Chapter 0599: Communion Ascends the Soul, One's Destiny, Transcendent
Li Luo had an exaggerated look on his face, and even Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin couldn't help but burst out in laughter. "Your house possesses two Dukes. I'd be lying if I said I believed that Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan didn't leave behind any Duke Arts. How can you look at me like that?"
To the average student, a Duke Art was a far-removed concept. Each one was possessed only by almighty experts, and their value was incalculable. After all, there were only so many Dukes in the entire Xia Kingdom.
Li Luo also had two Dukes propping up the house and hence should have been no exception.
This was met with a bitter reply. "My parents did leave behind some Duke Arts, but they are simply things I cannot comprehend." In the deepest depths of House Luolan's library were two Duke Arts that had been left behind by Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan. They were the foundation of House Luolan. However, it was as Li Luo had said, those two Duke Arts were of too high a grade and had a high requirement on the user, resulting in them being unsuitable for him right now.
During the Holy Grail Meet, he witnessed the raw capabilities of the Enlightened Sage Scripture utilized by Lan Lan. As a result, he now held great interest and desire for a Duke Art he could call his own. At the same time, he understood that the requirements of a Duke Art were nothing to scoff at. The current him was woefully inadequate as well. Lan Lan had to obtain Heavenly Pearl Stage strength before being fortunate enough to cultivate the art. It was both a result of ability and chance.
A tiny, little Resonant Master was a long distance away from reaching Lan Lan's heights.
Sun Dasheng also possessed a Duke Art, but that was an incomplete one. Its strength was far from what it could be in its complete state and thus Li Luo was not interested in it.
What he truly wanted was a complete and appropriate Duke Art that fit him like a worn glove!
The requirements for that would be harsh, and even the ones in House Luolan were not sufficient. The fact that Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin had taken the initiative to speak out meant that there was an underlying reason. Perhaps there was something that would be perfect for him? This train of thought led Li Luo's heart to beat wildly in excitement.
Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin said, "Even an itty, bitty Resonant Master is interested in a grand Duke Art. Don't you think you might have overestimated yourself? I bet you are still unable to master a dragon-general resonance art."
Li Luo thickened his skin in response. "Only because I have not had enough time to do so! Plus, the choices are few in number! Conversely, if there truly was a Duke Art that one could understand and cultivate at the Resonant Master Stage, it would be beyond difficult to find! A treasure of the cultivation world! Why would I give up such a wonderful opportunity? No! Of course I will have to seize the day! It goes without saying," he exhorted with absolute enthusiasm.
Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin gave him a wry smile. "There is a proverb within the Duke Arts that goes ‘Communion ascends the soul. One's destiny, transcendent!’ This actually refers to the four different grades of Duke Arts going from weakest to strongest. Communion-grade, Soul Ascension-grade, Destiny-grade, and Transcendent-grade. A Duke's might is heaven-splitting, and they are able to rend the earth and the heavens precisely because they possess Duke Arts.
“Now, the lowest grade, Communion-grade, is something anyone under the Duke Stage is able to comprehend. Success comes from both talent and a good amount of luck."
Li Luo nodded. He had an understanding of the different Duke Art grades as the ones in House Luolan were Soul Ascension-grade arts. Even the average Duke might be hard-pressed to possess just one of this tier!
The difficulty of cultivating one was several times higher than a Communion-grade Duke Art. Thus, it was impossible to comprehend the ones he had access to.
Based on his personal evaluation, even if his strength were to soar even higher, the most he would be able to handle would be a Communion-grade Duke Art.
"Duke Arts aren't common cabbages found everywhere, and naturally they are extremely valuable. Even considering the Astral Sage College's background, the number available is not plenty. If you truly want to harness the strength of one, you will require a high degree of compatibility with the art itself. Just like Sun Dasheng. His Demon Ape's Will might be an incomplete Duke Art, but the crux of the matter is that he is highly compatible with it. Perhaps if he were to enter the Earth Fiend Stage, he would be able to use it in its entirety."
At this point, Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin turned to size Li Luo up with a glint in her eye. "Though I have to admit, you have some outstanding points. In fact, you probably have an advantage over others. Do you know why?"
A quick think revealed the most probable answers. "Because I can wield dual resonances?"
"You're not the dullest tool in the shed after all. Indeed, that is the case. Duke Arts are created when one reaches the Duke Stage, and they are based on the user’s dual resonances, the true core of their might. But what I'm referring to here is the true utilization of dual resonances, not your half-baked application of them."
Li Luo was a little miffed at the sudden disparagement. Weren't they talking about Duke Arts? How did it come to them critiquing his abilities!? How could a puny Resonant Master compare with a grand Duke?
"Regardless of how shallow your usage of dual resonances is, it's still at the very least the usage of dual resonances, which gives you an edge. Thus, if the Duke Art you were to pick is extremely compatible with your innate talents, your chances of cultivating one successfully will be exponentially higher."
Li Luo's gaze lit up once again. He would definitely have more choices if that was the case! He possessed both water and wood resonances with the secondary traits of light and earth, which would increase the range of his compatible arts.
"Let's do it this way. Come back in three days and I will allow Mentor Chi Chan to lead you to the top level of the resonance art library. Within is stored all of the Duke Arts the college has collected, and you can search to your heart's content to find one that is suitable," Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin suggested.
Li Luo nodded in glee. Finally, there was an opportunity!
"I need to first set things straight. If you pick a Duke Art and successfully cultivate it, I'll be using up all 120,000 of your points. If you fail... then it will just cost you 50,000," Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin stated.
Li Luo was taken aback before roaring in frustration, "Wait! 50,000 points even if I fail? Aren't you a little too calculating and blackhearted, Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin!?"
Fully expecting the response, Su Xin haughtily responded, "Well, that's also because we'll be giving you a special cultivation method too. This will inevitably deplete the school's reserves and you'll see the benefits regardless. It's efficacy is unmatched. If you were normally only able to cultivate a Duke Art to 20% of its true strength, with the aid of this cultivation method, it will go up to 50%. So don't you think these are points well spent?"
"Wait, what? 50%?" Li Luo was once again slammed with another surprise. What sort of special cultivation method was this? It seemed ridiculously effective!
"Hm, but it does vary from person to person..." she continued.
Forced into this situation, Li Luo frowned. Clenching his teeth, he made his final decision. "Fine! I agree!"
Although the price seemed large, the possibility of cultivating a Duke Art would make it all worthwhile. After partic.i.p.ating in the Holy Grail Meet, he was clear that his current strength was insufficient. His trump card was not sufficiently game-changing.
The Three-tailed Heavenly Wolf was merely external strength, and only building his own strength would matter in the long run.
Duke Arts were perfect for providing an explosive burst of might at a crucial moment.
Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin seemed to smile even more radiantly at this point, and she lightly clapped her hands. "Truly bold, as expected of the son of Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan. Well, I've said enough. Time for you to find Mentor Chi Chan and receive her a.s.sistance in activating the Phantasmal Spirit Wing Evasion Art. It will protect your little life well." Li Luo nodded and stood up to leave.
Just as he was about to open the door, Su Xin's voice rang out.
"One last thing. Remember to be wary of the Golden Dragon Bank. Especially during the upcoming Housemeet."
Li Luo's pupils shrank slightly as though he remembered something. However, Vice Princ.i.p.al Su Xin did not say more, and so he left.