Absolute Resonance

Chapter 1442: Chi Chan's Story

Under Guo Jiufeng's arrangements, Li Luo and the rest were assigned to a particular tower in the East Divine Continent's area. They each found a place for themselves before taking a rest. 

"Oh, yes, Vice Principal Guo Jiufeng, is the Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College within the Celestial Mirror City's inner area? I need to talk to someone there, so how can I get in?" Li Luo asked.

"The Hallowed Coruscation Ancient College? Are you planning to look for Jiang Qing'e?"

When Guo Jiufeng heard him, he instantly understood and sighed. "Jiang Qing'e has quite the reputation within the Celestial Mirror Pagoda. In terms of her ranking, she's already in the top twenty." 

"What's that?" Li Luo asked curiously. 

"The Celestial Mirror Pagoda is the place where the most talented individuals, students, and mentors of the Academic Federation congregate. The Academic Federation organizes a monthly competition to test their skills. The Celestial Mirror Ranking can thus be seen as a list of the strongest. Based on what I know, Jiang Qing'e has already defeated numerous mentors in succession over the past few months and has been the fastest to rise to the top twenty ranks."

At this point, Guo Jiufeng said regretfully, "It's a pity. If Jiang Qing'e was in the Astral Sage College's squad, the East Divine Continent would undoubtedly be able to obtain the best results amongst the outer divine continents. It would probably even be effortless."

Jiang Qing'e was now a third-grade Transcendent, and her strength was something that even Guo Jiufeng respected. 

Li Luo grinned. "When it comes to battles amongst the outer divine continents, there is no need for Sister Qing'e to take action. I alone will be enough."

Guo Jiufeng smiled. Li Luo was a second-grade Transcendent, which was already shocking. However, one grade made a huge difference in the Celestial Mirror Pagoda.

At the very least, Jiang Qing'e could already overcome seventh-grade mentors. 

"There's no need to look for Jiang Qing'e right now. Before the Celestial Mirror Pagoda opens, the four ancient colleges conduct secret training exercises, so you might not be able to find her even if you go. In three days' time, once it officially begins, the squads will all appear and you'll naturally be able to see her then," Guo Jiufeng advised. 

When Li Luo heard this, he temporarily shelved the feelings he had in his heart and nodded in agreement. Guo Jiufeng then said his goodbyes and left.

Li Luo turned towards their green abode. However, he didn't go to rest but instead made his way to Mentor Chi Chan's room. He politely knocked the door and waited until he was invited in before pushing the door open. Inside the room, Li Luo could see Chi Chan standing by the window, her beautiful eyes observing Celestial Mirror City in a daze. She had taken off the veil that covered her face, revealing her fair and gorgeous appearance that exuded a hint of coldness. A black curse mark that resembled a fish stained her delicate features. The tail constantly swayed slightly as though it was a living thing. The form-fitting uniform wrapped around her slender body showcased her alluring curves. At the same time, she gave off an intellectual yet elegant temperament. Chi Chan then turned her head, glancing at Li Luo with a smile. "I've yet to thank you for today."

She was naturally referring to the situation with Chi Chi.

Li Luo replied, "During House Luolan's Housemeet, you personally went to obstruct House Lanling's House Lord and even chose to give up your position as a mentor. That show of kindness is something I'll remember forever."

Seeing how sincere Li Luo was caused Chi Chan to feel a sense of appreciation for him in her heart. Then she lightly asked, "I suppose you want to ask about the Chi family's story, is that right?"

"Mentor, you should know that with my current strength and my background, the Chi family can't threaten me at all," Li Luo explained. 

Chi Chan fell silent. "I am indeed from the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent's Chi family. The Chi family is a peak power in the Mythical Spirit Divine Continent's East Sea and has a Dual Crowned King ancestor."

At this point, a strong look of disgust surfaced in her expression.

