Li Luo stood in silence for a moment on the stone dais. Pang Qianyuan's curious request had him at a momentary loss.
A mighty King needed the blood essence of a mere resonance master?
The difference in power was like the gap between a human and an ant. What would he ever want with an ant's blood essence?
Because of his special triple resonant palaces?
Surely not.
Three resonant palaces was rare, but a King already had his three resonant palaces!
Three mighty resonant palaces, all filled up. There was no reason to hanker after his three resonant palaces, which were only partially filled.
But if not the resonant palaces, then what on earth could he offer to a King?
Li Luo's head jerked up. He understood.
"Is it the blood of Heavenly King Li that the Principal is after?"
Pang Qianyuan looked at him oddly. "Well, I already said you're a sharp one," he admitted with a nod. "Your bloodline is special. I need it as a catalyst. But rest assured, I will not do anything to harm you. If I might be allowed to brag, I am a King after all. There's nothing I need to fear from someone like you, regardless of your bloodline," he said with a hint of complacency.
"As for why I really need your blood essence… I can't tell you that for now.
"All I can say is that in half a year, there might be some major changes at the Xia Kingdom. Perhaps not even the Astral Sage College will come through unscathed. I need to make preparations.”
Major changes? In half a year's time?
Wasn't that exactly at the time that there would be major changes for House Luolan? Were the two somehow connected?
"Sir, you are a King, and there's no one in the Xia Kingdom who is your match," Li Luo blurted. "What could be so momentous that even you can't control?
"And isn't the Astral Sage College backed by the Academic Federation? With such a powerful institution, what is there to fear?"
"It's complicated," Pang Qianyuan said after a pause. "Besides, our Astral Sage College might be a member of the Academic Federation, but you should be aware that struggle is everywhere. Do you really think all is well and harmonious within the Federation?"
Li Luo stared at the principal with some alarm. A steady pair of eyes met his own.
"I am just doing the best I can to protect the Xia Kingdom. Whether I succeed or not is up to fate."
Li Luo pondered this. Everything the principal had said today spoke of forces far beyond the power of a puny little Resonant Master.
As if the Xia Kingdom would soon be shrouded in darkness.
"If you still have doubts, there's no need to answer immediately. The matter can wait until we return triumphant with the Dragon Bone Holy Grail in tow. Without it, there will be no need for your blood essence," Pang Qianyuan said in concession.
Li Luo nodded. He did need some time to take it all in.
"As for the secret art I mentioned, I will give you the first half for now. It's no big secret, but given your current ability, you won't be able to draw out too much of the heavenly wolf's power without losing control."
Pang Qianyuan laid a fingertip on Li Luo's brow, and a little bolt of light wriggled into his head.
There was a flash, and a string of information was suddenly clear in Li Luo's mind. He carefully read the information, mouthing the words silently.
"Heavenly Libation Chant?"
"This secret art needs to be paired with a special formation that I've already put into the bracelet. You just need to join the two in the future, and the three-tailed heavenly wolf's power will be available to you.
"But be warned," Pang Qianyuan said solemnly. "Only use it when you must. It is a tricky thing to deal with if you turn feral."
Li Luo nodded. "Don't worry, Sir, I understand. And I will think carefully on what you said, at least until we return with the Dragon Bone Holy Grail."
Pang Qianyuan nodded.
Without the Holy Grail, there was no need for this conversation.
"As for the Holy Grail Meet, you can ask your mentor for more information. I don't have much time. I won't linger here."
His figure started to fade away.
Li Luo leaped forward with his brightest smile. "Principal, Sir, a moment, please."
Seeing Pang Qianyuan's suspicious look, he pleaded, "Sir, it's said that a commander never lets his men go hungry. And I've done great work here in the Umbra Cave now, haven't I?"
Pang Qianyuan eyed him. "And I've given you the seal, haven't I?"
"Well, but someone had to go lug the wolf over from the forbidden zone, didn't he?" Li Luo countered.
"What do you want?" Pang Qianyuan grunted.
"I've shed blood, sweat, and tears for the school, but it can all be replenished for the small price of 100,000 school points," Li Luo said.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, boy! Trying to climb all over me now?" Pang Qianyuan snapped at him.
"Climb over you? I saved all the students at the purified spot. Surely the school owes me a reward for this?"
"And surely it's not 100,000 points," Pang Qianyuan countered back. "Besides, the school has its own rules for rewards and punishment. Your merits will be decided in due time, and Su Xin will surely come to a good conclusion. What's your rush?" Pang Qianyuan said churlishly.
Li Luo put on his best puppy face. "Since you ask," he said mournfully, "I'll just have to give you the details. Because of my blank palaces, I ended up with a hollowness in my foundations. With your might, surely your greatness can sense it within me. I need 100,000 points worth of Royal Sap, or I might just be dead by the end of the year. And then even if the Astral Sage College lifts the Holy Grail in triumph, I'll already be with the holy spirit. There won't be any blood essence left for you to have, Sir."
Pang Qianyuan looked at Li Luo again, his suspicion softening. "I did sense an emptiness within your body from before…" he conceded. "I thought it was just due to your youth and wanton recklessness…"
Li Luo winced. That was harsh. He could count the number of girls whose hands he had held… on one hand. How on earth was he wanton?
But for the 100,000 points, he would let it slide.
"Principal, Sir…"
Seeing Li Luo prepare another salvo of wheedling, Pang Qianyuan cut him off irritably. "Alright, I'll talk to Su Xin about it. That's it, then. Goodbye."
Without waiting for Li Luo's reply, he vanished in a puff of green smoke.
"He probably has a wind resonance," Li Luo grumbled. "He sure runs away fast."
Well, he had shot his shot. Time to see if the principal would accommodate him later.
He turned back to look at the darkness all around him and peered down at the beast again. This time, he was no longer afraid. In fact, he was feeling quite excited.
All in all, a good turn of events.
Although the three-tailed heavenly wolf had more power than he could handle, it was still a trump card.
Still, the foreboding news about trouble in half a year's time was a bit of a sobering thought. It seemed like the Xia Kingdom was in deeper waters than he had thought.
Still, that was a problem for another day. And he could only do something about it if he was stronger.
All he had to focus on now was making it past Resonant Master. With that thought on his mind, he walked out of the black space.