long demonstrates her skill in both fighting and strategy. She is not to be underestimated."
Li Luo grinned. "I'll have to see it firsthand."
Jiang Qing'e raised her eyebrows at him. "I think you just might," she said darkly.