"The Chi family is split into the main branch and numerous side branches. I'm from one of the Chi family's side branches, and there are pedantic and warped rules that we have had to follow since ancient times. A daughter from the side branch must be married to a son from the main branch once she comes of age. This is because the main branch holds a secret art that allows the side branches’ daughters to become cultivation furnaces. It allows them to tap on the strength within the bloodline to evolve their own resonances. It is incredibly vile as the daughters will have their lives shortened as a result. Although we are of the same bloodline, the side branches are like livestock to be raised for slaughter. The side branches have attempted to resist, but they were all suppressed by the ancestor. Many years ago, the main branch set up an engagement for me once I came of age. The person who was supposed to marry me was none other than Chi Li. My parents couldn't bear to see me thrown into a metaphorical pit of flames and thus looked for an opportunity for me to escape. In the end, I managed to hide in the faraway Xia Kingdom and never returned."

Chi Chan's fists were tightly clenched, and her veins could be seen in her fury.

"I just never expected that after so many years, I would encounter people from the Chi family the moment I arrived at the Celestial Mirror Pagoda." 

Li Luo frowned. The Chi family indeed had some weird and twisted rules that were exceptionally vile.

That said, he understood why when Chi Chan saw Chi Chi, she had expressed her absolute loathing towards him.

"Chi Li has been in Mythical Spirit Ancient College for many years and has developed a lot of influence. If he finds out I'm here, he will do everything he can to take me back." Chi Chan tightly pursed her red lips and a look of determination appeared in her eyes. 

"I'd rather die than his cultivation furnace." 

Li Luo smiled calmly. "He's only a seventh-grade Duke and a mentor in an ancient college. He doesn't have the qualifications to prance around before me. If he dares to snatch you away, I'll be more than willing to end some lives in return."

This calm declaration was suffused with powerful murderous intent.

He was no longer the young lord of House Luolan, the kid who was forced to bend to opposition. 

He was now on the Path of Ascension and with a solid backing as immovable as a mountain. Thus, he didn't care if the Chi family was being run by some Dual Crowned King. That didn't matter. Chi Chan was his benefactor, and so long as she was unwilling to go, even if the ancestor came himself, Li Luo wouldn't back down. 

Li Luo's words made emotions surge up in Chi Chan’s heart.

How could she have imagined that the little youth she had met in the Choosing of the Mentors all those years ago would now be able to provide her with an encompassing sense of safety? In the end, she quietly thanked him. 

Li Luo grinned and waved his hand, his gaze focused on the Ichthyic curse on her face.

The curse had a devilish charm to it when contrasted against her fair skin.

"Has the curse not been resolved yet?" Li Luo frowned.

Chi Chan explained, "When I was in the Heavenly Origin Ancient College, Vice Principal Lan Lingzi offered to remove it for me, but I rejected it."

"Why?" Li Luo asked in surprise.

"I've already gotten used to it after all these years. It can be considered part of my strength, and when the Celestial Mirror Pagoda begins, every extra weapon I have can be of help."

She then smiled at Li Luo. "It's just that when I tap on its power, I'll suffer immensely afterwards. That said, the pain isn’t as intense these days and its power has weakened."

Li Luo felt a little dumbfounded upon hearing this. He had not expected Chi Chan to have adapted to it, and he didn’t reject the idea. After all, he had seen others who had fused with the power of Others in a much more horrifying fashion. Specifically, Li Lingjing. That said, the Ichthyic curse was not as strong as it was in the past. If the curse did flare up, he could bring her back to the Dragon's Fang Lineage and get Tantai Lan to take a look and perhaps purge the curse. With that in mind, he felt relieved in his heart. After chatting for a bit more, he headed to his own room. However, just as he was about to climb the stairs, he paused.

In the corner of the stairs was a green-robed figure. Her icy, lake-like eyes seemed to overflow with indifference.

They were like snow lotuses, frosty and aloof.

Watching Li Luo walk out of Chi Chan's room, she asked, "Why were you there for so long? What were you talking about?"