In the refining workshop, the boy and girl hopped up and down like a pair of excited bunnies.
Just as Li Luo had known from the start, the girl in front of him was a genius in artificing research.
Even though it was just a third-grade spirit liquid, a four-star formula was godly. It was probably worth more than the Suncreek Villa's entire net worth.
Half a year ago, the Suncreek Villa was not even on the villa rankings. After Li Luo joined, their watersource had helped them power through to some modest standing as a half-decent villa.
Still, their standing was shaky, and it had been easily undermined by Hanzhi's betrayal. If Li Luo had not intervened, the Suncreek Villa would have closed its doors by now.
But Li Luo also knew that his successes so far were not enough. A secret watersource was only one of three success factors. He needed good artificers and formulas as well.
Neither could be won by force, especially the latter.
But with his godly luck, Li Luo had stumbled across a genius from the moment he set foot in the Astral Sage College.
He felt like getting on his knees and thanking Mentor Chi Chan for putting this team together. “Mentor Chi Chan, thank you for your love!”
At the same time, he now looked at Bai Mengmeng with a "deeper interest.”
Bai Mengmeng suddenly looked a little uncomfortable, pulling her hands back shyly. "Leader," she whispered, "wipe your mouth."
Li Luo hurriedly wiped his saliva away. That was embarrassing.
He glared at her to hide his embarrassment.
Bai Mengmeng giggled a little. "Leader," she said, puzzled. "It was your first time making the spirit liquid, and you already got such a high tempering strength. You didn't even use the secret watersource yet." As it was his first time following a four-star formula, she had expected him to reach 58% at best. But Li Luo had pulled off 60%.
"You'll know next time," Li Luo replied enigmatically. As if he hadn't used it—he had indeed used his secret watersource, secretly adding it into the mix.
"But..." Li Luo hung his head. "I haven't finished the taste-restoring spirit liquid yet."
He had made a pact with Bai Mengmeng that he would restore her sense of taste in exchange for the formula. She had already delivered successfully, while he was still empty-handed.
Bai Mengmeng smiled impishly. "There's no rush, I've waited so many years, a while more is okay."
"I'll finish it soon," Li Luo vowed. "Don't worry."
Bai Mengmeng nodded. She handed over the formula to Li Luo with great formality. "Leader, this four-star formula is yours from now on."
She handed over her years of hard work to him.
Li Luo received it with great formality as well, and stowed it with great care. "Don't worry, Mengmeng. I'll make sure your formula will become the most famous one among the third-grade formulas in all of the Xia Kingdom."
Only the top villas had four-star formulas in the third-grade spirit liquid market.
Once he improved his waterlight resonance to the seventh-grade and combined this with a fortified watersource, he would be able to punch with the best.
And then the Suncreek Villa would be up there with the best in the third-grade spirit liquid market.
"Leader, you haven't named it yet."
Li Luo thought about it for a moment. "Let's call it the Budding Butterfly Spirit Liquid."
Bai Mengmeng looked at him with wide eyes. It was named after her and her Nightmarish Water Butterfly resonance.
"That seems... too bold?" she said shyly.
"It is your work," Li Luo said seriously. "I want everyone in the Xia Kingdom to know that this was made by a girl called Bai Mengmeng."
She looked at him, eyes welling up with emotional tears, and she nodded.
Li Luo began to clear the table after a while. When he was done, he realized that the room was rather quiet. He saw that his squad mate was fast asleep on the table.
Her hair fell down beautifully, framing her innocent, little face.
Li Luo looked at the dark eye circles that spoke of her work through the night. It hadn't been a normal all-nighter either. It must have been a highly stressful one, to have worn her out so thoroughly.
Now the frenzy was over, and she had passed out, relieved that her work was done.
Li Luo was very touched. This four-star formula would be of great help to him.
He called her softly but got no response. She was in a deep sleep, but this was no place to sleep. He hesitated, then he scooped her up in his arms, ready to bring her back to her room. "She's really light."
She was limp in his arms as he walked out the door.
When he passed by the first floor, he heard a knock.
Li Luo's hands were full. "Xin Fu," he called, "get the door."
"Are you sure?" his teammate's voice asked from the room.
Damn, what was wrong with this guy? What was there to second-guess about opening the door? "Of course!" he yelled.
"Okay, then!" Xin Fu replied with relish.
Li Luo's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Then he remembered the girl in his arms.
Outside were two familiar figures, who locked on to Li Luo and the girl in his arms immediately.
Li Luo, hugging Bai Mengmeng.
Li Luo looked back almost guiltily.
Jiang Qing'e and Lu Qing'er...
The temperature plummeted in a flash.
1. TN: Budding Butterfly features "Meng" from Bai Mengmeng's name.