"You want a resonant reserve secret art?"
Yu Hongxi looked up from her desk at Li Luo, frowning. "Such things are highly uncommon."
Li Luo nodded. "Precisely the reason why I thought the Golden Dragon Bank would be a good place to start. Please, President Yu. The Golden Dragon Dao Fields are opening soon. It's a bit last-minute, but I think I could get a little stronger."
She approved of his desire for improvement. In truth, she had given up on securing the writ from the moment Lu Qing'er had picked her team. She would think of another way to get it for her daughter.
But even still, she approved of Li Luo's desire to face the Dao Fields head-on. Clearly, he was not one to just lie down and wait for opportunities to be served up to him.
She called in one of her staff members and gave some orders. The girl nodded and backed away obediently.
After a short wait, she returned with a box that held two scrolls of jade.
"Resonant reserve secret arts are not easy to procure. The Golden Dragon Bank only has two. See if they suit you."
Li Luo's eyes lit up with pleasure. The Golden Dragon Bank was amazing–they even had two of such a rare thing.
He walked forward and gingerly unrolled both scrolls.
One was called the Inner Pocket Art, the other was the Resonant Bubble Art.
The Inner Pocket Art was suited for cultivation with specialized materials—a pouch of sorts within the body where one could store excess resonant power.
The Resonant Bubble Art was rather similar, also requiring some crystalline dust in its cultivation. Once completed, there would be a bubble of sorts within one's body where resonant power could be stored.
Each had their advantages. The Inner Pocket Art could store resonant power for longer, whereas the Resonant Bubble Art could store more resonant power. However, the bubble would automatically dissipate as time passed, and it needed to be supplemented with energy constantly.
Li Luo considered at length, and he eventually chose the Resonant Bubble Art. It required water resonant power, which Li Luo happened to have. Of course, the more important consideration was its capacity. More capacity, more power for the dual resonances.
For him, the constant energy upkeep was not as much of a concern. He had two resonant palaces active, and so he could absorb worldly natural energy faster than others. This drain would be minimal.
"President Yu, I'll choose the Resonant Bubble Art."
Yu Hongxi suddenly flashed a smile at him. "Then I thank you for your business. The Resonant Bubble Art costs 3.53 million skygold."
Li Luo resisted a sudden urge to throw the scroll in her face. "3.53 million for this?!" As powerful as this scroll might be, surely it was not worth that much. At over three and a half million, it was more expensive than some dragon-general resonance arts.
"Rarity comes at a premium. This is business," Yu Hongxi said with a beatific smile.
"I can't afford it!" Li Luo scowled.
He was already scrimping and saving just to get some seventh-grade spirit liquids. Where was he going to find three million and change to buy this? If Sister Cai Wei knew, she'd probably quit on the spot.
"Oh Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan, you have raised your child poorly. He groans and grumbles over the slightest expense!" Yu Hongxi exclaimed.
"I don't want it anymore," Li Luo said, now surly.
"Wait, wait," Yu Hongxi called out. "Kids. Can't hold their temper."
She gestured to the box. "Take it. Consider it my investment in Qing'er's writ. If you can get it, the secret art is yours for free. If not, then 3.53 million skygold and not a penny less. I will not leave Jiang Qing'e alone for a day until I am paid."
"You think I, the grand young lord of House Luolan, cares about a paltry few million skygold of pocket change?" Li Luo said, puffing up indignantly as he reached out to grab the scroll greedily and stuffed it into his pocket sphere. "But Qing'er and I are friends. For the sake of her future, I had best do what I can for me... for her."
Yu Hongxi watched his charade with amusement. Li Luo had as much bluster as he had speed and greed. He was a more flexible character compared to his father.
"Oh, and President Yu..."
Now that the resonant reserve secret art business was settled, Li Luo's mind turned to Jiang Qing'e's other reminder. "What's the deal with that Lin Suo person?"
Yu Hongxi understood his line of thought immediately. "You think he's targeting you?"
"You think it's impossible?"
"I understand your caution." She nodded with sympathy. "House Luolan is beset with wolves, and such care is necessary. But Lin Suo does not come from other powers. He is from the Golden Dragon Bank's branch in the Tiancang Province. We gave the slot to another of ours, since Ye Qiuding is absent."
Oh, so Lin Suo was one of their own... Had he overthought things?
In any case, it was still better to be cautious.
He noted Yu Hongxi's reassurances and then rose to leave. He was eager to give the Resonant Bubble Art his full attention.
He paused at the door, then turned back to Yu Hongxi, who was already poring over her documents. "President Yu, thank you."
She might have said that she was helping him as an investment in the writ, but she had still shown him much kindness. Li Luo did not know if it was because of Lu Qing'er or his father, but favors were favors.
Although someone of her stature probably did not need his gratitude, he would repay it if the chance arose.
Yu Hongxi waved in acknowledgment without looking up.
Only after the door closed did she put down her papers.
"Li Taixuan, Tan Tailan," she said softly to herself. "You're really sanguine about leaving this broken mess of a place behind."