Absolute Resonance

cquired.
But regardless, preparations need to be made.”

“Mm.
I'll leave that to you, and also look out for more news on that front,” Li Luo grinned.

She rolled her eyes at him.
He was sure taking this lightly…
and laying it heavily on her.

“Sister Cai Wei, I have another request,” Li Luo said, pulling out the damaged Octagold Shield.
“House Luolan has smithing businesses as well.
Can you get someone to repair this? And also help me do some shopping – see if there are twin shortswords treasured artifacts that suit me well.
At least upper white-eyes, although gold-eye treasured artifacts would be best.”

Cai Wei received the Octagold Shield with trembling hands.
Gold-eye treasured artifact? Li Luo sure said it casually enough.
But such treasured artifacts were not common, and they had a price tag to match that rarity.
Gold-eye treasured artifacts went for several million skygold.
Even with Suncreek Villa's rising profits, they were not printing money here.

Still, Cai Wei did not gripe about Li Luo's extravagance.
She sighed.
“Gold-eye treasured artifacts are rare, and twin shortsword-types rarer still.
But I will keep a look out.
Still, I think it's more likely I find upper white-eyes or gilded white-eyes.”

Li Luo nodded.
“I'm counting on you,” he said with real sincerity.

“It's my fault for always being so reliable,” she sniped back at him.
After discussing the details of the next batch of secret watersource, she hurried off on her business.
After all, all matters in House Luolan, big and small, needed a final pass from her.
She was the keeper of all matters, reporting everything that required attention to Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e.

If not for this dependable manager Cai Wei, Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e would not have any time left over to cultivate at Astral Sage College.

As she left, Li Luo settled back down for his nap in the sunshine.
A short while later, he sensed his sunshine blocked, and opened a grumpy eye to see a tall, slender figure with arms crossed, and looking down at him.
The sunshine peeked through her hair, lending it a golden shine that was entrancing to watch.

On her shaded face, her golden eyes were like pools of liquid gold, drawing him in.

“Sister Qing'e, you're back!” Li Luo exclaimed happily.
He had not seen her in the last two days.
She had gone back to Umbra Cave to train.

 Jiang Qing'e looked him up and down, then smiled.
“Not bad, another jump.
Fifth Pattern? Seems like this trip to the Golden Dragon Dao Fields was well spent.”

Li Luo sat up happily and looked at the beauty by his side.
He noted the chips on her armor and splotches of dark liquid, and understood that she had probably cut her Umbra Cave training short to rush back once she heard news of him.

Perhaps a few hours ago, she was still fighting abominations in that sunless place.

Li Luo felt a sudden surge of worry for her.
He reached out and took her hand in his.

She looked back at him with a smile, not resisting.

And then she felt an object roll into her hand.

Looking down curiously, she saw a silvery pocket sphere.

“A present,” Li Luo grinned.

She looked at it in surprise, her own reflection smiling back at her from the pocket sphere's silvery surface.
She turned it over in her hands.
It was cool to the touch, but warmed her heart.

“Suddenly hardworking, suddenly a present…
did you do anything that's going to anger me?” she demanded of him with narrowed eyes.

Li Luo puffed up his chest indignantly.

“Okay, forget it.
I know you can act.”

She grinned back at him, stifling his epic monologue.
She reached forwards to pull him into a tight hug.

She rested her cheek lightly on his shoulder, raising her hand up to look at the pocket sphere from around his neck.

“I like the present very much,” she whispered into his ear.